Meditation on Collaboration #4
Discovering what’s really, really important to faith has been the church’s job since forever. What true faith and belief is is not left up to individuals because there are no boundaries on what an individual might believe is truth. That used to tick me off. I wanted to believe what I thought was important about God and jettison the rest. Sometimes when I feel stunted by the church’s insatiable need for conformity, I get hammered by that same spiritual wanderlust—a need to throw off the shackles and go. I mean, where’s the creativity? Where’s the focus? Do we all have to think alike? Isn’t faith more than doing the same thing over and over, or saying the same thing over and over, and hoping it sticks? How can anyone find any meaning in everyone having to agree with others all the time?
One helpful story about dealing with this internal conflict is the scripture in Acts 15. Here’s the way scripture begins:
1Then certain individuals came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” “It is necessary for them [everybody] to be circumcised and ordered to keep the law of Moses.”
It seems the early Jewish/Christian believers needed to agree on whether uncircumcised men could be considered followers of Jesus. The traditional folks said, “of course you do. Jesus was Jewish, the disciples were Jewish, ergo all real believers have to be Jewish, that is, circumcised. Circumcision is the Jewish mark. On the other side were those who believed, “Hey, who can contain God? Look at all these miracles that have been done by God among the non-Jews! Surely we can’t go on demanding everybody has to be circumcised? God is active among those who are Jews and those who are not! “11we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.”
The groups ranted for a while, then this decree came down from James, who was the head of the believers (traditional folks) in Jerusalem: “19Therefore I have reached the decision that we should not trouble those Gentiles who are turning to God, 20but we should write to them to abstain only from things polluted by idols and from fornication and from whatever has been strangled and from blood.”
So, when the deal went down, the only things that mattered were those that were evidence of God’s presence and to not drink blood, not eat meat sacrificed to foreign gods, and no fornication. Pretty simple, really. Just a few rules.
As groups age and mature, there have to be rules. If dorm life had no rules and the place was run by freshmen, that would be scary. If there were no rules on the highway, that would be deadly. If UNO had no rules, everyone would graduate and not pay a nickel for it and people would, literally, park everywhere!
As the followers of Christ have grouped themselves into churches and believing groups, they have expanded their rules, too. This is predictable because people keep on discovering new situations, and God bless them, they want to know what’s “the right thing to do here.” Seemingly, this request for rules has no end.
But the point for the day is this: collaboration is God’s rule of thumb for groups as well as individuals. It breaks down barriers, gets through our shared fears to our shared lives and promotes a healthy, if slightly rule bound, faith life.
Life together is a grand collaboration. Let’s get to it!
--fred
Friday, September 7
Thursday, September 6
Best Friends forever
Collaboration #3
Best Friends Forever
Jonathan and David were best friends. They had been that way forever. Jonathan was the son of King Saul, and David was to be the anointed one, the one who would be king next. This made for a lot of palace intrigue, since normally, the son of the King would be next in line for succession.
But the boys were somewhat oblivious to this situation. Instead of letting this stuff get between them, they laughed and played and created games. That’s what friends are—seemingly oblivious to all the world and its vagaries, and focused on their friendship. Even when things got hot between David and Saul, the boys made a game out of the life and death situation. You can read all about this history in I Samuel, chapters 18-20.
For a devotion today, make a list of your best friends and pray for them.
Jonathan’s list was David, and he would put his life between David’s and the King. That’s a strong friendship and rare. Maybe you are not in that kind of situation—but you can still have best friends.
Aren’t friends just the best?
1 Samuel 20
1David fled from Naioth in Ramah. He came before Jonathan and said, “What have I done? What is my guilt? And what is my sin against your father that he is trying to take my life?” 2He said to him, “Far from it! You shall not die. My father does nothing either great or small without disclosing it to me; and why should my father hide this from me? Never!” 3But David also swore, “Your father knows well that you like me; and he thinks, ‘Do not let Jonathan know this, or he will be grieved.’ But truly, as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, there is but a step between me and death.” 4Then Jonathan said to David, “Whatever you say, I will do for you.”
Best Friends Forever
Jonathan and David were best friends. They had been that way forever. Jonathan was the son of King Saul, and David was to be the anointed one, the one who would be king next. This made for a lot of palace intrigue, since normally, the son of the King would be next in line for succession.
But the boys were somewhat oblivious to this situation. Instead of letting this stuff get between them, they laughed and played and created games. That’s what friends are—seemingly oblivious to all the world and its vagaries, and focused on their friendship. Even when things got hot between David and Saul, the boys made a game out of the life and death situation. You can read all about this history in I Samuel, chapters 18-20.
For a devotion today, make a list of your best friends and pray for them.
Jonathan’s list was David, and he would put his life between David’s and the King. That’s a strong friendship and rare. Maybe you are not in that kind of situation—but you can still have best friends.
Aren’t friends just the best?
1 Samuel 20
1David fled from Naioth in Ramah. He came before Jonathan and said, “What have I done? What is my guilt? And what is my sin against your father that he is trying to take my life?” 2He said to him, “Far from it! You shall not die. My father does nothing either great or small without disclosing it to me; and why should my father hide this from me? Never!” 3But David also swore, “Your father knows well that you like me; and he thinks, ‘Do not let Jonathan know this, or he will be grieved.’ But truly, as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, there is but a step between me and death.” 4Then Jonathan said to David, “Whatever you say, I will do for you.”
Wednesday, September 5
Uncommon Dreams Mix with Common People.
Meditation on Collaboration #2
Paul and Cornelius had nothing in common. Paul was a religious drifter, going from town to town presenting his views about Jesus, Jews and how a person needed to be Jewish to be a Christian. It stood to reason, that since Jesus was a Jew, everyone who was really going to have a shot at being saved needed to be Jewish. Cornelius was an Italian warrior, and though he was deeply spiritual and faithful to God, he was not Jewish. He had no real thought of being Jewish either, since he was an occupying foreigner and an officer in the army. He was tolerated and feared. He was as welcomed as any occupying army has ever been.
Both Paul and Cornelius had dreams—the kind you have when sleeping. Cornelius’s dream was a message to bring Paul from his seaside accommodations to the interior of the land. Paul was dreaming about how someone would send for him and he should go. And by the way, another part of the dream was this: all animals are clean (being clean is a really important concept—remember the story of the Good Samaritan? The man by the side of the road was unclean—that’s why no one wanted to stop and help. To read more of that story, go to Matthew 10: 25-37).
Paul went to Caesaria and all heaven broke loose on the people (who weren’t Jewish). This amazed Paul because he had been trained to think nothing beat being Jewish. He was wrong, it seems. In fact, it turns out that nothing is better than being with God. Wherever and whoever believes in God can have a share of the Holy Spirit.
Paul and Cornelius were collaborators for God—even though they started their spiritual journeys in different places. Does that mean people have to give up being Jewish or being worshippers of God to be saved? Some would say so.
I say, however, it’s not whether a person is this faith or that. The message of God is that God blesses collaboration and those who listen to and act on their dreams. These dreams are the vehicles of God.
God is looking for people to hear and see dreams. Dreams are the messengers of God.
The result, at the end of Chapter 10, is that all the people were blessed—and they became radically hospitable to one another. The non-Jews invited the Jews to stay for a few more days to exult in God’s spiritual life, even though they weren’t Jewish. The Jews decided to stay with the gentiles, even though the people in Caesarea had been viewed to be substandard and unclean.
Collaborators break down barriers, are really hospitable and move on with God.
Have you had any dreams lately? Maybe your dream is the collaborating link God is looking for. Why not wake up and smell a dream?
Acts, Chapter 10
1In Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of the Italian Cohort, as it was called. 2He was a devout man who feared God with all his household; he gave alms generously to the people and prayed constantly to God. 3One afternoon at about three o’clock he had a vision in which he clearly saw an angel of God coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius.” 4He stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” He answered, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. 5Now send men to Joppa for a certain Simon who is called Peter; 6he is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the seaside.” 7When the angel who spoke to him had left, he called two of his slaves and a devout soldier from the ranks of those who served him, 8and after telling them everything, he sent them to Joppa. (There’s more to this story in a Bible—there’s one somewhere around you, I just know it).
Paul and Cornelius had nothing in common. Paul was a religious drifter, going from town to town presenting his views about Jesus, Jews and how a person needed to be Jewish to be a Christian. It stood to reason, that since Jesus was a Jew, everyone who was really going to have a shot at being saved needed to be Jewish. Cornelius was an Italian warrior, and though he was deeply spiritual and faithful to God, he was not Jewish. He had no real thought of being Jewish either, since he was an occupying foreigner and an officer in the army. He was tolerated and feared. He was as welcomed as any occupying army has ever been.
Both Paul and Cornelius had dreams—the kind you have when sleeping. Cornelius’s dream was a message to bring Paul from his seaside accommodations to the interior of the land. Paul was dreaming about how someone would send for him and he should go. And by the way, another part of the dream was this: all animals are clean (being clean is a really important concept—remember the story of the Good Samaritan? The man by the side of the road was unclean—that’s why no one wanted to stop and help. To read more of that story, go to Matthew 10: 25-37).
Paul went to Caesaria and all heaven broke loose on the people (who weren’t Jewish). This amazed Paul because he had been trained to think nothing beat being Jewish. He was wrong, it seems. In fact, it turns out that nothing is better than being with God. Wherever and whoever believes in God can have a share of the Holy Spirit.
Paul and Cornelius were collaborators for God—even though they started their spiritual journeys in different places. Does that mean people have to give up being Jewish or being worshippers of God to be saved? Some would say so.
I say, however, it’s not whether a person is this faith or that. The message of God is that God blesses collaboration and those who listen to and act on their dreams. These dreams are the vehicles of God.
God is looking for people to hear and see dreams. Dreams are the messengers of God.
The result, at the end of Chapter 10, is that all the people were blessed—and they became radically hospitable to one another. The non-Jews invited the Jews to stay for a few more days to exult in God’s spiritual life, even though they weren’t Jewish. The Jews decided to stay with the gentiles, even though the people in Caesarea had been viewed to be substandard and unclean.
Collaborators break down barriers, are really hospitable and move on with God.
Have you had any dreams lately? Maybe your dream is the collaborating link God is looking for. Why not wake up and smell a dream?
