In my life I have learned to love discordant sounds.
In my first church they used to sing before Sunday School.
The first time I heard it, they sounded bad to my ears.
Three years later, as I began the journey away from that congregation,
that same group and that same singing sounded ever so beautiful.
Now I have red breasted woodpecker in my back yard.
When I first heard her song, it sure sounded silly compared to the other birds.
Now both she and her song are ever so dear to me.
And so it is with differing voices in society and the church.
It is sort of difficult to take different stances and have differing opinions.
But I really do appreciate living in a country and being in a church
who seek to freely and passionately wrestle with ideas, try to find common ground, and at times agree to disagree.
That is becoming a sweet song and sound to me.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Day of Thanks
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and there are many things for which I am thankful.
That is all I need, really. Everything else flows from these three things. Thank you, Lord, for what you have given me.
- My church. We are going through some trying times financially and emotionally. But I am thankful for wonderful Sunday worship and fellow Christians to join on our spiritual journey.
- My family. I have two great daughters who I know will one day be two great women. I'm proud of them. My wife deserves all the credit, of course!
- My job. I have a great job that I love, and although I'm behind the scenes, the college helps people find a better life through higher education. We are truly changing lives.
That is all I need, really. Everything else flows from these three things. Thank you, Lord, for what you have given me.
Friday, November 06, 2009
Freedom of Personal Religious Expression
Last week, a worker at a Home Depot Okeechobee, Florida was fired for wearing a button during working hours that read "One Nation Under God" and sported an American Flag. (See article in the Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel)
At least that's what he would like for you to think.
Home Depot employees wear orange vests. The company gives buttons to employees to wear that feature Home Depot products and services. There is a specific and clear company policy that bars all employees from wearing non-company sponsored buttons.
The ex-employee claims he wore the button for a year, that a supervisor commented favorably about it, and implies that it didn't become a problem until he started reading his Bible during his lunch break. The incident has all the elements to get people riled up: God, country and flag.
The bottom line is, this individual is wrong, and it saddens me that he is wrapping himself in the flag and the Bible while asking for special treatment.
Yes, it's true! Christians do have the right to express their religious belief in the workplace. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 lists religious expression as protected speech. However, employers such as Home Depot also have rights. They have a right to control the work environment and insure that business continues unimpeded.
In the years since 1964, a body of case law has developed specifically concerning personal religious expression in the workplace, and that defines the balance between employee and employer rights in that area. (Find more information at The Christian Law Association, American Center for Law and Justice, and First Amendment Center).
Simply put, Home Depot's button policy is not discriminatory. No one can wear personal buttons - NO ONE. When a policy is applied equally, there is no discrimination. If Home Depot did allow employees to wear personal buttons, and this employee was told he couldn't wear a religious button, THAT would be discrimination. What this employee is asking for is to be a special exception. Here is his most telling admission:
"I want to be a voice for the rest of the Christians and for the citizens of this country to stand up for the country. You know, quit being told to sit down. Say what you want to say and don't be afraid of the consequences." It's obvious to me that he planned this confrontation from the beginning, knowing exactly what the consequences would be.
Maybe God wanted him at Home Depot to minister to his fellow employees. Instead he chose to make himself a media celebrity. What a shame. He does not speak for me, as a Christian and a citizen of this country.
At least that's what he would like for you to think.
Home Depot employees wear orange vests. The company gives buttons to employees to wear that feature Home Depot products and services. There is a specific and clear company policy that bars all employees from wearing non-company sponsored buttons.
The ex-employee claims he wore the button for a year, that a supervisor commented favorably about it, and implies that it didn't become a problem until he started reading his Bible during his lunch break. The incident has all the elements to get people riled up: God, country and flag.
The bottom line is, this individual is wrong, and it saddens me that he is wrapping himself in the flag and the Bible while asking for special treatment.
Yes, it's true! Christians do have the right to express their religious belief in the workplace. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 lists religious expression as protected speech. However, employers such as Home Depot also have rights. They have a right to control the work environment and insure that business continues unimpeded.
