Thursday, September 25, 2008
More from Boise
While this doesn't come directly from our conference, this was passed along to me in response to what I wrote yesterday--it's a way in which we can participate in some small way in protecting our children from sexual predators.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Musings from Boise
My daughter, Alycia, and I met up here in Boise at about 1 am Boise time this morning. We are here to attend a very unique 3-day conference sponsored by the Vineyard Church of Boise. The focus is on global issues. Today we looked at Sex Trafficking.
The day opened with a powerful presentation by Rob Morris of Love146.The organization seeks to provide safe homes for victims of sexual trafficking.
The naming of the organization comes from a troubling, yet moving experience Rob had. He, along with a few others, joined an undercover operation in Asia, seeking to infiltrate a sex trafficking organization. They were trained to act like "customers," men interested in the children being offered. They walked into a room and stood before a glass window looking at children who in turn were watching cartoons. Each of the kids wore only a number. The "pimp" walked around telling the customers what each of the kids specialized in. Rob noticed #146. It was apparent that she was fairly new to being a sexual slave as, where the other victims had lifeless eyes, 146 still had the fire of anger in hers.
Jesus came to set the captives free, the predators, perps, and the victims. As the Senior pastor of the Boise Vineyard asked, Are we as a church doing what Jesus calls us to do?
The day opened with a powerful presentation by Rob Morris of Love146.The organization seeks to provide safe homes for victims of sexual trafficking.
The naming of the organization comes from a troubling, yet moving experience Rob had. He, along with a few others, joined an undercover operation in Asia, seeking to infiltrate a sex trafficking organization. They were trained to act like "customers," men interested in the children being offered. They walked into a room and stood before a glass window looking at children who in turn were watching cartoons. Each of the kids wore only a number. The "pimp" walked around telling the customers what each of the kids specialized in. Rob noticed #146. It was apparent that she was fairly new to being a sexual slave as, where the other victims had lifeless eyes, 146 still had the fire of anger in hers.
Jesus came to set the captives free, the predators, perps, and the victims. As the Senior pastor of the Boise Vineyard asked, Are we as a church doing what Jesus calls us to do?
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Building a Community of Grace
Our congregation is in the heart of a building campaign/campus design. We were given 9.5 acres of land a few years ago and have the commitments and the financial banking to go for it starting this spring.
Everything is in place. But the question is, what is the best use of our resources in serving the Kingdom of God? In serving the city we're in? In serving people who need Jesus?
I talked about our mission on Sunday (You either listen to the podcast or hit the listen link. Look for A Year of Living Christ-ianly, part 2.)
Here is a summary of what we are thinking and praying through which I sent to our congregation today:
Hey, Gracer's,
The following, in bullet points, is a quick update on the building project:
The planning process continues to be energizing and exciting. We are moving through the city for approvals and the planning is now moving to detailed drawings.
At this point, it looks like the budget will allow for the building of the worship center which includes 4 classrooms and a 1000 square foot lobby area. It will be the same size as what we have in Zuni, only better.
The schedule is getting clearer. It looks like we can pencil in a ground-breaking date of Palm Sunday, April 5, 2009. That will be our 4-year anniversary and the 25th anniversary of my ordination into vocational ministry.
If all goes as planned we could be in the new worship space for Easter of 2010.
If we can find a way, we will also build an office complex but that remains a money issue.
The cost is $6.4 million-including infrastructure, landscaping, the building and full furnishings. That would mean a loan of about $6 million as we will pay about $500,000 in cash. That comes to about $43,000 per month!
How will we pay for it?
Thrivent Financial Services has agreed to be our lending institution. They have provided us an extraordinary rate.
We are currently 48% of the way through our first 3-year building fund commitments and have received 51% of the commitments! If that trend continues we will be able to handle the monthly payments.
By the time we move in, we will have a large cushion from the first campaign. We will have launched and completed the second 3-year campaign that we would hope would raise another $1.5 million ensuring we continue to make our payments.
With the free land, the Thrivent loan, and the fantastic giving to the campaign, this is doable!
As I said in worship a few weeks ago, even though all the pieces are in place to make it happen, before we put a shovel in the ground we will have a "come to Jesus" meeting to make sure we really want to commit to this. Once you commit to a $6 million loan there is no turning back.
So I'd like us to begin the process now. We began Sunday by reviewing our mission, our call to move from a Come and See Church to a Go and Show Church. For a come and see church the building is crucial. For a go and show church, investing resources in getting out and demonstrating God's love is crucial. Which leads congregations like ours, who are passionate about doing mission, to ask tough questions about the best use of resources.
Now that we have all the facts-we know exactly what it takes to be a church in Zuni and what it would take to build a facility-now is the time to ask the resource questions; questions about what is the best use of the resources we have, not for building a church, but for serving the city.
In terms of building, I offer the following questions with an assignment at the end (and remember, all the resources are in place to build. So this is not a financial issue. This is a mission issue. Is building the best way we can serve the city?)
Questions:
Is building this new campus the best use of our resources for serving the city?
What will the new campus allow us to do in serving the city at an investment of $10,000 per week plus upkeep, etc
Vs. $600 per week in this place?
Will a permanent facility better enable us to serve the city?
On Saturdays, when we're setting up, and dragging 350 chairs across a hot parking lot, setting up communion tables, nursery, Sunday School, sound systems, I can't wait for the building to be done. On Sunday after worship, when we're tearing down everything we set up on Saturday, and mopping floors and cleaning bathrooms, I can't wait until the new building is done
But... when I sit in worship and experience the power of our worship together
And I see the people gathering in clusters
And I see our youth on retreat
And I see us out on Make a Difference Days
And it's only costing us $600 a weekend for the building vs $10,000 plus if we build
I wonder what advantage at $6.5 million dollar building gives us in serving the city?
What if, rather than having to raise $500,000 per year to pay a mortgage
We raise money for special missions projects?
$100,000 in a year to start a new church?
$100,000 in a year to build a medical clinic in Rwanda?
$100,000 to help build some new homes for the homeless?
$100,000 a year to support missions locally and around the world?
Are there other options that enable us to do the same thing
But with less financial resources?
Lease a mall?
Land swap for something with lower infrastructure costs?
Work with Zuni and upgrade this place/get some better classrooms for kids?
What if we wait a few years?
While the costs will go up, what if we wait until we can grow into our identity for awhile?
We're still making the shift from come and see to go and show
Still sifting: Some of us are still trying to figure out if this will be the congregation we commit to
Do we need more time to grow into our identity as a congregation before we build?
Is God calling us to build right now?
After all, he's provided the land free and clear.
We have a company willing to make us the loan at fantastic rates..
We have the commitments to make the payments
Is God saying that this sacrificial investment will help us best serve the city for generations to come?
Will this new facility give us a stability, a base of operation out of which to send disciples back into the world to bring God's grace for years and years to come?
When I sit in the building meetings and imagine the kind of equipping and worship that can take place there
I can hardly wait to get into it
What is the best use of our resources?
What is the best use of them in terms of letting our lights shine?
What sacrifice are we being called to make?
A financial one of raising $1,500,000 or more every three years?
A comfort one of being nomads in Zuni for awhile longer or an extended period of time?
Between now and December let's pray about this together.
Let's set aside some time on Friday to pray through these questions; to ask God what he wants.
Fast something-a meal, a dessert, a cup of coffee and use that as a reminder to pray.
Let's Trust in the Lord with all our hearts and lean not on our own understanding, in all our ways acknowledging him, and he will direct our paths.
In January we'll begin to talk about what we're hearing from God
And by the end of that month
We'll either go for it and build
Put the project on hold
Or look at other alternatives.
During that time we'll continue to pursue the project and make sure everything is in place to build so that we stay on schedule. So it will be important to keep on giving to the project. If we decide to wait or do something else we can decide how to deal with the money we have given.
God has provided the land. God has provided the financing. God has provided the commitments to cover the financing. The assumption is that we should build-and perhaps that's exactly what God has in mind. But let's spend some serious time in prayer to make sure we're going where Jesus is leading and that we're willing to follow him wherever he might lead us.
Let your light so shine before others that they may see your good works and give glory to our Father in Heaven!
Thanks for your willingness to be a missional congregation-willing to lay aside our own needs for the sake of bringing grace to the world, whatever that might mean. I believe this process is one of the ways that God is going to use to shape us to live Christ-ianly as a congregation.
Tim
Everything is in place. But the question is, what is the best use of our resources in serving the Kingdom of God? In serving the city we're in? In serving people who need Jesus?
I talked about our mission on Sunday (You either listen to the podcast or hit the listen link. Look for A Year of Living Christ-ianly, part 2.)
Here is a summary of what we are thinking and praying through which I sent to our congregation today:
Hey, Gracer's,
The following, in bullet points, is a quick update on the building project:
The planning process continues to be energizing and exciting. We are moving through the city for approvals and the planning is now moving to detailed drawings.
At this point, it looks like the budget will allow for the building of the worship center which includes 4 classrooms and a 1000 square foot lobby area. It will be the same size as what we have in Zuni, only better.
The schedule is getting clearer. It looks like we can pencil in a ground-breaking date of Palm Sunday, April 5, 2009. That will be our 4-year anniversary and the 25th anniversary of my ordination into vocational ministry.
If all goes as planned we could be in the new worship space for Easter of 2010.
If we can find a way, we will also build an office complex but that remains a money issue.
The cost is $6.4 million-including infrastructure, landscaping, the building and full furnishings. That would mean a loan of about $6 million as we will pay about $500,000 in cash. That comes to about $43,000 per month!
How will we pay for it?
Thrivent Financial Services has agreed to be our lending institution. They have provided us an extraordinary rate.
We are currently 48% of the way through our first 3-year building fund commitments and have received 51% of the commitments! If that trend continues we will be able to handle the monthly payments.
By the time we move in, we will have a large cushion from the first campaign. We will have launched and completed the second 3-year campaign that we would hope would raise another $1.5 million ensuring we continue to make our payments.
With the free land, the Thrivent loan, and the fantastic giving to the campaign, this is doable!
As I said in worship a few weeks ago, even though all the pieces are in place to make it happen, before we put a shovel in the ground we will have a "come to Jesus" meeting to make sure we really want to commit to this. Once you commit to a $6 million loan there is no turning back.
So I'd like us to begin the process now. We began Sunday by reviewing our mission, our call to move from a Come and See Church to a Go and Show Church. For a come and see church the building is crucial. For a go and show church, investing resources in getting out and demonstrating God's love is crucial. Which leads congregations like ours, who are passionate about doing mission, to ask tough questions about the best use of resources.
Now that we have all the facts-we know exactly what it takes to be a church in Zuni and what it would take to build a facility-now is the time to ask the resource questions; questions about what is the best use of the resources we have, not for building a church, but for serving the city.
In terms of building, I offer the following questions with an assignment at the end (and remember, all the resources are in place to build. So this is not a financial issue. This is a mission issue. Is building the best way we can serve the city?)
Questions:
Is building this new campus the best use of our resources for serving the city?
What will the new campus allow us to do in serving the city at an investment of $10,000 per week plus upkeep, etc
Vs. $600 per week in this place?
Will a permanent facility better enable us to serve the city?
On Saturdays, when we're setting up, and dragging 350 chairs across a hot parking lot, setting up communion tables, nursery, Sunday School, sound systems, I can't wait for the building to be done. On Sunday after worship, when we're tearing down everything we set up on Saturday, and mopping floors and cleaning bathrooms, I can't wait until the new building is done
But... when I sit in worship and experience the power of our worship together
And I see the people gathering in clusters
And I see our youth on retreat
And I see us out on Make a Difference Days
And it's only costing us $600 a weekend for the building vs $10,000 plus if we build
I wonder what advantage at $6.5 million dollar building gives us in serving the city?
What if, rather than having to raise $500,000 per year to pay a mortgage
We raise money for special missions projects?
$100,000 in a year to start a new church?
$100,000 in a year to build a medical clinic in Rwanda?
$100,000 to help build some new homes for the homeless?
$100,000 a year to support missions locally and around the world?
Are there other options that enable us to do the same thing
But with less financial resources?
Lease a mall?
Land swap for something with lower infrastructure costs?
Work with Zuni and upgrade this place/get some better classrooms for kids?
What if we wait a few years?
While the costs will go up, what if we wait until we can grow into our identity for awhile?
We're still making the shift from come and see to go and show
Still sifting: Some of us are still trying to figure out if this will be the congregation we commit to
Do we need more time to grow into our identity as a congregation before we build?
Is God calling us to build right now?
After all, he's provided the land free and clear.
We have a company willing to make us the loan at fantastic rates..
We have the commitments to make the payments
Is God saying that this sacrificial investment will help us best serve the city for generations to come?
Will this new facility give us a stability, a base of operation out of which to send disciples back into the world to bring God's grace for years and years to come?
When I sit in the building meetings and imagine the kind of equipping and worship that can take place there
I can hardly wait to get into it
What is the best use of our resources?
What is the best use of them in terms of letting our lights shine?
What sacrifice are we being called to make?
A financial one of raising $1,500,000 or more every three years?
A comfort one of being nomads in Zuni for awhile longer or an extended period of time?
Between now and December let's pray about this together.
Let's set aside some time on Friday to pray through these questions; to ask God what he wants.
Fast something-a meal, a dessert, a cup of coffee and use that as a reminder to pray.
Let's Trust in the Lord with all our hearts and lean not on our own understanding, in all our ways acknowledging him, and he will direct our paths.
In January we'll begin to talk about what we're hearing from God
And by the end of that month
We'll either go for it and build
Put the project on hold
Or look at other alternatives.
During that time we'll continue to pursue the project and make sure everything is in place to build so that we stay on schedule. So it will be important to keep on giving to the project. If we decide to wait or do something else we can decide how to deal with the money we have given.
God has provided the land. God has provided the financing. God has provided the commitments to cover the financing. The assumption is that we should build-and perhaps that's exactly what God has in mind. But let's spend some serious time in prayer to make sure we're going where Jesus is leading and that we're willing to follow him wherever he might lead us.