Acts, Chapter 10
1In Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of the Italian Cohort, as it was called. 2He was a devout man who feared God with all his household; he gave alms generously to the people and prayed constantly to God. 3One afternoon at about three o’clock he had a vision in which he clearly saw an angel of God coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius.” 4He stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” He answered, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. 5Now send men to Joppa for a certain Simon who is called Peter; 6he is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the seaside.” 7When the angel who spoke to him had left, he called two of his slaves and a devout soldier from the ranks of those who served him, 8and after telling them everything, he sent them to Joppa. (There’s more to this story in a Bible—there’s one somewhere around you, I just know it).
Tuesday, September 4
Faith stories are not individual events.
Meditation on Collaboration #1
We do this faith life with others. Faith stories are not individual events.
In one of Ann Lamott’s books (she is coming to Omaha--read all about it in the Omaha World Herald http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10118776), she reminds us about how God used one of the bad girls of the bible to save Joshua’s spies. The story describes a number of values inherent in our great faith, one of which is that God’s purposes can use anybody and that sometimes the simple faith of the outsider is a of great help to the established community. In Joshua 2, we read all about how Rahab hides the spies from the King of Jericho and concocts a plan for their continued safety. She asks only that the Hebrews remember her act when they come back later to take over the town. The whole project is messy, since it includes a lady of the evening. But there it is, right there in the book of Joshua. It describes how representatives of the God’s community can collaborate with all kinds of folks in the creation of God’s Kingdom.
God’s plan includes the collaboration of an individual and a community. The story includes Rahab’s individual initiative on behalf of the Hebrew community. The point? the Biblical model describes how no an individual’s experience and action is validated through community. In this story, it goes even further by stating clearly, collaborators don’t even need to be between people of the highest societal morality. Rabab was a prostitute, yet she was part of the grand collaboration scheme in Joshua, chapter 2. For her collaborative efforts, she is among those listed in the genealogy of Jesus (Mt. 1:5)
Could it be that despite your past history, God is looking for your help in creative a faithful community on UNOs campus?
Watch for visitors at the door, they just might be the folks God is sending you for your collaboration in creation.
--f
Joshua 2
1Then Joshua son of Nun sent two men secretly from Shittim as spies, saying, “Go, view the land, especially Jericho.” So they went, and entered the house of a prostitute whose name was Rahab, and spent the night there. 2The king of Jericho was told, “Some Israelites have come here tonight to search out the land.” 3Then the king of Jericho sent orders to Rahab, “Bring out the men who have come to you, who entered your house, for they have come only to search out the whole land.” 4But the woman took the two men and hid them. Then she said, “True, the men came to me, but I did not know where they came from. 5And when it was time to close the gate at dark, the men went out. Where the men went I do not know. Pursue them quickly, for you can overtake them.” 6She had, however, brought them up to the roof and hidden them with the stalks of flax that she had laid out on the roof. (go ahead, read the rest of the story)
We do this faith life with others. Faith stories are not individual events.
In one of Ann Lamott’s books (she is coming to Omaha--read all about it in the Omaha World Herald http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10118776), she reminds us about how God used one of the bad girls of the bible to save Joshua’s spies. The story describes a number of values inherent in our great faith, one of which is that God’s purposes can use anybody and that sometimes the simple faith of the outsider is a of great help to the established community. In Joshua 2, we read all about how Rahab hides the spies from the King of Jericho and concocts a plan for their continued safety. She asks only that the Hebrews remember her act when they come back later to take over the town. The whole project is messy, since it includes a lady of the evening. But there it is, right there in the book of Joshua. It describes how representatives of the God’s community can collaborate with all kinds of folks in the creation of God’s Kingdom.
God’s plan includes the collaboration of an individual and a community. The story includes Rahab’s individual initiative on behalf of the Hebrew community. The point? the Biblical model describes how no an individual’s experience and action is validated through community. In this story, it goes even further by stating clearly, collaborators don’t even need to be between people of the highest societal morality. Rabab was a prostitute, yet she was part of the grand collaboration scheme in Joshua, chapter 2. For her collaborative efforts, she is among those listed in the genealogy of Jesus (Mt. 1:5)
Could it be that despite your past history, God is looking for your help in creative a faithful community on UNOs campus?
Watch for visitors at the door, they just might be the folks God is sending you for your collaboration in creation.
--f
Joshua 2
1Then Joshua son of Nun sent two men secretly from Shittim as spies, saying, “Go, view the land, especially Jericho.” So they went, and entered the house of a prostitute whose name was Rahab, and spent the night there. 2The king of Jericho was told, “Some Israelites have come here tonight to search out the land.” 3Then the king of Jericho sent orders to Rahab, “Bring out the men who have come to you, who entered your house, for they have come only to search out the whole land.” 4But the woman took the two men and hid them. Then she said, “True, the men came to me, but I did not know where they came from. 5And when it was time to close the gate at dark, the men went out. Where the men went I do not know. Pursue them quickly, for you can overtake them.” 6She had, however, brought them up to the roof and hidden them with the stalks of flax that she had laid out on the roof. (go ahead, read the rest of the story)
Monday, September 3
Real Rest
Getting real rest
Every seventh day, we need rest. This is wisdom. The ancient faithful took hold of this direction and applied it to their lives. It helped them thrive.
In general, I think this is a good plan. Pushing the limits of our bodies must be periodically followed by periods of rest. We cannot always be working. Nor can the land always be worked. It needs extended rest. The principle is that extended rest applies to people and to the land. This will allow God’s shalom to reign.
It is clear we all need rest on a regular basis and we need extended rest on a less frequent basis. The land and animals under our care also need rest.
We live in times of constant blurred lines between work and home, play and work, recreation and rest. We don’t always see the difference in these concepts. That doesn’t mean the words are meaningless, but simply a challenge. We need to rest. These words of rest may be the most difficult of all biblical words for us and our 24/7 culture to hear. We people love work, we love entertainment, we love to produce.
This morning’s Business section carried a comment about work life: “We are all on call all the time.” I know how I feel when I turn off my cell phone and computer: deprived and detached. Danger signs are apparent in the working world. This is not so good.
What would it take to be a wise person of regular periods of rest and regular periods of extended rest? What will happen if we are always working? Will that life of work bring God’s shalom? I think not.
Work is good and is part of creation, but it can function only with times of rest.
--Fred
Leviticus 25:1-7
1The LORD spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai, saying: 2Speak to the people of Israel and say to them: When you enter the land that I am giving you, the land shall observe a sabbath for the LORD. 3Six years you shall sow your field, and six years you shall prune your vineyard, and gather in their yield; 4but in the seventh year there shall be a sabbath of complete rest for the land, a sabbath for the LORD: you shall not sow your field or prune your vineyard. 5You shall not reap the aftergrowth of your harvest or gather the grapes of your unpruned vine: it shall be a year of complete rest for the land. 6You may eat what the land yields during its sabbath—you, your male and female slaves, your hired and your bound laborers who live with you; 7for your livestock also, and for the wild animals in your land all its yield shall be for food.
Every seventh day, we need rest. This is wisdom. The ancient faithful took hold of this direction and applied it to their lives. It helped them thrive.
In general, I think this is a good plan. Pushing the limits of our bodies must be periodically followed by periods of rest. We cannot always be working. Nor can the land always be worked. It needs extended rest. The principle is that extended rest applies to people and to the land. This will allow God’s shalom to reign.
It is clear we all need rest on a regular basis and we need extended rest on a less frequent basis. The land and animals under our care also need rest.
We live in times of constant blurred lines between work and home, play and work, recreation and rest. We don’t always see the difference in these concepts. That doesn’t mean the words are meaningless, but simply a challenge. We need to rest. These words of rest may be the most difficult of all biblical words for us and our 24/7 culture to hear. We people love work, we love entertainment, we love to produce.
This morning’s Business section carried a comment about work life: “We are all on call all the time.” I know how I feel when I turn off my cell phone and computer: deprived and detached. Danger signs are apparent in the working world. This is not so good.
What would it take to be a wise person of regular periods of rest and regular periods of extended rest? What will happen if we are always working? Will that life of work bring God’s shalom? I think not.
Work is good and is part of creation, but it can function only with times of rest.
--Fred
Leviticus 25:1-7
1The LORD spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai, saying: 2Speak to the people of Israel and say to them: When you enter the land that I am giving you, the land shall observe a sabbath for the LORD. 3Six years you shall sow your field, and six years you shall prune your vineyard, and gather in their yield; 4but in the seventh year there shall be a sabbath of complete rest for the land, a sabbath for the LORD: you shall not sow your field or prune your vineyard. 5You shall not reap the aftergrowth of your harvest or gather the grapes of your unpruned vine: it shall be a year of complete rest for the land. 6You may eat what the land yields during its sabbath—you, your male and female slaves, your hired and your bound laborers who live with you; 7for your livestock also, and for the wild animals in your land all its yield shall be for food.
Sunday, September 2
God Is Bigger than I Think
Making Room in our Minds
I think the God we worship says a lot about our hopes and dreams for ourselves and the world. Indeed, the crux of religion is this: how does God speak in our time. To whom does God speak? What difference does it make if God speaks.
Years ago, after the holocaust and World War II, some philosophers believed God was dead. After all, it was argued, how could so much pain be allowed by any kind of God? Extreme realism, cynicism and analysis forced the human race to an untenable conclusion that God was mortal after all. Later, this view died away of its own weight, because people were incessant in their demand for hope. People now reasoned, “hope can be found even in the microcosms of every day life.” The result has been a variety of views of “God Lite.” At times, all this God talk has turned the Creator and Savior into an illusion—like the human population is making God into that for which we hope.
Perhaps this difficulty was the result of our minds being too small to grasp that God is beyond what we make Him/Her to be. We think, “Well, if thus and so is happening, and God isn’t responding, God must be irrelevant.” Rather, I think, we make the error that God has only one way of doing things, one way of appearing and one way of being described. (We also make God our own scapegoat giving us good reason to be passive and do nothing on ecological and human to human issues.)
The book Isaiah has a wonderful passage in chapter 40 which describes God to be worshiped—and that God does not have a mono-personality: that God description has two personalities. The first is creator and the second is redeemer.
Isaiah 40:25-31
25 To whom then will you compare me,
or who is my equal? says the Holy One.
26 Lift up your eyes on high and see:
Who created these?
