Just want to write something because it's so easy to get out of the habit, and writing is so therapeutic. (At this point, a normal preacher would begin working on their Saturday evening Watchnight sermon, but not meeee.... I'm gonna grade papers. Because the Spirit is percolating within, I hope).
So the other day I'm driving home. Feeling really crummy. Ministry is about being obedient to God and meeting other people at their point of need. No one ever said it would be easy or fun or anything like that. I know that, but still had had a particularly trying day with people -- flawed, human people, who are just as imperfect as I am. But I wasn't feeling particularly reflective right then. I was feeling tired and angry and, well, you know how we can get. Sorta like those people who had me feeling that way.
Anyway. It's raining and I'm driving home in the rain, playing the Praise station on Sirius XM, making a vain attempt to get my spirit back into some kind of recognizable shape. I stop at the light on 125, and there is the guy in the wheelchair. I go into my precious parking meter stash to give him some money. I remember being very aware of the fact that I wasn't giving him money because of compassion, care, concern, or anything like that. I wanted to give him money because I could comfortably give him money, and it made me feel good to give him money. I remember thinking how selfish that was, to give not out of love or altruism, but simply because it made me feel good.
And then the brother began to thank me and to praise the name of Jesus. Oh, my goodness! Here I am with the nerve to have negativity in my spirit while I'm warm and dry and driving a car I didn't have to pay for. And here is this brother outside in the cold, and in the rain, in a wheelchair, and HE'S the one praising Jesus!!
I praised Jesus with him, and left the encounter feeling grateful. Grateful that even in the midst of my mess, even when I've got it so upside-down that I think I'm offering material comfort to someone else, even in the midst of that, God can put things in perspective and demonstrate the Source of True Joy.
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Really, Y'all?!? YAY, Russell Simmons!
Granted, I'm weighing in on a subject without being fully informed, which could be dangerous. But I read today in chron.com, a blog of the Houston Chronicle, that some Florida nutjobs (why are all the crazies from Florida?) have launched a letter writing campaign to the people who advertise on "All American Muslim."
I didn't choose to watch "All American Muslim," mostly because it didn't seem interesting. It's like watching "All American Black Folks," or "All American Asians," or "All American Buddhists." American is a country built on diversity. To juxtapose someone's Americanism with their diversity (as if the two were by definition mutually exclusive) is to somehow, very subtly imply that to be "other" is the opposite of being American. At least that's how it felt to me. The show is a look in the lives of Muslims in America.
Unlike some other TLC shows, it doesn't seem to be aimed to highlight the differences and challenges "other" people face (like the shows on the little people or the shows on the humongous families). This show's purpose seems to be to show that Muslims are Americans, too.
I'm not watching a show like that. If we need a show like that in this country, then it's already too late.
At least, that's the way my idealist (and apparently simplistic) mind thinks. But the Florida Family Association seems to think the exact opposite. They're leading a campaign to have companies pull their advertising from the show. It's apparently been effective. The report says that 65 of the 67 companies it targeted have pulled their advertising.
I found particularly interesting the excerpt from their letter that states "The show profiles only Muslims that appear to be ordinary folks while excluding many Islamic believers whose agenda poses a clear and present danger to the liberties and traditional values that the majority of Americans cherish, ...”
First of all, you idiots, what's the number of people who "pose a clear and present danger to the liberties and traditional values that the majority of Americans cherish?" Who has decided that? If we were to do a poll, would we find there are more Muslims or more fundamentalist Christians who pose the clear and present danger to those liberties and traditional values? THERE ARE CRAZIES IN EVERY REALM OF LIFE (as your actions so clearly demonstrate). Wouldn't the greater good be served by calming the hysteria and instead focusing on loving our neighbor?
I'm reminded of the Parable of the Good Samaritan, and Dr. King's Mountaintop Speech, where he talks about the Road from Jerusalem to Jericho and the dangers inherent in that winding and treacherous pass. He imagines how the priest and the Levite might have asked, "If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?" That seems to be the position of the Florida Family Association: "If we think of 'others' as normative, what will happen to our Traditional American Values?"
The greater question, said Dr. King, was posed by the Samaritan. "If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?" I will turn the question around and ask "If we do not begin to think of 'others' as normative, if we do not begin to embrace the diversity that is America, what will happen not only to those "others," but what will happen to America? What sort of putrid cesspool of hatred will we become when we are unwilling to look beyond someone's difference and see their essential humanity? How shallow are our minds and our vision when we cannot look beyond another's religion and see their souls or spirits?
I'm really glad to hear that Russell Simmons bought up all the remaining ads. And if what I read is true, then shame on Lowe's, Bank of America, Campbell Soup, Dell, Estee Lauder, General Motors, Goodyear, Green Mountain Coffee, McDonald's, Sears, and Wal-Mart. I can't believe they're really that stupid and insensitive. I would hate to believe that.