In the years since 1964, a body of case law has developed specifically concerning personal religious expression in the workplace, and that defines the balance between employee and employer rights in that area. (Find more information at The Christian Law Association, American Center for Law and Justice, and First Amendment Center).
Simply put, Home Depot's button policy is not discriminatory. No one can wear personal buttons - NO ONE. When a policy is applied equally, there is no discrimination. If Home Depot did allow employees to wear personal buttons, and this employee was told he couldn't wear a religious button, THAT would be discrimination. What this employee is asking for is to be a special exception. Here is his most telling admission:
"I want to be a voice for the rest of the Christians and for the citizens of this country to stand up for the country. You know, quit being told to sit down. Say what you want to say and don't be afraid of the consequences." It's obvious to me that he planned this confrontation from the beginning, knowing exactly what the consequences would be.
Maybe God wanted him at Home Depot to minister to his fellow employees. Instead he chose to make himself a media celebrity. What a shame. He does not speak for me, as a Christian and a citizen of this country.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
The New Oubache
This blog was orginally created to be an online meeting place for a cohort of Emergent Christians who were unable to meet physically. Then it became Craig LaSeur's blog. He wrote from within the Spirit. He wrote about his travels. He wrote about his parents. Then he "just stopped."
Now, I hope to begin.
I've always wanted to write a blog. I started one once, about girls' travel softball. It turned out rather badly. Then I found Facebook, where I could communicate in a way that I was accustomed. On Facebook, I'm able to share links to information I find on the web, the books I'm reading and the music I'm listening to. Plus I can interact with friends near and far in a way that blogs just are not designed to do.
I turned 50 this year. I'm not sure if that has anything to do with jumping back into the blog pool, but now I find I need a place for longer thoughts that I don't want to appear on my Facebook profile. I'll probably still post about music and books and events, but in a deeper way.
I will write about the blues, religion, marketing, leadership, softball (and high school sports). Maybe I'll just post about whatever pops into my mind.
I'll try not to upset anyone, but please feel free to comment and respond however you feel.
So I have retained the Oubache title for what I hope to be "my" blog. Craig has an open invitation to return and post any time he feels the need.
And by the way, "Oubache" (Wee-BAW-Shee) is the French spelling for the Native American pronunciation of the Wabash River, the river that flows through the region where I was born, grew up and essentially never left.
Now, I hope to begin.
I've always wanted to write a blog. I started one once, about girls' travel softball. It turned out rather badly. Then I found Facebook, where I could communicate in a way that I was accustomed. On Facebook, I'm able to share links to information I find on the web, the books I'm reading and the music I'm listening to. Plus I can interact with friends near and far in a way that blogs just are not designed to do.
I turned 50 this year. I'm not sure if that has anything to do with jumping back into the blog pool, but now I find I need a place for longer thoughts that I don't want to appear on my Facebook profile. I'll probably still post about music and books and events, but in a deeper way.
I will write about the blues, religion, marketing, leadership, softball (and high school sports). Maybe I'll just post about whatever pops into my mind.
I'll try not to upset anyone, but please feel free to comment and respond however you feel.
So I have retained the Oubache title for what I hope to be "my" blog. Craig has an open invitation to return and post any time he feels the need.
And by the way, "Oubache" (Wee-BAW-Shee) is the French spelling for the Native American pronunciation of the Wabash River, the river that flows through the region where I was born, grew up and essentially never left.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Shalom
I am done writing this blog.
Do you remember in the movie when Forrest Gump ran and ran back and forth across the nation from the Atlantic to the Pacific and then...finally...just...stopped.
Well, I just stopped.
Been writing these about weekly for a number of years now. I'm done.
There's was a time for the Qubache Blog, and there is now not a time.
Thanks to Tom for getting it started and those of you who have been reading.
Let us remember to
Love God,
Love our neighbors especially the wounded ones,
Love our families,
Love our selves,
and love and serve the kingdom that God is so faithfully creating even in the midst of the craziness.
Shalom,
Craig
Do you remember in the movie when Forrest Gump ran and ran back and forth across the nation from the Atlantic to the Pacific and then...finally...just...stopped.
Well, I just stopped.
Been writing these about weekly for a number of years now. I'm done.
