Meditation on the Day after all Saint’s Day
Yesterday’s meditation asked us all to look for those persons in our lives who have achieved a high stature. Who are the people we respect most? Who motivates us to do our best, to take the high road, to follow our calling for God? Whose life speaks to the world in its darkness? Who speaks to us in our darkness?
I jotted down a few names and gave homage to them. These were the saints I never new, or knew only slightly or by reputation. These people have a strength that transcends time and space. I appreciated them, and wanted to be like them. I hoped to least borrow their strength for a few minutes. Then I stopped working so hard and made a list of the people I know and like. That list was more fun, and just as telling. These are people I wanted to be with. Sometimes it was a list that included fun-lovers. But more often it was a list of people who have touched me somehow and even when I think about them today I feel their effect. Somehow it has lasted. It seems making a list of people around whom I feel delight also makes me sense a deeper side of life. Sometimes these people are folks with whom I’ve related for years. It also contained the six people I met yesterday—really!
I John 3
11”For this is the message you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.”
This leads to another level of connection—people freely offer themselves to us strengthen us and give vibrancy to our lives. Do you suppose that’s a model worth considering? Shall we not do the same and offer ourselves to others? Is this not the heart of the gospel? Is this not creation? Is this not the beginning?
Friday, November 2
Thursday, November 1
Meditation on All Saints Day
A Meditation on All Saints Day
In the earliest years of the church, way back when it was illegal to be Christian, the faithful had their property and livelihood taken from them. This was to discourage worshipping any God but Caesar. In extreme circumstances, people were killed because of their Christian religious practices. These deaths were remembered once a year. Later on, this day became All Saints Day. This day, or All Saints Sunday, is still recognized in many church traditions. While martyrs are no longer the main focus, we do remember the faithful people we know who have died within the past year.
We remember people who have affected us with their attitude about life, those who overcame great obstacles during their lifespan, or those who inspired us at one time or another.
I encourage you today to remember people in your life who stood for something positive and hopeful, someone who believed in offering life more than death and destruction, hope more than retaliation. I encourage you to recall and claim for yourself the strength and power that comes from those around you who have overcome tremendous obstacles just to survive. Baseball player Kirby Puckett died last year. His quoted comment on life was simple: “It’s not where you came from that’s important. It’s how you play the game.”
Living legend Archbishop Desmond Tutu said recently in Omaha at a Girls, Inc luncheon that forgiveness is the only thing that matters. That’s how he plays the game of life—with forgiveness. “Forgiveness is not for sissies,” he said. In past decades he helped lead the overcoming of the effects of apartheid through the institutionalizing a forgiveness process across South Africa. Victims on all sides had an opportunity to tell their story and be offered or offer forgiveness. He was right about how much courage it takes to forgive because it takes confrontation, courage and a view of life larger than retribution to make forgiveness (not forgetfulness) a reality.
Today is a good day to think about your values and how you got them. And it’s a good day to put them into practice. It’s a good day to remember yourself. Think large.
Matthew 16
21From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. 22And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you.” 23But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”
Rev. William Sloane Coffin -- Peace activist who was a leader of the antiwar movement as the chaplain of the Yale University in the 1960.
"Oh God may we think for peace, struggle for peace, suffer for peace. And may we live as if the life of all mankind were at stake, as indeed it is. Amen."
In the earliest years of the church, way back when it was illegal to be Christian, the faithful had their property and livelihood taken from them. This was to discourage worshipping any God but Caesar. In extreme circumstances, people were killed because of their Christian religious practices. These deaths were remembered once a year. Later on, this day became All Saints Day. This day, or All Saints Sunday, is still recognized in many church traditions. While martyrs are no longer the main focus, we do remember the faithful people we know who have died within the past year.
We remember people who have affected us with their attitude about life, those who overcame great obstacles during their lifespan, or those who inspired us at one time or another.
I encourage you today to remember people in your life who stood for something positive and hopeful, someone who believed in offering life more than death and destruction, hope more than retaliation. I encourage you to recall and claim for yourself the strength and power that comes from those around you who have overcome tremendous obstacles just to survive. Baseball player Kirby Puckett died last year. His quoted comment on life was simple: “It’s not where you came from that’s important. It’s how you play the game.”
Living legend Archbishop Desmond Tutu said recently in Omaha at a Girls, Inc luncheon that forgiveness is the only thing that matters. That’s how he plays the game of life—with forgiveness. “Forgiveness is not for sissies,” he said. In past decades he helped lead the overcoming of the effects of apartheid through the institutionalizing a forgiveness process across South Africa. Victims on all sides had an opportunity to tell their story and be offered or offer forgiveness. He was right about how much courage it takes to forgive because it takes confrontation, courage and a view of life larger than retribution to make forgiveness (not forgetfulness) a reality.
Today is a good day to think about your values and how you got them. And it’s a good day to put them into practice. It’s a good day to remember yourself. Think large.
Matthew 16
21From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. 22And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you.” 23But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”
Rev. William Sloane Coffin -- Peace activist who was a leader of the antiwar movement as the chaplain of the Yale University in the 1960.
"Oh God may we think for peace, struggle for peace, suffer for peace. And may we live as if the life of all mankind were at stake, as indeed it is. Amen."
Wednesday, October 31
Meditation on Halloween #2
Meditation on Halloween #2
It’s a long established understanding that “the clothes make the man.” Increasing, men and women are judged by what they wear. Students often wear T-Shirts in a fashionably shabby layered look. Faculty wear casual dress: dresses, jackets, ties and the like. At the minimum, it’s a khaki world. Of course, corporate wears blue and black corporate.
Dress separates our lives and gives us easy understanding of who’s responsible for what. Just imagine what the world at UNO would look like if corporate wore T-shirts, faculty dress blues and blacks, and students wore khaki’s. That would be upside down. Even more upside down would be a life where students had more than enough income from the University and corporate people would wait tables to have enough money to pay bills. I would volunteer to take a photo of that!
Jesus was a beggar, you know. The guy the corporation was named after went through the countryside with an entourage of a few dozen (only 12 were notables) and they had to scrounge for food. Dumpster Divers maybe. It was common for that time that holy men and women were often beggars, living off the good graces of those who had enough to spare.
Matthew 12
1At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the sabbath; his disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. 2When the Pharisees saw it, they said to him, “Look, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the sabbath.” 3He said to them, “Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 4He entered the house of God and ate the bread of the Presence, which it was not lawful for him or his companions to eat, but only for the priests. 5Or have you not read in the law that on the sabbath the priests in the temple break the sabbath and yet are guiltless? 6I tell you, something greater than the temple is here. 7But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless. 8For the Son of Man is lord of the sabbath.”
In those days, life was immediate, death close at hand, and to survive, people learned to share. Jesus’ life was not pretty. He was a beggar. He had nothing, and what he had, he tended to give away.
It’s odd that Halloween has become a time of begging from door to door. Maybe we should try begging a little more often. At least we would learn, as individuals and in groups, that we have a connection with the destitute.
A fun thing to do today: stop by the Weber Arts Center and visit the Hispanic exhibit on the “Day of the Dead”: hilarious views of death and the dead.
It’s a long established understanding that “the clothes make the man.” Increasing, men and women are judged by what they wear. Students often wear T-Shirts in a fashionably shabby layered look. Faculty wear casual dress: dresses, jackets, ties and the like. At the minimum, it’s a khaki world. Of course, corporate wears blue and black corporate.
Dress separates our lives and gives us easy understanding of who’s responsible for what. Just imagine what the world at UNO would look like if corporate wore T-shirts, faculty dress blues and blacks, and students wore khaki’s. That would be upside down. Even more upside down would be a life where students had more than enough income from the University and corporate people would wait tables to have enough money to pay bills. I would volunteer to take a photo of that!
Jesus was a beggar, you know. The guy the corporation was named after went through the countryside with an entourage of a few dozen (only 12 were notables) and they had to scrounge for food. Dumpster Divers maybe. It was common for that time that holy men and women were often beggars, living off the good graces of those who had enough to spare.
Matthew 12
1At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the sabbath; his disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. 2When the Pharisees saw it, they said to him, “Look, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the sabbath.” 3He said to them, “Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 4He entered the house of God and ate the bread of the Presence, which it was not lawful for him or his companions to eat, but only for the priests. 5Or have you not read in the law that on the sabbath the priests in the temple break the sabbath and yet are guiltless? 6I tell you, something greater than the temple is here. 7But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless. 8For the Son of Man is lord of the sabbath.”
In those days, life was immediate, death close at hand, and to survive, people learned to share. Jesus’ life was not pretty. He was a beggar. He had nothing, and what he had, he tended to give away.
It’s odd that Halloween has become a time of begging from door to door. Maybe we should try begging a little more often. At least we would learn, as individuals and in groups, that we have a connection with the destitute.
A fun thing to do today: stop by the Weber Arts Center and visit the Hispanic exhibit on the “Day of the Dead”: hilarious views of death and the dead.
Tuesday, October 30
Meditation on Halloween #1
Campus Ministry Schedule:
5:45 PM In the library by the coffee bar; we’ll show a DVD of students in campus ministry
6:30 PM supper at Panera’s
8:00 PM Inclusive Spiritual Seekers, MBSC, Tower Room
Meditation on Halloween: Dressing up
On Saturday, a French Maid walked by arm in arm with a Vampire, meeting up with friends who were Headless, Famous, or abstract (one time I saw someone dressed as a plunger). A current TV commercial boasts Adam and Eve, a plug and socket, and more. Designed to make people laugh or be cute, people dress up as all types of folks for Halloween. What fun we have as we go door to door in search of sweets. However, this once a year event has become the Americanized to the point of turning an ancient tradition from an unnerving time of reflection upon that which is unknown (death and afterlife) into a whizzbang opportunity for free candy and that which is cute. We love our princesses and heroes, pretty much gender based. We have, in fact, made that which is edgy into something that is domesticated and safe.
That kind of thing happens with Bible interpretation and church life as well. We want our Jesus, but we want a Jesus who is white, safe, and someone who comes with a backpack full of safe, wise, and generally accepted sayings: kind of like a Santa Claus with a pack full of happiness with the good life.
I’m not suggesting Jesus isn’t Good News, but I am suggesting Jesus is not easy news. Try this clothing story on for size:
Matthew 5:
38“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; 40and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; 41and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. 42Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.”
Gandhi mentioned something about this passage when he said, “An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.” We see every day the problems of putting retribution in the witch’s cauldron. What comes out of that mix is indeed “double double, toil and trouble, fire burn and cauldron bubble.” Doing the giving thing is a bit tougher than just dressing up and getting whatever candy you can.
For Halloween this year, dress up and be wonderfully fun. But also take a moment to look for opportunities to dress up by giving your coat and cloak to those who have none. What could be dressier than that?
