THE MOTIONS

If you listen to contemporary Christian radio, you’ve undoubtedly heard Matthew West’s song “The Motions.” For those who haven’t heard it, here are the lyrics to the verses and refrain:

This might hurt, it's not safe
But I know that I've gotta make a change
I don't care if I break,
At least I'll be feeling something
'Cause just okay is not enough
Help me fight through the nothingness of life

I don't wanna go through the motions
I don't wanna go one more day
without Your all consuming passion inside of me
I don't wanna spend my whole life asking,
"What if I had given everything,instead of going through the motions?"

No regrets, not this time
I'm gonna let my heart defeat my mind
Let Your love make me whole
I think I'm finally feeling something
'Cause just okay is not enough
Help me fight through the nothingness of this life

'Cause I don't wanna go through the motions
I don't wanna go one more day
without Your all consuming passion inside of me
I don't wanna spend my whole life asking,
"What if I had given everything,instead of going through the motions?"

Whenever I hear the song, I have to admit that I’m indicted. There are times in my life (far more than I’d probably like to think about or admit) when I coast. I get complacent and think, “The status quo is OK for today.” And in those moments, while I’m not hurting anyone through my half-way attitude and actions, I’m certainly not helping anyone.

Somehow I don’t think I’m alone. We all go through those “nothing” times in our lives when our minds tell us that we deserve a break, that we don’t have to work at justice or compassion or kindness today because we did it yesterday and it’s on our agenda for tomorrow. But living as a follower of Jesus Christ is not like that. Living as a faithful follower means that we work at these things non-stop, because the needs never stop surfacing. Perhaps that’s why Jesus said, “If any want to become my followers, they must deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow me.”

But we can’t do it alone. We can’t keep up a breakneck pace of ministry without returning to the well to be refilled and refueled from time to time. And we can’t wait until it’s too late or else we end up like the tinman in the Wizard of Oz…frozen, motionless (and sometimes e-motionless), and useless. And so in the midst of doing justice and loving kindness, let us remember to walk humbly with our God. God’s consuming passion in our lives can make us whole and supply us with exactly what we need to continue strong in the tasks God has set before us.

I don’t want to get to the end of my ministry…the end of my life…and wonder “What if…?” I don’t want to simply go through the motions. Lord, I need your help…let’s chat!

NEED OR GREED?

I came across a quote from Mahatma Gandhi who said, “In nature, there is enough for every one’s need, but too little for one’s greed.”

I hear about the economic situation and corporate bailouts and I wonder, need or greed?

I hear about military spending (which in 2008 was about $1.7 trillion worldwide) and I wonder, need or greed.

I hear about churches that build multi-million dollar facilities on vast acreages of land (or the Dallas Cowboys who recently completed their new stadium at the cost of $1.15 billion!) and I wonder, need or greed?

At a time when affordable health care for all is being debated, when poverty and hunger still run rampant in our backyards and around the world, when schools are closing and teachers are being laid off, when diseases like HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis kill thousands daily, I wonder if the world's greed is standing in the way of caring for some very significant needs.

I recently read that if just 10% of the world military outlays, or 20% of the U.S. military expenditure were diverted yearly, we could fund programs that would end poverty by the year 2015, ensure that adequate health care was available to everyone, and end the spread of deadly diseases. Isn't that a better way to invest our money? Or maybe I'm just being greedy.

What do you think? Let's chat!

FOREVER DANCE

It's been a while since I've posted. Much has taken place, but nothing that should have kept me from writing. And so I return...

Because many of my posts are a sharing of something I have read, the fact that I haven't been blogging is a good indication that my reading has lagged as well. Again, there is no good reason other than "I've been busy..." (and who isn't busy, so that's really not a good reason). And so I return...

Turning again to the poetry of the mystic Hafiz, I came across this gem:

I am happy even before I have a reason

I am full of Light even before the sky

Can greet the sun or the moon.

Dear companions,

We have been in love with God

For so very, very long.

What can (we) now do but

Forever Dance!

When is the last time you felt like dancing? When were you so filled with joy or love or peace that the only fitting response was to kick up your heels, spin and twirl, and fall to the ground laughing? Has it been a while?

Remember the Spirit's word to the church at Ephesus: "I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance...I also know that you are enduring patiently and bearing up for the sake of my name and that you ahve not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first" (Revelation 2:2-4).

I know that when it seems like my dancing shoes have gathered dust, when it feels like my relationships are becoming hard work, when I find myself engrossed in simply going through the motions, it's because I've abandoned my first love - God.

Been there yourself? Felt the same way? What has been your response? Let's chat...