Let your light so shine before others that they may see your good works and give glory to our Father in Heaven!
Thanks for your willingness to be a missional congregation-willing to lay aside our own needs for the sake of bringing grace to the world, whatever that might mean. I believe this process is one of the ways that God is going to use to shape us to live Christ-ianly as a congregation.
Tim
Saturday, August 23, 2008
The Shack
On Sunday, August 31, I will be using the best-selling book, The Shack, as the basis for my sermon. It's a book that has seemingly come out of nowhere to become, in many ways, a sensation. Amazingly, it's the story of God--a picture of the Trinity and how the Trinity works in relationship and in relationship with us and the world.
Because it has been receiving so much buzz I thought it would be important to talk about it in worship. It's not that the book is controversial, like, say, The DaVinci Code, but it is a book that seems to be shaping the God-views of many people. In that sense it's important to evaluate it, as we should with everything we read, Christian and non-Christian, in the light of Scripture.
But rather than doing that in my message, I want to use the book as a springboard for dealing with one of the ultimate human conditions, suffering. That was really the through line of the book.
Having said that, I want to offer 3 links on this blog for those interested in digging deeper into The Shack and how it's understanding of the Trinity lines up with Scripture. I'll then follow up with a couple of broad-stroke impressions I had of the book.
To truly appreciate The Shack it's important to meet the author.
For those interested in a balanced critique of the book, I recommend Ben Witherington's blog (I really like this guy).
Another good response comes from Christianity Today.
A few personal impressions:
I appreciated much of what The Shack has to say. I thought in many ways the twist on God the Father--i.e., Papa, revealed as a Black Woman for most of the book, was very effective. It helped remind us that God is neither male nor female and yet chose to use Father as the primary way of revealing "himself" to us. For many, the use of Papa will help make more real the affectionate term Jesus invites us to use when addressing God--Abba (daddy).
I found the conversations about suffering and the many responses to be helpful and Bible-based.
I think that for many the appeal of the book is/will be the loving, relational, gracious view of God/the Trinity. All too often God is portrayed as a mean-spirited, judgmental being; unapproachable and quite frankly not one we'd want to approach. Papa/Jesus/the Spirit, in The Shack, is the gracious God Jesus reveals to us.
I also appreciate the fact that the story allows us as humans to ask God the questions we really want to ask. To paraphrase some of the critiques of the book, when the author gets it right, he really gets is right. When he gets it wrong (and there are times he gets is wrong) he really gets it wrong. Most disappointing to me was the very negative tone Papa (God) takes toward the church. The Scriptures are clear that God loves the church. He sees it as his bride. While some may argue that the church and organized religion are not the same, from the early days of the church on there was always an organized facet to it. And it was always imperfect. And yet, it is the vehicle through which God brings his grace to the world. And what better way to demonstrate true grace than through a grace-needy church.
While I appreciate the graciousness of the presentation of God, for me, and this will not be politically-correct, I found God to be a bit too effeminate. And this is not only because Papa, for a time, is portrayed as a black woman. The way the Trinity related demonstrated the more stereotypical feminine ways of relating. For example, Jesus kissing Papa, now a man, on the lips, etc, is not the way guys normally express relationships. In fact, at one point in the book, God comes close to saying that the way women relate is better than the way men relate. The book suggests that if women ran the world we wouldn't have war, violence, etc. Granted, men tend to be more aggressive, but lets not forget the numbers of women who commit violent crimes. God created us male and female. Both ways of relating--male and female, are his gifts full of potential and goodness and full of evil and abuse. I can't really see the average football addicted, beer guzzling guy relating to the way the Trinity is portrayed in this book. But perhaps it's just me.
Jesus, to me, seems like a nice guy. But a bit too nice. I understand the need to break the mean-spirited God image many have, but to make Jesus so nice misses the fact that this is the one who cast out demons, who at times said/did some very challenging things (calling Peter Satan, condemning the actions of the Pharisees, driving crooks out of the temple with a whip). Jesus is far more glorious and complex and dangerous than simply being a nice guy. He's bold. He's reckless. His love creates tsunamis wherever he goes.
I personally find Aslan from the Chronicles of Narnia to be a far better expression of Jesus--far more complex, multi-faceted. On the one hand the children are drawn to him--his love, his grace. On the other hand, there is also something awe-inspiring about him that at times creates fear in them--not a fear that keeps them away, but that opens their eyes to how beyond them he is--and this is a good thing. Aslan is described as not being safe, but being good; as being un-tameable. But underlying the fact that Aslan is powerful (and we need a powerful God) he is also loving, gentle, and gracious.
Finally, here is the one danger, if I may call it that, of this book. When the DaVinci Code came out, it caused all kinds of problems because, though it was fiction, it presented its case, so to speak, with facts. It used real places. It used real events. And through fiction, tried to say that this is the truth--Jesus had a child with Mary Magdalene. In the end, Christians and non-Christians alike had a hard time separating fiction from non-fiction (or, in the case of the DaVinci Code, lots of twisting of "facts" and turning them into truths).
A similar challenge faces us with this book. In this book, God speaks again and again. The whole book is a conversation between Mack and God. It would be easy to be lulled into believing that what "God" says in this book is what God really says. We need to remember that this is a book of fiction. This is one man's interpretation of what he thinks God might say in response to certain questions. While most of the answers are spot on, and some are way off base, we should take none of these statements as the actual words of God. They must all be weighed in light of Scripture. This book is not the truth. It is one man's interpretation of the truth as revealed in Scriptures and through Jesus.
Again, overall a very good discussion of important questions. Many, many good answers. Let's just make sure we always evaluate what anyone says about God in light of Scripture and in light of Jesus, including reviews of The Shack by guys who write on recklessgrace.blogspot.com.
Because it has been receiving so much buzz I thought it would be important to talk about it in worship. It's not that the book is controversial, like, say, The DaVinci Code, but it is a book that seems to be shaping the God-views of many people. In that sense it's important to evaluate it, as we should with everything we read, Christian and non-Christian, in the light of Scripture.
But rather than doing that in my message, I want to use the book as a springboard for dealing with one of the ultimate human conditions, suffering. That was really the through line of the book.
Having said that, I want to offer 3 links on this blog for those interested in digging deeper into The Shack and how it's understanding of the Trinity lines up with Scripture. I'll then follow up with a couple of broad-stroke impressions I had of the book.
To truly appreciate The Shack it's important to meet the author.
For those interested in a balanced critique of the book, I recommend Ben Witherington's blog (I really like this guy).
Another good response comes from Christianity Today.
A few personal impressions:
I appreciated much of what The Shack has to say. I thought in many ways the twist on God the Father--i.e., Papa, revealed as a Black Woman for most of the book, was very effective. It helped remind us that God is neither male nor female and yet chose to use Father as the primary way of revealing "himself" to us. For many, the use of Papa will help make more real the affectionate term Jesus invites us to use when addressing God--Abba (daddy).
I found the conversations about suffering and the many responses to be helpful and Bible-based.
I think that for many the appeal of the book is/will be the loving, relational, gracious view of God/the Trinity. All too often God is portrayed as a mean-spirited, judgmental being; unapproachable and quite frankly not one we'd want to approach. Papa/Jesus/the Spirit, in The Shack, is the gracious God Jesus reveals to us.
I also appreciate the fact that the story allows us as humans to ask God the questions we really want to ask. To paraphrase some of the critiques of the book, when the author gets it right, he really gets is right. When he gets it wrong (and there are times he gets is wrong) he really gets it wrong. Most disappointing to me was the very negative tone Papa (God) takes toward the church. The Scriptures are clear that God loves the church. He sees it as his bride. While some may argue that the church and organized religion are not the same, from the early days of the church on there was always an organized facet to it. And it was always imperfect. And yet, it is the vehicle through which God brings his grace to the world. And what better way to demonstrate true grace than through a grace-needy church.
While I appreciate the graciousness of the presentation of God, for me, and this will not be politically-correct, I found God to be a bit too effeminate. And this is not only because Papa, for a time, is portrayed as a black woman. The way the Trinity related demonstrated the more stereotypical feminine ways of relating. For example, Jesus kissing Papa, now a man, on the lips, etc, is not the way guys normally express relationships. In fact, at one point in the book, God comes close to saying that the way women relate is better than the way men relate. The book suggests that if women ran the world we wouldn't have war, violence, etc. Granted, men tend to be more aggressive, but lets not forget the numbers of women who commit violent crimes. God created us male and female. Both ways of relating--male and female, are his gifts full of potential and goodness and full of evil and abuse. I can't really see the average football addicted, beer guzzling guy relating to the way the Trinity is portrayed in this book. But perhaps it's just me.
Jesus, to me, seems like a nice guy. But a bit too nice. I understand the need to break the mean-spirited God image many have, but to make Jesus so nice misses the fact that this is the one who cast out demons, who at times said/did some very challenging things (calling Peter Satan, condemning the actions of the Pharisees, driving crooks out of the temple with a whip). Jesus is far more glorious and complex and dangerous than simply being a nice guy. He's bold. He's reckless. His love creates tsunamis wherever he goes.
I personally find Aslan from the Chronicles of Narnia to be a far better expression of Jesus--far more complex, multi-faceted. On the one hand the children are drawn to him--his love, his grace. On the other hand, there is also something awe-inspiring about him that at times creates fear in them--not a fear that keeps them away, but that opens their eyes to how beyond them he is--and this is a good thing. Aslan is described as not being safe, but being good; as being un-tameable. But underlying the fact that Aslan is powerful (and we need a powerful God) he is also loving, gentle, and gracious.
Finally, here is the one danger, if I may call it that, of this book. When the DaVinci Code came out, it caused all kinds of problems because, though it was fiction, it presented its case, so to speak, with facts. It used real places. It used real events. And through fiction, tried to say that this is the truth--Jesus had a child with Mary Magdalene. In the end, Christians and non-Christians alike had a hard time separating fiction from non-fiction (or, in the case of the DaVinci Code, lots of twisting of "facts" and turning them into truths).
A similar challenge faces us with this book. In this book, God speaks again and again. The whole book is a conversation between Mack and God. It would be easy to be lulled into believing that what "God" says in this book is what God really says. We need to remember that this is a book of fiction. This is one man's interpretation of what he thinks God might say in response to certain questions. While most of the answers are spot on, and some are way off base, we should take none of these statements as the actual words of God. They must all be weighed in light of Scripture. This book is not the truth. It is one man's interpretation of the truth as revealed in Scriptures and through Jesus.
Again, overall a very good discussion of important questions. Many, many good answers. Let's just make sure we always evaluate what anyone says about God in light of Scripture and in light of Jesus, including reviews of The Shack by guys who write on recklessgrace.blogspot.com.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
My Greatest Moral Failure
While on our cruise to Alaska we were able to get to TV stations--Fox News and CNN. So I was able to see the Rick Warren town hall meetings he held with Barack Obama and John McCain.
I thought Rick did a great job. The program was very interesting on many levels. It gave some good insights into the two candidates.
One of the questions Rick asked was this: What is your greatest moral failure?
Let me have a bit of fun with Rick on this one for a moment. I've known Rick for years, not on a close friendship level but on a friendly colleague level. We've shared a couple of meals together. This, by the way, was years ago.
Anyway, Rick is as genuinely smart and fun and caring as he comes across on TV. From my experiences with him, there isn't a condemning bone in him. That's not to say he doesn't stand up against what's wrong--his commitment to Rwanda is a great example of righting an injustice--but it is to say that he's always been a gospel person. His big motto for preaching--Preach about what Jesus is for, not about what he's against. But, and here I'm tongue in cheek, kind of, he is a Southern Baptist. And the moral failure question made me laugh. It sounded so stereotypically Baptist to me. Must be my preconceived notion that our baptist brothers and sisters are always probing us about sin.
Perhaps a better question--what was your most significant experience of grace? That can often get at moral failure as well.
That aside, you could hear the audience take in their breath as the question was put to each candidate, waiting to hear some deep dark secret life revealed.
How would you answer that question? Is it anyone's business?
McCain talked briefly of the failure of his first marriage. Obama reiterated the struggles he had as a teen, using drugs for a period of time. Big stuff, in a way. But safe answers as we already knew them. I don't think either of them, if there is a skeleton in the closet, was going to admit to it at that moment.
The point is, we were all waiting for a big, John Edwards type confession. I cheated on my wife. Or I beat my kids. Or I'm addicted to pornography. Because moral failure, after all, has to be big.
While riding my bike today I was thinking about that question. (Why? I don't know. Odd question to think about in the beauty of the early morning.) How would I answer it?: I remembered a time when I thought about skipping Sunday school. Sometimes I eat too much dark chocolate. I really dislike Packer's Fans. I one time crossed party lines and voted for someone not of my political party. But no real big moral failures (at least that I'll put in writing.) And if I had answered the question that way, in that forum, I would have probably been accused of lying, or holding back, or of being un-relateable to the normal every day person, etc, by the press or other critics. Because, again, moral failure has to be something big.
But how about this for a confession:
I have far too often passed by people who needed my help because I was too busy, or didn't want to be bothered.
I have been far to critical of people throughout my life.
I have said things, mean things, about people behind their backs (including some of you! :))
I have abused the planet.
I have ignored the poor.
I have spent my God-given resources all too often on selfish, frivolous things.
Again and again I have not reflected the image of God.
In small ways every day I commit some kind of moral failure.
And it's those small acts of moral failure that can be most damning. Because if we continue to do them with little thought, we begin to lose our souls. We lose our humanity.
Just look at the world around us. The bitter arguments we have over politics, and usually about politics that don't matter like who's more like Paris Hilton or who's more like George Bush.
Look at the way we allow the genocide in Darfur to continue.
Look at the ways in which we ignore the needs of the poor.
Look at the way we gossip and gripe.
Little acts of moral failure become a habit that de-humanizes us all.
I'm guilty of those acts every day. A big moral failure I can eventually deal with and fix--as painful as it might be. It's the little ones that are so difficult to get at moment by moment.
