anticipatory grief?

sermonizing

I am preaching this eveing at Reconciler. I am focusing on Genesis 32:22-32. It is a well known passage and that makes preaching more difficult for me.

But a couple of ideas are flying around that worth exploring...I want to spend some time inagining what it must have been like for Jacob to be waiting for his brother to arrive. What kind of "man" did he wrestle. There are all kinds of theories and they intrigue me, but the waiting is even more intriguing to me today.

A song has been running through my head all week: "Sometimes I feel like a motherless child." It plays in there somehow.

Anxiety, fear, anticipation and incredible lonliness all come to me as I read this story. The prevailing over God and humanity eventually has its say, but the initial struggle...a parallel there?...draws me in more.

This psalm is tied in with the lectionary.

Psalm 17
A Prayer of David

1 Hear a just cause, O LORD; attend to my cry;
give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit.
2 From you let my vindication come;
let your eyes see the right.

3 If you try my heart, if you visit me by night,
if you test me, you will find no wickedness in me;
my mouth does not transgress.
4 As for what others do, by the word of your lips
I have avoided the ways of the violent.
5 My steps have held fast to your paths;
my feet have not slipped.

6 I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;
incline your ear to me, hear my words.
7 Wondrously show your steadfast love,
O saviour of those who seek refuge
from their adversaries at your right hand.

8 Guard me as the apple of the eye;
hide me in the shadow of your wings,
9 from the wicked who despoil me,
my deadly enemies who surround me.
10 They close their hearts to pity;
with their mouths they speak arrogantly.
11 They track me down;* now they surround me;
they set their eyes to cast me to the ground.
12 They are like a lion eager to tear,
like a young lion lurking in ambush.

13 Rise up, O LORD, confront them, overthrow them!
By your sword deliver my life from the wicked,
14 from mortals—by your hand, O LORD—
from mortals whose portion in life is in this world.
May their bellies be filled with what you have stored up for them;
may their children have more than enough;
may they leave something over to their little ones.

15 As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness;
when I awake I shall be satisfied, beholding your likeness.

There are several emotions conveyed through this psalm. I think it speaks well to the ways in which we can grieve...in the ways in which we anticipate loss. Perhaps that is what I see in this scripture.

Jacob does not know what the next day will bring. Is he anticipating the worst? Perhaps. I know I am reading into the text somewhat, but it is an interesting notion.

oops

In the process of deleting some spam/junk comments I deleted several recent actual comments to the blog. I am sorry. And I humbly repent. I simply don't know how to fix it.

so much to do

There is so much to do.

I have a sermon to write.
I have two catering gigs this weekend.
There is a fund-faiser on August 20th that I am involved in.
I am still looking for that gainful employment thing.
I need to finish my integrative project (read: thesis).

There is so much to do and I am letting myself get stressed about it.

upcoming gigs

Here is the latest update from the band. Be ye warned, the person who writes these emails has some personal issues. They sometimes manifest themselves in peculiar ways.

Nonetheless, read on! Oh, and send the email to your friends. These gigs will be a blast!

What happened to One of the Girls? They haven't had a gig since June. Did they
get Heat Dementia?

Close.

They got Space Dementia. After fighting Killer Martian Zombie Vampires. But
don't worry. They saved the babes.

Now they're back to teach America the lessons they learned on their wild Martian
ride. Through some face-melting 21st Century Folk Music.

Or maybe they'll just play some benefits for a pair of up-and-coming Chicago
theatre companies.

Wednesday, August 3, 2005
7 PM
Actor's Revolution Theatre
Wine Tasting & Benefit
Blue Bayou Bar and Grill
3734 N. Southport Ave.
Chicago, IL
$20
(includes wine tasting,
unlimited Sam Adams beer,
& light snacks)

Saturday, August 20, 2005
7 PM
Theater Entropy Benefit
High Risk Gallery
1113 W. Belmont
Chicago, IL
Tickets are $30.00,
or $20.00 with H/R
RSVP by calling 773.505.6766 or
theatreentropy@hotmail.com

DIE MARTIAN SCUM!

Love,

ONE OF THE GIRLS
Tom Schorsch
Sean Sullivan
Tripp Hudgins
Roger Sherman

final final self-evaluation

One of our tasks in CPE is to write reflective self-evaluations. We do this for each of our three terms...one midterm and one final. Well, yeaterday I presented my final final evaluation. If all goes well, I will not need to do this again. Yes, I still have an autobiography and a competency paper to complete for the certification process, but those are not as momentus. I know that I have not spoken much about CPE this year. It did not seem an appropriate use of the blog to post on what I am learning here until it was all over.

In four weeks it will be over.

Wow.

Here is a bit from my self-evaluation. I want to share.

The liturgy is the “work of the people.” The job description of the pastor is to facilitate and live within the work of the people. This is how we participate in all things: Sunday services, the ER, care rounds, burial of a loved one, changing a diaper or teaching a child to tie her shoes for the first time. All of life is liturgy. All of life is sacrament.

All of this sacramental talk, of course, makes me an unusual Baptist. This insight plays both into my reflections upon the past year, my understanding of the here and now and my hopes for hereafter. All of life deserves my utmost affection and attention. If I am to be a good husband or pastor, I feel that this attitude will serve me well.

There is a liturgy I enter in the morning when I rise. It is a relatively new liturgy for me. The summer weather has been kind. I get up and pour a cup of coffee. I take my mug and a book and sit on the front stoop for an hour or two depending on how early it is. I read. I pray. Then I get up and get ready for work. My final act is to awaken my wife. I fix her coffee…cream and sugar…and sit on the bed beside her until she awakens. We briefly exchange greetings and I leave for the day. This is a simple liturgy, but it fuels me for the whole day. It contains my hopes and dreams for my family and myself. I wish my life to be the kind of place where gentleness and exuberance can co-exist freely.

The liturgies in the hospital have the same quality for me. This is at the very least what I hope for. I am gentle with the patients. I am exuberant with staff. I share my excitement and joy for my work whenever I can. This grounds me. This contemplative life upholds me. I was not certain that I would be able to have it outside of the retreat center where I lived for four years. But I have been finding it peeking through my daily life…slowly. It is a generous and welcome gift.

...

I was ordained on the Feast of All Saints (observed Nov. 7, 2004) last fall. Much of my energy this year has been spent on learning who I am as a pastor. As a Baptist, I think of pastoring as beginning and ending with the sermon. All the work I imagine I might do during the week at a congregation is fodder and inspiration for sermons. Working in the hospital certainly has shifted that perception. The sermon is not mine any longer…I no longer see it as the property of the ordained…nor the privilege solely of the ordained ministry. One of my verbatims from the first unit expressed this clearly. The sermon is preached all week long in every interaction that I have on the floors of the hospital, at home with my wife, or at play with my band. I receive the spiritual benefits of the sermons that others preach all week long. If I am fortunate enough to have an opportunity to preach at a congregation on Sunday, most frequently I find myself reiterating what has already been preached to me by others. My life as a pastor is to remind (anamnesis) all of us of the presence of God in our midst (sacrament). In the daily life of the community, we all “make Eucharist” and preach good news to the poor, in spirit or in pocket. This is the priesthood of the believer. I believe all of us participate in the sacramental life of the Kingdom of God. Occasionally I have the good fortune of echoing this within the 25 minutes of a Sunday sermon.

Thanks for reading. I appreciate it.

discovery

Thanks to G. Brooke for the link.
Prayers ascending, indeed.

O, how I love to know what my friends are doing. Jane, Susie, Beth and many others it seems are getting in on a ring for women in ministry. This is a great thing as far as I am concerned. And, it would seem, that the merchandising has started already. This mug jumped off the screen at me. I laughed out loud.

Indeed, this is always the question. Does the pulpit change the perception that people might have? It is possible.

