Support for the Journey

Staying cool, calm and collected in the midst of the occurence of major life events at the same time requires character. I would never stroke my own ego, but I must say that while it has not been easy balancing both graduation and marriage within a matter of weeks, I have managed well. I appreciate very much those who have been by my side through the journey thus far, relieving some of the pressure and offering help when and where needed. It’s a privilege to learn wisdom well enough to know those who will be there no matter what this life may bring. Albeit, I could count on my fingers those whom I believe would lend support in time of need; and it is with them I wish to spend most of my days. I can’t imagine going it alone in this life: A support system has been necessary for me, and my heart goes out to those who are not so lucky to have such support. A special thanks “shout out” to those who have been there for me through everything no matter what!

Wisdom from Confusius

“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” This Confusian quote certainly challenges the typical understanding of failure in our society.  My fiancee and I stumbled upon it while shopping for some pictures to hang in my new house.  There were a few of these pictures to choose from, all containing the quote with Buddha as the background image. I thought it was perfect because of the way in which she and I have learned to handle defeat, simply, by picking ourselves up off the ground when we fall, dusting ourselves off and chugging on in this game we call ‘life’. Well, we were about to purchase one and then noted where they’d been manufactured–China. Let’s put it this way: Either they were roughed up by shipping or store clerks stocking, or they were just thrown quickly together, as some foreign products seem to be these days. Whatever the case, it left me somewhat frustrated because I really wanted the picture to hang in my office; we left the store disappointed. A few days later my fiance had a surprise for me–she had purchased all the materials she needed to create a similar picture (but one that took time and love to make). She bought stones, bamboo, printed out this image of Confusius himself for the background, stickers for the word “strength” down the side and cut out lettering for the quote. I could not have done this! I was so impressed! I am certainly blessed to have such an amazing person with whom I will journey in this life. And now, I have this picture hanging in my office to be reminded of this quote, especially when I fall or when we fall together.

Martin Luther’s Tax Code

“But it would be better if things were so arranged that when I raise much, I give much; and when little, I give little.”

God broke the mold when he made [laughter]

Laughing…the greatness of it! What an amazing gift to be able to laugh. It’s my impression that we’ve all got a little too serious these days. Maybe we’ve been made that way by our society or maybe it has become our choice to reject laughter altogether and replace it with sullen and broken faces. I simply cannot be serious all the time; it’s just not healthy. Whether it’s just making up stupid jokes with my significant other or catching a rare-to-find comedy that has both humor and some decency, laughter seems to provide the release needed from the anxieties and stresses that life can often bring. We’ve even gone so far in the church with our seriousness that we expect our savior to also be such as we are, i.e., sullen and broken. The images and paintings of the Lord almost always seem somewhat distant and reserved.  But I can imagine the Lord of LIFE as one who toyed with the Twelve; or as the Passion of the Christ so well portrayed in one of its scenes: as, just for the fun of it, doing something as simple and childlike as splashing water into the face of his mother. I’m sure the creator of laughter realized while on this earth, as he must certainly realize now, the importance of laughter in helping us along in our journey through life. Perhaps the church that is emerging should focus on creatively re-imagining the laughing Christ: I think it would help us all to refocus our lenses when envisioning what the savior must be like–maybe the best place to find him right now is in the smile that forms on the faces of those we love, because for whatever reason, they chose to break societies’ “molded broken face” by laughing!

The Mission

Yes, I must say that sometimes I feel like Robert De’niro from the Vatican’s #1 movie on its top 10 list. Upon arriving into the town where I’m now serving, I had the overwhelming feeling of entering my mission field. You know, Christians do not necessarily need to leave America to become missionaries! The Church in America and Europe is in decline both numerically and spiritually and has been for quite sometime. There is an urgency as never before to experience the outpouring of God’s spirit here in America, as there is in southeast Asia, South America and southern Africa. The Lord is now moving throughout this earth, freeing all peoples from their bondage to sin and enslavement to the evil one. The Ransom Theory of the Atonement (the picture of Jesus’ atonement as ransom from this world, the devil and sin), is called to mind when thinking about the ramifications of such for humanity. Indeed, Jesus came to redeem whole persons, families, societies and the world (i.e. “For God so loved the world“). And there is no ambivalence that Jesus has chosen us to usher in the kingdom of heaven: we have all been strategically positioned by God in our own mission field, in our own world. I believe that to be true now more than ever, and I am determined to work in my Mission and claim as much territory for Christ as possible while there. My hope is that we will all answer God’s call and reclaim territory for Christ!

