We ask that question a lot and I'm afraid that many times it's pretty self-serving. If we're willing to be honest we would probably all have to say that most of the time we don't know. And, if we're still being honest, we would also have to say that most of the time it wouldn't be what we do. I'm sure that some of the time we get it right, but the problem is when we start thinking that all of the time we get it right.
I look at our churches and I see people that really love each other; and I see people that don't. When I look at other people and see myself I tend to be much more tolerant of the things they do that don't measure up (to what? my standard? God's standard?). I think God looks at all of us like that. He sees each of us in each of us. He sees the people who really piss us off the same way he sees us. He looks at Christians in our sin and sees Jesus. He looks at people who haven't accepted him and he wants to see Jesus. I think we tend to look at each other and never see Jesus. And, sadly, we look at ourselves and never see Jesus. (Except for the really self-righteous people and I probably shouldn't get started on that; I'd give myself away. God sees them a lot differently than I do; and that's on me, not him.)
There's a lot of spiritual searching in this country right now, but it's so mis-directed. Somewhere along the way we (the church) lost the right to be the guide. We started hiding inside our sanctuaries and our catch phrases and locked everybody else out. We started thinking that what Jesus would do was somehow related to our inward-focused fear of the world and forgot that he never passed up a chance to eat with the sinners and hang out with the prostitutes and tax collectors. Any time he got a chance to stick it to the self-righteous he nailed them. Man did he make them squirm.
Maybe we should be looking at the things that make us squirm and wondering if we missed something along the way.
God, I know people who really, really do great things for people and nobody really knows about it but the ones they help. They love people because they love God. They look at other people and see themselves. They look at other people and see Jesus. Instead of looking at someone and saying, "There but for the grace of God go I"; they look at them and say, "There because of the grace of God I can love". I think that's what Jesus would do.
Pray for peace.
Mike
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Friday, December 28, 2007
Ten Lessons for Understanding and Surviving War--Especially for People of Faith
The following 10 points were put forth by Jim Wallis shortly after the war with Iraq began and are included in his book, God's Politics, on pages 120-123. If these things make you mad because you think Bush is infallible then I recommend you read the whole book. If you are still mad for the same reason, I suggest you read the Gospels--pay special attention to the red parts. If you will read them with an open mind you will see that they have proven to be quite prophetic.
1. Nobody should be surprised that a vastly superior American fighting force will vanquish a vastly inferior Iraqi army. But one of America's worst characteristics is hoping that success wipes away all the moral questions. In the long run, it won't. War is always ugly, and this one was too.
2. There are many more civilian casualties in modern warfare than military casualties. Smart bombs are never as perfect as boasted, and not all Iraqis may want to be "liberated" by an American occupation. Above all, we must remember that "collateral damage" is never collateral to the families and loved ones of those killed in war. Don't accept the first reports on casualties from governments (on either side) or "embedded" journalists--many of whom now sound more like cheerleaders than reporters. Be sure that technology does not ultimately usurp theology or morality. Find alternative sources for information. Watch and wait for the real story.
3. Humanitarian aid must never be co-opted by the military. Instead it is the painful task to be taken on after the destruction caused by war. Many predict that the aftermath of this war could be far more dangerous and costly, in human terms, than the military campaign. Listen to the non-governmental relief organizations as we move forward.
4. If an evil, dangerous and unpopular regime does collapse quickly, that is not an endorsement of war as the answer, but a sign that a better way to resolve the threat might well have been possible. The best wisdom of most church leaders, Nobel Peace Prize laureates, and a majority of international political figures and diplomats around the world was that alternatives to a full-scale military assault on Iraq were not adequately tested. This was not a war of last resort.
5. A preemptive war of choice, rather than of necessity, fought against over-whelming world opinion and without approval by the United Nations, will not create an atmosphere of cooperation for postwar reconstruction or, most significantly, for the crucial international collaboration needed to defeat the real threats of terrorism.
6. A new world order based on unilateral rather than multilateral action, military power rather than international law, and the sole decisions of the world's last remaining superpower over the deliberations of the community of nations will not create a framework the world can or should trust for peace.
7. Unresolved injustice--such as the Israeli-Pakistanian conflict, feudal Arab regimes protected by oil and globalization policies that systematically give advantage to wealthy nations over poor countries and people--remains a root cause of violence and will not be overcome by the imposition of American military superiority.
8. Dissent in a time of war is not only Christian, it is also patriotic. A long and honorable record of opposition to war in church tradition and American history puts dissent in the mainstream of Christian life and American citizenship. Rather than acquiesce to war, prayerful and thoughtful dissent is more important than ever.
9. The churches have demonstrated the most remarkable unity in our history in opposition to war, even before the war with Iraq started. The American churches didn't just say not to war, but offered compelling and credible alternatives. These alternatives were seriously considered by many political leaders around the world, but not by our own government. An American president who increasingly uses the language of Christian faith refused even to meet with American church leaders for discussion and prayer as he made momentous decisions to go to war. The American churches are now in deep solidarity with the worldwide body of Christ and may have to choose between their Christian alliances and the demands and policies of their own government. We must learn to be Christians first and Americans second.
10. The onset of war with Iraq does not demonstrate the failure of the peace movement, but rather the failure of democracy. Tens of millions of people around the world have become engaged in active citizenship against the policies of preemptive war for resolving the greatest threats to peace and security. It is time to build on that movement, rather than withdraw from collective action. We must learn the differences between grief and despair, between lamenting and languishing, between hope and hostility. We are stronger now, not weaker. Our action has just begun.
1. Nobody should be surprised that a vastly superior American fighting force will vanquish a vastly inferior Iraqi army. But one of America's worst characteristics is hoping that success wipes away all the moral questions. In the long run, it won't. War is always ugly, and this one was too.
2. There are many more civilian casualties in modern warfare than military casualties. Smart bombs are never as perfect as boasted, and not all Iraqis may want to be "liberated" by an American occupation. Above all, we must remember that "collateral damage" is never collateral to the families and loved ones of those killed in war. Don't accept the first reports on casualties from governments (on either side) or "embedded" journalists--many of whom now sound more like cheerleaders than reporters. Be sure that technology does not ultimately usurp theology or morality. Find alternative sources for information. Watch and wait for the real story.
3. Humanitarian aid must never be co-opted by the military. Instead it is the painful task to be taken on after the destruction caused by war. Many predict that the aftermath of this war could be far more dangerous and costly, in human terms, than the military campaign. Listen to the non-governmental relief organizations as we move forward.
4. If an evil, dangerous and unpopular regime does collapse quickly, that is not an endorsement of war as the answer, but a sign that a better way to resolve the threat might well have been possible. The best wisdom of most church leaders, Nobel Peace Prize laureates, and a majority of international political figures and diplomats around the world was that alternatives to a full-scale military assault on Iraq were not adequately tested. This was not a war of last resort.
