61

It's a good number. 61. It's my birthday today. I'm thankful for so many having already expressed birthday greetings. Six decades of life.

There are times when I have stood in front of a group of people preaching, or walked the streets of Jerusalem or the village paths in the bush of Africa, or sat in a room with a whole lot of folks who look different from myself and wonder how a little kid from northern Wisconsin ever got to this place in life. Why have I been so blessed?

For sure there have been rocky moments. The divorce was no fun. The heart attack was scary. Dealing with my own particular inner demons has been challenging. I've failed to follow through on a few things and disappointed more than a few people. There are those I've hurt and wounded. Not good.

There have been more than a few dashed dreams and false starts. I never became the second baseman for the Milwaukee Braves, nor charted that career in politics. All early ambitions.

I did get to father great children, start some ministries that have helped people, found Anita ( the love of my life), have known and know truly interesting people, have a platform to express thoughts and ideas and relatively speaking have traveled pretty widely. I've written three books and a few articles and still have wide ranging friendships with people of all ages. I have lived in Wisconsin, Minnesota,
California, Nevada and Illinois. I've been blessed.

Because I consider myself to be middle aged I wonder what the next half of my life will bring. :) At 122 I wonder what blessings I'll be counting. Here's what I pray:

That the Lord will continue to allow me to be involved in significant ministry.
That I can use the advantage of age and experience to build into the lives of those younger.
That the book or four bubbling inside of me will get written.
That I will resist the sense of 'entitlement' that is so pervasive with my generation,
That I might see Israel again (with a side trip to Rome)
That I might visit South Africa.
That I can relish living in a culture that provides so many opportunities to roll up my sleeves.
That I never get stuck in thinking the 'old ways' are the only ways.
That God can use me to help my grandchildren fall in love with Jesus and find places to be people of significant impact.
That Anita and I can figure out that speaking ministry we can do together.
That my 'Johnnies' can win another national championship or two.
That I might live a life of deep joy and significance.
That I live long enough to see East Garfield Park transformed.
That God will continue to use me to link city to the burbs.
That I might grow deep in my relationship with Jesus.

There's more for sure. But more than anything else, I desire to wake up each day with great expectation that God has something of significance for me to live into.

So far it's been an interesting life. But it's not over. Can't wait for what's next. Thanks for all of you who have been part of the ride so far. You have been good to me. Can't wait to see who God brings into my life in the years ahead and the adventures I'll be allowed to be part of. God is good. All the time. All the time. God is good

Books and Stuff

I've finished reading "The Jesuit Guide to Just about Everything" by James Martin SJ. It's a truly wonderful read. Well worth your time and energy. However, if you don't like to think and if you are bound and determined to believe your way is the only way then, for sure, pick this book up. It might help you grow beyond the narrow confines of your theological thinking. Don't we all need that?

Somewhere in the book Martin talks about community. He speaks of a friend who believes these three principles will help us both build and live in community.

Understand you're not God.
This world of ours is not heaven.
Don't be an ass.

That's about as succinct as one can get. How many times has community been ruined by God complexes, bad behavior, and idealism?

Speaking of books. My wife is the host of Midday Connection on the Moody Radio Network. Periodically, They have a book club. This time the Moody professor who helps host the club picked the book "Dracula". It's been interesting reading the Facebook comments. There's a whole segment of folks that are pretty frustrated with the choice. It stretches their paradigm of what constitutes acceptable literature. They can't wrap their arms around so called 'secular' books having thoughtful and redemptive content. A few skeptical women have chosen to read the book. They can't put it down. Their eyes are being opened.

In all honesty I haven't read it yet either but did download it to my Kindle today. It was free. What can I say? Perhaps I need my paradigms rocked a bit.

My friend and colleague at Breakthrough Urban Ministries, Arloa Sutter, wrote a book called "The Invisible". It's a book about noticing those we often choose to ignore. It's a great read. What's cool is that the study guide was just released. It's perfect for small group discussions and will help prod your thinking about biblical justice issues. Arloa lives out her faith in quite remarkable ways. Check out her web site http://arloasutter.com/

Along the same lines my buddy John Green recently released his book called "Streetwalking with Jesus". John has a ministry to male prostitutes. He's the real deal. I recommend his book and his ministry. www.streets.org

I'm convinced my wife' s book "What Women Tell Me" can help lead a whole lot of women to the freedom they're seeking. Anita (Lustrea) doesn't pull many punches as she talks about God's amazing work in her life. Some real hot topics are covered. She lays it on the line. Perfect for a small group study. www.anitalustrea.com

Finally, check out the Redbud Writers Guild http://www.redbudwritersguild.com/. This is a group of amazing Christian women who are writing fearlessly about issues that matter.

Dad Day

I won't be with my children this fathers day. The timing didn't work quite well enough this year. But it's not about the particular day or the gifts as we all know.

Looking back, I sometimes wish I could have been more. That I wasn't enough. That my quirks of personality and emphasis somehow overshadowed what was going on in my heart. But there are no do overs. And actually I'm quite OK with that.

My heart overflows with love for my children. It's quite unexplainable actually. It's not that clingy, velcro type of love. I always thought that my role was to prepare them to live into their God given potential. To free them and not bind them. To bless them, not dominate them. Sometimes I did these things well. Occasionally, I stumbled. Always, though, I meant well even in the regrettable times.

I always thought my kids would be alright if they loved Jesus with all of their being and lived that belief out in grace filled, thoughtful ways wherever God planted them. That still remains my greatest ongoing hope. My prayer is that they will never just settle for the American Dream for taken to an extreme there is an inherent selfishness in all of that. There's more that they are created for. Gloriously more. I pray that they will never settle for some cheap, cultural, trinket God who doesn't really exist.

Like many these days our family has been fractured by divorce. That's always difficult even in the most amicable situations. What was intended no longer is possible. A new definition of family emerges. Doable certainly but not without it's awkward challenges. On days dedicated to dads one feels the pain of the brokenness.

I look at my children and see all kinds of things. I especially see the possibilities before them. What lives will they continue to touch? What risks will they be willing to take? Will they look for Jesus at the intersections of life? Will they be the creators of authentic community? Will they wrestle with the deep issues of life? Will they love their own children in their own quirky ways that will remind them of their own father and his eccentricities?

I love my children and their children. More deeply than I think they know. May you forever know you are loved.

