What We Believe

Why do we believe what we do?  From experience?  Empirical evidence (i.e. proof)?  Faith?  Because?  Combination of all the above?  I think a mixture of factors inform our beliefs, and at different moments, we draw from different knowledge pools to explain our beliefs.  For example, when a 4 year old asks, "Why?"  over and over, we might have a tendency to respond with, "Because!"  And in that instance, that surface-level response might be enough to satisfy.  But when we are faced with deeper challenges to our beliefs, a simple 'ol "Because" usually won't satisfy most critics.  This holds very true for those who consider themselves God-followers when we ask, or are asked, some of the tough questions about God and about life.  For example, if someone asks you why bad things happen to good people, a simple 'ol "Because" more than likely is not going to calm any troubled spirits and will not be an accurate reflection of God.  That's why it's important for us to understand our faith to the best of our ability so that we can help people better understand God in the midst of struggles and questions.

So for the next several entries, I'm going to address some of the tough questions about God and life.  I don't claim to be an expert, just one who has been extremely fortunate to have had the time to study, and question, and ponder, and search out, and write, and rewrite.  For this blog, I want to address the question, "Why did Jesus have to die on the cross?" 

This question has been asked ever since Jesus actually died on the cross, and the early church grappled with many theories of atonement (our reconciliation back to God) while establishing church doctrine.  For the most part, the church has traditionally gravitated toward two main understandings of atonement – propitiation (preventing or appeasing God’s anger or wrath toward humanity) and expiation (humankind’s liberation and purification from the stain of sin).  Although these are big fancy words that most of us (myself included) won't spout off in daily conversation, most of us have heard explanations that support both understandings.  Like - Jesus died to pay for our sins because we can't.  That would be propriation.  Or maybe you've heard that we become justified (not guilty) in God's sight because of Jesus' voluntary sacrifice.  That's expiation. 

Whether propriation or expiation, this is still a tough subject to understand.  Most of us with soft hearts still ponder with a four-year-old, "Why?"  Why did Jesus have to die?  Couldn't there have been another way?  Couldn't God just make it so none of this was necessary?  So...what's a good "on the ground" explanation as to why Jesus had to die on the cross? 

Out of undying love for us, God made us so that we can make choices throughout our lives.  Because of having the freedom to make choices, we oftentimes choose to be separated from God.  We run to every possible person or thing to find our justification and validation.  And I can imagine that this hurts God's heart, but still God chooses to let us try to figure things out without being told what to do.  God says, "I am the way, but I want you to figure it out without me coercing you."  Sometimes we get it right and sometimes we don't.  And God is so committed to this undying love that God came to us in our human condition through the person of Jesus, so that when we don't always get things right, we'll still be okay.  We still have a chance to (re)connect with God. 

If you're still having trouble wrapping your nugget around all this, here is what I think is the simplest and most beautiful explanation of atonement - why Jesus had to die.  It's the parable of the lost sheep found in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 15 verses 3 - 7. 

³ So he told them this parable: ⁴‘Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? ⁵When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. ⁶And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.” ⁷Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance.

Jesus died on the cross because He cares for all of us.  Even if 99 of us are best buds with Him, Jesus seeks out the 1 who doesn't yet know Him.  God desires a relationship with ALL of us and comes to us when we are lost, lonely, down and out, grieving, self-indulgent, happy, proud, self-righteous, humble, arrogant - you name it.  And this is why Jesus came and why Jesus died on the cross for us - out of undying love for all of us.  Because all of us at one time or another are the one lost sheep. 

I hope this helps.  Until next time...

We Are Not Meant To Do Life Alone

Greetings to all in the blogosphere, and Happy New Year to you as well.  Seems that it's been a while since I've posted, and I sincerely hope that an extended period of silence will not occur anytime soon.

It is with very good reason that it has been 'dark' on the blog site.  I have been diligently working on the paperwork and projects that encompass my commissioning process in the United Methodist Church.  The best way I feel I can describe the process is to compare it to a dissertation process.  Granted, I have not been through a dissertation process, but I sure feel like I have with this one!  I had to answer about 24 questions - some with multiple sections - with various theological, cultural, and personal twists.  It really is quite an endeavor, but I have to say that I appreciate the level of accountability to which UMC ministers are held. 

And as I was proofing (and re-proofing, and re-proofing) into the wee hours of the morning, it dawned on me how many people crossed my path (and/or I crossed theirs) in order for me to able to accomplish this task.  I truly cannot mention them all, because there are so many!  And I realize the many gifts - visible signs of God's love - that I have been blessed with over the last 6+ years.  The amount of family, friends, professors, colleagues, pastors, mentors, etc., etc., etc. that were involved along my journey is mind boggling. 