Here is Sheila Musaji's blog on The American Muslim and her reports on this anti-Muslim campaign. For those who don't know -- Islam, like Judaism and Christianity, is a religion "of the Book." The Qu'ran includes the first five books of the Bible, and Islam understands both Jesus and Mary. As one of my Muslim friends says, "We believe in Issa (Arabic name for Jesus); we just don't believe he's Allah's son. If we can live side by side with Jewish people, why can't we live side by side with Muslim people. Terrorism, you say? Do you know how the Nation of Israel was founded? Fundamentalism, you say? Islam is about 1200 years old. Look at what we Christians were doing when Christianity was about 1200 years old.
Come on, folks. God has put us all together on this Big Blue Marble. We are way more alike than we are different. It's not that hard -- learn to love the Lord your God with all your heart, your soul, your mind, and your strength (which leaves you no available resources for hatred and judgement, btw) -- and then learn to love your neighbor as yourself. You put your effort and energy into that, and I guarantee you the rest of the stuff will sort itself out.
So I apologize for calling the Florida Family Association a bunch of idiots. They, too, are God's people, and today my struggle is to love them just as Jesus has loved me in the midst of my own insanity.
Yeah. That's enough for today.
*******************
12/14/2011
Adding this link because Jon Stewart says it so much better than I could....
I didn't choose to watch "All American Muslim," mostly because it didn't seem interesting. It's like watching "All American Black Folks," or "All American Asians," or "All American Buddhists." American is a country built on diversity. To juxtapose someone's Americanism with their diversity (as if the two were by definition mutually exclusive) is to somehow, very subtly imply that to be "other" is the opposite of being American. At least that's how it felt to me. The show is a look in the lives of Muslims in America.
Unlike some other TLC shows, it doesn't seem to be aimed to highlight the differences and challenges "other" people face (like the shows on the little people or the shows on the humongous families). This show's purpose seems to be to show that Muslims are Americans, too.
I'm not watching a show like that. If we need a show like that in this country, then it's already too late.
At least, that's the way my idealist (and apparently simplistic) mind thinks. But the Florida Family Association seems to think the exact opposite. They're leading a campaign to have companies pull their advertising from the show. It's apparently been effective. The report says that 65 of the 67 companies it targeted have pulled their advertising.
I found particularly interesting the excerpt from their letter that states "The show profiles only Muslims that appear to be ordinary folks while excluding many Islamic believers whose agenda poses a clear and present danger to the liberties and traditional values that the majority of Americans cherish, ...”
First of all, you idiots, what's the number of people who "pose a clear and present danger to the liberties and traditional values that the majority of Americans cherish?" Who has decided that? If we were to do a poll, would we find there are more Muslims or more fundamentalist Christians who pose the clear and present danger to those liberties and traditional values? THERE ARE CRAZIES IN EVERY REALM OF LIFE (as your actions so clearly demonstrate). Wouldn't the greater good be served by calming the hysteria and instead focusing on loving our neighbor?
I'm reminded of the Parable of the Good Samaritan, and Dr. King's Mountaintop Speech, where he talks about the Road from Jerusalem to Jericho and the dangers inherent in that winding and treacherous pass. He imagines how the priest and the Levite might have asked, "If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?" That seems to be the position of the Florida Family Association: "If we think of 'others' as normative, what will happen to our Traditional American Values?"
The greater question, said Dr. King, was posed by the Samaritan. "If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?" I will turn the question around and ask "If we do not begin to think of 'others' as normative, if we do not begin to embrace the diversity that is America, what will happen not only to those "others," but what will happen to America? What sort of putrid cesspool of hatred will we become when we are unwilling to look beyond someone's difference and see their essential humanity? How shallow are our minds and our vision when we cannot look beyond another's religion and see their souls or spirits?
I'm really glad to hear that Russell Simmons bought up all the remaining ads. And if what I read is true, then shame on Lowe's, Bank of America, Campbell Soup, Dell, Estee Lauder, General Motors, Goodyear, Green Mountain Coffee, McDonald's, Sears, and Wal-Mart. I can't believe they're really that stupid and insensitive. I would hate to believe that.
Here is Sheila Musaji's blog on The American Muslim and her reports on this anti-Muslim campaign. For those who don't know -- Islam, like Judaism and Christianity, is a religion "of the Book." The Qu'ran includes the first five books of the Bible, and Islam understands both Jesus and Mary. As one of my Muslim friends says, "We believe in Issa (Arabic name for Jesus); we just don't believe he's Allah's son. If we can live side by side with Jewish people, why can't we live side by side with Muslim people. Terrorism, you say? Do you know how the Nation of Israel was founded? Fundamentalism, you say? Islam is about 1200 years old. Look at what we Christians were doing when Christianity was about 1200 years old.