5. A preemptive war of choice, rather than of necessity, fought against over-whelming world opinion and without approval by the United Nations, will not create an atmosphere of cooperation for postwar reconstruction or, most significantly, for the crucial international collaboration needed to defeat the real threats of terrorism.
6. A new world order based on unilateral rather than multilateral action, military power rather than international law, and the sole decisions of the world's last remaining superpower over the deliberations of the community of nations will not create a framework the world can or should trust for peace.
7. Unresolved injustice--such as the Israeli-Pakistanian conflict, feudal Arab regimes protected by oil and globalization policies that systematically give advantage to wealthy nations over poor countries and people--remains a root cause of violence and will not be overcome by the imposition of American military superiority.
8. Dissent in a time of war is not only Christian, it is also patriotic. A long and honorable record of opposition to war in church tradition and American history puts dissent in the mainstream of Christian life and American citizenship. Rather than acquiesce to war, prayerful and thoughtful dissent is more important than ever.
9. The churches have demonstrated the most remarkable unity in our history in opposition to war, even before the war with Iraq started. The American churches didn't just say not to war, but offered compelling and credible alternatives. These alternatives were seriously considered by many political leaders around the world, but not by our own government. An American president who increasingly uses the language of Christian faith refused even to meet with American church leaders for discussion and prayer as he made momentous decisions to go to war. The American churches are now in deep solidarity with the worldwide body of Christ and may have to choose between their Christian alliances and the demands and policies of their own government. We must learn to be Christians first and Americans second.
10. The onset of war with Iraq does not demonstrate the failure of the peace movement, but rather the failure of democracy. Tens of millions of people around the world have become engaged in active citizenship against the policies of preemptive war for resolving the greatest threats to peace and security. It is time to build on that movement, rather than withdraw from collective action. We must learn the differences between grief and despair, between lamenting and languishing, between hope and hostility. We are stronger now, not weaker. Our action has just begun.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
T-shirts
T-shirts (What We Should Be Known For)
by Derek Webb
They'll know us by the t-shirts that we wear
they'll know us by the way we point and stare
at anyone whose sin looks worse than ours
who cannot hide the scars of this curse that we all bare
they’ll know us by our picket lines and signs
they’ll know us by the pride we hide behind
like anyone on earth is living right
and isn’t that why Jesus died
not to make us think we’re right
when love, love, love
is what we should be known for
love, love, love
it’s the how and it’s the why
we live and breathe and we die
they’ll know us by reasons we divide
and how we can’t seem to unify
because we’ve gotta sing songs a certain style
or we’ll walk right down that aisle
and just leave ‘em all behind
they’ll know us by the billboards that we make
just turning God’s words to cheap clichés
says “what part of murder don’t you understand?”
but we hate our fellow man
and point a finger at his grave
when love, love, love
is what we should be known for
love, love, love
it’s the how and it’s the why
we live and breathe and we die
they'll know us by the t-shirts that we wear
they'll know us by the way we point and stare
telling ‘em their sins are worse than ours
thinking we can hide our scars
beneath these t-shirts that we wear
by Derek Webb
They'll know us by the t-shirts that we wear
they'll know us by the way we point and stare
at anyone whose sin looks worse than ours
who cannot hide the scars of this curse that we all bare
they’ll know us by our picket lines and signs
they’ll know us by the pride we hide behind
like anyone on earth is living right
and isn’t that why Jesus died
not to make us think we’re right
when love, love, love
is what we should be known for
love, love, love
it’s the how and it’s the why
we live and breathe and we die
they’ll know us by reasons we divide
and how we can’t seem to unify
because we’ve gotta sing songs a certain style
or we’ll walk right down that aisle
and just leave ‘em all behind
they’ll know us by the billboards that we make
just turning God’s words to cheap clichés
says “what part of murder don’t you understand?”
but we hate our fellow man
and point a finger at his grave
when love, love, love
is what we should be known for
love, love, love
it’s the how and it’s the why
we live and breathe and we die
they'll know us by the t-shirts that we wear
they'll know us by the way we point and stare
telling ‘em their sins are worse than ours
thinking we can hide our scars
beneath these t-shirts that we wear
Monday, December 24, 2007
Psalm 140
I know that the Lord secures justice for the poor
And upholds the cause of the needy.
Surely the righteous will praise your name
And the upright will live before you.
Ps 140:12-13
And upholds the cause of the needy.
Surely the righteous will praise your name
And the upright will live before you.
Ps 140:12-13
Introspect
Christmas in one day...a normal time to be introspective? Perhaps. What happens when we realize that we will not be the man we always imagined ourselves as? Ever. What do we do when we suddenly see into the past and remember who we always thought we would be with the understanding that that's not who we are? And not the man we saw as children; the hero who scores the winning touchdown, or hits the homerun in the bottom of the ninth, or rescues the girl, or any of the other winsom tales of childhood or adolescence. I'm talking about the person we started to see glimpses of as a teenager; the bits and pieces of ourselves that we began to construct as we got older, became young adults. The person we aspired to be who would lead people and be admired. There were things in the people we looked up to that we assigned to our future selves; things that we knew were good in them so we kept them for ourselves as well. There was a man at the end of that tale who knew himself, didn't doubt, lacked weakness or fear. He always did what was right, always knew what was right.
The greatest danger of that realization is the loss of hope. We can reach that point and succumb to a feeling of utter failure. We can stop trying; give up; give in to the fear of our own insignificance. We forget--
We forget that the dream is never the same as the reality. We forget that we are created not for ourselves but for God; in his image and for his purpose and that will never be bad nor a failure so long as we do not stop reaching for the dream that he has for us. Every decision we make is a chance to stay on that path or to return to it. Whatever point we have reached is that starting place for the next part of our journey. We can continue to have courage in spite of our fear, only striving to be more courageous. We can continue to try and live with integrity and strive to be more honest. Even good fathers can become better fathers; even good husbands can be better husbands.
Anonymity is a human fallacy; a creation of the ego, born of fear and loneliness; bitterness and low self esteem. We are never--we cannot be--anonymous to God. Our value in his eyes is boundless and equal to every other human being who has ever existed on this planet, save one. And that one was his Son; and it's because of him that our value to God persists.
If no other person ever applauds your efforts or recognizes your accomplishments God remains steadfast in his celebration of who you are; who I am; who we all are.
His love gives us endless worth. Our love connects us to him. And to each other.
Unto us this day a child was born. Through him are extended God's tidings of peace and good will toward men.
We have worth because we are loved. Pray for peace--be the instrument of it, even if it's just to your family.
