Bring It On!

Man, I love fall time.
The cooling of days and nights
and the pure beauty of the changing leaves
are quite a gift.
I cherish the combinations of colors like orange and brown, green and gold, yellow and red.
Fires at night.
Sweaters.
Change.
New Beginnings.
A little bit of the old along with the new.
Bring it on Creator of the seasons
of the earth and in our lives.

The Barbarian Way

I've just finished reading The Barbarian Way by Erwin McManus, which was also the basis for a sermon series at my church. McManus writes that the Christian church has become too civilized, and we must return to the barbarian way of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ. My favorite part of the book reads:

"Somehow Christianity has become a nonmystical religion. It's about a resonable faith. If we believe the right things, then we are orthodox. Frankly whether we ever actually connect to God or experience his undeniable presence has become incidental, if not irrelevant. We have become believers rather than experiencers. To know God in the Scriptures always went beyond information to intimacy. We may find ourselves uncomfortable with this reality, but the faith of the Scriptures is a mystical faith. It leads us beyond the material world into an invisible reality. We become connected to the God of eternity. Who you are at the core of the spirit. God is Spirit. To walk with God is to journey in the spiritual realm."

God, help me be not just a believer, but an experiencer. I've spent many years (maybe too many) reading the Bible, and reading and hearing what other people think and say about the Bible. I'm done with Believing, I want to Experience! I want to walk with You in the Spirit. Amen.

9-11

So much hurt remains in many hearts from that horrific day.
And so much pain has been inflicted since.
Oh our God, there is so much brokeness and suffering in humanity.
Yet, there was, and also remains, so much nobility amidst the struggle.
Teach us to love, understand, forgive, protect, and carry on with you to bring forth your kingdom.
I hope your Word to those lost and to our world is "I am the God of love and hope, and my way is ultimately in charge."

Amazing Slideshow

A friend shared this slideshow with me. The photography is just amazing! Here is a sample of the incredible images. Go to the link below to see the slideshow.

Reflections of Christ

Saved

We had the best visit yet with my parents in the nursing home.
Joy and I went to see them with our daughter Rachel and our friends Kevin, Jennifer, and their 2 year old girl Pahdmae who is a cute little ball of light.
My mom and dad enjoyed all the company, and I believe and hope that they are beginning to make the adjustment to their new home. I love them so very much.
I praise God for this miracle, and I thank all my friends for their love and prayers.
The kingdom of God is like a family who was saved by Almighty God, the prayers of the community, and the workers in the nursing home who do their daily jobs with skill and kindness and treat the residents like Jesus himself.

Amazing! (At least to me)

Tears flow freely...tears when I'm deeply moved!
Grace sees me through again and again!
Listening to a great audio book...Into The Wild!
Watched a wonderful movie last night...Lars And The Real Girl!
Very cool Labor Day with best friends and our kids!
Start meeting again with Bishop and colleagues tomorrow!
Made a homemade pizza tonight!
My wife turns 54 this month!
My parents are in the nursing home!
The gospel of the kingdom is the one thing!
I SAW A SHOOTING STAR LAST NIGHT WHEN JOY,JAMIE, AND I WERE ON A WALK! AMAZING!!!

Kingdom Hearts

When I think about the kingdom of God, I think about the human "heart"
that spiritual place in the center of our being where God pours God's love.
I believe that place...our hearts...can become more and more like the heart of Jesus who certainly had a kingdom heart.

So as we go through the years and we keep hanging out with and following Jesus and his ways, our hearts become more and more a place where God's love can rule and reign.

Paul talked about having that kind of heart and it becomes filled with love expressed in the forms of gentleness, kindness, joy, peace, forgiveness, serving, and much more.

But the bottom line is that our heart becomes a force directed by the heart of God...
Loving Who God wants us to love,
Loving How God wants us to love,
Loving God first and neighbor, especially the wounded ones, second.

Come Rule. Come Reign. Come Love Through Us. Make Our Hearts Your Home!
And May Your Love... In Our Hearts... Make This... Your World!!!

An Underlying Reality Of Hope

Amidst the great beauty of this world, there is also much pain and death.
I do not clearly understand how the good and God win out in the end.
But if I chose to believe that there is not a greater good than all the bad, I would never again be a messenger of what the rabbi calls the "good news."
So...I do choose to hold on, with all my might, to the life view that the good, the beautiful, the just, and the final and resounding YES! will embrace the whole of humanity and the creation. How? That, I do not know.

But while we yet move and breathe and have our being on this earth, we are given the opportunity to make this view of life known to those around us and the world.
A mom steadfastly not giving up on a daughter who couldn't give a damn,
and a daughter finally giving a damn taking care of her aging mother,
The workers in a nursing home who care for people's fathers and mothers with kindness and dignity,
A soldier giving his life for his cause and country,
A former alcoholic giving his life to set others free from that same substance,
A baby whose innocence, smile, and trust warms ones heart,
A man hanging on a cross forgiving his murderers.

We both look for and choose to be the signs of an underlying reality of hope.

Finding Our Way Again by Brian McLaren

Brian McLaren's latest book is subtitled "The Return of the Ancient Practices." The book is the introductory volume of a series of books written by different Christian authors, called the Ancient Practices Series. The second volume, In Constant Prayer by Robert Benson, is also on bookstore shelves. Additional volumes will be published through 2010 and will cover the topics of sabbath, fasting, the sacred meal, the pilgrimage, the liturgical year, and tithing.

McLaren begins this book in his usual way - Christianity is broke and needs fixing. He paraphrases a quote by Dr. Peter Senge, that Christianity has become a system of belief in a world that is searching for a way of life. Brian also expresses one of his familiar dismays with the modern church - the emphasis on life after death at the expense of life on earth.

(I'm currently reading Surprised by Hope by N.T. Wright, who tackles "life after death" and the bodily resurrection in his book. I'll post a review - soon I hope!)

Brian's third opening point is that each of the Abrahamic faiths - Christianity, Judaism, and Islam - share these ancient practices. Brian suggests that this is a commonality that can be a springboard for constructive relationships among those faiths.

At the end of each chapter, Brian offers the reader some spiritual exercises that can be used individually or in a group. For instance, after the chapter titled Practicing The Way Of Jesus, Brian asks the reader, "To what degree would you describe yourself as a 'Jesus-y' person? What is the story behind your answer?"

Spiritual practices are put into three groups - contemplative, communal and missional. Brian explains how each are not only important to a Christian life, but are interdependent on spiritual growth. Brian then blames the decline in Christian church attendance on the imbalance of these spiritual practices found within churches, and predicts that if change isn't forthcoming, the church faces extinction. Quite a bold statement to make, but it's difficult to disagree with him, especially if you focus on North American Christianity.

In the third part of the book, Brian introduces the ancient process of katharsis, fotosis and theosis - each stage of the process prepares for the next. The way I understand it, "katharsis" is the purging of those things that get in the way of spiritual growth, such as lust, greed, and pride. "Fotosis" as Brian describes it "is about letting the light of God into our souls, our beings, our lives." "Theosis" is the "union of our nature with the nature of God."

That final part has stayed with me since I finished reading the book. I have been feeling disoriented in the past few months. The changes in my life and my family are accelerating at a rate that makes my head spin. As a result, I have not been much of a "Jesus-y" person. I need "katharsis" and I need it badly. At the Everything Must Change event, Brian stated that this book and his next book would be about Christian spirituality. I hope he expands on the themes of katharsis, fotosis and theosis in his next book.

Brian has taken us on yet another wild journey, but this time it's about us, and not so much the world (although "mission" is obviously emphasized in the book).

Stuff

Nothing profound to say tonight.

Saw Tropic Thunder today. Really fun movie.

Going to see my folks tomorrow at the nursing home.
Plan to take them to worship in the chapel, for a walk outside, and lunch in the dining room. Come Jesus Come and be with us.

Watching some of the Olympics.
We're all champions, aren't we? Survivors. Love-givers.
But the 41 year old swimmer receiving the silver medal. Cool stuff.

Joy and I just watched the movie August Rush. I cried. May we hear the music all around us.

A Mighty River of God

The kingdom of God is like a mighty river
A movement of love, truth, community, and justice.
It grows stronger through the ages as people receive it's healing waters
and decide to do their part to remove the obstacles to its flow into the future
that its Creator has in mind and heart.
I am presently watching the movie Amazing Grace which is about those in England who
took the radical stand to abolish slavery..to remove a huge ugly obstacle so that
the River could travel more swiftly and with more beauty.
Jesus used the analogy of a small seed becoming a great tree or a small amount of yeast traveling through the dough to make it the kind of bread it is meant to be.
This message and reality of the emerging kingdom of God is the one thing to which
the radical rabbi spoke, lived daily, and gave his life.
For this Cause...this Rabbi...this Mighty River of God
May we have a passion and a will to dedicate our lives.

Victims of Comfort

I listened to a Keb' Mo' CD today that I had not heard in a while. This song, which I had forgotten until now, spoke directly to my heart. It's on his first CD.

Victims of Comfort
by Keb' Mo'

No rocket's gonna fly that high.
There's no escaping the enemy. It's you and I.
We've poisoned up the water.
We're chokin' on the air.
Let's stop before it gets too late.
Or is it already too late? Is it already too late?

