I'm Following Jesus with Questions

Today I was listening to a Science Mike and Mike Gungor Lost & Found Podcast 1 & 2. (2 here).  I was reminded just how my faith in God is foundational for me, and yet so much of church, theology and what is raised up as Christianity in this time is, at the same time, open for discussion.  I found Science Mike's (his nickname)  axioms to offer intriguing perspectives for me as my faith grows and matures embracing God's Love and mystery.  

 Here they are:

• Faith is AT LEAST a way to contextualize the human need for spirituality and find meaning in the face of mortality. EVEN IF this is all faith is, spiritual practice can be beneficial to cognition, emotional states, and culture.

• God is AT LEAST the natural forces that created and sustain the Universe as experienced via a psychosocial model in human brains that naturally emerges from innate biases. EVEN IF that is a comprehensive definition for God, the pursuit of this personal, subjective experience can provide meaning, peace, and empathy for others.

• Prayer is AT LEAST a form of meditation that encourages the development of healthy brain tissue, lowers stress, and can connect us to God. EVEN IF that is a comprehensive definition of prayer, the health and psychological benefits of prayer justify the discipline.

• Sin is AT LEAST volitional action or inaction that violates one's own understanding of what is moral. Sin comes from the divergent impulses between our lower and higher brain functions and our evolution-driven tendency to do things that serve ourselves and our tribe. EVEN IF this is all sin is, it is destructive and threatens human flourishing.

• The afterlife is AT LEAST the persistence of our physical matter in the ongoing life cycle on Earth, the memes we pass on to others with our lives, and the model of our unique neurological signature in the brains of those who knew us. EVEN IF this is all the afterlife is, the consequences of our actions persist beyond our death and our ethical considerations must consider a timeline beyond our death.

• Salvation is AT LEAST the means by which humanity overcomes sin to produce human flourishing. EVEN IF this is all salvation is, spiritual and religious actions and beliefs that promote salvation are good for humankind.

• Jesus is AT LEAST a man so connected to God that he was called the Son of God and the largest religious movement in human history is centered around his teachings. EVEN IF this is all Jesus is, following his teachings can promote peace, empathy, and genuine morality.

• The Holy Spirit is AT LEAST the psychological and neurological components of God that allow God to be experienced as a personal force or agent. EVEN IF this is all the Holy Spirit is, God is more relatable and neurologically actionable when experienced this way.

• The Church is AT LEAST the global community of people who choose to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. EVEN IF this is all the church is, the Church is still the largest body of spiritual scholarship, community, and faith practice in the world.

• The Bible is AT LEAST a collection of books and writings assembled by the Church that chronicle a people group's experiences with, and understanding of, God over thousands of years. EVEN IF that is a comprehensive definition of the Bible, study of scripture is warranted to understand our culture and the way in which people come to know God.

I share these both as a window on my faith and in deep interest for how these work or don't work from your perspective.  

I find these axioms more on the At Least side to resonate and find I go further.  For you they might be more helpful on the Even If side.  And perhaps you can challenge my thinking as you push back for more or less.  It is in the conversation that we all grow.

 In this Christian season of examining our lives of faith, Lent--getting ready for Easter, I find myself reflecting.  What are you thinking?

P.S. My explorations and sharing are all a part of asking myself, not only why my faith in Jesus is important to me (and what it looks like), but also how or if it holds value for others.  I have friends and acquaintances who come from questioning places and I genuinely want to listen, understand and explore.  Thank you all for being a part of my life.

I wish… “the church was full like it used to be,”  “there weren’t sports on Sunday,” “church people actually loved like Jesus,”  “church could be more flexible,”  “church spent more time doing & helping in the community and less time in meetings.”  I wish… ___________.

We each have wishes.  Each wish may or may not be possible, reasonable or shared with others.  What our wishes have in common is Connect, Grow and Serve.

We connect to Jesus and one another so that lives are transformed.  When that happens people are helped… people get together… people are gracious and flexible.  Connecting is how God made us to be.

We grow more deeply in the knowledge and love of Christ so that our lives continue to be changed and show God’s love at work.  Followers of Jesus have been gathering together in small groups to help one another grow since Jesus gathered the disciples.  It’s still what vital churches are doing.