Mike
The greatest danger of that realization is the loss of hope. We can reach that point and succumb to a feeling of utter failure. We can stop trying; give up; give in to the fear of our own insignificance. We forget--
We forget that the dream is never the same as the reality. We forget that we are created not for ourselves but for God; in his image and for his purpose and that will never be bad nor a failure so long as we do not stop reaching for the dream that he has for us. Every decision we make is a chance to stay on that path or to return to it. Whatever point we have reached is that starting place for the next part of our journey. We can continue to have courage in spite of our fear, only striving to be more courageous. We can continue to try and live with integrity and strive to be more honest. Even good fathers can become better fathers; even good husbands can be better husbands.
Anonymity is a human fallacy; a creation of the ego, born of fear and loneliness; bitterness and low self esteem. We are never--we cannot be--anonymous to God. Our value in his eyes is boundless and equal to every other human being who has ever existed on this planet, save one. And that one was his Son; and it's because of him that our value to God persists.
If no other person ever applauds your efforts or recognizes your accomplishments God remains steadfast in his celebration of who you are; who I am; who we all are.
His love gives us endless worth. Our love connects us to him. And to each other.
Unto us this day a child was born. Through him are extended God's tidings of peace and good will toward men.
We have worth because we are loved. Pray for peace--be the instrument of it, even if it's just to your family.
Mike
Saturday, December 15, 2007
I hate snow
Sandi and I went to the management Christmas party last night. It was at Charlie Gitto's at Harrah's. Lot's of fun and great food. We left early to keep Bec from being alone too long. Then I went to Brad's bachelor shindig--not a lot of people, but we had a good time. I think those guys spent the night, but I came home about 1 AM to try and get some rest. It's been a long week. The snow had started by then. I hate snow.
I have yet to find a snow shovel that doesn't suck. And by that I don't mean to suggest that shoveling snow might ever not suck, but that it would still be nice to find a shovel that would actually get the snow off the driveway and not poke me in the gut every 8 seconds. And then, of course, once you get the stupid snow off the driveway then it just snows some more and covers it right back up. And don't get me started about whoever it is who plows our street. Definitely a short bus reject or an escapee from a mental ward. One pass; sometimes the blades down; sometimes maybe it's not. Maybe he'll clean the middle, maybe the left side, maybe the right. The biggest problem is that the city doesn't plow the streets in our subdivision. The developer, who must have been equally retarded, decided he would set up it as private snow removal so we have to pay even more ridiculous subdivision fees so that our neighborhood council, or whatever it's called, can hire the cheapest guy they can find.
I hate snow.
I have yet to find a snow shovel that doesn't suck. And by that I don't mean to suggest that shoveling snow might ever not suck, but that it would still be nice to find a shovel that would actually get the snow off the driveway and not poke me in the gut every 8 seconds. And then, of course, once you get the stupid snow off the driveway then it just snows some more and covers it right back up. And don't get me started about whoever it is who plows our street. Definitely a short bus reject or an escapee from a mental ward. One pass; sometimes the blades down; sometimes maybe it's not. Maybe he'll clean the middle, maybe the left side, maybe the right. The biggest problem is that the city doesn't plow the streets in our subdivision. The developer, who must have been equally retarded, decided he would set up it as private snow removal so we have to pay even more ridiculous subdivision fees so that our neighborhood council, or whatever it's called, can hire the cheapest guy they can find.
I hate snow.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
I seem to be taking longer between posts lately...just a busy season I guess. Things are crazy at work and pretty busy on the home front too. At least I have a vacation coming up; but, sadly, not until after next week. And what really sucks is that I have to go to Keokuk, IA on Friday. I know--who the heck goes to Keokuk?
We were planning to take a trip home (down South where it's warm and nice and comfy) for Christmas but decided to stay in STL. The more I see of the weather forecast, the more I wish we hadn't changed our minds. I think the kids are excited to stay here and be with their friends for the holidays.
Major League Baseball released the "Mitchell Report" today about steroids in baseball. It's a pretty sad commentary about what we value in this country when the biggest story in the nation is about how a retired congressman took over a year and a half to figure out what we all already knew anyway: that a bunch of millionaires who play a kids' game for a living succumbed to the temptation to enhance their performance so they could make more money--duh. And any owner who acts the least bit shocked--especially the one who is the so-called commissioner--should be punched right in the face. Every single one of them turned a blind eye because every homerun, every strikeout, every exciting thing that happened in their ballpark put more money in their pockets--risk to the players and moral turpitude be damned.
Darfur is still in the midst of genocide, thousands of children die every day for lack of so basic a need as clean drinking water, good jobs are exported to countries where workers make a few dollars a month and live in squaller so that our millionaires can get richer and we talk incessantly about whether the steroid 'scandal' will damage baseball's fan base or whether or not our movie stars will attend the Golden Globes if the writers' strike doesn't end. I love our country, but sometimes it makes me sad.
Pray for peace.
Mike
We were planning to take a trip home (down South where it's warm and nice and comfy) for Christmas but decided to stay in STL. The more I see of the weather forecast, the more I wish we hadn't changed our minds. I think the kids are excited to stay here and be with their friends for the holidays.
Major League Baseball released the "Mitchell Report" today about steroids in baseball. It's a pretty sad commentary about what we value in this country when the biggest story in the nation is about how a retired congressman took over a year and a half to figure out what we all already knew anyway: that a bunch of millionaires who play a kids' game for a living succumbed to the temptation to enhance their performance so they could make more money--duh. And any owner who acts the least bit shocked--especially the one who is the so-called commissioner--should be punched right in the face. Every single one of them turned a blind eye because every homerun, every strikeout, every exciting thing that happened in their ballpark put more money in their pockets--risk to the players and moral turpitude be damned.
Darfur is still in the midst of genocide, thousands of children die every day for lack of so basic a need as clean drinking water, good jobs are exported to countries where workers make a few dollars a month and live in squaller so that our millionaires can get richer and we talk incessantly about whether the steroid 'scandal' will damage baseball's fan base or whether or not our movie stars will attend the Golden Globes if the writers' strike doesn't end. I love our country, but sometimes it makes me sad.
Pray for peace.
Mike
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Jealous
I read an article in Relevant today that kind of put me in a weird temper. It was by a guy named A. J. Jacobs and it was about how he spent a year trying to live by the exact laws and teachings of the Bible. The article was actually several excerpts from the book he wrote about the experience and some commentary that was added for the magazine. I enjoyed the article and was intrigued by how Jacob's (a self-proclaimed non-devout Jew) life was changed by the experience. But as I read about how he spent time with various Christian and Jewish groups and traveled to Israel it occurred to me that this was yet another type of experience that very few readers could ever hope to duplicate because of the expense and the time commitment. How many of us can take a few weeks here and there to be off work and travel around the country or the world?