But...and it's a big but...there's grace. There's the cross. There's Jesus. There's a second chance. There's restoration. There's the power to repent and live in the light of grace. There's transforming forgiveness. There is God--who through the grace of Jesus makes me human again.
I thought Rick did a great job. The program was very interesting on many levels. It gave some good insights into the two candidates.
One of the questions Rick asked was this: What is your greatest moral failure?
Let me have a bit of fun with Rick on this one for a moment. I've known Rick for years, not on a close friendship level but on a friendly colleague level. We've shared a couple of meals together. This, by the way, was years ago.
Anyway, Rick is as genuinely smart and fun and caring as he comes across on TV. From my experiences with him, there isn't a condemning bone in him. That's not to say he doesn't stand up against what's wrong--his commitment to Rwanda is a great example of righting an injustice--but it is to say that he's always been a gospel person. His big motto for preaching--Preach about what Jesus is for, not about what he's against. But, and here I'm tongue in cheek, kind of, he is a Southern Baptist. And the moral failure question made me laugh. It sounded so stereotypically Baptist to me. Must be my preconceived notion that our baptist brothers and sisters are always probing us about sin.
Perhaps a better question--what was your most significant experience of grace? That can often get at moral failure as well.
That aside, you could hear the audience take in their breath as the question was put to each candidate, waiting to hear some deep dark secret life revealed.
How would you answer that question? Is it anyone's business?
McCain talked briefly of the failure of his first marriage. Obama reiterated the struggles he had as a teen, using drugs for a period of time. Big stuff, in a way. But safe answers as we already knew them. I don't think either of them, if there is a skeleton in the closet, was going to admit to it at that moment.
The point is, we were all waiting for a big, John Edwards type confession. I cheated on my wife. Or I beat my kids. Or I'm addicted to pornography. Because moral failure, after all, has to be big.
While riding my bike today I was thinking about that question. (Why? I don't know. Odd question to think about in the beauty of the early morning.) How would I answer it?: I remembered a time when I thought about skipping Sunday school. Sometimes I eat too much dark chocolate. I really dislike Packer's Fans. I one time crossed party lines and voted for someone not of my political party. But no real big moral failures (at least that I'll put in writing.) And if I had answered the question that way, in that forum, I would have probably been accused of lying, or holding back, or of being un-relateable to the normal every day person, etc, by the press or other critics. Because, again, moral failure has to be something big.
But how about this for a confession:
I have far too often passed by people who needed my help because I was too busy, or didn't want to be bothered.
I have been far to critical of people throughout my life.
I have said things, mean things, about people behind their backs (including some of you! :))
I have abused the planet.
I have ignored the poor.
I have spent my God-given resources all too often on selfish, frivolous things.
Again and again I have not reflected the image of God.
In small ways every day I commit some kind of moral failure.
And it's those small acts of moral failure that can be most damning. Because if we continue to do them with little thought, we begin to lose our souls. We lose our humanity.
Just look at the world around us. The bitter arguments we have over politics, and usually about politics that don't matter like who's more like Paris Hilton or who's more like George Bush.
Look at the way we allow the genocide in Darfur to continue.
Look at the ways in which we ignore the needs of the poor.
Look at the way we gossip and gripe.
Little acts of moral failure become a habit that de-humanizes us all.
I'm guilty of those acts every day. A big moral failure I can eventually deal with and fix--as painful as it might be. It's the little ones that are so difficult to get at moment by moment.
But...and it's a big but...there's grace. There's the cross. There's Jesus. There's a second chance. There's restoration. There's the power to repent and live in the light of grace. There's transforming forgiveness. There is God--who through the grace of Jesus makes me human again.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Alaskan Cruise, Tuesday evening, August 19, 2008
Our last night. We've stopped at Campbell River, Canada. Up to the stop, we had some great scenery weaving between Islands. Saw a pod of Orcas. Saw a bald eagle in flight. As I mentioned in the last post, saw a humpback breach--3-4 times! Passed through Seymour Straight where, 50 years ago, a corp of engineers blew up a couple of mountains in the waterway (actually, under the water), the largest non-nuclear blast in history. Watched a 1958 video of the process and explosion. Reminded me of the EB films we used to watch in grade school.
It's cold and rainy (surprise!) here in Campbell River, so Jan and I opted out of the river rafting and went down the pier for a nice dinner. Jan topped it off with an A and W root beer float. I had a Starbucks hot chocolate with Soy milk. I'm pretty ready to get home and detox a bit from the sweets we've been enjoying the last few days. And will be glad to be off my diet of dramamine. Though once the rough seas ended I'm not sure I needed it. But always best to be safe on a trip like this.
It ended up being a nice relaxing 48 hours on the ship between Skagway and here. Did some reading, hanging out, taking in the scenery. Worked out. Ate. Ate some more. Ate again.
Sad to see it all end but looking forward to getting home.
It's cold and rainy (surprise!) here in Campbell River, so Jan and I opted out of the river rafting and went down the pier for a nice dinner. Jan topped it off with an A and W root beer float. I had a Starbucks hot chocolate with Soy milk. I'm pretty ready to get home and detox a bit from the sweets we've been enjoying the last few days. And will be glad to be off my diet of dramamine. Though once the rough seas ended I'm not sure I needed it. But always best to be safe on a trip like this.
It ended up being a nice relaxing 48 hours on the ship between Skagway and here. Did some reading, hanging out, taking in the scenery. Worked out. Ate. Ate some more. Ate again.
Sad to see it all end but looking forward to getting home.
Alaskan Cruise, Tuesday am, August 19, 2008
Yesterday we enjoyed an absolutely delicious chocoholic experience--chocolate fountain, sauce, mousse, decadent cakes, etc. Wow! I was in heaven.
This morning I saw a humpback whale breach 4 times! Also caught a bit of an Orca feeding. Hopefully, in about an hour, we'll be in Orca territory.
A bit overcast again today. But we're in the Vancouver area, passing through a series of small islands surrounded by smaller mountains. Quite the views.
This morning I saw a humpback whale breach 4 times! Also caught a bit of an Orca feeding. Hopefully, in about an hour, we'll be in Orca territory.
A bit overcast again today. But we're in the Vancouver area, passing through a series of small islands surrounded by smaller mountains. Quite the views.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Alaskan Cruise, Monday, afternoon, August 18, 2008
We're sitting on the top deck--observation room. Suddenly engulfed in a huge fog--on the open sea. Pretty darn cool.
Alaskan Cruise, Monday, am, August 18, 2008
This morning we woke up to...a sunrise!!! Though it's a mostly cloudy morning, the sun peeks in and out.
I can see why people are so enthusiastic about an Alaskan cruise. The more I'm on the ship, the more this cruise gets into my soul. Even though we've not had the best of weather (and the water is getting a bit choppy again!) it's still been amazing. If it's this good with less than ideal weather, it must be jaw-dropping in good weather.
By the way, they did manage to get the 11 stranded passengers on board last night. You would have thought we were welcoming rock stars on to the ship as they boarded. Imagine almost 24 hours stranded on a glacier. I think they were able to stay where the sled dogs are sheltered. Don't have a lot of details but the folks seemed to be ok.
This afternoon we have a piano concert with all kinds of decadent chocolate desserts. Something for Jan (piano) and something for me (chocolate!)
I can see why people are so enthusiastic about an Alaskan cruise. The more I'm on the ship, the more this cruise gets into my soul. Even though we've not had the best of weather (and the water is getting a bit choppy again!) it's still been amazing. If it's this good with less than ideal weather, it must be jaw-dropping in good weather.
By the way, they did manage to get the 11 stranded passengers on board last night. You would have thought we were welcoming rock stars on to the ship as they boarded. Imagine almost 24 hours stranded on a glacier. I think they were able to stay where the sled dogs are sheltered. Don't have a lot of details but the folks seemed to be ok.
This afternoon we have a piano concert with all kinds of decadent chocolate desserts. Something for Jan (piano) and something for me (chocolate!)
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Alaskan Cruise, Sunday Evening, August 17. 2008
We woke up this morning about 2 hours out of Skagway. Pea soup fog! We took a train up the mountain. Caught a few good views. But at times we couldn't see a thing! Eerie and beautiful at the same time. Of course, much better when we could see the mountains. At times we were on sheer cliffs. The railroad was built during the gold rush. Interesting stuff.
We spent about an hour shopping in Skagway. Jan and I toured the former Brothel. Interesting place for a pastor to tour but it was fun in a goofy sort of way.
The fog lifted somewhat so the ride out of Skagway was breath-taking. (The locals keep telling us how great the weather was--last year! :) We just enjoy being cold for a change.)
We have to make a detour back to Juneau. Apparently 11 of our shipmates were stranded on a helicopter/dogsled adventure on a glacier. We aren't even sure if they have made it back down yet.
Before dinner Jan and I treated ourselves to a massage. Actually, we were given a ship credit and used it for that.
All in all, so far--a very nice trip with some not so nice weather. But this is Alaska, after all. One of God's masterpieces.
We will be on the boat now for the next 48 hours.
We spent about an hour shopping in Skagway. Jan and I toured the former Brothel. Interesting place for a pastor to tour but it was fun in a goofy sort of way.
The fog lifted somewhat so the ride out of Skagway was breath-taking. (The locals keep telling us how great the weather was--last year! :) We just enjoy being cold for a change.)
We have to make a detour back to Juneau. Apparently 11 of our shipmates were stranded on a helicopter/dogsled adventure on a glacier. We aren't even sure if they have made it back down yet.
Before dinner Jan and I treated ourselves to a massage. Actually, we were given a ship credit and used it for that.
All in all, so far--a very nice trip with some not so nice weather. But this is Alaska, after all. One of God's masterpieces.
We will be on the boat now for the next 48 hours.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Alaskan Cruise, Saturday evening, August 16
Yesterday we did a three hour land and sea experience. We had some great whale sightings from the boat! And watched a bald eagle on a small island. Back on the ship we took some extra time to enter a fjord near Sitka. It was a beautiful, sunny evening and the views were absolutely stunning.
We woke up to another cloudy day. Early in the morning we headed into Tracy's Arm--another fjord. Even though it was very cloudy it was a great ride. Lots of icebergs. Beautiful waterfalls. Good stuff.
This afternoon was a land/sea photo safari around Juneau. We headed out on boat first, saw some whales (not great) and some sea lions (awesome). Then to a glacier in the hope of seeing bears (no luck). Very cold. Very rainy all day.
The locals tell us this is the coldest, wettest summer they've experienced in years. Oh well...still an amazing trip.
We woke up to another cloudy day. Early in the morning we headed into Tracy's Arm--another fjord. Even though it was very cloudy it was a great ride. Lots of icebergs. Beautiful waterfalls. Good stuff.
This afternoon was a land/sea photo safari around Juneau. We headed out on boat first, saw some whales (not great) and some sea lions (awesome). Then to a glacier in the hope of seeing bears (no luck). Very cold. Very rainy all day.
The locals tell us this is the coldest, wettest summer they've experienced in years. Oh well...still an amazing trip.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Alaskan Cruise, Friday pm, August 15
A "this is why we cruise Alaska" day. The weather finally broke and the day was filled with mostly sunny skies. We stopped in Sitka and took a 3 hour boat ride, beach walk. We saw some whales!!!! and sea otters and a bald eagle. Jan has some great photos but we can't get them to upload so when we get home we'll put a few up.
The scenery is amazing. We're headed into a fjord soon so I need to get out of here and up to the top deck.
More to come.
The scenery is amazing. We're headed into a fjord soon so I need to get out of here and up to the top deck.
More to come.
Alaskan Cruise, Friday am, August 15
The night ride was much calmer, with a few big rolls from time to time. Woke up to a cloudy morning. As we now head into Sitka the sky seems to be clearing. We can actually see mountains!
A cruise like this is really dependent on weather. Since much of the joy of the cruise is the coastline (and our room is on the right side to see the coast) nice weather is crucial. Nice to finally see some coast rather than grey skies and grey waters.
Stunning scenery!
A cruise like this is really dependent on weather. Since much of the joy of the cruise is the coastline (and our room is on the right side to see the coast) nice weather is crucial. Nice to finally see some coast rather than grey skies and grey waters.
Stunning scenery!
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Alaskan Cruise, Thursday evening, Aug. 14
It's about 6:30 pm our time. We just finished eating and are thinking about settling in for the night.
Turns out last night we were fighting 13 foot waves. The fun lasted until about 2:30 this afternoon. At that point we headed inland to Hubbard Glacier. The weather stayed overcast but the water became quite calm. Though cloudy, the views of the glaciers were magnificent. Nice to see some scenery after grey skies for so long. I guess we've had beautiful mountain ranges out our window the entire time. We just couldn't see them.
We are now headed our first port. The water is a bit choppier compared to Hubbard Glacier but still much better than what we had. Oy!
(We tried to add some pics but apparently our internet connection is not quite up to the task out here at sea.)
Until tomorrow...
Turns out last night we were fighting 13 foot waves. The fun lasted until about 2:30 this afternoon. At that point we headed inland to Hubbard Glacier. The weather stayed overcast but the water became quite calm. Though cloudy, the views of the glaciers were magnificent. Nice to see some scenery after grey skies for so long. I guess we've had beautiful mountain ranges out our window the entire time. We just couldn't see them.
We are now headed our first port. The water is a bit choppier compared to Hubbard Glacier but still much better than what we had. Oy!
(We tried to add some pics but apparently our internet connection is not quite up to the task out here at sea.)
Until tomorrow...
Alaskan Cruise, Thursday am, Aug. 14
I thought I would write up an occasional report on our Alaskan Cruise so that you can live vicariously through us.
Our day began at 2:30 am yesterday. We stayed near the airport due to a 6:20 am flight. We flew about 3 hours to Seattle. Then, after a 1 hour layover, another 3:30 hours to Anchorage. After a 1 hour wait, a 2 1/2 hour scenic bus ride to the ship. A long trip, but it went very smoothly and quickly. The bus ride was pretty amazing.