Heh.

sigh...once again the baptist fumbles

You scored as Sacrament model. Your model of the church is Sacrament. The church is the effective sign of the revelation that is the person of Jesus Christ. Christians are transformed by Christ and then become a beacon of Christ wherever they go. This model has a remarkable capacity for integrating other models of the church. Sacrament model 95% Mystical Communion Model 89% Herald Model 83% Servant Model 45% Institutional Model 33% What is your model of the church? [Dulles] created with QuizFarm.com

faith, politics and frijoles grandes

How odd it is that I miss a day of posting. It happens rarely enough...to be sure to be sure.

Here is an essay from the Alban Institute study on faith and politics. I posted it in the forum. Just follow the link. I thought it was an interesting article and worth engaging.

Also, Cliff and I were speaking the other morning about our myriad theological differences. Somehow we ended up speaking of John Calvin. This happens with us. This conversation quickly wandered to beans.

Yes, beans.

Tripp: I like the garbanzo bean.
Cliff: I am a chick pea man myself.
Tripp: Thus ends the summary of our relationship.

We thought it was HI-larious! In fact, it has found its way into a conversation about sin and the Church.

Yeah, its the chickpeas again.

I agree totally. We are not made perfect when we stop sinning or even by virtue of doing everything rightly.

It is through God that we are made perfect. Thus, Paul can claim to be the greatest of sinners and be made perfect through God's grace...even while he sins.

Posted by: Tripp at July 25, 2005 04:48 PM

And in response:

Tripp:

You're a master of nuance. So much so that I cannot agree with you. Sin is always bad, and never a good thing.

Garbonzo beans.

Posted by: Clifton D. Healy at July 25, 2005 08:15 PM

I am pretty certain that the inspiration belongs to Camassia and a conversation she and I had at Jen's place on Sunday. So, there we go enjoying connectivity again.

waiting

Here is the groom waiting patiently for his mother and friends to stop giving him mess for wearing a skirt at his own wedding.

This is a practice run of posting from Flickr to my blog.

baptist news update

Disaffected American Baptist groups see little resolution after meeting

By Rob Marus

VALLEY FORGE, Pa. (ABP) -- Leaders on all sides of the debate over homosexuality in the American Baptist Churches - USA see little resolution to concerns raised during the denomination's recent biennial meeting.

"I don't think the biennial solved anything, in terms of the future of
the denomination," said Mike Williams, executive minister for the
American Baptist Churches of Michigan.

The lack of action means further moves by those disaffected with the
national denomination could come between now and the next meeting of the
denomination's General Board in November.

Churches in at least four ABC regions threatened to withhold
contributions to the national denomination or leave altogether if their
concerns over homosexuality were not addressed at the biennial, which
took place July 1-4.

The denomination's General Board, meeting prior to the larger
convocation in Denver, accepted the first reading of a petition from one
region that calls for amendments to documents designed to more clearly
state American Baptists' opposition to homosexuality.

Regional fellowships are the channel through which local churches relate
to the national body, which counts 1.5 million members in 5,836
churches. In recent years, several gay-friendly churches have been
expelled from some of those regional bodies. The ABC General Board
changed the denomination's rules in 1999 to allow churches to join
regions outside of their geographical area if the region is willing to
accept them.

As a result, many pro-gay ABC churches have joined more progressive
regions outside their geographical area.

The Indiana-Kentucky region initiated the petition to change the rules
on regional affiliation back, as well as to amend a denominational
identity statement to read that American Baptists are a people "who
submit to the teaching of Scripture that God's design for sexual
intimacy places it within the context of marriage between one man and
one woman, and acknowledge that the practice of homosexuality is
incompatible with biblical teaching."

The petition notes the ABC General Board's 1992 approval of a resolution
that declares homosexual practice "incompatible with biblical teaching,"
but the petition says subsequent actions by denominational leaders have
not sent as clear an anti-homosexuality message.

The denomination has presented "an inconsistent and confusing message to
the world about what American Baptists profess to believe and what is
actually practiced," the petition reads.

It and another petition expressing concern over the unity in the
denomination will receive a second reading at the November meeting of
the General Board. If passed, it effectively would create a mechanism
for expelling many gay-friendly churches from the ABC.

But the leader of the Indiana-Kentucky region said, despite the
acceptance of their petition, many of his regional leaders who attended
the meetings were disappointed.

"Our board ... felt that the General Board [meeting] and biennial were
somewhat orchestrated in the way that they were presented so that it
would present a more open position [on the issue of homosexuality] than
we would like," said Larry Mason, executive minister for the American
Baptist Churches of Indiana-Kentucky.

But Ken Pennings, the newly appointed executive director of the
gay-friendly Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists, had a
different view of the meetings.

Mason said the Indiana-Kentucky board had already appointed a task force
to study the issue, and that leaders were conducting listening sessions
with American Baptists from around the region. The task force will
report to the regional board with recommendations on how to proceed at
their November meeting -- a week prior to the national ABC General Board
meeting.

"I have no idea what that task force will decide," Mason told Associated
Baptist Press. But he added he expects the task force will offer some
contingencies, should the ABC General Board adequately address the
region's concerns.

Asked what such an adequate action would look like, Mason said it might
involve the General Board both approving a second reading of the part of
the Indiana-Kentucky petition that involves expelling churches, as well
as approving the change to the identity statement to clarify that
homosexuality is incompatible with the Bible.

"I think that would help a lot of people here in Indiana-Kentucky to
think that at least they have been heard, and that the denomination does
stand on an issue of what they consider to be biblical authority," he
said. "So, I believe the first point of the petition -- if that is not
passed, it will be seen as a real statement of our denomination as to
where they are going to lead in the future."

Action may come sooner in the American Baptist Churches of the Pacific
Southwest, one of the regions that threatened to alter its relationship
with the national denomination "if the issues regarding homosexuality
[were] not biblically dealt with by the end" of the biennial meeting.
Dale Salico, executive minister of the Southern California-based region,
declined to comment on his view of how the biennial went until after his
regional board meets in August.

But Williams, of the Michigan region, said Salico's region may be the
watershed in a wider American Baptist movement. "I think it will be very
interesting to see what Pacific Southwest decides to do," he said. "If
they decide to take some action, like formally separating from ABC-USA,
then it might be a catalyst for other regions to consider that."

During his address to about 2,000 delegates to the biennial July 1, ABC
General Secretary Roy Medley pleaded for unity in the ethnically,
geographically and theologically diverse denomination.

"We stand at a crossroads," he said, according to the American Baptist
News Service. "In our world, the path of radical discipleship -- the
path of radical love -- is the road less taken. We dare not choose
another. We dare not choose the wrong road ... the road that leads to
separation. That choice will certainly unite you with like-minded people
but will give you small souls and make you comfortable Christians."

Hey there. It is Friday. I have posted a couple of articles in the forum. Take a gander if you are interested. There is one about the current candidate for the Supreme Court (The "higest" court?! What an unkind name!), and there is another about the patriot act.

And here is a quotation for you to ponder today.

Worse Than No Christianity
J. Heinrich Arnold

Discipleship means complete dedication. It demands everything - the whole heart, the whole mind, and the whole of life, including one's time, energy, and property - for the cause of love. Half-hearted Christianity is worse than no Christianity.

It's a pretty challenging word. Arnold has read a lot of Bonhoeffer t'would seem.

I like this thinking and am troubled by it at the same time. You see, there is this thing called a Christian Journey. "You must walk that lonesome valley..." Cliff talks about theosis. At our baptisms we are not purified, given grace to sin no more. Nope. It don't work that way. So, discipleship is the process of becomming Christian.

Now, Arnold would most likely agree with me. And he is probably bent out of shape about "notional" Christians...people who talk the talk but have no interest in walking the walk. They show up on Sunday because they do not know what else to do with that morning of the week. But these people, too, are on a journey. They may be learning to take their faith, their baptismal vows, seriously. Who can say?

I respect Arnold's ire. I do. But I shy away at the same time.

who knew?

I took a test. Follow the link to find my score.

LIBERAL

LIBERALS usually embrace freedom of choice in personal matters, but tend to support significant government control of the economy. They generally support a government-funded "safety net" to help the disadvantaged, and advocate strict regulation of business. Liberals tend to favor environmental regulations, defend civil liberties and free expression, support government action to promote equality, and tolerate diverse lifestyles.