-f
5:45 PM In the library by the coffee bar; we’ll show a DVD of students in campus ministry
6:30 PM supper at Panera’s
8:00 PM Inclusive Spiritual Seekers, MBSC, Tower Room
Meditation on Halloween: Dressing up
On Saturday, a French Maid walked by arm in arm with a Vampire, meeting up with friends who were Headless, Famous, or abstract (one time I saw someone dressed as a plunger). A current TV commercial boasts Adam and Eve, a plug and socket, and more. Designed to make people laugh or be cute, people dress up as all types of folks for Halloween. What fun we have as we go door to door in search of sweets. However, this once a year event has become the Americanized to the point of turning an ancient tradition from an unnerving time of reflection upon that which is unknown (death and afterlife) into a whizzbang opportunity for free candy and that which is cute. We love our princesses and heroes, pretty much gender based. We have, in fact, made that which is edgy into something that is domesticated and safe.
That kind of thing happens with Bible interpretation and church life as well. We want our Jesus, but we want a Jesus who is white, safe, and someone who comes with a backpack full of safe, wise, and generally accepted sayings: kind of like a Santa Claus with a pack full of happiness with the good life.
I’m not suggesting Jesus isn’t Good News, but I am suggesting Jesus is not easy news. Try this clothing story on for size:
Matthew 5:
38“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; 40and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; 41and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. 42Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.”
Gandhi mentioned something about this passage when he said, “An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.” We see every day the problems of putting retribution in the witch’s cauldron. What comes out of that mix is indeed “double double, toil and trouble, fire burn and cauldron bubble.” Doing the giving thing is a bit tougher than just dressing up and getting whatever candy you can.
For Halloween this year, dress up and be wonderfully fun. But also take a moment to look for opportunities to dress up by giving your coat and cloak to those who have none. What could be dressier than that?
-f
Friday, October 19
meditation on mid-terms #5
Meditation on mid-terms #5
We’re tested on the Main things and what’s most recent. What we want to include as well is what we know and what is most recent and most exciting. Can they go together?
This is the last day for first semester mid-terms. Of course, we all know that’s not true. It may be the last day for the official calendar, but enough of you have commented to me about mid-terms coming next week or even the week after when there’s a more appropriate break for material to be assessed. One of two have even said last week was the big test. Whatever your specifics, there are some things we’ve learned about preparation.
The Main Things
First, be prepared to recall and assess the main things. An instructor will always want to know the material that forms the basis of the course. Whether muscles or formula, verbs or the key players and dates, we must always know the main things.
I had sort of a mi-term exam yesterday at the health fair in the MBSC ballroom. At lest forty groups were represented and students, faculty and staff were free to wander with bingo cards and learn. After setup, I approached or was approached about campus ministry for about 5 hours, non-stop. I needed to know the main things: our gatherings for food, our worship together, our justice issues and being useful. What most students wanted to hear about was the labyrinth, since that’s what they’d seen on the floor of the fireplace lounge. Folks often referred to it as “that round thing. I didn’t know what it was.” What I wanted to talk about was Tuesday night’s Inclusive Spiritual Seekers (see Wednesday’s meditation on our blog) and theeffects of tree climbing (at our retreat on Saturday).
Travel light
A pen, a clear head and #2 pencil are usually what is needed for most tests. That and a clear brain can do a great deal.
Taking only what was needed was a new event for me. For the past two years rolled into the health fair with gongs, TV set and DVD player. Last year I even brought an electric palm tree to draw attention to the site. I don’t know if this year’s display board and laptop was better, but it was surely more compact. Videos of our trips and work were shown directly from our website via my trusty laptop with attached speakers, and were easily referred to without being overwhelmed by “stuff”. The display board was put together by students in late spring, just prior to an annual church meeting. Student’s favorite pics and projects, with a few updates. I added “The Faith Club” to the books we read.
The “stuff” pack got lighter as the morning wore on. I gave away contact cards (designed by students, of course), bookmarks with ribbons (more contact info) and even a couple of our famous campus ministry T-shirts. A couple of blue shirted staff women wanted them “so they could work out.” After all, they have our blog on the back. More shameless marketing.
What to remember for your life today:
How would you market your test taking to an instructor with a display board? What’s the foundation of what you know?
On a “connect others with God” basis:
How would you market your faith to others? What is it’s foundation? Can you travel light, put the main markers on a display board and take it around with you? What pics and books and music and videos would you show?
Jesus gave a few instructions which are helpful and remind me of what we’re about:
Mark 6
6Then he went about among the villages teaching. 7He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. 8He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; 9but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. 10He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. 11If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.” 12So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. 13They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.
We’re tested on the Main things and what’s most recent. What we want to include as well is what we know and what is most recent and most exciting. Can they go together?
This is the last day for first semester mid-terms. Of course, we all know that’s not true. It may be the last day for the official calendar, but enough of you have commented to me about mid-terms coming next week or even the week after when there’s a more appropriate break for material to be assessed. One of two have even said last week was the big test. Whatever your specifics, there are some things we’ve learned about preparation.
The Main Things
First, be prepared to recall and assess the main things. An instructor will always want to know the material that forms the basis of the course. Whether muscles or formula, verbs or the key players and dates, we must always know the main things.
I had sort of a mi-term exam yesterday at the health fair in the MBSC ballroom. At lest forty groups were represented and students, faculty and staff were free to wander with bingo cards and learn. After setup, I approached or was approached about campus ministry for about 5 hours, non-stop. I needed to know the main things: our gatherings for food, our worship together, our justice issues and being useful. What most students wanted to hear about was the labyrinth, since that’s what they’d seen on the floor of the fireplace lounge. Folks often referred to it as “that round thing. I didn’t know what it was.” What I wanted to talk about was Tuesday night’s Inclusive Spiritual Seekers (see Wednesday’s meditation on our blog) and theeffects of tree climbing (at our retreat on Saturday).
Travel light
A pen, a clear head and #2 pencil are usually what is needed for most tests. That and a clear brain can do a great deal.
Taking only what was needed was a new event for me. For the past two years rolled into the health fair with gongs, TV set and DVD player. Last year I even brought an electric palm tree to draw attention to the site. I don’t know if this year’s display board and laptop was better, but it was surely more compact. Videos of our trips and work were shown directly from our website via my trusty laptop with attached speakers, and were easily referred to without being overwhelmed by “stuff”. The display board was put together by students in late spring, just prior to an annual church meeting. Student’s favorite pics and projects, with a few updates. I added “The Faith Club” to the books we read.
The “stuff” pack got lighter as the morning wore on. I gave away contact cards (designed by students, of course), bookmarks with ribbons (more contact info) and even a couple of our famous campus ministry T-shirts. A couple of blue shirted staff women wanted them “so they could work out.” After all, they have our blog on the back. More shameless marketing.
What to remember for your life today:
How would you market your test taking to an instructor with a display board? What’s the foundation of what you know?
On a “connect others with God” basis:
How would you market your faith to others? What is it’s foundation? Can you travel light, put the main markers on a display board and take it around with you? What pics and books and music and videos would you show?
Jesus gave a few instructions which are helpful and remind me of what we’re about:
Mark 6
6Then he went about among the villages teaching. 7He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. 8He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; 9but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. 10He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. 11If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.” 12So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. 13They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.
Thursday, October 18
meditation on mid-terms #4
Meditation on Mi-terms #4
Today I’ll be at the Health Fair in MBSC, talking with people about a healthy lifestyle that includes balance.
For students, and others, this includes breathing, eating, sleep, and paying attention to God’s presence, like we do in our ministry on campus: fellowship, justice seeking, being useful and progressive thinking about God. One of the things we do is meditate to help our sense of balance.
The yoga master used to say in response to the question: “What is meditation?” “Eat when hungry, sleep when tired.” While simple on the surface, the response is much deeper because most people in our circles eat and sleep on schedule. The problem is the schedule may not pay attention to when we’re hungry or tired.
Yesterday’s news contained a brief article on peoples’ perceived effective times for work. 55% said they were more effective in the morning, 20% felt more effective in the afternoon. On the surface, people are telling us we can’t really work effectively all day (but our schedules say we must). What’s a healthy response to that? The yoga master said, “sleep when tired”. When studying or taking exams, enough sleep is a must, naps are a good thing, too. And eat a little something when you’re tired instead of the gorging we are tempted to do.
Balance comes first when we breathe. There are various ways to breathe: deep breathing, meditating breathing, relaxed breathing, short breaths, all help us pay attention to the source of life. So I will encourage people to breathe—breathing is a good idea.
Today, pay attention to your balance and your ability to breathe, remembering that ‘nephesh’ (breath or wind) of God was there in the beginning, in the creation, in our fabric of being.
Genesis 1:1
1In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, 2the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. 3Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. 4And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. 5God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.
Today I’ll be at the Health Fair in MBSC, talking with people about a healthy lifestyle that includes balance.
For students, and others, this includes breathing, eating, sleep, and paying attention to God’s presence, like we do in our ministry on campus: fellowship, justice seeking, being useful and progressive thinking about God. One of the things we do is meditate to help our sense of balance.
The yoga master used to say in response to the question: “What is meditation?” “Eat when hungry, sleep when tired.” While simple on the surface, the response is much deeper because most people in our circles eat and sleep on schedule. The problem is the schedule may not pay attention to when we’re hungry or tired.
Yesterday’s news contained a brief article on peoples’ perceived effective times for work. 55% said they were more effective in the morning, 20% felt more effective in the afternoon. On the surface, people are telling us we can’t really work effectively all day (but our schedules say we must). What’s a healthy response to that? The yoga master said, “sleep when tired”. When studying or taking exams, enough sleep is a must, naps are a good thing, too. And eat a little something when you’re tired instead of the gorging we are tempted to do.
Balance comes first when we breathe. There are various ways to breathe: deep breathing, meditating breathing, relaxed breathing, short breaths, all help us pay attention to the source of life. So I will encourage people to breathe—breathing is a good idea.
Today, pay attention to your balance and your ability to breathe, remembering that ‘nephesh’ (breath or wind) of God was there in the beginning, in the creation, in our fabric of being.
Genesis 1:1
1In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, 2the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. 3Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. 4And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. 5God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.
Wednesday, October 17
meditation on mid-terms #3
Meditation on Mid-terms #3
Anyone can make a contribution. That’s true for charitable causes and it’s true for mutual support.
Last night’s Inclusive Spiritual Seekers brought together three songs of special spiritual value to our group: “Blackbird”, by Paul McCartney (of the Beatles); “When David Heard” by Eric Whitacre.” a modern classical group vocal piece on the story of David and the death of his son, Absalom (2 Samuel 18:33); and the suicide referencing “Poison Oak” by Bright Eyes. The three presenters did not know what the others were bringing, so it was just one of those God things. We listened and shared from our depths—nothing pushy or flagrant. Just the realities from life that cause what John of the Cross called, “the dark night of the soul.”