He who brings out their host and numbers them,
calling them all by name;
because he is great in strength,
mighty in power,
not one is missing.
27 Why do you say, O Jacob,
and speak, O Israel,
“My way is hidden from the LORD,
and my right is disregarded by my God”?
28 Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
his understanding is unsearchable.
29 He gives power to the faint,
and strengthens the powerless.
30 Even youths will faint and be weary,
and the young will fall exhausted;
31 but those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength,
they shall mount up with wings like eagles,
they shall run and not be weary,
they shall walk and not faint.
God is not dead because of what we believe or don’t. God is not dead because of the bad news we see and read and atrocities humans force upon each other and the planet. God lives because of what God is: creator and redeemer, among other descriptions. Biblically, the creator God is our redeemer is reflected in the Exodus, the nation Israel under David, Jesus and the disciples, Jesus and Jerusalem, and Jesus and the world. That the creator God is also redeemer means matter matters.
The biblical truth is that God is creator and redeemer and is unwilling to let go. The promise of a redeemed planet continues through all creation, including us.
Blessings on you this day!
--Fred
I think the God we worship says a lot about our hopes and dreams for ourselves and the world. Indeed, the crux of religion is this: how does God speak in our time. To whom does God speak? What difference does it make if God speaks.
Years ago, after the holocaust and World War II, some philosophers believed God was dead. After all, it was argued, how could so much pain be allowed by any kind of God? Extreme realism, cynicism and analysis forced the human race to an untenable conclusion that God was mortal after all. Later, this view died away of its own weight, because people were incessant in their demand for hope. People now reasoned, “hope can be found even in the microcosms of every day life.” The result has been a variety of views of “God Lite.” At times, all this God talk has turned the Creator and Savior into an illusion—like the human population is making God into that for which we hope.
Perhaps this difficulty was the result of our minds being too small to grasp that God is beyond what we make Him/Her to be. We think, “Well, if thus and so is happening, and God isn’t responding, God must be irrelevant.” Rather, I think, we make the error that God has only one way of doing things, one way of appearing and one way of being described. (We also make God our own scapegoat giving us good reason to be passive and do nothing on ecological and human to human issues.)
The book Isaiah has a wonderful passage in chapter 40 which describes God to be worshiped—and that God does not have a mono-personality: that God description has two personalities. The first is creator and the second is redeemer.
Isaiah 40:25-31
25 To whom then will you compare me,
or who is my equal? says the Holy One.
26 Lift up your eyes on high and see:
Who created these?
He who brings out their host and numbers them,
calling them all by name;
because he is great in strength,
mighty in power,
not one is missing.
27 Why do you say, O Jacob,
and speak, O Israel,
“My way is hidden from the LORD,
and my right is disregarded by my God”?
28 Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
his understanding is unsearchable.
29 He gives power to the faint,
and strengthens the powerless.
30 Even youths will faint and be weary,
and the young will fall exhausted;
31 but those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength,
they shall mount up with wings like eagles,
they shall run and not be weary,
they shall walk and not faint.
God is not dead because of what we believe or don’t. God is not dead because of the bad news we see and read and atrocities humans force upon each other and the planet. God lives because of what God is: creator and redeemer, among other descriptions. Biblically, the creator God is our redeemer is reflected in the Exodus, the nation Israel under David, Jesus and the disciples, Jesus and Jerusalem, and Jesus and the world. That the creator God is also redeemer means matter matters.
The biblical truth is that God is creator and redeemer and is unwilling to let go. The promise of a redeemed planet continues through all creation, including us.
Blessings on you this day!
--Fred
Saturday, September 1
It's not about getting to heaven...
Christianity is not about getting to heaven
Most of us like music and singing. I’ve discovered in the churches I’ve served that people love to sing the songs they know. As I travel from church to church on Sundays, or hear students on campus, I pick up right away on that. Whether traditional or contemporary, high liturgy or praise services, the songs people sing best are the ones they know the best.
One of the traditional song hits I know best is “Love Divine All Loves Excelling”, where in line two, we read, “Joy of heaven to earth come down.” The model is that God came to earth in Jesus. The model is that heaven has come to earth. The theological point is not that we die and go to heaven—the point is that heaven comes to earth while we are alive!
In the modern hymn, “Sanctuary” we hear about being “pure and holy”—not there, but here.
In the Lord’s prayer, we hear the ancient story: “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Again, it’s not about getting to heaven, but acknowledging that God is remaking earth into heaven.
Our God-talk today is that God is the great recycler—not making something brand new, but something that is re-newed, changed, recycled.
A friend and colleague of mine, Rev. Ebb Munden, recently preached a sermon on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the founding of a church. In the sermon he said:
Too often I revert to trusting in myself or the powers of this world rather than God alone. And I worry about the fact that much of what I have attempted to do in my ministry to achieve peace with justice in our church and in our world has not met with the success I wanted. I still grieve at the pain, the injustice, the violence in our church and our world, and I am impatient with my own unfaithfulness. Nevertheless, I discover that an amazing thing has happened. I find myself filled with a persistent hope for the future even when I see little evidence to justify it.
Hope is different from optimism. Optimism believes that things will always turn out the way we want . Hope knows that things often do not turn out the way we want but trusts that God rules; God’s will, will be done. To say that God rules is not to say that God wants whatever happens, or that God is the cause of whatever happens, or that God controls all that happens. It is to live in the resurrection faith that in everything that does happen God is acting to raise up new possibilities for the future to serve God’s will that there be life, new life, fulfilling life, eternal life for all.
I believe Christianity is not about going to heaven, but about realizing heaven comes to earth, and is recognizable in following God and trusting God. Heaven is God’s will coming being reborn on earth. The earth is being remade—recycled before our eyes. Does not that make us earth keepers?
--fred
Matthew 6:7-13
7“When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. 8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
9“Pray then in this way:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
10 Your kingdom come.
Your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And do not bring us to the time of trial,
but rescue us from the evil one.
Most of us like music and singing. I’ve discovered in the churches I’ve served that people love to sing the songs they know. As I travel from church to church on Sundays, or hear students on campus, I pick up right away on that. Whether traditional or contemporary, high liturgy or praise services, the songs people sing best are the ones they know the best.
One of the traditional song hits I know best is “Love Divine All Loves Excelling”, where in line two, we read, “Joy of heaven to earth come down.” The model is that God came to earth in Jesus. The model is that heaven has come to earth. The theological point is not that we die and go to heaven—the point is that heaven comes to earth while we are alive!
In the modern hymn, “Sanctuary” we hear about being “pure and holy”—not there, but here.
In the Lord’s prayer, we hear the ancient story: “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Again, it’s not about getting to heaven, but acknowledging that God is remaking earth into heaven.
Our God-talk today is that God is the great recycler—not making something brand new, but something that is re-newed, changed, recycled.
A friend and colleague of mine, Rev. Ebb Munden, recently preached a sermon on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the founding of a church. In the sermon he said:
Too often I revert to trusting in myself or the powers of this world rather than God alone. And I worry about the fact that much of what I have attempted to do in my ministry to achieve peace with justice in our church and in our world has not met with the success I wanted. I still grieve at the pain, the injustice, the violence in our church and our world, and I am impatient with my own unfaithfulness. Nevertheless, I discover that an amazing thing has happened. I find myself filled with a persistent hope for the future even when I see little evidence to justify it.
Hope is different from optimism. Optimism believes that things will always turn out the way we want . Hope knows that things often do not turn out the way we want but trusts that God rules; God’s will, will be done. To say that God rules is not to say that God wants whatever happens, or that God is the cause of whatever happens, or that God controls all that happens. It is to live in the resurrection faith that in everything that does happen God is acting to raise up new possibilities for the future to serve God’s will that there be life, new life, fulfilling life, eternal life for all.
I believe Christianity is not about going to heaven, but about realizing heaven comes to earth, and is recognizable in following God and trusting God. Heaven is God’s will coming being reborn on earth. The earth is being remade—recycled before our eyes. Does not that make us earth keepers?
--fred
Matthew 6:7-13
7“When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. 8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
9“Pray then in this way:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
10 Your kingdom come.
Your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And do not bring us to the time of trial,
but rescue us from the evil one.
Friday, August 31
Meditation on tents
Tent Pitching
After college graduation, a group of us went to upper New York State to canoe and camp. We pitched tents in the wilderness of the islands and lakes around us. Our celebration was to get away from the tensions of exams, wrestling with life goals (“what are you going to do after you graduate?”) and life as we knew it. The desire to get away from it all is still around, and probably will be as long as there are houses and weekends—especially national holiday weekends. People are taking their tents and driving to all points of the compass to get away to something different.
God appreciates that, but God also does it differently when it comes to tents. Tents are a well-known commodity in scripture. Abraham entertained there, Jacob moved too meet his brother with them, the Hebrews marched through the desert with them, and Paul was known to be a tent-maker. These temporary structures were built for travel as well as a place away from the elements, even while being in the midst of them.
In the Gospel of John, what was translated “dwelt” (v. 14) also means, “pitched a tent.” Verse 14 could be read this way: “And the word became flesh and God pitched a tent among us.” That God chose to be with the people makes where that happened a sacred place. God is with us, pitching a tent with us wherever we go.
Besides the sacredness of the space, there also is the idea of the temporariness of the structure. No footings were dug and filled to keep the tent from shifting. When the tent was packed, the earth was once again revealed. Sacredness did not move with the tent, it stayed with the earth. The earth was sacred. It still is.
If God cared for the earth in revelatory acts of pitching a tent, are we not also called to care for the earth—because it is sacred? What can you do today to demonstrate you honor the sacredness of the earth?
John 1
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was in the beginning with God. 3All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4in him was life, _ and the life was the light of all people. 5The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
6There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. 9The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. _
10He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. 11He came to what was his own, _ and his own people did not accept him. 12But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, 13who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. 14And the Word became flesh and pitched a tent among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, _ full of grace and truth.