The RED DOT on the Chart shows where you fit on the political map.

Your PERSONAL issues Score is 80%.
Your ECONOMIC issues Score is 20%.
(Please note: Scores falling on the Centrist border are counted as Centrist.)

Thanks to Mike for the link.

hogwarts hoedown

I am done. I finished it.

Who else has finished it who would be willing to chat about it with me? Would you please comment here?

If you are one of the (surely shrinking) number of people who have not read it completely or at all, avoid the comments. I imagine a surprise or two could be ruined for you.

Just a note: I find little intentional Christianization of wizards in this story. I mean, they are in England where the state church is the state church. They do take holiday time at Christmas. No classes at Hogwarts during the Christmas holiday. But no one mentions Christ.

I'm just sayin'.

quotation

"Writers, like children, are not dissuaded by the uselessness of hoarded ordinaries; instead, we cultivate a collector's sense, trying to capture mundane moments on a string of words." - dunno who...go to a website called Hoarded Ordinaries and see what you can see. Kudos to Damaris who e-mailed this quotation to me.

the beach

I am not a big fan of beaches...really. I burn. No amount of sun screen saves me.

But this place looks great.

Vietnam...golly.

aww

Here is a great picture of Justin and Mae that Si took at the wedding last weekend. Thay look great. They had a great time.

I am glad they are moving to Chicago.

Go to Si's Flickr account to see more!

interesting

This is fun. Give it a read.

Rare conservative-liberal alliance

urges reconsideration of Patriot Act

By Analiz González

WASHINGTON - (ABP) If some of the Patriot Act's provisions aren't
allowed to expire, groups like pro-life demonstrators, defenders of
traditional marriage and evangelicals who disagree with the
administration's foreign policy might find themselves under
investigation as terrorists, members of an unusual left-right coalition
said July 19.

In a Washington press conference held by a group calling itself Patriots
to Restore Checks and Balances, members of both liberal and conservative
civil-liberties groups said they are asking Congress to spend time
reviewing and debating the merits of the Patriot Act. The act, hastily
passed in the wake of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, is due
to expire soon. It is currently before the House for reauthorization.

The Patriot Act gave government agencies broad new powers to pursue
suspected terrorists and terrorist organizations. Civil libertarians on
both the left and the right ends of the political spectrum have
criticized many of its provisions as too broad and dangerous to the very
American freedoms the law's supporters aim to defend.

The PRCB is a bipartisan group hoping to "fix the Patriot Act to enable
the government to fight terror while preserving important checks and
balances on law enforcement, thus limiting undue government intrusion
into the private lives of average Americans," according to documents the
group provided to reporters.

The coalition listed concerns with a section of the law as one of
several reasons why "conservatives should support a robust debate on the
Patriot Act."

That section defines terrorism as "any act that is dangerous to human
life."

PRCB materials said Section 802 of the act regards an action that
"involves a violation of any state or federal law, and appears to be
intended to influence government policy or coerce a civilian population.
This definition is far too broad and vague, and could easily sweep in
pro-life demonstrators, among others."

Other reasons the group listed for conservatives to oppose rushed
re-authorization of the Patriot Act included:

-- ts alleged disregard of the Fourth Amendment's protections against
unreasonable search and seizure;

-- Section 213 of the act, which allows government to secretly search
someone's home or office, seize their possessions and not inform the
person of the search for months.

-- Section 215, which allows the government to ask for secret court
authorizations so officials can collect medical, financial, library and
other personal records -- whether or not the person searched is
suspected of a crime or of being an agent of foreign power.

Members of PRCB include the American Conservative Union, the American
Civil Liberties Union, Americans for Tax Reform and former Rep. Bob Barr
(R-Ga.).

tuesday linkage

Here are some things worth mentioning this morning.

David Kear has related a conversation about the Emergent movement and Calvinism.

Cathy has a list of books that "Kick Harry Potters Ass!" Dare we enter that conversation?

Mouthy Mom is sharing the benefits of weight loss. This post is rated PG.

Camassia is on her way to Chicago and points east. I am looking forward to meeting her. Though, I must confess, I will not be preaching this weekend at Reconciler. The rotation changed. Sorry, C!

G. Brooke is musing on finches. This is a neat little post that reminded me of summers back in Virginia. Then again, some days it seems like everything reminds me of Virginia.

Rev Ref and Susie have shared their sermons from this past Sunday with the rest of us. Give 'em a gander.

AKMA is reporting from the Ekklesia Conference. It should be interesting. He is also one of the scheduled speakers.

Today's "Best Rant Award" belongs to Spud. This is my favorite quotation. "Milkshakes are an art form and should be treated with the respect that deserves." Amen!

Finally, the "Most Surprising Quotation Award" goes to LL Cool P. "Goddammit, I miss Catholicism." Yes, even we flaming liberals need a little pushing around every so often. Well said, LL Cool P!

And here is a little poetry for your day.

always be open
e.e. cummings

may my heart always be open to little
birds who are the secrets of living
whatever they sing is better than to know
and if men should not hear them men are old

may my mind stroll about hungry
and fearless and thirsty and supple
and even if it's sunday may i be wrong
for whenever men are right they are not young

and may myself do nothing usefully
and love yourself so more than truly
there's never been quite such a fool who could fail
pulling all the sky over him with one smile

first this...then that.

Cliff has been at it again. Whatever shall we do with him? Here I though that the fifteen hours in a car together over the weekend would create a common vision of God the world and everything. No. Instead, it has only tought me how to speak Sofie. She's two and I love to speak Sofie with her. Still sometimes someone needs to translate for me!

Anyway...

Cliff has been reflecting on ecumenism (1, 2, 3). It is good stuff for the most part. And he is a bright guy. But I wanted to toss my hat in the ring somewhat. Well, actually, I want to toss Brother Roger's hat in the ring first. Mine will come later most likely.

First, go and be reconciled

Christ is communion. Will you choose to live a life rooted not in Christ taken in isolation, but in the Risen Lord present on earth in the communion of his Body, the Church? When the Church is a radiant mystery of motherly love and forgiveness, it offers a clear reflection of Christ Jesus.

One of the earliest witnesses to the Gospel had already grasped this: "Although I might have the gift of speaking in God's name, know all things and have faith strong enough to move mountains, if I do not have love, all of that is useless."

In that unique communion which is the Church, oppositions to ancient and new are tearing the Body of Christ apart.

The luminous ecumenical vocation is and always will be a matter of achieving a reconciliation without delay.

For the Gospel, reconciliation does not wait. "When you are bringing your gift to the altar and your sister or brother has something against you, leave everything; first go and be reconciled."

"First go!" Not, "Put off till later."

Ecumenism fosters illusory hopes when it puts off reconciliation until later. It comes to a standstill, becomes fossilized even, when it accepts the creation of parallel paths on which vital energies of forgiveness are squandered.

Reconciliation makes us fully consistent with the Gospel...and so offers a peaven of peace and trust to the entire family. - Bro. Roger of Taize

sorted

I'm a Gryffindor!

Cliff, Jen, Susie...who else has done this?

kilts, bells, kareoke and topless toddlers

Well, all of the above could be found at Justin and Mae's wedding this weekend. It was a grand old time, glorious and warm in the summer heat of the Minnesota wood.

Does anyone have pictures posted yet? Si? Fiona? Everyone looked great, but I have to say that this is one time that the groom may have shown up the bride. The bride's dress was fabulous!! Kate did an incredible job. Kudos. But the novelty of the full Scotish regalia...21' of wool pleated and folded and draped...and not a stitch involved...incredible.

So, I am back in Chicago with much to do. I have one more resume to send out. This is a good thing. There may be an opportunity at a local urban ministry center. Helping the homeless, counseling, some handouts etc...and two worship services a week. It would allow me to stay in Chicago, work in full-time ministry and continue to help grow Reconciler. This is all good stuff.

As for now, I must type. I have to write for my competency paper. Certification awaits.