We are on Regent Seas, a smaller ship that only accommodates 700 passengers. Each room has its own balcony, which is nice. We departed at 6:00 pm Alaska time. It is now 10 am. We have been rockin' and rollin' since the moment we left. While working out this morning (an interesting experience with the ship lunging and bouncing) I asked one of the staff if this was normal. She said that normally she sleeps through the night. Last night the rocking woke her up. So we're having some fun. Thank goodness for Dramamine. (We took the advice of others and started taking it two days before the trip.)
Sitting in the room seems to be the most stable, if stable is even a word in this water. I tried to take in a lecture this morning but the rolling in the theater was way too intense for me. Jan stayed. And she's usually the queasy one on these kinds of waters.
We've been able to eat ok. Just trying to keep our balance (try taking a shower in this stuff!)
So...hopefully we're getting it out of its system.
Doesn't this make you want to cruise? :)
We saw some beautiful stuff early on last night. A big glacier tour awaits us today, weather permitting.
It's quite an adventure!
More to come.
Our day began at 2:30 am yesterday. We stayed near the airport due to a 6:20 am flight. We flew about 3 hours to Seattle. Then, after a 1 hour layover, another 3:30 hours to Anchorage. After a 1 hour wait, a 2 1/2 hour scenic bus ride to the ship. A long trip, but it went very smoothly and quickly. The bus ride was pretty amazing.
We are on Regent Seas, a smaller ship that only accommodates 700 passengers. Each room has its own balcony, which is nice. We departed at 6:00 pm Alaska time. It is now 10 am. We have been rockin' and rollin' since the moment we left. While working out this morning (an interesting experience with the ship lunging and bouncing) I asked one of the staff if this was normal. She said that normally she sleeps through the night. Last night the rocking woke her up. So we're having some fun. Thank goodness for Dramamine. (We took the advice of others and started taking it two days before the trip.)
Sitting in the room seems to be the most stable, if stable is even a word in this water. I tried to take in a lecture this morning but the rolling in the theater was way too intense for me. Jan stayed. And she's usually the queasy one on these kinds of waters.
We've been able to eat ok. Just trying to keep our balance (try taking a shower in this stuff!)
So...hopefully we're getting it out of its system.
Doesn't this make you want to cruise? :)
We saw some beautiful stuff early on last night. A big glacier tour awaits us today, weather permitting.
It's quite an adventure!
More to come.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Airline Nightmare
Before you read this post, make sure you read the one below this--the good news about the great wedding Corey and Alycia celebrated!
Yesterday (Tuesday) Corey and Alycia were to fly from LAX to Tahiti for their honeymoon on Air Tahiti Nui, leaving at around 4:30 pm. They boarded the plane at around 4:10 and then sat at the gate for almost 6 hours! An airline passenger's worst nightmare. The legroom was the smallest Alycia has ever seen in all her years of traveling the world on some pretty poor airlines. Corey is around 6' 4" so he was pretty cramped. Long story short--no real communication. 1 bag of pretzels and a drink during that 6 hours. Next to them sat another Air Tahitit Nui aircraft that they eventually boarded, 7 hours later, for the 8 hour flight. (I could go into a lot of details about the mis-steps of the airline. Suffice it to say they did very little right in handling their passengers.)
I bring this up not to get sympathy for Al and Corey but to share some stuff I learned about passenger rights during those 6 hours.
We don't have a lot of them but there is an organization working hard to get our congress to pass a bill with certain rights for airline travelers. It's being led by a woman named Kate.
I found her organization on the web. www.flyersrights.com I called their hotline number and was instructed to call Kate if stranded on an airplane. Moments later someone from the hotline called me back. Caller ID can be a good thing. She was going to call Kate immediately to get the media out there. This organization is doing what it can to highlight the abuse of passengers rights. Unfortunately Kate was not at home last night but she and I have been exchanging emails. Air Tahiti Nui did several things wrong, even illegal. The challenge is that, as with Al's and Corey's flight, few if any passengers do anything about it. We simply take it. And so the abuse continues. And trust me, it was a form of abuse. Ever felt like a hostage on a plane before?
Kate's group gives great insight into how to calmly yet confidently get your rights when situations like the above happen.
I recommend you put this number in your cell phone and keep it handy for the time when you are the victim of a delay like this. 707-337-0328.
By the way, with the exception of a bag of pretzels, the passengers received no food. And to my knowledge, nothing to make good on the lack of respect they experienced on the tarmac.
We can lovingly, proactively deal with these situations so that we and others are not taken advantage of. Think of it as a way of seeking justice for the shy ones on the plane who will never speak up for their rights.
Yesterday (Tuesday) Corey and Alycia were to fly from LAX to Tahiti for their honeymoon on Air Tahiti Nui, leaving at around 4:30 pm. They boarded the plane at around 4:10 and then sat at the gate for almost 6 hours! An airline passenger's worst nightmare. The legroom was the smallest Alycia has ever seen in all her years of traveling the world on some pretty poor airlines. Corey is around 6' 4" so he was pretty cramped. Long story short--no real communication. 1 bag of pretzels and a drink during that 6 hours. Next to them sat another Air Tahitit Nui aircraft that they eventually boarded, 7 hours later, for the 8 hour flight. (I could go into a lot of details about the mis-steps of the airline. Suffice it to say they did very little right in handling their passengers.)
I bring this up not to get sympathy for Al and Corey but to share some stuff I learned about passenger rights during those 6 hours.
We don't have a lot of them but there is an organization working hard to get our congress to pass a bill with certain rights for airline travelers. It's being led by a woman named Kate.
I found her organization on the web. www.flyersrights.com I called their hotline number and was instructed to call Kate if stranded on an airplane. Moments later someone from the hotline called me back. Caller ID can be a good thing. She was going to call Kate immediately to get the media out there. This organization is doing what it can to highlight the abuse of passengers rights. Unfortunately Kate was not at home last night but she and I have been exchanging emails. Air Tahiti Nui did several things wrong, even illegal. The challenge is that, as with Al's and Corey's flight, few if any passengers do anything about it. We simply take it. And so the abuse continues. And trust me, it was a form of abuse. Ever felt like a hostage on a plane before?
Kate's group gives great insight into how to calmly yet confidently get your rights when situations like the above happen.
I recommend you put this number in your cell phone and keep it handy for the time when you are the victim of a delay like this. 707-337-0328.
By the way, with the exception of a bag of pretzels, the passengers received no food. And to my knowledge, nothing to make good on the lack of respect they experienced on the tarmac.
We can lovingly, proactively deal with these situations so that we and others are not taken advantage of. Think of it as a way of seeking justice for the shy ones on the plane who will never speak up for their rights.
Reflections on the Big Wedding
Jan and I are headed out of town today for an Alaskan Cruise. I promised I would take her on the cruise when she turned 40. She's turned 40 11 times since then but we're finally doing it!
So before we head out a few reflections on the marriage of my daughter Alycia to her now husband, Corey.
Because Alycia was in school in Minneapolis, Jan did the majority of the planning for the wedding and absolutely loved it. And the wedding went without a hitch, almost.
Around 5:45 am Saturday, as Alycia was heading out to get her hair done (for the 10 am wedding) she yelled that she couldn't find her engagement ring. Long story short, our Beagle, Santi, had taken it. Thankfully, she didn't swallow it (as she did a year ago with one of Jan's diamond stud earrings!). She just laid it down at her feet and waited for us to acknowledge what a good girl she was for "finding" the ring.
It was an outdoor wedding and turned out to be even warmer than we had expected. The mornings leading up to Saturday had been fairly mild at 10 am (mild for Phoenix). But the wedding staff did a great job of getting 90% of the guests in shade and everyone was given a fan.
My son and I played some fooseball while pics were being taken and at one point had a laughing fit that left us in tears. In the end, it got some good emotion out of me so that I was able to lead the ceremony just fine.
Alycia was absolutely radiant, wearing her mom's wedding dress with a few touches of her grandma's wedding dress mixed in. Corey looked fantastic, as well.
As a surprise to my dad, I asked him just before the wedding if he would walk Alycia down the stairs to the start of the aisle where Jan and I would then walk her up front. It was a nice moment for him. Alycia didn't know that Jan would also walk her down the aisle. Because of Alycia's passion for women's rights, she decided not to have me give her away. While she loves the tradition, she wanted that day, as an act of solidarity with women who are treated like property to be sold or given away, to not have me do the traditional dad thing. So I had Corey's siblings give him away, instead.
It was such a privilege to perform the ceremony. Though a bit warm, it was a moving, fun, touching ceremony. During the unity sand Amber, our daughter in law, sang a song from West Side Story. Our son, Mike, ended it with a quick surprise solo of "My love opens the door..." Very unexpected. Very Mike. Very funny.
The only time when I felt I would lose it was during the opening prayer as I gave thanks for all who had shaped the lives of Corey and Alycia. I thought of my mom. Earlier dad had said this was the one wedding mom wanted to see as Alycia was the first grandchild.
The reception was great fun. Various stations with amazing brunch type food. And a big band provided the music. Corey and Alycia learned a dance to "In the Mood." Wow. Words can't describe the next dance as I dazzled people with my lack of fancy footwork during the dad/daughter, son/mother dance. Alycia and Corey did their best to ensure that the wedding was a "green" as possible, using bio-degradable plates and providing recycle bins for plastics.
It was so fun to see Alycia and Corey so happy.
Surprisingly, to me, it was on Monday that the emotions set in. Thinking about my daughter now married. The relationship will be different from now on.
Saturday was a good day. (If I get a free moment I'll try to add a pic or two.)
(On Sunday, just before we were to head out to church, Jan discovered that Santi the Beagle had somehow gotten a bag of brownies and eaten around 10 of them. A quick call to the vet and we forced Santi to throw up! Pleasant stuff. Jan had to miss church on Sunday to stay with Santi. She was a bit out of it (Santi, not Jan) for most of the day but she's back to her normal lovable, naughty self. (Perhaps not ironically, the sermon I preached that day was on Hell! We were in it for a few moments with our dog.)
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
My Daughter and I
I wrote the following today for a local newspaper. So I thought I'd post it on my blog as well.
This weekend (August 9) my daughter is getting married. I have the privilege of walking my daughter down the aisle, paying for the wedding!, and, because I’m a pastor, I also get to perform the wedding ceremony.
Thankfully, we are thrilled with her husband-to-be. He’s a tall, Minnesota boy (who has a job!) who’s a perfect partner for our daughter. Since the day Alycia was born my wife and I have prayed regularly that God would bless Alycia with a good life partner. And God has answered those prayers.
Alycia is our first-born. I’m a first-born. So the two of us have had a very special relationship. We’re both driven. We’re both headstrong. We’re both opinionated. We argue fiercely and love each other just as passionately. The challenge for Alycia is that my opinions are always right!
Usually a dad hopes he’s passed along some important life insights to his kids. But in the case of Alycia, I think I’ve learned more from her than she from me.
Alycia discovered her passion in life just before college. In searching for where she’d attend college she found Richmond University—an American University in London. She headed overseas (to the delight and sadness of her dad) to study human rights—with a particular focus on women’s rights. Because I’ve done some writing in my life, Alycia always asked me to edit her papers. It proved to be life changing for me as her papers introduced me to a world I knew existed but never paid much attention to—a world of abuse, trafficking, injustice, poverty, and heartache. (And, I must add, a world of beauty and goodness and hope!)
In her Senior year of college she headed off on her own to Rwanda to study the effects of the 1994 genocide on women. She had no contacts there. She simply went hoping for the best. I was a nervous wreck! To be honest, I had no real knowledge of Rwanda or the genocide. But in editing her paper on her experience later on I felt a stirring in my heart—a call to somehow in someway support the Rwandans as they tried to put their country together. That led to a trip to Rwanda with my daughter, in 2005, the first of 3 so far. And it leads to an active partnership with the Rwandan Lutheran Church and our congregation.
Her understanding of our broken world continues to stretch me.
Because of her I try to watch the BBC World News broadcast each day to keep up on the world. Because of her I’ve become far more sensitive to the pain of the world and how I and my congregation might make a difference. She’s even forced me to rethink many of my political views! Most importantly, she’s helped make me a better pastor in opening my eyes to a grace-hungry world.
She has one year left of law school, pursuing her dream to become a human rights lawyer. Then—she’s off to change the world in some small or big way.
But she’s already been changing it. She’s changed my life since the moment she was born. She’s had a profound impact on my ministry and the mission of our congregation though she may not know it. The Lutheran Church in Rwanda has been blessed and supported significantly because of her passion for that country. And now she has the chance to join with her soul mate to continue to impact the hurting world around her by fighting for justice and bringing grace to the world.
I’m not sad in the least that she is leaving home to get married since she left home 10 years ago. I am, however, deeply grateful for the chance to watch this amazing woman begin a new chapter in her life, and to thank her for the impact she’s had on my life by “marrying” her and her fiancé—tying the knot as tightly as I can!
This weekend (August 9) my daughter is getting married. I have the privilege of walking my daughter down the aisle, paying for the wedding!, and, because I’m a pastor, I also get to perform the wedding ceremony.
Thankfully, we are thrilled with her husband-to-be. He’s a tall, Minnesota boy (who has a job!) who’s a perfect partner for our daughter. Since the day Alycia was born my wife and I have prayed regularly that God would bless Alycia with a good life partner. And God has answered those prayers.
Alycia is our first-born. I’m a first-born. So the two of us have had a very special relationship. We’re both driven. We’re both headstrong. We’re both opinionated. We argue fiercely and love each other just as passionately. The challenge for Alycia is that my opinions are always right!
Usually a dad hopes he’s passed along some important life insights to his kids. But in the case of Alycia, I think I’ve learned more from her than she from me.
Alycia discovered her passion in life just before college. In searching for where she’d attend college she found Richmond University—an American University in London. She headed overseas (to the delight and sadness of her dad) to study human rights—with a particular focus on women’s rights. Because I’ve done some writing in my life, Alycia always asked me to edit her papers. It proved to be life changing for me as her papers introduced me to a world I knew existed but never paid much attention to—a world of abuse, trafficking, injustice, poverty, and heartache. (And, I must add, a world of beauty and goodness and hope!)