We serve responding to God’s great love for us.  Serving uses our gifts and puts us beyond the walls of the church building.  Jesus Christ came as a servant and invites us to follow his lead.  Further, when we serve, we connect with others.  Can you see the cycle?

Our leaders are working on these 3 areas as they consider our goals into 2016.  They are listening and bringing others together to help in the process.  If you and I want to achieve what we wish for, then we will need to connect people to God by telling the stories of God's transformation in our live;  then we can  invite others to “come and see.”  To grow more deeply and together as the body of Christ takes our commitment to participating in small groups.  Finally, we need to demonstrate our changed lives serving others.

It’s not easy, but it is simple.  Our mission is Leading People to the One Whose Touch Makes Us Whole, as we Connect, Grow & Serve.  If we don’t do those three things then all we’ll have is wishful thinking.

     10,000 Joys Following Jesus, Dave

Do What Works!

     If what we're doing isn't getting the results we want, then what might we do differently?

• If we want more peace
• If we want a more relaxed pace to life...
• If we want a deeper faith..
• If we want more people in church ...
• If we want a more fulfilling job...
• If...

Add your own observations that help you answer the question:  "What might God be inviting me to do differently?"

     At my church home, Palmyra First UMC, We wanted to touch more families, so we help all ages spend time together and intentionally learn together with Intergenerational Education this year. We wanted to invite more people to depth of faith and friendship, so we're working to  expand the best biblical and practical tool  we know for doing that--Koinonia Groups (small groups).  We kept bumping into Christmas Eve schedule challenges, so our Worship planning team is planning new ways to help everyone.

      How about your life?  Where would you like to invite God to work in fresh ways?

Ignorance Makes a Difference

Next door and around the globe there are gifts & there are needs.  Do you know what they are?  Have you had conversations with your neighbors to know who they are?

There is a story of Jesus' about a Good Samaritan that helps shape my definition of "neighbor" more broadly than I instinctively would choose.  My neighbor, the one I might have conversations with, is anyone I encounter, face-to-face or virtually.  

So, when I was introduced to the "The Ignorance Project,"  by my wife Penny, I was interested.  When I took their quiz to Challenge my own perceptions I realized there were some conversations I still needed to have.

For my learning & conversations, I use tools like UMCOR (The United Methodist Committee on Relief) and Palmyra Circles as starting points.  I find new insights with the GBGM  (General Board of Global Ministry) and with my friends from other places and traditions.  I am always exploring and learning.

Where do you begin your conversations?  I'd love to hear more.

Finding Peace

     A full three weeks of squeezing in required and important things between valuable and scheduled things has left me tired.  Peace sounds both good and near impossible on days like this.
     Snatching an email Upper Room I clicked on the bible link about Jesus' follower Thomas, who had his doubts. (John 20:24-29)  I saw myself.  Thomas was busy and "not with the others." He struggled to believe, wanting evidence, help, clarity.  I identified.
    A whole week, 8 days, a new creation, later Jesus provides for Thomas' need and says "Peace."  Jesus didn't say "do you understand", but "Peace."
    In that exchange I found peace too.  Grace to meet my need and a gift, a deep re-filling breath, an assurance... "peace."  That's a real gift in my morning. Thanks be to God.

Where do you find peace?

What Would You Do If You Couldn't Fail?

     What would you do if you knew you couldn't fail?  How would that choice or action share Jesus’ Love with others?

     I recently began asking that question of many things.  I know some of my habits and patterns as a pastor were formed when Sundays didn't have community sports, when most stores were closed on Sunday, and when photocopy machines weren't in the church office.   I now photocopy, text, preach-from-a-tablet, use a Smartphone and find good things in all these changes.  Yet, all my ways of living the love of Jesus don’t reflect the changes in the world around.  So I've been asking, “What needs to be updated to fit in God’s world?”  God says, “See, I’m doing a new thing!” (Is.43:19)

     When I started as a pastor 30 years ago I could visit a whole list of shut-ins in an afternoon because they were always home and lived in the community near the church.  Now they are spread out and their retirement communities have worship, buses to the doctor & store, activities and assistive tools allowing family to include them in offsite activities.  All great things, and now finding one or two shut-ins available in an afternoon can be a challenge.  So when I asked, “How can the church show care to these folks?” we, a community of caring, began using a team of people and one-on-one communion “friendship” visits. I focused on special needs, hospitals, requests and crises, all of which are often our shut-ins.  It’s not perfect yet, but it’s an adaptation in progress.  Jesus says that all of us are to be a part of, “Love one another.” (John 13:34)

