Resolutions

Much attention is given today to New Year’s resolutions. Losing weight and exercising more usually lead the list for many of us, especially after the gluttony of the holiday season. With the arrival of credit card bills and tax forms, the call for better financial management is heard by others. Recently, I read that nearly half of the adults in this country make resolutions and 25 percent of people break them in the first week. Six months later the majority of those making resolutions have broken them. However, according to several sources, making resolutions is useful. Those who do so are more likely to modify their behavior than those who don’t set specific goals. Of course, many fail a number of times before success.

So, one more time, I have been giving thought to those things that need to be my resolutions for the coming year. John Wesley’s Covenant Service begins with these words of invitation: “Commit yourselves to Christ as his servants.” With this in mind, I remember these words of Howard Thurman:

When the song of the angels is still,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flock,
The work of Christmas begins:

To find the lost.
To heal the broken.
To feed the hungry.
To release the prisoner.
To rebuild the nations.
To bring peace among brothers (and sisters).
To make music in the heart.

It is the acts of compassion and mercy that define our servanthood and fulfill resolutions that make a real difference not only in our lives, but in the lives of others. Blessed are those who live in the Word.

Happy New Year!

P.S. Thanks for your responses to this blog. It has become an important discipline as I try to connect my faith to the world around me.

Dorothy

Our grandaughter, Annaka, is with her other grandparents for a few days in Sumter where Santa seems to have come early. In recent months, Annaka has become a big Wizard of Oz fan and is especially captiviated by Dorothy. Grandma Ruth created this wonderful dress to help a little girl live a fantasy. I can almost feel the excitement and hear the singing. Wouldn't it be wonderful for all children to know such joy?

BOOM!

I recently listened to the audio version of Boom!, Tom Brokaw’s latest book, during my everyday driving. Therefore, I heard only short portions of it at a time which means I could ponder about what this bit of our national history (1963-1974) has meant to me. Like Brokaw I straddle two generations. I am shaped by the 1950s, but definitely defined by the 60s. The pivotal year during this time frame was 1968 - LBJ, RFK, MLK - and the 40th anniversary of it is being observed by the public media in a variety of ways. (Ex. Newsweek – November 19, 2007) So it was with personal interest I listened to Brokaw’s stories of both famous people and ordinary citizens in what he defines as a virtual reunion. He readily admits that the aftershocks of the 60s are not fully understood and that the verdict cannot yet be rendered about the effects of this time on our culture. However, the challenges and changes within this controversial era resound in our lives today and perhaps there are lessons that might guide us in the years ahead.

Boom! One minute it was Ike and the man in the grey flannel suit, and the next minute it was time to “turn on, tune in, drop out.” While Americans were walking on the moon, Americans were dying in Vietnam. Race, war, politics, feminism, popular culture, and music are all explored. Tom Brokaw analyzes how this formative decade has led to a recalibrated perspective–on business, the environment, politics, family, and our national existence.

In reflection, I understand much about the influence of the 60s on my life and on our nation. However, we still cry “let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream” . (Amos 5:24) Why?

Watercrunch

I enjoy reading my son's blog, Watercrunch, even though sometimes I don't fully appreciate some of the more scientific information that he often includes. However, the element of a mother's pride prevails and I faithfully read whatever he has to say. I think that his post for today is especially noteworthy.

Speaking of water issues, it is raining today! Praise the Lord!

Along the Way

Once again we are on the way to Christmas and I find myself wondering what might happen to us and within us and among us if we were to truly leave our fields and follow the star to Bethlehem to see this thing which has come to pass?

We might begin to believe that the Light will indeed shine in the darkness and that the darkness will never overcome it. We might know in our hearts that the one who made us is with us and offers hope.

We might begin to believe that the one true Love, the Love that has the power to change us all has come into being in the person of the babe in the manger.

We might begin to believe that the sharing in and the sharing of that Love, however and wherever we can, in ways great and small, is the only thing worth doing.

