During the month of February I read several news articles reporting on the celebration of one of the world’s most noted naturalists. Charles Darwin, the English naturalist who brought to the world the theories of evolution, is being remembered this month on the 200th anniversary of his birth. As I’ve read these articles I’ve been reminded of the “culture wars” over the issue of human origin and the teachings of evolution. Certainly, this is one of the leading issues we debate – religiously, theologically and scientifically. Relatively recently, there have been battles over the teaching of Intelligent Design along side the theory of evolution in our classrooms.
In 1859 Darwin published his greatest work, The Origin of Species By Means of Natural Selection. It was a long book which began to stir the world under this theory of evolution. The idea of evolution was essentially the hypothesis that living things might share a common descent. Darwin began to develop this theory during his five-year journey on the H.M.S. Beagle (1831 – 1836) where he was the ship’s naturalist. However, it wasn’t until 1842 that he began writing a pencil abstract of 35 pages on his theory of evolution – which was found more than 50 years later in a cupboard under the stairs at his house in Kent. (The Wonders of Life on Earth, 3).
Life on earth changes. This in and of itself is not a likely newsflash for any reader today. As we look at the history of our planet Earth, it seems clear that it has undergone change. Most recently our world’s meteorologists and scientists have been monitoring the changes indicated by global warming including rising waters, receding icebergs and increased tornado/hurricane/tsunami activities. However, Darwin suggests a theory of change that includes natural selection – not change for the sake of random change. Dr. Colin Barnstable, a professor of neurobiology at Yale University School of Medicine writes a simple explanation of Darwin’s theory:
Darwin’s theory of evolution has three components: the first is mutation – a series of changes in the chemistry of the genetic DNA. This mutation leads to variation. The final point of evolution is selection. There are certain variations in particular environments that are more advantageous than others. Those that are advantageous are passed down genetically to offspring. Over a long period of time this can develop a new species. This is the process of natural selection. (Seeing Gray in a Black and White World, 80)
The sticking point around this evolutionary process, which seems innocuous, innocent, and quite brilliant at first blush, is when this principal is applied to the development of human beings. Christians struggle with this theory – as do Muslims and other religions.
The evolutionary process is in direct opposition to the literal account of creation given in the Book of Genesis which tells us that God created the universe and everything else in six twenty-four hour days. This does not allow for evolution.
There are also those who believe the evolutionary process diminishes the role of God in creation. Evolution seems to be too happenstance and distances the hand of God in creation. A third question arises – if evolution is believed are we (human beings) then evolved from a lower being – chimps, apes, or some sea creature millions of years ago?
How does a Christian resolve themselves to these questions? Perhaps the answer to this question is found in our definition of evolution. Do we define evolution as an uncontrolled, random process based solely on the genetic aspects of the fittest survive and perpetuate? Or is there a controlling hand in all of this?
One of the Christian responses to this question is what is known as Intelligent Design. The theory of Intelligent Design holds that certain features of the universe and of life are best explained by an intelligent cause, and not an undirected process such as natural selection. Intelligent Design explains the wonderful complexities of life and asks the question of whether evolution alone suffices to explain this complexity. When we look at the Book of Genesis we read that God spoke into being day and night, the heavens and earth, the plants and animals and sea creatures and so on. While scripture tells us God spoke into being all of creation, scripture is quite silent on how this occurred. Is it not possible that God in all God’s infinite wisdom and capability set into motion a series of events that began with the formation of planets and stars – the cosmos? And God established the rules in which the universe runs (many of which we are still learning about) and from this process God governed the creation of humanity?
While evolution claims an unplanned process, Intelligent Design disagrees with this. Intelligent Design speaks of a Creator with a plan. Many scientists believe this to be quite likely and find it congruent with their faith as Christians. As I learn more about evolution, creationism, and Intelligent Design I tend to be in agreement with those regarding Intelligent Design. The theory of evolution seems to explain the mechanism and basics of developing life; yet, we would find this explanation lacking if we were to stop here. I believe there are points along the evolutionary process that God steps in and takes a more active role. Such as when hominids became human – God stepped in and gave us a soul – higher reasoning – and a purpose.
Intelligent Design speaks of purpose and intent behind the design. In some ways I find this equivalent to our own personal lives.
Our lives are much more than birth, activity and death. We are created with purpose. Our intent is to find that purpose through prayer and relation with God that we might find how to best fit in God’s overall plan. Our purpose is not always clear, nor easy for us to understand. Even with this we must understand there is a purpose in God’s grand design. God’s hand is upon each one of us – in both good times and turbulent times. When we seek out God’s will in our day we begin to fulfill God’s purpose. As I conclude this message I want to leave you with these words from Psalm 138: “The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.”
Peace be with you my friends.
Until next time,
Patrick
Saturday, May 16, 2009
In His Steps - Part III
In Part I and II of In His Steps, I introduced a book written by Charles M. Sheldon. Throughout the novel a question is asked by those who strive to reshape their lives according to how Jesus would respond in a given situation. For one year certain members from the mythical First Church of Raymond are committed to asking themselves, “What would Jesus do?” as a guide to their daily lives. Their pledge is to answer this question as honestly as possible and act accordingly.
Let me begin today by sharing a bit more about Charles Sheldon. Sheldon was born in 1857 in Wellsville, New York. He was educated at Phillips Academy, Brown University, and Andover Theological Seminary. This helped prepare him for a life of congregational ministry, following in the footsteps of his father. He began his ministry in Topeka, Kansas with the Central Congregational Church in 1899 where he would essentially live out his pastoring years. Sheldon had a working relationship with the Christian Herald for twenty-six years. The Herald was perhaps the most influential Protestant publication of the time in America. Sheldon died in 1946.
While In His Steps does not explicitly address the question, ‘What would Jesus do about religion today?’ it does seem to be a topic of interest with many people I talk to. I had a recent conversation with a man who asked me questions about Muslim belief and where Jesus fits in; why people call Catholic priests ‘father’ when scripture tells us only God is to be called father. I was asked about the Holy Wars – the Crusades – and all the killing “Christians” did then; as well as why many churches are losing members and seeing lower attendance today? We had only a brief time for discussion and I was not able to answer all of the questions; yet, I came away from the discussion wondering, ‘What would Jesus do about our religions today?’ Are our religions (and denominations) as Christ envisioned they would be some two thousand years ago?
In the novel, Reverend Henry Maxwell leads his congregation on a journey to take up the cross and live like Christ. In the initial parts of the novel, I get the sense that Maxwell holds himself somewhat aloof – apart and separate from other churches and perhaps other denominations. There is nothing explicitly stating this; nevertheless, it is a feeling I get. Yet, when the young man, whom I mentioned in the first article, addresses the congregation and then dies, a definite impact is left on Maxwell. We see the good Reverend begin to change. His sermons take on a more spiritual overtone and are less polished. His focus on the needy and the outcast is sharpened.
Mr. Gray, the minister leading the tent revivals in the area of Raymond called ‘the Rectangle’, calls upon Reverend Maxwell one afternoon asking for help. He asks Maxwell if he would preach this night as he was unable to due to a severe cold. Maxwell’s initial response? “I’m sorry, but it’s my regular prayer meeting night”. Then he flushes and adds, “I shall be able to arrange it in some way so as to come down. You can count on me.” Then he asks Gray if he would stay a moment so they can pray together.
Maxwell goes on to preach several times in the tent church of the Rectangle. He is also invited to preach at the Nazareth Avenue Church and the Settlement Hall of Chicago. Throughout all this, his view of the Kingdom begins to broaden. It is no longer limited to that of his church and town – he begins to encompass the many in need throughout the region. He begins to step outside his comfort zone, his self-created box of comfort, and see beyond the confines of his own church and/or denomination. He begins to accept that God’s children span the globe and are of many different shapes, sizes, colors, backgrounds, and yes – even different religions.