In her Senior year of college she headed off on her own to Rwanda to study the effects of the 1994 genocide on women. She had no contacts there. She simply went hoping for the best. I was a nervous wreck! To be honest, I had no real knowledge of Rwanda or the genocide. But in editing her paper on her experience later on I felt a stirring in my heart—a call to somehow in someway support the Rwandans as they tried to put their country together. That led to a trip to Rwanda with my daughter, in 2005, the first of 3 so far. And it leads to an active partnership with the Rwandan Lutheran Church and our congregation.
Her understanding of our broken world continues to stretch me.
Because of her I try to watch the BBC World News broadcast each day to keep up on the world. Because of her I’ve become far more sensitive to the pain of the world and how I and my congregation might make a difference. She’s even forced me to rethink many of my political views! Most importantly, she’s helped make me a better pastor in opening my eyes to a grace-hungry world.
She has one year left of law school, pursuing her dream to become a human rights lawyer. Then—she’s off to change the world in some small or big way.
But she’s already been changing it. She’s changed my life since the moment she was born. She’s had a profound impact on my ministry and the mission of our congregation though she may not know it. The Lutheran Church in Rwanda has been blessed and supported significantly because of her passion for that country. And now she has the chance to join with her soul mate to continue to impact the hurting world around her by fighting for justice and bringing grace to the world.
I’m not sad in the least that she is leaving home to get married since she left home 10 years ago. I am, however, deeply grateful for the chance to watch this amazing woman begin a new chapter in her life, and to thank her for the impact she’s had on my life by “marrying” her and her fiancé—tying the knot as tightly as I can!
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Immigration
Immigration is, to state the obvious, an extremely divisive and volatile subject in our country. The other day in the local section of our newspaper, The Glendale Republic (of the Arizona Republic), Dave Howell wrote what I thought was an interesting opinion piece on the subject. He has given permission to me to reprint it here. (He told me he received a lot of hate mail for it so rather than bothering him with it, you can write any comments you'd like on this blog!)
Republic Column
David Howell
Guilty or Not Guilty
In the increasingly vitriolic debate over undocumented immigrants in the United States, there are actually a few things upon which virtually everyone with an opinion on the subject, which is just about everyone, can agree.
One of those points of agreement is that anyone in this country without proper authorization is guilty of entering the United States illegally. They are guilty of breaking U.S. immigration laws. Actually, they are guilty of much more.
The vast majority are also guilty of trying to find a better life for themselves and their families. They’re guilty of wanting to find a better job, more opportunity. And they’re guilty of having the courage to take huge personal risks in making the journey to get into this country.
They’re guilty of wanting to escape extreme poverty and environments that offer little hope.
They’re guilty of wanting to help the families they left behind by sending home a significant percentage of the money they make.
They’re guilty of speaking another language, primarily Spanish. Many of them are guilty of having skin that is a little darker than white.
They’re guilty of being willing to do almost any job, no matter how physically difficult or what hours are required.
They’re guilty of bringing a slice of their culture with them in their food, their music, they’re tastes and customs.
Some are also guilty of other criminal activity, and this is another point where we all agree. Those individuals need to be apprehended and prosecuted to the full extent of the law; and that means more than simply dumping them back across the border where they can continue their criminal career either in their home country or, as often happens, reenter the U.S. and resume it here.
Yes, some of them are also guilty of having children….and of wanting those children to be healthy and get an education and have more opportunity than they had growing up.
They’re guilty of thinking that the United States offers more of that opportunity than the countries they come from.
They’re guilty of paying taxes in the United States and also guilty of not claiming all the refunds for which they might otherwise qualify.
So the question is what to do about all these people who are guilty of so much. What punishment is appropriate? Opinions vary widely, and for those who want to stop the conversation after that first “guilty”, the answer is simple. They are in this country without legal permission, send them home. Good riddance.
For some of us, however, it isn’t quite so simple. For decades this country has, for better or worse, also been guilty of facilitating undocumented immigration. We have, in a very real sense, been co-conspirator. But we have also been a benefactor.
The vast majority of the several million undocumented immigrants in the U.S. today are hard-working, courageous people. In short, they are exactly the kind of individuals, and exactly the kind of immigrants, we have always attracted. They are, in fact, the kind of people this country has attracted since before it was a country. They represent the kind of new blood that has kept this nation great and growing since its birth.
We need to create a system that ensures those in this country are here legally, punishes those who are not, and enforces our employment laws. But that doesn’t mean we should summarily turn out those whose presence here has been made de facto legal by our complicity.
There are proposals on the table, both in Arizona and Washington, D.C., that would take steps in that direction. They would identify and punish those currently in this country illegally, but the punishment would fit the crime. They would also continue the efforts to strengthen our borders and would create a system to admit and monitor temporary workers.
For the moment most of those proposals don’t seem to be headed anywhere. The political environment right now, especially in our state, has emboldened the most virulent of the anti-immigrant voices. And the intimidation and headline grabbing tactics used by many in that group have effectively pushed the issue off the election year table.
In many ways it is reminiscent of the final days of legal segregation in the Deep South; and like then, the ultimate conversation is not about what is legal or illegal but about what is right and just….and what is, in the long term, best for this country.
Republic Column
David Howell
Guilty or Not Guilty
In the increasingly vitriolic debate over undocumented immigrants in the United States, there are actually a few things upon which virtually everyone with an opinion on the subject, which is just about everyone, can agree.
One of those points of agreement is that anyone in this country without proper authorization is guilty of entering the United States illegally. They are guilty of breaking U.S. immigration laws. Actually, they are guilty of much more.
The vast majority are also guilty of trying to find a better life for themselves and their families. They’re guilty of wanting to find a better job, more opportunity. And they’re guilty of having the courage to take huge personal risks in making the journey to get into this country.
They’re guilty of wanting to escape extreme poverty and environments that offer little hope.
They’re guilty of wanting to help the families they left behind by sending home a significant percentage of the money they make.
They’re guilty of speaking another language, primarily Spanish. Many of them are guilty of having skin that is a little darker than white.
They’re guilty of being willing to do almost any job, no matter how physically difficult or what hours are required.
They’re guilty of bringing a slice of their culture with them in their food, their music, they’re tastes and customs.
Some are also guilty of other criminal activity, and this is another point where we all agree. Those individuals need to be apprehended and prosecuted to the full extent of the law; and that means more than simply dumping them back across the border where they can continue their criminal career either in their home country or, as often happens, reenter the U.S. and resume it here.
Yes, some of them are also guilty of having children….and of wanting those children to be healthy and get an education and have more opportunity than they had growing up.
They’re guilty of thinking that the United States offers more of that opportunity than the countries they come from.
They’re guilty of paying taxes in the United States and also guilty of not claiming all the refunds for which they might otherwise qualify.
So the question is what to do about all these people who are guilty of so much. What punishment is appropriate? Opinions vary widely, and for those who want to stop the conversation after that first “guilty”, the answer is simple. They are in this country without legal permission, send them home. Good riddance.
For some of us, however, it isn’t quite so simple. For decades this country has, for better or worse, also been guilty of facilitating undocumented immigration. We have, in a very real sense, been co-conspirator. But we have also been a benefactor.
The vast majority of the several million undocumented immigrants in the U.S. today are hard-working, courageous people. In short, they are exactly the kind of individuals, and exactly the kind of immigrants, we have always attracted. They are, in fact, the kind of people this country has attracted since before it was a country. They represent the kind of new blood that has kept this nation great and growing since its birth.
We need to create a system that ensures those in this country are here legally, punishes those who are not, and enforces our employment laws. But that doesn’t mean we should summarily turn out those whose presence here has been made de facto legal by our complicity.
There are proposals on the table, both in Arizona and Washington, D.C., that would take steps in that direction. They would identify and punish those currently in this country illegally, but the punishment would fit the crime. They would also continue the efforts to strengthen our borders and would create a system to admit and monitor temporary workers.
For the moment most of those proposals don’t seem to be headed anywhere. The political environment right now, especially in our state, has emboldened the most virulent of the anti-immigrant voices. And the intimidation and headline grabbing tactics used by many in that group have effectively pushed the issue off the election year table.
In many ways it is reminiscent of the final days of legal segregation in the Deep South; and like then, the ultimate conversation is not about what is legal or illegal but about what is right and just….and what is, in the long term, best for this country.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Recession Blues?
My friend Pastor John from Rwanda is visiting with us and our congregation this weekend. Having been to Rwanda 3 times I have a sense of the lifestyle of many Rwandans in contrast to the lifestyle many of us live in the US.
When I picked John up on Saturday from the airport I pointed out to him the new Cardinals Stadium. I mentioned the shops and restaurants going in around that and Jobing Stadium. But I also said that here in the states we were going through a recession. He's been to the US many times and has been here three weeks already this trip. He's heard about our recession but it was evident that he was having a hard time understanding what a recession means in the midst of such affluence. I told him about our gas prices and he said they pay about $2.00 per liter or almost $7-8 per gallon! He saw the new homes being built (whether they are selling is another story) and was awed. I took him to see Kung Fu Panda at the mall and he commented on how busy the mall was and how great the shop keepers seemed to be doing (the mall was jammed!)
John lives in a country where the average salary is around $300 per year. Many people live in huts or shacks. Most can't own cars because they can't afford them or the gas. He went on and on about how great it is to be able to take a shower every day here and that the water has some pressure to it! Not so in Rwanda.
The point is not to make us feel guilty but to put into perspective how blessed we really are in this country. Times are tough--no doubt! Gas prices, food prices are rising as is unemployment. But still, in comparison to places like Rwanda, we are the wealthiest 10% in the world, even in an economic dowturn.
So while we are all trying to cope with new economic realities, it's good to be reminded that we are indeed fortunate. There is much to be thankful for. And guys like John remind us of how blessed we really are (including having airconditioning in buildings and cars when it's 110 degrees 9 days in a row!)
When I picked John up on Saturday from the airport I pointed out to him the new Cardinals Stadium. I mentioned the shops and restaurants going in around that and Jobing Stadium. But I also said that here in the states we were going through a recession. He's been to the US many times and has been here three weeks already this trip. He's heard about our recession but it was evident that he was having a hard time understanding what a recession means in the midst of such affluence. I told him about our gas prices and he said they pay about $2.00 per liter or almost $7-8 per gallon! He saw the new homes being built (whether they are selling is another story) and was awed. I took him to see Kung Fu Panda at the mall and he commented on how busy the mall was and how great the shop keepers seemed to be doing (the mall was jammed!)
John lives in a country where the average salary is around $300 per year. Many people live in huts or shacks. Most can't own cars because they can't afford them or the gas. He went on and on about how great it is to be able to take a shower every day here and that the water has some pressure to it! Not so in Rwanda.
The point is not to make us feel guilty but to put into perspective how blessed we really are in this country. Times are tough--no doubt! Gas prices, food prices are rising as is unemployment. But still, in comparison to places like Rwanda, we are the wealthiest 10% in the world, even in an economic dowturn.
So while we are all trying to cope with new economic realities, it's good to be reminded that we are indeed fortunate. There is much to be thankful for. And guys like John remind us of how blessed we really are (including having airconditioning in buildings and cars when it's 110 degrees 9 days in a row!)
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Marriage Irony
Isn't it ironic...
That gays and lesbians (regardless of what you think of that lifestyle) are fighting for the chance to marry, and now, when they can in some states, they flock to do so, and talk about how different it feels to be married rather than living together...
And heterosexuals (regardless of what you think about that lifestyle) have the right and freedom to marry but increasingly opt not to and instead live together outside of marriage because marriage is "nothing more than a piece of paper?"
Hmmm.....
That gays and lesbians (regardless of what you think of that lifestyle) are fighting for the chance to marry, and now, when they can in some states, they flock to do so, and talk about how different it feels to be married rather than living together...
And heterosexuals (regardless of what you think about that lifestyle) have the right and freedom to marry but increasingly opt not to and instead live together outside of marriage because marriage is "nothing more than a piece of paper?"
Hmmm.....
Friday, June 13, 2008
Tim Russert
Tim Russert, of NBC News, died today, apparently of a heart attack. I was a Tim Russert fan. I didn't get to watch Meet the Press on Sundays as I work that day, but being a news junkie I saw him often. And I always enjoyed his reporting. There was something about him that gave the sense he loved what he was doing, he loved the topic, and he loved bringing the news to us.
As I heard the news about his death and tuned into MSNBC to listen in on the many tributes, my first thought was, "He had to be a man of faith." It radiated over the TV time and again even though I had never heard him say anything about it. Sure enough, turns out he was a deeply committed Catholic. As his friends and colleagues talked about his faith, I turned to Jan and said, "It's interesting to hear journalists talking about faith." She said, "When someone models faith the way Tim Russert did, without cramming it down people's throats, people admire that."
Tim was not only a great news man, he was a family man. And a man who lived the Jesus life through his calling as a newscaster.
It's sad that he will not be a part of what promises to be one of the most interesting presidential races in a long time.
As I heard the news about his death and tuned into MSNBC to listen in on the many tributes, my first thought was, "He had to be a man of faith." It radiated over the TV time and again even though I had never heard him say anything about it. Sure enough, turns out he was a deeply committed Catholic. As his friends and colleagues talked about his faith, I turned to Jan and said, "It's interesting to hear journalists talking about faith." She said, "When someone models faith the way Tim Russert did, without cramming it down people's throats, people admire that."
Tim was not only a great news man, he was a family man. And a man who lived the Jesus life through his calling as a newscaster.
It's sad that he will not be a part of what promises to be one of the most interesting presidential races in a long time.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Mindless Ramblings
I received an email from one of my avid Blog readers who wondered why I haven't written a post in awhile. It has been several weeks, hasn't it! I replied back that I've been doing so much writing lately for our new Summer of Thanks-fullness emphasis at Grace on how to complain, gossip, and criticize less and thank, compliment, and build-up more that I've sort of run out of things to post on the blog.