And this is how God intends for all of us to live - in community.  I recently read something that I found profound and beautiful: Companionship gives human form to the movement of the Spirit

(Paraphrased from Craig Rennebohm with David Paul, Souls in the Hands of a Tender God: Stories of the Search for Home and Healing on the Streets (Boston, MA: Beacon Press, 2008), 46.)

Companionship.  This word finds its root in the Latin cum panis, which literally means 'with bread.'  And for those of you who know me, I believe one of the best ways to make friends is to break bread with each other.  Because we get to know one another's stories when we eat together.  We often let down our guards at the dinner table, open up a little more, share food, and we share ourselves.  This is how companionships start and how they are maintained. 

Thinking back on the amount of people involved in my commissioning process, I see that I have broken bread with nearly every person.  And I think about the stories, the laughs, the tears, the frustrations, the food, and the company we shared.  This is companionship; this is not living life alone; this is giving up the illusion that I am strong enough not to need anyone else.  If I think that I can live this life alone, I fool myself.  But not only that, I rob myself of the gift of other people.  And, I rob other people of the gift of me.  Sometimes I have a hard time thinking of myself as a gift.  But I realize that I am part of God's mysterious creation.  And the fact that I can't find the On/Off switch on me highlights that I am a unique gift - one that is not meant to be hidden, but shared with all the other unique gifts in this world.

So...my sincere thanks goes out to all the unique gifts who have shared their lives with me.  I cannot express how grateful I am to include you as my companions.  I owe each of you more than I can repay, but I also know that you're not keeping score.  Well...some of you might be :-). 

I'll keep you informed as to how this all plays out.  Everything has been mailed out, and the next step is the face-to-face interviews with the Board of Ordained Ministry.  That'll be in March.

Till then...I'll keep bloggin.

Confessions of a Slackard - Part 2...or Discipleship (Whichever You Prefer)

The reason I title my post "Confessions of a Slackard - Part 2" is because I haven't posted for a while.  Too long, in fact.  And I haven't actually been a slackard; I have been up to my elbows doing lots of things in the church and in the community.  Still...bad pastor, bad pastor.  No chips for you.

Anyway, I have recently been teaching the 6th graders in our church in the Confirmation class.  Now, if you're like me and didn't grow up in church, you might not know what Confirmation is.  In a nutshell, in United Methodism, most kids are baptized as babies and obviously don't remember their baptisms (on a side note, the subject of baptism could and should be another whole post).  So when they reach the sixth grade, they are given the opportunity to learn about the church, their faith, and their beliefs.  After the whole process is completed, they make professions of faith and are Confirmed into the church.  Pretty cool! 

But Confirmation is just the beginning; sorry about that confirmands.  You thought you'd be done after the Confirmation process.  But in reality...it's only a part of the process of being a disciple.  As I mentioned to the confirmands this past Sunday, discipleship is more than just knowing a story or two about Jesus.  To be a follower of Jesus, a disciple, we have to learn in depth about God/Jesus/Holy Spirit.  We must be intentional about our daily devotions, our worship times, the compassion we share, and our working toward justice for everyone. 

And know that what we do as a disciple isn't easy.  In fact...it's downright difficult - seemingly impossible - at times.  Consider these words from Jesus (from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 14):

 ²⁸ “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? ²⁹ For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, ³⁰ saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’
   ³¹ “Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? ³² If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. ³³ In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.

Now I don't know about you, but last I checked, I haven't given up (gulp) everything.  These are some tough words from Jesus.  Jesus is letting us know that the cost of discipleship is HIGH!  These words allude to the fact that being a disciple is not easy.  And I'll have to say, being a disciple isn't easy, but it is rewarding.  Granted, we don't become disciples for an "attaboy or attagirl."  We become disciples because God gets our attention, speaks to our spirits, and puts the desire in our hearts to reconnect with God.  Discipleship allows us the chance to regain the image of God we lost.  Remember - we were made in the image of God, but some of the things I think and do...I can tell you...are not reflecting God's image.  But as a disciple, I look to the One who teaches me to turn the other cheek, walk the extra mile, love my enemies as well as my friends, and be willing to get my hands dirty building community. 

Discipleship isn't easy, but neither is life.  But God does not leave us alone.  God is committed to our human condition and is willing to walk with us along the journey, and teach us higher and better ways so that we can truly be called disciples. 

Confessions of a Slackard

Although it's been a while since I've posted a blog, despite the title of this one, I actually have not been slacking off.  I've just allowed myself to believe that I've been too busy to write.  Granted, I have been very busy over the last few weeks.  I'm still working on my commissioning papers for my ordination process.  I have to answer a lot of questions, write and present a sermon, write and present a Sunday school class, and other stuff.  It feels kinda like what I think a dissertation defense would feel like.  And I've been teaching Sunday school classes, and visiting folks in the hospital and at their houses, and working on this coming Sunday's services (because I have to film this one for my ordination process), blah, blah, blah, etc., etc., etc. 