The great message of Christmas, of the Incarnation, is that in our weary world and our often times darkened lives, Jesus comes to share God’s love and grace. We might really believe God is with us and allow peace and justice to prevail.


"The shepherds returned; glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen..." Luke 2:20

Extending the Invitation

This week I had an interesting conversation with a young woman that has been attending our church for quite awhile. It left me saddened, frustrated and motivated because she told me, with an edge in her voice, that no one has invited her to join First Church. She also wondered why an invitation wasn’t given as part of worship. Of course, I immediately wanted to offer all sorts of reasons (excuses) as to why she felt that she had not been invited. But, I listened to her thoughts and offered an apology and tried to assure her that she was invited to join us.

Too often we are offended by honest comments and fail to see them as an invitation to us to examine what we do and to make changes if needed. It is very easy to blame others as to why newcomers might not feel invited to join, but we have to question our own roles in this. Perhaps, as a Christian educator I should provide a learning experience for this congregation about offering an invitation. Certainly, I will address this matter with our Council on Ministries. As a staff member, I can help analyze our process for inviting persons to join. As a disciple, I need to be more intentional about extending personal invitations to join us

In this season of Advent, we witness to the Christ child’s coming through our acts of love and caring. In addition, we need also to make sure that we are inviting others to join us as we journey to Bethlehem. It would seem that we too often leave them to be spectators only.

The Golden Compass

The movie, The Golden Compass, is generating a lot of discussion in a variety of settings. I find myself easily irritated at anything that sounds like censorship and get frustrated with some of the irrational comments that hear about it. Yet, I want to have a better understanding of this movie and its author, Philip Pullman. Today, I was most pleased to hear NPR's On Point and commend it to others. For some viewers, this movie could be thought provoking and enriching. Others, could be confused and led astray by it. If my teen really wanted to see it, I would see it with him or her and make sure that we had a conversation about it. In the meantime, I think I will save my movie money for something else.

Out of the Darkness

Isn’t it ironic that in this season of bright and flashing lights and general sensory overload that we (I) often stumble into darkness? I warn others about this, yet find myself struggling to stay on the path to Bethlehem. The absence of compassion and of justice that captures my attention each day seems especially poignant. The shadows fall across the earth early in the day leaving me feeling as though the day is over and I have not accomplished what I should. A sense of loneliness in a time of busyness leaves me feeling that I am going the wrong way. The voices around me are echoes lost in the canyon of my empty soul. The Good News is that each time when I reach this point something or someone resets my compass and leads me back to the path which is to be traveled. Saturday it was the unconditional love of William and Ethan.

Jesus said, “I am the light of the world, anyone who follows me will not be walking in the dark, but will have the light of life.” John 8

Unpacking the Creche

Yesterday, Patrick Downes, our organist, and I had lead our Snowbird-Seagull ministry in Advent worship. Using music and the word imagery of unpacking the crèche, we invited our senior adults to open their hearts to the promise of the season. As usual, I probably received more of a blessing from this effort than those who worshiped with us. I share some of the thoughts that I used and know that the seasonal music interspersed within was important to this time of worship.

For many of us the unpacking of the nativity or crèche opens our hearts to the promise of the season. As each precious piece is unwrapped and put in place, we find ourselves at the manger waiting for Jesus to come again. Whether elaborate or simple, our crèches each has a story unto itself…of who created and/or bought it, of its history and the family traditions that surround it. At one look it recalls in us all those whom we love, but no longer see. We remember Advents past and Christmases long since gone and half forgotten. And in this ritual of unpacking the crèche, these cherished figures will remind us of the Promise that has been made and will be kept when we let it.

With Mary we listen; with Joseph we remember to do the right thing. As shepherds keep watch, we know that in the dark God breaks through into our lives. The Wise Men come later, but are important as they tell of God’s gift for all.