     Another question I've had to ask myself is, “What am I unwilling to change in order to share Jesus’ love?”  I want to say “nothing,” but my actions may say differently.  I want to learn how to put everything in God’s hands.  Faith wisdom says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.” (Prov. 3:5)

     Our church has a recent meeting about building modifications including a strong vote pursuing a redesigned, welcoming entrance, a change, so that we can get a barrier or two out of the way of sharing Jesus’ love.  That is a celebration!  What else do we hold onto?  What other ways of being the church and doing ministry do we need to ask these questions of?

     This year we had a Vacation Bible School meeting and asked these same questions and changed our strategy from a 5 weeknight pattern to a one day festival event.  Why?  Because we don’t want to fail in sharing Jesus’ love.  Because people’s schedules have changed dramatically since we began a weeknight pattern.  Because we believe that we were listening to God’s voice leading in new ways.  Because the word of God says, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.” (Lk.8:21)

     For me I want to care for all and sometimes hesitate to change out of fear that I’ll be uncaring.  Fear, I know, isn't God’s way of working and yet it sometimes gets in my way.  For me sometimes I want more information about things that are hard to measure, and yet I know that God works first with transformation and doesn't lead with information.  Failing to follow God out of perceived lack of information is putting information higher than faith in God.  The wisdom of scripture reminds us to put God first and says, “But more than anything else, put God’s work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well.” (Mt. 6:33)

     It is simple and yet complicated.  Simple is, “Love God and love neighbor.” (Lk.10:27)  Complicated is in the how. So back to my original question, beyond the complications, “What would you do if you knew you couldn't fail?  How would that choice share Jesus’ Love?

Is Poverty a Non-Issue?

"Love God & Neighbor" -- Jesus

    I continue to be puzzled by poverty.  If we'd all do what we were taught as kids poverty would be a non-issue.  If we each were honest with ourselves and each other we would be far less likely to blame the poor for being poor.  If those of us who say we follow Jesus, took our imitation of Jesus seriously we wouldn't rest until those on the margins were treated with justice.  If....
     But I get stopped when I try to understand the complexities of economics, politics, and relationships.  I can see easily the inequities and problematic patterns of poverty , yet it's easy to justify my own inaction with relationships like family needs, politics that tap my self-interest, or fearing doing more harm than good in challenging economic realities.
    So the question is this, "Is poverty a non-issue?"  Because... it's not my fault...it's not my job...it's too big... or  we've loved one-another so well that it's gone.
    I would like to be able to give the "it's gone" answer, but that's not possible yet.   I'd like to say I never answer in any of the other ways, but that wouldn't be completely truthful.  Yet I would still like to work toward solving the poverty puzzle.  That's why I jump start my action with faith and  Circles, a cool national poverty initiative, supported by my church, that works to help people move from poverty to self-sustaining life;  it makes aims to give everyone enough money, friends, and meaning in their lives.
    That's why my wife and I work at living generously.  Like the strangers who have received lunch from my spouse.  Like, the tenth of our income that we plan to give away every year, as a minimum. So even when I fall short, I'm aware, growing, and, I hope, making a difference in my soul and for others.
    How do you deal with poverty?

The Church in the Dumpster

The Church in the Dumpster

The Church in the dumpster is there because we (meaning Christian congregations) put more energy in preserving what have rather than being who Jesus calls us to be.

The Church in the dumpster is there because when we serve with Love, everyone—no exceptions, we could reclaim a dumpster for our building and tradition and we could flourish.

The church is in the dumpster… does it describe what is or what could be?

“Love one another”,  “Love the stranger”, “Love your enemy,”  I hear Jesus say.

Then I listen to my sisters and brothers argue over entrances, dollars, preferences, traditions, and opinions without ever asking what following Jesus in this place would look like.  I hear too often hear ultimatums and too seldom here self-less love.  That feels harsh to write, and harsher to live.

The church is in the dumpster is my vision.  Yes, it’s in the low places, the hard places, the places I’m reluctant to go … the places Jesus hung out loving, and serving.  He did say, “The first will be last and the last first” so why is that so hard to apply to traditions, buildings, worship styles, habits and patterns?  (That’s a whole book!)