Come on, folks. God has put us all together on this Big Blue Marble. We are way more alike than we are different. It's not that hard -- learn to love the Lord your God with all your heart, your soul, your mind, and your strength (which leaves you no available resources for hatred and judgement, btw) -- and then learn to love your neighbor as yourself. You put your effort and energy into that, and I guarantee you the rest of the stuff will sort itself out.
So I apologize for calling the Florida Family Association a bunch of idiots. They, too, are God's people, and today my struggle is to love them just as Jesus has loved me in the midst of my own insanity.
Yeah. That's enough for today.
*******************
12/14/2011
Adding this link because Jon Stewart says it so much better than I could....
Monday, December 12, 2011
Why Christmas Makes Me Sad
Yeah, Christmas makes me sad. Don't get me wrong -- I am grateful that God came to Earth in the human form so that I might have a claim to divinity. I'm grateful and I'm happy about that. But c'mon, look at us. Look at this country. Look at this world.
Here in the US, we don't want to even mention the name of Christmas, lest we offend someone who's not Christian. I still don't quite understand the logic behind that -- in a country where 70+% of the people have ties to Christianity, how have we gotten to a place where it's politically incorrect to acknowledge that religion? I understand separating church and state, but why is "Merry Christmas" met with "Happy Holidays" on the subway? It's like we are ashamed to acknowledge the birth of Jesus Christ. And when we do that, don't we crucify Him all over again?
Here's something that was on someone's facebook page today:
Jesus: Santa.
Santa: Yes?
Jesus: I'm sad.
Santa: Why are you sad? It's Christmas right? It's your birthday!
Jesus: Yeah. That's the point
Santa: Why?
Jesus: Because whenever its Christmas the kids only wait for you and not me! They only celebrate Christmas because of you! Why Santa, why not Jesus? -Dec. 25 is for Jesus not for Santa. (Repost if You Believe in Jesus !) P.S He Knows You Looked ♥ -deny me in front your friends and I will deny you in front of my Father
But it's not even that that makes me sad. It's the fact that we go on these mad shopping frenzies, we have all these parties, we do all this "stuff," and nothing changes. We may go to church, we may sing a little "Joy to the World" or "The First Noel" or "Hark the Herald." but OUR LIVES DON'T CHANGE. And I'm talking about myself as much as anyone else.
What's the point of Jesus having come into the world if something doesn't change? What's the point of Him being born or dying if we don't change? What's the point of going all out on December 25 if we're going to be the same on December 26?
In the end, it seems sorta fake and pointless. It seems like we're caught up in the celebration, but we've somehow forgotten the Guest of Honor. In addition to being ironic, it makes us look silly and thoughtless.
So. How do we change? How do we usher in the Spirit of Christ during this Christmas season? Another FB friend has a post that sort of hits the nail on the head: "If you truly desire to honor God, honor God in acts of love, not "solely" in acts of piety. Piety is for the self, acts of love extend outward. Give to someone a drink, some food, help those in need. In doing that, you honor God."
If we want to honor Christ this Christmas, let's go OUT and show some CHRISTian love. How do you react when you see that guy bumming change? How do you react when you see that streetwalker? How about the guy with his pants around his knees smoking that blunt? How do you react to him? What would Jesus Do? More importantly, What Would Jesus Have ME Do? That's how we show the Spirit of CHRISTmas, not just on December 25, but all year long.
And it's true. Christmas usually begins for me when I give an anonymous present to a needy kid, or when I volunteer at a retirement home or a mental healthcare facility. Lately, since my fulltime job is taking care of people who are homeless, sick, and/or have mental health issues, I've forgotten that this is what's really important. I've forgotten that this is exactly what God has called and equipped and placed me here to do. It doesn't matter what anyone else does or says; it's the love that needs to shine through.
Lord, at this Christmastime, let me decrease and You increase. Please allow me to put myself aside and recognize that YOU ARE the Reason for this Season. And while it won't be an instant thing, perhaps my seasonal sadness will be replaced with the oil of gladness!
*********************************
The power of life and death is in the tongue. Who'da thunk that, soon after that posting, I would have the opportunity to put it into action? I was called to address an issue and in the midst of it, found myself reminded of what a great privilege it is to serve. I hope I did some good; it certainly felt good. There are folks out there with very real needs, and some of us, no matter how limited we may think our resources are, some of us are actually able to offer them help. That's a privilege, one that makes me both happy and grateful.
Here in the US, we don't want to even mention the name of Christmas, lest we offend someone who's not Christian. I still don't quite understand the logic behind that -- in a country where 70+% of the people have ties to Christianity, how have we gotten to a place where it's politically incorrect to acknowledge that religion? I understand separating church and state, but why is "Merry Christmas" met with "Happy Holidays" on the subway? It's like we are ashamed to acknowledge the birth of Jesus Christ. And when we do that, don't we crucify Him all over again?