Wednesday, August 29
No Rapture, just an earthy party
No Rapture, just a party;
based on 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
The Bible is full of stories on banquets and invitations as if to proclaim God’s life among us is all about sumptuous feasts and happy gatherings. Look at the stories of the prodigal son (Luke 15), the groom and the bridal party (Matthew 25.6), even Joseph and his reuniting with his brothers and father (Genesis 42). There are stories of Jesus eating and drinking with short people, taxing people, lazy people, frantic people, wise people, possessed people and more. I recall, as well, the big entrance into Jerusalem just before the last supper (Matthew 21). In fact, Jesus spent a lot of time with a wide variety of folks who, presumably, knew how to party! This leads me to an easy conclusion: The biblical indicators are that, out of thanksgiving, we can all be about celebrating God’s love for all creation.
When we break into the letters ascribed to Paul, we find an additional nuance: these festive meetings involve going out to meet the dignitary and bringing the dignitary to the event. Paul was brought from the house of Simon by the sea to the house of the soldier, Cornelius in Acts 10; and in Acts 28:15, the Christians in Rome journeyed journey out to meet Paul and become part of his entourage as he entered the capital city.
I like what Steven Bouma-Prediger says here:
[The oft quoted passage below] does not describe “the rapture”—believers being whisked off the Earth and the Earth being burned up to nothing. Indeed, contrary to what many Americans believe, there is no “Rapture” in the bible. Paul’s picture here is not about escaping from the Earth but about greeting the King as he returns to establish shalom on Earth. Christian eschatology is not escapist but earthly and earthy. And since our ethics is shaped by our eschatology, our actions in the present ought to reflect this earthly and earthy view of God’s good future.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
13But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, _ about those who have died, _ so that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have died. _ 15For this we declare to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will by no means precede those who have died. _ 16For the Lord himself, with a cry of command, with the archangel’s call and with the sound of God’s trumpet, will descend from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up in the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will be with the Lord forever. 18Therefore encourage one another with these words.
What’s biblical is that Christ is coming and his followers will have an ecstatic meeting in the air with him. And right after that—an earthly and earthy party.
based on 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
The Bible is full of stories on banquets and invitations as if to proclaim God’s life among us is all about sumptuous feasts and happy gatherings. Look at the stories of the prodigal son (Luke 15), the groom and the bridal party (Matthew 25.6), even Joseph and his reuniting with his brothers and father (Genesis 42). There are stories of Jesus eating and drinking with short people, taxing people, lazy people, frantic people, wise people, possessed people and more. I recall, as well, the big entrance into Jerusalem just before the last supper (Matthew 21). In fact, Jesus spent a lot of time with a wide variety of folks who, presumably, knew how to party! This leads me to an easy conclusion: The biblical indicators are that, out of thanksgiving, we can all be about celebrating God’s love for all creation.
When we break into the letters ascribed to Paul, we find an additional nuance: these festive meetings involve going out to meet the dignitary and bringing the dignitary to the event. Paul was brought from the house of Simon by the sea to the house of the soldier, Cornelius in Acts 10; and in Acts 28:15, the Christians in Rome journeyed journey out to meet Paul and become part of his entourage as he entered the capital city.
I like what Steven Bouma-Prediger says here:
[The oft quoted passage below] does not describe “the rapture”—believers being whisked off the Earth and the Earth being burned up to nothing. Indeed, contrary to what many Americans believe, there is no “Rapture” in the bible. Paul’s picture here is not about escaping from the Earth but about greeting the King as he returns to establish shalom on Earth. Christian eschatology is not escapist but earthly and earthy. And since our ethics is shaped by our eschatology, our actions in the present ought to reflect this earthly and earthy view of God’s good future.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
13But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, _ about those who have died, _ so that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have died. _ 15For this we declare to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will by no means precede those who have died. _ 16For the Lord himself, with a cry of command, with the archangel’s call and with the sound of God’s trumpet, will descend from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up in the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will be with the Lord forever. 18Therefore encourage one another with these words.
What’s biblical is that Christ is coming and his followers will have an ecstatic meeting in the air with him. And right after that—an earthly and earthy party.
Tuesday, August 28
A String on God’s Pinky
Genesis 8:1-9:17
The grand story of the flood reminds us that God has made a covenant with all of us. All of us humans and all the animals on the earth, as well: “8Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him, 9 “As for me, I am establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you, 10and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the domestic animals, and every animal of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark.”
I was reminded in this scripture of life on the ark, of how the family of Noah trusted God for the journey, and how, in the end, God fulfilled a promise of hope to all the animals. We are meant to be a gathering of humans in the midst of the wider gathering of all creation. This is hard to remember.
Yesterday was the first day of the second semester at UNO. We had a difficult assignment—to make friends with all the students as they trudged through the Plaza. Oxygen was playing, free food was available and the intense heat made us grateful for the breeze. Not all students were particularly thinking about God at this moment in their lives. Most were interested in cell phone conversations and relationship building. The last class was a fleeting moment ago. Now it was time for something fresh. A new beginning.
Steven Bouma-Prediger says it this way:
Many read this story as a story about the covenant with Noah, but like a steady drumbeat, eetigh times in ten verses (9:8-17) Sctiputre tells us that God’s covenant is with more than humans. Iondeed, it is with the Earth itself. We tend top think that God is intereted only in us humans, but this covant with creation tells us otherwise. And while we think the rainbow is for us00to remind us of God’s mercy—the text tells us that the rainbow serves as a reminder primarily to God. As Frederick Buechner puts it, “the rainbow is like a string tied around God’s pinky, lest God forget his everlasting covenant. God see the rainbow and remembers his covenant with creation.
Enjoy today’s renewed creation, and tie something on your pinky to help you remember!
--Fred
The grand story of the flood reminds us that God has made a covenant with all of us. All of us humans and all the animals on the earth, as well: “8Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him, 9 “As for me, I am establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you, 10and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the domestic animals, and every animal of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark.”
I was reminded in this scripture of life on the ark, of how the family of Noah trusted God for the journey, and how, in the end, God fulfilled a promise of hope to all the animals. We are meant to be a gathering of humans in the midst of the wider gathering of all creation. This is hard to remember.
Yesterday was the first day of the second semester at UNO. We had a difficult assignment—to make friends with all the students as they trudged through the Plaza. Oxygen was playing, free food was available and the intense heat made us grateful for the breeze. Not all students were particularly thinking about God at this moment in their lives. Most were interested in cell phone conversations and relationship building. The last class was a fleeting moment ago. Now it was time for something fresh. A new beginning.
Steven Bouma-Prediger says it this way:
Many read this story as a story about the covenant with Noah, but like a steady drumbeat, eetigh times in ten verses (9:8-17) Sctiputre tells us that God’s covenant is with more than humans. Iondeed, it is with the Earth itself. We tend top think that God is intereted only in us humans, but this covant with creation tells us otherwise. And while we think the rainbow is for us00to remind us of God’s mercy—the text tells us that the rainbow serves as a reminder primarily to God. As Frederick Buechner puts it, “the rainbow is like a string tied around God’s pinky, lest God forget his everlasting covenant. God see the rainbow and remembers his covenant with creation.
Enjoy today’s renewed creation, and tie something on your pinky to help you remember!
--Fred
Monday, August 27
Welcome to the Blog!
Today at UNO campus, a number of us stood/sat in the 93-degree heat to pass out bookmarks to the students who happened across our path. Now statistically speaking, I'm not expecting many students to actually go to this blog to check out what's going on. I mean, hello? College students. They don't tend to be notorious for even saving anything. However, since I am an incurable optimist sometimes, I am writing this post to welcome those of you who have come along and want to know what exactly is going on, namely what will be going on during Tuesday tomorrow at Inclusive Spiritual Searchers.
You might be wondering, "Can I join in if I'm not Christian?" It's for everyone! We really aren't concerned with having a Christian-only discussion on religion, because what good is that? Father Mulcahey on M*A*S*H said it best: "Wonderous and mysterious are the ways of God, and I would have no one shield my eyes from the glory of his works." We are of the same mindset. I'm excited to get as many different perspectives on God as we can manage! That means whatever you bring to the table just makes our feast that much more grand.
If you're thinking about coming to Inclusive Spiritual Searchers, the first meeting is Tuesday, August 28th at 8:00 PM in the Tower Room, 3rd floor of the Milo Bail Student Center. Make no mistake about it, I consider this place (along with others) to be the Church to which I go to explore God. Here are some of the kinds of questions that we ask that you want to keep in mind, though of course any more you have would be absolutely fabulous:
Who is God? : Is God a man or woman? Person or entity? One or many? Did God exist in Jesus, Gandhi, Buddha, Muhammad, or anyone else? These are just a few of the many things you might think of when you think of God. The spirit moves everyone in its own way, even those who are part of the same religion. Every perspective on God is as unique as each of the creatures on this Earth.
What does God want? : This question is easier asked than answered! Since humans have been around, they've been trying to figure out what God(s) want. Do you believe it's spelled out in a book, or that it can ever be confined to just words on a page? Can anyone ever really be "right" about it?
What do you want/need from God? : Do you want strength, enlightenment, salvation, companionship, reassurance, love, acceptance, hope? Do you want something I couldn't think of to put in here? And how can God give it to you?
What role does God play in your life? : Do you prey often and draw strength from the divine, or is it something you have passively in your existence? Do you feel the spirit inside of you? Maybe you even feel God hasn't played a big enough role in your life.
What questions do you have for God, and for the others there? : This entire group is based upon the strength of the people within it. Therefore our strength comes from what you bring, and we're all so excited to find out what that is.
I can't think of anything else to add. I'm sure there is something I did forget. That's what the "comments" section is for. Comment away, with your questions, or even some of your answers to what was listed above. I hope to see a lot of new and old faces tomorrow!
You might be wondering, "Can I join in if I'm not Christian?" It's for everyone! We really aren't concerned with having a Christian-only discussion on religion, because what good is that? Father Mulcahey on M*A*S*H said it best: "Wonderous and mysterious are the ways of God, and I would have no one shield my eyes from the glory of his works." We are of the same mindset. I'm excited to get as many different perspectives on God as we can manage! That means whatever you bring to the table just makes our feast that much more grand.
If you're thinking about coming to Inclusive Spiritual Searchers, the first meeting is Tuesday, August 28th at 8:00 PM in the Tower Room, 3rd floor of the Milo Bail Student Center. Make no mistake about it, I consider this place (along with others) to be the Church to which I go to explore God. Here are some of the kinds of questions that we ask that you want to keep in mind, though of course any more you have would be absolutely fabulous:
Who is God? : Is God a man or woman? Person or entity? One or many? Did God exist in Jesus, Gandhi, Buddha, Muhammad, or anyone else? These are just a few of the many things you might think of when you think of God. The spirit moves everyone in its own way, even those who are part of the same religion. Every perspective on God is as unique as each of the creatures on this Earth.