For the victims of comfort. Got no one else to blame,
We're just the victims of comfort, connoisseurs of pain.

It's a technological merry-go-round.
Dangerous illusions buried under the ground,
And everyone likes a party, but no one wants to clean.
Well I'd like to see a change somehow,
But I'm a little busy right now. Just a little busy right now.

I'm just a victim of comfort. I got no one else to blame,
I'm just a victim of comfort, a cryin' shame.

Oh and what do we got to lose? Everything.
Yes, and what do we stand to gain? Everything.
So let's try together before we have to cry together.
It's too soon to die together.

I'm just a victim of comfort. Got no one else to blame.
I'm just a victim of comfort, connoisseur of pain.
We were victims of comfort. Got no one else to blame.
I'm just a victim of comfort, cryin' shame.

Safe Vs. Unsafe People

I wrote a longer post on my blog, but I wanted to share this list with everyone that I came across recently:

unsafe people (and communities):

- think they ”have it all together”; no admitance of their weaknesses
- are defensive instead of open to feedback
- are self-righteous instead of humble
- only apologize instead of changing their behavior
- avoid working on their problems instead of dealing with them
- demand trust instead of earning it
- blame others instead of take responsibility
- lie instead of tell the truth
- remain stagnant instead of growing
- resist freedom instead of encouraging it
- flatter us instead of confronting us
- condemn us instead of forgiving us
- stay in parent/child roles instead of relating to us as equals
- unstable over time instead of being consistent
- gossip instead of keeping secrets

safe people (and communities):

- accept us just like we are
- love us no matter how we are being or what we do
- influence us to develop our ability to love and be responsible
- create love and good works within us
- give us an opportunity to grow & stretch & practice
- help us feel comfortable being “ourselves”, to be authentic
- allow us to become the us that God intended
- use their lives to touch ours and leave us better for it
- help us be more like Christ
- help us to like & love others more
- make the relationship more important than opinions
- receive instead of just give
- are humble & willing to say what they need
- are honest, kind & don’t pretend
- work through resistances instead of giving up

---------------------

Questions

- are you a safe or unsafe person ?
- are your associates safe or unsafe ?

Fear....and Courage

I've asked for prayers about placing my parents in the nursing home,and that has been a scary journey. Even now, because of their grief, it's sort of scary to visit them.
But getting in touch with this fear in my belly has made me think about others and their fear. I think now of the soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan and the fears they face daily....soldiers dying or being seriously wounded...or the need to kill another human being. My fears have been real, but their fear and the fear of countless others, are ten thousand times more.

Plus, speaking about fear, I was reading an article yesterday about Nelson Mandela and his thoughts on leadership. He was seen as a man who was fearless. There is a story of a plane he was on and it started having engine problems. People began to panic, but Mandela continued reading the paper. After they landed with success, he shared with a confidant that he'd been terrified. He desired to "show" courage to others which he had done again and again in so many situations like when he was imprisoned for 25 years.

May Christ make us courageous or at least able to handle it in such a way to inspire others to carry on.

All That Is Yes

My soul is a little sad today. My mom and dad, Jean and Don, are moved into the nursing home. It is certainly where they need to be because of the care that they require and were not receiving, but they are experiencing grief. I certainly can understand this because they are no longer in the home they loved, have less freedom, and believe this signals the road downhill toward death. They will most likely adjust over time and perhaps even flourish like a fireworks finale, and we will continue along with many others to offer much love and support. Yet, my soul is sort of sad because they are experiencing so much sadness.

Life is so very beautiful and precious but has times which are harsh. During all times, but especially during the difficult days, we must cling to the God who loves us so very much and to each other as well. And we must continue to believe...to trust that the Light is greater than the darkness or as Saint John proclaims, "The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."

My soul is a little sad but it continues to believe and it continues to lift my eyes to see the beautiful blue sky, the sun-filled green trees blowing in the wind, and all that is Yes!

In

My parents are in the nursing home!!!!! It is the miracle many have prayed for.
My mom is glad but my dad is mad.
But they are in a nice room in a facility with a very caring staff.
This is day 2 of the next chapter of their life, and it will be a long transition.
I praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Thank you for your love and prayers.

Help Needed Please

Dear brothers and sisters,

This coming Friday the 18th my family plans to place my parents in a nursing home. It is definitely time. But they do not know it is going to happen. My two brothers and I are very scared because we know that my mom will weep and my dad will be furious and probably put up a fight. Please pray for the presence of Almighty God and God's comforting Spirit be with my mommy and daddy on that day and the days to come. (and us too!)

My folks poured their love and ways into my life and the lives of many over the years. I pray that they may now reap what they have sowed.

I love U and pray that the Shalom of the One be with you and your family.

We have some bushes out back which I go out to visit once in a while. When I stop to look closely, I see all sorts of activity and life. I've seen butterflies on the flowers, beautiful green and yellow berries, and tiny bugs munching on the big leaves and having sex with one another.

Jesus said God's kingdom is like the life on this bush. He used examples like yeast helping transform the dough and a seed becoming a tree where the birds come to find rest. God's rule of love involves life, interaction, love, hidden power, beauty, and a way of inter-conncectedness and dependency in God's creation.

Rarely do I slow down to see the hidden life all around me, but today I did. Besides slowing down to see the bush, I walked, read, trimmed some bushes, picked some green and yellow berries and some yellow and orange Iris's to put in a vase, watched a Monk marathon, and did some writing.

Today was Sabbath for the soul, and I am so very thankful.

Come!

Off to Ft Wayne in the attempt to take my parents to see one of the new rooms just finished in the nursing home. We hope and pray to God that they will move in sometime in August. I feel somewhat alone in this effort today, so I am carrying my Bible with me. This makes me feel not so alone.

Part 2: Didn't go very well. Hard not to despair and keep the faith, but ....
Heard a radio report on the way home about the prisoners in San Quinten....talk about trying not to despair!

Come Good News Of God's Kingdom For Us All!

Tired Dude

I am on vacation for the weekend of the 4th!
And oh man do I need it.
I've been pretty darn busy and I'm pretty darn tired.
But indeedy indeedy I am done for a while...for a sweet while
and officially on sabbath.
So far I'm watching sitcoms (soup nazi!) and eating stuff.
Tomorrow it's the 4th with family and friends.
Feeling sweet about taking it easy comes only by giving it your all
and by going at it day after day to do our part and trying to make a difference.
Go America!
Go Freedom!
Go Family!
Go World!
Go Sabbath of the Soul!
Now I'm watching Star Wars.

Happy Anniversary!!

Craig and Joy Happy 30th Anniversary!! God bless you as you continue your adventures together and all you do advancing the dream of God. Have a joyous day!

Carlin

OK, first Tim Russert and now George Carlin!
Two of my favorites have finished their course.
I always thought Carlin was the best.
I remember being a young man and laughing out loud when he did his thing.
My God, this life is brief, beautiful, and full of absolutely amazing people.
One of the things these two dudes had in common was their passion for life and for their craft. And they were both the best at what they did. Period.
So, I went out to the library yesterday and got one of his books titled something like When Will Jesus Pass The Pork Chops?
Pass one to George now will you Lord?

Rock On RockOm

Hey Amados,

Check out my friend Trevor's new site www.RockOm.net

This is a new good path for the kingdom song.

Psalm For Today

Beloved!
Whatzup?
God is good.
All the time.
All the time.
God is good.
I hope you're well.
I pray for your wholeness and shalom.
Peace Peace Peace!
My mom fell into the bathtub last night. There were family and neighbors present to respond. But oh Lord help us to get those two beloved ones in the nursing home! Save us Jesus and save the families and situations of those for whom we are concerned.
The good news is that God desires to be the king of our hearts, minds, lives and world!
May it be so.

To Life!

So, let's see.
I'm getting about a half day off, but I am needing and enjoying it!
Watching the Cubs and Sox and eating junk food.
Got Shalom Community tonight, and Schnepps are coming for that as well as
the art show in FW where Kev will hang his photos.

I'm thinking that the love of life and fully living life is a very good thing.
Life is short and precious and calls for our full participation.
I heard someone described the other day as "a force of nature." Nice.
We've seen some pretty strong forces of nature lately that have devastated quite a few lives. But nonetheless, there is a lot of power in those storms, and folks know for sure that the wind has blown and the water has flowed. We know for sure we have witnessed a powerful force.
If we fully embrace life perhaps slowly yet surely we too can become more and more a force of nature. Folks will know for sure they have witnessed love, light, a serving heart, joy, peace, compassion for the broken, and love for God and all of God's creation.

I know things can get real stressful. We wonder whether we can get it all done, carry on, and continue to make a difference. But if right in the middle of it all we can remember that life is such an amazing gift which is to be fully appreciated and embraced with all we are, then I believe we will be able to move on with what needs to be done and do that with a sense of joy and perspective.

LeChaim!

Here's To The Man

Went to Chicago this weekend to celebrate my birthday and life itself
with the family. Nice!
Joy and I got around town for the first on the elevated.
Watching the Lakers and Celtics tonight!