So, how do we handle the question of straddling denominational lines and issues when it comes to serving the needs of others? How do we interact with other religions? What do we do for the one who rejects Jesus but accepts God?
When thinking about the Hindu, the Jews, and the Muslims I think of those who have a sincere faith – a deep desire to be in relationship with God as they understand the demands of that relationship. Imagine a Hindu, Jew or Muslim who has heard of Jesus Christ and the Christian gospel, but is not persuaded to convert to Christianity. This person prays regularly, studies, helps those in need, gives in stewardship, remains humble; yet, has not been persuaded to become Christian, perhaps in large part because of the Christian role models available. Nevertheless, this person believes deeply in God and strives to be in a meaningful relationship with God.
As Christians we say that God forms all persons in their mother’s wombs, knows them by name, loves them, sees and hears every prayer they utter and sees their attempts to do what is right. Would this God stand by and watch these people perish? Has he designed an eternal punishment for those who, though they have sought God, do not understand Jesus is the Christ and did not call on him for salvation? I find this contrary to the loving and gracious God I have come to know.
I had the good fortune to become close friends with a Jewish rabbi from Kenosha several years ago. He has since moved back to New York following the tragic loss of his young wife. We had many fruitful conversations about our respective religions and I enjoyed learning more about his faith. Nothing he shared with me indicated that he would be a lost or rejected soul. I haven’t had the blessings of knowing Muslims or Hindus, but I believe those who fulfill the great commandments better than many Christians I know will not be exempt to God’s grace and salvation. I believe it is possible for God to save them.
So what do we (as Christians) do when confronted with someone who resists the will of God, does not live a life of love, does not value justice or mercy, and lives a life in which they are the center of their existence?
There are those who have resisted God’s will their entire lives and lived only for themselves. Will these persons have their lives snuffed out with nothing to follow? Or will they, upon their death, live an eternal life separated from God surrounded by others whose only focus is themselves – where the entire world revolves around them? Either way, a life separated from God seems to me a life of Hell.
Working across denominational lines – is a by-line or title I have considered using more than once. Recently, several of us from my church visited Janesville’s New Life – Assembly of God and the Faith Community Church. We are in the process of beginning a contemporary service to compliment our well established traditional service. Both non-Methodist churches have offered to help us with our new service. We have been offered the “loan” of their praise bands as well as other resources. New Life recently invited us to participate in the Fourth of July Freedom Fest with them. Their reason for inviting other churches is this: “The purpose of inviting other churches to help is to show the community that churches are on the same team and that we can work together.”
I have experienced that same sense of teamwork, camaraderie, and willingness to share with the Reverends George Calhoun and Nate Crandall of the Seventh Day Baptist church. Churches can and should operate across the denominational lines. A number of years ago while pastoring in Kentucky a District Superintendent told me that when we make it to heaven, Jesus will inform us, “You all had it almost right. None of you were spot on, but you all were very close.” We should work across denominational lines because, as New Life eloquently states, “churches are on the same team and that we can work together.”
I’ll close this article with a Newsweek article about Billy Graham. “He [Billy] is sure and certain of his faith in Jesus as the way to salvation. When asked whether he believes heaven will be closed to good Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, or other secular people, though, Graham says: ‘Those are decisions only the Lord will make. It would be foolish for me to speculate on who will be there and who won’t… I don’t want to speculate on all that. I believe the love of God is absolute. He said he gave his son for the whole world, and I think he loves everybody regardless of what label they have.”
Peace be with you my friends. Please know that I keep this community in my prayers.
Until next time,
Patrick
Let me begin today by sharing a bit more about Charles Sheldon. Sheldon was born in 1857 in Wellsville, New York. He was educated at Phillips Academy, Brown University, and Andover Theological Seminary. This helped prepare him for a life of congregational ministry, following in the footsteps of his father. He began his ministry in Topeka, Kansas with the Central Congregational Church in 1899 where he would essentially live out his pastoring years. Sheldon had a working relationship with the Christian Herald for twenty-six years. The Herald was perhaps the most influential Protestant publication of the time in America. Sheldon died in 1946.
While In His Steps does not explicitly address the question, ‘What would Jesus do about religion today?’ it does seem to be a topic of interest with many people I talk to. I had a recent conversation with a man who asked me questions about Muslim belief and where Jesus fits in; why people call Catholic priests ‘father’ when scripture tells us only God is to be called father. I was asked about the Holy Wars – the Crusades – and all the killing “Christians” did then; as well as why many churches are losing members and seeing lower attendance today? We had only a brief time for discussion and I was not able to answer all of the questions; yet, I came away from the discussion wondering, ‘What would Jesus do about our religions today?’ Are our religions (and denominations) as Christ envisioned they would be some two thousand years ago?
In the novel, Reverend Henry Maxwell leads his congregation on a journey to take up the cross and live like Christ. In the initial parts of the novel, I get the sense that Maxwell holds himself somewhat aloof – apart and separate from other churches and perhaps other denominations. There is nothing explicitly stating this; nevertheless, it is a feeling I get. Yet, when the young man, whom I mentioned in the first article, addresses the congregation and then dies, a definite impact is left on Maxwell. We see the good Reverend begin to change. His sermons take on a more spiritual overtone and are less polished. His focus on the needy and the outcast is sharpened.
Mr. Gray, the minister leading the tent revivals in the area of Raymond called ‘the Rectangle’, calls upon Reverend Maxwell one afternoon asking for help. He asks Maxwell if he would preach this night as he was unable to due to a severe cold. Maxwell’s initial response? “I’m sorry, but it’s my regular prayer meeting night”. Then he flushes and adds, “I shall be able to arrange it in some way so as to come down. You can count on me.” Then he asks Gray if he would stay a moment so they can pray together.
Maxwell goes on to preach several times in the tent church of the Rectangle. He is also invited to preach at the Nazareth Avenue Church and the Settlement Hall of Chicago. Throughout all this, his view of the Kingdom begins to broaden. It is no longer limited to that of his church and town – he begins to encompass the many in need throughout the region. He begins to step outside his comfort zone, his self-created box of comfort, and see beyond the confines of his own church and/or denomination. He begins to accept that God’s children span the globe and are of many different shapes, sizes, colors, backgrounds, and yes – even different religions.
So, how do we handle the question of straddling denominational lines and issues when it comes to serving the needs of others? How do we interact with other religions? What do we do for the one who rejects Jesus but accepts God?
When thinking about the Hindu, the Jews, and the Muslims I think of those who have a sincere faith – a deep desire to be in relationship with God as they understand the demands of that relationship. Imagine a Hindu, Jew or Muslim who has heard of Jesus Christ and the Christian gospel, but is not persuaded to convert to Christianity. This person prays regularly, studies, helps those in need, gives in stewardship, remains humble; yet, has not been persuaded to become Christian, perhaps in large part because of the Christian role models available. Nevertheless, this person believes deeply in God and strives to be in a meaningful relationship with God.
As Christians we say that God forms all persons in their mother’s wombs, knows them by name, loves them, sees and hears every prayer they utter and sees their attempts to do what is right. Would this God stand by and watch these people perish? Has he designed an eternal punishment for those who, though they have sought God, do not understand Jesus is the Christ and did not call on him for salvation? I find this contrary to the loving and gracious God I have come to know.
I had the good fortune to become close friends with a Jewish rabbi from Kenosha several years ago. He has since moved back to New York following the tragic loss of his young wife. We had many fruitful conversations about our respective religions and I enjoyed learning more about his faith. Nothing he shared with me indicated that he would be a lost or rejected soul. I haven’t had the blessings of knowing Muslims or Hindus, but I believe those who fulfill the great commandments better than many Christians I know will not be exempt to God’s grace and salvation. I believe it is possible for God to save them.