Murphbits

Have opinions but don't be mean spirited.

Let's face it..  The tone of civil discourse in our world has reached pretty scary heights.  Like little children at the playground politicians and regular citizens hurl ugly insults at one another thinking that the mean spiritedness is going to win people over.  Go figure.

Live simply.

We have too much.  More than we need.  We're living for our wants and that keeps us from seeing the needs of others.  That's not OK.  Ever.

Be holy forsaking self righteousness.

Live like God is real and He will transform your life.  No need to be showy about it all.  Love, grow, worship and serve like crazy. Hold captive your Inner Pharisee.

Be curious.

There's a big world out there. Lots to know about.  Avoid living in the center of someone else's opinion.  What are you discovering?  

Be interesting.

Dullness is avoidable. Care about what is going on around you.  Listen for understanding.  Argue with consideration.  Have considered opinions.  Read.  Listen to opposing viewpoints. Ask questions.

Be involved.

Find the intersect where your giftedness and a need exists.  Jump in. Make a difference.  It's not about you all the time. Honest.  Open your eyes to God sized possibilities.

Avoid labels.

Dig beneath the stereotype.  Sometimes you'll find the label fits. More often you'll find a degree of complexity and wonder that might just impact your life.

Live into the adventure.

There are too many bored people out there. Are you one of them?  Seriously, are you once of them?  

It's all a slippery slope.

The life of faith is lived on a slippery slope much of the time. It kind of bugs me when people say "Well, that puts us on a slippery slope.". Life does that.  Faith does that. It's on the slope where decisions have to be made and faith exercised.  The slippery slope doesn't have to represent a slide downward.  It can still be climbed.  And who knows ... Maybe God wants us to slip and slide a bit because we're climbing the wrong hill. 

Live in such a winsome  way that others will want to gossip about you.

That means you're a bit out of step with the prevailing culture.  You care about the deeper things in life. You don't care about keeping up with someone else.  You've got a different agenda for your life and a whole lot of folks won't understand it but will certainly want to talk about it.      

Practice sensing the presence of God in the present moment.

My spiritual director reminds me that this is the key to the life of faith.  Each moment contains  'enough' and the present moment is all we're currently promised.

Brain Blurts/June

I've been watching the beginnings of the next election for POTUS. Why am I underwhelmed? Perhaps it's seeing the same words being repeated over and over again and the groundwork being laid for what could be become a pretty nasty primary season. No one seems to want to give in, give up, listen to and/or reason with the other.

I'm reading a terrific book called "The Jesuit Guide to Almost Everything". James Martin SJ is a terrific writer. He reminds me that wonderful things happened in the faith long before the Reformation. And even after the Reformation God has used a variety of streams of spirituality to both inform and renew the others. Not all Martin says sits well with me but that's OK. I need to wrestle with such things. But forthe most part I'm being enriched by the challenge to go deeper and be deeper.

In the back of my mind a sermons is developing. It's about 'sin'. That's a topic I don't have to do a whole lot of research on. I'm an all pro already. It's not a favorite topic for many. Who wants to feel guilty, huh? Guilt, though, is underestimated as a force for spiritual renewal.

Doing some research about the Pharisees recently, I came to the conclusion that 'I is one'. That shook me a bit. I can slice and dice with the best of them. I'm reminded of a story about W.C. Fields. He was discovered back stage thumbing through a bible. He looked up and said, "Don't worry. I'm just looking for loopholes.". That's what we all do. We're always looking for the loophole, something that will allow us to slide through, under or around our call to obedience. And if we can't find one we'll create one.

Around the 4th of July I begin to get a barrage of emails about patriotism. First of all, I'm all for well placed patriotism. I'm blessed to live in the USA. And I am thankful. I'm not enamored with blind patriotism however. And I cannot place God and country in equal positions. God trumps country every time. We forget that all too often. My deep desire is that Americans would find their way to the true God of true Gods. It's been said that America will remain good as long as it's people are good. I think all too often we are guilty of serving a god of our own creation. That god aligns itself along political and class lines. It's not the real God. Our political and social alignments turn us inward, serving ourselves and not others. That selfishness is not good and has disastrous consequences for our culture.

Still wondering how much of the Obama bashing in our culture is motivated by race but is disguised as something else? Not saying that his policies shouldn't be scrutinized and challenged. Just growing increasingly concerned about race issues and the unwillingness of folks to come to grips with their own feelings and prejudices.

Had a conversation with an older guy the other day. He goes to a church that has 23 members. They are trying to save the church building. I asked him if they ever thought about thinking a bit more missionally and actually building the church. Didn't get a great answer.

I'm writing all this seated next to a roaring fire. I'm 'up north' as we say in the Midwest. The sun is trying to sneak through. I'm only a few steps away from a lake. No agenda today. Eventually, I'll hop on my bike or climb into a kayak. There's something about being in the midst of the Creation that renews my strength and brings me back to the basics of life. The frantic push of everyday life saps me at times. God gives me glimpses into what could be every now and then nudging me to a better way for my life.

Doing relationships

Last weekend I helped celebrate the birthday of a very dear friend. It was a great party filled with reunions with old friends and meeting new folks. My friend and his wife have an extraordinary ability to keep making new friendships and still nurture old relationships.

The birthday boy helped save my life. At a particularly difficult point in my journey he refused to allow me to go through it alone. His attitude, his faith, his demeanor and his laughter helped provide a relational structure that gave birth to some deep healing. At the right time God provided me what I needed by providing me with the gift of a 'friend'.

Last week I talked on the phone with another man who by his own admission knows nothing of friendship. He knows of no one he can turn to in the midst of some pretty painful stuff. As a pastor I hear stories like this all the time and wonder about the relational poverty that is at the heart of so many people's experience. Too many are too lonely. And that loneliness can give way to a seclusion that is unhealthy. Either that or folks settle for shallow relationships in shallow places. Just hang around a bar during happy hour some week night. You'll see some surprisingly good things but you'll also be driven to tears as you watch folks try to fill deep holes with all kinds of things that aren't filling or fulfilling.

What makes some people relationship rich and others relationship poor?

Some people have a broken people picker which leads leads them to people who have no clue about how to bond with another person. The result is that they end up feeling relationally cheated and oftentimes used.

I find that those rich in relationships don't surround themselves with people who believe exactly what they believe. They feel safe with a diversity of opinion and expression. That's rare these days.