Many people would agree that dragging around in discouragement would end in nothing but a deep cesspool of hopelessness. Not so last night. Analysis of form, musicality and lyrics revealed a biblically true and faithful hope that comes from unhappiness when declared, claimed, and shared. We recalled stories of birds: from Noah and the bird with the Olive Branch, “Man of La Mancha” little bird in the cinnamon tree, a blackbird singing in darkness and light, and a yellow bird of love (even if alone). There were more bird songs in our heads and hearts. I forgot to mention John Prine’s famous bird, “the dove of love fell off the perch” in his song, “Jesus, the Missing Years.”
When we claimed our periods of no hope, the gathering gained strength and shared purpose—not just to wallow in problems, but to describe God’s love and hope.
Jesus was not afraid of the dragging the depths either. He noted in this story, that when we are surrounded with emptiness, we can make a contribution. Any contribution can be strengthening, even if we think it small:
Matthew 24
31“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. 32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, 33and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. 34Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; 35for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ 37Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? 38And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? 39And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ 40And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’
Anyone can make a contribution. That’s true for charitable causes and it’s true for mutual support.
Last night’s Inclusive Spiritual Seekers brought together three songs of special spiritual value to our group: “Blackbird”, by Paul McCartney (of the Beatles); “When David Heard” by Eric Whitacre.” a modern classical group vocal piece on the story of David and the death of his son, Absalom (2 Samuel 18:33); and the suicide referencing “Poison Oak” by Bright Eyes. The three presenters did not know what the others were bringing, so it was just one of those God things. We listened and shared from our depths—nothing pushy or flagrant. Just the realities from life that cause what John of the Cross called, “the dark night of the soul.”
Many people would agree that dragging around in discouragement would end in nothing but a deep cesspool of hopelessness. Not so last night. Analysis of form, musicality and lyrics revealed a biblically true and faithful hope that comes from unhappiness when declared, claimed, and shared. We recalled stories of birds: from Noah and the bird with the Olive Branch, “Man of La Mancha” little bird in the cinnamon tree, a blackbird singing in darkness and light, and a yellow bird of love (even if alone). There were more bird songs in our heads and hearts. I forgot to mention John Prine’s famous bird, “the dove of love fell off the perch” in his song, “Jesus, the Missing Years.”
When we claimed our periods of no hope, the gathering gained strength and shared purpose—not just to wallow in problems, but to describe God’s love and hope.
Jesus was not afraid of the dragging the depths either. He noted in this story, that when we are surrounded with emptiness, we can make a contribution. Any contribution can be strengthening, even if we think it small:
Matthew 24
31“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. 32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, 33and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. 34Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; 35for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ 37Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? 38And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? 39And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ 40And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’
Tuesday, October 16
meditation on mid-terms #2
Note: Today the labyrinth will be set up in the Fireplace lounge, MBSC. Please join us and take a walk and help yourself focus and gain a deeper spirituality.
Meditation on Mid terms #2
There’s a lot of admiration in our culture about people who are stars. We are a country of entertainment stars, athletic stars, and educational stars. People are picked out and adored by the masses. People stand in line to get tickets to appearances. That’s why we have the Qwest Center—so we can have space for the stars and their adoring folks. Hannah Montana is coming to Omaha! The Olympic swim trials are coming to Omaha! Warren Buffet is coming to Omaha! Gerald Ford was born in Omaha! Mrs. B built a store in Omaha! Success is running rampant! Stars are everywhere! Woohoo! People want to worship these stars, or they want to be the stars themselves.
Taking a difference view is the idea that individuals do not and cannot make the kind of impact groups of people can. In the video of how the Travelling Willbury’s made their album. George Harrison who commented toward the end of it: “It was just some friends coming together to make music who happen to be very good at what they do.”
In the end, it’s just some friends coming together.
There are a few Bible stories with heroes who act on their own (Samson and Jonah come to mind, along with Elijah under a broom tree I Kgs. 19.4)) but the vast majority of these hope bearing folks were part of a group. Even God is quoted as saying , “Let us make mankind in our image,” (Gen. 1:26).
The stronger and more lasting Biblical image, I think, is of groups of people of faith, not individuals with power. Certainly, there are individuals who lead, have prominent roles, and are more visible, but even they rely on being with others for strength and courage. While the individual’s heart and mind can be formidable, faith is not a strictly individual business. Jesus stood and knelt alone at times, but he always traveled in a group. The twelve disciples were part of the fabric of his life and the life of the early churches across the region. It’s hard to imagine the spread of Christianity in those without it being a group event.
It is well to rely on good friends who come together, whether for study for worship, or as George Harrison said, to make music (Or anything else, for that matter).
Mark 5
5They came to Jesus and saw the demoniac sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, the very man who had had the legion; and they were afraid. 16Those who had seen what had happened to the demoniac and to the swine reported it. 17Then they began to beg Jesus to leave their neighborhood. 18As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed by demons begged him that he might be with him. 19But Jesus refused, and said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and what mercy he has shown you.” 20And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed.
Who are your friends? How do they strengthen you and you them? Do you study with them? Do they encourage you? How do they persuade you in your faith?
Meditation on Mid terms #2
There’s a lot of admiration in our culture about people who are stars. We are a country of entertainment stars, athletic stars, and educational stars. People are picked out and adored by the masses. People stand in line to get tickets to appearances. That’s why we have the Qwest Center—so we can have space for the stars and their adoring folks. Hannah Montana is coming to Omaha! The Olympic swim trials are coming to Omaha! Warren Buffet is coming to Omaha! Gerald Ford was born in Omaha! Mrs. B built a store in Omaha! Success is running rampant! Stars are everywhere! Woohoo! People want to worship these stars, or they want to be the stars themselves.
Taking a difference view is the idea that individuals do not and cannot make the kind of impact groups of people can. In the video of how the Travelling Willbury’s made their album. George Harrison who commented toward the end of it: “It was just some friends coming together to make music who happen to be very good at what they do.”
In the end, it’s just some friends coming together.
There are a few Bible stories with heroes who act on their own (Samson and Jonah come to mind, along with Elijah under a broom tree I Kgs. 19.4)) but the vast majority of these hope bearing folks were part of a group. Even God is quoted as saying , “Let us make mankind in our image,” (Gen. 1:26).
The stronger and more lasting Biblical image, I think, is of groups of people of faith, not individuals with power. Certainly, there are individuals who lead, have prominent roles, and are more visible, but even they rely on being with others for strength and courage. While the individual’s heart and mind can be formidable, faith is not a strictly individual business. Jesus stood and knelt alone at times, but he always traveled in a group. The twelve disciples were part of the fabric of his life and the life of the early churches across the region. It’s hard to imagine the spread of Christianity in those without it being a group event.
It is well to rely on good friends who come together, whether for study for worship, or as George Harrison said, to make music (Or anything else, for that matter).
Mark 5
5They came to Jesus and saw the demoniac sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, the very man who had had the legion; and they were afraid. 16Those who had seen what had happened to the demoniac and to the swine reported it. 17Then they began to beg Jesus to leave their neighborhood. 18As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed by demons begged him that he might be with him. 19But Jesus refused, and said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and what mercy he has shown you.” 20And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed.
Who are your friends? How do they strengthen you and you them? Do you study with them? Do they encourage you? How do they persuade you in your faith?
Monday, October 15
meditation on mid-terms #1
Mid term week #1
Long wet grey days are great for growing grass and drinking hot tea by the window during studies. A professor long ago quipped during one of New England’s famous cold, grey and wet periods, “this is why there are no scholars from the south.” What he meant was, there were no distractions to go outside and play—life was all about putting a certain glue on a chair and sitting on it until the work was done.
For those students with ADHD, it probably doesn’t matter if the weather’s nice or not. Jumping from topic to topic will still be the norm, even during intense periods like mid-terms and finals. For those who are studying for midterms, this week is the first major culmination of work, and the first major time of introspection. The question is, “Is this worth it and am I on the right track?”
Those of you who read this who are already out of school still have ebbs and flows on the calendar: times in the schedule that are highly pressurized. Life can seem complex. Pulled in various directions and by various commitments, the question remains the same, “Is this worth it and am I on the right track?”
At out fun day away this past weekend, the concluding piece of fun was to create a personal life line. You can make one of these quite simply by drawing a horizontal line across a page and dividing it into halves and halves again. The line is now divided into even quarters. Place a zero on the left hand end, and your current age on the right, Divide your age by two and put that number in the center of the line, and similarly, put the half that number over the first quarter and add that to that halving number, and put that on the third quarter number. Using these numbers as a guide, place significant events along your life line, both those which seem to add positive or negative value to your spiritual or emotional life.
A sample looks like this for a twenty year old:
0 5 10 15 20
Just give it a try or email/call me for help. What we noticed on Saturday was this: what seemed like isolated events and how we felt about them were generally part of a longer pattern. Life didn’t just get great or terrible overnight. For some of us, it took a long time to get to a certain point.
This is helpful and hopeful information. It’s helpful because by analyzing and looking around at our lives, we learn about ourselves. It’s also helpful to do this as a group exercise—we find people who have similar and divergent patterns from our own, and we get a sense of “yeah, life is like that!” The project is hopeful because we always ask the question, “where did you see God in that?” The notion that God is among us at all times, whether perceived as good or bad, is wonderfully uplifting.
Here’s a Psalm for today:
Psalm 51
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and put a new and right spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me away from your presence,
and do not take your holy spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and sustain in me a willing spirit.
13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners will return to you.
14 Deliver me from bloodshed, O God,
O God of my salvation,
and my tongue will sing aloud of your deliverance.
15 O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
16 For you have no delight in sacrifice;
if I were to give a burnt offering, you would not be pleased.
17 The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
18 Do good to Zion in your good pleasure;
rebuild the walls of Jerusalem,
19 then you will delight in right sacrifices,
in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings;
then bulls will be offered on your altar.
In Hebrew poetry, a second line is often there to modify the first. For example, in vs. 17, The words “broken spirit” are modified by the next line’s “a broken and contrite heart.” This who phrase is about being pliable and seeking God’s presence. It’s not about being busted or broken into pieces. It really goes back to vs. 12—“sustain in me a willing spirit.” Skip the burnt offerings thing, it’s just not done anymore; the idea is to find ways to seek God’s presence in your life.
Use this as a mantra today: “Make me a willing spirit.” Or “Show me a sign I’m on the right track.” Let me or a friend know how it goes.
Long wet grey days are great for growing grass and drinking hot tea by the window during studies. A professor long ago quipped during one of New England’s famous cold, grey and wet periods, “this is why there are no scholars from the south.” What he meant was, there were no distractions to go outside and play—life was all about putting a certain glue on a chair and sitting on it until the work was done.
For those students with ADHD, it probably doesn’t matter if the weather’s nice or not. Jumping from topic to topic will still be the norm, even during intense periods like mid-terms and finals. For those who are studying for midterms, this week is the first major culmination of work, and the first major time of introspection. The question is, “Is this worth it and am I on the right track?”