This brought me to another conclusion; I'm often jealous of the authors of the articles and books that I read. They have these great experiences and meet all these cool people and spend their lives doing ministry and writing books and speaking at conferences--all stuff that I wish I could do. I don't want to be jealous. I don't want to envy them. I don't want to be angry that they have what I want. It just all kind of pops out there sometimes.
Now don't get me wrong. I don't obsess about these people or waste my life wishing and wanting. I still do ministry in the ways that I can and study and write and speak whenever the opportunity is there. But I do it around all of the fiscal and temporal constraints that most of us have--jobs, kids, school activities, spouses, etc. I suppose my greatest frustration is that I know many people in the same situation and we think very deeply about our faith, see Christ work miracles in the lives of our friends and neighbors--but it's not really what people think of as a great adventure, is it? It ends up being quite anonymous and, often, thankless. It must be my human-ness that makes me want someone to make a big deal over it; that makes me want to be in front of a crowd of rapt listeners, hanging on my every word; that says, "Hey, I could write an article that good. My insights are as good as his.".
How do we reconcile these feelings with Jesus' call for humility? How can we read about Jesus healing a blind man and making him promise not to tell anyone who did it and then be angry that we can't be famous for serving God? I wish I knew. I think that if we remember to love people--really love them, like Jesus said to--then the other desires become secondary. For some they probably go away altogether; not for me. I have had times over the years when I was so totally immersed in serving and ministering that all the other desires were nonexistent, but those times have been rare and fleeting.
Is this my cross to bear; is this a sign that my faith is too meager; does God look at me with disappointment because of it? More questions that I can't answer. It makes me sad and a bit melancholy. Some would say, Read you Bible more; others, Pray more; and still others, Suck it up you big baby, quit whining. Maybe they would all be right in their own way.
Jesus said to love God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength and love other people as much as you love your self. It's a progression; one leads to the other. That's what I try to do and I succeed more than I fail at it. And I think it's the key. No matter what I feel about myself or other people I always come back to this. Whatever else we study in the Bible, it always comes back to this. Jesus knew that if we took these two things to heart and strove to do them, none of the other information was even necessary. If we love God completely, it's going to be pretty hard to screw the rest of it up. So long as I end up back in this place, my adventure continues. God wrote it for me and I'll be famous for it in heaven; and that's where it counts.
Pray for me.
Love me back.
Mike
This brought me to another conclusion; I'm often jealous of the authors of the articles and books that I read. They have these great experiences and meet all these cool people and spend their lives doing ministry and writing books and speaking at conferences--all stuff that I wish I could do. I don't want to be jealous. I don't want to envy them. I don't want to be angry that they have what I want. It just all kind of pops out there sometimes.
Now don't get me wrong. I don't obsess about these people or waste my life wishing and wanting. I still do ministry in the ways that I can and study and write and speak whenever the opportunity is there. But I do it around all of the fiscal and temporal constraints that most of us have--jobs, kids, school activities, spouses, etc. I suppose my greatest frustration is that I know many people in the same situation and we think very deeply about our faith, see Christ work miracles in the lives of our friends and neighbors--but it's not really what people think of as a great adventure, is it? It ends up being quite anonymous and, often, thankless. It must be my human-ness that makes me want someone to make a big deal over it; that makes me want to be in front of a crowd of rapt listeners, hanging on my every word; that says, "Hey, I could write an article that good. My insights are as good as his.".
How do we reconcile these feelings with Jesus' call for humility? How can we read about Jesus healing a blind man and making him promise not to tell anyone who did it and then be angry that we can't be famous for serving God? I wish I knew. I think that if we remember to love people--really love them, like Jesus said to--then the other desires become secondary. For some they probably go away altogether; not for me. I have had times over the years when I was so totally immersed in serving and ministering that all the other desires were nonexistent, but those times have been rare and fleeting.
Is this my cross to bear; is this a sign that my faith is too meager; does God look at me with disappointment because of it? More questions that I can't answer. It makes me sad and a bit melancholy. Some would say, Read you Bible more; others, Pray more; and still others, Suck it up you big baby, quit whining. Maybe they would all be right in their own way.
Jesus said to love God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength and love other people as much as you love your self. It's a progression; one leads to the other. That's what I try to do and I succeed more than I fail at it. And I think it's the key. No matter what I feel about myself or other people I always come back to this. Whatever else we study in the Bible, it always comes back to this. Jesus knew that if we took these two things to heart and strove to do them, none of the other information was even necessary. If we love God completely, it's going to be pretty hard to screw the rest of it up. So long as I end up back in this place, my adventure continues. God wrote it for me and I'll be famous for it in heaven; and that's where it counts.
Pray for me.
Love me back.
Mike
I can't believe it's been almost a week since I posted. It's been crazy busy both at work and at home; plus our internet was out for a couple of days when we switched from cable to dish. The guy doing the install disconnected our high speed cable by accident and we didn't realize it until he was gone. Then it took a couple of days for him to be able to come back and fix it. What's weird is how disconnected it made us feel to be without our email and Facebook and all of that stuff. It's a little embarrassing to realize where our priorities lie. The world's going to hell in VW Microbus and we're freaked out because our high speed access is down. I'm not even sure I still remember how to use dial up.
Last night was full of activity. The plant employee Christmas party was right after work in Arnold. I had to leave it early to get home and get ready to go to Sandi's office Christmas party out in New Town. And we missed the Infusion Christmas Karaoke Night at the Realm altogether. I'm disappointed about that because I bet it was funny. I haven't talked to anybody yet to see how my boys did in the contest.
Sandi and I have been very lazy so far today. She's worked on decorations a little and I've pretty much just laid around and read Relevant magazine. Becca spent the night with a friend last night and Liz had a friend over here. Now Becca's home and Liz left. Oh well, I guess that's what cold, rainy December Saturday's are for.
Joy and peace for your family.
Mike
Last night was full of activity. The plant employee Christmas party was right after work in Arnold. I had to leave it early to get home and get ready to go to Sandi's office Christmas party out in New Town. And we missed the Infusion Christmas Karaoke Night at the Realm altogether. I'm disappointed about that because I bet it was funny. I haven't talked to anybody yet to see how my boys did in the contest.
Sandi and I have been very lazy so far today. She's worked on decorations a little and I've pretty much just laid around and read Relevant magazine. Becca spent the night with a friend last night and Liz had a friend over here. Now Becca's home and Liz left. Oh well, I guess that's what cold, rainy December Saturday's are for.
Joy and peace for your family.
Mike
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Sunday A.M. and it's the first Sunday I've missed since I started hosting the Realm service last July. Guess I picked up a touch of the Montezuma's Revenge or something. Anyway, I'll be hanging at home today.
We went over to the Morrises' last night (completely unrelated to the current situation, of course) and played some games and kind of watched the Mizzou game. That was sad. They seemed to be pretty nervous and I think they got out coached. We had a great time...the McLauries were there and so were Gary and Connie.