So what do we (as Christians) do when confronted with someone who resists the will of God, does not live a life of love, does not value justice or mercy, and lives a life in which they are the center of their existence?
There are those who have resisted God’s will their entire lives and lived only for themselves. Will these persons have their lives snuffed out with nothing to follow? Or will they, upon their death, live an eternal life separated from God surrounded by others whose only focus is themselves – where the entire world revolves around them? Either way, a life separated from God seems to me a life of Hell.
Working across denominational lines – is a by-line or title I have considered using more than once. Recently, several of us from my church visited Janesville’s New Life – Assembly of God and the Faith Community Church. We are in the process of beginning a contemporary service to compliment our well established traditional service. Both non-Methodist churches have offered to help us with our new service. We have been offered the “loan” of their praise bands as well as other resources. New Life recently invited us to participate in the Fourth of July Freedom Fest with them. Their reason for inviting other churches is this: “The purpose of inviting other churches to help is to show the community that churches are on the same team and that we can work together.”
I have experienced that same sense of teamwork, camaraderie, and willingness to share with the Reverends George Calhoun and Nate Crandall of the Seventh Day Baptist church. Churches can and should operate across the denominational lines. A number of years ago while pastoring in Kentucky a District Superintendent told me that when we make it to heaven, Jesus will inform us, “You all had it almost right. None of you were spot on, but you all were very close.” We should work across denominational lines because, as New Life eloquently states, “churches are on the same team and that we can work together.”
I’ll close this article with a Newsweek article about Billy Graham. “He [Billy] is sure and certain of his faith in Jesus as the way to salvation. When asked whether he believes heaven will be closed to good Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, or other secular people, though, Graham says: ‘Those are decisions only the Lord will make. It would be foolish for me to speculate on who will be there and who won’t… I don’t want to speculate on all that. I believe the love of God is absolute. He said he gave his son for the whole world, and I think he loves everybody regardless of what label they have.”
Peace be with you my friends. Please know that I keep this community in my prayers.
Until next time,
Patrick
Sunday, March 22, 2009
In His Steps - Part II
With In His Steps – Part I, I introduced you to a book written by Charles M. Sheldon. In the book Pastor Henry Maxwell asks his congregation to live each day and to make each decision according to a question, “What would Jesus do?”
Fifty people of his congregation accept this challenge while the majority of the congregation does not. The action of these folks cause more than some angst within the church and as time goes by the church threatens to split. The novel then follows several of the key people who take this pledge.
Throughout the book we learn of the issues that follow when people seek discipleship in Christ with real integrity.
One of the characters is Edward Norman, editor of the Raymond Daily News. It is one of the city’s leading papers and does quite well financially. Norman decides to convert the paper into a Christian newspaper. In doing so, he removes sensational news articles written for the sake of sensation. He limits crime articles to the facts but includes commentary on how the crimes might be prevented. The reporters have to sign their names at the bottom of the articles thereby taking ownership and accountability for their writing. He stops running the Sunday edition – their largest selling edition. And he discontinues advertising he felt is ‘questionable or suggestive’. All of these changes come at great cost as they lose advertisers and subscribers. Nevertheless he stays with his pledge to do everything connected with the paper after answering the question, “What would Jesus do?” as honestly as possible. In this faith he believes he can run the paper strictly on Christian principles and make it succeed.
Another of the story’s characters is that of the church soloist, a young singer named Rachel. She has a world-class voice and is offered a very nice, lucrative contract to travel with an entertainment group. She would have the opportunity to entertain around the world singing to elite audiences such as royalty, influentials, national and international leaders. Undoubtedly, Rachel would become famous and wealthy doing so. Yet, after asking the question, “What would Jesus do?” she declines that offer and instead uses her musical talents to sing at a new church outreach which is ministering in an area of town we might call the projects or slums. Her stage is a canvas tent; her audience is Raymond’s homeless, addicts, drunks, pimps, and prostitutes. More than one person came to know Christ as Savior through the gift of her voice.
While the book goes on to tell us of other characters who make significant changes in their lives it is interesting to note that Charles Sheldon, pastor and author of this book, lived his own life according this question.
One of his own pastoral projects in Topeka was to work for the betterment of a black settlement called Tennesseetown. He lived there for three weeks so he could grasp first hand the issues the people lived with. He went on to establish the first black kindergarten west of the Mississippi.
Sheldon also served briefly as Topeka’s police commissioner. He called for a Christian police force with the police acting as missionaries. Truth be told, I’m not sure that would work well today for us. Nevertheless, as police commissioner Sheldon appointed Topeka’s first two police women to the task force. Remember, this was over one hundred years ago! On June 7, 1921 Margaret Kavanaugh became Janesville’s first female police officer, but her job was discontinued after a few months, leaving the department an all-male bastion until 1953 when Mrs. Arnold Schmidt became the Janesville Police Department's first female employee as records clerk, freeing a male officer for patrol work. I’m not sure when Milton appointed its first female police officer, but in general I have to believe that Sheldon was ahead of his time in this.
Throughout Sheldon’s life, and throughout the lives of the characters Sheldon introduces us to, and in our own experience we know that answering Christ’s call to take up our cross and follow him is not easy. Cross bearing refers to self-sacrifice. Making the confession that Jesus is the Christ is not enough. He calls us to bear a cross. It is this particular demand that separates the disciples from the admirers. Disciples do more than survey the wonderful cross, or love the old rugged cross as our beloved hymns would have it. The disciple of Jesus must become like him in obedience and live the cross.
Henry Maxwell said, the greatest question in all of human life is summed up when we ask, “What would Jesus do?” if, as we ask it, we also try to answer it from a growth in knowledge of Jesus himself. We must know Jesus before we can imitate him.”
I think perhaps that more than anything else is the difficult part. How would we know what Jesus would do in our given situation? To answer this question we need to study him. We need to look at what our Bible has to say about him. We need to pray to him. We need to ask for guidance and listen to him. And we need to trust him to guide our actions.
So, what would our cost be, if we were to live according to this question? How would our daily decisions about our work, our marriages, our friendships and relationships with one another change? What challenges would be faced or relationships lost because of our change in the way we do life? What would be gained in our lives if we lived according to the simple question, What Would Jesus Do? How would we be transformed in Christ?
I ask you to consider this challenge. Would you for one week, one month, or perhaps one year, ask yourself each day, for each action you do, for each situation in which you find yourself – What would Jesus do?
Almighty God, we ask that you will be at work in our lives drawing us more closely to you in relationship and more closely to one another. Help us to set aside our own agenda and take up our cross for you. This we pray in your precious name. Amen.
Fifty people of his congregation accept this challenge while the majority of the congregation does not. The action of these folks cause more than some angst within the church and as time goes by the church threatens to split. The novel then follows several of the key people who take this pledge.
Throughout the book we learn of the issues that follow when people seek discipleship in Christ with real integrity.
One of the characters is Edward Norman, editor of the Raymond Daily News. It is one of the city’s leading papers and does quite well financially. Norman decides to convert the paper into a Christian newspaper. In doing so, he removes sensational news articles written for the sake of sensation. He limits crime articles to the facts but includes commentary on how the crimes might be prevented. The reporters have to sign their names at the bottom of the articles thereby taking ownership and accountability for their writing. He stops running the Sunday edition – their largest selling edition. And he discontinues advertising he felt is ‘questionable or suggestive’. All of these changes come at great cost as they lose advertisers and subscribers. Nevertheless he stays with his pledge to do everything connected with the paper after answering the question, “What would Jesus do?” as honestly as possible. In this faith he believes he can run the paper strictly on Christian principles and make it succeed.