We could put a steeple on our dumpster and love people radically, serve people authentically, and walk with people humbly and grow a community of Jesus followers, a church.  Yet, when we preserve our buildings, preferences, traditions and habits, the church shrinks.   Anyone else getting the hint? What do you think?

10,000 Joys on the Journey, Dave the Wobbly Disciple of Jesus.

P.S.  I’m going to be thinking more about “The Radical Sayings of Jesus” over the next few weeks as I tell others Good News and invite us all to serve with love.  Tune in to the podcasts or join me in our gatherings for worship.

PSPS.  A colleague, Pastor Lynn Hackman,  wrote an interesting related blog post.

Go Big (with a) Big God

Good News!  Jesus is alive and no one believed it.  Don't believe me?  Check out Luke 24.  Empty tombs and angels didn't convince the women or the men.  It took conversation, community and connection with Jesus.

It's good news that no one believed at first, because that means I'm not unusually slow.  It means that there is hope for us all.  It drives home the point that God's love is bigger than expected.

Everybody came with too tiny expectations.  God came with Big Plans.  I'm challenged to Go Big with a Big God.  That's Easter for me.  It's all the stuff we usually talk about and so much more.  How will you Go big with a big God today?

Good Friday Video

      Good Friday is hard to explain and understand for many.  Here is a video to offer images instead of words. Good Friday in Video Images 

• What is meaningful to you about Good Friday?  
• What is perplexing or difficult?

Some other Links:

• Why's it call "Good" Friday?
• Chuck Knows Lent -- The Season leading to Good Friday & Easter
• Lent & Easter Stuff

Hell No... or Yes?

Yes or No?
    I just read an article, by Travis Loller in the progressive Huffington Post,  about the new documentary movie "Hellbound?".  It got me thinking how so many of us Christians live as if there is no hell, and then defend a literal hell with devilish delight.  I know for me there is still openness in my answer to "Hell?".
     Here's a thumbnail of the un-researched, un-footnoted, in-process, what-I-believe-about-hell.  I believe in Hell, as separation from God, and as a result of choices I make.  I believe a loving God has done everything possible to graciously invite, include and love me and all into a divine, loving, eternal presence.  I don't think it's a literal geographical place, nor is heaven, but more about my relationship (heaven) or lack of relationship (hell) with the Divine God of Love.
     What I don't know is far more extensive, than what I know!  What I know is that  the two great commandments are Love God and Love neighbor.  I remember that as "Live Love."  That's more important to me, and it seems to be for Jesus as well, than my definition of hell.
     I believe there is an eternal, spiritual reality. I know how to talk about that reality with the language of God's love for me through Jesus -- as model, Savior, presence and love in-the-flesh (incarnate).  I don't know all the details of that, and my ignorance generates in me comfort in God's love, curiosity along the way to keep learning, and a profound imperative for loving everyone. (And I'm still learning mightily on that last  one.)
     I believe God is big enough and God's Love is vast enough to handle all of life's questions and mine.  I don't want anything smaller.  When I try to live into something more limiting, life presents a question that just can't be satisfactorily answered within the tinier frame of reference.  I see God's enormous, surprising, including love as I learn from and follow in the Way of Jesus.  That Way includes my brain, my world, and God's love in the mix.
     I expect that this question isn't finished for me.  God will continue to grow me.  And all along the way I believe that God's life-changing, soul-saving, world-reconciling, mystery-generating Love is holding me and drawing me closer.  Traditional language calls that salvation.  So for all my friends who will challenge me, I'm saved.  Saved from the hell of disconnectedness, of unlovedness, of non-enough-ness, of cluelessness, of broken-without-hope-ness, of worthlessness, of purposelessness... of all the realities that would, without a Way of Love, leave me wandering, alone, broken, hopeless, clueless, living a random life that makes no difference.  I'm included in something huge and loving.  How cool is that!
     I care about what you believe too!  I care about what keeps you connected to God's love and if somehow that's a different picture of hell (or any other belief for that matter), I want to learn about your picture too.  I want to love all of God's creation along the way.  I want to live with Jesus' welcoming, loving, life-changing ways.  So please share what gives you hope.  Please share how you see hell.  Please be brave enough to speak with only gentle honest words for yourself and trust that The Author of Love, of Heaven & Hell, will hold us in Holy Conversation.