Peace for Holy Innocents

To know the unconditional love of God in Jesus Christ is without question the most amazing gift available to everyone on this planet we call “Earth.” That God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself should bring an abiding peace that passes understanding. I must say that it is this peace that enables me to continue the good fight of faith in the midst of so much confusion and uncertainty in our world. In the wake of tragedy or difficult circumstances facing many, particularly those countries that are now war-torn, God in Christ offers them peace! I hope my sisters and brothers in these parts of the world are experiencing the peace of Christ to also enable them to continue in the good fight of faith.

Lord, hear my prayer for the innocents around our globe who are taken for granted, particularly those who are merely considered collateral damage or casualties of war. Please send your abiding peace their way, and fulfill your promise to comfort those who mourn and defend those who are helpless. Amen.

The Word of God (Jesus)’s View on Judging Others

Luke 6:41-42 (ESV)
“Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? [42] How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye.”

Famous Amos!

If you’re a folk-pop nut like me you’re gonna love Amos Lee! Just saw him in concert a couple of weeks ago at an area theatre, and not only is he a great singer, he’s also a great personality. Singing with dignity and passion mixed with building phenomenal rapport with the audience, makes him an amazing performer. What topped the experience off was his (and his band members’) willingness to do an autograph session for the fans in the lobby as soon as the concert was over. Amos’ songs talk about real life and the difficulties that it often brings, yet he also lifts up those who have been broken in some way and essentially offers encouragement to just keep on, keepin’ on! Amos, thanks so much for a great concert at the HP Theatre, and more than that, thanks for being such a genuine guy. I’ll remember your words to me when thanking you for a great show; you said: “No, thank you man.” Keep on bringing hope and joy to people, and make your way back to NC soon!

Amos in concert

Gunman Should Be Charged with Hate Crime

I was saddened but not shocked to hear about Sunday’s shooting at a youth event at a Unitarian Universalist church in Knoxville, killing two. Who but a heartless radical fanatic could commit such an atrocity? It’s yet another clear example of homegrown terrorism in the United States. Did this episode not create terror in the hearts of those present? It’s a story of a cowardly terrorist who hated the progressive views of Unitarian Universalists, but it’s also a story of heroism, when 60 year old Greg McKendry shielded many others who would have otherwise also been martyred in the shooting spree. He stood as a real biblical literalist, taking Jesus’ words to heart, “There is no love greater than this: that a person lay down his/her life for his/her friends.” I think at the heart of this is the testimony of what the church really upholds as valuable: solidarity with all our human sisters and brothers and love for all. The images that come to mind upon hearing about this tragedy are those of the abortion clinic bombings, and even the Oklahoma City Federal Building bombing in ‘95. These are other clear examples of how forms of “non-Islamic” fundamentalism show their true, for NO lack of a better word, true ugliness. What is at the heart of such utter disdain and disregard for human life? I would say it’s simply a difference of opinion. But, it is a difference of opinion that should lead to greater union with each other and not discord. Simply stated, the church shooting is none other than a crime of hate, and this Adkisson nut should be so charged and then psychoanalyzed to understand just what is going on in the minds of these terrorists.

Note: Unitarian Universalists work for social justice and support the rights of women in ordered/ordained ministry, gay rights, global peace, and other progressive agendas. Also, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, John Quincy Adams, Millard Filmore and William Taft were among those U.S. Presidents who were adherents of Unitarian Universalism.

John Calvin — A Lawyer not a Theologian

Dr. Donald Haynes, former director of United Methodist studies at Hood Theological Seminary, writes:

My father died of cancer when I was 12. When I was 19 and a pastor, I had the funeral for a child who was killed on a bicycle. Years later I buried a young doctor and his father who were drowned at the beach. Next, it was a young family of four killed by a drunken driver.

When national tragedies occur, such as Hurricane Katrina, 9/11 terrorist acts and the current floods in Iowa and Missouri, some preachers inevitably go on camera to interpret these events as evidence of God’s punishment.

These experiences compel me to speak out against an increasingly common belief: that our destinies are pre-determined.

Whenever we face tragedy or personal loss, we ask, “Why?” Or perhaps, “How could a good God let this happen?” We figure that either God is good, but too weak to prevent tragedies, or all-powerful but capricious in inflicting disease, pestilence, natural disasters, economic hardship and even death.

The easiest, the most logical and therefore generally accepted belief about why bad things happen is that God causes them because God is in total control. In Christian theology, this belief is called “Calvinism,” having been systematized by a 16th-century Swiss lawyer named John Calvin….

Check out, in its entirety, Dr. Donald Haynes’ most recent article for the UM portal exposing the lie of Calvinistic predestination–the doctrine of devils: United Methodist Arminianism