I miss Tim Russert. He was a hero to me.
Smart as a whip.
Came from the working class.
Thorough and tough yet fair and kind.
A devout Catholic.
Family man.
The #1 political voice!
A group of us pastors were traveling and were at the airport in New York. I recognized Russert and went over to tell him that I really appreciated his work. He asked me about my mullet, and I told him that it was business in the front and party in the back.
God bless his wife Maureen, his son Luke, and dad Russ today with your peace and power.

God Grant Us

BEEN very busy lately, and I'm so tired tonight. But as my papa would say, so is the coal miner at the end of the day.

MY dog Jamie is 14 on Friday and I turn 54 on Saturday. How I love life and the life of knowing God.

CAN we help create some groovy neighborhood churches that bring light to the neighborhood?

IS God really greater than all the misery and senseless loss of life that happens in war, disease, storms, and famine? Yes! But!

I stand before God with naked trust.

I'M having a blast taking pictures with my cell phone, and it is so good for my soul. I think I'll put them in a book.

JOY is studying Speech Pathology like a warrior, and we all have calls on our lives. May God grant us what we need. May God grant us what we need.

I Know The Secret

He's done it to me again!

Brian McLaren has totally changed the way I see the world and read Scripture. Since hearing him speak and reading Everything Must Change, my whole perspective has changed.

I'm more aware of the environment than I ever have. I'm sitting in Taco Bell thinking of all the waste that's generated with the wraps, cups, lids, straws, etc. from fast food. I think, what if every fast food restaurant had recycling stations instead of trash receptacles?

I'm reading about the high price of gas, and reading comments from people who think we should go drill for more oil no matter what the cost to the environment, because we Americans have a "right" to cheap gas. One commenter even said that high gas prices would lead to the extinction of the human race. But high gas prices are reducing consumption (according to this week's Business Week magazine), and therefore, reducing waste, which could be the REAL cause of human extinction. And Americans are finding ways to reduce consumption of other goods to pay for their gas, and turning in their gas guzzling SUVs and buying fuel-efficient vehicles. I can't believe I'm saying this, but if reducing consumption and waste means I have to pay a higher price for gas, then I'm willing to shell out the money. I even wrote a letter to the local paper saying essentially that.

We were reading Isaiah 5 in Sunday Bible study class. The class was discussing the "woes" verses. The question was, what were the sins of the people? Some responses were drunkeness, taking bribes, etc. I look at those verses and saw something else. I saw sins of over-consumption, hoarding wealth, inequality, and injustice. I spoke up and pointed this out to the class.

It's like I've heard a secret, the secret message of Jesus, and too few have heard it. I'm trying to share it. I hope someone is listening.

My dad yelled at me today,
and I yelled right back...even more harshly.
We ended up ok though sharing a meal and getting groceries.
But the moment represents the barely contained struggle.
Anger and pain are part of love,
and the reign of God can happen none the less...I guess.
No, I know.

A Threefold Mark

St. John of the Cross says that every quality or virtue which the Spirit really produces in our souls has three distinguishing characters- as it were a threefold National Mark- Tranquility, Gentleness, Strength. All our action- and now we are thinking specially of action-must be peaceful, gentle, and strong. That suggests, doesn't it, an immense depth, and an invulnerable steadiness as the soul's abiding temper; a depth and a steadiness which come from the fact that our small action is now part of the total action of God, whose Spirit, as another saint has said,"Works always in tranquility." Fuss and feverishness, anxiety, intensity, intolerance, instability, pessimism, and wobble, and every kind of hurry and worry- these, even on the highest levels, are signs of the self-made and self-acting soul; the spiritual parvenu. The saints are never like that. They share the quiet and noble qualities of the great family to which they belong.

From The Spiritual Life by Evelyn Underhill

God, may our action for others and the kingdom be carried out with Tranquility, Gentleness, and Strength understanding that our small action is part of the total action of God. Through the Spirit of Jesus, may it be so.

Everything Must Change

Last weekend (May 9-10) I attended Brian McLaren's Everything Must Change Event in Goshen, IN with my friend Aaron. We met up with Craig and Joy, and their friends and family there. There is so much I could write about our trip - driving to Shipshewana, visiting the Menno-Hof Center, a museum of the history of the Mennonite church, having dinner with Tim Lichti, who founded the center and was its first director, and the McLaren event itself. For now I'll just write about the McLaren event.

On Friday night, McLaren outlined the global crisis we are in. He says that our global society has become a "suicide machine" that has only one outcome - desctruction. The machine exists inside the ecosystem, from which it draws resources and deposits waste. The machine is made up of a prosperity system, an equity system, and a security system, and all three overlap and are connected within the "suicide machine." The reason these systems don't work is because of the framing story that exists, that is based on consumption, greed, lack of concern for consequences, the gap between the rich and poor, spread of violence and war to achieve economic results, etc.

He compares the political/religious situation of today to be similar to the political/religious situation in Jesus' day. Different groups have their own framing stories that they operate with in response to, or in concert with, the "suicide machine." But Jesus had a different way of living - a new framing story - that was different from the framing stories of his day, and different from the framing stories of our time.

This is where I get overwhelmed. I'm just a guy trying to raise a family. In a way I feel that any positive impact I can have on my children's lives will have impact later on as they live their adult lives, hopefully in the way of Jesus. I do some things. I recycle. I buy free trade coffee when I can. I've planted trees in my yard. I donate my time to my church not only on "church work" but also "the work of the church." (McLaren made a distinction between the two.) I donate to good causes. I also do some things I should do, but I could change. I could reduce the amount of electricity I use (which is difficult to do with two teens in the house.) I could clean up the trash pit that's behind the garage. I could consume less "things."

Towards the end of the event, McLaren discussed things the average person could do in their lives, including some of the things I've mentioned above. In my journal I wrote, "We can't do everything, but we can do something."

McLaren took some time to dissect what the current Christian answer seems to be - just worry about getting yourself into heaven, because Jesus is coming soon, and you need to make sure you're taken up into heaven before Jesus destroys the world and everybody in it. Of course that's a fatalistic and self-fulfilling view of the restoration of creation, but it is a belief that many, many Christians hold to. McLaren notes that there seems to be two Jesus' - the meek and loving Jesus in the gospels, and the conquering King Jesus who comes again. McLaren pointed to the verse in Revelations 19, where the sword comes from Jesus' mouth, not in his hand, to bring truth, not violence. (In the Left Behind books, Jesus quotes Scripture while the armies of the anti-Christ explode in blood and guts.)

McLaren called for a revolution in the church. He says that churches need to start teaching the good news of the kingdom of God (read Secret Message of Jesus for more on that). There should be a maximum number of people doing the work of the church in the community (which he describes as "living out faith in the community") and a minimum number of people doing "church work" (which he says is important, but should not be the primary work).

In the book, McLaren put the differences between "the world" and Jesus like this:

The world says, "We can engage in pleasurable or profitable behaviors with undesired consequences and either avoid the consequences or clean them up later."

Jesus says, "The fulfillment of your desires can destroy you. You'd be better off cutting off your hand or plucking your eye out than taking everything you see? What good would it be to gain every possible desire, but lose your soul?"

McLaren ended with this:

We must awaken to a better dream - God's dream. The dream must deepen in our hearts and minds. We must embody the dream. We must live the dream.

I have to mention the wonderful worship times with great music written just for this event.

One thing I must mention - because God seems to be in this. I am heading up a group of people at my church who are part of what we call a "Dream Team" that is dreaming about the future of our church. I'm heading up a group to talk about Spirtual Transformation. A lot of what I heard McLaren say fits what we will be discussing.

The Message?!

The Message that I believe in, proclaim, and seek to live out is
that God loves us and this world...and that God is like a King bringing about God Kingdom in our lives and this world...and that we can join God in this Revolution of Hope.
But this Message is in the midst of times of utter devastation in China and Myanmar...the loss of hundreds of thousands of lives.
In China a middle school collapses and 900 children die.
I have trouble embracing the good news in the midst of so much pain. I cannot fully understand how God has the final say...the ultimate "Yes!" of Love and Hope for the lives of those children and families and so many more who have walked the beautiful yet shaky paths on this earth.
But I have no other choice. I must continue to believe...to proclaim...and to do my little part to make the Message so.

A Trip to Cleveland

Hey there. I just wanted to let everyone know that we are making another trip to Cleveland tomorrow to have Stacey checked out. She has been in pain again and it has surpassed the 3-day limit; thus, the surgeon wants to check her out.

We would appreciate any prayers from people who will be checking this blog out from tonight till the meeting 9 am.

Hey

Hey.
Watching Juno tonight with Joy Ellen. Great movie!
Jamie is sleeping on the couch. Tired boy.
Trevor's last(I suppose) Pink Noise gig
and Christ Church worship service is this weekend. We'll be there.
Going to place my beloved mommy and daddy
in the nursing home in a couple of weeks. I love them with all my heart. So does God.
Ate one of my all time favorite deserts tonight
which is Graham Crackers broken up in milk. How sweet it is.
Bunch of us hanging with McLaren this week.
Not too excited but the man did change my life.
Read the story of Jonah tonight in The Message. I think one of the things those theologians and storytellers were trying to get at is for us to remember what "it" is all about...which is the call on our life to be Light to the confused world.(and that the Lord can use us dimwits to get the job done)
I love you all.
God bless you so very richly.