Plus, it's summer and summer is a time for me to rest my brain a bit and let it fill up so that I can share my vast wisdom and insights with you on a more regular basis.
Plus, the truth is, there is so much I'd like to comment on that I have nothing significant to say about anything right now.
So there you have it. A post about why I haven't written anything lately that basically says nothing demonstrating the premise for this post that I have nothing to say.
But, in the blogging world, having nothing to say and saying so is better than saying nothing at all.
So there--I've said nothing in order to keep you avid readers of my blog.
Plus, it's summer and summer is a time for me to rest my brain a bit and let it fill up so that I can share my vast wisdom and insights with you on a more regular basis.
Plus, the truth is, there is so much I'd like to comment on that I have nothing significant to say about anything right now.
So there you have it. A post about why I haven't written anything lately that basically says nothing demonstrating the premise for this post that I have nothing to say.
But, in the blogging world, having nothing to say and saying so is better than saying nothing at all.
So there--I've said nothing in order to keep you avid readers of my blog.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Pastors Gone Wild
Today, another pastor, a supporter of Obama and speaking in Obama's Chicago congregation, was outed on Youtube. (I tried linking to two different sites with no luck. Go to Youtube and search for Michael Pfleger.) He said some extremely nasty (to say the least) things about Hillary Clinton to the cheers of the congregation.
Pastors making "political" speeches dressed up as sermons is nothing new. For the last 20 years or so it's been the religious right causing the most controversy from the pulpit. But the progressive left hasn't been out of the loop at all, just under the radar.
But this stuff, on the heals of the often profound and at the same time unbelievably bombastic comments of Rev. Jeremiah Wright, leaves me as a pastor shaking my head in frustration, sorrow, and a bit of anger. Where in the Gospel does Jesus ever call us to make racist, hate-filled comments about another, be that person male, female, white, black, olive, or purple? Where in the Gospel does Jesus ever call us, as preachers, to arrogantly suggest that we have it right and the world has it wrong? Where in the Gospel does Jesus ever call us to applaud the racist, bombastic speeches of some of our preachers? Why do we sit there and take it? Jesus calls us to love our enemies, even our oppressors, not to ridicule them and resort to their tactics.
Yes, the Gospel has profound implications for politics, the environment, life, work, suffering, and so on. But the Gospel is about a subversive Kingdom that transforms society and life by the power of grace, not through racial mudslinging. The Gospel doesn't endorse one candidate over another. The Gospel does not endorse riling up the crowd around bigoted rhetoric. The Gospel calls us to go back into the world as servants of grace--empowering us with grace to free the oppressed, point the sinner to a forgiving Christ, to accept the unacceptable, to pray for our candidates, even those with whom we disagree, and to vote for the person whom we feel most represents what we believe will make a great leader.
The Gospel is about Jesus and his kingdom. It's not about Clinton, or Obama or McCain. The Gospel will certainly inform my voting decisions. But the pulpit is no place for candidate bashing or even candidate endorsing. The pulpit is a place for people to hear the call of Jesus to live by grace.
(It's never a good idea for the church to get into bed with a particular candidate. In the end it leaves us naked and ashamed. It's one thing for an individual Christian to support a candidate. It's another for a congregation or denomination to publicly endorse someone. It robs us of the opportunity to speak grace when the candidate moves into un-graceful policies, actions, etc.)
One political observer suggests it may be time for all the candidates to distance themselves from the church and get on with the election. If the church is sidelined, it's not the fault of the "world." We are doing it to ourselves through pastors and congregations who have mixed-up political rhetoric for the Gospel.
And--by the way--Barak Obama is not responsible for the comments of this latest pastor. I appreciate the fact that he and John McCain stepped up and condemned such non-Christian remarks.
Pastors--it's time we get wild about Jesus again!
Pastors making "political" speeches dressed up as sermons is nothing new. For the last 20 years or so it's been the religious right causing the most controversy from the pulpit. But the progressive left hasn't been out of the loop at all, just under the radar.
But this stuff, on the heals of the often profound and at the same time unbelievably bombastic comments of Rev. Jeremiah Wright, leaves me as a pastor shaking my head in frustration, sorrow, and a bit of anger. Where in the Gospel does Jesus ever call us to make racist, hate-filled comments about another, be that person male, female, white, black, olive, or purple? Where in the Gospel does Jesus ever call us, as preachers, to arrogantly suggest that we have it right and the world has it wrong? Where in the Gospel does Jesus ever call us to applaud the racist, bombastic speeches of some of our preachers? Why do we sit there and take it? Jesus calls us to love our enemies, even our oppressors, not to ridicule them and resort to their tactics.
Yes, the Gospel has profound implications for politics, the environment, life, work, suffering, and so on. But the Gospel is about a subversive Kingdom that transforms society and life by the power of grace, not through racial mudslinging. The Gospel doesn't endorse one candidate over another. The Gospel does not endorse riling up the crowd around bigoted rhetoric. The Gospel calls us to go back into the world as servants of grace--empowering us with grace to free the oppressed, point the sinner to a forgiving Christ, to accept the unacceptable, to pray for our candidates, even those with whom we disagree, and to vote for the person whom we feel most represents what we believe will make a great leader.
The Gospel is about Jesus and his kingdom. It's not about Clinton, or Obama or McCain. The Gospel will certainly inform my voting decisions. But the pulpit is no place for candidate bashing or even candidate endorsing. The pulpit is a place for people to hear the call of Jesus to live by grace.
(It's never a good idea for the church to get into bed with a particular candidate. In the end it leaves us naked and ashamed. It's one thing for an individual Christian to support a candidate. It's another for a congregation or denomination to publicly endorse someone. It robs us of the opportunity to speak grace when the candidate moves into un-graceful policies, actions, etc.)
One political observer suggests it may be time for all the candidates to distance themselves from the church and get on with the election. If the church is sidelined, it's not the fault of the "world." We are doing it to ourselves through pastors and congregations who have mixed-up political rhetoric for the Gospel.
And--by the way--Barak Obama is not responsible for the comments of this latest pastor. I appreciate the fact that he and John McCain stepped up and condemned such non-Christian remarks.
Pastors--it's time we get wild about Jesus again!
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Groaning for Grace
This past Sunday we did something different (at least for us) during worship. Rather than having a sermon, we interspersed worship songs with times of prayer--focused specifically on five areas: The natural disasters of the last few weeks (tornadoes, cyclones, earthquakes, fires); Violence/War/Oppression; Poverty/hunger/homelessness; Racial tension; and our own day to day stuff.
It was a powerful reminder of a world that, as Paul puts it in Romans 8, groans for grace. So often we think only of individual suffering, but all of creation groans and sighs under the weight of brokenness, waiting for the day when God will resurrect and recreate not only our bodies but this world he still loves.
It's also a reminder that grace isn't simply about saving souls. It's about bringing hope and healing to all facets of creation, whether through fighting against unjust systems, teaching people new skills to care for themselves, practicing environmentally-friendly living, or through forgiving our enemies.
Grace is for all who groan under the weight of suffering. It is global and personal.
It's always been there in the Bible, from Romans 8 to Genesis 1 to John 3:16, but speaking for myself, for much of my life, I've missed the global perspective of grace. Thank God his grace patiently opened my eyes. By his grace I'm honored to be a part of a congregation that personally cares about the global groans and wants to respond with grace.
It was a powerful reminder of a world that, as Paul puts it in Romans 8, groans for grace. So often we think only of individual suffering, but all of creation groans and sighs under the weight of brokenness, waiting for the day when God will resurrect and recreate not only our bodies but this world he still loves.
It's also a reminder that grace isn't simply about saving souls. It's about bringing hope and healing to all facets of creation, whether through fighting against unjust systems, teaching people new skills to care for themselves, practicing environmentally-friendly living, or through forgiving our enemies.
Grace is for all who groan under the weight of suffering. It is global and personal.
It's always been there in the Bible, from Romans 8 to Genesis 1 to John 3:16, but speaking for myself, for much of my life, I've missed the global perspective of grace. Thank God his grace patiently opened my eyes. By his grace I'm honored to be a part of a congregation that personally cares about the global groans and wants to respond with grace.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Mid-Life Blues Revisited
Back in January I wrote that I had started my old-man/turning 50 physical. At that time I discovered that my cholesterol was a bit high, as was my blood sugar. So I immediately put myself on a low-glycemic diet.
Today I met with the doctor after another round of blood tests. The results: Cholesterol--in January--206. Today--173! (That oatmeal stuff works wonders!) Blood sugar--in January--109. Today--99.
I think I'll go out and get a Big Mac and a Dairy Queen Triple Chocolate Utopia with Chocolate ice cream to celebrate!
Today I met with the doctor after another round of blood tests. The results: Cholesterol--in January--206. Today--173! (That oatmeal stuff works wonders!) Blood sugar--in January--109. Today--99.
I think I'll go out and get a Big Mac and a Dairy Queen Triple Chocolate Utopia with Chocolate ice cream to celebrate!
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Return to Narnia
Jan and I saw the new Narnia film yesterday--Prince Caspian. The movie was awesome. Well worth seeing. Visually beautiful. Well-paced. A good story-line. And, for those with eyes to see (a theme in the movie), great connections with the story of Jesus. I highly recommend it.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Musings on the Wright, the Left, and the Right
Some further musings on Jeremiah Wright and the sermon I preached on Sunday (See the Power of the Revolutionary. Follow the links starting at listen.)
1) Jeremiah Wright. I watched his remarks during the press gathering on Monday. I continued to be very impressed with his passion for the Gospel and how it brings liberation, transformation, and reconciliation. His perspective as one who comes from an oppressed people gives a fresh view to the Bible--written by oppressed people.
However, I did find some of his answers during the q and a a bit harsh and sometimes, at least from my perspective, a bit off-base. Part of the problem is that he roots many of his answers in a particular theological perspective that most lay-people will misunderstand or misinterpret no matter what he says. At the same time, like all of us, Wright has a filter through which he views life and faith (he actually talked about how we all have this) and filters both illuminate and restrict life. Same for him. But I hope we can hear what God is saying to and through him even though we may not always agree with his conclusions. (I'm not sure I always agree with my own conclusions!)
2) Sunday's message. On Sunday we wrapped up the first part of our new series, Simply Jesus. I used the message to look at the two main filters that have shaped our view of Jesus over the last 100 years (speaking in very broad terms). I looked at the pluses and minuses of both views. (You may want to listen to the message for the following comments to make sense.)
The first was the Social Gospel movement (often considered liberal or the left)--a movement that takes very seriously the social/global aspects of Jesus' mission--caring for the poor, standing against oppression, being a voice for the voiceless, etc. Many good things were done in the name of the Social Gospel movement but broadly speaking, the weakness of the movement was a lack of connecting Jesus to the acts of grace being done at the time. The Social Gospel movement--speaking stereotypically--often forgot to invite people to live under the Lordship of Jesus, the one who transforms us to transform society.
The second movement, in some ways a response to the Social Gospel movement is Fundamentalism and it's very popular cousin, Evangelical Christianity (what many consider conservative or the right). The Evangelical Christian movement is the primary shaper of the Christian viewpoint in our culture at this time. Stereotypically, the movement focuses on the Spiritual aspect of Jesus' mission--saving our souls, forgiving our sins so that we can go to heaven. The plus is that the movement reminds us that it's all about Jesus. The minus--often a disregard or at the least, lack of a commitment to the social/global mission of Jesus. The focus tend to be on personal spirituality rather than on world/societal transformation at every level (God so loved the world...).
My point Sunday is that Jesus is about both--He invites us into a relationship with himself where forgiveness and grace and mercy transform us. But he also calls us to follow him back into the world to invite others to follow him--and to take that grace in tangible ways to a hurting world--not just spiritually hurting, but hurting in the areas of water, food, justice, etc. Jesus is Lord of the entire world and right now is ruling by slowing recreating the world with grace--a re-creation that will be fulfilled when Jesus returns.
3) What I did not have time to talk about on Sunday...
I belong to a denomination shaped by the Social Gospel Movement (Lutheran). Ours is a denomination that takes seriously not just personal moral issues but global moral issues like hunger, oppression, violence, and so on, at times, at least from the viewpoint of critics, to the lack of any "evangelical message" or invitation to experience Jesus.
As I look at the story of our Lutheran denomination over the last few years, I see an increasing evangelical spirit that is both passionate about Jesus and inviting people to follow him and passionate about following Jesus to do what he did--feed the hungry, heal the sick, and free the oppressed (oppressed by whatever system--sin, addictions, economics, political, religious, etc.)
I was also raised on the more evangelical side of the Lutheran Church. My grandfather was a part of a Lutheran movement that preached a personal relationship with Jesus and had altar calls (like Billy Graham. Lutherans, by the way, do altar calls--they are called Baptism and Communion!). Most of my preaching for 25 years has been more "Evangelical," talking about how Jesus can change our lives--with very little attention to the more global call to bring that grace to all areas of life, including the environment, political structures, etc.
Interestingly, a renewed focus on the impact of Jesus on global issues is being lead by those in the Evangelical Movement--among them Brian McClaren and Rick Warren.
Also interestingly, this passion for bringing grace to a global context is being seen in people who have no personal connection to Jesus--people like Madonna, Brad and Angelina, Oprah, and so on--what I believe is a God movement of God's Spirit working even in those who haven't yet connected with Jesus as Lord who sense the world needs hope and grace.
Also also interestingly, we see this in the campaign of Obama. And, for those with ears to hear it, in the prophetic words of Jeremiah Wright.
God is up to something in his world. He cares not only about our souls, but about all of creation. And through Jesus' followers he wants to bring his grace to every level of society.
1) Jeremiah Wright. I watched his remarks during the press gathering on Monday. I continued to be very impressed with his passion for the Gospel and how it brings liberation, transformation, and reconciliation. His perspective as one who comes from an oppressed people gives a fresh view to the Bible--written by oppressed people.