Started putting up Christmas decorations yesterday, since we'll be staying here this year instead of making the trip home. Becca pretty much did the whole tree once we got it put up and got the lights working. I spent a good bit of time running around looking for pizza sauce--don't ask.
There are three things that will endure—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.
(1 Cor. 13:13)
We went over to the Morrises' last night (completely unrelated to the current situation, of course) and played some games and kind of watched the Mizzou game. That was sad. They seemed to be pretty nervous and I think they got out coached. We had a great time...the McLauries were there and so were Gary and Connie.
Started putting up Christmas decorations yesterday, since we'll be staying here this year instead of making the trip home. Becca pretty much did the whole tree once we got it put up and got the lights working. I spent a good bit of time running around looking for pizza sauce--don't ask.
There are three things that will endure—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.
(1 Cor. 13:13)
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Hard to believe it's already been four days since my last post. Our lives are always busy, but they always get busier as the holidays approach. And work is getting more intense all the time. As I'm sure is true with many others, the pay raises never keep pace with the workload or responsibility. I'm in Peoria tonight (how exciting is that?) at the midpoint of a 2 day whirlwind tour of some of our plants in Illinois. It's cool to see the plants and meet new people, but I'd rather be home. What especially sucks is that the Packers and Cowboys are playing tonight and the greed-sucking NFL decided to only broadcast the game on their network. I hope they choke on it (but I'm not bitter).
Liz's choir had the first of two consecutive nights of fundraising tonight. They are presenting a dessert concert that includes group and solo performances as they serve homemade desserts to patrons. There's also a silent auction and some other stuff. They will be going to New York during Spring Break to perform in a national competition and need cash to finance the trip. Pretty fancy stuff--they're really quite good (obviously).
I finished up my series on the attributes of Jesus Sunday. This week was about Jesus as King; but not like that. It's not the whole "ruler of the universe" thing, but the warnings that he gave about what it means to commit to him. He has to be in charge of all we do and we have to know that up front and be willing to stick with it. He doesn't want us to jump in just to decide we can't handle it--and he won't allow us to use the excuse that we didn't realize what it would cost us.
We decided to spend Christmas in MO this year rather than travel back to Bama like we have been planning. Gas is way too high to afford to make the trip and still pay all the bills; plus the kids are kind of excited about just hanging out and decorating our house and seeing their friends. It'll be fun and I'm still going to take some time off so we can go do some stuff; like tour Meramec Caverns, hit the City Museum, etc. We do way too few family outings. I'm really looking forward to it.
Just one quick, predictable reminder about the season before I go. I think even the origins of Christmas didn't really have a lot to do with elevating Jesus just for the sake of elevating Jesus; but that doesn't mean we have to ignore that opportunity. The angels were spot-on when they said that his birth (which was actually sometime in the Spring) was all about peace and good will. We have so little of that any more, whether we're talking about countries or each other. Try committing some Acts of Random Kindness (ARK--was 'Evan Almight' a sweet movie, or what?). Forget the crap and focus on the good stuff. It really is contagious.
Pray for peace; celebrate life.
Mike
Liz's choir had the first of two consecutive nights of fundraising tonight. They are presenting a dessert concert that includes group and solo performances as they serve homemade desserts to patrons. There's also a silent auction and some other stuff. They will be going to New York during Spring Break to perform in a national competition and need cash to finance the trip. Pretty fancy stuff--they're really quite good (obviously).
I finished up my series on the attributes of Jesus Sunday. This week was about Jesus as King; but not like that. It's not the whole "ruler of the universe" thing, but the warnings that he gave about what it means to commit to him. He has to be in charge of all we do and we have to know that up front and be willing to stick with it. He doesn't want us to jump in just to decide we can't handle it--and he won't allow us to use the excuse that we didn't realize what it would cost us.
We decided to spend Christmas in MO this year rather than travel back to Bama like we have been planning. Gas is way too high to afford to make the trip and still pay all the bills; plus the kids are kind of excited about just hanging out and decorating our house and seeing their friends. It'll be fun and I'm still going to take some time off so we can go do some stuff; like tour Meramec Caverns, hit the City Museum, etc. We do way too few family outings. I'm really looking forward to it.
Just one quick, predictable reminder about the season before I go. I think even the origins of Christmas didn't really have a lot to do with elevating Jesus just for the sake of elevating Jesus; but that doesn't mean we have to ignore that opportunity. The angels were spot-on when they said that his birth (which was actually sometime in the Spring) was all about peace and good will. We have so little of that any more, whether we're talking about countries or each other. Try committing some Acts of Random Kindness (ARK--was 'Evan Almight' a sweet movie, or what?). Forget the crap and focus on the good stuff. It really is contagious.
Pray for peace; celebrate life.
Mike
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Walk-ins Not Welcome
OK...this was just too funny to pass up. A young couple who shall remain nameless (friends of ours) had returned home to St. Chuck to visit with the husband's parents. After awakening this morning they felt rather amorous and decided to do something about it. At a most inopportune moment, in walks Dad (without thinking to knock) to announce that breakfast would be ready in 15 minutes. Panic-stricken, the dad said, "Oh no!", made the breakfast announcement and hastily retreated. The wife was mortified but the husband was quite amused. And he used the situation to his advantage in conversations with his parents throughout the remainder of the day--especially with his mom, who was even more freaked out than his wife. When he called and told me about it (with his wife's blessings) I think I wet myself a little bit.
He did admit that he will be checking the lock on the bedroom door more carefully on future visits.
God gave us our sense of humor so laugh easily and often.
Mike
He did admit that he will be checking the lock on the bedroom door more carefully on future visits.
God gave us our sense of humor so laugh easily and often.
Mike
Post Holiday
Well, the family has come and gone and a good time was had by all. Debbie and David spent the night last night on their way back to Cincinnati from Arkansas. We watched the Mizzou game and Die Hard with a Vengeance last night. Good movie--excellent action sequences and one liners from Willis.
Church was good today. I taught the last of the lesson series on the attributes of Jesus for the middle school kids. It was one of those weird teaching times where I felt like I hit all the points I wanted to hit and got all the info out there, but it just didn't seem to resonate. Oh, well; I guess they can't all be home runs.
Remember that it's cool with me if you disagree with me about anything I say--social views, political views, religious views or whatever--if you have an informed opinion. If we can have thoughtful discussions based on differing understandings of facts and information, then there exists the potential for common ground. But if you only want to yell about stuff you aren't willing to learn about, I don't have the energy for it. Our country was founded upon, and its future depends upon, INFORMED disagreement and compromise. Ignorance is the breeding ground for marginalization, persecution, racism, hatred, etc. Do not fall victim to it.
Love God...pray for wisdom...be a life long learner.