There's was a time for the Qubache Blog, and there is now not a time.
Thanks to Tom for getting it started and those of you who have been reading.
Let us remember to
Love God,
Love our neighbors especially the wounded ones,
Love our families,
Love our selves,
and love and serve the kingdom that God is so faithfully creating even in the midst of the craziness.
Shalom,
Craig
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
a day
Sleeping....being re-created, dreaming, silence, wholeness.
Waking...slowly, coffee, morning God focus, fixing up the body, more coffee.
Working...organizing, planning, communicating, computing and phoning, loving, challenging, doing team, doing one's little part to make a difference, making it through all the stuff with God's grace.
Being with my loved ones...sharing meals, conversing, serving, doing chores, laughing, getting on the same page, supporting, entering into each others worlds.
Moments of sabbath...reading, walking, celebrating the creation, music, tv, movies, traveling, embracing God.
Dreaming...remembering the big picture, trusting The Force to give direction, believing the good news of God's way for the planet being greater than the very real bad news.
Waking...slowly, coffee, morning God focus, fixing up the body, more coffee.
Working...organizing, planning, communicating, computing and phoning, loving, challenging, doing team, doing one's little part to make a difference, making it through all the stuff with God's grace.
Being with my loved ones...sharing meals, conversing, serving, doing chores, laughing, getting on the same page, supporting, entering into each others worlds.
Moments of sabbath...reading, walking, celebrating the creation, music, tv, movies, traveling, embracing God.
Dreaming...remembering the big picture, trusting The Force to give direction, believing the good news of God's way for the planet being greater than the very real bad news.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Memorial Day
I remember the love of my doggie Jamie.
I remember the courage, discipline, and sacrifice of soldiers.
I remember my grandma telling me if I kept rubbing my eyes they might fall out
and my preacher grandpa intentionally sneezing real loud to scare some girls walking down the street
I remember Sara and Ray Davis from my papa's church who were like my grandparents.
I remember Matthew who performed a horrendous crime...and I'm so sorry.
I remember Kathryn who made a homemade strawberry pie and had it waiting for us in the fridge when we moved into our first home.
I remember Todd who died at age 13, and I got mad at God.
I remember Jim, Dane, Bob, and so many more.
And I remember Jeshua.
Thanks to all of you who have blessed my life and the lives of so many more.
I remember.
I remember the courage, discipline, and sacrifice of soldiers.
I remember my grandma telling me if I kept rubbing my eyes they might fall out
and my preacher grandpa intentionally sneezing real loud to scare some girls walking down the street
I remember Sara and Ray Davis from my papa's church who were like my grandparents.
I remember Matthew who performed a horrendous crime...and I'm so sorry.
I remember Kathryn who made a homemade strawberry pie and had it waiting for us in the fridge when we moved into our first home.
I remember Todd who died at age 13, and I got mad at God.
I remember Jim, Dane, Bob, and so many more.
And I remember Jeshua.
Thanks to all of you who have blessed my life and the lives of so many more.
I remember.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
I Stand Before the Wonder
Wow. Life!
Sight, sound, music, family, tough challenges and grace enough, giving love.
Blue skies and green trees and all of this on a ball flinging thru space.
The stories and memories of our life, our story as it's unfolding now, the stories in books and film, the stories of our family and friends, the stories of the ages, The Story.
I am alive!
I am filled with wonder, and hope.
May we turn up the music and dance.
Jeshua, shine in us and through us. Help us to see and love the wounded ones.
Help us be ourselves and celebrate diversity and yet be united to make a difference.
Drink the coffee, read the book, read the Book, bend on the knee, taste the wine,
walk in the creation, love that family, work hard, and most of all
allow God to use us to whisper and shout and be good news to a world often full and focused on other kinds of news.
Saturday, May 09, 2009
Some powerful books I've recently read are:
A Team of Rivals by Doris Goodwin about Abraham Lincoln. It brings this incredible man's life, colleagues, and times alive.
The Book of God by Walter Wangerin. It's the Bible in narrative form. It is written in a beautiful manner and kept me close to God.