As we put the babe in the manger, we pray:

“O little Jesus, sleep. Sleep while we kneel and watch over you in a dim light this Christmas too. We honor the woman that bore you. We admire the man that adopted you. We maintain sweet memories of those who brought us, like Mary and Joseph, into the stable to worship you during our own Christmas past. But you are the one we praise. You are the one whom we trust. In you we rest. In you we place our faith. Forever and forever, you are the Christ - and you are our Lord forever.” Amen

Walt Wangerin, Jr.
Preparing for Jesus

While I spoke about unpacking the creche, I remembered the little one which our sons enjoyed as children and that still has a prominent place in our home during this time of waiting. I have written a post about this previously.

World AIDS Day 2007

Fifteen years ago I became an AIDS care team member. Our patient was dying and most of us were venturing into a new territory. Needless to say, we were apprehensive. After participating in training provided by the Christian Action Council, we met Randy. His partner and a small community of friends were trying to meet his needs. However, resources were limited and his family had abandoned him. Not everyone felt this was what we needed to be doing, but the scriptures reminded us that Jesus broke through all the stigmas of his day and his culture. He touched, he walked with, he prayed with, he ate with, and he entered the homes of those who were stigmatized. Jesus tells us to do the same. The message to be delivered then and now is be not afraid, be not ashamed. There is nothing that separates us from God’s love and God’s acceptance. I know we did the right thing by being a friend to Randy and others. I remember them today, but realize that I have become one of those the news media identifies as complacent. The 40 million HIV/AIDS patients have just become numbers and I trust the humanitarian and medical communities to deal with this on-going crisis. The 6,000 children who each day lose a parent to AIDS need my attention, also. Forgive me, O God, for forgetting to care.

In-between

Thanksgiving is past as is the Festival of Faith and the time of stewardship emphasis. So Advent must be next. It is great to know that I have this week before Advent officially begins. However, the challenge to be ready to get ready is almost overwhelming. Sermons, teaching plans, programs are all in various stages of incompleteness. Of course, I want everything to be in order and perfect for what should be a most meaningful season of reflection and preparation. Yet, I feel that I will never get out of the wilderness and will miss the main event. How can I tell the Advent story and be heard over all the competing and distracting stories around me? Perhaps the problem is that I am peeking ahead to the last chapter and know what happens. Advent deserves our very best efforts. Wouldn’t it be better to live into these days with open eyes, ears and heart and then truly celebrate in the days following Christmas after the story truly unfolds in our lives? These in-between days are my last chance to decide how I will experience this most holy time of Advent. Come, Lord Jesus.

Remember the Hungry

As we count our blessings during this time of Thanksgiving, we also are reminded of those who are less fortunate than we are. A variety of news stories tell us about those who are hungry in this country. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 10 percent of adults and almost 17 percent of children live in “food insecure households.” Twenty-six million Americans rely on food stamps, an average weekly allotment of $21 or $1 per meal. This means many diets consist of rice, beans and low-cost starches. Fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products and most meats are not found in many meals of food stamp recipients. By the way, food stamp benefits have not been adjusted for inflation in more than a decade. Food banks, soup kitchens and generous individuals daily feed many of these and other hungry persons that are part of communities throughout the county. However, all these efforts continue to be but a band aid and real cures for hunger are seemingly elusive.

Many factors contribute to the persistence of hunger and poverty in this nation. Voices for the hungry continually try to help us understand there are political solutions to social injustices. Low wages, high housing, medical and other costs of living expenses means a continuing struggle for many, esp. women, children and the elderly, to receive good nutrition. Oxfam and Bread for the World are well-respected resources for information about hunger issues and a good place to study what it means to “give us our daily bread.”