Back from Mayo Clinic. I have been going there since 1972 to be hospitalized and have my skin cared for. It is my sacred healing place. They have knowledge. They work as team. It is a beautiful place where healing and hope happen for people around the world. I go in distress, but when I am there I get well both physically and in other ways, because I take my books and find times and places to read, pray, and just be.

We may be placing my folks in the nursing home this next week. I know I have said this before...so, we'll see. I was walking through the little cemetery next to the facility, and one of the stones had a woman's name, dates of birth and death, and the simple words
Have Faith
Be Happy
I feel like this precious saint was telling me something...to have faith that God will make a way for my parents and, in the midst of the fear and anxiety I am feeling, to seek to be happy. I hear her and am desiring to heed her voice and wisdom.

So whatever your lot right now
Have Faith
Be Happy.

The Question

The old man knew he was nearing the end of his life,
and he gazed into the unknown territory called death.
The old panicky question screamed in his ear, "Is there anything on the other side?"
All his life he had been scared of death...scared of non-existence.
Teaching and theology about heaven made little impression or sense to him.
He loved life and his family so much that he could not imagine some other kind of "life" without them and without the ordinary yet absolute miracle of earthly existence.
But he knew and loved God for so many years now,
and he had lived the Jesus Way the best he knew how.
God had blessed him and proved to be so very real in so many wonderful ways during his days.
But still, was God really going to be there for him in some real way once again
when his body ceased to be.
And then as he lay sick and exhausted and ready to stop the fight for life
he remembered that which his life with God was really about.
It was about standing before the Boss and Beauty of the Universe and saying,
"Well, what's next God? What project do you have for me? How can I make a difference in the Story?
And so one last time, not really knowing how in the world it could be answered,
the tired and dying child of God quietly spoke in his mind,
"What project is next Lord? How can I make a difference? Use me to further Your Way.
And by the way, please, please help me somehow be with my family
and enjoy a fine spring day as well if you will.
Amen."

A Jesus And A Family Thing

This afternoon Joy and I went to visit my folks.
We go once a week to get groceries, hopefully get them out, and lay some love on them.
Today we sat on the porch enjoying the beautiful spring day.
My dad asked why they couldn't drive anymore. I said the boys decided they were done.
He got mad, but I calmly and firmly explained that it is our time in this cycle of life to call the shots. He seemed to accept this...kind of.
Joy went to buy groceries. How I love this woman. She bought lots of good stuff.
One thing she bought was toenail clippers. I cut my folks toenails.
It is a Jesus thing...this holding a foot and clipping the old and long parental nail.
I have come to realize in the last few weeks that, even though these last two years have been pretty damn hard at times, it has also perhaps held the sweetest moments of our life together.
My mom fell tonight as she was getting dressed.
I heard a boom.
My dad yelled for me.
I rushed back.
My mom laid on the floor.
She had hit her head.
I bent down and picked my mama up to her feet.
She sat in a chair and rested for a while.
Finally, we all went to get pizza at Pizza Hut. It was a blast.
PS MY MOM HAS FALLEN AGAIN. WE HAVE DECIDED IT IS TIME FOR THEM TO BE PLACED AT HERITAGE POINT IN WARREN IN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS. PLEASE PRAY FOR A GOOD AND GOD TRANSITION. THANK YOU.

Have a beautiful day!
(Photo by Kevin Schnepp)

No more war
No more war
No more war

No More War
No More War
No More War

NO MORE WAR
NO MORE WAR
NO MORE WAR

And Jesus said,"Blessed are the peacemakers for they are children of God."

One Man

I send my love out to you all this night my bothers and sisters.
I am watching the story of Martin Luther King Jr. on the History Channel.
Talk about giving one's life to further God's Way for the world.
May we all continue on this heritage of MLK, the non-violent prophet
who, along with many brave people, ended segregation, helped secure voting rights for African Americans, took on poverty, and spoke against the Vietnam War almost before anyone else.
He gave his life...just like his dear friend Jesus.
May God grant us strength also to do God's will.
One man, one woman can make one "heaven on earth" of a difference.
God ain't done and
Truth is marching on.
I send my love out to you tonight my brothers and sisters.

Blessed By The Olds

My dad was in the ministry for about 50 years, and he gave a lot of benedictions.
My mom and dad have given this kind of blessing for many years now as the kids drive away.
This was Easter Sunday, and
Joy and I, mom and dad, and David and Rachel all worshiped together.
Getting my folks to church and the experience we had
was all by itself a resurrection.
The one blessing my dad most often gives now is "Shalom!"
So Shalom to you my friends, and
may God grant you Peace and Wholeness.
Yes!

A Little More Bent

I believe
in the good news of God's kingdom coming in our lives and on this earth,
but there is
global warming,
war,
starvation,
abuse,
homelessness,
depression and disease,
and so much more.
One must not turn away from the hurt and darkness,
but we must also be "a little more bent" toward
love, hope, creativity, healing, staying strong, beauty, forgiveness, and justice...
and both believing and being
the good news of God's kingdom.
(All right, enough heaviness, pass the oatmeal raisin cookies!)

The Walk

The old ballad goes,
"We must walk this lonely valley,
We must walk it all alone,
Nobody else can walk it for us;
We must walk it for ourselves."

There have been many times in my life
when this was true,
and I'm sure for you as well.

And it was definitely true for Jesus
this week among weeks.

And even though it is true, it is not true.
There is God, even if we can't always see how, walking with us.
There are others, even if we can't always see how, walking with us.
And all that God has ever made us to be and poured into us,
And all that others have made us to be and poured into us,
All of that is within us as we walk in the valley.
And the ultimate good news is that there is a Way out of the valley.

Yet, it is true. Even though it isn't true.

The Hammer Holds

I can not believe that it is Holy Week. This Thursday, we are the host family and leading a Sedar Meal. Then on Good Friday, I am leading the worship service and we are doing a Reverse Advant.

One of the songs that we are doing for the service is "The Hammer Holds". I asked two of my high school guys to put a video together for the service. I just received it and I wanted to share. I hope that you do not mind and more importantly, I hope that you enjoy the video and that it can be a moment to "savor" during this Holy Week season.

Lydia's Experience of Salvation

"And the preachers be so wrapped up in the glories of that next world," Lydia went on, looking into the dying fire, speaking to herself as well as to her sister, "that they're missing half the glory of this world. I can't believe the Lord meant us to be heavyhearted every minute here when He made so much to lift our hearts...Katy, am I wicked for such talk?"
The younger girl shrugged.
"The words I remember from the Bible mostly, they're about the waters of life and I think about my spring out here, bubbling up pure and plentiful-and about losing your life to save it. I believe I know what that means, Katy. I know it true. It means to lose your littleness in bigness, your own self into the all of living."
"Why I reckon so Lydia."
"That's not the salvation the preachers talk about, Kate." They sat silent while the hot coals in the fireplace crumbled to ashes. "But it's the only salvation I've ever had any true experience of," Lydia said.

(from The Tall Woman)

Here and Now and Alive!

Hang in there - spring is coming! Read this passage from the book The Tall Woman by Wilma Dykeman.

Fresh, sweet smells of late spring rode on the gentle wind. Bees used the air like a giant room. Above her and beyond her and all around, the mountains were stirring with life, thrusting up shoots and leaves and blossoms, feeding roots, soaking up pockets of spring rain for dry times ahead, yielding small animals that had burrowed away for the winter. Lydia felt the surge of life-as she had felt in previous springs. No matter who came or went, what crops were planted or unplanted, who was meted justice or injustice, this would always return. She felt as small as an insect curled in the leaf at her foot, knowing that all of this went forward without knowledge of her. And yet she felt large, too, as great and grand as the green peak of the mountain looming above her because she was part of it all. She was here and now and alive!

?

I DO NOT UNDERSTAND THIS WORLD OR GOD'S KINGDOM IN THE LIGHT OF THE COLLEGE SENIOR CLASS PRESIDENT WHO WAS MURDERED YESTERDAY. ALL SHE WANTED TO DO WAS MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THIS WORLD. I CAN'T EXPLAIN IT. I HAVE NO ANSWERS. DO YOU GOD?

Good news for the weary

I'm a little wounded and weary, but I'm making it.
Jesus said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit
for they'll receive the kingdom of heaven."
That's good news, and I receive it!
Looking for a Bible now.
There's got to be one around here somewhere.
I found one!
By the way, the sunlight on the snow is so beautiful today,
and a bunch of red and fat chested robins were hanging around my porch.
Sweet.
Oh, there it is. The kingdom of heaven has just been poured
into the chest and heart of this poor robin.