Mr. Rogers Wisdom

Having raised four kids and many more foster kids, I'm pretty sharp on children's television. I can tell you how to get to Sesame Street (and, while you're there, tell you about the People In Your Neighborhood). I can sing the Barney song (but don't get me started). And I'll help you remember that "It's You I Like."

That last reference, for those not quite as sharp on their children's television, is from a song that Mr. Rogers often sang on his show, Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood. Mr. Rogers always had some wonderful things to say about how we ought to treat one another. And did you know that Fred (Mr.) Rogers had some pretty insightful things to say to adults, too? Consider this quote of his:

"When I say it's you I like, I'm talking about that part of you that knows that life is
far more than anything you can ever see or hear or touch. That deep part of you
that allows you to stand for those things without which humankind cannot survive.
Love that conquers hate, peace that rises triumphant over war, and justice that
proves more powerful than greed."

Love that conquers hate...peace that rises triumphant over war...justice that proves more powerful than greed. What are other things without which humankind cannot survive? Let's chat...

DRINK OF LOVE

The mystic poet Hafiz writes,

I know the way you can get
When you have not had a drink of Love;

Your face hardens,
Your sweet muscles cramp.
Children become concerned
About a strange look that appears in your eyes
Which even begins to worry your own mirror
And nose.

Squirrels and birds sense your sadness
And call an important conference in a tall tree.
They decide which secret code to chant
To help your mind and soul.

Even angels fear that brand of madness
That arrays itself against the world
And throws sharp stones and spears into
The innocent
And into one's self.

O I know the way you can get
If you have not been out drinking Love;

How often have we felt that way? Empty...longing...searching...? And as hard as we try to hide the pain or emptiness we're feeling, we can't fool those closest to us. Sometimes even strangers see it or sense it in us. And sometimes, try as we might, our pain is transferred to others by the unhappiness we project on to them.

What do we do? Where do we go when we begin to feel this way? Let me answer with two possibilities:

Hafiz continues,

Bring your cup near me,
For I am a Sweet Old Vagabond
With an Infinite Leaking Barrel
Of Light and Laughter and Truth
That the Beloved has tied to my back.

Dear one,
Indeed, please bring your heart near me.
For all I care about
Is quenching your thirst for freedom!

All a sane man can ever care about
Is giving Love!

And then from the words of scripture, the book of 1 John:

We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us - and we ought to lay down our lives for one another (3:16).

Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action (3:18).

And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us (3:23).

Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God (4:7).

We love because he first loved us (4:19).

Who is your "Sweet Old Vagabond" to whom you can turn when you need a fill of love? How often do you position your "Infinite Leaking Barrel" so that you can fill the empty reservoirs of others? And when you find yourself living in love, do you give thanks to God who is love, and who makes it possible for us to love others? Let's chat...

HOPE?

I spent the morning on the phone with two people in grief. The first was a woman whose 18 year old daughter gave birth last week to a baby who was stillborn. Quite premature, the baby was not expected to survive long outside the confines of the mother's womb. Yet still, there was hope. Hope that the doctors were wrong. Hope that the contractions would cease and labor could be held off until the baby was more fully developed. Hope for a miracle. Later this week, I will lead a Memorial Service for this tiny child of God.

The second was a woman calling to tell me that her 30-something son had just passed away at the University of Minnesota Hospital. This young man has suffered with an immune system deficiency for at least the second half of his life. Earlier this year he received a bone marrow transplant in hopes that it would kick start his body to begin producing the necessary cells to boost him immune system. For a short time, it appeared that the transplant had worked. Hopes were high that he would get back to living a "normal" life. But last week he developed pneumonia and influenza. The high doses of medication he was receiving took their toll on his heart and other organs. At the end of this week, this young man will be eulogized by his friends and family members.

What is the proper response when our hopes are dashed?
What can we say to someone who placed so much hope in God, only to have God answer with something totally unexpected?
What, if anything, can be done to restore hope when it has been lost?

Let's chat...but please don't stop there. If you would, join me in praying for these two families...sometimes it's the only thing we can do.

Cross the Road

I'm at Annual Conference (our denomination's 'annual' meeting with clergy and laypeople from each United Methodist Church in Minnesota) this week. It's always good to catch up with people I haven't seen for a year, and our times of worship are always inspirational.

Last night our bishop, Sally Dyck, preached on the topic of the Good Samaritan. Her sermon title was "Why Did the United Methodist Cross the Road?" Her short answer to that question was that Jesus always crossed the road, and when we cross the road, that's when/where we'll find Jesus.