Relationship rich people might have strong opinions and convictions but they don't expect others to nod in agreement towards them. Healthy people actually like to debate.

Relationally healthy folks are interesting. They read. They care. They invest. Most people I know who are struggling relationally aren't very interesting. They parrot what others say and can't articulate anything significant that comes from some authoritative place deep inside of them.

As a Christian I can't afford to neglect the relationally needy. It's antithetical to the good news I proclaim. As much as I'd like to turn my back on the relationally dysfunctional at times the Spirit of God beckons me to walk towards them and not away. And in all honesty there are times when I struggle with that.

Not so long ago I was in a needy place. It would have been easy for people to walk away. And some did. Thankfully, not all. God used those who picked me up to help heal my life.

It's easy to love the lovable. It's not so easy to love the prickly and the damaged.

Open our eyes, Lord. Open our hearts. Give us all partners for the journey. Stretch us to see others the way you do. And may our lives be open to those who might require extra grace.

Two Ceremonies

The contrast was striking.  Early last week I attended an awards ceremony at Timothy Christian Schools where step-son John is a senior. Later in the  week there was an awards ceremony at Breakthrough Urban Ministries on the west side of Chicago. Both were great experiences and life-giving but each evoked different emotions.

At Timothy Christian there was a quiet assurance that expectations had been met. Smart kids from good families got what they had worked hard for.  It was a job well done.  The ceremony was heart warming and it honored students who had studied hard and achieved much.  I experienced a deep sense of gratefulness for the school, its teachers and its commitment to its mission.

At Breakthrough students were also honored for hard work and measurable accomplishment. It was clear that quiet assurance was being built and that an environment of expectation and accomplishment wasn't yet the norm.  “Yet” is the operative word. Slowly but surely neighborhood norms are changing but the tipping point has not yet been reached. But that day will come. It must.

When I watched the young students at Breakthrough I was both thrilled for them and sobered by what I know about their statistical probability of success. Whenever I drive through the neighborhood I see what's waiting for kids if expectations and accountability are low.  It's not pretty and in all honesty it's scary.  If Breakthrough doesn’t succeed these kids are sizzled. They won't make it in life. They might not make it out of adolescence. 

If Timothy Christian fails in its mission the students at their school will still succeed. There's enough parental resolve and access to excellent resources to almost guarantee success.  That access, that resolve and those resources are in shorter supply in many city neighborhoods. Ministries, like Breakthrough, stand in the gap along with local churches, caring families, sports leagues, and dedicated teachers, battling for kids, their families and the neighborhood.  But make no mistake. There is a gap and there is a battle.

Two ceremonies.  Two life giving ministries.  I thank God for Timothy Christian Schools. Bravo. Thank God it is succeeding in the mission God has ordained for them. 

Thank God for Breakthrough.  May success become the norm for the kids and families it serves.  May resources flow to it. May the exuberant celebration of hope I witnessed the other night be parlayed into life-long habits leading to mature faith and citizenship. 

Brain Blurts for May

I want to get this out before the rapture on Saturday.  My first understanding was that the world would end tomorrow but now the latest from California is telling us that only the rapture will happen?  Whew. So, I’m breathing easy and starting to casually pack my bags for the next leg of the journey. By the way, what does one wear for the rapture?

Been watching the political climate change this month.  Amazing what the killing of bin Laden did for the President’s public approval ratings. That whole thing was pretty sobering. I’m glad a true villain will never kill again. I didn’t understand the ‘dancing in the streets’ that was going on.

Was disappointed that Trump decided to leave the race he never entered but that he stayed around long enough to help us find the elusive long form presidential birth certificate.  That was probably the most important issue facing us as a society.  Glad it’s resolved.  Why do I think the birthers and the end of the worlders were separated at birth?

Turned into East Garfield Park a few days ago and saw street sweepers everywhere. Litter was gone, drug dealers were off the corners.  There’s wasn’t a gang banger to be seen. The park was being mowed.  A miracle.  Nope.  Just the mayor of Chicago coming for a visit.  Things that make you go hmmmmm.

Saw da Mayor Daley that day.  I was actually moved by being in his presence. Whether you liked his tactics or motivation he was a force to be reckoned with.  He was and still is an interesting profile of leadership.

I just heard the Oprah show is going off the air. I'm kind of surprised nobody made a big deal of it. :)  

Arnold, Arnold, Arnold ....dude, what were you thinking?

I’m becoming more and more convinced that people are bored to tears with what we’re proclaiming from pulpits and airwaves. I sat and listened to some religious heavyweights this month. Good speakers all but as I scanned the audience I realized that people really weren’t paying attention. Why? They weren't hearing anything that they weren't already committed to.  Instead, they were being cajoled to just believe 'harder'. People nodded in assent but I wasn’t convinced anyone was buying it. Where is the winsome proclamation of faith these days? I tell ‘ya. We’ve got to figure it out because people have the church figured out and they ain’t buying what we’re selling.

Scotty or Lauren? I'm thinking Scotty.

I want to urge you to go to your local PBS station and watch the two hour Freedom Riders show. The Freedom Riders, were young men and women (black and white) who road Greyhound and Trailways buses into the segregated south. The intent was to use this non-violent act to help break the back of separation based on color in the early 60's. Many were beaten and jailed for the cause. What bravery. How many of us would step up to challenge injustice like they did?  My hope is many of us will because the deep needs of this world aren’t going to be met by us playing on Facebook and getting fatter and sassier.  What drives you crazy when you think about it?  Could God use your discontent to be the solution to the problem?

Break My Plans

God wants us ‘all in’.  Dutch theologian Abraham Kuyper says “There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry: Mine!”  It’s all His.

I heard an interesting story last week about a man named Nicolai, a Romanian song writer and a Christ follower who was imprisoned for some time by the corrupt regime that ruled for far too long in that eastern European nation. Every day of his life this Godly man prayed the same prayer at the start of each new day, even during his torture and imprisonment.  ‘God, break my plans.”

The singing group This Hope wrote a song about Nicolai and the chorus says:

Break my plans, shape my heart;

Take my will to where You are;

Move my mind through Your Word;

'Til all that I am lives to love You, Lord

Break my plans, shape my heart …What a bold, dangerous prayer.  Break my plans, Lord, and give me yours.  Give me your plans Lord for I want your ways to be my ways, your thought my thoughts.