What does God want? : This question is easier asked than answered! Since humans have been around, they've been trying to figure out what God(s) want. Do you believe it's spelled out in a book, or that it can ever be confined to just words on a page? Can anyone ever really be "right" about it?
What do you want/need from God? : Do you want strength, enlightenment, salvation, companionship, reassurance, love, acceptance, hope? Do you want something I couldn't think of to put in here? And how can God give it to you?
What role does God play in your life? : Do you prey often and draw strength from the divine, or is it something you have passively in your existence? Do you feel the spirit inside of you? Maybe you even feel God hasn't played a big enough role in your life.
What questions do you have for God, and for the others there? : This entire group is based upon the strength of the people within it. Therefore our strength comes from what you bring, and we're all so excited to find out what that is.
I can't think of anything else to add. I'm sure there is something I did forget. That's what the "comments" section is for. Comment away, with your questions, or even some of your answers to what was listed above. I hope to see a lot of new and old faces tomorrow!
Friday, August 24
Is God Green?
Is God Green?
Revelation 21
1Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,
“See, the home of God is among mortals.
He will dwell with them;
they will be his peoples,
and God himself will be with them;
he will wipe every tear from their eyes.
Death will be no more;
mourning and crying and pain will be no more,
for the first things have passed away.”
5And the one who was seated on the throne said, “See, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
All this rain and lightning we’ve had is freaky. A farm manager told me yesterday that parts of northwest Iowas have had a total of 13 inches of rain in August. Trees are falling over because of the soggy earth. And the corn falls over in a good wind. Is this normal?
A longtime friend, a retied banker, asked me if I thought global warming was for real. He had just watched the Al Gore movie and wanted to know what I thought. As we sat after our golf game was rained out, (2” fell in less than an hour) I truly wondered not only if global warming was real, but if God was green, that is, if God was doing anything about bringing the world back into atmospheric balance.
John’s Revelation notes that God will make all things new. The Greek, translated “new” does not mean “out of nothing” as in creation. It means “renew” as in taking something and re doing it. Refreshing it. Notice in this reading that the new Jerusalem comes down out of heaven from God. The earth does not go to heaven, heaven comes to earth. Heaven comes to the land of the humans
Notice that it is God who takes the initiative. God takes the initiative and comes to people with love and renewing power—even perhaps, when we are unwilling.
Even, perhaps, when the world is in ecological disarray. God enjoys making new things, as in creation. But now, God is re-newing things. God is green, are you? God is green, do you want to join in?
--Fred
Revelation 21
1Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,
“See, the home of God is among mortals.
He will dwell with them;
they will be his peoples,
and God himself will be with them;
he will wipe every tear from their eyes.
Death will be no more;
mourning and crying and pain will be no more,
for the first things have passed away.”
5And the one who was seated on the throne said, “See, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
All this rain and lightning we’ve had is freaky. A farm manager told me yesterday that parts of northwest Iowas have had a total of 13 inches of rain in August. Trees are falling over because of the soggy earth. And the corn falls over in a good wind. Is this normal?
A longtime friend, a retied banker, asked me if I thought global warming was for real. He had just watched the Al Gore movie and wanted to know what I thought. As we sat after our golf game was rained out, (2” fell in less than an hour) I truly wondered not only if global warming was real, but if God was green, that is, if God was doing anything about bringing the world back into atmospheric balance.
John’s Revelation notes that God will make all things new. The Greek, translated “new” does not mean “out of nothing” as in creation. It means “renew” as in taking something and re doing it. Refreshing it. Notice in this reading that the new Jerusalem comes down out of heaven from God. The earth does not go to heaven, heaven comes to earth. Heaven comes to the land of the humans
Notice that it is God who takes the initiative. God takes the initiative and comes to people with love and renewing power—even perhaps, when we are unwilling.
Even, perhaps, when the world is in ecological disarray. God enjoys making new things, as in creation. But now, God is re-newing things. God is green, are you? God is green, do you want to join in?
--Fred
Thursday, August 23
This year is really a new creation
Meditation for students at UNO from Genesis chapter 1:
27 So God created humankind _ in his image,
in the image of God he created them; _
male and female he created them.
28God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.” 29God said, “See, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food. 30And to every beast of the earth, and to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so. 31God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.
So you’re either on campus or thinking about it. Registrations are completed (hopefully) and people will be hitting you up to be in their groups, go where they want to go, yada, yada.
So you’re wondering about your life at UNO and what shape it will take and whether you’ll have friends and who they will be. You’re probably excited about the opportunities that are in front of you, and there are plenty of them!
So, think about a couple things as you prepare for the life ahead.
So, I think your future is a partnership with God and God’s creation. What do you want to contribute?
--Fred
27 So God created humankind _ in his image,
in the image of God he created them; _
male and female he created them.
28God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.” 29God said, “See, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food. 30And to every beast of the earth, and to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so. 31God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.
So you’re either on campus or thinking about it. Registrations are completed (hopefully) and people will be hitting you up to be in their groups, go where they want to go, yada, yada.
So you’re wondering about your life at UNO and what shape it will take and whether you’ll have friends and who they will be. You’re probably excited about the opportunities that are in front of you, and there are plenty of them!
So, think about a couple things as you prepare for the life ahead.
- First, recall that we are all part of God’s creation. Us and them, You and me.
- Second, remember you can be filled greatly if you exercise dominion (that, by the way, means caring for, it does not mean domination of the environment—God said, in effect, “It’s good to be green.”)
- Third, you are labeled already, and the label is stamped “very good”. You might wonder why only “very good” and that’s because you are probably not on the same playing field as God, so don’t take that one too hard!
So, I think your future is a partnership with God and God’s creation. What do you want to contribute?
--Fred
Tuesday, August 21
A Fast Approaching School Year
The summer is coming to an end, though the heat and stormy weather might have you believing otherwise! And while the atmosphere might not be aware of the transitional period, it is on the minds of many that a new school year is nearly at our doorstep. Therefore, it is the time to begin planning for the future semester of activities for UCMHE to pursue. Some of us got together to explore the physical, mental, and spiritual future of the organization with a day of activity. It began with a walk through a corn maze at Fontanelle Forest, and continued on through good conversation, a good meal, and a great opportunity to get some ideas going. Here's a rough idea of the things that were mentioned concerning both the beginning of the semester and the activities to pursue during it (and click the links for more information):
Inclusive Spiritual Searchers - This is a relatively new group whose roots spring from the desire for a progressive religious student organization on campus which would feature an open, accepting atmosphere of different ideologies and spiritual perspectives. It meets on Tuesday nights at 8:00 PM on the third floor of the Milo Bail Student Center in the Tower Room at UNO, and will continue to do so throughout this upcoming semester. ISS serves as a haven for those who wish to speak their mind on religion and gather the perspective from others. The only thing you need is an open mind. How these meetings will be directed in terms of what will be discussed is very flexible, and open to any suggestions. I'm looking forward to the exploration of religion in song, though I haven't been able to narrow it down to just one to present. The Labyrinth will be featured for a soothing and meditative path-walk for students again, most likely. Walk-ins and friends are welcome!
Camp Fontanelle Exploration - Today was the day that we explored the corn maze at Camp Fontanelle to gauge the activity benefits of the place. It was hot (and by hot, I mean could I please be excused from standing next to the sun now? because it is very hot in Nebraska) outside, though an occasional breeze brought mercy upon our sweaty, muddy bodies while we navigated by small green and black maps of the terrain. Out of nowhere it even turned into a biblical discussion as we journeyed!
What's the importance of this? It looks to be an interesting spot, so we're making arrangements for an all-day (possibly 10 AM - 10 PM) retreat to the forest. We'll be hammering out the details of activities, but it will be focused on a team-building exercise as well as a good time! More information will be available on this, but it looks like this is set to take place sometime around October.
Church Visits - It's not hard to guess what this one is about! There will be a schedule of visits to different churches to experience the religion of others to the fullest. Since religion is such a versatile institution, whose numbers can range from a church of one to billions of people underneath an umbrella definition, it's always useful to see how others choose to connect with God. From Roman Catholic to Greek Orthodox, and then back around again for Judaism, Buddhism, there will be even more than that to learn about! While we also don't have much real scheduling done, information on this one will come quick.
Bible Study - Because the Bible occupies an undeniably fundamental and tenacious element of the Christian religion, it is crucial to understand the Bible itself. Since we no longer live in a world with a readable, accessible Bible (thank you, Martin Luther), we have the opportunity to gather together and truly come to know as well as understand its passages. It is likely to include information not only on the Bible itself, but also on historically relevant information for context. If you aren't familiar with the Bible, need a tune-up on your holy information, or just want to come together and explore and discuss, this will be an excellent opportunity.
Sunday Movies - Religion plays a much bigger role in the media world than we sometimes give it credit for. Movie Nights will likely be held on Sunday, and will involve coming together to watch a movie, then discussing its spiritual context. The list of movies or a definitive time/date/location haven't been decided, but there are lots of ideas brewing for it.
Second Saturday of Service - No way could we miss another semester to gather in the morning at Caffeine Dreams at 8:00 AM to go build houses for those in need! You don't need any experience in building to come and help, and as with many activities, the more the merrier. What do you get out of waking up at that ungodly hour on a Saturday: free coffee, a great sense of satisfaction from helping others, and an all-around fun time.
Nothing But Nets - The goal is decisive: raise $1,000 to save 100 lives. In areas where combinations of tropical conditions and extreme poverty meet, a bed net can make all the difference between life and death - especially by malaria. Created by Rick Riley of Sports Illustrated, this organization is a charity that buys nets for those who are in dire need of them and cannot afford one on their own. We'll be raising funds for this in a variety of fashions, and will likely be accepting donations at the UCMHE table at UNO on Monday. A simple screen of mesh can literally save the life of the person inside of it, so make sure to take its importance to heart.
P.S. - If you want to help stave off the hunger and poverty which plague these places just as badly as the bugs, go to The Hunger Site and click daily. Each click is a donation of 1.1 cups of staple food for the hungry. Their store is also a large dealer of wonderful fair-trade goods for excellent prices, and provides a unique place for shopping (excellent for gift-giving!).