Thanks be to you O God
that I have risen to this day
To the rising of this life itself.
May it be a day of blessing,
O God of every gift,
A day of new beginnings given.
Help me to avoid every sin
And the source of every sin to forsake
And as the mist scatters
from the crest of the hills
May each ill haze clear
from my soul O God.

friday?!

I am off this weekend to Justin and Mae's wedding. The kilt is in my posession. So, I will not be posting for the next three days. I will be riding with the Healy family in their SUV. Cliff's daughter is the flowergirl. We leave early tomorrow.

So, I will leave you with quick Thurs/Friday prayer.

O God of life, of all life, of each I offer you my prayers In the love of Christ In the affecton fo Christ In the company of Christ. As your own household desires in heaven So may I desire this day...

I am bending my knee
In the eye of the God
who created me
In the eye of the Son
who died for me
In the eye of the Spirit
who moves me
In love and in desire.

For the many gifts
you have bestowed on me
Each day and each night
each sea and land
Each weather fair
each calm, each wild
Thanks be to you O God!

Amen.

This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us not forget to set the coffee maker again because, it would seem, we can oversleep and not have a chance to get the morning buzz going until the Emergency Room calls and requires one to be thoughtful.

Attempted thoughtfulness...not so fortunate. God blesses all things, or so I have heard. O Lord, make this meager effort of mine a worthy instrument of your grace. Let not the posessions be lost. Let not the nurses remember my ineptitudes of old!

Sigh.

And in more jovial news, James Janssen has been added to the Episcopal seminary. He is the leo sowerby chair of organistic flamboyance. Go ye therefore into the organistic den of whatsits. Be warned. Organistic dens are...well...organistic!

have we forgotten?

So, I was walking down the sidewalk infront of the hospital. I saw someone I knew catching a quick smoke in the afternoon. We spoke. I saw that his tee-shirt had a name on it I did not recognise. He told me all about the masacre.

He said that he was there. He survived. He said he was lucky.

I did not know what to say. All words fall flat.

"I am glad that you are here."

link to BBC story

musing on transition and change

I keep rediscovering how much anxiety I experience when my life is in a state of flux. To be honest, I cannot stand it. Urgh.

I have submitted my resume to churches in Virginia, Washington D.C., San Francisco, New York City (?!), and here in Chicago. I have also applied for a couple of other ministry postions here as well. It appears that our desire is to stay here in Chicago, but I am somewhat convinced that if I desire to serve a congregation full time, that I will have to leave Chicago.

That being said, I already serve one pulpit in Chicago. This is true. It is a great joy. And there are ways that I could finagle income so that I could continue to do so. I am least worried about income. I am most worried about my vocation and uprooting my spouse in response to it. Anyone out there with the gift of discernment?

*whine*

I do not know which of the congregations who now have my resume and all that will actually stop by this blog. They all have the url, and if they google me they will certainly find it. I debated whether or not I should post about the anxieties. As you can see, I decided that posting is better than not. Somehow this whole process, no matter how it turns out, will "inform my ministry." I may as well share from time to time what it looks like.

Stress...yay.

twosdey mernin

Good morning.

It is finally raining here in Chicagoland. This is a good thing. We have been dealing with a nasty drought of late. Though I have been glad for the sun and the relatively dry air, we need the rain.

I want to draw your attention to a couple of posts. Give 'em a gander and share your wisdom.

First, Jane preached at Reconciler this past Sunday. She did a fine job. You can read her sermon here...or here. As usual, the following idea challenged me most of all...

[Some people] seem to be incredibly gifted. The saints through the ages, who set amazing examples for us; or contemporary people like Mother Teresa, or Martin Luther King-- their faith, and their gifts seem to tower over the rest of us, as though they were specially favored by God.

But the person who works honestly and diligently at a job, year after year... or the parents who are raising children to know and love the Lord... or one who can be counted on for prayer, or encouragement, or quiet wisdom... the gifts and talents these people have are no less important, my brothers and sisters, even if they are less noticed, and more subtle. And I believe in the long run they are just as vital to the purposes of God, and the growth of the kingdom, as anything more impressive we hear about.

It is a good sermon.

Another link to follow is this one to Larry's continued thinking about the Emergent Movement and Orthodoxy. He's at it again. Take a gander.

Finally, Cliff posted on what it was like for him to be witness to the birth of his new baby girl. Anna wanted to employ the aid of a midwife this time. Things went well.

down by the riverside

Thanks, Mike.

interesting...

A friend sent this to me this morning.

Various thoughts by pro-Iraq war folks on the war... in Kosovo:
"You can support the troops but not the president." Tom DeLay

"[The] President . . . is once again releasing American military might on a foreign country with an ill-defined objective and no exit strategy. He has yet to tell the Congress how much this operation will cost. And he has not informed our nation's armed forces about how long they will be away from home. These strikes do not make for a sound foreign policy." Rick Santorum

"If we are going to commit American troops, we must be certain they have a clear mission, an achievable goal and an exit strategy."
Karen Hughes

"Well, I just think it's a bad idea. What's going to happen is they're going to be over there for 10, 15, maybe 20 years." Joe Scarborough

"There are no clarified rules of engagement. There is no timetable. There is no legitimate definition of victory. There is no contingency plan for mission creep. There is no clear funding program. There is no agenda to bolster our overextended military. There is no explanation defining what vital national interests are at stake. There was no strategic plan for war when the President started this thing, and there still is no plan today." Tom DeLay

"Victory means exit strategy, and it's important for the President to explain to us what the exit strategy is." George W. Bush

Somewhere in Nebraska there is a guy who writes these quotes, these media soundbites. Leaders from both parties call him. He makes big bucks selling them. It's a good business. Heh.

I bet you could search back in the annals of history and find these complains issuing forth from both parties all the way back to the expansionist policies...

sermon: let all who have ears listen

Follow the extended link to the sermon I preached yesterday morning at North Shore. It went well.

The scripture used was Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 and Isaiah 55:10-13

In the beginning, O God,
When the firm earth emerged from the waters of life
You saw that it was good.
The fertile ground was moist
The seed was strong
And earth’s profusion of color and scent was born.
Awaken our senses this day
To the goodness that stems from Eden.
Awaken our senses
To the goodness that can still spring forth
In us and in all that has life.

Amen.

Whoever has ears should hear.
Whoever has ears should hear.
Whoever has ears should hear.

Hear what? What are we listening for?

The parable of the sower and the seed…well, I have to confess that this is a parable I have been dreading preaching about for a long time. It is rich. It is powerful. And so many people have preached on this scripture time and time again. It is well known.

Can I see a show of hands? Who has heard this parable before?
Here everyone in the congregation raised their hands.

Can anyone tell me what it means?
There are many reasons I love preaching at North Shore. The fact that I had to cut off conversation lest we spend all day responding to one another is one. Maybe I should have let it go. Responses included: "the passage is an alegory on spiritual growth for those who are saved," "the passage reminds us to seek out our mission fields carefully," "the passage is about how you have to learn to hear before you learn to listen." It was fun. I encourage you all to give it a shot.

This is a great passage. The writer of Matthew has even given us the interpretation. The seed sown on the path is the Word that is not heeded. The seed sown on rocky ground is someone who “receives the Word with joy” responds immediately and then peters out as their fervor wanes. The seed that is sewn among weeds is someone who succumbs to the cares of the world…”the lure of wealth”…and that seed produces no fruit.

Then there is the seed that is sewn in fertile soil…this is the person who hears, receives and is grown in the Word of the Kingdom of God. The fruit from this harvest is beyond measure.

Great. Okay. Thank you for your time this morning. I guess my work is done here.

Well, sadly for you, there may actually be something else to say here. You see, there is a bit of scripture that falls between these two passages that is not included in the lectionary. I would like to share it with you. Listen to Matthew again. These are verses ten through seventeen from the same chapter.

Follow along in your pew Bible or simply listen to the translation by Eugene Peterson.

The disciples came up and asked, “Why do you tell stories?”