Whew!!! In effect he was praying.  I’ll do anything, anytime, anywhere Lord for you.  Anything, anytime, anywhere. Anyone want to pray that prayer today?

Break my retirement plans Lord. 

Move me to the inner city. 

Alter my dreams for my kids so that they align more fully with your purposes Lord. 

Adjust my income downward so I can live in greater dependence on you.  

Help me to give away more and do with less.

Break my plans Lord.  I give you permission to rock my world. Your will, not mine.

Here’s what I’m thinking. Praying like that is hard for us.  Or at least it is for me.  Cuz I like my plans. And so do you.

Last week Anita and I were on  Coronado Island in California and both thought that this would be a great place to cozy down, to live our last days.  After peaking at the real estate  listings we realized that all we’d need to live within shouting distance of the beach was a cool 3.2 million dollars.  But even before we looked we realized we were being taken in by the seductive charm of a truly lovely place.  And for us, at least, that wouldn’t be good.

Maybe it was because we had just heard the story of Nicolai  that caused us to question what was going on inside of us. Even if we had the money and inclination would living here be God’s best for us?  Would God have a purpose for us here?  What would God be calling us to?  In light of the deep needs all around us would this be the anything, anywhere, anytime kind of thing God would call us to? 

Those are hard questions especially for those of us who feel entitled to just about ‘well everything’.  For God’s ways, God’s purposes often lead us away from what we think we’re entitled to and rivet our attention on some of the deeper needs of this world, to care about the world the way God wants it cared for, to see it as He sees it.

Because of the influence of my wife and others I’ve been increasingly interested in what is happening to people around the world, especially women.  I’ve seen first hand what poverty can do.  I’ve been reminded, over and over again, of the global epidemic of sex trafficking.  I’ve learned that in some countries a man is not considered a man until he has a son and that daughters are in some ways quite disposable.

And all throughout the world, even in places down the road from us, women wake up each day hungry, fearful, and in bondage. They look at their children and can only hope for medicine and food for them.  They live in conditions that would make us weep and raise our fists to the heavens.

And they pray.  For God to intervene in what looks like a sure plan for their day.  Break these plans, they cry out to God. End our poverty.  Deliver us from evil.  Give us this day our daily bread. Rescue us from slavery. Save our children.  Break our plans for the day.  For they are truly awful plans. Bring something new and fresh and life-giving to us.

And I’m convinced that God does want to break those plans. And that he wants to use us to break them … us, men and women willing to have our own personal agendas broken, altered, and refocused. Then, to be used by God as a means to both rescue and empower those crying out to the Lord.

Wholly Weak

This morning I tried to get my arms around all that Holy Week represents.  In many respects I am not ready for Easter.  And even thought this is Good Friday my whole being isn’t fully focused on that reality.  If anything, I sense that I’m occupying the Saturday between.

By most reasonable standards things are going well for me.  I am loved.  The work I do is rewarding.  I have friendships that are meaningful.  My health is good.  Still, there are moments when the press of life feels a tad bit overwhelming.  It’s that place where there is a to do list that looks daunting, critical questions need to be answered, and there’s a sense that I’m disappointing more people than I’m helping.  You can relate.  This is not a space that’s unique to my experience.  But it’s at times like this that I feel “wholly weak”, incapable of pulling my head out of the sand.

This morning I told God all of this.  In measured words we talked about the ‘land in between’ I seem to be occupying.  I yearn for Easter’s resurrection and the almost paralyzing emotion of the Cross but find myself a little stuck in uncertainty and ambiguity.  A.W Tozer prays what is often my reality:

O God, I have tasted Your goodness, and it has both satisfied me and mad me thirsty for more. I am painfully conscious of my need of further grace. I am ashamed of my lack of desire. O God, the Triune God, I want to want You; I long to be filled with longing; I thirst to be made more thirsty still. Show me Your glory, I pray, that so I may know You indeed. Begin in mercy a new work of love within me. Say to my soul, ‘Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.’ Then give me grace to rise and follow You up from this misty lowland where I have wandered so long.

Holy Week, I’m learning, will bring us to a place where we’re forced to come face to face with ‘wholly weakness’.  The events framed by Palm Sunday and Easter force us to face our wishy washy affections, to examine our habits of life and faith,  to deal with conflicting emotions, to delay gratification and to trust God in the midst of the mystery of it all. These are not easy things.  But they are necessary things to wrestle with.  The ‘misty lowland’ ultimately leads us to ‘majestic higher ground’.  That is the both the hope and promise of Resurrection.  Will we trust in that hope and live joyously into the promise?  May it be so.  May it be so.

ATO

We’re living in a culture filled with squabbles of various types.  Often, they revolve around important issues. Sides get declared, tension builds, and voila words start being written and spoken that are quite ugly.  Here’s my solution to it all.

It’s called an ATO.  That’s right, an Adult Time Out.  We make a pledge whenever we feel the need to say something particularly nasty to stop long enough to think, pray and ask ourselves one question.  Here it is.  “Is there anything I’m missing? You could replace that with “Have I considered why the other side is in such strong opposition to my ideas?”

Here’s my thinking. If I were at Tea Party Headquarters for instance. (I know, I know, they don’t have a headquarters but go with me on this for a bit longer . See, some of you were going to start writing a correction and getting defensive about using the Tea Party as an example ...weren’t you? That’s the time for your ATO) So, I’m at TPH spraying up some signs.  Wouldn’t it be great if someone said “You know, there’s some good people on the other side of this budget argument.  Are we missing anything?”

Or let’s say you’re in the White House and all hunkered down getting mad at that Ryan guy.  Wonder if anyone is saying “Is there anything in his plan we should be paying attention to?” 

Let’s take Facebook.  At the speed and fury that some people write I’m pretty well convinced they’re not considering the validity, even in part, of someone else’s argument. At the moment of fury wouldn’t it be nice if they took an ATO.

I’m thinking ATO would work around a lot of church board meetings.  Wouldn’t it be nice if everyone once in awhile one of the elders would say “Hey, I’m not going to react right away. What Helen just said kind of makes sense. What have I been missing?”  That’s an ATO moment as is it is for some of you who are mad that I just inferred a woman could be an elder at a church.

So, ATO is my solution for slowing down the world long enough for people to breathe and actually consider what the other side is thinking and feeling.  Wouldn’t that be nice?  In the process, we might have more measured responses to both issues and to other people.