However, I did find some of his answers during the q and a a bit harsh and sometimes, at least from my perspective, a bit off-base. Part of the problem is that he roots many of his answers in a particular theological perspective that most lay-people will misunderstand or misinterpret no matter what he says. At the same time, like all of us, Wright has a filter through which he views life and faith (he actually talked about how we all have this) and filters both illuminate and restrict life. Same for him. But I hope we can hear what God is saying to and through him even though we may not always agree with his conclusions. (I'm not sure I always agree with my own conclusions!)
2) Sunday's message. On Sunday we wrapped up the first part of our new series, Simply Jesus. I used the message to look at the two main filters that have shaped our view of Jesus over the last 100 years (speaking in very broad terms). I looked at the pluses and minuses of both views. (You may want to listen to the message for the following comments to make sense.)
The first was the Social Gospel movement (often considered liberal or the left)--a movement that takes very seriously the social/global aspects of Jesus' mission--caring for the poor, standing against oppression, being a voice for the voiceless, etc. Many good things were done in the name of the Social Gospel movement but broadly speaking, the weakness of the movement was a lack of connecting Jesus to the acts of grace being done at the time. The Social Gospel movement--speaking stereotypically--often forgot to invite people to live under the Lordship of Jesus, the one who transforms us to transform society.
The second movement, in some ways a response to the Social Gospel movement is Fundamentalism and it's very popular cousin, Evangelical Christianity (what many consider conservative or the right). The Evangelical Christian movement is the primary shaper of the Christian viewpoint in our culture at this time. Stereotypically, the movement focuses on the Spiritual aspect of Jesus' mission--saving our souls, forgiving our sins so that we can go to heaven. The plus is that the movement reminds us that it's all about Jesus. The minus--often a disregard or at the least, lack of a commitment to the social/global mission of Jesus. The focus tend to be on personal spirituality rather than on world/societal transformation at every level (God so loved the world...).
My point Sunday is that Jesus is about both--He invites us into a relationship with himself where forgiveness and grace and mercy transform us. But he also calls us to follow him back into the world to invite others to follow him--and to take that grace in tangible ways to a hurting world--not just spiritually hurting, but hurting in the areas of water, food, justice, etc. Jesus is Lord of the entire world and right now is ruling by slowing recreating the world with grace--a re-creation that will be fulfilled when Jesus returns.
3) What I did not have time to talk about on Sunday...
I belong to a denomination shaped by the Social Gospel Movement (Lutheran). Ours is a denomination that takes seriously not just personal moral issues but global moral issues like hunger, oppression, violence, and so on, at times, at least from the viewpoint of critics, to the lack of any "evangelical message" or invitation to experience Jesus.
As I look at the story of our Lutheran denomination over the last few years, I see an increasing evangelical spirit that is both passionate about Jesus and inviting people to follow him and passionate about following Jesus to do what he did--feed the hungry, heal the sick, and free the oppressed (oppressed by whatever system--sin, addictions, economics, political, religious, etc.)
I was also raised on the more evangelical side of the Lutheran Church. My grandfather was a part of a Lutheran movement that preached a personal relationship with Jesus and had altar calls (like Billy Graham. Lutherans, by the way, do altar calls--they are called Baptism and Communion!). Most of my preaching for 25 years has been more "Evangelical," talking about how Jesus can change our lives--with very little attention to the more global call to bring that grace to all areas of life, including the environment, political structures, etc.
Interestingly, a renewed focus on the impact of Jesus on global issues is being lead by those in the Evangelical Movement--among them Brian McClaren and Rick Warren.
Also interestingly, this passion for bringing grace to a global context is being seen in people who have no personal connection to Jesus--people like Madonna, Brad and Angelina, Oprah, and so on--what I believe is a God movement of God's Spirit working even in those who haven't yet connected with Jesus as Lord who sense the world needs hope and grace.
Also also interestingly, we see this in the campaign of Obama. And, for those with ears to hear it, in the prophetic words of Jeremiah Wright.
God is up to something in his world. He cares not only about our souls, but about all of creation. And through Jesus' followers he wants to bring his grace to every level of society.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
The Wright Context
Last night I watched the Bill Moyers interview with Jeremiah Wright, Obama's "controversial" pastor. He's controversial thanks in part to a few soundbyte clips from his sermons. One of the clips seems to suggest that Wright is blaming America for the September 11 attacks--that they were the result of our own sins. The other clip shows him saying, "Not God bless America but God damn America." Pretty damning stuff. In fact, those soundbytes continue to chase after Obama no matter what he says.
As a pastor I had a couple of responses to the whole thing. 1) Not outrage, but certainly a "What were you thinking?" response. That's pretty bold stuff to say God damn America from the pulpit.
2) The more prominent response was a certain sympathy or understanding. I took the time to talk with some African American friends to get their take and learned some things about African American culture that is foreign to my life experience. As Obama said, Wright speaks for an oppressed people. Wright himself said it best last night--The people on the top of the deck who believed that God condoned slavery were praying to a very different God from the God those slaves on the bottom of the boat were praying to. The Bible is written by and in the context of an oppressed people. Some very very "damning" things were said/written by them, too (see some of the Psalms!). As one African American friend put it--Wright was having a behind closed doors, so to speak, conversation with his people. In that context they use a certain kind of language to talk about the issues that they face in life. White congregations do the same thing using a different kind of language.
I also thought about the kind of monster someone could make me out to be if they took selected soundbytes of my sermons, out of context, and threw them up on Youtube.
But it still didn't calm my dis-ease about the clips. Until last night. During the interview I got to hear the heart of Jeremiah Wright. This is a man passionate about Jesus and about connecting Jesus to real life stuff--not just soul stuff, but life stuff--hunger, oppression, genocide, gangbangers, HIV/AIDS, and so on. I couldn't help but really like the guy and his understanding of Jesus. He further challenged me about my total lack of understanding of the African American experience. Some of us white folk are quick to say get over it. But being an oppressed people, who even in the 60's had very few civil rights, and who to this day still live under the cloud of oppression, doesn't heal quickly. It shapes a person's world-view much as affluence shapes mine.
But then I saw the sounbyte clips in their context and found out he was not saying what the clips made him out to say. In the context he was not blaming American for the 9/11 attacks, he was talking about how vengeance begets vengeance and how easily we can begin to take revenge not just on the professional killers or soldiers who attack us, but on the innocents (and he pointed out times in our history when we have done that.) When he talked about God damning America he was using prophetic language to say that God does not bless everything we do but curses/damns anyone or any country that oppresses or kills the innocent or uses power for evil purposes (and we have not been immune to that in our country either.) Like the Old Testament prophets who loved their country Israel and out of love used tough language to challenge their anti-God behavior, Jeremiah Wright is, at times, doing the same from his pulpit. The context changes everything about what he said, what he meant, and how he said it.
No doubt the political "enemies" of Obama are using these soundbytes to try to say something Jeremiah Wright did not say to bring Obama down.
It is so easy for us to buy into the prevailing media hype without understanding the context. It is so easy for us to condemn or write off someone based on soundbytes rather than taking the time to get to the real truth. It's so easy to write off someone whose cultural or life context is so very different from our own, wondering why they simply can't be like us!
The Jeremiah Wright soundbytes are a great reminder to us to step back and ask serious questions--to seek the truth for the truth really does set us free.
As a pastor I had a couple of responses to the whole thing. 1) Not outrage, but certainly a "What were you thinking?" response. That's pretty bold stuff to say God damn America from the pulpit.
2) The more prominent response was a certain sympathy or understanding. I took the time to talk with some African American friends to get their take and learned some things about African American culture that is foreign to my life experience. As Obama said, Wright speaks for an oppressed people. Wright himself said it best last night--The people on the top of the deck who believed that God condoned slavery were praying to a very different God from the God those slaves on the bottom of the boat were praying to. The Bible is written by and in the context of an oppressed people. Some very very "damning" things were said/written by them, too (see some of the Psalms!). As one African American friend put it--Wright was having a behind closed doors, so to speak, conversation with his people. In that context they use a certain kind of language to talk about the issues that they face in life. White congregations do the same thing using a different kind of language.
I also thought about the kind of monster someone could make me out to be if they took selected soundbytes of my sermons, out of context, and threw them up on Youtube.
But it still didn't calm my dis-ease about the clips. Until last night. During the interview I got to hear the heart of Jeremiah Wright. This is a man passionate about Jesus and about connecting Jesus to real life stuff--not just soul stuff, but life stuff--hunger, oppression, genocide, gangbangers, HIV/AIDS, and so on. I couldn't help but really like the guy and his understanding of Jesus. He further challenged me about my total lack of understanding of the African American experience. Some of us white folk are quick to say get over it. But being an oppressed people, who even in the 60's had very few civil rights, and who to this day still live under the cloud of oppression, doesn't heal quickly. It shapes a person's world-view much as affluence shapes mine.
But then I saw the sounbyte clips in their context and found out he was not saying what the clips made him out to say. In the context he was not blaming American for the 9/11 attacks, he was talking about how vengeance begets vengeance and how easily we can begin to take revenge not just on the professional killers or soldiers who attack us, but on the innocents (and he pointed out times in our history when we have done that.) When he talked about God damning America he was using prophetic language to say that God does not bless everything we do but curses/damns anyone or any country that oppresses or kills the innocent or uses power for evil purposes (and we have not been immune to that in our country either.) Like the Old Testament prophets who loved their country Israel and out of love used tough language to challenge their anti-God behavior, Jeremiah Wright is, at times, doing the same from his pulpit. The context changes everything about what he said, what he meant, and how he said it.
No doubt the political "enemies" of Obama are using these soundbytes to try to say something Jeremiah Wright did not say to bring Obama down.
It is so easy for us to buy into the prevailing media hype without understanding the context. It is so easy for us to condemn or write off someone based on soundbytes rather than taking the time to get to the real truth. It's so easy to write off someone whose cultural or life context is so very different from our own, wondering why they simply can't be like us!
The Jeremiah Wright soundbytes are a great reminder to us to step back and ask serious questions--to seek the truth for the truth really does set us free.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Oprah and the New Earth
I have been asked by several people recently about Oprah and the increasingly spiritual/religious bent of her life/program and whether it is compatible with Christianity.
This post is not an answer to that question. I'm not prepared to comment at this point. I do, however, want to direct you to a very helpful review of the book she's promoting right now, Eckhart Tolle's A New Earth. I think you will find this helpful.
This post is not an answer to that question. I'm not prepared to comment at this point. I do, however, want to direct you to a very helpful review of the book she's promoting right now, Eckhart Tolle's A New Earth. I think you will find this helpful.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Wrapping Up Rwanda--Part 4--Video of Pastor John and the Medical Clinic
If you are interested in more about the medical clinic that Grace is helping to support, check out this video. The rest of the website looks great, too.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Suffering--A Call to Action
Sunday night I caught a few minutes of the Compassion Forum on CNN. Senators Clinton and Obama were each interviewed separately on the issues of the day and asked to respond from their faith perspective. One of the questions lobbed at Senator Clinton was this: Why does a loving God allow innocent people to suffer?
(This question raises all sorts of interesting challenges. It suggests that God controls our lives--that we are God's puppets. On the one hand, we independent Americans don't want God telling us what to do. When we want what we want, we don't want God butting in. But when things don't go our way, then it's God's fault. We don't often credit God for the good that happens in life--we take that credit ourselves. But when it goes wrong, God gets the blame.
(The better question in my mind is this: Why do we, created in the image of God, commissioned to be his care-takers of each other and creation, why do we allow innocent people to suffer? Why, for example, doesn't the free world use its power, influence, and affluence to end once and for all the genocide in Darfur? Why do we in affluent countries, including the US, continue to allow and even support systems that keep food from hungry people? We currently produce enough food in the world to feed every person on the planet 2000-3000 calories of food a day. God has provided for the hungry. Why do we continue to allow that food to be hoarded? Why do we Americans continue to drive gas hogging--carbon emitting cars? God has given us the wisdom to care for this planet. Why do some of us continue to choose to exploit, oppress, hoard, and hurt the innocent? The Judeo-Christian answer to that, by the way, is sin.)
Anyway--Senator Clinton is not a trained theologian. Being a person of faith, however, like all people of faith, she is a theologian in the sense that we all have thoughts and ideas and opinions about God.
Her answer was actually brilliant! First she said she had no idea why innocent people suffer and would certainly ask God that question some day (and since the Bible never fully answers the question she's on solid footing). But then she said something like this: Suffering is a call to action. It's a call to all of us, people of faith and people with no religious affiliation, to do something about it.
Suffering is a call to action. It is a call to roll up our sleeves and make a difference. As a Christian, I'm compelled to respond because the Gospel proclaims that God entered into our suffering on a cross. He is not uninvolved. And he defeated all the forces that cause suffering through the resurrection of Jesus--bringing heaven to earth right now--not in its completeness or fulness, but it is here, pushing back the forces that hurt innocent people. And as his followers, he we have opportunity and privilege of bringing tastes of the future to people right now as we work for justice, hope, peace, and healing.
(This question raises all sorts of interesting challenges. It suggests that God controls our lives--that we are God's puppets. On the one hand, we independent Americans don't want God telling us what to do. When we want what we want, we don't want God butting in. But when things don't go our way, then it's God's fault. We don't often credit God for the good that happens in life--we take that credit ourselves. But when it goes wrong, God gets the blame.
(The better question in my mind is this: Why do we, created in the image of God, commissioned to be his care-takers of each other and creation, why do we allow innocent people to suffer? Why, for example, doesn't the free world use its power, influence, and affluence to end once and for all the genocide in Darfur? Why do we in affluent countries, including the US, continue to allow and even support systems that keep food from hungry people? We currently produce enough food in the world to feed every person on the planet 2000-3000 calories of food a day. God has provided for the hungry. Why do we continue to allow that food to be hoarded? Why do we Americans continue to drive gas hogging--carbon emitting cars? God has given us the wisdom to care for this planet. Why do some of us continue to choose to exploit, oppress, hoard, and hurt the innocent? The Judeo-Christian answer to that, by the way, is sin.)