I'm not complaining at all.  Nor am I trying to gain sympathy.  I'm just explaining to myself the reasons I haven't carved out time to write...or run much...or work out...or have quiet time to listen to God.  So right now this is my quiet time - on a rainy Friday afternoon while I'm in my office.  As I look out my windows I can see how beautiful the leaves are on the trees.  I think the bright orange ones are my favorites this year.  And there's a chill in the air today.  Today's the perfect rainy fall day where you just want to curl up on the couch with a big 'ol blanket ( or three) and read a huge book while drinking lots of hot coffee (or tea) and eating lots of soup.  I think nature is reminding me today to slow down, breathe, enjoy the journey, and be still and know that God is God.  Thanks nature.

So as I listen to God, I thank God for my family, my friends, my job, all the great people at the church and in my life,  the change of seasons, for music and all creative expressions, for love, for coffee, for children, for overcoming obstacles, for togetherness, for the french horn, for the unknown experiences yet to discover along the journey, for those already lived, for Junior Mints, for ministry dogs, for past kittys, and for peace of mind, soul, body, and spirit knowing that I am not here to solve all the world's problems.  I am here to walk with my fellow humans, remind us of our infinite worth and dignity, celebrate together, weep together, accept people for who they are and love, and try my darndest to imitate the radically loving character of my God. 

Dirty Laundry...

Well...with a title like this, you might be expecting some juicy tidbits of gossip, or some low-down on myself.  Sorry to disappoint you on that front, but what I want to talk about is the amazing amount of "dirty laundry" that can be found when reading the Bible.  Yes...the Bible. 

I have been reading the book of Genesis again, and, although I have read the book numerous times, I am still amazed at some of the off-the-wall, strange, and downright boneheaded things that we humans sometimes do.  For example - take Abraham and Isaac.  No, I'm not talking about when Abraham was about to sacrifice Isaac.  That is a pretty amazing story of faith and courage.  I can't even imagine being willing to offer my child as a sacrifice to God (though technically, I do everyday.  She's not mine - but God's...but that's another blog post).  I'm talking about BOTH Abraham and Isaac telling people that their wives were their sisters!  I know that they were both scared of being killed by their enemies, but c'mon!  They put their wives in serious danger.  They compromised their dignity.  Did they really not trust God enough?  Guess not at the moment. 

Then there's Lot's daughters who both slept with their father in order to get pregnant.  They both thought the world had pretty much ended after Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed. 

And there's Jacob, later named Israel, and his momma Rebekah.  She concocted a scheme to cheat her other twin son out of an inheritance so that her favorite son could get it all so that SHE would taken care of later in life.  Hmmm...

Let's not forget Jacob (again) and his uncle Laban.  Laban cheated Jacob 10 times in about 20 years on his wages.  Laban also agreed to let his nephew Jacob marry his daughter Rachel, but then cunningly switched his other daughter Leah for Rachel.  In today's terms, all I can say is Ewwwwww!  Oh yeah, he eventually gave both of his daughters to his nephew!

But Jacob got Laban back, because he told him that he would only take the spotted, striped, and speckled animals as a parting payment (because they were considered unusual).  Yet, somehow, Jacob was able to have mostly spotted, striped, and speckled animals born to him.  Oh, that tricky trickster! 

Then the battle over who's gonna have the most children - Leah or Rachel.  Leah gets a head start...pulls ahead on the child count...so Rachel lets Jacob sleep with her servant in order to get a child...then Leah keeps birthing kids...then lets Jacob sleep with her servant for more kids...then Rachel has a son, then a daughter...AAAAAHHHHH.. I can't keep it all straight!  

Jerry Springer's got nothing on the Bible!!!

My points are twofold.  First: our sacred text is not afraid to air people's dirty laundry.  The Bible reminds us that we are humans.  We err, we endanger, we trick, we steal, we kill, yada, yada, yada.  Our text is not filled with perfect people with superhuman perfect lives.  It's mostly full of people like you and me who trip and stumble along our paths of life.

Which brings me to my second point: how does God react to all this dirty laundry?  What does God do in the midst of people trying to fulfill God's promise for God?  God laughs.  Really.  You won't read this explicitly in the Bible.  But God laughs at us...and with us, and cries, and hopes, and encourages, and guides, and directs, and loves us unconditionally, and never, ever, ever, leaves us alone.  This is amazing!  We have done everything possible to separate ourselves from God, but God never leaves us.  God is always ready with arms open wide to accept us as we are!  We don't have to come to God as perfect superhuman saints.  God merely wants us to come, to trust, to accept, and to let go, so that we can live dynamic lives. 

God takes us with our dirty laundry and wants us to take each other, complete with dirty laundry, not to exploit or make fun of one another.  But instead, God wants us to accept one another, celebrate our differences, and help carry each others' burdens - just like God does with us.