For some people as they get practiced in taking an ATO they’ll be able to calm down relatively quickly.  Some might need to take day long ATO’s.  Others might need to refrain from speaking or writing for months or even years.  It all depends how long it takes them to be delivered from their self-righteousness.  For each of us it’s different.  For many it will greatly enhance their life and influence. It would certainly help take some of the anger out of this world of ours.  Now that would be a truly wonderful thing. 

Darrell

Darrell is dead. He died back home in Flint, MI. 

I didn’t know Darrell well.  Don’t know what the issues were in his life.  Don’t know his history.  Don’t know how he got to Breakthrough or even why he left.  All I know is that I liked him.

Darrell was a short, slight man. He was one of those guys whose age was hard to determine. He talked in a whisper and I’m not sure why that was.  Our lives intersected on regular occasions but our jobs were not intertwined in meaningful ways.  Our interactions occurred most often because my need depended on his knowledge and wherewithal.  I’d need a door open.  He had the key. I’d be giving a tour. He had a piece of information.  He was always there. Always willing.  And I was grateful and always made a point to thank him.

It’s a bit disconcerting when someone dies and you know them but realize that you know nothing about them. Sometimes that is what it is.  It’s a combination of the pace of life, roles and responsibilities, and a willingness to stop long enough to engage another human being.  There are people you get to know and others you don’t. But when someone dies I sometimes want to wonder aloud about why my pace of life keeps me from at least being inquisitive about someone else’s story.  Why do I allow some relationships to remain friendly but utilitarian and others to blossom into real friendship? 

My sense is that Darrell had a story and I missed out on it.  Of course, I realize that there’s only so many stories one can listen to and there’s only so much time in a day, and…I know all that.  But what if my priorities are misplaced and the only true agenda I need is the one God places before me each and every day?  Maybe Darrell was a missed opportunity.   

Working in an urban ministry and for that matter a suburban church are remarkably the same.  Lives cross, opportunities exist and possibilities are set before us.  Everyone has a story. Some appear to be very interesting. Some look quite sad.  Some are bursting at the seams with meaning and others point to a squandered life.  But we never know for sure do we until we enter into that story with that person? And as we enter in we discover the real truth about that life and perhaps even our own.  

So, I mourn Darrell. I’m thankful our lives intersected.  His kindnesses to me had meaning.  Hopefully, my kindnesses towards him were also satisfying.  I wish I had learned more of his story but maybe all I was supposed to know is what I currently have. It’s fascinating that Darrell’s death causes me to stop, reflect and write.  Perhaps that was one of God’s purposes for his life, huh?  Maybe God is using Darrell to help produce a better Mike. 'Tis a good thing if that's true.

To Darrell. Nothing can stop you now.  

Budget Squabble to Impact Internet

Buried deep  in the bowels of the Department of Homeland Security the office of Internet Management and Wiring maintains all things ‘internet’.  Shortly after Al Gore invented the world wide web IMW was established.  It’s budget is substantial but because of the threatened shut down of the government the internet as we know it is in jeopardy of going down.

According to unnamed spokespeople decisions are being made that will impact how, when, and where information is delivered.  A secret task force is meeting this morning to determine whether Facebook or Google will be axed from receiving services.

Calls to the White House have not been returned but there is indication of ‘above normal’ activity in the West Wing.

A Republican senator admitted that ‘tough cuts’ are coming and people better get used to living without the internet.  The Senator, a Tea Party sympathizer,  said that internet access was not one of the original intents of the framers of the constitution.

President Obama’s campaign staff, it is rumored, has hunkered down in Chicago and are examining options for waging an alternative campaign, one without world wide web capability.  Word on the street has it that no one on the current staff has lived in a world without internet and thus there are discreet inquiries being made to campaign pros who have actually worked with pen and paper.

A spokesman for Apple said that they will have a surprise announcement next week about an IPad app which will allow their systems to operate without the internet. The app is called 'Big Imagination'.

Wall Street appears skeptical and there was no big run on Apple stock early in the trading day.

The author of  the popular blog ‘Geek Rumor, Romance and Technology’ said today that he has “seen the Apple app, and that it’s amazing but frequent users in test labs  developed a severe rash and lost 40 points off of testable IQ. That could end up being a huge downside and perhaps even scare away early adapters.”

Apple’s competitors say they have a similar app in test laboratories but will not be able to release what they have until they examine Apple’s product so they can tweak it with slight differences so that it looks like something original.

Affirmed

There’s something about affirmation.  You know, that kind word that lifts you up and makes you believe in yourself again.  Today, someone wrote me a very kind, affirming note.  ‘Twas a good thing.  A blessing actually.

We all need affirmation these days.  There’s plenty of reminders out there of the ways we don’t quite measure up.  It’s a wonder that anyone holds there head high anymore.  We’re pushed, pulled, prodded, and pigeonholed all day, every day.  Ads tell us we’d be better off if  ______________________.  Fill in the blank, huh?  If only we were skinnier, stronger, younger, hipper, wiser, better educated, more in touch with our feelings, used the right deodorant, drove the best car etc., then we’d be worth something.  Whew!!  Who does measure up? My guess is there's a whole lot of folks who are thinking that life is pretty much a fairly arduous uphill climb and don't get a whole lot of encouragement.

I wonder what it would be like to be someone important. I think if I was the POTUS, for example, I wouldn’t want to get out of bed in the morning unless I had some designated affirmers around me.  I certainly wouldn’t want to read the newspaper or turn on the news.  It seems no one has anything good to say about anyone trying to lead these days.  Free speech is a wonderful thing but there’s times when ‘ya wonder about some people’s internal blurting monitors.  What ever happened to self-control and self-discipline?

In a world that likes to tear down we need people who will build up. And we need more of them. Sometimes I need to be reminded that I am an unrepeatable miracle of God.  I’m one of a kind. So are you.  And that’s a very good thing.

Maybe we need to be on the lookout for folks who take it on the chin all too often.  How about that waiter or waitress who gets dumped on far too many times during the day?  What could we do to make his/her day?  Or that cab driver? What affirmation could we throw his/her way?  Good tips work.  Add some well chosen, affirming words along with it and you’ll make someone’s day and maybe more.