Those of you who read this who are already out of school still have ebbs and flows on the calendar: times in the schedule that are highly pressurized. Life can seem complex. Pulled in various directions and by various commitments, the question remains the same, “Is this worth it and am I on the right track?”
At out fun day away this past weekend, the concluding piece of fun was to create a personal life line. You can make one of these quite simply by drawing a horizontal line across a page and dividing it into halves and halves again. The line is now divided into even quarters. Place a zero on the left hand end, and your current age on the right, Divide your age by two and put that number in the center of the line, and similarly, put the half that number over the first quarter and add that to that halving number, and put that on the third quarter number. Using these numbers as a guide, place significant events along your life line, both those which seem to add positive or negative value to your spiritual or emotional life.
A sample looks like this for a twenty year old:
0 5 10 15 20
Just give it a try or email/call me for help. What we noticed on Saturday was this: what seemed like isolated events and how we felt about them were generally part of a longer pattern. Life didn’t just get great or terrible overnight. For some of us, it took a long time to get to a certain point.
This is helpful and hopeful information. It’s helpful because by analyzing and looking around at our lives, we learn about ourselves. It’s also helpful to do this as a group exercise—we find people who have similar and divergent patterns from our own, and we get a sense of “yeah, life is like that!” The project is hopeful because we always ask the question, “where did you see God in that?” The notion that God is among us at all times, whether perceived as good or bad, is wonderfully uplifting.
Here’s a Psalm for today:
Psalm 51
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and put a new and right spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me away from your presence,
and do not take your holy spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and sustain in me a willing spirit.
13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners will return to you.
14 Deliver me from bloodshed, O God,
O God of my salvation,
and my tongue will sing aloud of your deliverance.
15 O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
16 For you have no delight in sacrifice;
if I were to give a burnt offering, you would not be pleased.
17 The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
18 Do good to Zion in your good pleasure;
rebuild the walls of Jerusalem,
19 then you will delight in right sacrifices,
in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings;
then bulls will be offered on your altar.
In Hebrew poetry, a second line is often there to modify the first. For example, in vs. 17, The words “broken spirit” are modified by the next line’s “a broken and contrite heart.” This who phrase is about being pliable and seeking God’s presence. It’s not about being busted or broken into pieces. It really goes back to vs. 12—“sustain in me a willing spirit.” Skip the burnt offerings thing, it’s just not done anymore; the idea is to find ways to seek God’s presence in your life.
Use this as a mantra today: “Make me a willing spirit.” Or “Show me a sign I’m on the right track.” Let me or a friend know how it goes.
Friday, October 12
Meditation on "It's Time" #5
It’s Time #5
Most cell phones allow us to text message each other. Some of us are more used to that than others. Some of us are resisting this persistent march of technology into our lives, thinking perhaps our privacy is even more violated. Others are all over texting, framing this issue not as privacy, but of connection. And we know we need and deserve more connection.
In Japan, the culture has already shifted as e mailing is considered old style and “so last year.” Email is used only for long and wordy documents. Business is conducted in text messaging. Letters are written in it. And the code is catching on. LOL and BFF are recognized the world over. Think of it—it’s quicker, simpler, and except for contracts and books, highly functional.
This weekend, several of the UNO Campus Ministry Team will spend a very long day at Camp Fontanelle. We determined we need a day of fun and appreciating each other. We will walk the maze and labyrinth, work on team building on a low ropes course, spend time meditating and relaxing in a gazebo, hike, climb trees (a’la rock wall climbing to a 30’) and find cerebral and spiritual ways to deepen our connections. Texting will not give us that connection, being together, holding our lives in common, will. Those who developed conflicts have asked for photos. I plan to take a camera, of course, and we’ll post good photos on our website. And of course, we’ll eat together, and that will be fabulous.
The need and responsibility of community is to build up. Building up is a characteristic of all communities and is well recognized. For example, yesterday’s Service Learning Academy 101 class contained a list of ways to reinforce learning. Contained in the highest category was celebration and honoring around the project. Building up is an intentional way to expand connections and create long lasting impact. This is a clear message of scripture. The New Testament calls it “edify” or “build up.”
I Corinthians 10:
23“All things are lawful,” but not all things are beneficial. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. 24Do not seek your own advantage, but that of the other.
This idea is mirrored in letters often attributed to Paul and the author of Acts (probably Luke’s author) in a number of other places (1 Cor. 14.4; Galatians 2:18 and 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Acts 20:32)
Building up is needed and we’re off to do it. We expect forge some kind of tighter, more permanent bonds with memories. We will gain enjoyment. Those really are the goals.
If you’ve been hiding in a cave or searching through unhealthy relationships, I commend the idea of “building up” to you. Who and how will you do that today? Can you expand your usually list of folks who need it?
And, of course, can you text it?
Most cell phones allow us to text message each other. Some of us are more used to that than others. Some of us are resisting this persistent march of technology into our lives, thinking perhaps our privacy is even more violated. Others are all over texting, framing this issue not as privacy, but of connection. And we know we need and deserve more connection.
In Japan, the culture has already shifted as e mailing is considered old style and “so last year.” Email is used only for long and wordy documents. Business is conducted in text messaging. Letters are written in it. And the code is catching on. LOL and BFF are recognized the world over. Think of it—it’s quicker, simpler, and except for contracts and books, highly functional.
This weekend, several of the UNO Campus Ministry Team will spend a very long day at Camp Fontanelle. We determined we need a day of fun and appreciating each other. We will walk the maze and labyrinth, work on team building on a low ropes course, spend time meditating and relaxing in a gazebo, hike, climb trees (a’la rock wall climbing to a 30’) and find cerebral and spiritual ways to deepen our connections. Texting will not give us that connection, being together, holding our lives in common, will. Those who developed conflicts have asked for photos. I plan to take a camera, of course, and we’ll post good photos on our website. And of course, we’ll eat together, and that will be fabulous.
The need and responsibility of community is to build up. Building up is a characteristic of all communities and is well recognized. For example, yesterday’s Service Learning Academy 101 class contained a list of ways to reinforce learning. Contained in the highest category was celebration and honoring around the project. Building up is an intentional way to expand connections and create long lasting impact. This is a clear message of scripture. The New Testament calls it “edify” or “build up.”
I Corinthians 10:
23“All things are lawful,” but not all things are beneficial. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. 24Do not seek your own advantage, but that of the other.
This idea is mirrored in letters often attributed to Paul and the author of Acts (probably Luke’s author) in a number of other places (1 Cor. 14.4; Galatians 2:18 and 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Acts 20:32)
Building up is needed and we’re off to do it. We expect forge some kind of tighter, more permanent bonds with memories. We will gain enjoyment. Those really are the goals.
If you’ve been hiding in a cave or searching through unhealthy relationships, I commend the idea of “building up” to you. Who and how will you do that today? Can you expand your usually list of folks who need it?
And, of course, can you text it?
Thursday, October 11
meditation on "It's Time" #4
It’s Time #4
Early mornings are the best. Well, of course, not every day, but today for sure. But today, the early morning was a gift.
The sunrise creates an extravaganza of colors and freshness. The last few cloudless days after the rain have been sparkling.
The UNO band is splashing across the turf with tuned instruments and verve. The song I heard best was “the Music of the Night” from Phantom of the Opera. Love that sound.
The fall colors are most intense late in the day and in early morning. There was some fog clinging to low lying valleys and waters. The lack of wind gave it a sense of “the forest primeval.”
In the Dustin Hoffman movie, “Little Big Man”, the wise chief greets such day with the iconic: “Today is a good day to die.” Pilots of small aircraft love this time of year, as well, to rephrase that line and get into the sky, I’d say, “Today is a good day to fly.” Bikers would say, “Today is a good day to bike.” Walkers would say, “Today is a good day to stroll..“Lovers would say, “Today is a good day to share.” Protestors would say, “Today is a good day to rid the world of injustice”. Programmers might say, “Today is a good day to write some awesome code.”
You might have a phrase that works equally well. Fill in this blank: “Today is a good day to _______.
And to top it all off, Fair Trade coffee is available at the food court Starbucks Kiosk. (for more information, go to: http://www.globalexchange.org/campaigns/fairtrade/coffee/background.html
Through intentional question asking (“do you serve fair trade coffee?), it has become available at UNO. If it’s not ready—just ask and they’ll brew a pot. This week, it seems to be “Mexican shade”—not as dark as Verona, but with a clean finish and no bitter taste).
All of this is real—and it’s all here. It’s time to take advantage.
The Bible story of Jacob tells about how he got real physical one morning. Someone in the night said, “Ready? Wrestle.”
The sun came up for Jacob too. Here’s his story.
Genesis 32
22The same night he got up and took his two wives, his two maids, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. 23He took them and sent them across the stream, and likewise everything that he had. 24Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. 25When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he struck him on the hip socket; and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. 26Then he said, “Let me go, for the day is breaking.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go, unless you bless me.” 27So he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” 28Then the man said, “You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with humans, and have prevailed.” 29Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him. 30So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life is preserved.” 31The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip. 32Therefore to this day the Israelites do not eat the thigh muscle that is on the hip socket, because he struck Jacob on the hip socket at the thigh muscle.
You might want to take a few deep breaths and pay attention to the sun rising, and see God face to face (or at least see that the sun is up.
With rapt attention, and even with our limping, it’s possible to be awed of God in your midst.
Tuesday, October 9
It's time #2
It’s time #2
Yesterday must have been a Monday. I’ve not had such a day before when so many cranky people were in the food court. Conversations careened off the walls: pooped out from partying and working all weekend, lack of money, broken cars, dying relatives, impending papers, poor grades, imploding dreams. I was exhaustedly loony by the time I finished my fried rice lunch. I wanted to make it all better by handing out pillows, checks, understanding, mufflers, experience with death issues, time for exhausted and note taking study. And grand dreams that were big enough and important enough to change the world. After I was finished with my Bruce Almighty, “If I were God I’d fix all this” act, I began to realize the miracle may be that we survive on campus at all.
You might be feeling stuck between wanting to have a value added life and being stuck in a prison. We’ve all developed wishes and dream lists which would, if we had them, cause us to aim high and succeed. We’ve also been handed or developed prisons of being stuck where we are. We want something better. “What is better and where is it?” we wonder.
We need a new perspective.
Yesterday, late afternoon, was gorgeous and the tree in the front yard has been shaggy and full of droopers—a deadly convergence of bad feng shui. Grabbing the tallest ladder we own, a tree saw, loppers and safety glasses, I readied myself for the onslaught of tree trimming destruction. First came the slow walk around the perimeter from the neighbors’ view, then closer examination at the drip line, and finally decisions concerning the excess branches. And now, onto the ladder.