Anyway--Senator Clinton is not a trained theologian. Being a person of faith, however, like all people of faith, she is a theologian in the sense that we all have thoughts and ideas and opinions about God.
Her answer was actually brilliant! First she said she had no idea why innocent people suffer and would certainly ask God that question some day (and since the Bible never fully answers the question she's on solid footing). But then she said something like this: Suffering is a call to action. It's a call to all of us, people of faith and people with no religious affiliation, to do something about it.
Suffering is a call to action. It is a call to roll up our sleeves and make a difference. As a Christian, I'm compelled to respond because the Gospel proclaims that God entered into our suffering on a cross. He is not uninvolved. And he defeated all the forces that cause suffering through the resurrection of Jesus--bringing heaven to earth right now--not in its completeness or fulness, but it is here, pushing back the forces that hurt innocent people. And as his followers, he we have opportunity and privilege of bringing tastes of the future to people right now as we work for justice, hope, peace, and healing.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Wrapping Up Rwanda--Part 3--The Medical Clinic
One of the exiting projects Grace has the privilege of supporting is the building of a 45 bed medical clinic in Rwanda. The project is lead by Pastor John. What makes this project unique is that is is driven by the local community. They are building it. It creates jobs for the local people. The government is helping financially (as are other organizations like ours) but the community is holding the government accountable on this project vs the other way around. Rather than us Americans imposing our projects on the Rwandans, they are taking the initiative and ownership on this and we are simply partnering with them to make it happen. Here are a couple of pics of the work so far:
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Wrapping Up Rwanda--Part 2--Pics from Nyamata
Here is a slide show of pics from our Rwanda trip. The first several slides are from the conference Alycia attended (photos taken by the students). The rest are from my visit to Nyamata Lutheran Church--our partner church in Rwanda (about a 20 minute drive from the capital city of Kigali). Muzigura is the pastor. One of the pics shows me standing in the doorway of a small building. That's the outhouse we helped build! (Pics taken by our cab driver--Anicet.)
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Wrapping Up Rwanda--Part 1 (Alycia's surprise pics)
Here are some of the pics of Corey's surprise asking of Alycia to marry him when we arrived in Phoenix Terminal 4 after our trip to Rwanda: (Photo's by Amber Wright)
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Home from Rwanda--with a Surprise!
It was a very long journey home. The final flight was about 12 hours plus we sat on the plane an extra hour because they couldn't get the jetway away from the plane! So glad to be home.
As we made our way from customs into the main terminal 4 at Sky Harbor Alycia had a surprise waiting for her. Her boyfriend, Corey, had flown into Phoenix to surprise her at the airport and officially propose to her! (Photo's to come.)
It was a bit touch and go for awhile. Jan, Corey, and I had been planning this for months. On Monday, while we were on our 7 hour layover in Nairobi, Alycia called Corey and found out he was "puking his guts out." I called Jan and cryptically filled her in. A few hours later, before we hopped on the flight to London, I found out from Jan that Minneapolis (where Corey lives) was in the midst of a blizzard and flights were being cancelled.
When we landed in London Alycia called Corey. He's now at the airport but he tells her he's at work--at 6 in the morning. She couldn't believe it--after he had been so sick to be at work so early in the morning.
But, all in all, it worked out and was a great surprise. We all headed over to the Stockyards Restaurant for a dinner celebration.
Finally got to sleep about 10 pm. Woke up at 3:30. Oh well.
Again, pics of Rwanda and Alycia's big proposal to come in the next few days.
As we made our way from customs into the main terminal 4 at Sky Harbor Alycia had a surprise waiting for her. Her boyfriend, Corey, had flown into Phoenix to surprise her at the airport and officially propose to her! (Photo's to come.)
It was a bit touch and go for awhile. Jan, Corey, and I had been planning this for months. On Monday, while we were on our 7 hour layover in Nairobi, Alycia called Corey and found out he was "puking his guts out." I called Jan and cryptically filled her in. A few hours later, before we hopped on the flight to London, I found out from Jan that Minneapolis (where Corey lives) was in the midst of a blizzard and flights were being cancelled.
When we landed in London Alycia called Corey. He's now at the airport but he tells her he's at work--at 6 in the morning. She couldn't believe it--after he had been so sick to be at work so early in the morning.
But, all in all, it worked out and was a great surprise. We all headed over to the Stockyards Restaurant for a dinner celebration.
Finally got to sleep about 10 pm. Woke up at 3:30. Oh well.
Again, pics of Rwanda and Alycia's big proposal to come in the next few days.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Tuesday morning in London--Reflections on Rwanda
We flew out of Rwanda on Monday afternoon. We took a jumbo 767 jammed packed with people with more seats crammed into a plane than I thought possible. My daughter's knees hit the seat in front of her so imagine my knees. My table tray actually hit me in the stomach, and I have virtually no stomach left at this point! Thankfully it was only an hour flight!
After 6 hours in the Nairobi airport we flew 8 hours to London. We arrived about 6 am local time. Alycia needed to close out a bank account from her school days so we headed into cold, rainy London for a few hours. I finally ate! Two fried eggs, toast, orange juice and hot chocolate. Then off to a coffee shop for more hot chocolate and a chocolate muffin. It will be good to get back to some real food tomorrow. :)
We have a few more hours here in London and then home.
Some reflections on this trip to Rwanda:
1) My reasons for going were both personal and missional:
a) After giving in to anxiety and not going to Rwanda last summer I have been praying for the chance to get back on the horse and try it again. This was a chance for me to practice my "overcoming anxiety" skills and conquer my "imagined" fears. I decided, when I turned 50, that I didn't want anxiety to control me anymore. So this was a big deal for me personally. Considering I was sick the week before, arrived in Rwanda with no voice, I'm feeling pretty good about the trip.
b) I wanted to spend some time with Alycia before she got married. We had a really good trip together. Sometimes, both being strong-headed control types, we can butt heads. But we really got along well. A great support for each other. And she continues to amaze me with her understanding of and passion for making a difference in the world.
c) I wanted to let God set the agenda for the trip. While initially I thought I would be more involved in the conference, the periods of down time to do some church work and hang out and up time to do the things mentioned in previous posts, was a good balance. It was a spiritually fulfilling trip and a good chance to get caught up on the missions we support. It's one thing to read about them via emails. It's another to personally see it and talk with those with whom we are partnering.
2) I'd been feeling a bit disconnected from Rwanda as of late. So many different missions have come into the country and I felt like perhaps we should go somewhere else. But after being in Nyamata, and particularly after meeting with John and seeing/hearing of this work in community development, my passion for our involvement with the Lutheran church was re-ignited. I'm hoping John and his wife Robin can join us in August for a weekend so Grace'rs can see/hear of the work being done, sponsored in part by Grace.
3) While I often wrestle with the cost of going to a place like Rwanda vs. simply sending the money over, there really is no substitute for going. And I think it makes me a better pastor. Certainly some of the missional things stirring in my soul that I referred to a few posts ago would not happen without a trip like this. I appreciate the chance to represent Grace in Rwanda.
In the next few days, once the dust settles, I'll get the Nyamata pics up for you to see.
Thanks for your prayers, support, comments, and interest during my trip. It was fun being able to keep you in the loop each day.
After 6 hours in the Nairobi airport we flew 8 hours to London. We arrived about 6 am local time. Alycia needed to close out a bank account from her school days so we headed into cold, rainy London for a few hours. I finally ate! Two fried eggs, toast, orange juice and hot chocolate. Then off to a coffee shop for more hot chocolate and a chocolate muffin. It will be good to get back to some real food tomorrow. :)
We have a few more hours here in London and then home.
Some reflections on this trip to Rwanda:
1) My reasons for going were both personal and missional:
a) After giving in to anxiety and not going to Rwanda last summer I have been praying for the chance to get back on the horse and try it again. This was a chance for me to practice my "overcoming anxiety" skills and conquer my "imagined" fears. I decided, when I turned 50, that I didn't want anxiety to control me anymore. So this was a big deal for me personally. Considering I was sick the week before, arrived in Rwanda with no voice, I'm feeling pretty good about the trip.
b) I wanted to spend some time with Alycia before she got married. We had a really good trip together. Sometimes, both being strong-headed control types, we can butt heads. But we really got along well. A great support for each other. And she continues to amaze me with her understanding of and passion for making a difference in the world.
c) I wanted to let God set the agenda for the trip. While initially I thought I would be more involved in the conference, the periods of down time to do some church work and hang out and up time to do the things mentioned in previous posts, was a good balance. It was a spiritually fulfilling trip and a good chance to get caught up on the missions we support. It's one thing to read about them via emails. It's another to personally see it and talk with those with whom we are partnering.
2) I'd been feeling a bit disconnected from Rwanda as of late. So many different missions have come into the country and I felt like perhaps we should go somewhere else. But after being in Nyamata, and particularly after meeting with John and seeing/hearing of this work in community development, my passion for our involvement with the Lutheran church was re-ignited. I'm hoping John and his wife Robin can join us in August for a weekend so Grace'rs can see/hear of the work being done, sponsored in part by Grace.
3) While I often wrestle with the cost of going to a place like Rwanda vs. simply sending the money over, there really is no substitute for going. And I think it makes me a better pastor. Certainly some of the missional things stirring in my soul that I referred to a few posts ago would not happen without a trip like this. I appreciate the chance to represent Grace in Rwanda.
In the next few days, once the dust settles, I'll get the Nyamata pics up for you to see.
Thanks for your prayers, support, comments, and interest during my trip. It was fun being able to keep you in the loop each day.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Monday Morning in Rwanda
We were without internet all day yesterday so I wasn't able to check in. We leave for the airport in a few minutes so I'll make this brief.
I had an amazing morning yesterday as I visited our sister Lutheran Church in Nyamata. The first time we went there in 2005 it is was all dirt roads to the church--with massive bumps and holes. It took us a couple of hours one way. Now--a newly paved road and a breezy 25 minute drive! The ride out is beautiful as it takes us out into the country. The hills of Rwanda are breath-taking.
It's hard to put into words what it's like to worship with and preach to a culture very, very different than our own. But it is pretty cool. Since they didn't know I was coming until Wednesday they didn't have the usual big welcome dance and gift presentation (which is a powerful experience) but that's what I asked for. Keep it simple.
The music and singing is infectious. They have three instruments--a drum, their voices, and their bodies. I can't dance but they sure can. I had a chance to preach for a few minutes and bring greetings from Grace and other friends from the US.
When I get home I'll put some pictures on a post to give you a sense of the congregation and the experience I had.
This morning Alycia and I had breakfast with Pastor John. John is doing development work in a rural area. He is training the community to work together to build projects. They are building a 45 room medical clinic that is community driven--it employs people, gives them skills, and trains them as leaders. They are actually holding the government accountable to help them get the project done. Grace has contributed to this project and will continue to do so. I'll add some pics when I get home.
It is really cool to see a project like this being built by the people, lead by the people, developing people, employing people, with money from churches and the government.
That's it for now. I'm headed home. I'll probably do a reflection on the trip post during one of my two 8 hour layovers between my two 10 hour flights.
I had an amazing morning yesterday as I visited our sister Lutheran Church in Nyamata. The first time we went there in 2005 it is was all dirt roads to the church--with massive bumps and holes. It took us a couple of hours one way. Now--a newly paved road and a breezy 25 minute drive! The ride out is beautiful as it takes us out into the country. The hills of Rwanda are breath-taking.
It's hard to put into words what it's like to worship with and preach to a culture very, very different than our own. But it is pretty cool. Since they didn't know I was coming until Wednesday they didn't have the usual big welcome dance and gift presentation (which is a powerful experience) but that's what I asked for. Keep it simple.
The music and singing is infectious. They have three instruments--a drum, their voices, and their bodies. I can't dance but they sure can. I had a chance to preach for a few minutes and bring greetings from Grace and other friends from the US.
When I get home I'll put some pictures on a post to give you a sense of the congregation and the experience I had.
This morning Alycia and I had breakfast with Pastor John. John is doing development work in a rural area. He is training the community to work together to build projects. They are building a 45 room medical clinic that is community driven--it employs people, gives them skills, and trains them as leaders. They are actually holding the government accountable to help them get the project done. Grace has contributed to this project and will continue to do so. I'll add some pics when I get home.
It is really cool to see a project like this being built by the people, lead by the people, developing people, employing people, with money from churches and the government.
That's it for now. I'm headed home. I'll probably do a reflection on the trip post during one of my two 8 hour layovers between my two 10 hour flights.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Saturday Night in Rwanda
Oy! Where to begin!
This afternoon at the conference an organization that helps with reconciliation lead the session. With them was a perpetrator of genocide--one who had participated in the killings.
For the first 45 minutes or so the leader talked about the reasons for the genocide. One of the men stood up and told how the Hutu were lined up on one side of the classroom in grade school and the Tutsi were lined up on the other. The teacher then taught the students that the Tutsi were snakes.
After that, the perpetrator stood up. He said, "I am only asking for forgiveness. How many of you will raise up your hands and forgive me?"
Many of the students in that room were victims of the genocide. Some of their family members had been brutally murdered. And one of the murderers was asking for their forgiveness. Wow!
Many raised their hands. Several had to leave the room because the emotions were too deep. I could literally feel the tension--it made me anxious.
The man then talked a bit about how he had killed many people. After being released from prison--in order to tell people his story--he hid in the bush, too afraid to be seen by the family members of the people he had murdered. Eventually, those very family members found him and invited him to stay with them! They helped feed his family!
It was quite an experience. There was a mass murderer standing in front of me. Many in that room had family members who had been viciously murdered by a man like him. How do you forgive such a man?
At the end of the session they sang a worship song together and the perpetrator participated with them. Wow!
It's hard to put into words the experience. Suffice it to say, it was something I've never been through before.
On a lighter note--much lighter note--Alycia pointed out to me that the sound system being used for the conference was paid for by---Community of Grace! Pretty cool.
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