Here's something that was on someone's facebook page today:
Jesus: Santa.
Santa: Yes?
Jesus: I'm sad.
Santa: Why are you sad? It's Christmas right? It's your birthday!
Jesus: Yeah. That's the point
Santa: Why?
Jesus: Because whenever its Christmas the kids only wait for you and not me! They only celebrate Christmas because of you! Why Santa, why not Jesus? -Dec. 25 is for Jesus not for Santa. (Repost if You Believe in Jesus !) P.S He Knows You Looked ♥ -deny me in front your friends and I will deny you in front of my Father
But it's not even that that makes me sad. It's the fact that we go on these mad shopping frenzies, we have all these parties, we do all this "stuff," and nothing changes. We may go to church, we may sing a little "Joy to the World" or "The First Noel" or "Hark the Herald." but OUR LIVES DON'T CHANGE. And I'm talking about myself as much as anyone else.
What's the point of Jesus having come into the world if something doesn't change? What's the point of Him being born or dying if we don't change? What's the point of going all out on December 25 if we're going to be the same on December 26?
In the end, it seems sorta fake and pointless. It seems like we're caught up in the celebration, but we've somehow forgotten the Guest of Honor. In addition to being ironic, it makes us look silly and thoughtless.
So. How do we change? How do we usher in the Spirit of Christ during this Christmas season? Another FB friend has a post that sort of hits the nail on the head: "If you truly desire to honor God, honor God in acts of love, not "solely" in acts of piety. Piety is for the self, acts of love extend outward. Give to someone a drink, some food, help those in need. In doing that, you honor God."
If we want to honor Christ this Christmas, let's go OUT and show some CHRISTian love. How do you react when you see that guy bumming change? How do you react when you see that streetwalker? How about the guy with his pants around his knees smoking that blunt? How do you react to him? What would Jesus Do? More importantly, What Would Jesus Have ME Do? That's how we show the Spirit of CHRISTmas, not just on December 25, but all year long.
And it's true. Christmas usually begins for me when I give an anonymous present to a needy kid, or when I volunteer at a retirement home or a mental healthcare facility. Lately, since my fulltime job is taking care of people who are homeless, sick, and/or have mental health issues, I've forgotten that this is what's really important. I've forgotten that this is exactly what God has called and equipped and placed me here to do. It doesn't matter what anyone else does or says; it's the love that needs to shine through.
Lord, at this Christmastime, let me decrease and You increase. Please allow me to put myself aside and recognize that YOU ARE the Reason for this Season. And while it won't be an instant thing, perhaps my seasonal sadness will be replaced with the oil of gladness!
*********************************
The power of life and death is in the tongue. Who'da thunk that, soon after that posting, I would have the opportunity to put it into action? I was called to address an issue and in the midst of it, found myself reminded of what a great privilege it is to serve. I hope I did some good; it certainly felt good. There are folks out there with very real needs, and some of us, no matter how limited we may think our resources are, some of us are actually able to offer them help. That's a privilege, one that makes me both happy and grateful.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Stew Leonard's
I go to Stew Leonard's because it has the best lobster salad I know (Thanks, Charlie!). There's something about the combination of their lobster salad on a croissant (a real, buttery croissant, not that flour-y stuff they sell in the corner stores, or the dough-y stuff they sell in the supermarket. I'm talking about the melt-in-your-mouth croissants, Not even Stew Leonard's own croissants are good enough to eat with their lobster salad). There's something about the combination of Stew Leonard's lobster salad and real croissants that is somewhere between divine and perfection.
So I go once a week or twice a month, and I buy their lobster salad. Now, if I were more astute or more observant or if I gave a hoot about such things, I probably would have realized that a person named Stew Leonard might have been Jewish. But I didn't. The thought never occurred to me, since their stuff is like farm fresh (there's all these annoying cow sounds throughout the store), and I just never associated the thought of farmers with Jewish people in the Diaspora. I just didn't.
So last time I'm there, I see this huge sign for a Menorah Lighting Ceremony. I immediately look around for a Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, but don't see one. Oh, I think, maybe he's Jewish. I think no more of it. But as I'm driving up today, I see a huge sign for "TREES" on sale. Not "Christmas Trees," just "TREES." I'm thinking, so you can't even ACKNOWLEDGE Christmas? I get it that you don't celebrate it, but what about your customers who do? Or is this a message that Christian customers aren't welcome in your stores?
So I drive up to the store, and there is a HUGE traffic jam. Lots of people leaving have trees on their cars, and I'm thinking, "are those Christmas trees? Why are they buying them here? Don't they get it that this guy is dissing Christmas?' (Notice that I have these thoughts but they don't stop me from going for my lobster salad....)