He replied, “You’ve been given insight into God’s kingdom. You know how it works. Not everybody has this gift, this insight; it hasn’t been given to them. Whenever someone has a ready heart for this, the insights and understanding flow freely. But if there is no readiness, and trace of receptivity soon disappears. That is why I tell stories: to create readiness, to nudge the people toward receptive insight. In their present state they can stare till doomsday and not see it, listen till they’re blue in the face and not get it. I don’t want Isaiah’s forecast repeated all over again.

Your ears are open but you won’t hear a thing,
Your eyes are awake but you don’t see a thing.
The people are blockheads!
They stick their fingers in their ears
so they won’t have to listen;
They screw their eyes shut
so they won’t have to look,
so they won’t have to deal with me face-to-face
and let me heal them.

But you have God-blessed eyes – eyes that see. And God-blessed ears – ears that hear! A lot of people, prophets and humble believers among them, would have given anything to see what you are seeing, to hear what you are hearing, but never have the chance.”

There are some things to understand before we go too far with this reading from Matthew. One important facet to engaging this parable is that Matthew’s gospel is written from a Jewish community to a Jewish community. The community that is following Jesus, that has such a clear investment in the story of Christ, who have found salvation in relationship with God through Christ are wondering why their fellow Jews cannot or do not hear the truth of the story. The seeds are being sown and yet not all hear. What is this about.

The community stands divided. Matthew’s community is banging its head against a wall. Their story seems to be falling on deaf ears.

The parable is about a community divided.
It is a response to an unheeded tale of faith and salvation.

We can draw some parallels here between Matthew’s community and our own denomination and life here at North Shore. We are in the midst of a denomination that stands divided between liberal and conservative (whatever that means anymore), where neither side feels heard…hearts are being broken, friendships and collegial relationships are fractured. This is the kind pain I hear in this story from Matthew’s gospel.

I also feel some frustration when I read this parable. Here we are in this thriving neighborhood and we seem to struggle to engage new members…to create new disciples. We struggle to tell the stories of Christ and when we do tell the stories, they seem to go unheeded. This is, at least, my experience here in Andersonville. Maybe it is not yours.

And maybe it is because I am helping to grow a new church start. I was taught that a preacher also preaches to themselves. Evangelism is a difficult work and sometimes I just get tired of the struggle. But in this parable, by sharing it at all, Jesus gives us all hope. He shows us a way to be evangelical, kind, gentle and generous.

Be patient…sometimes we have to let a field lie fallow so that it may once again be made fertile. Cultivating a vineyard takes time…a lot of time.

As much as the parable is about how some people simply cannot hear the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, it is also a great example of how Jesus is concerned that all are led to a place where they can have their ears opened to hear the Word of God. He is showing us how to share the Good News.

Jesus, understands how difficult it is at times to hear the Gospel, the truth of God. This is one parable in the midst of many. Jesus wishes to lead us gently into understanding. He knows that we all hear differently…some of us must learn to listen before we can hear. Jesus knows this. Thus, he is gentle and generous. God knows His own creation.

He knows that some of us simply cannot hear the stories of God until our own story is heard…until we believe that we are known.

Here is another way to think about it.

Paul Westermeyer is a professor of church music at a Lutheran seminary in the Twin Cities. He has written several books on the subject and is regarded quite the authority on the history and theology of church music.

What has always amazed me about Professor Westermeyer’s work is how pastoral he is. He is concerned about performance of music for the sake of the gathered and not for the sake of the music. He is aware that there are many, many means through which the Word of God is communicated and music is one of the more powerful. The church musician should always be aware of this reality. He or she should understand their job as sacred storytelling.

But for Westermeyer, before the church musician can tell the story, the church musician must learn to listen. He or she needs to spend time with the members of the church, getting to know them and to hear their stories. The members of a congregation have stories of salvation, of how God has worked in their lives. They have parables.

The church musician must learn to listen for what Westermeyer calls “the people’s song.” This is the song that the gathered community sings about God and their relationships with God and with one another.

To tell the story, to sing the song, one must first learn to listen. This takes time and patience. It is not done in an instant. In fact, it can be the work of years.

As I am sure many of you are aware by now, there is a bit of work being done here at North Shore to tell our story. We have one hundred years of stories to share and to remember. It is a grand thing to do so. It is a good thing. It is important to recall where we have been, to remind ourselves of who we are and who we have been. But to what end?

As Christ strings parables together, links story upon story to gently lead people to the Kingdom, we too must tell our stories of God, our own parables. We are asked to tell the stories that are about God in our lives, about our own salvation and our growing relationship with one another and with Christ.

We are asked to lead people to the Kingdom by telling our stories…but only after we have learned to listen to their stories.

We must learn to listen to their stories as someone once listened to our own.

Whoever has ears should hear.
Whoever has ears should hear.
Whoever has ears should hear.

Listen for the stories of God in the lives of our neighbors and one another, to the goodness that stems from Eden. Awaken your senses to the goodness that can still spring forth in all that has life.

For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and so not return their until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall God’s Word be that goes forth from God’s mouth; it shall not return to God empty, but it shall accomplish that which God purposes, and succeeds in the thing for which God sent it.

The Word is shared here in Andersonville…every day in its coffee shops, public houses and restaurants. We need only to listen. It is shared in the life of this community that gathers on Sunday mornings.

Tell your story.

Amen.

get on your bike and ride

I have enjoyed watching some friends try to deal with a change in summer schedules. If you spend every summer for five years at camp, then the first summer away from camp will offer innumerable opportunities to recollect. The heat of the sun, the smell of grass...the sound of clicking gears on a bike...these all bring back memories.

Mouthy Mom has been sharing her journal about the AIDSRide. I worked for the company for three seasons...rode one other with Squid. It was a great thing to participate in. I was glad to leave when I did, but those rides help me solidify my understanding of my call.

Wondrous.

AIDSRide

The Riderless Cycle

This is the time of year I remember riding a bike...or cheering on those who were riding. I remember late nights of having to change campsite locations or wrangling sleepy volunteers so that everything was done. I made some friends. Saw some others die.

There are many complaints that one could rightly express in regards to these large-scale fundraising events. They are expensive. They often have a poor return rate. They are time consuming and resource consuming...and yet they have shaped lives, creating courageous people with a sense of vision and drive to help others.

These events are not to be the end. They were never to be so. They are only the begining.

friday randomness

Well, it has been another week of more to do and process than I can manage. Whew! I have to highlight some stuff for you, however, so that you may edify your own lives.

Firstly, there is a show in Chicago that all of you must see. Strap the deer to the hood of your import and drove on over if you need to. Scarrie, The Musical is an homage ala musical parody to the '70's classic horror film Carrie. I am not certain that Mr. King had this in mind when he wrote the story, but the musical is a riot. My wife is in the cast. So I have a bias. Go ye therefore and be entertained.

Second, we have some great friends in town. Jim and Annie are here to see the sights and play. Jim and I have known one another for years. We once sang together in a five-man a cappella group for a living. Will the insanity never stop? No. It seems not. Jim and Annie (a friend of my wife's for a long while) met at our wedding. They are now engaged. And I have been asked to perform the service next June. This is a great thing. They are lovely people. I am honored.

I am preaching twice this weekend. Once is at North Shore Baptist. That should be fun. The second time is here at the hospital. I have included my sermon draft for the second service in the extended link. It may yet be tweaked, but feel free to read.

I will be working on the other sermon today. The census in the hospital is low. I have friends in town. I need to get this thing done today if I am going to be able to play tonight. I am exploring the relationship between listening and storytelling. Somehow this is connected to the parable of the Sower and the Seeds. It should be fun to work out.

One of the Girls is gearing up for another run of gigs. This time around it is looking like "Benefit Time in Dublin." I'll keep everyone posted on what we have coming up. I know that you are all at the edge of your seats waiting for the next opportunity. Well, every Tuesday (weather and low-flying pigeons permitting) we gather at a local street corner to rehearse. Come and listen if you like!

That should do it. I am sure I'll post again today. I can't seem to stay away. Ah well. Y'all have a good day!

[Editor's addition: We have added two new faculty members: G. Brooke and Mouthy Mom! Welcome them with open arms, thoughtful minds and quaint images of puffins.]

Scripture is Mark 10:13-16.