The truth is that I don’t know anyone who doesn’t appreciate a heartfelt thumbs up, a look in the eye thank you, an appreciative nod, and/or a written acknowledgement of kindnesses done and effort undertaken.

Thanks to the affirmers of this world who in word and deed help make this a better place to be.  May your tribe and influence increase.

Rich?

When I read through scripture it’s pretty clear that God wants to use me as a conduit of His many blessings.  Often, my obedience to that divine assignment  is a little sketchy.  I have a tendency to want to hold onto God’s blessing and not share it.

Of course, if God did that to me I’d be furious.  I want God to be at my beck and call and blessing me at His every remembrance of me.  I don’t want Him to hold back.

Bud I do hold back.  And when I refuse to give usually one of these three  things is at work:  Selfishness, Pride, and a marvelous little something called Sloth.

Selfishness compels me to hoard my time, talent, and treasure.  Pride always attempts to make me famous...not God.  And sloth keeps me  from doing anything much at all and keeps me consumed with only thinking about doing God’s will.

A few years ago I read a story that, frankly, got to my heart.  It speaks to the ‘heart of generosity’.  My hope is that in sharing it you might be be more willing to go to war against the sins that so easily entangles and get on with being all God is calling you to be.  We desperately need generous people in today's world.  The needs are great.

The author is someone by the name of Edy Ogen. Enjoy.

In 1946, a month before Easter the pastor of our church announced that a special Easter offering would be taken to help a poor family. He asked everyone to save and give sacrificially. When we got home, we talked about what we could do. We decided to buy 50 pounds of potatoes and live on them for a month. This would allow us to save $20 of our grocery money for the offering. When we thought that if we kept our electric lights turned out as much as possible and didn't listen to the radio, we'd save money on that month's electric bill. Darlene, my sister, got as many house and yard cleaning jobs as possible, and both of us babysat for everyone we could. Every day we counted the money to see how much we had saved. At night we'd sit in the dark and talk about how the poor family was going to enjoy having the money the church would give them. We had about 80 people in church, so figured that whatever amount of money we had to give, the offering would surely be 20 times that much.

We didn't care that we wouldn't have new clothes for Easter; we ended up earning $70 for the sacrificial offering. We never had so much money before. We could hardly wait to get to church! When the sacrificial offering was taken, we were sitting on the second row from the front. Mom put in the $10 bill, and each of us kids put in a $20. As we walked home after church, we sang all the way. At lunch Mom had a surprise for us. She had bought a dozen eggs, and we had boiled Easter eggs with our fried potatoes! Late that afternoon the minister drove up in his car. Mom went to the door, talked with him for a moment, and then came back with an envelope in her hand. We asked what it was, but she didn't say a word. She opened the envelope and out fell a bunch of money. There were three crisp $20 bills, one $10 and seventeen $1 bills.

Mom put the money back in the envelope. We didn't talk, just sat and stared at the floor. We had gone from feeling like millionaires to feeling like poor white trash.  I knew we didn't have a lot of things that other people had, but I'd never thought we were poor. That Easter day I found out we were. The minister had brought us the money for the poor family, so we must be poor. I didn't like being poor. I looked at my dress and worn-out shoes and felt so ashamed--I didn't even want to go back to church.

All that week, we girls went to school and came home, and no one talked much. Finally on Saturday, Mom asked us what we wanted to do with the money. What did poor people do with money? We didn't know. We'd never known we were poor. We didn't want to go to church on Sunday, but Mom said we had to. At church we had a missionary speaker. He talked about how churches in Africa made buildings out of sun dried bricks, but they needed money to buy roofs. He said $100 would put a roof on a church. The minister said, "Can't we all sacrifice to help these poor people?" We looked at each other and smiled for the first time in a week. Mom reached into her purse and pulled out the envelope.  My sister put it in the offering. When the offering was counted, the minister announced that it was a little over $100. The missionary was excited. He hadn't expected such a large offering from our small church. He said, "You must have some rich people in this church.”Suddenly it struck us! We had given $87 of that "little over $100."  We were the rich family in the church! Hadn't the missionary said so? From that day on I've never been poor again.

Where to Error?

A Facebook and real life friend posed a series of question recognizing that even in our best attempts to achieve balance, thoughtfulness, and wise perspective and action that we do, in fact, err quite often. He asks:

“If the balance is between being too lenient or too harsh, where is it better to err?

Too inclusive or too exclusive?

Too peaceful or too violent?

Defending the vulnerable or defending the comfortable?

We will never be perfect. But I think we can choose our errors better."

If so, how then do we decide where to err?  We all do you know.  We’re inclined to put too much emphasis on this as opposed to that.  We make errors of both judgment and action.

Anita asked me the other night when we finished watching a couple of movies about apartheid in South Africa.  “So, if you were a white man in South Africa at the time ...would you stand on the side of justice even if it might mean losing your family’s affection?” A good question.  In light of the information provided by the movie we were watching I told her that “justice appeared to be the nobler and more Godly road. If faced with the same circumstances I’d pray for the courage to follow the path of justice.” (Please understand this is in light of the context of the particular drama we were watching)

So, where do we decide to err? Our senior pastor at Christ Church believes that when in doubt we should err on the side of grace.  Others can’t abide by that recommendation especially if their version of truth is being challenged.  To err on the side of truth is always best from their vantage point.

I’m inclined to believe that it’s usually best to err on the side of the response that is the least harsh but still measured enough to be impactful. I should mention, however, that this is not my natural inclination. I have a very strong ‘judgment gene’ and a highly functional ‘truth meter’.  My natural reaction is to be hard, not soft.  Unfortunately or perhaps fortunately that has never served me well.  My truth and judgment responses seem to always come across as anger, intolerance and scolding.  Very rarely (perhaps never) do they come across as thoughtful and affirming.The sad thing is that in my desire to correct that reactivity I have found myself becoming too soft even when the circumstances demanded a harder edge.  Where’s balance when one needs it, eh?

The truth is that my knee jerk responses based in and anger and judgment usually cause harm or at the very least elevates the tension.  Now, I realize that there are some things I need to be justifiably angry about but even then will I error on the side of having a measured, thoughtful response or will I just unload?

Jack Connell wrote a thoughtful peace on the Christianity Today website.  It’s called Ministry Mulligans. http://www.christianitytoday.com/le/2011/winter/ministrymulligans.html?start=1

Having to do it all over again he’d be:

More collaborative, less competitive.
Choose more rest, less rush
Choose more friendship, less isolation.