So I get a parking space, and I walk into the store. There's the Menorah Lighting ceremony sign, and there's all the greenery -- there's wreaths, and evergreen balls -- and then I see this sign for Fir Crosses, that will last all season. I didn't see the crosses, but I saw the sign. And then I saw another one. And finally I saw what was left on a display case of crosses made with some evergreen. Many of them had a little red bow in the center, but I picked out one that's a 24" boxwood (whatever that is) cross. It was the only one left with a purple bow trimmed in gold. Purple, of course, is the liturgical color for Advent, which is the coming of Christ the King.
Like I said to the checkout lady, this is the first time in maybe 30 years that I've bought a Christmas decoration. Because it's a Christmas decoration, not a holiday decoration. There are generic holiday decorations there for those who choose. The poinsettias seemed to be selling well, and there are the evergreen balls, and there are the (pagan) trees. And that's wonderful for people, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindus, Buddhists, agnostics, atheists, whatever -- for people who are like into decorating their houses and want some non-religious holiday decorations, they are there at Stew Leonard's. As an astute businessperson, in recognition of the fact that many of his customers may celebrate Christmas, there are the crosses, bedecked with all the symbolism of the holy season. But there's no Christmas trees, no reindeer, no Santas, no elves, none of the popular mythology that goes along with the commercialization of Christmas and which could be difficult to explain to a non-Christian child. There is plenty of year-round entertainment for kids; it's never seasonal. For observant Christians, there are the crosses, and for observant Jews, there's the Menorah lighting. Everyone's religion is acknowledged; the Jewish guy who owns the store gets to observe his religion his way, acknowledges my religion, and doesn't mingle, mix or distort either of them with popular cultural mythology. I saw really astute marketing today, but with religious and cultural integrity.
I'll keep shopping there.
So I go once a week or twice a month, and I buy their lobster salad. Now, if I were more astute or more observant or if I gave a hoot about such things, I probably would have realized that a person named Stew Leonard might have been Jewish. But I didn't. The thought never occurred to me, since their stuff is like farm fresh (there's all these annoying cow sounds throughout the store), and I just never associated the thought of farmers with Jewish people in the Diaspora. I just didn't.
So last time I'm there, I see this huge sign for a Menorah Lighting Ceremony. I immediately look around for a Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, but don't see one. Oh, I think, maybe he's Jewish. I think no more of it. But as I'm driving up today, I see a huge sign for "TREES" on sale. Not "Christmas Trees," just "TREES." I'm thinking, so you can't even ACKNOWLEDGE Christmas? I get it that you don't celebrate it, but what about your customers who do? Or is this a message that Christian customers aren't welcome in your stores?
So I drive up to the store, and there is a HUGE traffic jam. Lots of people leaving have trees on their cars, and I'm thinking, "are those Christmas trees? Why are they buying them here? Don't they get it that this guy is dissing Christmas?' (Notice that I have these thoughts but they don't stop me from going for my lobster salad....)
So I get a parking space, and I walk into the store. There's the Menorah Lighting ceremony sign, and there's all the greenery -- there's wreaths, and evergreen balls -- and then I see this sign for Fir Crosses, that will last all season. I didn't see the crosses, but I saw the sign. And then I saw another one. And finally I saw what was left on a display case of crosses made with some evergreen. Many of them had a little red bow in the center, but I picked out one that's a 24" boxwood (whatever that is) cross. It was the only one left with a purple bow trimmed in gold. Purple, of course, is the liturgical color for Advent, which is the coming of Christ the King.
Like I said to the checkout lady, this is the first time in maybe 30 years that I've bought a Christmas decoration. Because it's a Christmas decoration, not a holiday decoration. There are generic holiday decorations there for those who choose. The poinsettias seemed to be selling well, and there are the evergreen balls, and there are the (pagan) trees. And that's wonderful for people, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindus, Buddhists, agnostics, atheists, whatever -- for people who are like into decorating their houses and want some non-religious holiday decorations, they are there at Stew Leonard's. As an astute businessperson, in recognition of the fact that many of his customers may celebrate Christmas, there are the crosses, bedecked with all the symbolism of the holy season. But there's no Christmas trees, no reindeer, no Santas, no elves, none of the popular mythology that goes along with the commercialization of Christmas and which could be difficult to explain to a non-Christian child. There is plenty of year-round entertainment for kids; it's never seasonal. For observant Christians, there are the crosses, and for observant Jews, there's the Menorah lighting. Everyone's religion is acknowledged; the Jewish guy who owns the store gets to observe his religion his way, acknowledges my religion, and doesn't mingle, mix or distort either of them with popular cultural mythology. I saw really astute marketing today, but with religious and cultural integrity.
I'll keep shopping there.
Friday, December 9, 2011
A Charge To Keep, I Have
In another forum, a member posted a quote from this old standard, "A charge to keep I have, A God to glorify, A never-dying soul to save, And fit it for the sky."