I am grateful today to be standing before you. It is an honor and a privilege. For those who don’t know, I am a Baptist minister. And in my tradition it is the sermon that is central to the worship life of the congregation. So, to have the opportunity to preach at such a service as this is a precious thing to me.

And it is at such times as these that I realize again how precious many things are to me. Things that I may not have even thought of as worthwhile or even possible are given new light to me and are precious.

A simple song can become precious. “Come and fill our hearts with your peace. Alleluia.” A gathering of friends, family and strangers becomes precious to me.

And maybe, just maybe, this is one of the many ways that God cares for us in the midst of our grief…by reminding us what is precious. I do believe this.

Don’t misunderstand me. Precious things are not always enjoyable. They are not necessarily entertaining, or things that always make us happy. No, instead they are the things of great value, something into which I pour my identity, my hopes, and dreams. Precious things are, well, precious.

For many Christian traditions, the passage from Mark’s gospel that was read is used to claim a time to declare someone, usually a child, to be precious. At my church we read this passage as a means to introduce a newborn to a congregation.

We proclaim the child to be precious.
Christ, in his own words, has done no less.

And then the congregation agrees to receive the child as precious. We too will hope and pray and perhaps mourn with the parents…the community gathers…the community promises.

This is not an easy call to live into. This is no small promise. And, as we usually discover, nothing about it is easy. Sometimes, as it does today, the promise to hold someone as precious leads us to times of mourning.

Mourning when a precious life comes to an end...the life of an infant, a little boy or girl, a teenager...
Mourning in the midst of the sometimes anonymous pain of a miscarriage…when we have already made promises in our hearts.

“You, my child, are precious to me. And I promise…”
And we promise…

These promises never end. The congregation does not say, “You are precious until you are old enough to drive” or “You are precious until you turn twenty-one.”

No, it is understood that our children are always precious to us, to the community, and are forever in our charge.

The promise of the dedication, of the baptism, never ends.

And as grace would have it, this is the very same promise that was made when we were brought before the congregation, the priest, before parents, friends, loved ones to be dedicated, to be baptized…we too were told that we are precious.

The promises we make to our children were made to us.

Christ Jesus holds us as his children. As we mourn, so does God, so does the community of those gathered here today. The promise to hold you as precious never ends.

In the midst of loneliness, grief, despair, rage, powerlessness…even when we do not feel precious or believe that the promise is real...the promise still stand. As hard as it might be to hear, to accept, I believe this is the truth of it.

People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. And he took you up in his arms, laid his hands on you, and blessed you.

Amen.

explosive wake of live8

There is no news other than the explosions in London. I haev not heard if there is some connection with Live8/G8 or not. Islamic extremists (al Quaeda is the KKK of Islam)? NRA? Crazy environmentalisst?

It is so hard to say.

Here is the BBC link. They may have an idea or two by now.

More than 30 Die in London Blasts
Here are some pictures if you are so bold.

Rick Steves, my favorite travel guru, sent this email out about the Live8 concerts in London. The blurb has some stuff about his travel books, but you can ignore that at your leisure. I wonder how this will all be connected.

Dear Traveler,

http://www.ricksteves.com/images/tvr/beonradio.jpg
Rick's in London doing guidebook research - while rockstars nearby bring
world hunger to the center stage.

As I write this, London is abuzz. Two hundred thousand people are
gathered in Hyde Park, just a few blocks from my hotel. I can actually
hear The Who singing "We Won't Get Fooled Again" out my window. Between
acts, Bill Gates takes the stage to explain that we have the knowledge
and resources it takes to end world hunger. All we're lacking today is
the will to do so. Twenty years ago the "Live Aid" concert raised money.
Today the "Live 8" concert is raising awareness. All that energy is
being directed at the "G8" - leaders of the world's eight leading
industrialized nations, who are meeting this week in Gleneagles,
Scotland. The fate of Africa today - and the health of our planet
tomorrow - is in their hands.

Even in my hotel, the world seems to be struggling to come together. The
Polish girls who serve breakfast and clean my bathroom earn barely
enough to survive in this most expensive city in Europe. (What I pay per
night in this modest hotel, they pay in a month to share a nearby flat).
But things are improving. Before Poland joined the EU, employing
Easterners was an under-the-table operation, rife with exploitation and
abuse. Today the work is legal, there is a minimum wage, and the British
government provides free English classes.
At the same time, the helpful hand of government is making my room
unbearably stuffy. According to the desk clerk, if I were to fall out of
an open window, the hotel would be liable for "corporate manslaughter."
To prevent this, every window has been rigged to open just a crack, so I
can slowly suffocate in London's summer heat. My travel tip for today:
family-run places (not held to corporate liability standards) throw open
their windows and let travelers breathe easy.

I've been in Europe for just two days (with 68 to go). Even through my
jet-laggy haze, I know I've already learned a bundle. And this month's
Travel News will teach you a bundle. Articles include the intimate
latest on Ireland from guidebook co-author Pat O'Connor, a surprising
correspondence from a Danish B&B host to an American traveler who signed
her e-mail "pray for our troops," and my recent USA Today article on how
our weaker dollar can actually enrich your travel experience.

Meanwhile, my son Andy is ten days into his first parent-free European
adventure. His web blog makes it very clear that he's a normal and
healthy teenage boy, swimming in an exciting world of temptations. You
can bet I tune in http://spaces.msn.com/members/theeurotrip/
regularly! Today he's on the Riviera, dealing with the decision of what
to do next: run with the bulls, or hike with the Alps?

One thing Andy has learned is the importance of his guidebook to make
the right decisions. To give our readers a jump on my upcoming 2006
editions, I've just uploaded my new chapters on Barcelona, Madrid,
Santiago de Compostela, Granada, and Nerja on the Costa del Sol. You'll
find links to these, as well, in this month's Travel News
http://www.ricksteves.com/news/travelnews/ .

Uh-oh, Pink Floyd is about to take the Hyde Park stage. I think I'll run
over and see how close I can get.

Happy travels,

Rick, from London

In other, not so monumental news, I am now the proud owner of a kilt. It is the "Clergy Ancient" tartan for me. That seems to make the most sense.

open or closed

I have been meaning to post this essay for quite some time.

'Is that true? Maybe I should change my mind.' When is the last time you can remember hearing a public dialogue that followed that useful course?

Life of the Closed Mind

By Anna Quindlen Newsweek

May 30 issue - A glorious morning for a commencement, the sky a blue tent cut with wisps of clouds over the Columbia University campus. From time to time a plane bisected the air above, an accidental eavesdropper on the passage of time and the celebration of joy. Clear weather, low-flying jets: it's what some New Yorkers still can't help thinking of as a 9/11 day.

All over America graduating seniors are being reminded of what they—and their parents—can scarcely forget. Most of them left home and arrived on campus in September 2001. But that knowledge is particularly sharp here in New York. Some students chose to leave afterward, to migrate to the quiet college towns so many of their high-school classmates had chosen in the first place. But most stuck. After all, if they were scared off by what had befallen the Trade Center, then it meant the terrorists had won.

Four years have passed, and it occurs to me, surveying the Columbia undergraduates, their blue gowns mimicking the blue sky, that the terrorists did win. Since September 11 we've become more like them. The essence of the way zealots think about the world is polar: good and evil, holy and profane, them and us. "At times it can seem like your day-to-day life is an exercise in choosing sides," Lee Bollinger, the president of Columbia, said in his commencement address. In the years since the class of 2005 entered college, America has become a country that sets its young people the terrible example of closed minds. The terrorists wanted to kill infidels. We only aim to silence them.

President Bollinger, who has recently navigated a pitched battle about academic freedom and civil classroom discourse on his own campus, described intellectual inquiry thus: "To learn to ask: 'Is that true? Maybe there's something to what she just said. Let me think about it. That's interesting. Maybe I should change my mind. I changed my mind'."