Phones, Calendars and Staying Focused

    Within two week's time my laptop, netbook and smartphone all died!  And in one of the busiest times of my year.  Yikes!
     Through the momentary panic, the priority searching and the frustrating reconfiguration, I was reading and telling and the story about Jesus' suffering as a part of the bigger picture.  The bigger picture being God's willingness to take on the human condition, live, struggle and die so that I might actually understand how much God loves me.  Now there's an interesting juxtaposition!
     I had to stop and think about what's important.  I had to refocus priorities.  I had to reallocate resources.  All of this to get life back together.  Then I noticed... Jesus chose what was important, focused on priorities and reallocated all his strength, just to say, "I love you."
   My phone list and my web favorites aren't the most important thing to me.  The most important thing is the relationships and friendship web they represent to me.  My tech-tastrophy became a learning journey about God's love.   The invitation of the moment was as much, if not more, to value the relationships and people God values, as it was, to recover the data that goes with those relationships.
    How about you?  Is love in your smartphone?  Is care a part of your data base?  Are love and caring held captive or set free by the tools you use? 
    My prayer for myself and you is that love stays more important than all the other stuff of life.  And while I'm working on that, I'm going to keep on following the Master of Love, and learn.  And you?  What will you do?

Change & Koinonia Group

    Change is a pain!  It makes me think.  It makes me work.  Yet, it makes me whole, alive, vital and a more fully functioning Disciple of Jesus.
    Connections to Koinonia Groups, small groups of disciples walking together, helps me make the journey.  Following Jesus is simple and radical.  A group of companions helps.
    Check out some of our Koinonia Group Discussions and Studies.  You can have friends online for the Jesus journey.  Email me, Pastor Dave, to join a Disciple-Making Group, or an Under 30 Change the World Group.

     Change is a given.  God is good.  I'm on the road with Jesus.

Following Jesus--Loving All

I was troubled this week by the Florida Pastor/Church planning to burn Korans.  I was slightly relieved when they didn't.  I'm concerned that someone who says they follow they same Jesus that I follow, can appear to act with the opposites of love--intolerance and aggressiveness. That looks a whole lot like hate to me.

I think Jesus' way was one of patient engagement, listening and valuing the person.  I've seen Jesus stand up to wrong or injustice without dismissing a people, a belief or a life with loveless rhetoric.  I've heard Jesus say that I will be known by my love.

I know I too am challenged to act with love when what I love is challenged.  I know I need to dig deep within myself, to beyond myself to creatively respond with love in difficult situations.  I know I'm still learning and want others to deal graciously with me when I display my own aggressions, or bigotries, or love-starved moments.

My God, the one I follow in Jesus, is big enough to love all people, of all beliefs, in all circumstances, while working patiently to bring us to that holy place of peace.  That's the place I'm following Jesus toward, in, for. 

But, I may have missed something.  What do you think?  How do you follow Jesus, especially with your Extra Grace Required people?  How do you follow Jesus' way of love with the person you avoid in the grocery story by consciously picking a different aisle?  How do you follow Jesus' path of peace with those that seem just plain wrong to you?  I want to know so I can follow Jesus more attentively, reflectively...lovingly and joyfully.

Intersections

I love intersections of heart, mind and experience. This week I've stood at the intersection of continuing education, ongoing pastoral leadership, the biblical story and my own emotion filtered personality. I'm amazed at the hope I see and pleasantly surprised, and encouraged, that I'm finding renewed hope in unexpected places.

These moments of serendipitous renewal are why I love standing in these cross roads. In short: It's great fun to be surprised by God!

I am and have been wondering, how vitality and life can best be shared. At times I feel a tad confused and uncertain. On other legs of the journey I feel energized and optimistic. However, it's at the Divine intersections, bringing disparate life pieces together, that I get fired up all over again.

That's who I am. A person of curiosity, a follower of Jesus called to lead, a disciple still learning the Way, and one disposed to energetic joy. That said, I too am a believer who frequently wonders, wanders, waffles, and doubts. I am growing, playing, exploring, enjoying, fearing, repenting, changing...I'm still on the journey.

How about you? Are you still on a life-giving, faith demanding way? Are you open to the surprises?

I trust that together we will find ways that we encourage and support live, love and joy in God's way. I believe that an open conversation is food for the journey. That's all a part of who I am. What about you? Tell me about one of your intersections...