Another of the story’s characters is that of the church soloist, a young singer named Rachel. She has a world-class voice and is offered a very nice, lucrative contract to travel with an entertainment group. She would have the opportunity to entertain around the world singing to elite audiences such as royalty, influentials, national and international leaders. Undoubtedly, Rachel would become famous and wealthy doing so. Yet, after asking the question, “What would Jesus do?” she declines that offer and instead uses her musical talents to sing at a new church outreach which is ministering in an area of town we might call the projects or slums. Her stage is a canvas tent; her audience is Raymond’s homeless, addicts, drunks, pimps, and prostitutes. More than one person came to know Christ as Savior through the gift of her voice.
While the book goes on to tell us of other characters who make significant changes in their lives it is interesting to note that Charles Sheldon, pastor and author of this book, lived his own life according this question.
One of his own pastoral projects in Topeka was to work for the betterment of a black settlement called Tennesseetown. He lived there for three weeks so he could grasp first hand the issues the people lived with. He went on to establish the first black kindergarten west of the Mississippi.
Sheldon also served briefly as Topeka’s police commissioner. He called for a Christian police force with the police acting as missionaries. Truth be told, I’m not sure that would work well today for us. Nevertheless, as police commissioner Sheldon appointed Topeka’s first two police women to the task force. Remember, this was over one hundred years ago! On June 7, 1921 Margaret Kavanaugh became Janesville’s first female police officer, but her job was discontinued after a few months, leaving the department an all-male bastion until 1953 when Mrs. Arnold Schmidt became the Janesville Police Department's first female employee as records clerk, freeing a male officer for patrol work. I’m not sure when Milton appointed its first female police officer, but in general I have to believe that Sheldon was ahead of his time in this.
Throughout Sheldon’s life, and throughout the lives of the characters Sheldon introduces us to, and in our own experience we know that answering Christ’s call to take up our cross and follow him is not easy. Cross bearing refers to self-sacrifice. Making the confession that Jesus is the Christ is not enough. He calls us to bear a cross. It is this particular demand that separates the disciples from the admirers. Disciples do more than survey the wonderful cross, or love the old rugged cross as our beloved hymns would have it. The disciple of Jesus must become like him in obedience and live the cross.
Henry Maxwell said, the greatest question in all of human life is summed up when we ask, “What would Jesus do?” if, as we ask it, we also try to answer it from a growth in knowledge of Jesus himself. We must know Jesus before we can imitate him.”
I think perhaps that more than anything else is the difficult part. How would we know what Jesus would do in our given situation? To answer this question we need to study him. We need to look at what our Bible has to say about him. We need to pray to him. We need to ask for guidance and listen to him. And we need to trust him to guide our actions.
So, what would our cost be, if we were to live according to this question? How would our daily decisions about our work, our marriages, our friendships and relationships with one another change? What challenges would be faced or relationships lost because of our change in the way we do life? What would be gained in our lives if we lived according to the simple question, What Would Jesus Do? How would we be transformed in Christ?
I ask you to consider this challenge. Would you for one week, one month, or perhaps one year, ask yourself each day, for each action you do, for each situation in which you find yourself – What would Jesus do?
Almighty God, we ask that you will be at work in our lives drawing us more closely to you in relationship and more closely to one another. Help us to set aside our own agenda and take up our cross for you. This we pray in your precious name. Amen.
Monday, March 9, 2009
In His Steps - Part I
Every now and then we come across a book that leaves an impression upon us. Perhaps it is one of those books designated as “the next great American novel”. The book might resonate with our lives, speak to our heart, call us to something better or simply touch us in a very special way and remind us to reflect on our lives. Certainly the Bible falls into that category, but at the moment I’m thinking more specifically of a book that was written much later.
Several years ago this special book landed in my lap and after reading it I was struck by the simplicity and depth of its message. I recently plucked this novel off my bookshelf and after re-reading it was, once again, moved by its words.
The book itself was written by a pastor initially as a series of sermons and then published in 1896. It is a novel that is still widely read throughout our world today. It is entitled, In His Steps. There is a constant theme throughout the book in which the characters ask themselves, ‘how would Jesus respond to this given situation?’ Within the last decade or two this book has prompted an acronym that many of us have seen on bracelets, necklaces and even on letterhead: WWJD.
Do you remember those letters and what they mean? What Would Jesus Do?
The preacher/author of this book was Charles M. Sheldon. The whole premise of this book is the transforming power of Christ in our lives. It seems appropriate, with Easter on its way, to talk about this very subject. Therefore, I would like to share a little bit of this book with you. Perhaps you will be prompted to pick up a copy of this book. I can promise you, you will not be disappointed if you do!
As I mentioned earlier, Sheldon’s novel was actually written as a series of sermons. Sheldon was the pastor of a church in Topeka, Kansas and was leading a Sunday evening service. To help build up attendance at that service he began writing novels which he would read as his sermon. He had mastered the art of writing in such a way that he would leave the congregation in suspense at the end of each sermon or chapter. In order to know what happened next, the people had to return the next Sunday.
In His Steps is a simple story, but one with a strong message. It begins with a homeless, out-of-work young man stopping at the home of the Reverend Henry Maxwell one Friday evening seeking help. The pastor is kind, but hurried with the young man.
In fact as the young man is asking for help – looking for work, Maxwell responds:
“It would be of no use. You will have to excuse me. I am very busy this morning. I hope you will find something. Sorry I can’t give you something to do here. But I keep
only a horse and a cow and do the work myself.”
The Reverend Henry Maxwell closed the door and heard the man walk down the steps.
That Sunday morning the service at Maxwell’s church focused on a theme much like the scripture lesson from the Gospel of Mark 8:34-38 in which Jesus, anticipating his arrest, gives to his disciples, and those who seek to be followers of Christ, a challenge. Jesus tells them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”
With all of our talk of Christianity it comes down to this: will we follow Jesus Christ; will we take up the cross at his call.
This is the mood of the church service that morning at the mythical First Church of Raymond. The church soloist has sung, Where He Leads Me. The sermon is strong and polished. When the message is done, the young man who came to Maxwell’s door only days before comes to the front of the sanctuary.
He begins by saying, “I’m not drunk and I’m not crazy, and I am perfectly harmless”. He says to the congregation, “I’m not an ordinary tramp, though I don’t know of any teaching of Jesus that makes one kind of a tramp less worth saving than another.” He goes on to tell that he was a printer who had lost his job about ten months ago. Since his wife’s death, he had been tramping the country side looking for work, without success.
He has tramped this city for three days trying to find a job, and in all that time has not had a kind word of sympathy or comfort except from the minister who said he was sorry for him and hoped he would find a job somewhere. He went on to say, “It seems to me there’s an awful lot of trouble in the world that somehow wouldn’t exist if all the people who sing such songs went and lived them out. I suppose I don’t understand. But what would Jesus do?” Then the young man slumps over and dies only a few days later in the home of Rev. Henry Maxwell. This is the setting that moves Maxwell to deal with the man’s question, “What would Jesus do?”
There are many aspects of our lives we can apply this question. In fact, there are probably no aspects of our life we could not apply it to. I wonder how many of us today can relate to the young man of the story who is looking for work? Have you been there? Are you there now?
Join with me over the next weeks as I continue to explore this book and what it means to us today. Join with me as we ask ourselves the questions, what Jesus would do if he were in this time of economic hardship? What Jesus would do with religion today? What would Jesus do with business, with community life, or with wealth?
Until next time,
Reverend Patrick Schultz
Several years ago this special book landed in my lap and after reading it I was struck by the simplicity and depth of its message. I recently plucked this novel off my bookshelf and after re-reading it was, once again, moved by its words.
The book itself was written by a pastor initially as a series of sermons and then published in 1896. It is a novel that is still widely read throughout our world today. It is entitled, In His Steps. There is a constant theme throughout the book in which the characters ask themselves, ‘how would Jesus respond to this given situation?’ Within the last decade or two this book has prompted an acronym that many of us have seen on bracelets, necklaces and even on letterhead: WWJD.