Debate

The Democratic debate is on right now. I'll watch it for a while.
First, they discussed attacks made against each other.
Now they are discussing their different universal health care policies. I really don't understand the difference, but I believe they both would go after it. OK, they need to shut up now about health care!
Now they have moved on to NAFTA. Hillary says it needs to be fixed. So does Barak. American workers have lost too many jobs. We believe in a global economy but need to help keep America competitive.
The subject is now who can be a better foreign policy leader. Boy I don't know who would be. Just a side note, I think our soldiers are absolute heroes, but that the Iraq War is absolutely wrong. Sad stuff. I saw a show last night about an American soldier who is home now, had his best friend killed there, and is extremely addicted to alcohol and marijuana...self medicating himself to get over his grief.
COMMERCIAL BREAK... I'm going to flip through the channels... and we're back.
They played a clip of Hillary making fun of Barak's speeches on "hope." Barak's response is that he has done lots of work for family's who have faced tough times.
She says she is not just a talker but a fighter. They both agree that the common people are hurting and overlooked.
OK I left the debate for a minute to put Jamie out to pee pee, and I visited the bathroom myself. I also got a drink in a cute little green bottle...and I'm back.
Tim Russert is one of the interviewers, and I really like him. He's smart and tough. I was with some pastors in an airport in NYC and we ran into Russert. I told him I liked his work, and he mentioned my mullet! I told him it was about "business in the front and a party in the back!"
Oh good. There was some laughter among the candidates and the crowd. Very needed!
I really like Barak, but both these candidates, and McCain, are really good folks.
Now they are talking about Russia and Putin's replacement. Putin's hand picked replacement. Barak just affirmed the former Clinton Administration and its work with NATO.
Hillary just said if she could do it over, she would not have voted to go into Iraq. But, she says now it is time for America to look forward. Barak is saying he respects McCain, but he will continue much of Bush's policies. He is also saying Hilllary would make a good nominee, but that he believes he can unite all kinds of people in the general election. Hillary is saying that either she or Barak will make history if they are elected, but she says she has fought for healthcare and many other things for the regular folks of America.
I'm glad I watched. It was a good debate. I'm proud of America, and I too believe in HOPE!
A final word: I know that 75% of the reason we are democrat or republican is due to how we were raised. And that's not all bad. Heritage is something to be proud of, and we need diversity of thought. I was raised in a strong democrat family. I've mostly voted for democrats, but I have also voted for republicans and independents. I just wanted to say a word about something said tonight in the debate. Brian Williams asked Barak about the report that said he had voted even more liberal than Ted Kennedy. Barak told why he had voted as he did on certain things, and then he said that the day is here when many people are tiring of the old labels of conservative and liberal and desire to think through the issues and unite for new beginnings. Wow, that is definitely post-modern, and I think is one of the reasons he is a breath of fresh air for many folks and is emerging as the front runner. Labels are starting to disappear, and we are thinking through and hoping for both good news and new beginnings in America and the world.

There Is Grace

I am human.
I do good.
But oh boy do I screw up!
There is grace.
There is grace.
Humans are we all.
Mercy for all.
Judgement for none.
Mercy for all.
Judgement for none.
Forgive me Lord.
Keep me real and relevant yet kind.
May the words of my mouth
and the meditations of my heart
be acceptable to You
O Lord my Rock
and Redeemer.

May God's Love Fall Like A Gentle But Steady Snow

We gratefully acknowledge that You are the Lord our God and God of our people,

the God of all generations.

You are the Rock of our Life, the Power that shields us in every age.

We thank You and sing Your praises: for our lives, which are in Your hand;

for our souls which are in Your keeping;

for the signs of Your presence we encounter every day;

and for Your wondrous gifts at all times, morning, noon, and night.

You are Goodness: Your mercies never end;

You are Compassion: Your love will never fail.You have always been our hope.

For all these things, O Sovereign God, let Your name be for ever exalted and blessed.


(Gates Of Prayer-The New Union Prayer Book)

Prayer

Each of us is a battleground for the struggle of sacred with profane. At times the profane seems to win the day. Love and truth are debased. Reason, our chief glory, is turned to evil ends. And in us the divine gift of compassion lies dormant; we fail to feel the anguish of others.

How much we need You, O God, in days of trial! We need faith to live, faith in Your creative power that overcomes chaos and stirs all life toward a new and better world. We seek You, O God: thereby we grow in vision, as we elevate our souls beyond the sordid to the sacred.

Your presence is the light piercing the darkness on our way, lighting our steps, making us see beauty and worth in all human beings.

May our lips and our lives
be one in serving you.

(The New Union Prayer Book)

questions and answers

So, God please bless?! the 5 students just gunned down in their college classroom
as well as the one gunning them down.
Why.....them?
Is there something....someone waiting for them?
Will they see their family again? Will they ever marry and have a family?
Is Goodness greater than random chaos and crime?
There's so much beauty in this life....and so much pain.
I know God's beauty and grace trumps the darkness that threatens me
I want to believe it does overall and in the end
even the instant end they experienced.
I cannot ignore the questions and the darkness,
and yet I choose to dwell in the region called the good news of God's Hopes and Dreams
and Jeshua's Ways of living and loving.

A Child's Prayer

God is great
God is good
Let us thank God
for this food,
for this forgiveness,
for the surprises,
for the peace,
for the courage to answer the call,
and for the wonder of it all.
(and ice cream!)
God is great
God is good
Let us thank God
for...................................................................................

The Flight of Fear and of Faith

It was about 1:00 in the morning.
Joy and I had watched Roman Holiday with Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck
which is a good movie.
But as I lay there at night, I began to think about the fact that both of these hugely gifted people are dead.
And I started to think about my own death....about non-existence...about not being with my family ever again...and once again the panic rose in my inner being and I fled downstairs.
You see thoughts and theology about heaven don't do me much good. And so I cry out to God and ask for God's help...for some understanding....some answers. All I got was absolute silence. So I went to the computer to google things on the afterlife and out of body experiences. No help. Then I went to the tv to search for some divine communication...nothing. So I finally went back to bed. Not til the next morning as I was sitting on the stool in absolute silence did the words and melody of the Chris Rice song I had been listening to the day before gently start entering my mind and heart.
He softly sings, "Fly to Jesus, fly to Jesus, fly to Jesus and live."
That was his answer for now.
Thanks.

Let Us

Let us
do all that we're called to be and do
with every once of strength, determination, and creative energy we have
and then, let us
be still, like a deer resting and laying in a meadow,
and know for sure that God... is... God...
who loves us and will use every once of God's
strength, determination, and creative energy to make a way and show us the path.
Amen?
Amen.

Burn Baby Burn

I'm watching a great fire burn in the fireplace while Joy is studying her Speech Therapy. And Jamie is taking it easy on the couch while Crosby, Stills , Nash, and Young play on the machine.
In me roars another great fire. It is the fire to be real and faithful to who God has made me to be as well as to the call upon my life. This call is to follow the resurrected rabbi and make a difference in the Story of humankind and the Story of God.
Where does that fire come from? There are so many who are motivated to make a difference...driven by the heat and passion that burns within. ...like the politicians who are putting everything on the line this next Tuesday. I believe that fire comes from God...from the original Source....from the Spark that started it all....and that has called and urged people throughout history to explore, invent, create, dream, protest, and desire to leave this world in a better way than they found it.
How does it burn in you?
You know it is fashionable for folks including us to constantly talk about how the world is getting worse and worse. Well, I don't believe it! This year both a black man and a woman are running for President. Not so long ago, neither of them could have even voted. And that's because the Fire of hope and progress continues to spread form heart to heart and a hidden Wind fans the flames and invites us to place one more piece of the beautiful puzzle in its place.
Well, I need to get up and shift the wood around a little so that the fire will continue to burn well.

These are a few of my favorite things

The air that we breathe
Om mani padme hum
Father son holy spirit
Praise be to God from whom all blessings flow
Be here now
Eyes to see and ears to hear
Scientists who make the world a better place
Taking a walk in the woods or by the river
The way that a farm field looks in summer spring winter and fall
The good news of the kingdom
The family of God can change a life and the world
Vincent van goth
Tv shows like ncis csi numbers and all great movies like ghandi
I love joy david rachel jamie and you
As the dooby brothers say jesus is just alright with me jesus is just alright oh yeah
The andy griffith show
Reading a good book while sitting by the fire
Pinkfloyd
A good whiskey sour (What is it about Christians that makes me scared to include this?)
Love God with all your heart soul strength and mind
Helen keller said life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all
The emergent church
Listening to the waves of the ocean
GOD IS LOVE!

God Sitting Next To Me

Last night, I lead our base group in a Bible study. The group has grown quite close since coming together about 4 years ago. After going through several Christian living studies, several in the group decided they wanted a Bible based study and asked if I would lead it.

I had a Bible study that I picked up at the last UMC Men's conference I attended. I kept it around thinking someday I might need it. It's designed as a low commitment study for seekers or those new to the Bible, but there is ample opportunity to dig deeper.

As we talked about Abraham and faith, it opened a door for many questions about faith, salvation, and grace. I thank God that I have read enough about this, and even recently had written down some of what I have learned in this area. God gave me the words to speak and calmed my nervousness. I'm always so afraid I'm going to get something wrong! I literally had no time to prepare. We were away all weekend and not sure if we could even attend. I had skimmed over the first lesson about a month ago, and the hosts of our base group meeting had the book in case we couldn't make it. I was definitely winging it, but God was sitting next to me.