I’d choose to be more trustful and less wary. I’d choose renewal over procrastination and intentionality over reaction.  For sure I’d listen more and talk less. I’d follow the nudges of God instead of the schemes of my imagination.

Instead of feeding the shadow side of my personality I’d feed those things God could use for His purposes. It’s sad to think that the purposes of God are not always second nature to me.

I think our senior guy at our church is more right than not.  Err on the side of grace.  That doesn’t mean one becomes a punching bag or has no opinion.  It simply means that one finds his/her power in the grace of God which often looks like a lack of power to the casual observer.

I’m also inclined to believe that it’s wiser to err on the side of those who have lost their voice, who are marginalized,  and who are being treated unjustly.  The old saying that “Jesus came to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable” still makes gospel sense to me.

And for those who wonder.  I would certainly stand up for truth.  But in more grace filled ways, asking more questions.  There are too many angry people pounding desks, pulpits, and even other people in the defense of God who is very capable of standing up for Himself.

Black Like Me

I went backwards in time to remind myself of some important things over the weekend. I finished reading a book that influenced me profoundly when I was a teenager.

In 1959 a white man by the name of John Howard Griffin decided to pigment his skin black and then try to experience the world of ‘another’ in the deep south.  His book is called “Black Like Me”.  Somehow or another I ran across it when I was in very early adolescence and was struck hard by both his courage and the mind numbing reality of racism.

Growing up in northern Wisconsin race was not a big part of our life.  Most everyone was white.  As a result our prejudices (and there were many) were shared and became our version of normal.  There was two black families in our town and several handfuls of native Americans. When I was in high school Cuban immigrants started coming to our high school in very small numbers. I knew children  from one of the black families and remember, at age 12, (perhaps after reading the book) to do what I could do to befriend the boy closest to my age. His name was Earl. We spent a day together and soon realized that we really didn’t have much in common so best friends was not our destiny but we always remained friendly.  Thus, my first excursion into racial reconciliation.

I remember hearing that John Howard Griffin would be lecturing at what was then called Superior State University.  Just 14, I wandered over and took my seat in an auditorium to listen to his story.  To this day, I don’t remember much about what he said but just being there, in that room seemed important to me.

Before my freshman year in college I spent time with some other ‘work study’ types on campus.  We were trying to earn enough money to actually attend classes.  It was my first real experience of multi-culturalism.  It was pretty clear that all of us on campus were poor and it was a diverse crew of folks.  White folk, urban Black, Puerto Ricans, Bahamians, and residents of Hong Kong.  That was the summer of 1968.  Eugene McCarthy (an alum)visited the campus  this summer I remember, even replacing me in softball game I decided to blow off.  I still recall watching the Democratic convention with this mixed group of friends and we all wondered aloud how what we were watching would impact our society.

When our summer was over our little community broke apart.  It split along racial lines pretty much.  Nothing nasty.  Still little nods to each other and occasional conversation but the ‘times were changing’ for sure.  And I remember thinking how sad it all was.

Rereading ‘Black Like Me’ reminded me of those days and more.  It helped inform the rest of my life.

Sometimes when I look around me I realize how blessed I am to have friends and acquaintances who are different than I am. And I realize that the blessing has happened because God is continually nudging me in the direction of the original vision he planted in my teenage heart.  Why is it that I quit law school and started to volunteer at a south side Minneapolis boys club?  Why did God drop me into the middle of the San Joaquin Valley where I allowed myself to be loved on by a group of Mexican-American kids, or why was Hug High School in Reno (the poorest of them all) the place where God decided to start Young Life in the state of Nevada?  Why Evanston and why the south side of that city?  Why Breakthrough?

I think God planted something deep in my heart. It’s like He’s saying over and over and over again something important about the Body of Christ and what my role in it is supposed to be as he seeks to create His version of the Beloved Community.

I went back to my future I think when I reread “Black Like Me”.  The reminder of some early whispers of God and his unfailing attention to remind me of those murmurings throughout my life is greatly encouraging. But I'm also realizing that God isn't done with me.  He's planted something deep inside of me for a reason.  There's a purpose behind what He continues to do.  It's quite humbling and invigorating.

Who's Orthodox?

As I look at my book shelves it's filled with authors who have been questioned and labeled as 'false teachers' or at least 'not quite on message' at times.

McKnight
C.S. Lewis
Foster
Willard
Otberg
Hybels
Carolyn Custis James
Donald Miller
Ruth Haley Barton
McManus
Martin Luther King Jr.
Parker Palmer
Sider
Gordon MacDonald
Yancey
Shaine Claiborne
Tim Keller

And many more.  All are under the evangelical umbrella and all suspected by one group or another as possibly theologically dangerous.

Dare I say I also have books by Franciscan friars and Benedictine nuns, Anne Lamott, Brennan Manning, Kathleen Norris, John Piper, D.A. Carson, liberal Methodists, and ‘any war is a bad war' Mennonites. Each and all living out faith in Jesus in ways much differently than others I know.  And for sure they are suspect for their theological perspectives in at least some of the circles I travel in.

Could it be that one of the problems with our theological approach these days is that we limit ourselves to listening to only those people we agree with and we are only looking for standup guys and gals with similar theologies and ideologies to our own?  And if they are too dissimilar then are we guilty of lobbing grenades of suspicion ...dismissing them, labeling each as being ‘outside the faith’?  Just asking.

 I can go to certain websites and anyone associated with using spiritual formation terminology is viewed as heretical. That includes folks like Larry Crabb who loves Jesus deeply. Even my wife has a made a ‘watch’ list or two for having certain guests on her program.  And I’m saddened for I know how deeply orthodoxy runs in her own life and the lives of her guests.

On the flip side those on the left side of orthodoxy look at right leaning evangelicals and wonder when ‘they’re going to get it’ and accuse them of abandoning the true faith and for allowing false prophets in their midst.

Of course, most of the world doesn’t give a rip about our internal discussions, books, music or movies.  They’re just trying to make sense of life and they’re choosing in record numbers to figure things out without the church. And people are leaving the church because the answers they’re getting are just too pat. ‘Trust and obey’ isn’t cutting it for them.

I think there are false teachers and heretical teachings.  There are people who say ‘thus sayeth the Lord’ and you wonder what rock they’ve been hanging under and what scripture they adhere to.  Drives me crazy.