Let's break out the washboards, my friends!

I Am Spiritual, Not Religious...

Have you ever heard someone say, "I am spiritual, not religious?"  Perhaps you have thought this or said this of yourself.  I know I have said this in the past, for my own reasons.  Recently, I've had a number of people ask me what this means.  Here's my best attempt.

For the most part, I think people use this statement when they believe they have a belief and a connection with God, a higher power, etc., but don't want to be lumped into a group of people believed to be holier-than-thou, or those who say one thing but do another.  Maybe they don't want to be seen as a "churchy" type person who attends services where lots of people don't understand what's going on.  At least, this is the case for me when I used to profess this. 

But over the last few years, I have a new found understanding of spirituality and religion.  For me, spirituality is my relationship with God - my belief, my connection.  Religion is the way in which I express my spirituality to God and to others.  In my case it is Christianity, the United Methodist church, attending church services, serving to the community, and (hopefully) reflecting the character of God in what I do.  So now I am not ashamed to say that I am spiritual and I am religious. 

Again, I think most people use this statement as a defense against religion(s) gone astray.  They don't want to be associated with the bad parts of religion.  Maybe they want to be seen as part of a better way, a higher way, a spiritual but not rigid belief system that is truly loving, giving, and accepting of all people no matter what.  I like to think this of myself.

However, I realize that I am included in the not-so-good parts of religion(s), just as much as I am a part of a society whose past is stained with hatred, segregation, and killing.  Just because I try to treat people with dignity, respect, and equality doesn't mean that racism, sexism, ageism, and religious persecution doesn't exist today.  Sadly it does.  Our culture is a result of countless "isms," and religion still goes astray at times. 

Jesus had lots to say to people who claimed to be religious - those who thought themselves to be higher and better than others.  These people were so busy touting their "authority" and "position" that they did not recognize that the Creator had (in the words of Eugene Peterson) moved into the neighborhood.  They didn't understand that Jesus came to show us where to focus our attention - on loving God the Creator, and loving God's creation.  They focused on religion, and religion went astray. 

So I think it is okay to be religious - as long as it is not religiosity.  We need to guard against religion that covertly or overtly separates, segregates, oppresses, and creates hierarchies.  And I think those who see themselves as spiritual, not religious can embrace religion as a chosen expression of how they reflect their spirituality. 

If we want the definition of religion to change, then we (paraphrasing Gandhi) need to be the change.  We are all part of change. 

Renewing Our Minds

One thing I like about being United Methodist is what we call our connectionalism.  That's just a big fancy-shmansy word reminding us that we are not in this life alone.  We are not created for individualism; we are created for connection and community.  Yet, our western culture screams at us to look out for number one; what's in it for me?; me, me, me...  I still get caught up in this type of thinking.  I'll be honest, I've had a lot of practice throughout my life - not that I'm proud of that.

But...I'm a part of this culture.  I can't escape it; it's all around me.  And that's okay.  God intended me to live in a culture.  That's part of the human experience.  But, I don't have to let the culture overtake me.  Lately I've been pondering the question, "what makes the church any different than any other organization?"  Our youth director further cements this thought when he tells the youth, "anyone can what we do; what makes us any different?" 

I think part of what makes the church different (or at least it should) is that it is (should be) a place where we renew our minds - and hearts and souls.  In Paul's letter to the Romans (12.2), he writes, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that you may discern what is the will of God..."  So church should be the place where we learn how to renew our thoughts - to learn God's ways - so that our hearts are transformed, so that our actions are transformed into ones that reflect the character and will of God.  The will of God.  Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  As it is (already being done) in heaven.  Wow! 

And when I say church is the place where we renew our minds, I don't just mean a building.  I mean church the people; church the connection; church the community.  We're human; therefore, we live and experience life in human ways.  The church should be radical and should offer radical hospitality and radical love - like Jesus.  The church should not reflect the culture - that's what other groups do.  We're created to reflect our Creator.  We live in the culture, but don't need to be conformed to the culture.  We need to live in the culture, yet reflect the character of God - radical hospitality and radical love. 

We are all given daily opportunities to offer radical hospitality and love - even if we don't recognize it.  Allowing someone to cut in front of us in traffic might not seem like radical hospitality, but most of us don;'t think to offer the spot.  Our time is important; we need to get to where we're going.  But...so is the person's who cuts in front of me.  Stopping everything I'm doing in order to have lunch with someone who desperately needs a positive influence in their life might not seem like radical love.  But.. to the person whose life is full of violence and chaos, it might just be the few minutes of respite and respect they need.

Renew our minds: contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers; pray for those who might be making our lives miserable; take the time to learn that behind someone's "undesirable" behavior is a life's story full of contributing factors that no one sees.  Practice peace. 

May your mind be renewed and encouraged today.