Mike
Church was good today. I taught the last of the lesson series on the attributes of Jesus for the middle school kids. It was one of those weird teaching times where I felt like I hit all the points I wanted to hit and got all the info out there, but it just didn't seem to resonate. Oh, well; I guess they can't all be home runs.
Remember that it's cool with me if you disagree with me about anything I say--social views, political views, religious views or whatever--if you have an informed opinion. If we can have thoughtful discussions based on differing understandings of facts and information, then there exists the potential for common ground. But if you only want to yell about stuff you aren't willing to learn about, I don't have the energy for it. Our country was founded upon, and its future depends upon, INFORMED disagreement and compromise. Ignorance is the breeding ground for marginalization, persecution, racism, hatred, etc. Do not fall victim to it.
Love God...pray for wisdom...be a life long learner.
Mike
Friday, November 23, 2007
Thanksgiving
Well, the meal--non-traditional though it was--was great. So was having our family here. I think it's going to make us that much more homesick when they leave. I still haven't heard from the church in Pensacola that I emailed. I'm hoping that's just because of the holiday. I'll call if I don't hear from them by mid week next week.
I guess some gratuitous ramblings about the meaning of Thanksgiving is in order. I kind of hate that sort of stuff, though. It always seems so canned and predictable. I am truly thankful for what I have--great family, good job, friends. I even like my stuff, although I try not to be tied up in it. One thing I often think about is how we as Anglos look at the holiday as a celebration of our coming into this country--our coming to posses the land and build such an empire. We think of it as a recreation of the fellowship the pilgrims had with the Native Americans they met so many centuries ago. I don't think the Native Americans quite see it that way. It wasn't long after that first celebration that the long and bloody process of stealing the land from them through genocide began. I realize that this is a story that is repeated often throughout world history in many countries on many continents. Of course, just because a thing is common doesn't make it OK.
I guess, more than anything, I look at this and think of our hypocrisy when dealing with the immigrants today. We look down our noses at them and want them to leave. We consider them less than ourselves. States have even passed laws that make it illegal for churches to help them with the most basic of their needs. I understand that some control over our borders is necessary, but how can we be so angry at people who are looking for a way to live a decent life; to make a better life for their families? We should be looking for a way to make it work, not make it go away. Compassion should be our aim, not isolation. Carte Blanche is not the answer, but neither is anger and hatred. Most of us are looking for the middle ground; to do what is right, even if it's hard sometimes. We have to stop allowing the hardliners on the fringes run our country and our lives.
Love God. Pray for peace.
Faith, hope and love.
Mike
I guess some gratuitous ramblings about the meaning of Thanksgiving is in order. I kind of hate that sort of stuff, though. It always seems so canned and predictable. I am truly thankful for what I have--great family, good job, friends. I even like my stuff, although I try not to be tied up in it. One thing I often think about is how we as Anglos look at the holiday as a celebration of our coming into this country--our coming to posses the land and build such an empire. We think of it as a recreation of the fellowship the pilgrims had with the Native Americans they met so many centuries ago. I don't think the Native Americans quite see it that way. It wasn't long after that first celebration that the long and bloody process of stealing the land from them through genocide began. I realize that this is a story that is repeated often throughout world history in many countries on many continents. Of course, just because a thing is common doesn't make it OK.
I guess, more than anything, I look at this and think of our hypocrisy when dealing with the immigrants today. We look down our noses at them and want them to leave. We consider them less than ourselves. States have even passed laws that make it illegal for churches to help them with the most basic of their needs. I understand that some control over our borders is necessary, but how can we be so angry at people who are looking for a way to live a decent life; to make a better life for their families? We should be looking for a way to make it work, not make it go away. Compassion should be our aim, not isolation. Carte Blanche is not the answer, but neither is anger and hatred. Most of us are looking for the middle ground; to do what is right, even if it's hard sometimes. We have to stop allowing the hardliners on the fringes run our country and our lives.
Love God. Pray for peace.
Faith, hope and love.
Mike
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Healthcare Crisis
There's a crime being committed in this country every day and we are subsidising it--and it's being perpetrated by the insurance companies and the politicians who work for them. 48 million Americans are uninsured or under-insured; many of them children. And many, if not most of them are working men and women whose wages won't support the cost of health insurance and whose companies either can't or won't provide it. Fortunately, our president vetoed the SCHIP bill (which passed with great bipartisan support) which would have at least provided some coverage for most of the kids who are on the outs. And that crap that he said about Medicaid providing the coverage they need is a lie straight from hell--and the sad thing is that he may be too thick to even know it's a lie.
With nearly a trillion dollars being spent on health care, there is a huge incentive for the insurance companies to want to maintain the status quo--which is, basically, pay through the nose to purchase a product that they will ultimately try to withhold from you at their whim. Here's something encouraging though; of every premium dollar paid to the insurance companies, at least 15% is spent on overhead and administrative costs--and that's only indicative of the best of them. It's more likely to be in the 20% to 30% range for most of the companies.
There is a solution that will allow every single person in this country to be covered for less money than is being spent now to cover 83% of us: HB 676. Check it out at Healthcare-Now.org. Also check out the Sojourners website at sojo.com to see what they have to say about the proposed bill. If you believe that we are truly supposed to care for "the least of these" (Jesus said that, Christians); if you believe that we've been lied to for long enough; if you believe that corporate greed must become a thing of the past; if you're tired of corporate bigwigs, lobbyists, special interest groups, political action committees and others who are only interested in themselves running this country instead of the people who live in it then educate yourself and do something about it. Write, email and call your representatives and tell them you demand to be heard over the voices of the rich. Check out the websites and check out the bill. Here's something else we as Christians need to think about: in addition to the fact that the Republican president vetoed the children's health care extension which was supported by his party, there is not one single Republican signed on to cosponsor HB 676. Where are their priorities--where are ours?
Seek God; pray for justice.
Mike
With nearly a trillion dollars being spent on health care, there is a huge incentive for the insurance companies to want to maintain the status quo--which is, basically, pay through the nose to purchase a product that they will ultimately try to withhold from you at their whim. Here's something encouraging though; of every premium dollar paid to the insurance companies, at least 15% is spent on overhead and administrative costs--and that's only indicative of the best of them. It's more likely to be in the 20% to 30% range for most of the companies.
There is a solution that will allow every single person in this country to be covered for less money than is being spent now to cover 83% of us: HB 676. Check it out at Healthcare-Now.org. Also check out the Sojourners website at sojo.com to see what they have to say about the proposed bill. If you believe that we are truly supposed to care for "the least of these" (Jesus said that, Christians); if you believe that we've been lied to for long enough; if you believe that corporate greed must become a thing of the past; if you're tired of corporate bigwigs, lobbyists, special interest groups, political action committees and others who are only interested in themselves running this country instead of the people who live in it then educate yourself and do something about it. Write, email and call your representatives and tell them you demand to be heard over the voices of the rich. Check out the websites and check out the bill. Here's something else we as Christians need to think about: in addition to the fact that the Republican president vetoed the children's health care extension which was supported by his party, there is not one single Republican signed on to cosponsor HB 676. Where are their priorities--where are ours?