Let Thanksgiving be a time of social challenge for us so that more may come to the table of plenty another year. Let us pray the familiar Thanksgiving Prayer by Samuel F. Pugh:
"O God, when I have food,
help me to remember the hungry
When I have work,
help me to remember the jobless;
When I have a home,
help me to remember those who have no home at all;
When I am without pain,
help me to remember those who suffer,
And remembering,
help me to destroy my complacency;
bestir my compassion,
and be concerned enough to help;
By word and deed,
those who cry out for what we take for granted."
Amen

Plain Secrets

From childhood I have been fascinated by the Ohio Mennonites and Amish who drive horse and buggies and live so simply. However, I really have never known that much about them except that they make interesting quilts, are good carpenters, dress uniquely and walk gently on the earth. So it was with great interest that I recently read Plain Secrets by Joe Mackall. Through a friendship with the Shetler family, members of the Swartzentruber Amish of Ashland County, Ohio, Mackall has revealed much about this very conservative group. Just as he struggles with understanding the harsh religious practices of shunning and excommunication, so do I. However, the Amish connection with the land and their community generates respect. Of course, I question riding in a buggy without lights or reflectors and refusing to send children to school beyond the eighth grade. Perhaps, the most interesting part of this book is discovering how the English and Amish live or don’t live in harmony. There are life lessons on almost every page. I'm glad I finally decided to discover more about the Amish.

The Right Questions

I enjoy reading the Lewis Center’s online newsletter, Leading Ideas and share this quote from a recent one. “Leaders do not need answers. Leaders must have the right questions.” In keeping with this thought, I find “Ten Provocative Questions” by Lovett Weems to be insightful and a good basis for holy conversation about the vitality of the United Methodist Church. It would seem that how we arrive at the answers will be as important as what the answers are.

I Don't Have Time

On Tuesday and Wednesday I attended the fall meeting of the SC Conference Board of Ministry. Our purpose was to interview the candidates for ordination as full deacons and elders. I serve on the Call and Disciplined Life Committee whose work is to explore with the candidates how they are living out their call and practicing disciplines that lead to effective ministry. Health issues often dominate these discussions as too many of our candidates are overweight and under-exercised. The response of the candidates to this matter and other issues of disciplined life usually include, “I don’t have time.”

One thing that I have noticed in reading scripture is that those who heard God’s call may have said, “I am not worthy” or “I do not have the skills.” They did not say, “I don’t have the time.” They retreated for prayer, meditation and instruction. And, of course, they walked and walked. Things have changed since Bible times for “I don’t have time” is a common reply to God’s call in our lives. Our conversations seem to focus on how busy we have been, currently are, or soon will be. We try to cram every minute full of activity.

The problem with living in a frantic pace is that we lose touch with the joy inherent in really being present to the moment. We lose touch with our souls. We lose touch with one another, especially our families and friends. Our ministry loses its effectiveness and we become stalled or detoured on our faith journey. I don’t think that these thoughts pertain only to the ordained.

Water Issues

I enjoy reading the blog, Water Crunch, which gives me insight into some of the water issues that are prevalent throughout the Southeastern U.S. and should be of concern to us all. A statement of full disclosure would reveal that the author is our son, Robert. Although there are times that it is a little technical for this reader, I find it to be very informing. Robert's observations about the human side of these issues are especially interesting and sometimes sad. For instance, this week he noted that "some affluent homeowners in North Carolina wanting to avoid the whole 'shared sacrifice experience' of conserving water" had found an answer to their inconvenience. They are digging wells and no law prevents them from irrigating their lawns with this water. How did we become such a self-centered society?

Robert's post about how some Atlanta businesses are coping with water shortages is also interesting.

The Community of Jesus

I am sure that Jesus was seen as just another upstart cult leader as he gathered his odd assortment of followers together. He frequently ignored traditional laws in the interest of restoring human dignity and hope. Marked by diversity and inclusiveness, the community that gathered around Jesus exhibited willingness to challenge the complacent acceptance of religious law. The Gospels remind us that Jesus especially welcomed those who were disenfranchised in that culture…women, children, lepers, tax collectors, and many whose minds or bodies separated them from the worshiping community. Jesus not only welcomed them into a worshiping community, but also into a teaching community.

Worshiping and teaching continue to be the heart of the servant community of Jesus Christ. Sustained by the Holy Spirit, we are to move beyond what has been to experience the presence of Christ in fresh ways. That may mean opening ourselves to new understandings of faithful discipleship through prayerful discernment grounded in scripture, tradition, experience and reason. The community of Jesus looked at the world around it with new eyes and responded with action. Do we?