That song is soooo appropriate for me right now. It's the end of the year, and the press of contract compliance is upon me. It's another year where incomes remain flat but expenses continue to rise. I literally got into my car the other day, lifted my hand to the ceiling, and said "Lord, I don't think I can keep doing this."
Then, it seems, a tiny bit more Grace was imparted to me, and I was able to start the car and drive to my next destination. Which was my kettlebell class.
There's nothing like throwing an off-center iron ball around -- picking it up, putting it down, cleaning it, snatching it, swinging it, and pressing it -- to get your mind off whatever was ailing you. When you're throwing around 10-15 lbs of cast iron, you begin to focus on how your body supports it, and how it comes back to your body. John and Jane and their issues aren't really on the horizon.
So it is, or should be, in our Christian walk. The kettlebell is difficult, but at the end of the day it makes us stronger, leaner, more powerful, and more flexible. It's the same way with God's Word in our lives. It's difficult to hold up God's Word. It's difficult to wield God's Word in our lives. Right now, I'm angry, annoyed, feeling let down, probably more than a little bitchy (I think "petulant" would be an accurate polite description). These feelings are all the result of personal character defects or shortcomings, and all of them could be addressed by my intentionally applying God's Word in my life.
Which I do on a regular basis. But just like when I lifted and did cardio on machines, it was a good workout, but sometimes we need an INTENSE workout. Kettlebells engage every muscle of the body, dynamically, in a short period of time. Perhaps I need a spiritual intensive to engage every bit of my spiritual being, intensely, either over a short period of time or over the longer haul.
What I know is that my spiritual body needs to be nurtured and fed more, and what I'm able to do on my own isn't working. I pray, study, and teach, but that's not enough. I have a charge to keep, a God to glorify, so I've got to press on to higher heights. Just like I get special food for my physical body, perhaps I should consider special food for my spiritual body. Perhaps I need some sort of spiritual concentrate to help process everything I need to be taking in.
I don't know. I just know that I have work to do, and the way I'm feeling now, while valid, is not my best self, and it's not conducive to the work I have to do. I don't want to linger in these feelings, and I certainly don't want to act on them. A charge to keep, I have; a God to Glorify.
Lord, I need you......
That song is soooo appropriate for me right now. It's the end of the year, and the press of contract compliance is upon me. It's another year where incomes remain flat but expenses continue to rise. I literally got into my car the other day, lifted my hand to the ceiling, and said "Lord, I don't think I can keep doing this."
Then, it seems, a tiny bit more Grace was imparted to me, and I was able to start the car and drive to my next destination. Which was my kettlebell class.
There's nothing like throwing an off-center iron ball around -- picking it up, putting it down, cleaning it, snatching it, swinging it, and pressing it -- to get your mind off whatever was ailing you. When you're throwing around 10-15 lbs of cast iron, you begin to focus on how your body supports it, and how it comes back to your body. John and Jane and their issues aren't really on the horizon.
So it is, or should be, in our Christian walk. The kettlebell is difficult, but at the end of the day it makes us stronger, leaner, more powerful, and more flexible. It's the same way with God's Word in our lives. It's difficult to hold up God's Word. It's difficult to wield God's Word in our lives. Right now, I'm angry, annoyed, feeling let down, probably more than a little bitchy (I think "petulant" would be an accurate polite description). These feelings are all the result of personal character defects or shortcomings, and all of them could be addressed by my intentionally applying God's Word in my life.
Which I do on a regular basis. But just like when I lifted and did cardio on machines, it was a good workout, but sometimes we need an INTENSE workout. Kettlebells engage every muscle of the body, dynamically, in a short period of time. Perhaps I need a spiritual intensive to engage every bit of my spiritual being, intensely, either over a short period of time or over the longer haul.
What I know is that my spiritual body needs to be nurtured and fed more, and what I'm able to do on my own isn't working. I pray, study, and teach, but that's not enough. I have a charge to keep, a God to glorify, so I've got to press on to higher heights. Just like I get special food for my physical body, perhaps I should consider special food for my spiritual body. Perhaps I need some sort of spiritual concentrate to help process everything I need to be taking in.
I don't know. I just know that I have work to do, and the way I'm feeling now, while valid, is not my best self, and it's not conducive to the work I have to do. I don't want to linger in these feelings, and I certainly don't want to act on them. A charge to keep, I have; a God to Glorify.
Lord, I need you......
Thursday, December 1, 2011
ATT, Christian Love, Christmas
So this morning ATT texts me to tell me that I'm in the top 5% of its data users for the last billing cycle. This is particularly interesting to me, since I yanked the sim card out of my iPhone once I discovered ATT had raped me for the cost of posting pictures a day before my international coverage began. My phone bill for the past billing cycle was over $500.00. To their credit, they did refund over $400 of it, but ONLY AFTER I PAID IT, which means this big company gets my money to use, interest free, for the next few months. No text about that.