Do you remember those letters and what they mean? What Would Jesus Do?
The preacher/author of this book was Charles M. Sheldon. The whole premise of this book is the transforming power of Christ in our lives. It seems appropriate, with Easter on its way, to talk about this very subject. Therefore, I would like to share a little bit of this book with you. Perhaps you will be prompted to pick up a copy of this book. I can promise you, you will not be disappointed if you do!
As I mentioned earlier, Sheldon’s novel was actually written as a series of sermons. Sheldon was the pastor of a church in Topeka, Kansas and was leading a Sunday evening service. To help build up attendance at that service he began writing novels which he would read as his sermon. He had mastered the art of writing in such a way that he would leave the congregation in suspense at the end of each sermon or chapter. In order to know what happened next, the people had to return the next Sunday.
In His Steps is a simple story, but one with a strong message. It begins with a homeless, out-of-work young man stopping at the home of the Reverend Henry Maxwell one Friday evening seeking help. The pastor is kind, but hurried with the young man.
In fact as the young man is asking for help – looking for work, Maxwell responds:
“It would be of no use. You will have to excuse me. I am very busy this morning. I hope you will find something. Sorry I can’t give you something to do here. But I keep
only a horse and a cow and do the work myself.”
The Reverend Henry Maxwell closed the door and heard the man walk down the steps.
That Sunday morning the service at Maxwell’s church focused on a theme much like the scripture lesson from the Gospel of Mark 8:34-38 in which Jesus, anticipating his arrest, gives to his disciples, and those who seek to be followers of Christ, a challenge. Jesus tells them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”
With all of our talk of Christianity it comes down to this: will we follow Jesus Christ; will we take up the cross at his call.
This is the mood of the church service that morning at the mythical First Church of Raymond. The church soloist has sung, Where He Leads Me. The sermon is strong and polished. When the message is done, the young man who came to Maxwell’s door only days before comes to the front of the sanctuary.
He begins by saying, “I’m not drunk and I’m not crazy, and I am perfectly harmless”. He says to the congregation, “I’m not an ordinary tramp, though I don’t know of any teaching of Jesus that makes one kind of a tramp less worth saving than another.” He goes on to tell that he was a printer who had lost his job about ten months ago. Since his wife’s death, he had been tramping the country side looking for work, without success.
He has tramped this city for three days trying to find a job, and in all that time has not had a kind word of sympathy or comfort except from the minister who said he was sorry for him and hoped he would find a job somewhere. He went on to say, “It seems to me there’s an awful lot of trouble in the world that somehow wouldn’t exist if all the people who sing such songs went and lived them out. I suppose I don’t understand. But what would Jesus do?” Then the young man slumps over and dies only a few days later in the home of Rev. Henry Maxwell. This is the setting that moves Maxwell to deal with the man’s question, “What would Jesus do?”
There are many aspects of our lives we can apply this question. In fact, there are probably no aspects of our life we could not apply it to. I wonder how many of us today can relate to the young man of the story who is looking for work? Have you been there? Are you there now?
Join with me over the next weeks as I continue to explore this book and what it means to us today. Join with me as we ask ourselves the questions, what Jesus would do if he were in this time of economic hardship? What Jesus would do with religion today? What would Jesus do with business, with community life, or with wealth?
Until next time,
Reverend Patrick Schultz
Friday, February 13, 2009
Continuing the Middle East Journey
I recently completed the book, the Lemon Tree written by Sandy Tolan. This is a wonderful read which sheds some light on the Israeli-Arab-Palestinian issue that has long been in the news. As I mentioned in my last blog I wanted to do some research to learn more about why Hamas has been attacking Israel. While I a far from knowing all the issues the book did a wonderful job describing the background and what is causing all the animosity.
In the late 1800's and the early 1900's a Zionist movement was begun in which Theodor Herzel, the father of the political Zionism, knew that establishing a Jewish national home meant forging allies with key world leaders. The powers that be would need to be convinced that a Jewish state, perhaps in Palestine or elsewhere, would be in their interest. Herzel would eventually look to Britain for support - to help establish a Jewish colony in a British possession. Discussions took place where the leaders looked at areas like Cyprus, Sinai and even Uganda. For various reasons those places were discarded.
By the end of WWI Britain would enter Palestine and establish control of the area. At the 1917 Balfour Declaration, there was a promise to help establish a Jewish national home. Three decades later, in May 1948, Palestine would become that home.
The Jewish nation - Israel - long without a home was given 78% of Palestine as their new home country. Palestinian Arabs were forced out of their homes via military might and Jews settled into the now abandoned homes, stores, and whole towns.
The Arab people of Palestine would spend the next decades trying to reclaim their homeland; yet they never realized the support of the UN in a manner that would give them their land back. "The Palestinians failed to see why they should be made to pay for the Holocaust... why it was not fair for the Jews to be a minority in a unitary Palestinian state, while it was fair for almost half of the Palestinian population - the indigenous majority on its ancestral soil - to be converted overnight into a minority under alien rule in the envisaged Jewish state according to partition." (The Lemon Tree, 298)
The UN renewed an annual resolution supporting the reoccupation of Palestinians in the now Israeli country, yet they never gave teeth to the resolution. I.E. they never made the decision to back the resolution forcibly or with military might. Arab countries and especially Egypt would make efforts using military to overthrow or force their way back into the now Israeli country. In 1967 a short war, called the Six Day War, was fought between Israel and the neighboring states of Egypt, Jordan and Syria. Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Tunisia, Morocco and Algeria also contributed troops and arms to the Arab forces. Israel conducted a preemptive strike against Jordan and within six days Israel gained control of the Sinai Peninsula, the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Golan Heights.
In 1973 Egypt launched a surprise attack in what came to be known in Israel as the Yom Kippur War. In 1974 Arafat addressed the UN in New York where he offered the "Palestine of Tomorrow" dream where Arabs and Jews would live side-by-side in a secular, democratic state.
For decades the Palestinian resistance or efforts to reoccupy "their land" justified in their minds the terroristic attacks against Israel. Their belief was that any means available to them was justifiable because they had been forcibly removed from their lands and homes and there was little to no real support from other nations to bring them back home - essentially the end justifies the means.
In the Lemon Tree, one of the main Israeli characters Dalia worked towards a peaceful resolution in which both nations (Israel and Palestine) would compromise and give up something. She stated that there needed to be acknowledgement of what had happened to the Palestinians in 1948, an apology for it, and amends towards resolution. Acknowledgment was in part to "see and own the pain that I or my people have inflicted on the Other." But this must be mutual. Israelis must see the Arab Others and Palestinians must see the Israeli Others. Neither one should continue to perpetuate the righteous victim syndrome and not take responsibility for one's own part in the fray. (The Lemon Tree, 260)
With Israel firmly established in the Palestinian land of pre-1948 could the Palestinians be allowed to reoccupy and reestablish themselves like Arafat was proposing? Perhaps. Israel would need to give up some of their land. Palestine would need to realize they won't get everything back the way it was. Can two people live side-by-side in relative peace, perhaps even democratically? I believe so, but not without further diplomacy and compromise. Each side will need to give up something - not their values, but the essential things that keep them focusing on their differences and blinding them to their similarities.
I often think of people in my own life who struggle to get along. We all know co-workers, neighbors, even family members that we struggle with. All too often we focus on the things we don't like, the things that make us different, the things we oppose (perhaps philosophically, theologically, moralistically...) and we neglect to see the ways we are similar or the things we have in common. There are characteristics, mannerisms and beliefs we all have that can draw us closer to one another. The difficult part for us is letting go of the differences, choosing to understand the other person, and letting go of our own pride and self-centeredness. Once we do those things it becomes easier getting along with others.