Seek God; pray for justice.
Mike
Visitors
Well, Debbie and David left this morning for Arkansas; Mom and Dad arrived about 4:30. The rain made it a dreary day, but we had a lot of fun visiting and catching up. I laughed so much last night and today that my stomach hurts.
We decided to go non-traditional for Thanksgiving eats this year. We're having steaks and baked potatos and a few shrimp on the side--a little surf-n-turf. We usually fry a turkey and fix all the usual trimmings, but everybody wanted to go with something a little easier; works for me.
Becca and the twins are getting restless because of the weather and having to be inside all day. Will took them bowling late this afternoon--brave man.
We decided to go non-traditional for Thanksgiving eats this year. We're having steaks and baked potatos and a few shrimp on the side--a little surf-n-turf. We usually fry a turkey and fix all the usual trimmings, but everybody wanted to go with something a little easier; works for me.
Becca and the twins are getting restless because of the weather and having to be inside all day. Will took them bowling late this afternoon--brave man.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Family Visit
Cathy (my sister) and her family arrived this afternoon. It'll be good to have the family here again. It's been a long time since we had everyone up here together. Debbie and David (friends from Cincinnati) are due in any time and Mom and Dad will be here tomorrow. I finished work on the bathroom about an hour before they arrived...whew.
Met with David this afternoon to talk about a potential staff position at FBC. Turns out it won't be filled for a while; and even then they're looking for something besides what I really have the expertise for. Not a big deal...probably the most fruitful realization I've had in a long time is that it's not a big deal either way if I ever get a full time gig at a church. I still know I'm called to do it, but I also know that I'm called to serve regardless of where. David's a good guy; he's really trying to do what's best for the church and follow God's will. He's going to put my name out there when he hears about staff positions he thinks are suited to me; and he's going to let me know if when he hears about speaking or teaching opportunities in the area--for services or events.
I am finally on vacation--off work until Monday. It's the first time in a while that I can just hang out a veg. The only other vacation I've taken this year was in June and that was to go to youth camp; not exactly a real vacation--lots of fun, but not restful.
Love God, pray for peace.
Mike
Met with David this afternoon to talk about a potential staff position at FBC. Turns out it won't be filled for a while; and even then they're looking for something besides what I really have the expertise for. Not a big deal...probably the most fruitful realization I've had in a long time is that it's not a big deal either way if I ever get a full time gig at a church. I still know I'm called to do it, but I also know that I'm called to serve regardless of where. David's a good guy; he's really trying to do what's best for the church and follow God's will. He's going to put my name out there when he hears about staff positions he thinks are suited to me; and he's going to let me know if when he hears about speaking or teaching opportunities in the area--for services or events.
I am finally on vacation--off work until Monday. It's the first time in a while that I can just hang out a veg. The only other vacation I've taken this year was in June and that was to go to youth camp; not exactly a real vacation--lots of fun, but not restful.
Love God, pray for peace.
Mike
Monday, November 19, 2007
Well, Liz's play is over with--it was "Guys and Dolls". She was the Salvation Army general (I forgot the character's name). She, and all the kids, did a great job.
I am tired of working on our bathroom. Thank goodness we're nearly finished. Just a little more baseboard to put in and a bit of painting and it's done. Then it's on to the next project. It's nice to be getting some stuff done around here; the place looks better already.
Relatives are coming in for the holiday this year--first time in a long time. We're very excited about it. My sister and her husband and their boys arrive tomorrow and my mom and dad on Wed. (unless they back out again). Some friends are staying tomorrow night only on their way through town heading for Arkansas (I know, but they have relatives down there). It's good to have people coming to visit. We usually have to make the trip down south to see them.
I have a meeting with David tomorrow (our pastor). We're going to talk about the open staff position at the church. I think I've finally reached the point where I don't feel frantic to get a full time ministry job--like I'm running out of time or something. If God works it out then that's cool; if he doesn't, I've still got a good job and a great family--a great life, really. It's not always easy, but it's usually my fault when it isn't. There are also a couple of staff openings at my sister's church in Pace that I'm checking into. That would be very cool if I could get the full time gig close to home like that. We'd really like to go back soon. I would like to be with my family again before I get old.
Love God; pray for peace.
Mike
I am tired of working on our bathroom. Thank goodness we're nearly finished. Just a little more baseboard to put in and a bit of painting and it's done. Then it's on to the next project. It's nice to be getting some stuff done around here; the place looks better already.
Relatives are coming in for the holiday this year--first time in a long time. We're very excited about it. My sister and her husband and their boys arrive tomorrow and my mom and dad on Wed. (unless they back out again). Some friends are staying tomorrow night only on their way through town heading for Arkansas (I know, but they have relatives down there). It's good to have people coming to visit. We usually have to make the trip down south to see them.
I have a meeting with David tomorrow (our pastor). We're going to talk about the open staff position at the church. I think I've finally reached the point where I don't feel frantic to get a full time ministry job--like I'm running out of time or something. If God works it out then that's cool; if he doesn't, I've still got a good job and a great family--a great life, really. It's not always easy, but it's usually my fault when it isn't. There are also a couple of staff openings at my sister's church in Pace that I'm checking into. That would be very cool if I could get the full time gig close to home like that. We'd really like to go back soon. I would like to be with my family again before I get old.
Love God; pray for peace.
Mike
Sunday
Today was good. David's message rocked; I got to sub in doing worship for the middle school kids and had a lot of fun with that; and the lesson on Jesus as Shepherd went well. And we had a good lunch with Bruce and Leigh and the boys.
Got some bad/disturbing news yesterday--Mac (fraternity brother) called to let me know that an old friend, Greg Hamilton, also a frat brother, died about a week and a half ago. He was 45 and had 7 kids. That's a tough thing to take. Life is fragile and full of questions. Mac was really close to Greg and took it pretty hard.
I'm super tired. Sandi and I have been working like crazy to finish the remodel on our guest bathroom. The relatives are coming in for the holiday and start arriving Tuesday. Got the floor in today; the painting is nearly finished; still got to reinstall the toilet and put in the trim and caulk everything.
Pray for justice.
Mike
Got some bad/disturbing news yesterday--Mac (fraternity brother) called to let me know that an old friend, Greg Hamilton, also a frat brother, died about a week and a half ago. He was 45 and had 7 kids. That's a tough thing to take. Life is fragile and full of questions. Mac was really close to Greg and took it pretty hard.