At one point in her message, she asked the questions, "Why don't we cross the road?" and "What are we afraid of?" As I listened, I thought of this past week and people who showed up at the church seeking help. I'm proud to say that we crossed the road and did what we could to help. And here's what I learned:
1. Crossing the road is going to cost you something. It may be time, it may be an emotional investment, but in many cases, it's going to be money. People are coming to the church with financial needs.
2. If you cross the road once, you run the risk of developing a reputation as a 'road-crosser' and others in need may begin to flock to your door.

Do these facts translate to fears? Do our fears translate to inactivity? Will we see those crying out in need and walk by on the other side, or will we cross the road, extend our hand, and offer help? Let's chat...

Having Nothing

by Rumi

Whatever comes, comes from a need,
a sore distress, a hurting want.

Mary's pain made the baby Jesus.
Her womb opened its lips
and spoke the Word.

Every part of you has a secret language.
Your hands and your feet say what you have done.

Every need brings in what's needed.
Pain bears its cure like a child.

Having nothing produces provisions.
Ask a difficult question,
and the marvelous answer appears.

Build a ship, and there will be water
to float it. The tender-throated infant cries,
and milk drips from the mother's breast.

Be thirsty for the ultimate water.
Then be ready for what will come
pouring from the spring.

Are you thirsty? Do you have faith that when we ask, we will receive? Do you see God as a God of abundance who not only provides for our needs, but fills us to overflowing?

When you have received that which comes pouring from the spring, will you be willing to share with others and refill their parched souls?

Let's chat!

FAITH STATEMENTS

We're quickly approaching Confirmation Sunday in our church. This year we have four 9th graders who will be making that public profession and confirmation of their faith. I know that they're excited...and I'm excited for them.

One of the things that is asked of our students preparing for Confirmation is that they write a personal Faith Statement. We look at examples of the historic creeds, as well as more modern affirmations, but in their final instructions the students are told to be a creative as possible. I encourage them to write about their faith as if they were writing for someone who has never heard of God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, or the church.

I'm always amazed at their responses. I'd like to take at least some of the credit for being such a wonderful teacher, but I know better! These young people, at this stage of their lives, have done a lot of living. They have seen and heard and experienced things far beyond what I had experienced at their age. And they're not afraid to talk about their source of hope and strength.

In reading this year's Faith Statements, I was struck by the way each of them, in their own, way, talked about their journey, and how their journey would not be over when they received that Certificate of Confirmation. Each of them shared their desire and their commitment to remain connected to the church and continue the learning, growing, and serving they have experienced thus far.

While I'd like to take at least some of the credit for being a good influence on their Christian lives, I know better! What they have learned throughout their lives is the kind of important lesson that Jesus tries to teach in John 15:5: "I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from my you can do nothing."

I am reminded through these young people that I need to be more attentive to my journey - that while I may be 45 years old (did I say that out loud???) my journey is far from over. There are more books to read and more conversations to have with the wisdom folk. And while I may be an ordained pastor with a graduate degree, my learning will forever continue. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from our youth.

I hope that you'll join me in praying for Brady, Halee, Rosie and Tia, and congratulating them on passing this mile marker on their journey. And if you'd like to share where you've been influenced on your walk, or what you're doing to stay connected to the vine, let's chat!

For a While

I was introduced to the poetry of the mystics at a clergy retreat I attend a couple of times a year. I will admit that I was apprehensive at first - I'm not a big poetry fan. But the more I read, the more I appreciate insights about the Holy shared in this fashion.

Periodically, I will share poems or portions of poems through this avenue to introduce these masters to others and invite conversation on their work.

For a While
from I Heard God Laughing
Renderings of Hafiz by Daniel Ladinsky

We have all come to the right place.
We all sit in God's classroom.

Now,
The only thing left for us to do, my dear,

Is to stop
Throwing spitballs for a while.


Personally, I find it difficult to picture hurling spitballs towards God (or even in the vicinity of God!), but I love the image as a metaphor for our inattentiveness to God. I can think of a number of spitballs in my life, those things that get in the way of simply sitting at God's feet and "being." I know that sometimes I get caught up in the administrative end of what I do far too deeply (someone reading this is chuckling loudly right now!) and it cuts off my ability to "be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10). Other times I find myself more absorbed in the news or the box score of the game than I am in the pursuit of God. Perhaps someone needs to take careful aim at my soul and launch a soggy yet solid wad to wake me up! Let's chat...

Back to Blogging

It's been a while since I've posted, and hopefully you'll notice a new format. Part of my challenge in the past was the cut-and-paste method I needed to update the old blog...mostly (and honestly) it was due to laziness. Hopefully this format will also increase visibility and invite more conversation with others. It's no fun to write a blog that is only seen by a small number of people...it's even less fun to write a blog that is seen but isn't commented on! With that introduction...let's chat!