The view from inside a tree when 10 feet in the air gave great pause. Everything looked different. Not to mention the queasy feeling of feeling every real and imagined wobble of the ladder. Gutsy grabs and tired arms later, the shabby lengths of green flooring were gathered on the ground. My grumpy neighbor came over and offered the use of two garbage cans for the limbs. I was so surprised I respectfully declined. While I thought I was creating space for new light and cheerful openness in the tree, Truth be told, I was unwilling to let a man out of his grumpy prison by accepting his offer of help. It’s one thing to want to change one’s self. It’s another to accept and encourage change in others. It’s called homeostasis, wanting nothing to change, or “I’d rather live with the devil I know than with the angel who will ask me to be new. “ On a deeper level, I’d rather lie to myself.
Rats, foiled again.
So here’s a job for the day: Spend five minutes today welcoming the gifts and abilities of someone else, and make it random, so it’s not just a mutual admiration society. Jesus did. One morning Jesus accepted the gift of someone who believed himself unworthy and one evening a similar styled gift of a woman. We can be more accepting of the gifts others bring if we reduce our narcissism by 5%--that’s not much, but we’ve all got the power!
The two stories:
Luke 5
1Once while Jesus was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, 2he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. 3He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. 4When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” 5Simon answered, “Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.” 6When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. 7So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. 8But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” 9For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken; 10and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.” 11When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.
Luke 7
36One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and took his place at the table. 37And a woman in the city, who was a sinner, having learned that he was eating in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster jar of ointment. 38She stood behind him at his feet, weeping, and began to bathe his feet with her tears and to dry them with her hair. Then she continued kissing his feet and anointing them with the ointment. 39Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what kind of woman this is who is touching him—that she is a sinner.” 40Jesus spoke up and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” “Teacher,” he replied, “speak.” 41“A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42When they could not pay, he canceled the debts for both of them. Now which of them will love him more?” 43Simon answered, “I suppose the one for whom he canceled the greater debt.” And Jesus said to him, “You have judged rightly.” 44Then turning toward the woman, he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has bathed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. 45You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not stopped kissing my feet. 46You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. 47Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.”
Yesterday must have been a Monday. I’ve not had such a day before when so many cranky people were in the food court. Conversations careened off the walls: pooped out from partying and working all weekend, lack of money, broken cars, dying relatives, impending papers, poor grades, imploding dreams. I was exhaustedly loony by the time I finished my fried rice lunch. I wanted to make it all better by handing out pillows, checks, understanding, mufflers, experience with death issues, time for exhausted and note taking study. And grand dreams that were big enough and important enough to change the world. After I was finished with my Bruce Almighty, “If I were God I’d fix all this” act, I began to realize the miracle may be that we survive on campus at all.
You might be feeling stuck between wanting to have a value added life and being stuck in a prison. We’ve all developed wishes and dream lists which would, if we had them, cause us to aim high and succeed. We’ve also been handed or developed prisons of being stuck where we are. We want something better. “What is better and where is it?” we wonder.
We need a new perspective.
Yesterday, late afternoon, was gorgeous and the tree in the front yard has been shaggy and full of droopers—a deadly convergence of bad feng shui. Grabbing the tallest ladder we own, a tree saw, loppers and safety glasses, I readied myself for the onslaught of tree trimming destruction. First came the slow walk around the perimeter from the neighbors’ view, then closer examination at the drip line, and finally decisions concerning the excess branches. And now, onto the ladder.
The view from inside a tree when 10 feet in the air gave great pause. Everything looked different. Not to mention the queasy feeling of feeling every real and imagined wobble of the ladder. Gutsy grabs and tired arms later, the shabby lengths of green flooring were gathered on the ground. My grumpy neighbor came over and offered the use of two garbage cans for the limbs. I was so surprised I respectfully declined. While I thought I was creating space for new light and cheerful openness in the tree, Truth be told, I was unwilling to let a man out of his grumpy prison by accepting his offer of help. It’s one thing to want to change one’s self. It’s another to accept and encourage change in others. It’s called homeostasis, wanting nothing to change, or “I’d rather live with the devil I know than with the angel who will ask me to be new. “ On a deeper level, I’d rather lie to myself.
Rats, foiled again.
So here’s a job for the day: Spend five minutes today welcoming the gifts and abilities of someone else, and make it random, so it’s not just a mutual admiration society. Jesus did. One morning Jesus accepted the gift of someone who believed himself unworthy and one evening a similar styled gift of a woman. We can be more accepting of the gifts others bring if we reduce our narcissism by 5%--that’s not much, but we’ve all got the power!
The two stories:
Luke 5
1Once while Jesus was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, 2he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. 3He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. 4When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” 5Simon answered, “Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.” 6When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. 7So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. 8But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” 9For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken; 10and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.” 11When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.
Luke 7
36One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and took his place at the table. 37And a woman in the city, who was a sinner, having learned that he was eating in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster jar of ointment. 38She stood behind him at his feet, weeping, and began to bathe his feet with her tears and to dry them with her hair. Then she continued kissing his feet and anointing them with the ointment. 39Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what kind of woman this is who is touching him—that she is a sinner.” 40Jesus spoke up and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” “Teacher,” he replied, “speak.” 41“A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42When they could not pay, he canceled the debts for both of them. Now which of them will love him more?” 43Simon answered, “I suppose the one for whom he canceled the greater debt.” And Jesus said to him, “You have judged rightly.” 44Then turning toward the woman, he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has bathed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. 45You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not stopped kissing my feet. 46You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. 47Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.”
Monday, October 8
It's time #1
It’s time
In Boston, starting tomorrow, is a Microsoft webdesign event. You can check it out at http://www.remix07boston.com/Default.aspx. What’s unique about it is that it sports not only new software, but notes the need for interactivity as developers. Of course, you can keep up with it all on Facebook (remix07). And there are funky presenters. One is “President and Chief Experience Officer of Experience Engineering, Inc.,” (that reminds me of Luckenback Texas, where Hondo Crouch, the Grand Imagineer once lived) Another, is all about “creating highly sustainable, maintainable, accessible, interactive and beautiful Web sites for the global community.” My nephew is leading this breakout: “Go below the surface of ASP.NET AJAX and see how the Microsoft AJAX Library and the ASP.NET AJAX server controls come together to create a rich platform for developing more immersive, responsive and interactive Web applications.”
This group is techno-value added and future oriented. There is nothing holding them back. Their big problems are flight connections and delays, and figuring out how to publicize and sell. So they focus on words that appeal and gatherings that tantalize (tonight there’s a special gathering with food, drinks and a view of the River Charles.
Another I recently spotted has a different sense of time and a different reality with limited hope;
Last night the white noise in my office was the Discovery Channel’s story about the California Prison System. It seems the idea of “three strikes and you’re out” (2nd felony doubles the sentence and the third felony means life) has caused an over crowded prison, gang control within the walls. One inmate commented, “When you come in here, you need to learn to do jail.” That means, an inmate has to learn all the details and desires of gangs, groups and the man. People look at time differently in prison—it’s all about surviving until you get out. About 1% of the inmates gain a GED while doing time.
Lots of folks feel stuck. You might feel stuck right now. Are you wanting something better?
It’s true that if you open you life to God, God will respond. But it’s also true, I think, that God is looking for us with an open hearted welcome. You might read about Zacchaues.
There once was a man named Zacchaeus who combined these two worlds—wanting a value added life while being stuck in survival mode. The tension in his life was palpable. So he climbed a tree to get a view of the newest traveling healers coming to town. He thought, “It’s time to see this Jesus.”
Luke 19
1He entered Jericho and was passing through it. 2A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was rich. 3He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature. 4So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way. 5When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today.” 6So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him. 7All who saw it began to grumble and said, “He has gone to be the guest of one who is a sinner.” 8Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.” 9Then Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham. 10For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.”
In Boston, starting tomorrow, is a Microsoft webdesign event. You can check it out at http://www.remix07boston.com/Default.aspx. What’s unique about it is that it sports not only new software, but notes the need for interactivity as developers. Of course, you can keep up with it all on Facebook (remix07). And there are funky presenters. One is “President and Chief Experience Officer of Experience Engineering, Inc.,” (that reminds me of Luckenback Texas, where Hondo Crouch, the Grand Imagineer once lived) Another, is all about “creating highly sustainable, maintainable, accessible, interactive and beautiful Web sites for the global community.” My nephew is leading this breakout: “Go below the surface of ASP.NET AJAX and see how the Microsoft AJAX Library and the ASP.NET AJAX server controls come together to create a rich platform for developing more immersive, responsive and interactive Web applications.”
This group is techno-value added and future oriented. There is nothing holding them back. Their big problems are flight connections and delays, and figuring out how to publicize and sell. So they focus on words that appeal and gatherings that tantalize (tonight there’s a special gathering with food, drinks and a view of the River Charles.
Another I recently spotted has a different sense of time and a different reality with limited hope;
Last night the white noise in my office was the Discovery Channel’s story about the California Prison System. It seems the idea of “three strikes and you’re out” (2nd felony doubles the sentence and the third felony means life) has caused an over crowded prison, gang control within the walls. One inmate commented, “When you come in here, you need to learn to do jail.” That means, an inmate has to learn all the details and desires of gangs, groups and the man. People look at time differently in prison—it’s all about surviving until you get out. About 1% of the inmates gain a GED while doing time.
Lots of folks feel stuck. You might feel stuck right now. Are you wanting something better?
It’s true that if you open you life to God, God will respond. But it’s also true, I think, that God is looking for us with an open hearted welcome. You might read about Zacchaues.
There once was a man named Zacchaeus who combined these two worlds—wanting a value added life while being stuck in survival mode. The tension in his life was palpable. So he climbed a tree to get a view of the newest traveling healers coming to town. He thought, “It’s time to see this Jesus.”
Luke 19
1He entered Jericho and was passing through it. 2A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was rich. 3He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature. 4So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way. 5When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today.” 6So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him. 7All who saw it began to grumble and said, “He has gone to be the guest of one who is a sinner.” 8Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.” 9Then Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham. 10For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.”
Friday, October 5
Today might be the Day #3
Shoes
Last spring while in the food court, Lori invited me to watch a video on her computer about shoes. It might have been on Youtube. You’ve probably seen it. Shoes and more shoes. Probably rated R or more. Not good for youth groups. All this talk about labyrinths has made me think about that video and shoes.
Evolution from a guy's perspective
I have to admit, I think shoes are hilarious looking. When I open my closet, I see old shoes, and they are funny looking. My first favorite shoes were wing tips. These huge black anomalies with little holes all over gave my teenage body a connection with the earth. Almost like magnets. Then came earth shoes, which looked a lot like golf clubs on my feet. My toes were higher than my heel, so walking felt like being on a sandy beach without the sand. There was more leaning involved and the shoes allowed my toes to spread out. Birkenstocks were a big hit when I was going earthy. I wanted to be fashionable, so I tried Doc Martens. They looked good (reminded me of my wing tips) but they were so heavy they pulled my knees apart. I’m not kidding. Z-coils are my tribute to the health industry look. And now I have a green pair of Keens; light and airy. I hope they do well in the snow.