Until next time,
Blessings - Patrick
In the late 1800's and the early 1900's a Zionist movement was begun in which Theodor Herzel, the father of the political Zionism, knew that establishing a Jewish national home meant forging allies with key world leaders. The powers that be would need to be convinced that a Jewish state, perhaps in Palestine or elsewhere, would be in their interest. Herzel would eventually look to Britain for support - to help establish a Jewish colony in a British possession. Discussions took place where the leaders looked at areas like Cyprus, Sinai and even Uganda. For various reasons those places were discarded.
By the end of WWI Britain would enter Palestine and establish control of the area. At the 1917 Balfour Declaration, there was a promise to help establish a Jewish national home. Three decades later, in May 1948, Palestine would become that home.
The Jewish nation - Israel - long without a home was given 78% of Palestine as their new home country. Palestinian Arabs were forced out of their homes via military might and Jews settled into the now abandoned homes, stores, and whole towns.
The Arab people of Palestine would spend the next decades trying to reclaim their homeland; yet they never realized the support of the UN in a manner that would give them their land back. "The Palestinians failed to see why they should be made to pay for the Holocaust... why it was not fair for the Jews to be a minority in a unitary Palestinian state, while it was fair for almost half of the Palestinian population - the indigenous majority on its ancestral soil - to be converted overnight into a minority under alien rule in the envisaged Jewish state according to partition." (The Lemon Tree, 298)
The UN renewed an annual resolution supporting the reoccupation of Palestinians in the now Israeli country, yet they never gave teeth to the resolution. I.E. they never made the decision to back the resolution forcibly or with military might. Arab countries and especially Egypt would make efforts using military to overthrow or force their way back into the now Israeli country. In 1967 a short war, called the Six Day War, was fought between Israel and the neighboring states of Egypt, Jordan and Syria. Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Tunisia, Morocco and Algeria also contributed troops and arms to the Arab forces. Israel conducted a preemptive strike against Jordan and within six days Israel gained control of the Sinai Peninsula, the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Golan Heights.
In 1973 Egypt launched a surprise attack in what came to be known in Israel as the Yom Kippur War. In 1974 Arafat addressed the UN in New York where he offered the "Palestine of Tomorrow" dream where Arabs and Jews would live side-by-side in a secular, democratic state.
For decades the Palestinian resistance or efforts to reoccupy "their land" justified in their minds the terroristic attacks against Israel. Their belief was that any means available to them was justifiable because they had been forcibly removed from their lands and homes and there was little to no real support from other nations to bring them back home - essentially the end justifies the means.
In the Lemon Tree, one of the main Israeli characters Dalia worked towards a peaceful resolution in which both nations (Israel and Palestine) would compromise and give up something. She stated that there needed to be acknowledgement of what had happened to the Palestinians in 1948, an apology for it, and amends towards resolution. Acknowledgment was in part to "see and own the pain that I or my people have inflicted on the Other." But this must be mutual. Israelis must see the Arab Others and Palestinians must see the Israeli Others. Neither one should continue to perpetuate the righteous victim syndrome and not take responsibility for one's own part in the fray. (The Lemon Tree, 260)
With Israel firmly established in the Palestinian land of pre-1948 could the Palestinians be allowed to reoccupy and reestablish themselves like Arafat was proposing? Perhaps. Israel would need to give up some of their land. Palestine would need to realize they won't get everything back the way it was. Can two people live side-by-side in relative peace, perhaps even democratically? I believe so, but not without further diplomacy and compromise. Each side will need to give up something - not their values, but the essential things that keep them focusing on their differences and blinding them to their similarities.
I often think of people in my own life who struggle to get along. We all know co-workers, neighbors, even family members that we struggle with. All too often we focus on the things we don't like, the things that make us different, the things we oppose (perhaps philosophically, theologically, moralistically...) and we neglect to see the ways we are similar or the things we have in common. There are characteristics, mannerisms and beliefs we all have that can draw us closer to one another. The difficult part for us is letting go of the differences, choosing to understand the other person, and letting go of our own pride and self-centeredness. Once we do those things it becomes easier getting along with others.
Until next time,
Blessings - Patrick
Friday, January 23, 2009
What is happening in the Middle East - or The Golden Rule
I’ve been following, admittedly with some trepidation, the happenings between Israel and Gaza. I have wondered greatly at the cause and reason for the bombings, the killings, the wantonness and seemingly unreasonable behavior between the Hamas and the Israelites. Why would a small group of people in a non-descript strip of a war-torn land lob bombs over “the wall” at a nation that could quite literally wipe them off the map with small effort? Adam Hamilton recently wrote this about that:
“The question I found myself asking as the military wing of Hamas began launching their crudely made and ineffective Qussam (Kassam) missiles into Israel two weeks ago was “Why?” After all, these missiles have no guidance systems and virtually never hit a real target. They stand no chance of winning a military battle against Israel. These missiles have killed as many Palestinians (as they occasionally fall back into Gaza) as they have Israelis. And the launching of them was almost guaranteed to bring an Israeli attack that would kill large numbers of Palestinians - making their launching of these missiles suicidal. So, I continued to ask, “Why?”” (http://adamhamilton.cor.org/)
I’ll freely admit that I haven’t been an astute student on what’s happening in the Middle East. I have been somewhat confused with Israel, Iran, Iraq, Palestine, the Arabs – who is who and what is what. I’m embarrassed to admit this because as an educated man with three degrees including a graduate degree I feel I should know more especially as it pertains to the lands where my Christian religion began!
I’m working to fix this lack of knowledge and I’m beginning by doing one of my favorite things – reading. This last week I spent two days at the library in a development retreat. While I was there I took advantage of checking out three books about the Middle East.
I’m beginning with Sandy Tolan’s, The Lemon Tree. This book tells the story of an Arab and Jewish family living in the same home – although not at the same time. The story takes place during WWII and the years following the war. It tells of Bulgaria – a country that was aligned with the Axis power – the Nazi regime. I’m just beginning the book but here’s what I have learned so far.
During the war Berlin sent the Bulgarian king and parliament an order to begin fulfilling the final solution for the Jewish people of Bulgaria. 47,000 Jews were to be impacted by this command.
The Final Solution? Send the Jews by railroad car to the gas chambers at Triblinka. When the orders came the Bulgarian king and parliament felt they had no option but to capitulate. They handed the orders down and the authorities began to gather up the Jews, taking them out of their homes, telling them to bring only a change of clothes. They were taken to the Jewish elementary school in Plovdiv where they were to wait for the railroad cars to take them away.
As the Jews stood by the chain linked fences with their flimsy suitcases and cloth sacks jammed with clothing, throngs of people stood outside the fence shouting – pledging not to let the Jews go.
Common, every day people – Christian people stood up for what was right and said they weren’t going to allow this to happen. The Orthodox Bishop Kiril stood by the fence, placing his hands on the links and said to the Jews, “My children, I will not let this happen to you. I will lie on the railroad tracks and will not let you go.” He later told the children of one of the Jewish rabbis, “The whole Bulgarian Orthodox Church will stand up for the Jews.”
Common, everyday people sent petitions to parliament. The order to have the Jews taken away was eventually held up – rescinded if you will. The Jews were sent back to their homes. On June 7, 1943 months after the drama at the school yard, the railroad station and parliament, Germany’s ambassador sent a report to Berlin that read, “I am firmly convinced that the Prime Minister and the government wish and strive for a final and radical solution to the Jewish problem. However, they are hindered by the mentality of the Bulgarian people, who lack the ideological enlightenment we have.”
Indeed the Bulgarian people lacked the ideological enlightenment of the Nazi government because instead they held high the ideals Jesus Christ had taught. Christ had taught, “Whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them” (Matt 7:12) in other words “do unto others as you would have them do unto you”.