I'm super tired. Sandi and I have been working like crazy to finish the remodel on our guest bathroom. The relatives are coming in for the holiday and start arriving Tuesday. Got the floor in today; the painting is nearly finished; still got to reinstall the toilet and put in the trim and caulk everything.
Pray for justice.
Mike
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Another Day
Nothing heavy today...I had to work which I didn't really want to do, but figured I'd better because Christmas is coming and I usually don't get paid for my OT but today I did...whew.
Question: Why is it never obvious to the people who so obviously have double standards that they obviously have a double standard?
Liz (my oldest daughter) is in her final night of her play at school and tonight is the night we are attending. I love to watch her perform but I wish we had gone to one of the performances earlier in the week because I'm really tired.
When we get home from that I have to finish the lesson I'm teaching for the middle school kids tomorrow morning at church. It shouldn't take long, but it's just another thing to have to do. I'm teaching about Jesus' role as shepherd. It focuses quite a bit on how he really does want the best for us and he promises to always care for us. I think people completely misconstrue this idea by thinking it means that he will guarantee that nothing bad ever happens to us. We have no concept that the real value of the relationship we have with Jesus will be realized when this life ends...in the afterlife. We'll be secure with him forever. In this life it means that we can count on him for joy and peace even in the midst of turmoil and pain. That's a hard lesson--goes against our nature. We think that joy and peace are equal to happiness and that they can only be present in the absence of turmoil and pain. In the Psalm, when David writes that "even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil", he's giving us a huge clue. He's saying that the cool and amazing thing about God is that even when I'm completely up against it because of stuff that's happening to me in my life, knowing God intimately gives me the courage to keep going. Even when I really am scared I can still find comfort, joy and peace in my relationship with him.
BAM!! Relationship! That's what God wants from us--not robots who know all the words and movements to the rituals. He hates that. Talk to him; cry with him; yell at him; seek him; know him. Intimacy. That's the key to getting through the crappy times of life.
Love God--pray for justice.
Mike
Question: Why is it never obvious to the people who so obviously have double standards that they obviously have a double standard?
Liz (my oldest daughter) is in her final night of her play at school and tonight is the night we are attending. I love to watch her perform but I wish we had gone to one of the performances earlier in the week because I'm really tired.
When we get home from that I have to finish the lesson I'm teaching for the middle school kids tomorrow morning at church. It shouldn't take long, but it's just another thing to have to do. I'm teaching about Jesus' role as shepherd. It focuses quite a bit on how he really does want the best for us and he promises to always care for us. I think people completely misconstrue this idea by thinking it means that he will guarantee that nothing bad ever happens to us. We have no concept that the real value of the relationship we have with Jesus will be realized when this life ends...in the afterlife. We'll be secure with him forever. In this life it means that we can count on him for joy and peace even in the midst of turmoil and pain. That's a hard lesson--goes against our nature. We think that joy and peace are equal to happiness and that they can only be present in the absence of turmoil and pain. In the Psalm, when David writes that "even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil", he's giving us a huge clue. He's saying that the cool and amazing thing about God is that even when I'm completely up against it because of stuff that's happening to me in my life, knowing God intimately gives me the courage to keep going. Even when I really am scared I can still find comfort, joy and peace in my relationship with him.
BAM!! Relationship! That's what God wants from us--not robots who know all the words and movements to the rituals. He hates that. Talk to him; cry with him; yell at him; seek him; know him. Intimacy. That's the key to getting through the crappy times of life.
Love God--pray for justice.
Mike
Friday, November 16, 2007
Hi
This is my second run at blogging. I had one a couple of years ago when we had the church plant, but I kind of let the weeds grow up around it. I seem to feel like I have some stuff to say; mostly it seems to be born of discontent...discontent with politics; with religion; with the church; with people--or least Americans. We're so busy hustling to succeed at The Dream that we've become incorrigibly too lazy to think for ourselves. We believe everything we see on TV, read in a magazine or hear on the radio--or God forbid we find it on the internet (I think I may have just suggested to you that I'm not to be trusted; screw it, work hard enough to figure it out for yourself). USE YOUR BRAIN!! Please.
Our country is run by lobbyists for insurance companies and oil companies and banks and pharmaceutical manufacturers and the list goes on. This is only possible because we allow it.
If you call yourself a Republican then at least know why. Are you rich and just trying to protect your money--no matter at whose expense? Are you a Christian and think it's your responsibility to God to support a particular party? Are you hawkish and want to see America fighting in constant wars?
If you call yourself a Democrat then at least know why. Are you so far left of center that only anarchy will ever truly satisfy you? Are you convinced that the government is ultimately responsible for taking care of all of us?
My guess is that most of us fall in between these extremes; but we've gotten lazy--or tired. Too tired to hold our government responsible for what's really important to us. Too tired to fight for ourselves, much less those less fortunate or able. Too tired to cry out against the demagogues who defile our airwaves and our minds with hatred and lies and horribly slanted points of view that represent only the smallest fraction of people in our world. Too tired to fight the greed that has corrupted our companies and our leaders.
Find a mirror, look at the person you see there, point your finger right at them and say, "From now on I'm holding you responsible; not the media; not the politicians; not my boss; not my wife or my kids--but you."
Until we take back our integrity and our honor and reacquire a sense of personal responsibility for what happens not only to us but around us we are doomed to failure and death. Generate energy and justice in your world. Suppress the urge to blame someone else. Find the real God; the one who hates greed and injustice; the one who holds service to other humans as the highest form of service to him.
Our country is run by lobbyists for insurance companies and oil companies and banks and pharmaceutical manufacturers and the list goes on. This is only possible because we allow it.
If you call yourself a Republican then at least know why. Are you rich and just trying to protect your money--no matter at whose expense? Are you a Christian and think it's your responsibility to God to support a particular party? Are you hawkish and want to see America fighting in constant wars?
If you call yourself a Democrat then at least know why. Are you so far left of center that only anarchy will ever truly satisfy you? Are you convinced that the government is ultimately responsible for taking care of all of us?
My guess is that most of us fall in between these extremes; but we've gotten lazy--or tired. Too tired to hold our government responsible for what's really important to us. Too tired to fight for ourselves, much less those less fortunate or able. Too tired to cry out against the demagogues who defile our airwaves and our minds with hatred and lies and horribly slanted points of view that represent only the smallest fraction of people in our world. Too tired to fight the greed that has corrupted our companies and our leaders.
Find a mirror, look at the person you see there, point your finger right at them and say, "From now on I'm holding you responsible; not the media; not the politicians; not my boss; not my wife or my kids--but you."
Until we take back our integrity and our honor and reacquire a sense of personal responsibility for what happens not only to us but around us we are doomed to failure and death. Generate energy and justice in your world. Suppress the urge to blame someone else. Find the real God; the one who hates greed and injustice; the one who holds service to other humans as the highest form of service to him.
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