All these shoes, by the way, don’t count the fashion and mental statement of my running shoes, Since I took up running late in life (like 25), my first shoes were versions of track shoes. Tigers, I think. Then I quickly became a New Balance person, their being made in the US and all and they weren’t the most expensive kind. Also, I tried a pair of Nike’s and my calf froze up on me the third day. My legs must have gotten in a rut, physically. So I’ve given up trying other brands. Besides, I don’t run right now, maybe not any more.
And I’ve not even touched on women’s shoes, which range from “smart and sassy” to “sexy” to “sensible.” And there’s even more than that. I smile in my head when I look at shoes, especially the pointy ones with heals. I wonder, “what’s going on at the pointy tip where all that air is? What do those shoe prints look like in the snow? Why pink?” I know, I have too much time on my hands and besides, no one has accused me of having hyper fashion sense.
Sometime I’ll go on a rant about socks, but not right now.
All this walking and labyrinthing and shoes is of note because it’s a good a sacred thing to take them off when walking a labyrinth, or for that matter, any time you want a little sacred space.
Moses did this when he came over to watch the bush that didn’t burn, and it’s a cultural thing to take off your shoes when entering some homes. It’s also an anal thing for a relative of mine who has decided shoes on a white carpet are bad karma. Shoes bring in the dirt. (True enough, shoes can bring dirt, but in general, I think white carpet can be bad karma—but I digress).
When we walk the labyrinth indoors, we are invited to take off our shoes. Originally, like white carpet, I thought it was all about dirt. But I have a second take on that now. Removing shoes may be an act of creating sacred space. It might parallel using holy water on entering a sanctuary, or kneeling, or deep breathing for meditation. Certainly, the act of shoe removal for a brief walk is an intentional act to show respect for and invite the holy. And it’s organically stimulating, from a tactile point of view.
So when you want a little sacred time, just take off your shoes. It will help you in your walk on holy ground.
--f
Exodus 3
1Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian; he led his flock beyond the wilderness, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of a bush; he looked, and the bush was blazing, yet it was not consumed. 3Then Moses said, “I must turn aside and look at this great sight, and see why the bush is not burned up.” 4When the LORD saw that he had turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” 5Then he said, “Come no closer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” 6He said further, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.
Last spring while in the food court, Lori invited me to watch a video on her computer about shoes. It might have been on Youtube. You’ve probably seen it. Shoes and more shoes. Probably rated R or more. Not good for youth groups. All this talk about labyrinths has made me think about that video and shoes.
Evolution from a guy's perspective
I have to admit, I think shoes are hilarious looking. When I open my closet, I see old shoes, and they are funny looking. My first favorite shoes were wing tips. These huge black anomalies with little holes all over gave my teenage body a connection with the earth. Almost like magnets. Then came earth shoes, which looked a lot like golf clubs on my feet. My toes were higher than my heel, so walking felt like being on a sandy beach without the sand. There was more leaning involved and the shoes allowed my toes to spread out. Birkenstocks were a big hit when I was going earthy. I wanted to be fashionable, so I tried Doc Martens. They looked good (reminded me of my wing tips) but they were so heavy they pulled my knees apart. I’m not kidding. Z-coils are my tribute to the health industry look. And now I have a green pair of Keens; light and airy. I hope they do well in the snow.
All these shoes, by the way, don’t count the fashion and mental statement of my running shoes, Since I took up running late in life (like 25), my first shoes were versions of track shoes. Tigers, I think. Then I quickly became a New Balance person, their being made in the US and all and they weren’t the most expensive kind. Also, I tried a pair of Nike’s and my calf froze up on me the third day. My legs must have gotten in a rut, physically. So I’ve given up trying other brands. Besides, I don’t run right now, maybe not any more.
And I’ve not even touched on women’s shoes, which range from “smart and sassy” to “sexy” to “sensible.” And there’s even more than that. I smile in my head when I look at shoes, especially the pointy ones with heals. I wonder, “what’s going on at the pointy tip where all that air is? What do those shoe prints look like in the snow? Why pink?” I know, I have too much time on my hands and besides, no one has accused me of having hyper fashion sense.
Sometime I’ll go on a rant about socks, but not right now.
All this walking and labyrinthing and shoes is of note because it’s a good a sacred thing to take them off when walking a labyrinth, or for that matter, any time you want a little sacred space.
Moses did this when he came over to watch the bush that didn’t burn, and it’s a cultural thing to take off your shoes when entering some homes. It’s also an anal thing for a relative of mine who has decided shoes on a white carpet are bad karma. Shoes bring in the dirt. (True enough, shoes can bring dirt, but in general, I think white carpet can be bad karma—but I digress).
When we walk the labyrinth indoors, we are invited to take off our shoes. Originally, like white carpet, I thought it was all about dirt. But I have a second take on that now. Removing shoes may be an act of creating sacred space. It might parallel using holy water on entering a sanctuary, or kneeling, or deep breathing for meditation. Certainly, the act of shoe removal for a brief walk is an intentional act to show respect for and invite the holy. And it’s organically stimulating, from a tactile point of view.
So when you want a little sacred time, just take off your shoes. It will help you in your walk on holy ground.
--f
Exodus 3
1Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian; he led his flock beyond the wilderness, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of a bush; he looked, and the bush was blazing, yet it was not consumed. 3Then Moses said, “I must turn aside and look at this great sight, and see why the bush is not burned up.” 4When the LORD saw that he had turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” 5Then he said, “Come no closer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” 6He said further, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.
Thursday, October 4
Today might be the day #2—hanging out results
Today might be the day #2—hanging out results
I noticed a big difference between Wednesday People and Tuesday People. Wednesday people had not seen the labyrinth yet and were confounded by the “round thing”. “T” helped me set up. He was kind, even if bemused. Then he walked it. When he returned for his afternoon walk he was avoiding all sense of quiet decorum, since he was now on familiar terms with it. He was boisterous. A friend of his, draped in earrings and ball cap, danced backwards for a while, thinking this labyrinth thing could be just a hoax, and he didn’t want to be made a fool of. After few dozen steps, though, he was calmer. Another turn or two brought him to full-fledged focus on his path. He was amazed.
Amy came by, wondering about this thing on the floor. She’d heard about it, but was a detached observer. After some conversation, she took off her shoes and entered the holly ground. She reported her experience: “I was skeptical at first, but I tried it anyway. Almost as soon as I started everything else was gone. I focused on the path and there were absolutely no thoughts in my mind. Once I had reached the middle, all I felt was relief, and happiness. It was an amazing experience and I would recommend it to everyone. Hey, there is nothing to lose and so much to gain!”
A faculty member was less timid as he entered the sacred space. But he was glad he’d walked. Something was on his mind.
Lori walked and invited passersby to join in. She’s gifted that way. Several took her up on the invitation.
A Tuesday person happened by and questioned me, “Hey, when are you bringing this thing back on Tuesday?” as if it was Tuesday’s turf.
The labyrinth doesn’t belong to Tuesday or Wednesday. It’s just different class schedules. And the impression is that more people are on campus Tuesday/Thursday days. The labyrinth doesn’t belong to a culture—it’s a part of many cultures. It’s a way of meditating while walking. It can help focus and offer relaxation at the same time, and it still transcends cultures—even the Tuesday culture and the Wednesday one. Who knows how this works? Who can explain it?
Jesus is like that, available to all cultures—at least on a good day.
Matthew 9:
2: And just then some people were carrying a paralyzed man lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” 3Then some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” 4But Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? 5For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Stand up and walk’? 6But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Stand up, take your bed and go to your home.” 7And he stood up and went to his home. 8When the crowds saw it, they were filled with awe, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to human beings.
I noticed a big difference between Wednesday People and Tuesday People. Wednesday people had not seen the labyrinth yet and were confounded by the “round thing”. “T” helped me set up. He was kind, even if bemused. Then he walked it. When he returned for his afternoon walk he was avoiding all sense of quiet decorum, since he was now on familiar terms with it. He was boisterous. A friend of his, draped in earrings and ball cap, danced backwards for a while, thinking this labyrinth thing could be just a hoax, and he didn’t want to be made a fool of. After few dozen steps, though, he was calmer. Another turn or two brought him to full-fledged focus on his path. He was amazed.
Amy came by, wondering about this thing on the floor. She’d heard about it, but was a detached observer. After some conversation, she took off her shoes and entered the holly ground. She reported her experience: “I was skeptical at first, but I tried it anyway. Almost as soon as I started everything else was gone. I focused on the path and there were absolutely no thoughts in my mind. Once I had reached the middle, all I felt was relief, and happiness. It was an amazing experience and I would recommend it to everyone. Hey, there is nothing to lose and so much to gain!”
A faculty member was less timid as he entered the sacred space. But he was glad he’d walked. Something was on his mind.
Lori walked and invited passersby to join in. She’s gifted that way. Several took her up on the invitation.
A Tuesday person happened by and questioned me, “Hey, when are you bringing this thing back on Tuesday?” as if it was Tuesday’s turf.
The labyrinth doesn’t belong to Tuesday or Wednesday. It’s just different class schedules. And the impression is that more people are on campus Tuesday/Thursday days. The labyrinth doesn’t belong to a culture—it’s a part of many cultures. It’s a way of meditating while walking. It can help focus and offer relaxation at the same time, and it still transcends cultures—even the Tuesday culture and the Wednesday one. Who knows how this works? Who can explain it?
Jesus is like that, available to all cultures—at least on a good day.
Matthew 9:
2: And just then some people were carrying a paralyzed man lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” 3Then some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” 4But Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? 5For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Stand up and walk’? 6But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Stand up, take your bed and go to your home.” 7And he stood up and went to his home. 8When the crowds saw it, they were filled with awe, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to human beings.
Wednesday, October 3
Today might be the day #1—hanging out
Today might be the day #1—hanging out
There’s a joy in hanging out together . The brush of being together against the hard surface of our daily reality can make any difficulty wither . This slight friction can also make joy the norm. I plan to see it again today.
The labyrinth is scheduled to be set up in the fireplace lounge in MBSC by mid-morning and will be a walking meditation until late afternoon. On these fine days experimenters come out of the walls to see what this big round thing on the floor is. They want to know why it is here and what it is for. Once walking, they are intrigued. Like thirsty searchers, they want to fill up at the pump of newness. Some wander around and look on. Others hurry by caught up in their busy self-importantness. “I’d do it but I’m late.” Some are really in a rush and are borderline being late. Others, though, have a look that displays this sentiment: “I’m always self-absorbed and I’m always late, and I don’t have time for this rubbish.” It reminds me of Ebenezer Scrooge on his way to the office to harp on poor Bob Cratchet. He says something like: “Humbug! I don’t have time for nonsense.”
That’s OK. Jesus is only here to offer some balance to those who are ready. Today might not be Scrooge’s day. But someday will. Today might be your day to be ready, and it might be by walking the labyrinth.