New Orleans - While it may not touch the news nearly as often anymore, New Orleans is far from repaired following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. More and more it is up to volunteers to put forth their time and effort to help bring the city back onto its feet. UCMHE has been to New Orleans four times in the past two years, and will likely have another trip as soon as winter break. It's a worthy cause, and once again the more that come the merrier we will be! For more information, contact us!
Okay, so this is all I can remember right now, or at least the major points we touched upon that I recall, so if I forgot your idea, please don't be sad and drop me a line so I can include it in today's summary. I'm expounding on this all with a reason: we want your ideas. Throw them at us! Give me ideas for anything you can think of for this upcoming semester involving both what's listed here and anything else! I mean it! Discuss this in the comments here, e-mail the ideas, come to ISS, or find members of UCMHE on campus to tell. I don't care how you do it, so long as it gets done, you know? Everything about this group is figuring out how God fits into our lives, and every idea is like another piece to the puzzle. We just need to get everything together and assemble the pieces.
- Laura
Inclusive Spiritual Searchers - This is a relatively new group whose roots spring from the desire for a progressive religious student organization on campus which would feature an open, accepting atmosphere of different ideologies and spiritual perspectives. It meets on Tuesday nights at 8:00 PM on the third floor of the Milo Bail Student Center in the Tower Room at UNO, and will continue to do so throughout this upcoming semester. ISS serves as a haven for those who wish to speak their mind on religion and gather the perspective from others. The only thing you need is an open mind. How these meetings will be directed in terms of what will be discussed is very flexible, and open to any suggestions. I'm looking forward to the exploration of religion in song, though I haven't been able to narrow it down to just one to present. The Labyrinth will be featured for a soothing and meditative path-walk for students again, most likely. Walk-ins and friends are welcome!
Camp Fontanelle Exploration - Today was the day that we explored the corn maze at Camp Fontanelle to gauge the activity benefits of the place. It was hot (and by hot, I mean could I please be excused from standing next to the sun now? because it is very hot in Nebraska) outside, though an occasional breeze brought mercy upon our sweaty, muddy bodies while we navigated by small green and black maps of the terrain. Out of nowhere it even turned into a biblical discussion as we journeyed!
What's the importance of this? It looks to be an interesting spot, so we're making arrangements for an all-day (possibly 10 AM - 10 PM) retreat to the forest. We'll be hammering out the details of activities, but it will be focused on a team-building exercise as well as a good time! More information will be available on this, but it looks like this is set to take place sometime around October.
Church Visits - It's not hard to guess what this one is about! There will be a schedule of visits to different churches to experience the religion of others to the fullest. Since religion is such a versatile institution, whose numbers can range from a church of one to billions of people underneath an umbrella definition, it's always useful to see how others choose to connect with God. From Roman Catholic to Greek Orthodox, and then back around again for Judaism, Buddhism, there will be even more than that to learn about! While we also don't have much real scheduling done, information on this one will come quick.
Bible Study - Because the Bible occupies an undeniably fundamental and tenacious element of the Christian religion, it is crucial to understand the Bible itself. Since we no longer live in a world with a readable, accessible Bible (thank you, Martin Luther), we have the opportunity to gather together and truly come to know as well as understand its passages. It is likely to include information not only on the Bible itself, but also on historically relevant information for context. If you aren't familiar with the Bible, need a tune-up on your holy information, or just want to come together and explore and discuss, this will be an excellent opportunity.
Sunday Movies - Religion plays a much bigger role in the media world than we sometimes give it credit for. Movie Nights will likely be held on Sunday, and will involve coming together to watch a movie, then discussing its spiritual context. The list of movies or a definitive time/date/location haven't been decided, but there are lots of ideas brewing for it.
Second Saturday of Service - No way could we miss another semester to gather in the morning at Caffeine Dreams at 8:00 AM to go build houses for those in need! You don't need any experience in building to come and help, and as with many activities, the more the merrier. What do you get out of waking up at that ungodly hour on a Saturday: free coffee, a great sense of satisfaction from helping others, and an all-around fun time.
Nothing But Nets - The goal is decisive: raise $1,000 to save 100 lives. In areas where combinations of tropical conditions and extreme poverty meet, a bed net can make all the difference between life and death - especially by malaria. Created by Rick Riley of Sports Illustrated, this organization is a charity that buys nets for those who are in dire need of them and cannot afford one on their own. We'll be raising funds for this in a variety of fashions, and will likely be accepting donations at the UCMHE table at UNO on Monday. A simple screen of mesh can literally save the life of the person inside of it, so make sure to take its importance to heart.
P.S. - If you want to help stave off the hunger and poverty which plague these places just as badly as the bugs, go to The Hunger Site and click daily. Each click is a donation of 1.1 cups of staple food for the hungry. Their store is also a large dealer of wonderful fair-trade goods for excellent prices, and provides a unique place for shopping (excellent for gift-giving!).
New Orleans - While it may not touch the news nearly as often anymore, New Orleans is far from repaired following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. More and more it is up to volunteers to put forth their time and effort to help bring the city back onto its feet. UCMHE has been to New Orleans four times in the past two years, and will likely have another trip as soon as winter break. It's a worthy cause, and once again the more that come the merrier we will be! For more information, contact us!
Okay, so this is all I can remember right now, or at least the major points we touched upon that I recall, so if I forgot your idea, please don't be sad and drop me a line so I can include it in today's summary. I'm expounding on this all with a reason: we want your ideas. Throw them at us! Give me ideas for anything you can think of for this upcoming semester involving both what's listed here and anything else! I mean it! Discuss this in the comments here, e-mail the ideas, come to ISS, or find members of UCMHE on campus to tell. I don't care how you do it, so long as it gets done, you know? Everything about this group is figuring out how God fits into our lives, and every idea is like another piece to the puzzle. We just need to get everything together and assemble the pieces.
- Laura
Sunday, July 8
more summer schedule
Note: I just finished watching a TV special on Andrea Yeager, a professional tennis player whose career ended with a shoulder injury when she was 19. She founded a retreat center for children with cancer and spent her entire savings and pension on the project. She also encouraged others to join her project.
Andrea recently became an Episcopalian nun. She said it was God’s call for her. She knew her calling was service, but it was up to God to figure out how. Later in the broadcast, I heard her words: ‘there is a big difference between a passion and a mission.”
I’m looking forward to seeing you at Panera’s at 78th and Dodge on Monday night. We’ll pray together and try to our mission for the rest of the summer and into the first semester.
Part of that schedule already includes the March for Peace (see marchforpeace.info) on Saturday. There will be regional bands and speakers on a variety of topics, including Global Warming and Immigration and walking around at the Louis Palau event on Sunday afternoon. On Sunday morning, we have the opportunity to share in worship at Clair United Methodist Church. The adults there will be asking, “how can we help the UNO ministry?” If you have ideas about the answers to that question, please let us know.
Other pieces of the summer schedule:
Teaching Globalization at the United Methodist Women’s annual School of Christian Mission in Grand Island. Two sets of classes, lasting 7 days.
Preaching Schedule::
July 29: Hanscom Park United Methodist Church
August 5: St. Luke UMC
August 12: St. Paul UMC, Papillion
August 19: Elkhorn Hills UMC
August 26: St. Paul UMC, Benson
Andrea recently became an Episcopalian nun. She said it was God’s call for her. She knew her calling was service, but it was up to God to figure out how. Later in the broadcast, I heard her words: ‘there is a big difference between a passion and a mission.”
I’m looking forward to seeing you at Panera’s at 78th and Dodge on Monday night. We’ll pray together and try to our mission for the rest of the summer and into the first semester.
Part of that schedule already includes the March for Peace (see marchforpeace.info) on Saturday. There will be regional bands and speakers on a variety of topics, including Global Warming and Immigration and walking around at the Louis Palau event on Sunday afternoon. On Sunday morning, we have the opportunity to share in worship at Clair United Methodist Church. The adults there will be asking, “how can we help the UNO ministry?” If you have ideas about the answers to that question, please let us know.
Other pieces of the summer schedule:
Teaching Globalization at the United Methodist Women’s annual School of Christian Mission in Grand Island. Two sets of classes, lasting 7 days.
Preaching Schedule::
July 29: Hanscom Park United Methodist Church
August 5: St. Luke UMC
August 12: St. Paul UMC, Papillion
August 19: Elkhorn Hills UMC
August 26: St. Paul UMC, Benson
Monday, May 21
The Saint John's Bible
THE WORD BECAME FLESH
(John 1:14-18)
This is on a light and interesting note, to breathe back in some substance without the overhanging cloud of tragedy. May the Virginia Tech victims rest in peace, and their families find solace in the loving embrace of God.
Because I lack cable, I see a number of fascinating things on public television. One of them was on this particular project, which caught my eye. It was called the Saint John's Bible, and was a modern illumination of the Bible. We've all seen a number of incredible bibles I'm sure, and yet this project in particular seemed to be one of special importance. To explain my excitement regarding this, I'll go into a brief history lesson. Or at least, I'll try to be brief.
The importance of printing technology had a massive impact upon society. It allowed Martin Luther's revolutionary vernacular bible to spread across Germany and had a tremendous impact upon culture. Similarly, it fueled on powerful works such as the original Encyclopedia created by Diderot to circle all across Europe and as far as Russia, which promoted Catherine the Great's era of "Enlightened Absolutism." Today literacy rates are comparatively through the roof, and the printed word is available in mass. It is furthered even greater by the revolution of the internet, whose use as a tool of communication is still not a fully realized concept. If this technology were non-existent and we were forced to return to the method of hand-scribing books in complete copies like the ancient scribes, it would bring the level of communication we now enjoy to a startling and unpleasant halt, taking with it the freedom of expression of ideas. So what would be the value in such an idea?
Let's go back a little further to the days when they were scribed by hand. Books were not simply tools of information, but treasured works of hard-made art that were as much enjoyed for their beauty and quality as for the information inside of them. Illumination of bibles was a highly spiritual effort that was meant to represent the beauty of faith. It was a rigorous task, but the results were truly as lovely as any church, if on a more individual scale. The pictures also helped the less literate share in the experience. The symbolism incorporated was a reflection of the deeply-held cultural beliefs of the scribe, providing a snapshot microcosm of life in a time long since past.
