Make A Difference, Speak Up on Health Care

Health Care.  Why is it so hard to care for everyone?  I get the political tangle, but it does honestly seem like petulant pre-nap kids in a sandbox.  I get that it costs money, but healthy happy people are far better defense than more bombs and deployments.  I get that people with money and power have always felt threatened or felt entitled in relationship to the poor and the powerless, but that has seldom helped the world be a better place for all...just a better place for the wealthy and powerful.

I still think that "love your neighbor thing" is important. I still think that whatever you do to the poor, the other, the least of these determines your destiny and your character.  I still think justice is important, caring for those who are less able to care for themselves.  And I believe that God loves us all.

I'd  challenge you to get on board and make a difference in the world in a way that will help you, but indeed is far bigger than you.  Check out the John 10 10 Challenge, sign the letter, get involved.  Make a difference.

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...

Bible in a Year

I joined a cool discussion of people reading through the bible in a year. It's a life-changing story, with some friends on the journey. Join in!

It's a New Year!

Happy New Year! I want to claim some new possibilities this year:

• Live more from love and less from fear or anger;
• Learn from God's love;
• Have fun being me!

I can get hung up in the details, but I know that if Love prevails everything else will follow.

How about you, what's happening deep down in you, as the New Year unfolds?

When Life Gets Busy

It's been way too long since the last post. I get busy, distracted and whoosh there goes a month, a goal, a hope. So, I've been getting some things back in order.

A little order includes time for prayer and meditation, exercise, some attention to diet, a little less work, and a little more reflection and play. In the midst of this I've been digesting two things:

1. Karen Armstrong's book The Case for God, which is an engaging history about philosophy, theology, religion and science as they dance together; the other is
   
2. Tom Miller's CD training (published by CareerTrack) Self Discipline and Emotional Control, a systematic and fun look at Albert Ellis' basic Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy.

For me both of these are windows on God's creation and practical handles on priorities. They give me someone else's ideas and perspective to jog my soul and stir my mind.

How's it going? Thanks for asking, it's going pretty well. Not perfect, but then that wouldn't be a reasonable expectation, now, would it. The key for me is having people to help me. I have a spiritual direction relationship, my wife, other friends, and even work goals that are supporters in getting things back in order.

It's amazing how easily I wander from he good stuff. It's a gift that I have help finding my way back.

Doubts & Delights

Whether it's the dictionary or the web I get side-tracked by interesting things on my way to the goal. That's how I ended up on a Buddhist's site, an atheist's site and overhearing a few other blogged conversations.

Doubts and defensiveness caught my attention, as I read, and those same emotions sparked my own reflection. First the doubts and defensiveness of authors explaining either the errors or evils of Christianity drew my eye. (I am a Christian, but not of the TV, intolerant, sort.) Second, and more significant it was the thoughts that began to churn up in me.

I'm reminded again that doubts come with the territory of believing. Mostly, because I don't have all the answers, or the perfect explanations, nor am I even interested in that most of the time. I follow Jesus because it's the absolute best path I know.

I'm not here to undo your path. I'm here to be honest about mine. I think it has a lot to offer. I know that if you scrutinize my mistakes or the mistakes of others who have walked as followers of the Way, that any skilled rhetorician, philosopher, or mean-spirited critic can find fault. But, I'm not looking for fault (I hope I'm not). I am looking for light, hope, love...a powerful way to live.

So on with the doubts and the foibles and the conversations. Doubts sharpen understanding. Foibles sharpen graciousness. Conversations done well deepen trusting relationships.

Join me. What conversation would you like to have with someone who's willing to listen, devoid of all the answers, and interested in what you think?

Trying Something New

I tried something new this week.

As a preacher, I'm accustomed to listening for a preaching direction in the quiet of my study. Then, the pattern continues, following God's lead, and delivering the end result as a monologue (or dialogue with a silent partner on a good week). This week there were too many ideas to fit into one message. I was sure of the theme, the possibilities, but not the focus.

It was then that it hit me (God, the Holy Spirit, a good idea, frame it as you wish), why not invite the congregation to notice what's in the scripture story and invite them to ask questions? (Instead of me imagining the questions and needs, and simply speaking to them.)

I could only think of one good reason not to do it...besides my apprehension. That's not how I was taught to prepare a sermon! But that's just what I did.

First, I wrestled with my own insecurities about doing something new. Then, I reflected on the practicalities of this unfamiliar event. Finally, I did it.

I was amazed at the holy conversation that took place right there in worship. God showed up!

I'm never surprised that God does good stuff or that God is always doing things in worship, or that God always shows up on time. I do have to fight the demons that whisper in my ear that someone will be unhappy, or that "this is crazy...this will never work."

It did work. People were engaged, inspired, and energized in fresh ways. They said so. They emailed so. They showed it with their questions, their eyes and their words.

God is always doing something new. I wonder what it will be tomorrow? I hope I notice and decide to join in. It's always good.

How about you? What have you tried new and different lately? What did God do in the middle of the adventure?