But I’ve been wondering.  What do you think are the non-negotiables of orthodoxy these days?  What would make you label someone as theologically suspect or a false teacher? What's the line that someone must cross that immediately invalidates their point of view?  I'll be interested in what you have to say.

Rob Bell. How Could You?

Well, I’ve read Rob Bell’s book Love Wins.  Here are some general observations after what was, admittedly,  a pretty quick read.  I’m thinking that I’ll want to go through it again.  I’ve got all kinds of circles, underlines, smiley faces, frowny faces and questions marks throughout the book. 

  

1. One of my litmus tests for any book,speaker, program or retreat is to asks the question …”Did this help me fall more deeply in love with Jesus?”  Rob Bell’s book did help me fall more deeply in love with Jesus.  More than ever I want to be in relationship with the “visible expression of the invisible God.”
2. Rob Bell isn’t a universalist although he flirts with ideas that many devout people have been trained to avoid. 
3. Believers who hold tightly to certain systems and patterns of belief could feel attacked and backed into a corner.  This is not a book for people who aren’t willing to think.
4. I think this would be a great book study especially with people from a variety of theological perspectives. Since we mostly hang out with people who believe the same things we believe that might prove difficult. J
5. Rob challenges our assumptions about time. What we see as the end … isn’t …according to his thought process. 
6. If you believe that Christian thinking stopped shortly after the Resurrection and began again with the Reformation you’ll struggle with reading this book.
7. If you believe that God only speaks through conservative, evangelical theology you’ll struggle with reading this book.
8. Rob Bell does believe in hell.
9. I don’t think his thinking deserves to go unchallenged.  How to do it with dignity and respect is the question though.
10. He does believe that Jesus is the ‘way, the truth, and the life’.
11. I think he talks a lot about a Catholic notion of purgatory.
12. The book is an invitation to live as if heaven starts now.
13. I don’t believe Rob Bell is a heretic.
14. This isn’t anything new.  I’ve heard some of the same themes in his speaking and in the Nooma videos.  This is just a smart, new package with a terrific marketing campaign.  My guess is that the Bell kids have college paid for.
15. If you’re someone who likes to live in a world of ‘theological and biblical tension’ you’ll enjoy this book.  It will be like iron sharpening iron.  
16. If you’re an ideologue of any conservative stripe you’ll probably hate Love Wins but it will be good for you to engage with the ideas before you throw the book against the wall and dismiss them entirely. 
17. If you’re a theological liberal Bell's refusal to jump into the shallow end of the universalistic pool might prove to be unsatisfying. 
18. Rob does provide a satisfying perspective on what I would call a more wholistic view of the Good News.

Final thoughts. I’m adequately trained in theological and biblical areas.  Despite that, there’s so much I don’t understand.  Period. Not just in Love Wins. And so I embrace the mystery of faith as part of the reality of my journey.  I cling to the creeds for they give me a firm foundation for life changing belief.  The Word of God sustains me with both its clarity of thought and in its ambiguity. I believe that in Jesus God reveals the purpose of His plan and I ask for the Lord's grace to live the way of Jesus in today's world.  All that to say ...I'm not afraid of a book that challenges my thinking or system of belief.  Nor should you be. My faith is big enough to be challenged along the way especially by Rob Bell who I believe has a good heart.

Please pray for Rob Bell.  He’s an influential voice.  He’s getting  hammered in many circles instead of being engaged.  Is Rob right in all that he says?  I sense he’s making some educated guesses and perhaps viewing certain things through the lens of his own bias.  Like us all he “sees through a glass darkly”.  I applaud the courage it took to publish this book.  Blessings to him for helping us to think.  May our thinking lead us to engage with the God who is and not the God we’ve created in our own image and likeness.

Another War?

Today our country joins with others to stop evil in Libya.  Is it the right call?  I guess we’ll find out.  It certainly won’t be a popular call for nothing ever is these days.  But it’s certainly a gutsy call in today’s political climate.

Should we or  shouldn’t  we?  Can we remain silent when we look into the eyes of a tyrant intent on the destruction of his opponents?  Or should we retreat caring for our issues and our people only?

The times are filled with peril aren’t they?

I’m not a fan of war. I’ve always believe that ‘war is unhealthy for children and other living things.’  And yet I know there are times when faced with scurrilous evil that we are called to battle.

We live in a world these days where enemies are rarely defeated.  There is no signing anymore of 'surrender documents' these days.  Instead, the war goes underground, into the alley way, and into the hands of the terrorist.  Hate lives on.

My guess is that we will be at war for the foreseeable future.  There is no cutting off the head of evil these days because there is no singular entity to go after.  There is now a shadowy network of alliance.  When one is defeated another rises up.

It sounds a bit trite to even say this but I must.  We live in a global community.  Isolationism is no longer an option.  Economically our lives are intertwined with others throughout our world.  For better and worse, in many respects, we are one.  In that, I find both strange comfort and perplexing uneasiness.  The comfort comes from the hope that the ‘oneness’ we experience will lead to some rock solid solutions to the problems ailing us.  The uneasiness comes from knowing that oneness is always mightily challenged by selfishness.

Some will look to scripture and gaze into the skies for Jesus’ soon return.  ‘War and rumors of war’ will galvanize end timers.  However, that is very unsatisfying from my perspective.  Sitting, hoping and waiting is unappealing and plays into the hands of our real enemy.

So what should people of faith do?  I’m at somewhat of a loss as to what to say and I find myself offering only this.

Certainly, we must pray for the Lord’s will to be done.  Perhaps a pledge to pray for leaders of the free world who are stepping into unpopular and gut wrenching territory.  For sure, for a quick end to what is happening in Libya.  We must pray for the protection of innocents.  We must pray against evil and ask for the personal courage to confront it wherever we are. And we must ask for the Lord’s help for each of us to the next right thing, in the right way, with the right attitude, and the right motivation.  I’m naive enough to still believe that good people doing the right thing can create a world wide tipping point towards good.  God is asking us to be ‘kingdom builders’ and the only way we can do that is by behaving like kingdom people.

The whole world is being tested these days.  Perhaps if we embrace the story line presenting itself and enter into it determined to help rewrite the plot line of worry, hate, terror and despair God will use our obedience for His purposes. We can still make a difference you know.  With God all things are possible. All things.