The importance of printing technology had a massive impact upon society. It allowed Martin Luther's revolutionary vernacular bible to spread across Germany and had a tremendous impact upon culture. Similarly, it fueled on powerful works such as the original Encyclopedia created by Diderot to circle all across Europe and as far as Russia, which promoted Catherine the Great's era of "Enlightened Absolutism." Today literacy rates are comparatively through the roof, and the printed word is available in mass. It is furthered even greater by the revolution of the internet, whose use as a tool of communication is still not a fully realized concept. If this technology were non-existent and we were forced to return to the method of hand-scribing books in complete copies like the ancient scribes, it would bring the level of communication we now enjoy to a startling and unpleasant halt, taking with it the freedom of expression of ideas. So what would be the value in such an idea?
Let's go back a little further to the days when they were scribed by hand. Books were not simply tools of information, but treasured works of hard-made art that were as much enjoyed for their beauty and quality as for the information inside of them. Illumination of bibles was a highly spiritual effort that was meant to represent the beauty of faith. It was a rigorous task, but the results were truly as lovely as any church, if on a more individual scale. The pictures also helped the less literate share in the experience. The symbolism incorporated was a reflection of the deeply-held cultural beliefs of the scribe, providing a snapshot microcosm of life in a time long since past.
The Kennicott Bible, a Jewish Illumination in 1476
Yet this sort of effort has not been put forth in ages into a bible to such a large scale as used to be undertaken in order to create the only books. So hearing that such an effort was being so heavily undertaken by a modern illuminator was a delightful surprise. And rather than turning toward classical art as an example, they chose a more modern medium. " At the dawn of the 21st century, Saint John's Abbey and University seek to ignite the spiritual imagination of believers throughout the world by commissioning a work of art that illuminates the Word of God for a new millennium." We are in a new millennium, and our culture is a significantly different one from the Medieval period. Donald Jackson, an internationally renowned calligrapher and scribe, is creating the new bible using modern materials for the conceptualization process, but then utilizes tools used by scribes a thousand years ago, such as quill pens, antique ink sticks (including the raw egg used to bind ink), and even real silver and gold.
This decisively innovative bible is an amalgamation of both old and new, uniting the attention to detail and individuality that comes from hand-crafting with the modern style that speaks a clear message to the 21st century. It is a reminder of the flexibility of the relevance of its contents, which may adapt to suit our world. While it is expensive to make, it will be priceless when it is finished and stand as a Testament to our time of our time.
Go take a look at the project for yourself! http://www.saintjohnsbible.org/index.html
- Laura
This decisively innovative bible is an amalgamation of both old and new, uniting the attention to detail and individuality that comes from hand-crafting with the modern style that speaks a clear message to the 21st century. It is a reminder of the flexibility of the relevance of its contents, which may adapt to suit our world. While it is expensive to make, it will be priceless when it is finished and stand as a Testament to our time of our time.
Go take a look at the project for yourself! http://www.saintjohnsbible.org/index.html
- Laura
Wednesday, April 18
Memorial Service for Virginia Tech University is set for Friday, April 20 at 11am
Many Campus Ministries at UNO are joining together to provide a memorial service at the Henningson Campanile on Friday, April 20, at 11 am. Multiple faith groups are cooperating in this endeavor as a way to offer hope to the campus following the violence on the Viriginia Tech Campus. All students, staff and faculty are welcome to attend this service. There will be time for readings, prayers, and reflection in this time of fear, horror, conflict and confusion. There will also be a large banner available for participants to write their thoughts and expressions of condolences to the Virginia Tech University campus.
Further information can be obtained by calling or emailing Dr. Fred Richart, campus minister for UCMHE (United Christian Ministries in Higher Education) at frichart@cox.net or at 659-5795.
Further information can be obtained by calling or emailing Dr. Fred Richart, campus minister for UCMHE (United Christian Ministries in Higher Education) at frichart@cox.net or at 659-5795.
Monday, April 16
This week and Peace Expo review
This week at UCMHE:
Monday noon in the library: report writing for SPO
Tuesday, 10AM - 8PM. The Labyrinth is up in the Fireside Lounge.
8PM – Inclusive Spiritual Seekers, MBSC, Council Room
Wednesday “Day of Silence” at UNO in support of GLBTA I’ve been
honored with a request to help with the opening.
Thursday 11:30 AM. Retreat with Peace with Justice Intern Lori Young
and PwJ Minister Carol Windrum.
Saturday 9-4 PM BIG Garden project (see last week’s article at http://www.unocampusministry.blogspot.com/ for details. Lori, DeClan, Laura and Colleen are already planning to help out.
Sunday 10 AM Worship at Castelar Presbyterian Church, 2410 s. 16th Street (16th & St. Mary’s St.) Castelar is the Presbyterian Church’s Hispanic outreach center.
A note about yesterday’s Peace Expo
Have you ever had a sense that what you were doing was just a little out of ordinary reality? Sometimes a sports figure reports being “in the zone”. Sometimes in a paper you’ll get that exact phrase that really makes the point. I knew a woman who was in the presence of a stellar figure and reported “I just felt different around her.”
Well, that’s a little like yesterday at the Peace Expo. I didn’t know what it would really look like. More than 700 persons and 75 sponsoring booths, thirteen workshops, a dramatic presentation and a provoking presentation by Cindy Sheehan converged on MBSC food court, turning it into a celebration of Peace and Justice connections. It was everything from the Sierra Club to the churches, chiropracty to FMLA, Social Work to UCMHE, Nebraskans for Peace to groups advocating for the separation of church and state. UCMHE was one of lead student organizations. We signed up at the beginning of the project as a sponsor, which allowed the event to happen at UNO at the right price for room use.
The idea was simple: connect with people and organizations who have a view of peace and justice. The possibility grew into reality through foresight of a group of individuals dedicated to peace in our time, and several students who were in charge of the event from UNO. Lori Young of UCMHE took on a leadership role here, along with Miranda Lozier from the school of Social Work, and Katie Ladd of Feminist Majority Leaders, and Jay Filipi and Anthony Mainor. This group has been meeting, and I mean meeting, since November to develop a plan for the “day of the event”. All these people deserve your thanks, and maybe a free dinner and a plaque. Their dedication led to a seamless event.
The connections were happening all around. I heard more than once, “I didn’t know there were so many people like us in Nebraska.” Yeah, like, 700+ of them! The ballroom was full. I thank God for all that.
Oh yeah, there were eight Young Republicans who wanted to support the troops, and they had their say and Cindy reminded them that if they wanted to support our troops, they’d bring them home. She was saying, “Get the big picture.” (Interesting note: one of the Omaha TV networks reported on the event and the more than 700 peace activists there. That took 7 seconds. The rest of the 30 second blurb was about the eight protesters. Not much of a balance in reporting there. But hey, a colleague of mine has always said this about media reporting: If you get your name out there, it’s always a plus.”)
So the whole thing was less than controversial because, as Cindy Sheehan pointed out, “Two thirds of Americans think this war is wrong and it’s time to get out.” The statistics she cited noted the percentages in the military who are serving in Iraq are about the same as they are here in the US. She also noted there is a reason there is no military draft for this war, “The people would not support it and that would be the end of war.” The logic is clear: If all Americans pay and have to sacrifice, there is a sense a strong and vocal majority would clamor for the end of this (undeclared) war in Iraq. What the government is trying to do is have a war with no visible, tangible, sacrifices (money, resources, etc.)
Cindy is right: Ending the war will take more sacrifice from more of us and I think it can start with more connections and conversations between us.
I’ll continue to think and pray about this. I invite you to join in that and grow deeper in prayer.
--Fred
For those who wondered, “why the palm tree?” here are a few references:
Psalm 92:12 “The righteous flourish like the palm tree,”
John 12: 13 “So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, shouting,
"Hosanna!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord —
the King of Israel!"
Or you might also believe it was just laying around in Carol’s classroom and she let me borrow it.
Monday, April 9
April 9, 2007--important events coming up!
The Schedule this week at UNO
Tuesday: 6:30 PM cabinet dinner at Panera’s, 78th & Dodge
8:00 PM Inclusive Spiritual Seekers, MBSC, Council Room, 3rd floor
Wednesday 11:30 am, Library Coffee Lounge: What’s deep enough to talk about?
Thursday 11am-1PM What is Hope and Where do you find it? MBSC food court
Saturday 8:30 AM 2nd Saturday of Service for Habitat for Humanity, Meet at Caffeine Dreams, then on to the site. Lunch following
Sunday:
Peace Expo! Starts at 1PM and we need volunteers!
If you are interested please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Jay Filipi, at j.b.filipi@gmail.com
Shifts could start as early as 11:30 to go as late as 5:30.
And let him know ASAP what hours will you be willing to work?
There will be some training before volunteer shifts.
Thanks and Peace!
http://www.peaceexpo.org/
Next week:
Tuesday is Labyrinth day.
Last week there were thirty participants, so lets go for more!
Reduce Stress! Open up to God!
Saturday, April 21:
April is BIG Garden month!
Help support the BIG Garden project as we enter our second year of service to the community. In 2006 our five sites produced over 3000 pounds of food, of which about 1/3 was donated to area food pantries. We recorded over 43,000 individual volunteer visits to the gardens, including over 240 youth volunteers.
We have big plans for expansion in 2007, including the addition of at least ten new sites. We have work to do to prepare for the growing season, including preparing the ground and building beds at our new sites and getting our second-year sites ready for our gardeners. Your help makes all the difference in reaching our goals – volunteers and donors are what make this project run.
New this year: the official BIG Garden website, located at www.gardenbig.org. As the season goes on, more and more information can be found here, including garden work schedules, class times, and special event information.
We hope you will consider volunteering at the gardens, either by bringing a VIM team, or scheduling a regular time to come help out. To find out more contact Lori Young at 598-2887 or email at: loriann.young@gmail.com
Tuesday: 6:30 PM cabinet dinner at Panera’s, 78th & Dodge
8:00 PM Inclusive Spiritual Seekers, MBSC, Council Room, 3rd floor
Wednesday 11:30 am, Library Coffee Lounge: What’s deep enough to talk about?
Thursday 11am-1PM What is Hope and Where do you find it? MBSC food court
Saturday 8:30 AM 2nd Saturday of Service for Habitat for Humanity, Meet at Caffeine Dreams, then on to the site. Lunch following
Sunday:
Peace Expo! Starts at 1PM and we need volunteers!