The Unlikely Disciple/A Sinner's Semester at America's Holiest University by Kevin Roose. A journalism student from a liberal university, Roose spends a semester at Jerry Falwell's Liberty University. This book brings you closer to understanding God's kingdom and is entirely fun!
Thank God for good books!
Saturday, May 02, 2009
disciple in the kingdom
I have been dealing with a lot of very complicated matters
with churches and pastors.
I've been tested by fire.
To keep becoming a follower of Jesus and his ways
we sometimes are called to go through the narrow gate,
and for this fat little french man, that ain't always easy.
But oh my, once we squeeze through
by working the problem one step at a time,
praying on our knees,
trusting the team,
and being surprised by heaps of beautiful grace,
the view on the other side looks like the kingdom of heaven on earth.
with churches and pastors.
I've been tested by fire.
To keep becoming a follower of Jesus and his ways
we sometimes are called to go through the narrow gate,
and for this fat little french man, that ain't always easy.
But oh my, once we squeeze through
by working the problem one step at a time,
praying on our knees,
trusting the team,
and being surprised by heaps of beautiful grace,
the view on the other side looks like the kingdom of heaven on earth.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Good News
Jesus came to be and proclaim the good news of God's kingdom.
I pray that today the good news of God's love, power, and purpose, be with you
no matter what may come your way.
As Bishop White announced,
"God is good,
all the time!
All the time,
God is good!"
Amen.
I pray that today the good news of God's love, power, and purpose, be with you
no matter what may come your way.
As Bishop White announced,
"God is good,
all the time!
All the time,
God is good!"
Amen.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
An Answer to the Questions
Can I make it? Can I hang in there? What is it that holds my life together?
And what is the call upon my life? These are the clear and loud questions I always hear and struggle to answer.
Today the answer I hear is, "Follow me and further the Jesus/Kingdom movement."
So what? Why is this a compelling call which makes the difference to me or anyone else?
I want to follow the Christ wherever he leads me to be about his kind of loving.
I want to do my part in this moment in history to further the Jesus/Kingdom movement.
It is an alive thing, a new thing, an adventure, and about Jesus' love to the broken and the furthering of the kingdom of God.
I must know. I must know. I must know... who I am... why I am...and the heart of I Am.
There's a call on my life and that provides joy, energy, focus, and an understanding that I really do have a place and a role to play.
My papa has always said that the fundamental question for all people is, Am I worthy?" I believe that today I hear God give an answer to that and other questions.
And what is the call upon my life? These are the clear and loud questions I always hear and struggle to answer.
Today the answer I hear is, "Follow me and further the Jesus/Kingdom movement."
So what? Why is this a compelling call which makes the difference to me or anyone else?
I want to follow the Christ wherever he leads me to be about his kind of loving.
I want to do my part in this moment in history to further the Jesus/Kingdom movement.
It is an alive thing, a new thing, an adventure, and about Jesus' love to the broken and the furthering of the kingdom of God.
I must know. I must know. I must know... who I am... why I am...and the heart of I Am.
There's a call on my life and that provides joy, energy, focus, and an understanding that I really do have a place and a role to play.
My papa has always said that the fundamental question for all people is, Am I worthy?" I believe that today I hear God give an answer to that and other questions.
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
Holy Week
The last week of Christ on earth.
He spoke and lived peace and forgiveness vs violence and hate.
He died the way he lived which was to give us a perfect glimpse of the kingdom of God.
He confronted the religious.
He spent time with his friends/disciples around the table and washed their feet.
He taught the parables about God's way.
He brought healing to the broken.
He was executed.
Behold the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
He rose.
Behold the risen Lord who gives us strength today to live his way.
THIS holy week.
This HOLY week.
This holy WEEK.
THIS HOLY WEEK.
May it be so.
He spoke and lived peace and forgiveness vs violence and hate.
He died the way he lived which was to give us a perfect glimpse of the kingdom of God.
He confronted the religious.
He spent time with his friends/disciples around the table and washed their feet.
He taught the parables about God's way.
He brought healing to the broken.
He was executed.
Behold the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
He rose.
Behold the risen Lord who gives us strength today to live his way.