Well, it all worked out. The conversation was amazing. Their appreciation was apparent. I feel very lucky to be part of a great group of people who desire a relationship with Christ, and want to go further on their journey.

Lord, help me be a spiritual leader for my friends. Amen.

Go!

Go Barak! (Who you rooting for?)
Go politics of hope and not fear!
Go America the land of democracy!
Go world that God dreams of and works for!
Go!

Most Not All

Tired tonight.
Going to read a book my friend Timothy sent me called Change Or Die. Great book so far.
Nothing profound to say right now...unless it might be the words of Thoreau,
"Most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave
with the song still in them."
May God bless us tonight with God's love and peace
yet give us courageous restlessness to sing our song.

He Invites You and Me To Pray

Our Divine Parent
Who has created and is creating the God reality
Within which we live, move, and have our being,
Praise be to You!
Your kingdom and will
Your dream and rule of love
Vs. chaos, craziness, and apathy about the brokenness
Come on earth and in our lives as it is in heaven.
Give us what we need and help us be content with what we have
One day at a time sweet Jesus.
Lead us in the right paths, and yank our chains when need be.
Deliver us from and help us overcome
the darkness that threatens our lives and this world.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory
And the joy, love, and peace
And movies, TV, books, flowers, sunsets, and oceans
And all sorts of beauty.
Both now and forever,
Amen, or in other words, May it be so!

I Don't Know

Watching the HBO show The Wire. You should check it out.
Us rich, isolated folks don't know anything about reality on the streets.
It seems there are some brave people trying to make hope possible where little exists.
I don't know if you and me will ever make any difference in this world.
Maybe we do, I don't know. Seeing a real show with real darkness, makes me wonder.
How much in this world is going on that we DON'T want to know about?
God help us. Maybe one or two of us will be brave too.

An Invitation

I invite you to offer this prayer as we walk into the new year.

Lord, help me faithfully to journey along my road,
holding my rightful place in the great procession of humanity;
Help me above all to recognize you and to help you
in all my pilgrim brothers and sisters.

(Michel Quoist as quoted in Prayers and Thoughts from World Religions)

Her Kind Of Courage

What's happening?!
For Christmas I received a nice # of C.D.'s. Sweet music.
I found Joy a beautiful piece of art work for above our bed.
Art and music...good stuff.
I've almost finished reading one of the Harry Potter books. I needed a break from the darkness of dealing with my papa. The book has helped lighten things up. Good writing and imagination.
Speaking about my folks, my brothers and I think we have found a nice room in the Warren nursing home. So, someone from the home is coming to do an assessment of my parents next week. Please say a prayer for next week.
Saw a good movie today...Charlie Wilson's War.
O God, I forgot, Ms. Bhutto was murdered today. Damn't. Forgive us God.
Too much darkness. Oh Jesus keep us working with you to build God's kingdom.
Give me her kind of courage.
His Kingdom come...His Will be done. Nothing else matters.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

MERRY CHRISTMAS! AND MAY CHRIST WALK WITH US AND LEAD US INTO THE NEW YEAR.

going to ft wayne now to see the parents.
again, it seems we are very near placing them into the home.
please pray....thank you...love you.

The Honoring of a Life

I went to the funeral of a pastor today, and his name was David Tripp.
A life time friend described David as a Methodist, Liturgist, and Ecumenical.
David's wife Diane looked weary. God bless her with your love.
The worship was beautiful.
The music was excellent.
The witnessing about David's life was meaningful
from different kinds and ages of people.
The sense of community was almost overwhelming to me , and I was bathed in Spirit
as the congregation came forward for Holy Communion.
It seems that Rev. Tripp was able to combine
the work of a scholar with the work of a servant.
One gentleman shared that he and David met for lunch once a week for two years,
and that he saw in David's life, more than any other, the life of Jesus.
May it be so.

Just Me

In the silence
with a heart slightly solemn
yet deeply knowing how truly blessed I am.

I am only meant to be me.
No one else and nothing more.
Husband, father, son, pastor, poet, human being.

And oh yes, a child of God
and a follower of the ways
of an ever present rabbi named Jeshua.

New Pill

Ok, here's the latest.
Dad's doctor called in a new med today that might be able to help papa deal with the intensified Alzheimers. He is supposed to take this pill every afternoon. He has, at times, fought taking his pills. So Jay is taking this new pill over today to start. If this works, it may help us all hold on for a while. Please pray that he takes his afternoon meds...these magic pills of science...and God's goodness. Thank you!

A Little Help From My Friends

We need your thoughts and prayers.
It may finally be time to place my parents in the nursing home.
Many people have provided much care to keep my parents in their home,
but things are starting to get bad.
I can't even imagine how hard it's going to be for my folks and us to get this done,
but, on the other hand as my papa would say, I must also "assume a Yes."
So, please pray hard for all of us (the care team)as we think and talk this through.
I will keep you updated....and will be asking for more prayers!
You are part of "the Yes."

Blessed Be the Wounds That Bind

David had knee surgery three days ago, and he has been mending in our home. Today David and I tried to change his dressing which needed it very badly when something very strange happened. We discovered that his incision had opened up quite a bit. We tried to tape it back up but quickly realized we were way over our head. So, we drove back to Lafayette where Dr. Hagin could stitch up the wound. My boy, who is actually a grown man attending the University of Chicago, was quite scared and needed help from his papa. (I was kind of freaking out too!)As we drove to Lafayette we had a wonderful conversation about his classes and all sorts of good stuff, and on the way home, we were thankful for everything working out and for our relationship. David's wound coming apart led to our binding together.

I find that in my life my own woundedness leads to a binding together with the One who shines glorious Light into my soul, and then I am invited by that same One to share that light with others...another connection created. By the way, I'm not necessarily celebrating being wounded! I'm all for folks finding healing and new beginnings, and that's for sure. I just see that mysterious and beautiful connections happen in the midst of people experiencing brokeness.

I love you God. Thank you for it all... including the things that come apart and how those same things can bind us together with each other and with You.

Life and Light

Ice storm today. Stayed home and decorated the Christmas tree. Fun.
Sitting by a fire now while Joy Ellen studies anatomy. Colts game soon.
Been reading McLaren's new book called Everything Must Change. It's about the suicide machine we have created which threatens the existence of earth and how the Jesus Way might show us another way to live and love and survive on this planet.
Things have been a little dark for me over the last month. But that fits with Advent, and I have understood in my mind, heart, and gut what the holy words mean when they say...that the Light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.
May it be so with you, your loved ones, and this world.
The fire is still burning in the dark fireplace and it's full of life and light.
But I've got to stir it up and put new wood on every once in a while.

Agape

My dad has been my mentor in life and ministry. He is still teaching me even today.
Donald Fredrick is 85 years old, and he has ahlzhiemers which mostly means at this point in time that he has almost no short term memory. (Something we take for granted.) Most of the time when we are with him, he has a joyous, loving, and positive personality. But when night time comes, things change. I think it is due to what is described as "Sundowners" which people with dementia experience when the sun goes down...and it is especially bad when they are in an unfamiliar setting. They get disorientated, agitated, and fixated on certain things.Dad calls me almost every night and accuses us of stealing their car. He often does it with anger, and then he says that he does not want us to come and see them anymore. He forgets the next day that he has made any phone call, is fine during the day, and then calls that night once again.
The reality is that neither of my parents can drive anymore, even though they at times dispute this, and that they have given us permission to buy their car from them which we have done. But they, neither of them, are able to remember this. We can't take the car back to them because then they want to drive it. Oh well, I don't want to bother you with all the details and options we have to think through. That is not the reason I'm writing this.
Why I'm writing this is to share what the Lord is teaching us through it. He is teaching us about agape love which is loving unconditionally. It is about learning to love people whether they deserve it or not and especially when they don't. It is how God loves us. It is how Jesus loved those who were murdering him on the cross. It is how his followers are called to love. It is how I am called to love my precious papa. I ain't saying it's easy or has been something I was able to do right away. I have struggled and yelled at him a couple of times. But I am starting to get it and learn my lesson.
I suppose it falls into the category of forgiveness, and we are called to live this way in the kingdom, in our families, and for the sake of the kind of world God desires and dreams of.

Jesus by Marcus Borg

I finally finished Borg's book on Jesus! Besides not having the time to read as much as I would like, I have to take my time when I read Borg. I find that I re-read sections in order to fully understand Borg's message, and sometimes I find that Borg's writing causes me to really think about my faith and my relationship to Jesus. So I read section, re-read it, and think about it. That takes some time!

Anyway.... I don't always agree with Borg but there is a lot I am in agreement with him. Sometimes I find it amusing. Several times in the book he writes of the literal vs. metaphorical interpretion of the Bible, then says, "But who cares! Let's talk about what the Bible is trying to teach us!" Christians really need to get beyond trying to "prove" the Bible and start living it; get beyond doctrine and start practicing the Jesus Way.