When is the last time you can honestly remember a public dialogue, or even a private conversation, that followed that useful course? To shy away from rigorous intellectual engagement is not new for undergraduates; in 1998 a study done by an anthropologist at Grinnell College reported the most common discussion model among students was stating what they were certain they already believed, not learning what they did not or exploring the views of those with whom they disagreed. Eighty-four percent of the first-year class believed that one of the paramount values of the college was to make sure all its members felt comfortable. "Exploring new ideas, encountering people with different values, learning a new discipline's way of thinking and having someone point out a flaw in one's argument—these can be uncomfortable experiences," Carol Trosset noted in her findings.

But what was once the comfort level of 18-year-olds has now become the guiding principle of a nation, with ease to be found only among the like-minded. Today's graduates have also learned that having strongly held beliefs means expressing contempt for those of others, particularly if you are a cable-TV talk-show host and can interrupt incessantly or extravagantly mime disparagement. (Note to the class of 2005: bad manners are bad manners, whether at the dinner table or on-camera.) Politicians and pundits are now no better than corner men in an ideological prizefight.

It's no wonder, after the conspiracy that took place right under our noses came to fruition on September 11, that we have become a nation of conspiracy theorists. But everything now is a conspiracy: a right-wing conspiracy, a Clinton conspiracy, above all a media conspiracy. When NEWSWEEK retracted its story in which an unnamed source claimed an investigation had turned up desecration of the Qur'an by interrogators in the Guantanamo Bay detention center, conspiracy theorists went wild: the magazine was a liberal hotbed of hatred for the military, the magazine was set up by the Pentagon to mask the administration's own malfeasance. No one believes in mistakes anymore, in the reporter who mistakenly believed a source was trustworthy, the editors who trusted the reporter's skill and judgment. Mistakes are an inevitable byproduct of work done by human beings under deadline pressure. But today, human error in so many arenas has been supplanted by the ubiquitous suggestion of sinister forces.

So the young men and women who began their college years in the shadow of September 11 graduate in its shadow as well. The intolerant, the monomaniacal, the zealots driven by religious certainty engineered the worst attack on American soil, and the result has been intolerance, monomania and zealotry driven by religious certainty. President Bollinger cited the contempt of Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., the legendary Supreme Court justice, for the man who "knows that he knows." If Holmes lived today, of course, he would be either lionized or demonized. And he would find, much to his sorrow, that America had been hijacked by those who cannot tell the difference between opponents and enemies, between disagreement and heresy, between discussion and destruction.

© 2005 Newsweek, Inc.

a couple of questions

So, I have a question or two for the peanut gallery. It occurs to me that there is no FAQ for this blog, no autobiography or even a simple explanation of the url (anglowhatsit?).

Do you all think it would be useful?

For those who do not know me personally, would it be helpful or superfluous? And if there were FAQ questions, what would you ask? I may let you guys ask a bunch of questions so I don't have to come up with them. Laziness, thy name is blog.

Later:
Okay, I started something here. Ask more questions. Please?

alban institute

Okay, here is a little more on faith and politics. Wow. This is an interesting array of ideas from The Alban Institute.

Click here to read "A Country Divided by Christ" by N. Graham Standish, a Presbyterian pastor and author of the book Becoming a Blessed Church. In this article, which originally ran as an op-ed in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Standish urges Christians to be careful about aligning themselves too firmly with a political party.

Click here to read a Washington Post op-ed article by Henry Brinton titled, "Can We Take Action without Taking Sides?" Brinton, the pastor of Fairfax Presbyterian Church near Washington, D.C., writes that strong relationships and common values between people of faith can overcome differences in political beliefs when those people work together for common goals.

Have fun and let me know what you think if ya got the gumption.

surviving the weekend

I have been sitting on my butt this morning in front of a computer hoping for inspiration. I have two sermons to preach this weekend. The first is for North Shore. The pastors have been travelling a lot lately. It is nice to have the work. I have to be honest there. And it is a good congregation in need of some preaching. I preached there tow Sundays past. It went well. I even received one or two phone calls expressing appreciation at such a challenge. Good to know that they like a good challenge.

So, what shall I preach this Sunday at North Shore. I really don't know. I am a little consumed with the sermon I have to preach here at the hospital later in the afternoon.

We have memorial services for familes who have lost children in the previous four months. It is powerful to say the least. Sometimes there will be seventy or more people present to mourn and connect and simply grieve. I served as the musician last time around. This time I am preaching. It is daunting.

What makes it daunting is not just the very powerful nature of the praching context, but the fact that I am starting this week tired and not just a little mournful myself. Certainly it is not the same kind of grief, but I feel like this past weekend is something I simply survived.

Celebrations, leave-taking, shared tears and promises of continued friendship were the rule of the days. There was little sleep to be had. There wa slittle time to relax. I got up this morning at five to clean the kitchen because there has been no other time.

Oy. It was full and beautiful and I am exhausted.

Finally, I am looking forward to a trip to the Twin Cities to help Justin and Mae get hitched. There will be three of us presiding. And there has been talk of getting Kilts. The ELCA guy already has his. I am looking at the Clergy Tartan shown here. Either the kilt or the roman cassock that I have will do, I think. When asked if I would wear the kilt at any other I paused...then I realized: Yeah! I'm in an Irish band! It would be great to wear for some of our gigs.

What do you all think?

more on politics and religion

Spud reminded me of this essay that has been floating about. Senator Danforth, a Republican mind you, had this to say about the current religious/political climate in the US. I have had it posted on the refrigerator for several days. Now it seems somehow fitting to post on this blog. I highlighted the parts I found appropriate to our discussion.

Onward, moderate Christian soldiers

John C. Danforth The New York Times

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 2005


ST. LOUIS, Missouri It would be an oversimplification to say that America's culture wars are now between people of faith and nonbelievers. People of faith are not of one mind, whether on specific issues like stem cell research and government intervention in the case of Terri Schiavo, or the more general issue of how religion relates to politics.

In recent years, conservative Christians have presented themselves as representing the one authentic Christian perspective on politics. With due respect for our conservative friends, equally devout Christians come to very different conclusions.

It is important for those of us who are sometimes called moderates to make the case that we, too, have strongly held Christian convictions, that we speak from the depths of our beliefs, and that our approach to politics is at least as faithful as that of those who are more conservative. Our difference concerns the extent to which government should, or even can, translate religious beliefs into the laws of the state.

People of faith have the right, and perhaps the obligation, to bring their values to bear in politics. Many conservative Christians approach politics with a certainty that they know God's truth, and that they can advance the kingdom of God through governmental action. So they have developed a political agenda to do so.

Moderate Christians are less certain about when and how our beliefs can be translated into statutory form, not because of a lack of faith in God but because of a healthy acknowledgment of the limitations of human beings. Like conservative Christians, we attend church, read the Bible and say our prayers.

But for us, the only absolute standard of behavior is the commandment to love our neighbors as ourselves. Repeatedly in the Gospels, we find that the Love Commandment takes precedence when it conflicts with laws. We struggle to follow that commandment as we face the realities of everyday living, and we do not agree that our responsibility to live as Christians can be codified by legislators.

When, on television, we see a person in a persistent vegetative state, one who will never recover, we believe that allowing the natural and merciful end to her ordeal is more loving than imposing government power to keep her hooked up to a feeding tube.

When we see an opportunity to save our neighbors' lives through stem cell research, we believe that it is our duty to pursue that research, and to oppose legislation that would impede us from doing so.

We think that efforts to haul references of God into the public square, into schools and courthouses, are far more apt to divide Americans than to advance faith.

Following a Lord who reached out in compassion to all human beings, we oppose amending the Constitution in a way that would humiliate homosexuals.

For us, living the Love Commandment may be at odds with efforts to encapsulate Christianity in a political agenda. We strongly support the separation of church and state, both because that principle is essential to holding together a diverse country, and because the policies of the state always fall short of the demands of faith. Aware that even our most passionate ventures into politics are efforts to carry the treasure of religion in the earthen vessel of government, we proceed in a spirit of humility lacking in our conservative colleagues.

In the decade since I left the Senate, American politics has been characterized by two phenomena: the increased activism of the Christian right, especially in the Republican Party, and the collapse of bipartisan collegiality. I do not think it is a stretch to suggest a relationship between the two.