It might be by walking a labyrinth, or it might be by hanging out and watching, brushing God’s hope against your reality. And if that happens, who knows where that spark might find a home?
Luke 2:
8In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people
There’s a joy in hanging out together . The brush of being together against the hard surface of our daily reality can make any difficulty wither . This slight friction can also make joy the norm. I plan to see it again today.
The labyrinth is scheduled to be set up in the fireplace lounge in MBSC by mid-morning and will be a walking meditation until late afternoon. On these fine days experimenters come out of the walls to see what this big round thing on the floor is. They want to know why it is here and what it is for. Once walking, they are intrigued. Like thirsty searchers, they want to fill up at the pump of newness. Some wander around and look on. Others hurry by caught up in their busy self-importantness. “I’d do it but I’m late.” Some are really in a rush and are borderline being late. Others, though, have a look that displays this sentiment: “I’m always self-absorbed and I’m always late, and I don’t have time for this rubbish.” It reminds me of Ebenezer Scrooge on his way to the office to harp on poor Bob Cratchet. He says something like: “Humbug! I don’t have time for nonsense.”
That’s OK. Jesus is only here to offer some balance to those who are ready. Today might not be Scrooge’s day. But someday will. Today might be your day to be ready, and it might be by walking the labyrinth.
It might be by walking a labyrinth, or it might be by hanging out and watching, brushing God’s hope against your reality. And if that happens, who knows where that spark might find a home?
Luke 2:
8In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people
Friday, September 28
meditation on Long Distance #5
Ann Lamott, a writer who is openly religious, came to Omaha to speak about writing and faith. Outside the Holland Performing Arts Center, a number of Pro birth protesters set up shop, complete with graphic representations of aborted fetuses. People were shouting: “The devil is in that place. If you go in, you’ll go to hell.” In order to get to the Holland and Anna Lamott’s story telling, it was hard to avoid this nasty adventure. I heard it was like the wandering Hebrews passing through this River Jordan to get to the Promised Land.
The apocryphal story is of State Senator Rev. Lowen Kruse (United Methodist). Apparently he was not at a loss for words for these protesters. He is reported to have wittily retorted: “I’m not sure what all this fuss is, I don’t believe there will be any abortions in the Holland Center tonight.”
In the Holland Center, at the beginning of her talk, Ms. Lamott declared she was a member of the ACLU and proudly proclaimed the protesters had a protected right to state their case. In fact, she invited, “I’m told there may be some dissenters in this hall. So I want to give you an opportunity to enjoy your dissent, so if you’re going to dissent, would you please do me a favor and do it right now?” The crowd fell silent for several moments, then laughed, then applauded. She had called out the devil, and the devil was silent.
This story reminds us of a fifth path to the land of the weary: avoid telling the truth about ourselves and the truth about our culture. Lamott later commented, “The opposite of faith is not doubt, the opposite of faith is certainty.” This, I think, was about cockiness. Walter Brueggemann says it this way: “Tell hope that does not depend on our conservative certitude or on our liberal self-assuredness, but only on the God who has given the Easter verdict over a new world and called it “very good”.” Call out the devil and the devil will be silent in the face of truth stories.
You are invited to tell the truth: about arrogant military policy; about slaves ancient and modern; about exile and displacement; about our sensing God’s absence; about how poverty crushes in our land; about how buying sweatshop made t-shirts and clothing fosters lives of depravation; about how using up our planet may not kill us, but it may leave a wasteland for the next generation. You can fill in the blanks and you can call out the devil in our world. You can tell the truth. You can be strong. You can be firm. You can demand healthy boundaries.
We are God’s people in this time. Recognizing and claiming that will put us in places where hope can be heard and the truth can be told. And the devil will be powerless.
Matthew 4
1Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. 3The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4But he answered, “It is written,
‘One does not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
5Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written,
‘He will command his angels concerning you,’
and ‘On their hands they will bear you up,
so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’”
7Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
8Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; 9and he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” 10Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! for it is written,
‘Worship the Lord your God,
and serve only him.’”
11Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.
The apocryphal story is of State Senator Rev. Lowen Kruse (United Methodist). Apparently he was not at a loss for words for these protesters. He is reported to have wittily retorted: “I’m not sure what all this fuss is, I don’t believe there will be any abortions in the Holland Center tonight.”
In the Holland Center, at the beginning of her talk, Ms. Lamott declared she was a member of the ACLU and proudly proclaimed the protesters had a protected right to state their case. In fact, she invited, “I’m told there may be some dissenters in this hall. So I want to give you an opportunity to enjoy your dissent, so if you’re going to dissent, would you please do me a favor and do it right now?” The crowd fell silent for several moments, then laughed, then applauded. She had called out the devil, and the devil was silent.
This story reminds us of a fifth path to the land of the weary: avoid telling the truth about ourselves and the truth about our culture. Lamott later commented, “The opposite of faith is not doubt, the opposite of faith is certainty.” This, I think, was about cockiness. Walter Brueggemann says it this way: “Tell hope that does not depend on our conservative certitude or on our liberal self-assuredness, but only on the God who has given the Easter verdict over a new world and called it “very good”.” Call out the devil and the devil will be silent in the face of truth stories.
You are invited to tell the truth: about arrogant military policy; about slaves ancient and modern; about exile and displacement; about our sensing God’s absence; about how poverty crushes in our land; about how buying sweatshop made t-shirts and clothing fosters lives of depravation; about how using up our planet may not kill us, but it may leave a wasteland for the next generation. You can fill in the blanks and you can call out the devil in our world. You can tell the truth. You can be strong. You can be firm. You can demand healthy boundaries.
We are God’s people in this time. Recognizing and claiming that will put us in places where hope can be heard and the truth can be told. And the devil will be powerless.
Matthew 4
1Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. 3The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4But he answered, “It is written,
‘One does not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
5Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written,
‘He will command his angels concerning you,’
and ‘On their hands they will bear you up,
so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’”
7Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
8Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; 9and he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” 10Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! for it is written,
‘Worship the Lord your God,
and serve only him.’”
11Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.
Thursday, September 27
meditation on Long Distance #4
Just call me Cleopatra, Queen of ___________
Yesterday’s devotion was long, Today’s won’t be.
Most students complain they have too much to do and too little time. Some, however, have a smile on their faces and a skip in their step. I asked first one, “Are you OK? And she spat out, “No, I’ve been sick, I’ve got exams, I’ve got papers, I’ve got projects. I feel awful.” I asked the other, “How’s it going?” and she reflected, “It’s not that I’m giddy, but I feel fine. I’ve got exams, I’ve got papers, I’ve got projects, but I’ve got hope.”
I often wonder what makes us sick. When my oldest child would come home from an all night event, he would be exhausted. A day or so later he would have strep throat. There was notion of causality there. When he would deny he was tired or sick, he just got more tired and that led to really having a case of strep throat. His problem started by being tired and the problem was fanned by denying it.
Maybe you’re sick and tired of being sick and tired, If you are it might just be time to change your behavior. Instead of getting sicker and more tired, try a different way of living.
A fourth way to weariness is denying there is weariness. Walter Brueggemann, Old Testament scholar and prophet, puts it this way:
We are weary with anxiety fed by our denial;
We are heavy laden with coercion fed by our despair.
Here is the remedy:
Anxiety fed by denial has no power where truth is told;
Coercion fed by despair has no power where hope is told.
(Walter Brueggemann “Mandate to Difference” p. 46)
Hang with us, Hang with Jesus. Walk the labyrinth. Make yourself useful. Be justice oriented and buy sweat free. Drink Fair Trade. There are no ridiculous perfect answers, but our questions and our responses and connections get deeper and deeper. We invite you to allow the invitation to hope to make a difference.
It’s your choice. Don’t deny it!
Watch for the signs of the new yoke.
Matthew 11:
28“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Yesterday’s devotion was long, Today’s won’t be.
Most students complain they have too much to do and too little time. Some, however, have a smile on their faces and a skip in their step. I asked first one, “Are you OK? And she spat out, “No, I’ve been sick, I’ve got exams, I’ve got papers, I’ve got projects. I feel awful.” I asked the other, “How’s it going?” and she reflected, “It’s not that I’m giddy, but I feel fine. I’ve got exams, I’ve got papers, I’ve got projects, but I’ve got hope.”
I often wonder what makes us sick. When my oldest child would come home from an all night event, he would be exhausted. A day or so later he would have strep throat. There was notion of causality there. When he would deny he was tired or sick, he just got more tired and that led to really having a case of strep throat. His problem started by being tired and the problem was fanned by denying it.
Maybe you’re sick and tired of being sick and tired, If you are it might just be time to change your behavior. Instead of getting sicker and more tired, try a different way of living.
A fourth way to weariness is denying there is weariness. Walter Brueggemann, Old Testament scholar and prophet, puts it this way:
We are weary with anxiety fed by our denial;
We are heavy laden with coercion fed by our despair.
Here is the remedy:
Anxiety fed by denial has no power where truth is told;
Coercion fed by despair has no power where hope is told.
(Walter Brueggemann “Mandate to Difference” p. 46)
Hang with us, Hang with Jesus. Walk the labyrinth. Make yourself useful. Be justice oriented and buy sweat free. Drink Fair Trade. There are no ridiculous perfect answers, but our questions and our responses and connections get deeper and deeper. We invite you to allow the invitation to hope to make a difference.
It’s your choice. Don’t deny it!
Watch for the signs of the new yoke.
Matthew 11:
28“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Meditation on Long Distance #3
We can become weary through physical exhaustion (09/24), We can become weary through doing work and activities that go against the grain of vocation (0925).
A third way of becoming weary is the result blaming behavior—“it must be someone else’s fault.” During last night’s ISS* gathering, we listened to Ari Handel spin the story of his life as a researcher and Santiago, his monkey. For a listen yourself, go to: http://www.themoth.org/listen. In the story, the researcher finds ways to manipulate Santiago’s behavior. Santiago goes along with this until one morning, he is no longer willing to play the game. The project then becomes a battle of wills. Ari’s comment: “I was engaged in a battle of wits with an animal with the brain the size of my fist, and I was losing….” So Ari concocts and implements plans until the monkey relents. Ari wins the battle of wills, but Santiago is no longer a spirited monkey. Sanitago does his work, then goes home. He’s no longer interested or interesting. The relationship between Ari and Santiago is one of master and slave, owner and cubicle inhabitant. But Ari, the grand perpetrator wonders, “why is he (Santiago) doing this to me?”
That’s just it, we wonder, why is he/she/it/the system/my system/my instructor/my family/the world/my church/God doing this to me? These are questions not fit for the weak of heart because they beg us to find answers deep within our spiritual lives. It’s all about not taking responsibility for what we’ve done or thinking through that for which we hope.