The best chapter of the book is the epilogue. Borg describes the current state of Christianity perfectly. Without criticizing, he has a good grasp of conservative evangelical Christianity and the emerging Christian conversation. It's obvious Borg prefers the latter, and he lays any blame for the current state of what the public perceives as Christianity at the feet of the current crop of self-appointed evangelical Christian "leaders" who dominate the public forum. Christianity has lost its way, Borg says, due in a large part to the unholy alliance with politics.

My Sunday school class is reading Isaiah. Last Sunday we read the first chapter. Isaiah is laying out the charges against the Jewish people. He says that God is not interested in their sacrifices, rituals and offerings as prescribed by the Law. Even though Isaiah compares the Jewish people to Sodom and Gommorah, it's not sexual sin that has led them astray, but their lack of social justice. In verses 16 and 17, Isaiah lays out the charges.

16 Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight! Stop doing wrong, 17 learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow. (NIV)

That sums up how Borg interprets the message of Jesus throughout the book, and it is a call to all Christians to assess their faith and begin living the Jesus Way.

True Self

***I hate the Iraq war but the soldiers are heroes to me.
***I find it so cool that someone's life can be going freaking crazy, but their soul stays good. Not all the time but lots of the time. It's a God thing.
***I am really enjoying and looking forward to Christmas as a beautiful time, but when I was pastoring there were so many things I had to be a part of that it got way too busy, crowded, and overwhelming. All the things were individually good and important but put together, way, way too much. Now my soul feels spacious enough to embrace and receive Christ in a simple manner. Somehow big churches need to simplify or give people, as well as the pastor, permission to not be involved in everything. I don't know, I may be wrong.
***I went to one of my churches tonight who has six people part of the community. They minister to each other and the help each other be inspired to carry on as people of God. I affirmed them as well as challenged them. BUT THEY ARE A CHURCH! I HEAR SO MUCH NEGATIVE STUFF ABOUT SMALL CHURCHES. WHAT ABOUT JESUS AND THE 12?!
***The Republican debate is on tonight. We're watching a movie instead.
***Life is so beautiful, rich, and deep I almost can't bear it.
***I desire to be my true self and walk the path meant for me.

August Rush

Last night, I went en familia to see August Rush, the movie about a child music prodigy trying to find his parents. August is able to hear musical rhythms in everyday sounds, like noisy plumbing, the wind rustling in the grass, street noises in the city. As an orphan, he has never been musically trained, but when he runs away to find his parents, he learns to play guitar, piano, and write music, attends Julliard, writes a symphony, and is scheduled to conduct the New York Philharmonic - all within six months.

One week ago, I watched a Rob Bell video with our base group about getting in tune with the everyday rhythm of God, and that video was in my mind as I watched the movie. August says that the music he hears in his head is like someone calling out to him. Wizard (a street musician who later tries to manipulate August) tells August that music is everywhere but not everyone is listening, and that music binds us all together. I thought about the kingdom of God, how it is everywhere, and how as Rob Bell says we must strive to find God's rhythm in our lives.

Later in the movie August finds sanctuary in an inner-city church which underscored the spirituality of the movie. If you get a chance to see this movie you should.

Light and Love

We had two wonderful Thanksgiving gatherings.
Joy's family gathered at our home on Thursday,
and my family gathered at Nolt's Amish restaurant on Friday.
And as my dad says, when it works, family is a good thing.
For us, it's working.
Tonight, Shalom Community is gathering for our thanksgiving meal and conversation.
Another kind of family.
It was so wonderful having David and Rachel home this week.
Our grown up kids sharing life and love together.
The light is beautiful this evening. It's almost dusk.
My soul is well....and life is good
yet I realize that it is only because of the Light of God and the love of people
that this is true.
OK, off for a walk with Joy and Jamie.
It's late now and I'm watching the show on vh1 about Bob Dylan.
Our gathering tonight was rich and good with our deep spirited friends.

Shalom Community

Shalom Community, an Emergent Cohort, will gather this Saturday night the 24th at 5:30 at the LaSuer home in Marion (711 W. Buckingham)for a simple thanksgiving meal and a time of deep spirited conversation. All welcome!

Home

Home sweet home,
even though my skin is worse than before I left
and yet I am hope-full.
And back with the love of my life.
Thanksgiving is next week
and looking forward so much to being with family.
I had a moment of true panic the other day as I considered the end of my life
and in my fear I cried out the question whether The Jesus Way
had any damn relevance to the pounding of my heart and the fear of the unknown.
I immediately heard a clear, strong voice which said,
"Now is the only moment, and love is the only choice!"

The Ministry of Mayo

Leaving for Mayo Clinic Thursday am to hopefully be hospitalized for a few days.
I've been going since I was 18 years old. It is a remarkable place and people.
It is where I, and countless others from around the country and the world,
find healing and hope.
It was founded by doc Mayo, a nun, and the doc's two boys.
I pray that you will continue to receive healing and hope, and that together,
we might offer the same to the broken around us.
And remember what often seems to be small endeavors or beginnings, can in the end,
have a major impact of love and beauty for people and the world.

The Jesus Way - My Theology For Today

THE JESUS WAY
The Ways Jesus Lived and Taught That Can Guide Our Lives


Jesus Way 1: Transformation and Ongoing Relationship with God and Christ

Jesus fully embraced the first of the commandments which is to love God with all our heart, mind, and strength. Jesus kept his relationship with God strong and alive. He would go out early in the morning to the desert and pray. Some Biblical ways of this being expressed are: Jesus said he was the Vine and we are the branches; being born again; having eyes to see and ears to hear; receiving resurrection power; the stories in Luke 15 of being lost and then found. Some practical ways to be transformed include: praying in many different ways; meeting God in the scriptures; being grateful and experiencing the wonder of life; living in the presence of God; worship; reading.


Jesus Way 2: Doing God’s Will With Our Lives

The Lord’s Prayer says,”Your will be done, Your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.” I think doing God’s will is about matching up our particular gifts and passions with the desires and will of God. And Jesus said again and again that the desire of God is to bring about God’s kingdom, or God’s dream, for people’s lives and the world. The “micro” part of doing God’s will is doing our daily tasks as God would have us to do them. The “macro” part is to live out God’s intention for our lives ,or as a friend of mine says, our gift(s) to the world. Jesus said, “Whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister.”(Matthew 12:50) Sometimes we are called to put God’s will before our own. Jesus said in the garden before going to the cross, ”Not my will but Yours be done.” {Share quotes from Shawchuck/Job book p. 344,355}


Jesus Way 3: The Way of Faith

This is trusting in the goodness, love, and power of God in the midst of the stress and craziness of life. Jesus said if you keep the main thing the main thing, doing the will of God, that God will take care of the stuff we stress out so much about. He was getting at this reality of trusting God when he taught us to pray, “Give us the bread we need for today.” This trust involves believing-even relaxing a little- and knowing that God will make a way for us to live our lives. For example, I trust that God will help me care for my parents, continue in good relationship with our children, do my job, and walk into his future for me. Sometimes though we lose this faith and trust for a while and need to be honest with God about that and also trust others to carry us to the God who wishes to love us. A prayer my wife Joy and I would pray is, “I believe in that which is infinite – that which is Yes! I believe. Help my unbelief.” A text to look at is Matthew 6:25-34.


Jesus Way 4: Offering Healing To The Broken and Outcasts

Jesus seems to have spent very much time and energy bringing God’s healing presence to the sick and suffering. We can do this through prayer, presence, listening, music, joy and laughter, respect, touch, medicine, and much more. Healing can also involve peace-making between those who are estranged. It can also involve bringing healing to all of God’s creation. Jesus Christ said, “Go to the lost and confused right here in the neighborhood. Tell them that the kingdom is here. Bring health to the sick. Raise the dead. Touch the untouchables. Kick out the demons. You have been treated generously, so live generously. (Matthew 10:5-8 The Message)


Jesus Way 5: Being a Servant

Jesus spoke a lot about being servants – not to seek power and prestige but to seek to serve and do our part with God to make a difference. St. Francis used to pray, “Who are You my dearest Lord, and who am I but Your useless servant.” Examples of servanthood include getting your spouse a cup of coffee, picking up something that someone dropped, and helping others get done what they are trying to get done. Jesus said, “You’ve observed how godless rulers throw their weight around, how quickly a little power goes to their heads. It’s not going to be that way with you. Whoever wants to become great must become a servant. Whoever wants to become first among you, must be your slave. That is what the Son of Man has done. He came to serve and then to give away his life in exchange for the many who are held hostage. (Matthew 20:28)


Jesus Way 6: Being in a Community of Love, Support, and Mission

Jesus had a tight knit small group in which learning, living together, and preparation and accountability for their mission to the world happened. We need to be a part of groups of people where we find and give love, fellowship, inspiration, challenge, and power to be who we’re called to be. Jesus said, “If you have gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care – then do me a favor. Agree with each other, love each other, be deep spirited friends. Put yourself aside and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand. (Philippians 2:1-4 The Message)


Jesus Way 7: Forgiveness and Reconciliation

This was a major message and reality of the life of Jesus. He told us to forgive one another again and again. He told us we were to forgive our enemies. And as he was being crucified on a cross, he cried out to God, “Forgive them Father because they don’t understand.” He cries this prayer out for us as well. His most famous story about forgiveness is the one where the papa forgives the boy who has screwed things up, but the elder brother has a hard time doing the same thing. Forgiving is difficult. Yet God can help us through the process. And when possible, reconciliation with the one who has offended needs to happen. (Look at Matthew 5:43-48 The Message)


Jesus Way 8: Confronting That Which Is Wrong

Jesus taught that people need to confront the darkness in their own lives as well as dark things in the world like religious people who had lost the way of God and love, and people putting things like wealth and empire before God. As Jesus followers we need to know when to change our ways and when to confront the ways of the world that go against God’s kingdom or dream for the world. In Matthew 4, Jesus was led by the Spirit to be tested by the Devil. In that place Jesus had to choose the right and good voice amidst the wrong voices. And in Matthew 25, Jesus told a story of final judgement based on whether people fed the hungry, clothed the naked, visited those in prison, cared for the sick, and gave a room to the homeless.