So I have an iPhone and an unlimited data plan. It's 3G; iPhones have lots of cool apps that work over 3G. I listen to Pandora radio at work. Yes, I suppose I could listen on my work computer, but I am aware that streaming music can cause bandwidth congestion. I guess I'm just a little confused because I have an "unlimited" data plan. Silly me, I thought that meant "without limits," and that it would be appropriate to stream over an unlimited plan. From reading the blogosphere, it seems ATT will tell me three or four times, and then it will throttle my usage for two billing cycles.
I just want to get this straight: first they take my money, then they superimpose limits on what I can do with the plan I bought (I'm not even using a cracked app -- this is the legit Pandora!), and then they'll eventually end up offering me less service than I contracted for?!?!? All the while holding my money?!? How can this possibly be legal? Oh, because it's created by lawyers. But how can it possibly be ethical? ATT wanted to get in there first and monopolize the market for iPhone users. That market, the apps, and the data usage have exploded -- how is it my fault that ATT made poor business decisions and could not ramp up its infrastructure in time to keep up with the business?
Anyway. I've turned off Pandora for the moment, but it really pisses me off a good deal. I've grown quite fond of Pandora and don't understand why it's offered as an app if ATT then doesn't want us to use it.
So I read the article about the church banning the interracial couple. It's stupid, of course. Why would a church turn people away? What's the reasoning? But then it hit me (and my Christian friends, especially my denominational colleagues, will take me to task for this): that's what we do with the homosexuality issue. We've decided, because of our reading of Sacred Scriptures, that homosexuality is wrong, an abominable sin. Therefore, we've decided that people who are homosexual are somehow less than the rest of us: less meriting of fellowship, less able to lead our flocks, less able to have their unions legitimized and validated by the State. We've made these decisions as if our readings and understandings of Scripture are the ultimate reality, as if Jesus has revealed all there is to reveal, and as if there's no room at The Cross for anyone else. I just can't get with that. I spearheaded an effort to get someone held accountable, but that was because that someone was in a position of leadership, was married to one person, and admitted to having a relationship with another person. I believe leadership should be held accountable. I do not believe that leadership is, or can be expected to be, without fault -- just that they need to be transparent in admitting those faults (ministers, like doctors, need to "first do no harm." If I'm engaging in an activity that is potentially dangerous to others, I have a moral obligation to stop that activity).
Whether I do or not is between me and God. It shouldn't be between me and you. I should not stand in judgement of you any more than you should stand in judgement of me. We don't always have to condone each other's actions; we should be able to express ourselves, agree to disagree if necessary, and continue to fellowship with one another in Christian love. When we limit our expressions of love to our fellow human beings for any reason, do we not make a statement about the limits of our ability to receive Christ's love in our own lives? Everybody's sinned. Everybody's struggling with something. Wouldn't it be better for us to work together, in harmony, attempting to build up the Kingdom of God rather than to tear one another down? I think where we get confused is in our (self-)righteousness. We have standards, and because we do, we are perturbed, disturbed, or offended when people seem to violate those standards. We want them removed, banished, punished, etc. And that's all good, but we need to remember Romans 5:8, which reminds us that while we were yet in our sins, Christ died for us. If Christ could display the Ultimate Love to us, given our sinful states, how can we do less for each other?
Yeah. I know that will not sit well with some, but it's how I feel. And I'll tell you something else about how I feel. Recently I posted an article about keeping the Christ in Christmas. A friend responded with this article and a comment that it was why she wanted Christ out of Christmas. I don't get it. Christmas is a Christian holiday, and according to this estimate from the 2007 CIA Factbook, the Religions (sic) of the US are as follows:
So I have an iPhone and an unlimited data plan. It's 3G; iPhones have lots of cool apps that work over 3G. I listen to Pandora radio at work. Yes, I suppose I could listen on my work computer, but I am aware that streaming music can cause bandwidth congestion. I guess I'm just a little confused because I have an "unlimited" data plan. Silly me, I thought that meant "without limits," and that it would be appropriate to stream over an unlimited plan. From reading the blogosphere, it seems ATT will tell me three or four times, and then it will throttle my usage for two billing cycles.
I just want to get this straight: first they take my money, then they superimpose limits on what I can do with the plan I bought (I'm not even using a cracked app -- this is the legit Pandora!), and then they'll eventually end up offering me less service than I contracted for?!?!? All the while holding my money?!? How can this possibly be legal? Oh, because it's created by lawyers. But how can it possibly be ethical? ATT wanted to get in there first and monopolize the market for iPhone users. That market, the apps, and the data usage have exploded -- how is it my fault that ATT made poor business decisions and could not ramp up its infrastructure in time to keep up with the business?
Anyway. I've turned off Pandora for the moment, but it really pisses me off a good deal. I've grown quite fond of Pandora and don't understand why it's offered as an app if ATT then doesn't want us to use it.