THIS holy week.
This HOLY week.
This holy WEEK.
THIS HOLY WEEK.
May it be so.
Friday, April 03, 2009
A Good Thing
My wife Joy and I went to visit my parents last night in their new home called Heritage Pointe. They have been there for 8 months now...and love it. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
We took them to the 2A lounge where three dudes were playing music and singing old songs for the residents. One guy is called "the piano man," and there is a guy who plays snare and cymbal, and a sax player. I know two of these guys because they attend one of our churches. These musicians and their spouses have been coming into this nursing home playing music and handing out treats and love for 15 years now! They play and sing old songs that the folks know and love. They mess around telling jokes that even get nicely non-pious like the one where the father told his son he should become a Methodist...the son asked him why...the dad said ...well when you find four of them together...you usually find a "fifth!"...and the drummer hits the cymbal.
But what I found there was a tremendous sense of community....and the kingdom. Older people having fun, connecting with old songs and memories, coming out of their rooms into a place filled with others, joy, songs of faith, and life!
In the beginning God created life...and said it was good!
God is still creating good things in the 2A lounge.
We took them to the 2A lounge where three dudes were playing music and singing old songs for the residents. One guy is called "the piano man," and there is a guy who plays snare and cymbal, and a sax player. I know two of these guys because they attend one of our churches. These musicians and their spouses have been coming into this nursing home playing music and handing out treats and love for 15 years now! They play and sing old songs that the folks know and love. They mess around telling jokes that even get nicely non-pious like the one where the father told his son he should become a Methodist...the son asked him why...the dad said ...well when you find four of them together...you usually find a "fifth!"...and the drummer hits the cymbal.
But what I found there was a tremendous sense of community....and the kingdom. Older people having fun, connecting with old songs and memories, coming out of their rooms into a place filled with others, joy, songs of faith, and life!
In the beginning God created life...and said it was good!
God is still creating good things in the 2A lounge.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
This is the site where our doggie Jamie is buried.
I'll plant flowers later this spring.
Even though his spirit lives on in many beautiful ways,
there's something important and sacred about locating his body and this resting place.
This makes me think of Jesus.
His Spirit is alive, strong, and not contained,
but we also have the need to locate him in certain buildings, rituals, and pages of sacred scripture....and that too is good.
So, I go to the green shed to remember the little beast.
I go to the pages to remember the itinerant preacher, healer, and Savior.
But both their spirits cannot be contained even in my little heart.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Joy and I will be moving this coming December back to the Lafayette area.
We will be living by Battleground.
I will be supervising about 130 churches.
Joy will begin her career as a Speech Therapist.
Marion has been good. This time of our life is good.
Through the grace of God we placed my folks in the caring hands of Heritage Pointe.
We are near Rachel Marie at Ball State, and Joy is attending the University as well.
I am being changed by my wonderful pastors and churches and hopefully making a difference in someone's life and the world.
We have made good friends here.
We laid to rest the tiny, beautiful creature called Jamie.
The river down the hill has and is good to be near.
But we will be moving near another river relatively soon.
Life, like the river, is a beautiful, winding, and mysterious journey.
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
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Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Very Near
Winter and Lent are here.
Spring and Easter are coming.
Amen.
PS That's my Jamie down there. His spirit is very near.
Spring and Easter are coming.
Amen.
PS That's my Jamie down there. His spirit is very near.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Jamie David LaSuer
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Our doggie Jamie is dying.
He is a 14 years old miniature daschund.
He has helped raise our children.
He has played with them, protected them, and poured his unending love into them and everyone else. And we have given Jamie much love and 10,000 kisses!
Joy and I have probably walked with him a thousand miles through woods, neighborhoods, and along the river.
He is black with brown spots around his eyes, paws, and nose....a cutie.
He has had a favorite toy which is a squeaky bone.
He loved getting presents, especially from my mom, and would put his nose deep into the present to see what he was getting.
I love him so very dearly.
I thank God for Jamie, this most marvelous God creation.
I am sad, but I am truly thankful for the gift of his life.
I plan to stay connected to his spirit.
This week, we are loving, spoiling, and drinking him in.
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