Altar Calls

During the recent Festival of Faith at First UMC, questions and comments about altar calls once again emerged especially among those that this custom is not part of their faith heritage. This has challenged me to do some historical review and personal reflection.

The period of the Great Awakening seemed to generate a lot of concern about the effectiveness of the Holy Spirit and the need to count those who had been converted. As a result, the altar call gained popularity in the 1830’s with the rejection of the Calvinist teaching that human nature was irreparably depraved; human wills, not their natures needed to be converted. Preachers sought to create revival by using a time of decision following their preaching. This public profession of those gathered at the altar seemed to be an effective method of insuring this change of wills. D.L. Moody and Billy Graham continued to make use of the altar call and it became part of the evangelical Protestant culture. It is hard to find a scriptural basis for this, but we can name it as part of our tradition.

The current version of the altar call is usually offered in terms of rededication to Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. With the organ playing “Just As I Am”, we are summoned to make this public witness to our faith. This becomes a moment of profound sacredness to many. However, some find this emotionally manipulative and without purpose. I think they may have a point to consider as this single act often creates a false impression that all is well with our souls when we answer this invitation. Also, it can be a time of judgment against those who chose not to participate. If we are seeking to claim Jesus, wouldn’t it be more transforming to heed the words of dismissal at the close of each worship service…the words that send us forth to live and serve guided by Jesus Christ? Isn’t it in the everyday that we are the most effective witness to our faith? Whether at the altar or in the pew, may we hear God's call on our lives and respond to it.

Autumn

I love the change of seasons and although at times it is nearly imperceptible in Myrtle Beach, there are always signs that connect me with this important rhythm of life. Such are these days as we finally experience some cooler days and see a hint of fall foliage. This transitional season is one of comfort. A sense of quiet begins to invade our lives and it is almost as if we are yawning. Only the clocks are alert as they prepare to change.

Personally, as the world seems to fade except for the low, orange moon, I can almost smell the musky, woods-like odors of autumn and recall days past when I walked across the Ohio State campus on my way to a Saturday afternoon football game or when I took walks along picturesque wooded paths in a variety of places. My thoughts drift to faces of yesterday which seemingly float like ghosts though my mind. Bluejeans and turtlenecks become my favorite casual attire and hearty soups are regularly found on my menu. With the deliberate preparations being made for colder days ahead, I rejoice that a needed time of quiet and peace is approaching and out of this new life will surely spring. Praise be to God!

New/Old Thoughts

A current headline story on various church websites quotes Bill Hybels as saying Willow Creek leaders have conducted an extensive study of their congregation (and several similar churches) and have concluded participation in programs did not inculcate Christian discipleship and that they had spent "millions of dollars" on programs thinking that they would help people grow—only to find that there was no real increase in parishioners' love for God or their neighbor. "We made a mistake," says Hybels: "What we should have done when people crossed the line of faith and become Christians, we should have started telling people and teaching people that they have to take responsibility to become 'self-feeders.' We should have gotten people, taught people, how to read their bible between services, how to do the spiritual practices much more aggressively on their own."

As the Leadership Journal blog put it, "Spiritual growth doesn't happen best by becoming dependent on elaborate church programs but through the age old spiritual practices of prayer, bible reading, and relationships. These basic disciplines do not require multi-million dollar facilities and hundreds of staff to manage."

Diana Butler Bass writes, “As I have traveled across the U.S. and Canada, I have found that many congregations—including mainline churches, progressive evangelical communities, and synagogues—are rebasing their life on spiritual practices including prayer, theological reflection, doing justice, generosity, storytelling, discernment, shaping community, hospitality, and leadership.”

Nearly every week someone suggests to me that we need this program or that one at First UMC and as a result all would be well with us. It would appear that it might be better for us to intentionally create a climate of transforming practices. Perhaps growing Christians mega-style isn’t the answer after all. I hear a call for the return to basics.