So I read the article about the church banning the interracial couple. It's stupid, of course. Why would a church turn people away? What's the reasoning? But then it hit me (and my Christian friends, especially my denominational colleagues, will take me to task for this): that's what we do with the homosexuality issue. We've decided, because of our reading of Sacred Scriptures, that homosexuality is wrong, an abominable sin. Therefore, we've decided that people who are homosexual are somehow less than the rest of us: less meriting of fellowship, less able to lead our flocks, less able to have their unions legitimized and validated by the State. We've made these decisions as if our readings and understandings of Scripture are the ultimate reality, as if Jesus has revealed all there is to reveal, and as if there's no room at The Cross for anyone else. I just can't get with that. I spearheaded an effort to get someone held accountable, but that was because that someone was in a position of leadership, was married to one person, and admitted to having a relationship with another person. I believe leadership should be held accountable. I do not believe that leadership is, or can be expected to be, without fault -- just that they need to be transparent in admitting those faults (ministers, like doctors, need to "first do no harm." If I'm engaging in an activity that is potentially dangerous to others, I have a moral obligation to stop that activity).
Whether I do or not is between me and God. It shouldn't be between me and you. I should not stand in judgement of you any more than you should stand in judgement of me. We don't always have to condone each other's actions; we should be able to express ourselves, agree to disagree if necessary, and continue to fellowship with one another in Christian love. When we limit our expressions of love to our fellow human beings for any reason, do we not make a statement about the limits of our ability to receive Christ's love in our own lives? Everybody's sinned. Everybody's struggling with something. Wouldn't it be better for us to work together, in harmony, attempting to build up the Kingdom of God rather than to tear one another down? I think where we get confused is in our (self-)righteousness. We have standards, and because we do, we are perturbed, disturbed, or offended when people seem to violate those standards. We want them removed, banished, punished, etc. And that's all good, but we need to remember Romans 5:8, which reminds us that while we were yet in our sins, Christ died for us. If Christ could display the Ultimate Love to us, given our sinful states, how can we do less for each other?
Yeah. I know that will not sit well with some, but it's how I feel. And I'll tell you something else about how I feel. Recently I posted an article about keeping the Christ in Christmas. A friend responded with this article and a comment that it was why she wanted Christ out of Christmas. I don't get it. Christmas is a Christian holiday, and according to this estimate from the 2007 CIA Factbook, the Religions (sic) of the US are as follows:
Protestant 51.3%, Roman Catholic 23.9%, Mormon 1.7%, other Christian 1.6%, Jewish 1.7%, Buddhist 0.7%, Muslim 0.6%, other or unspecified 2.5%, unaffiliated 12.1%, none 4% (2007 est.). The way I calculate it (check it for yourself, since I'm not that great in math) 51.3 +23.9+1.7+1.6 = 78.5% of Americans have some affiliation with CHRISTIANITY.
So if you're of the 1.7% of Americans who are Jewish or the 0.7% who are Buddhist, the 0.6% who are Muslim, the 2.5% who are other or unspecified, the 12.1% who are unaffiliated, or the 4% who are of no religion, it seems to me that prudence would demand you at least acknowledge that more than three quarters of your fellow Americans ARE Christian. Please don't feel that you have to stand outside and look in at a party to which you're not invited. You are certainly invited. But don't get the purpose of the holiday confused with the fact that Constantine co-opted the date as part of a compromise deal in trying to bring his empire together. Don't get it confused with ancient pagan practices that used to occur at the same time of the year. Don't get lost on the external displays of gift-giving (because Jesus is God's greatest Gift to the World), or the lights (because He is the Light of the World, or the Tree (a custom which has come to be associated with Christianity over the years, but which has no Christian theological significance). Those are just external manifestations. The REASON for the Season is Jesus, and without Christ there could never BE a Christmas. So if you're not down with Christ, don't look at the outer trappings of Christmas and long for them. Recognize that CHRISTmas is about Jesus CHRIST. He's the Reason for the Season, and the Source of all the Joy. If HE's not for you, perhaps IT's not for you. The two are inseparable. But don't be sad -- this is truly a joyous time. As much as you may hate to hear it, if you're feeling your spirits uplifted, if the lights and the songs and the way people treat each other actually do make your heart sing, that's OK, too. Jesus loves and believes in you, despite whether you love or believe in Him.
Lest that seem insensitive (because anymore a Christian can't share their faith without somehow appearing insensitive to someone who's not Christian), let me stress that the Reason for the Season is a Gift of Love, and that is absolutely open and available to all. We want to sing with you, we want to share presents with you, we want to share Love with you, and we want to share the Good News, Glad Tidings, and Great Joy with you. We won't even be mad if you choose not to join us.
So don't hate. Celebrate!!!