If you are interested please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Jay Filipi, at j.b.filipi@gmail.com
Shifts could start as early as 11:30 to go as late as 5:30.
And let him know ASAP what hours will you be willing to work?
There will be some training before volunteer shifts.
Thanks and Peace!
http://www.peaceexpo.org/
Next week:
Tuesday is Labyrinth day.
Last week there were thirty participants, so lets go for more!
Reduce Stress! Open up to God!
Saturday, April 21:
April is BIG Garden month!
Help support the BIG Garden project as we enter our second year of service to the community. In 2006 our five sites produced over 3000 pounds of food, of which about 1/3 was donated to area food pantries. We recorded over 43,000 individual volunteer visits to the gardens, including over 240 youth volunteers.
We have big plans for expansion in 2007, including the addition of at least ten new sites. We have work to do to prepare for the growing season, including preparing the ground and building beds at our new sites and getting our second-year sites ready for our gardeners. Your help makes all the difference in reaching our goals – volunteers and donors are what make this project run.
New this year: the official BIG Garden website, located at www.gardenbig.org. As the season goes on, more and more information can be found here, including garden work schedules, class times, and special event information.
We hope you will consider volunteering at the gardens, either by bringing a VIM team, or scheduling a regular time to come help out. To find out more contact Lori Young at 598-2887 or email at: loriann.young@gmail.com
Sunday, March 25
UCMHE calendar and blog
This Week at UCMHE & Blog
Monday: 11:30 AM Coffee with Fred at the Library: Who is Walter Brueggeman and why should I care he was here? Fred will talk about our responsibilities to be interpreters of the bible. Woohoo!
Tuesday: 5:30 PM Student Cabinet at Panera’s, 78th & Dodge
7:00 PM Peace Expo—student committee, MBSC (800 are anticipated on April 15. You can help by volunteering. Call me for details, and go to http://www.peaceexpo.org for info
8:00 PM Easter Egg dying party, 3rd floor MBSC; donating eggs to Habitat for Humanity
Wednesday noonish Hang out in the MBSC Food Court: Jump in Topics
Thursday 11AM-1PM MBSC Food Court, “What is hope and Where do we find it?”
2PM Peace with Justice JSAT planning session, Crimson Room, MBSC
Friday all day UMHE Campus Ministry Spring Meeting, Wayne State
Blog:
The question for March is, “what is hope” to be quickly followed by its corollary, “where do I find it?” I’ve been asking those questions and finding surprising answers.
Among UNO students, hope is often about being useful and finding community. Looking through the video being shot, there’s a bunch of folks who think hope is in the future, it’s something to be given, it’s energizing, it’s multi-cultural and never ending. The children we teach, the people we trust and the dreams we have, give it. It’s in the sense of community we build and the friends we have. Some have said hope is in God and Jesus.
I’ve been finding out a great deal about how hope is viewed on campus. I’ve asked the question in other places as well.
Friday midnight two weeks ago found me driving into the University hospital emergency room. Parking was hard to come by since police cruisers took half the spaces. Something was up! I checked in at the desk with my bleeding left index finger and thumb. I’d cut some flesh off with a utility knife on a home improvement project. As long as I kept pressure on the finger with a paper towel, the bleeding stopped. If I pulled the paper away and released the pressure, the bleeding became profuse. It seemed prudent to keep the pressure on.
In the emergency room waiting area were a number of people with a variety of issues. A young teen was in chains: wrist-to-wrist and ankle-to-ankle. She was probably either a runaway or a suicide, I’d guessed. Who knows? She was accompanied by an employee of a local youth correctional facility, who carried a walkie-talkie. The prisoner stared blankly at the floor, the ceiling, the walls and the world outside the window. Next to her were two young women. One had driven in her friend who had slipped and fallen with a tray of dirty dishes. There had been blood in that restaurant! She needed to be checked for glass shards that may have still resided in her arm. Next to them, in pain, was a woman, a nurse by profession, with gall bladder issues. She was periodically doubled over in pain. But she managed polite conversation.
A man periodically fell asleep with a cell phone in his ear. It sounded like he was trying to find someone to deliver something at 5:15 AM. He’d go to sleep, and be aroused like a shot when the phone rang. The ring tone was a jazz piece. More than a few times people with diabetes rolled up to the counter to speak with the attendant there. The triage nurse was called and she interviewed each about their medications and where they had taken them. An anorexic woman, maybe fifty years old, clipped down the corridor in startling steps.
I made my judgments about these people and more for about two hours before I saw a doctor. I was not at high risk.
Lidocaine was administered to my thumb and finger and the doc went to work efficiently and with a friendly manner. I pestered him with questions, philosophized about the state of religion and faith on campus, the value of mission trips, and the like. Finally, I popped the question, “What is faith and where do you find it?”
“I’ve never been asked that question before” he remarked, with a steady and penetrating gaze. “No, that’s a new one.” He was now cauterizing my finger, thinking the hot wire would stop the bleeding. On the fourth session, and with the help of the supervising physician, the bleeding subsided.
“I’ve been thinking about your question,” said my physician, with whom I’d grown chummy. I had all the confidence in the world in him.
“I don’t have a direct answer, but I’ll tell you this. I was at Creighton Medical School and a mentor doctor told me this and I’ve not forgotten it: ‘you have to forgive your patients before you can treat them.’ I think that’s true and that’s what I try to do. It seems to work.”
I thought about all the people in the waiting room. They had problems, and like me, most had caused their own issues. But they still needed treatment, and the way to start with their treatment was with forgiveness. I thought of all the people I’d developed opinions about in the waiting room. They probably didn’t deserve my judgmental attitude. They probably just needed to be treated by someone who cared. In this case, they were lucky if they saw my physician, because his treatment starts with forgiveness.
Jesus kept that attitude when he was with his disciples on his last night with them.
There’s hope in that.
--Fred
Monday: 11:30 AM Coffee with Fred at the Library: Who is Walter Brueggeman and why should I care he was here? Fred will talk about our responsibilities to be interpreters of the bible. Woohoo!
Tuesday: 5:30 PM Student Cabinet at Panera’s, 78th & Dodge
7:00 PM Peace Expo—student committee, MBSC (800 are anticipated on April 15. You can help by volunteering. Call me for details, and go to http://www.peaceexpo.org for info
8:00 PM Easter Egg dying party, 3rd floor MBSC; donating eggs to Habitat for Humanity
Wednesday noonish Hang out in the MBSC Food Court: Jump in Topics
Thursday 11AM-1PM MBSC Food Court, “What is hope and Where do we find it?”
2PM Peace with Justice JSAT planning session, Crimson Room, MBSC
Friday all day UMHE Campus Ministry Spring Meeting, Wayne State
Blog:
The question for March is, “what is hope” to be quickly followed by its corollary, “where do I find it?” I’ve been asking those questions and finding surprising answers.
Among UNO students, hope is often about being useful and finding community. Looking through the video being shot, there’s a bunch of folks who think hope is in the future, it’s something to be given, it’s energizing, it’s multi-cultural and never ending. The children we teach, the people we trust and the dreams we have, give it. It’s in the sense of community we build and the friends we have. Some have said hope is in God and Jesus.
I’ve been finding out a great deal about how hope is viewed on campus. I’ve asked the question in other places as well.
Friday midnight two weeks ago found me driving into the University hospital emergency room. Parking was hard to come by since police cruisers took half the spaces. Something was up! I checked in at the desk with my bleeding left index finger and thumb. I’d cut some flesh off with a utility knife on a home improvement project. As long as I kept pressure on the finger with a paper towel, the bleeding stopped. If I pulled the paper away and released the pressure, the bleeding became profuse. It seemed prudent to keep the pressure on.
In the emergency room waiting area were a number of people with a variety of issues. A young teen was in chains: wrist-to-wrist and ankle-to-ankle. She was probably either a runaway or a suicide, I’d guessed. Who knows? She was accompanied by an employee of a local youth correctional facility, who carried a walkie-talkie. The prisoner stared blankly at the floor, the ceiling, the walls and the world outside the window. Next to her were two young women. One had driven in her friend who had slipped and fallen with a tray of dirty dishes. There had been blood in that restaurant! She needed to be checked for glass shards that may have still resided in her arm. Next to them, in pain, was a woman, a nurse by profession, with gall bladder issues. She was periodically doubled over in pain. But she managed polite conversation.
A man periodically fell asleep with a cell phone in his ear. It sounded like he was trying to find someone to deliver something at 5:15 AM. He’d go to sleep, and be aroused like a shot when the phone rang. The ring tone was a jazz piece. More than a few times people with diabetes rolled up to the counter to speak with the attendant there. The triage nurse was called and she interviewed each about their medications and where they had taken them. An anorexic woman, maybe fifty years old, clipped down the corridor in startling steps.
I made my judgments about these people and more for about two hours before I saw a doctor. I was not at high risk.
Lidocaine was administered to my thumb and finger and the doc went to work efficiently and with a friendly manner. I pestered him with questions, philosophized about the state of religion and faith on campus, the value of mission trips, and the like. Finally, I popped the question, “What is faith and where do you find it?”
“I’ve never been asked that question before” he remarked, with a steady and penetrating gaze. “No, that’s a new one.” He was now cauterizing my finger, thinking the hot wire would stop the bleeding. On the fourth session, and with the help of the supervising physician, the bleeding subsided.
“I’ve been thinking about your question,” said my physician, with whom I’d grown chummy. I had all the confidence in the world in him.
“I don’t have a direct answer, but I’ll tell you this. I was at Creighton Medical School and a mentor doctor told me this and I’ve not forgotten it: ‘you have to forgive your patients before you can treat them.’ I think that’s true and that’s what I try to do. It seems to work.”
I thought about all the people in the waiting room. They had problems, and like me, most had caused their own issues. But they still needed treatment, and the way to start with their treatment was with forgiveness. I thought of all the people I’d developed opinions about in the waiting room. They probably didn’t deserve my judgmental attitude. They probably just needed to be treated by someone who cared. In this case, they were lucky if they saw my physician, because his treatment starts with forgiveness.
Jesus kept that attitude when he was with his disciples on his last night with them.
There’s hope in that.
--Fred
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