Here’s a few paragraphs from a concentration camp in WWII about the same thing (yeah, this really happened):
“It had been a bad day. On parade, an announcement that had been made about the many actions that would from then on, be regarded as sabotage and therefore punishable by immediate death by hanging. Among these were crimes such as cutting small strips from our old blankets (in order to improvise ankle supports) and very minor “thefts.” A few days previously a semi-starved prisoner had broken into the potato store to steal a few pounds of potatoes. The theft had been discovered and some prisoners had recognized the “burglar.” When the camp authorities heard about it they ordered that the guilty man be given up to them or the whole camp would starve for a day. Naturally the 2,500 men preferred to fast.
On the evening of this day of fasting we lay in our earthen huts—in a very low mood. Very little was said and every word sounded irritable. Then, to make matters even worse, the light went out. Tempers reached their lowest ebb. But our senior block warden was a wise man. He improvised a little talk about all that was on our minds at that moment. He talked about the many comrades who had died in the last few days, either of sickness or of suicide. But he also mentioned what may have been the real reason for their deaths: giving up hope. He maintained that there should be some way of preventing possible future victims from reaching this extreme state.” (read about Frankl’s speech to the captives following p. 102 “Man’s Search for Meaning” by Victor Frankl)
We do not have to do time in a WWII concentration camp to understand how giving up hope can remove the will to live with meaning. We can see it in others, we see it in our city’s violence between citizens, we see it in ourselves. Evidently, Jesus saw it as well:
Matthew 20:
20Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to him with her sons, and kneeling before him, she asked a favor of him. 21And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Declare that these two sons of mine will sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” 22But Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” 23He said to them, “You will indeed drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left, this is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.”
24When the ten heard it, they were angry with the two brothers. 25But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. 26It will not be so among you; but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, 27and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave; 28just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
The mother of James and John, and the brothers themselves decided it would be good to improve their position in life by asking for a change in relation to Jesus. They gave all the power to that formal request. They were willing to make a deal. They would have been better off, I think, by taking responsibility for their own lives and improving themselves. That change would have resulted in a change of relationship with their leader, Jesus.
Perhaps a healthy step removing weariness in their lives would have been to not let their mother take care of things for them!
Instead of fighting with our Santiagos and Saviors (so we can get what we want out of them and later blame them when things do not go our way), why not make take some responsibility for ourselves and determine, “What have I done? What do I really hope for? Is there any connection between the two?” If there’s no connection, what will you do about that?
*(Inclusive Spiritual Seekers, 8 PM, Tuesdays, the Tower Room, 3rd floor of MBSC—you’re welcome to join us. Next week is music night. Two or three people bring music that moves them spiritually. The only rule is that the music must not be playable on Christian Rock stations and yet is deeply moving to the person bringing it to the meeting.
A third way of becoming weary is the result blaming behavior—“it must be someone else’s fault.” During last night’s ISS* gathering, we listened to Ari Handel spin the story of his life as a researcher and Santiago, his monkey. For a listen yourself, go to: http://www.themoth.org/listen. In the story, the researcher finds ways to manipulate Santiago’s behavior. Santiago goes along with this until one morning, he is no longer willing to play the game. The project then becomes a battle of wills. Ari’s comment: “I was engaged in a battle of wits with an animal with the brain the size of my fist, and I was losing….” So Ari concocts and implements plans until the monkey relents. Ari wins the battle of wills, but Santiago is no longer a spirited monkey. Sanitago does his work, then goes home. He’s no longer interested or interesting. The relationship between Ari and Santiago is one of master and slave, owner and cubicle inhabitant. But Ari, the grand perpetrator wonders, “why is he (Santiago) doing this to me?”
That’s just it, we wonder, why is he/she/it/the system/my system/my instructor/my family/the world/my church/God doing this to me? These are questions not fit for the weak of heart because they beg us to find answers deep within our spiritual lives. It’s all about not taking responsibility for what we’ve done or thinking through that for which we hope.
Here’s a few paragraphs from a concentration camp in WWII about the same thing (yeah, this really happened):
“It had been a bad day. On parade, an announcement that had been made about the many actions that would from then on, be regarded as sabotage and therefore punishable by immediate death by hanging. Among these were crimes such as cutting small strips from our old blankets (in order to improvise ankle supports) and very minor “thefts.” A few days previously a semi-starved prisoner had broken into the potato store to steal a few pounds of potatoes. The theft had been discovered and some prisoners had recognized the “burglar.” When the camp authorities heard about it they ordered that the guilty man be given up to them or the whole camp would starve for a day. Naturally the 2,500 men preferred to fast.
On the evening of this day of fasting we lay in our earthen huts—in a very low mood. Very little was said and every word sounded irritable. Then, to make matters even worse, the light went out. Tempers reached their lowest ebb. But our senior block warden was a wise man. He improvised a little talk about all that was on our minds at that moment. He talked about the many comrades who had died in the last few days, either of sickness or of suicide. But he also mentioned what may have been the real reason for their deaths: giving up hope. He maintained that there should be some way of preventing possible future victims from reaching this extreme state.” (read about Frankl’s speech to the captives following p. 102 “Man’s Search for Meaning” by Victor Frankl)
We do not have to do time in a WWII concentration camp to understand how giving up hope can remove the will to live with meaning. We can see it in others, we see it in our city’s violence between citizens, we see it in ourselves. Evidently, Jesus saw it as well:
Matthew 20:
20Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to him with her sons, and kneeling before him, she asked a favor of him. 21And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Declare that these two sons of mine will sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” 22But Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” 23He said to them, “You will indeed drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left, this is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.”
24When the ten heard it, they were angry with the two brothers. 25But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. 26It will not be so among you; but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, 27and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave; 28just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
The mother of James and John, and the brothers themselves decided it would be good to improve their position in life by asking for a change in relation to Jesus. They gave all the power to that formal request. They were willing to make a deal. They would have been better off, I think, by taking responsibility for their own lives and improving themselves. That change would have resulted in a change of relationship with their leader, Jesus.
Perhaps a healthy step removing weariness in their lives would have been to not let their mother take care of things for them!
Instead of fighting with our Santiagos and Saviors (so we can get what we want out of them and later blame them when things do not go our way), why not make take some responsibility for ourselves and determine, “What have I done? What do I really hope for? Is there any connection between the two?” If there’s no connection, what will you do about that?
*(Inclusive Spiritual Seekers, 8 PM, Tuesdays, the Tower Room, 3rd floor of MBSC—you’re welcome to join us. Next week is music night. Two or three people bring music that moves them spiritually. The only rule is that the music must not be playable on Christian Rock stations and yet is deeply moving to the person bringing it to the meeting.
Tuesday, September 25
meditation on long distance #2
One way we become weary is physical: too little sleep or lots of physical work. When we’re weary we may make poor decisions and make our situation worse. A second way to become weary is to have energy, but be required to put that energy into work that’s wrong for us: continually doing the things we that don’t bring out the best in ourselves, the things that don’t remind us about God in our lives, and the things that demand we avoid contact with positive, energy giving values.
The movie, “the Brave One” is just out with Jodie Foster. She’s a NYC radio personality who talks about the streets of New York. Through violence done to herself and her lover, she collapses into a heap of rage. She buys a gun (illegally, of course) and becomes a vigilante, killing bad people. At the end of the movie, the credits roll and the name of the film, “the Brave One” made me wonder, “who is brave in this film?” Jodie Foster, who’s vigilante attitude could have caused the devolution of society, her friend the cop, who colludes with her, her friend who lives in the same building, who has gone through the boy soldier wars in Africa, or her dog, who is held captive and is freed to go home.
Who is brave in life? It could be the people “do what they have to do.” It could also be those who break out and bring God’s vision to our planet.
Walter Brueggemann, Old Testament scholar, puts it this way:
“So what is it that makes people like us weary? It is not working too hard that makes us weary. It is rather, I submit, living a life that is against the grain of our true creatureliness, living a ministry that is against the grain of our true vocation, being placed in a false position so that our day-to-day operation requires us to contradict what we know best about ourselves and what we love most about our life as children of God. Exhaustion comes from the demand that we be, in some measure, other than we truly are; such an alienation requires too much energy to navigate.” (Walter Brueggeman “Mandate to Make a Difference”, p.42)
A brick making story from scripture goes this way:
Exodus 5
5Then the Israelite supervisors came to Pharaoh and cried, “Why do you treat your servants like this? 16No straw is given to your servants, yet they say to us, ‘Make bricks!’ Look how your servants are beaten! You are unjust to your own people.” 17He said, “You are lazy, lazy; that is why you say, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to the LORD.’ 18Go now, and work; for no straw shall be given you, but you shall still deliver the same number of bricks.” 19The Israelite supervisors saw that they were in trouble when they were told, “You shall not lessen your daily number of bricks.” 20As they left Pharaoh, they came upon Moses and Aaron who were waiting to meet them. 21They said to them, “The LORD look upon you and judge! You have brought us into bad odor with Pharaoh and his officials, and have put a sword in their hand to kill us.”
We’ve always got time to bake bricks, but God shows us a better way than being anxious. Stay tuned.
The movie, “the Brave One” is just out with Jodie Foster. She’s a NYC radio personality who talks about the streets of New York. Through violence done to herself and her lover, she collapses into a heap of rage. She buys a gun (illegally, of course) and becomes a vigilante, killing bad people. At the end of the movie, the credits roll and the name of the film, “the Brave One” made me wonder, “who is brave in this film?” Jodie Foster, who’s vigilante attitude could have caused the devolution of society, her friend the cop, who colludes with her, her friend who lives in the same building, who has gone through the boy soldier wars in Africa, or her dog, who is held captive and is freed to go home.
Who is brave in life? It could be the people “do what they have to do.” It could also be those who break out and bring God’s vision to our planet.
Walter Brueggemann, Old Testament scholar, puts it this way:
“So what is it that makes people like us weary? It is not working too hard that makes us weary. It is rather, I submit, living a life that is against the grain of our true creatureliness, living a ministry that is against the grain of our true vocation, being placed in a false position so that our day-to-day operation requires us to contradict what we know best about ourselves and what we love most about our life as children of God. Exhaustion comes from the demand that we be, in some measure, other than we truly are; such an alienation requires too much energy to navigate.” (Walter Brueggeman “Mandate to Make a Difference”, p.42)
A brick making story from scripture goes this way:
Exodus 5
5Then the Israelite supervisors came to Pharaoh and cried, “Why do you treat your servants like this? 16No straw is given to your servants, yet they say to us, ‘Make bricks!’ Look how your servants are beaten! You are unjust to your own people.” 17He said, “You are lazy, lazy; that is why you say, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to the LORD.’ 18Go now, and work; for no straw shall be given you, but you shall still deliver the same number of bricks.” 19The Israelite supervisors saw that they were in trouble when they were told, “You shall not lessen your daily number of bricks.” 20As they left Pharaoh, they came upon Moses and Aaron who were waiting to meet them. 21They said to them, “The LORD look upon you and judge! You have brought us into bad odor with Pharaoh and his officials, and have put a sword in their hand to kill us.”
We’ve always got time to bake bricks, but God shows us a better way than being anxious. Stay tuned.
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