It takes great moral courage to stand up for what is right. Christ gave to us a simple, golden rule to follow. I wonder how many of us have the moral courage to do what is right – to stand up for those unable to stand up for themselves – in the face of great opposition?
Because of the people’s courage, the Bulgarian nation’s Jewish people (all 47,000 of them) were unharmed by the Nazi purging even as 6 million other Jews died.
Doing what is right isn’t always easy. Following Christ isn’t always easy.
The two other books I am reading are: War Without End: Israelis, Palestinians, and the Struggle for a Promised Land by Anton La Guardia; and The Case for Peace: How the Arab Conflict Can be Resolved by Alan Dershowitz.
I hope to learn more and share my thoughts with you.
Let me close with this prayer: Gracious Lord, as we go about in this big, wide world, let us live by the Golden Rule Jesus gave us – easy or not. May Christ be at work in our hearts to change the way we thing, the way we do, the very person we are. Give us courage to live as we are taught to live. This we pray in the name of Jesus Christ and in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
“The question I found myself asking as the military wing of Hamas began launching their crudely made and ineffective Qussam (Kassam) missiles into Israel two weeks ago was “Why?” After all, these missiles have no guidance systems and virtually never hit a real target. They stand no chance of winning a military battle against Israel. These missiles have killed as many Palestinians (as they occasionally fall back into Gaza) as they have Israelis. And the launching of them was almost guaranteed to bring an Israeli attack that would kill large numbers of Palestinians - making their launching of these missiles suicidal. So, I continued to ask, “Why?”” (http://adamhamilton.cor.org/)
I’ll freely admit that I haven’t been an astute student on what’s happening in the Middle East. I have been somewhat confused with Israel, Iran, Iraq, Palestine, the Arabs – who is who and what is what. I’m embarrassed to admit this because as an educated man with three degrees including a graduate degree I feel I should know more especially as it pertains to the lands where my Christian religion began!
I’m working to fix this lack of knowledge and I’m beginning by doing one of my favorite things – reading. This last week I spent two days at the library in a development retreat. While I was there I took advantage of checking out three books about the Middle East.
I’m beginning with Sandy Tolan’s, The Lemon Tree. This book tells the story of an Arab and Jewish family living in the same home – although not at the same time. The story takes place during WWII and the years following the war. It tells of Bulgaria – a country that was aligned with the Axis power – the Nazi regime. I’m just beginning the book but here’s what I have learned so far.
During the war Berlin sent the Bulgarian king and parliament an order to begin fulfilling the final solution for the Jewish people of Bulgaria. 47,000 Jews were to be impacted by this command.
The Final Solution? Send the Jews by railroad car to the gas chambers at Triblinka. When the orders came the Bulgarian king and parliament felt they had no option but to capitulate. They handed the orders down and the authorities began to gather up the Jews, taking them out of their homes, telling them to bring only a change of clothes. They were taken to the Jewish elementary school in Plovdiv where they were to wait for the railroad cars to take them away.
As the Jews stood by the chain linked fences with their flimsy suitcases and cloth sacks jammed with clothing, throngs of people stood outside the fence shouting – pledging not to let the Jews go.
Common, every day people – Christian people stood up for what was right and said they weren’t going to allow this to happen. The Orthodox Bishop Kiril stood by the fence, placing his hands on the links and said to the Jews, “My children, I will not let this happen to you. I will lie on the railroad tracks and will not let you go.” He later told the children of one of the Jewish rabbis, “The whole Bulgarian Orthodox Church will stand up for the Jews.”
Common, everyday people sent petitions to parliament. The order to have the Jews taken away was eventually held up – rescinded if you will. The Jews were sent back to their homes. On June 7, 1943 months after the drama at the school yard, the railroad station and parliament, Germany’s ambassador sent a report to Berlin that read, “I am firmly convinced that the Prime Minister and the government wish and strive for a final and radical solution to the Jewish problem. However, they are hindered by the mentality of the Bulgarian people, who lack the ideological enlightenment we have.”
Indeed the Bulgarian people lacked the ideological enlightenment of the Nazi government because instead they held high the ideals Jesus Christ had taught. Christ had taught, “Whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them” (Matt 7:12) in other words “do unto others as you would have them do unto you”.
It takes great moral courage to stand up for what is right. Christ gave to us a simple, golden rule to follow. I wonder how many of us have the moral courage to do what is right – to stand up for those unable to stand up for themselves – in the face of great opposition?
Because of the people’s courage, the Bulgarian nation’s Jewish people (all 47,000 of them) were unharmed by the Nazi purging even as 6 million other Jews died.
Doing what is right isn’t always easy. Following Christ isn’t always easy.
The two other books I am reading are: War Without End: Israelis, Palestinians, and the Struggle for a Promised Land by Anton La Guardia; and The Case for Peace: How the Arab Conflict Can be Resolved by Alan Dershowitz.
I hope to learn more and share my thoughts with you.
Let me close with this prayer: Gracious Lord, as we go about in this big, wide world, let us live by the Golden Rule Jesus gave us – easy or not. May Christ be at work in our hearts to change the way we thing, the way we do, the very person we are. Give us courage to live as we are taught to live. This we pray in the name of Jesus Christ and in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Subtle Sins In Our Lives
Growing up as a Catholic we had regular confession time where I would go into the confessional box – confess my sins to the priest – receive my penance of Hail Mary’s and Our Fathers and then continue with my life. As a young boy there were only so many things I could say that I was doing wrong – I was fighting with my brothers (an every day occurrence sometimes), I was disobeying my parents (also a frequent happening), and I said a swear word here and there. In Catechism classes I learned about Mortal sin and Venial sin, but there were some sins I didn’t learn about until I was much older. I think there are subtle sins that we have to be careful of in our lives.
We know of the sins of lust, hatred, greed and pride; but, what about the sin of indifference? We can be indifferent to the lives of those around us – those who are hurting or in need or those who need a reassuring word of comfort and encouragement.
What about the sin of bitterness which can lead to self-centeredness. We can grow bitter because of the things life has handed us – which sometimes, truth be told, are results of our own poor choices. Maybe we grow bitter because some thing didn’t go the way we wanted it to go. Or we grow bitter because we have an illness like cancer or leukemia or a tumor. Now, this isn’t to say we should negate the seriousness of this illness, yet it also doesn’t mean we shut God out of our lives because of it.
Self-centeredness can lead us to place ourselves first and others, including God, second or third or even last in our lives.
There is another subtle sin that comes to mind for me which I call lack of awareness. We can be unaware of life around us – or God’s involvement in our lives. This is not the same as indifference. Indifference means we know what is happening, we just don’t care. Lack of awareness means we don’t even know what is happening. We go through out day not seeing the blessings God gives us, not sharing in the joy of those around us, not being in relationship with people around us.
In 1938, Thornton Wilder wrote a Pulitzer-Prize winning play called Our Town. It tells the story of a young woman named Emily who dies and is given permission to return to the earth for one memorable day. She can pick any day from her life and relive it moment by moment.
She chooses to go back on her twelfth birthday because she remembers it as a happy day. She is soon frustrated, however at the lack of awareness of those she loves. She wants to engage in life with them, but she see that they are just going through the motions, taking each moment for granted. As she stands by and watches her birthday take place, she tries to stop it because she can’t take it anymore!
She had been reliving her special day, and yet no one was experiencing the significant moments. People weren’t even looking at one another. Emily cries out, “I can’t. I can’t go on. It goes so fast. We don’t have time to look at one another… Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it? Every, every minute? (Thornton, Wilder, Our Town, 108)
What are the weights and sins that pull at you? Where do you find yourself growing more distant in your relationship with God and those around you? Is it time management – a schedule to full to allow God a significant part of time with you? Is it selfishness – my needs come first? What would you write down if you were to take a prayerful moment in thinking about this?