Jesus Way 9: Teaching or Passing On The Story of God, Jesus, and The Way

Jesus loved to teach. He told stories about God, the relationship between God and people, and the way of love. He taught in the synagogue, on the mountain, in the marketplace, and by the sea. Jesus could also look at the ordinary things of life like bread, yeast, a seed, and a farmer in a field and use them to talk about the ways of God. We can pass on The Jesus Way though stories, including our own, and by how we live our lives. A teaching we can look at is the sermon on the mountain in Matthew 5-7. Amazing.

Walking The Way

Grace to cope and plenty of moments of beauty.
The pure joy of where one's passion and the needs of others meet.
The times when we can relax and lean into the Goodness that cares when we hurt.
Picking up the paper for the man who dropped it.
Sitting in a room helping estranged people connect in a meaningful manner.
Looking forward to shalom community.
Telling The Story.
Reconciling.
Saying no to the wrong.
Telling you I love you.
I love you.

The Church and Paganism

I'm reading an interesting book right now, The DaVinci Hoax, written by Carl Olson and Sandra Miesel, two Catholics as a response to The DaVinci Code. What I find most interesting are the apologetics concerning the relationship between the pagan Roman religions and Christianity prior to the council at Nicea. I, along with other Protestant Christians I assume, have believed that the rituals of the Catholic Church seemed strange, at best, and I assumed that the accusations (again, coming from fellow Christians) that those rituals were adopted from paganism, and therefore maybe not quite Christian and possibly syncretic.

Well, shame on me for accepting those accusations. This book is a very good apologetic work, well researched and written. The authors address the texts which Dan Brown borrowed from very heavily. (I think he's been sued by one of those authors for quoting verbatim from their text without attribution or restitution.) The authors ding Marcus Borg on one point, seemingly because of his prior relationship with the Jesus Seminar. (I'm still not clear on why they are so reviled among conservative Christians.)

I'm learning a lot about the political and religious environment in which the early Christians lived during the first three centuries following the resurrection. While I don't agree with their assessment of Borg (I think Borg has since distanced himself from the Jesus Seminar, and the quote that appears in the book doesn't fully explain Borg's position on the historical Jesus), the book is worth reading especially if you've read The DaVinci Code.

Freefalling

Watching a movie with Joy tonight.
Ate ribs for supper.
It's 8:30pm.
Jennifer Aniston is in this movie. She was in my dream the other night.
I just ate an excellent oatmeal raisin cookie.
God is both great and beautiful. God is teaching me to be a peacemaker, and I'm flying by the seat of my pants. Jesus says those kind of people are blessed and kin to God. Here's an important word...communication!
The leaves have turned the most beautiful colors this year.
I'm hoping to go to England this summer.
St. Francis met a leper face to face, didn't turn away but instead embraced him. From then on he desired to always embrace Lady Poverty.
In all my sermons, I've said only two things. God loves you...and love those around you - especially the broken of the world.

Monday 's Musings

Watching the Colts game tonight, oh yeah! I got no boys to watch it with any more but Joy is sitting in here for awhile (Bless her heart) and Jamie dog is wearing his blue coat. Yea! The Colts just scored. My gosh this team is amazing.

Well, I'm happy tonight, but it's mostly because God has brought me through some tough crap lately. The Lord has recently led Joy and I through some very dark, choppy waters with my mom and dad. And the Divine continues to teach me how to find physical healing in the midst of being intensely wounded. As Bishop White says, God is good all the time, and all the time, God is good! Amen?

Here's something that seems weird to me about the church. It's one thing for a church to feel pride in who God is making them to be as a community of Jesus followers, but it's another to be giddy over their greatness. There's something about that kind of spirit that just doesn't feel like the spirit of Jesus to me. When Jesus was led into the desert by the Spirit to meet with the devil, it was the temptation of greatness that was offered to Jesus. He chose instead to walk the path of furthering the kingdom powerfully and quietly like a seed turning into a tree providing rest for the birds.

Shalom to you this week my friends. May God grant us grace to further the kingdom powerfully and quietly.

What is Church ?

I came across this today and thought it was a little cute and thought it would bring a few snickers to you guys. Have a great day / weekend.

MakingPeace

So much conflict...in my churches...and now my papa and me, usually so happy together, yelled at each other tonight.
Yet Jeshua himself called us to be peacemakers, and to do that,
one must enter into the fray and into the fight.
I've just started McLaren's book Everything Must Change. He is asking us to enter into the troubles of this world with the ways of Jesus and a little bit of hope.
And into the middle of my moments of strife
comes the divine like a grandmother rocking, singing to, and quieting the hurting child.
Look up to the cross, can you see and hear?
He feels his enemies pain and whispers, papa forgive them, they don't understand.
So let us go forth fellow followers of The Way
straight into the storms crying peace, be still.

Saturday Shalom

Just walked by the river on a this cool fall day
and now watching Mrs. Doubtfire. Fun.
I'm pretty damn tired from a week's worth of work
but it's work that is good and offers opportunities for creativity and teaching.
Going to the movies tonight. Oh yeah!

My heart, or the center of my being, is good, beautiful, and alive like the ocean.
My mind keeps searching for deepest meanings and thirsts for knowledge that inspires.
Courage is needed by us all to keep on keeping on to be who we're called to be. Amen?

Mrs. Doubtfire's fake rubber breasts just caught fire from the stove. Laugh out loud funny - again!

So friends and dear ones, I pray a blessing upon you today.
May your heart be filled with the ocean of God's love and life,
May your mind be restless for that which waits to be discovered,
and may your gut be girded with courage and power to carry on.
(and may you be careful around the stove!)

Love,

me

PS Just got back from the movie Michael Clayton. Excellent.

The Fab 5

Hi! I'm home from a two day meeting with the Bishop and other DS's. Went very well.
Home tonight with my sweetie and little beast watching NCIS and Queer Eye. Relaxing.
These Queer Eye guys are great. In their own ways, they bring transformation, and they do it with joy, kindness, and fun.
I think that's the business of humankind...to keep receiving and bringing transformation...and doing it with joy.
So here's to getting rid of the junk, new beginnings, and enjoying the journey.

Shalom Community

Shalom Community(an Emergent Cohort) will be meeting at the LaSuer home in Marion (711 W. Buckingham Dr.)Friday night October 5th at 5:30. Come for food, fellowship, and a continued conversation about Marcus Borg's Heart of Christianity.

Everything Must Change

If you are up for some deep reading and want to gain more insight about Brian; his new book will do that for you. I am about 2/3 of the way through it - not the easiest read at times. But, so far it is a good book and it gives you alot to chew on. it just came out. Chapter 10 did a fairly good job on trying to lay out some of the differences between orthodox and emergent. He also gave some good insight into reading the text through 1st century eyes.

Things going on in Indy

I've received an e-mail from Sarah Notton who is very involved in the emergent cohort in Indianapolis. There are several events happening there over the next two months.

A conversation with Will and Lisa Samson, authors of Justice in the Burbs
(I've read their book; it's good.)
Saturday, October 6, 2007, 7:00 PM at Earth House Coffee & Books 237 N. East Street, Indianapolis
More info and RSVP: http://indieallies.meetup.com/7/calendar/6353745/

Cobalt Season in concert
Friday, October 19, 2007, 8:00 PM at Earth House Coffee & Books
Cobalt Season sing songs that express both a struggle and hope for what it means to follow Jesus.You can listen to some of their tracks at http://myspace.com/cobaltseason. Cost is $10. More info and RSVP: http://indieallies.meetup.com/7/calendar/6180440/.

An evening with Doug Pagitt
Thursday, October 25, 2007, 7:00 PM at Earth House Coffee & Books
Doug Pagitt is the author of Church Re-Imagined, Preaching Re-Imagined, and contributions to An Emergent Manifesto of Hope and Body Prayer. http://indieallies.meetup.com/7/calendar/6353994/

Coming in November
Rob Bell: The Gods Aren't Angry Tour
Friday, November 30, 2007 at the Murat Egyptian Room. Tickets are $17 from Ticketmaster.

Spirit & Place Festival, "Living Generously"
http://www.spiritandplace.org/Home.aspx November 2-18, various venues, lots of different events.