To assert that I am on God's side and you are not, that only I know God's will, and that I will use the power of government to advance my understanding of God's kingdom is certain to produce hostility. By contrast, moderate Christians see ourselves, literally, as moderators. Far from claiming to possess God's truth, we claim only to be imperfect seekers of the truth.

We reject the notion that religion should present a series of wedge issues useful at election time for energizing a political base. We believe it is God's work to practice humility, to wear tolerance on our sleeves, to reach out to those with whom we disagree, and to overcome the meanness we see in today's politics.

Christians who hold these convictions ought to add their clear voice of moderation to the debate on religion in politics.

(John C. Danforth is an Episcopal minister and a former Republican senator from Missouri.)

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cliff is a dad again

Huzzah!!!!

link

sunday linkage

Well, as of 6:46, I have had one page this shift. Thus, I managed five hours of sleep...not unbroken (thus the one page), but I am more grateful that I can express.

In the spirit of celebration, I offer these links. Read on in the extended entry.

Huw is at it again. I like his blog. Every so often he links to a gem like this one. It's a Celtic library!! Huzzah!

Micah and his lovely wife are making their way across this expansive nation. He had to give away many books. Godspeed mon frere. I miss you already.

Rick+ is using his sabatical to check out other churches. The entries are facinating if you are curious about "alternative" forms of worship.

Bob Webber has a blog for his AncientFuture insanity. Right now it is simply a place for him to post his newsletter. I am hopeful that he may get a little more creative with it.

There you are. Enjoy.

fad blog

Here is my attempt to join in the book meme whatsit.

How Many Books Do You Own? Wow...I have no idea. Probably a thousand or more. All my bookshelves at home are double-stuffed ala the oreo to one degree or another. And then there is that growing collection of antique hymnals.

What is the last book you bought? A Song to Sing, A Life to Live : Reflections on Music as Spiritual Practice by Emily Saliers and her dad, Don Saliers. Amy is one of the Indigo Girls, for those who don't keep up with that end of the music spectrum. Don is a professor at Emory...and a brilliant liturgist. This is a good book...an easy read...a primer for music ministry.

What is the last book you read? You mean a book I finished? Heh. That is a challenge. Um...ah! Calvin in Context by David Steinmetz. It is a great book!! And I findished it recently in hopes that it would encourage me to finish my thesis. Instead it has encouraged me to read more about John Calvin.

Name ... 5 ... 6 or more Books that mean a lot to you.

I find that I have a love for the series or trilogies. But I'll highlight something from each collection.

1. The Hobbit by Tolkein. It is my favorite of the books...though not part of the triliogy. I know this.
2. Last Night's Fun by Ciaran Carson (amazon link) It is one of the best books about music, especially the life of the peripatetic Irish musician. Some day I will live like this. Maybe I will retire in County Galway.
3. Foundation by Isaac Asimov
4. The Chronicles of Narnia (all of them, but especially The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe), by Professor Lewis
5. Seven Story Mountain, by Thomas Merton...my Baptist minister grandfather gave this to me when I went to seminary immediately following college. He and Merton were roughly of the same generation. I have always known of that Baptist Underground who follows the Catholic monastics. It is a vast conspiracy. We begin by cutting our teeth on this book. In the same line, I have read of Teresa of Avila recently...and Ignatius of Loyola. These are wondrous books. There is also St. John of the Cross and anything about St. Benedict. But if you really want to work and learn something, read Pachomian Koinonia...it is about the life of St Pachomius and his disciples. This saint is credited with begining it all within Christian monasticism. Benedict's Rule is based on his.
6. The Count of Monte Cristo by A. Dumas
7. Moby Dick by Herman Melville

I had to include the last two. I could not leave them out. I love these books. They have done more to fuel my interest in histroy and faith than all others combined. Who knew?!

urggle

I was up at four o'clock central standard time this morning.
I am still up.

I am on call at the hospital until eight-thirty when Spud will take over.

So, there you go.

Susie is ordained! Susie is ordained!

Veni creator spiritus.

living @ the intersection redux (warning: long post, no editor)

Thanks to all who have participated in this conversation. If you have not had a chance to read the comments. Take a gander. There is some good stuff.

I want to reframe my comments a little bit. I think that there is a separation to be certain, and there should be. I wonder, however, if that separation is more about purpose than it is about belief. It certainly can be the latter, but if as a Christian I want to separate the two, church and state, and both are ordained by God (Romans 13), then the difference must be about the purpose of the institutions...or is it?

Let's be honest.

Much of this country began as a Christian ghetto with no intention to integrate ecclesial neighborhoods or school districts.

David W. states rightly that the trouble with not having the separation is that we can have a duely elected Taliban. Think about the situation in Iran. This may be one more democratically elected terrorist leader. This is terrible to consider as possible in our country. And our current political climate has given some the impression that it is indeed possible here and may, in some eyes, have already happened. The far Religious Left or Religious Right will push their agendas through election and committee. If that is their desire, and their understanding of American democratic process and ideology, then David W. is right in in his fears.

As a Christian, I want to lean a little on Paul and say that the notion of the separation within the Constitution (implicit or explicit, Dr. Mike) is God's work to avoid the trap that David W. suggests exists. We do not need a Democratic Theocracy. The freedom to practice faith as dictated by a variety of traditions, the freedom to not practice (Sunni), and the freedom to allow a faith to influence one's politidal life are all protected by the Constitution. Clearly, this is a simple notion that is complicated to employ.

The purpose of a government is to fence us in so that a "common good" is established. Our American system is inherently relativist. It has to be. The purpose of a faith tradition, on the other hand, is not relativist except perhaps within its own much more narrow framework.

Once upon a time in this country, the purpose of the government and its relationship to established Christian traditions was more explicit. Let's be honest. Much of this country began as a Christian ghetto with no intention to integrate ecclesial neighborhoods or school districts. Only after it became clear that some kind of political, and thus religious, integration was necessary did the separation of church and state come about. This was done out of necessity and through the manipulation of political power. In 18th century New England this was especially true.

The state constitution of Massachusetts adopted in 1780 endorsed the practice of legagal jurisdictions to lay taxes to support existing religious groups (read: European Protestantism). No one denimination was to benefit more than another. This is an interesting historical tidbit because it demonstrates another way that government has attempted to secure the religious freedom of its citizens.

Patrick Henry supported this practice and debated hotly with Thomas Jefferson over how government should protect religious freedom. Jefferson won the debate. In 1785, Virginia abolished a tax-supported system of religious freedom. In New England, it was not until the early 1800's (1820's?) that this system was demolished. I think that we are still debatinng this very idea but through such issues like stem-cell research and federal funding of faith-based initiatives.

The frightening piece centers around the use or misuse of political power. We have a representative democracy. The elected official, as I understand it, is to represent all he constituents, not just the oens who elected her. To suggest otherwise is the flipside to my saying that W is not my President.

Larry's understanding of consensus plays into this. His understanding relies upon compassion ("ensure the general welfare") within government. Sunni rightly suggests that one need not be religious to accomplish this. David W. and others (Welcome, Greek Shadow.) fear that compassion (or perhaps compassion for all) is not possible if faith is instutionalized with the power of the government behind it. This is the problem to be certain.

None the less, as Larry states, "Religious belief and action simply have political consequences." This is an unavoidable truth if people of faith are to have integrity. David W.'s polemic is important to remember, however, as we do not necessarily want to fall back into the habit of funding the salaries of harvard educated Congregationalist ministers.

So, finally, here is another question or six: What do we do with Larry's statement knowing, as Sunni rightly suggests, not everyone relies upon a religious convicition to guide political conscience, and, as Dr Mike suggests, even within Christian circles there is great diversity of opinion? How do we live with Larry's description of reality? Personally, I want to vote in a way that reflects my faith. In fact, I always do. And I do so while maintaining that the purpose of government is to govern and not to evangelize. I do not agree that to give to Ceasar what is his means that I must divide myself. Instead it means that I must play by the rules. I also believe that in this country we simply do not agree on the ruls and perhaps never have.

Your thoughts?