We know of the sins of lust, hatred, greed and pride; but, what about the sin of indifference? We can be indifferent to the lives of those around us – those who are hurting or in need or those who need a reassuring word of comfort and encouragement.
What about the sin of bitterness which can lead to self-centeredness. We can grow bitter because of the things life has handed us – which sometimes, truth be told, are results of our own poor choices. Maybe we grow bitter because some thing didn’t go the way we wanted it to go. Or we grow bitter because we have an illness like cancer or leukemia or a tumor. Now, this isn’t to say we should negate the seriousness of this illness, yet it also doesn’t mean we shut God out of our lives because of it.
Self-centeredness can lead us to place ourselves first and others, including God, second or third or even last in our lives.
There is another subtle sin that comes to mind for me which I call lack of awareness. We can be unaware of life around us – or God’s involvement in our lives. This is not the same as indifference. Indifference means we know what is happening, we just don’t care. Lack of awareness means we don’t even know what is happening. We go through out day not seeing the blessings God gives us, not sharing in the joy of those around us, not being in relationship with people around us.
In 1938, Thornton Wilder wrote a Pulitzer-Prize winning play called Our Town. It tells the story of a young woman named Emily who dies and is given permission to return to the earth for one memorable day. She can pick any day from her life and relive it moment by moment.
She chooses to go back on her twelfth birthday because she remembers it as a happy day. She is soon frustrated, however at the lack of awareness of those she loves. She wants to engage in life with them, but she see that they are just going through the motions, taking each moment for granted. As she stands by and watches her birthday take place, she tries to stop it because she can’t take it anymore!
She had been reliving her special day, and yet no one was experiencing the significant moments. People weren’t even looking at one another. Emily cries out, “I can’t. I can’t go on. It goes so fast. We don’t have time to look at one another… Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it? Every, every minute? (Thornton, Wilder, Our Town, 108)
What are the weights and sins that pull at you? Where do you find yourself growing more distant in your relationship with God and those around you? Is it time management – a schedule to full to allow God a significant part of time with you? Is it selfishness – my needs come first? What would you write down if you were to take a prayerful moment in thinking about this?
Sunday, December 21, 2008
A Promise Fulfilled
There are many favored and treasured Christmas stories we have listened to in our years of growing up and growing older. Some of these stories we have read in books such as Dickens’ A Christmas Carol; some of these we have seen on the big screen such as Jimmy Stewart’s It’s a Wonderful Life; many of these we have watched on television. One of my favorite Christmas stories that I try to watch every Christmas comes from the well known cartoonist – Charles Schulz. It’s called A Charlie Brown Christmas.
In this show Charlie Brown is trying to direct the children’s Christmas program; he’s trying to keep the true meaning of Christmas at the center of the play, yet nothing is going quite right. The children won’t take direction, Snoopy is being a character, and no one seems to understand what Christmas is truly about! Charlie is left standing on the stage where they have been rehearsing and in his frustration he cries out, “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?”
Linus, who is standing there with thumb in his mouth and blanket tucked up under his arm replies, “Sure Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about”
Linus walks to the center of the stage, calls out “Lights please” and as the lights dim he begins to recite from the Gospel of Luke:
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. (Lk: 2:8-14)
That’s what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown. Unto us is born this day a Savior – Christ the Lord. A babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in the manger.
As we look around we see the sights and sounds, the symbols and the fragrances, the traditions and the lights, the decorations, the parades, the parties, the plays, the pageants, the music, the worship services – all celebrating the birth of the little baby in a little town called Bethlehem some two thousand years ago.
I suppose it is the mystery and majesty and enormity of the gift of this child to us that leaves me in amazement. Have you ever wondered, as I have, that when God chose the means of revealing himself to us, of entering into our world, that he chose to do so not as a philosopher, nor an emperor or established monarchy but as baby?
This is different than anything God had done before. Noah was 600 years old when God spoke to him and he began to build the ark in anticipation of the coming flood. Abraham was about 100 years old when God spoke to him commanding him to leave his home and travel to some unknown place where God would make of him a great nation. Moses was around 80 years old when God spoke to him from the burning bush commanding him to lead his people out of Egypt.
Yet, Jesus enters this world and from the very start – as an infant – begins to make a difference in the lives of those around him. There are shepherds who come down from the fields to see this baby whom the angel has told them about. There are wise men that travel from the east to give this child of their gifts. And of course Mary and Joseph gazed upon their newborn child and wondered at what was taking place. The little bit we know of Jesus as an infant and child reflect that he was making a difference right from the very beginning of his birth.
A baby means to us a new hope. Who among us has not held a baby in our arms and saw not only the smiling face and waving hands of cute little child, but looked into the future and saw the promise of what this child could become. We wonder what the future holds and not only for this child, but for ourselves as well, with this child.
I imagine those who looked upon the infant child Jesus saw something of the promises of things to come.
One of the Old Testament prophets Ezekiel, delivers God’s word of a promise fulfilled, many years before Jesus is born. He tells the people, “And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you.” (36:26)
It is this promise and this fulfillment of this promise that becomes the very heart of our Christian faith and our Christmas celebration. A new heart and a new spirit are realization of the promise God made to us through Jesus Christ.
Luke and even Linus remind us that we have received the good news of a great joy that is for all the people. For unto us is born in the city of David a savior, who is Christ the Lord. Now is the time for all of us to bring this good news to the poor, this message of hope to the hopeless and help to the helpless.
As we go about our Christmas celebration, out into our own part of the world, let God shape our new hearts and spirit that we might become for those in need the sign of Jesus Christ alive and well and active not only this season, but throughout the year.
Merry Christmas to you my friends – May Christ be at the heart of all you do.
In this show Charlie Brown is trying to direct the children’s Christmas program; he’s trying to keep the true meaning of Christmas at the center of the play, yet nothing is going quite right. The children won’t take direction, Snoopy is being a character, and no one seems to understand what Christmas is truly about! Charlie is left standing on the stage where they have been rehearsing and in his frustration he cries out, “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?”
Linus, who is standing there with thumb in his mouth and blanket tucked up under his arm replies, “Sure Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about”
Linus walks to the center of the stage, calls out “Lights please” and as the lights dim he begins to recite from the Gospel of Luke:
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. (Lk: 2:8-14)
That’s what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown. Unto us is born this day a Savior – Christ the Lord. A babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in the manger.
As we look around we see the sights and sounds, the symbols and the fragrances, the traditions and the lights, the decorations, the parades, the parties, the plays, the pageants, the music, the worship services – all celebrating the birth of the little baby in a little town called Bethlehem some two thousand years ago.
I suppose it is the mystery and majesty and enormity of the gift of this child to us that leaves me in amazement. Have you ever wondered, as I have, that when God chose the means of revealing himself to us, of entering into our world, that he chose to do so not as a philosopher, nor an emperor or established monarchy but as baby?
This is different than anything God had done before. Noah was 600 years old when God spoke to him and he began to build the ark in anticipation of the coming flood. Abraham was about 100 years old when God spoke to him commanding him to leave his home and travel to some unknown place where God would make of him a great nation. Moses was around 80 years old when God spoke to him from the burning bush commanding him to lead his people out of Egypt.
Yet, Jesus enters this world and from the very start – as an infant – begins to make a difference in the lives of those around him. There are shepherds who come down from the fields to see this baby whom the angel has told them about. There are wise men that travel from the east to give this child of their gifts. And of course Mary and Joseph gazed upon their newborn child and wondered at what was taking place. The little bit we know of Jesus as an infant and child reflect that he was making a difference right from the very beginning of his birth.
A baby means to us a new hope. Who among us has not held a baby in our arms and saw not only the smiling face and waving hands of cute little child, but looked into the future and saw the promise of what this child could become. We wonder what the future holds and not only for this child, but for ourselves as well, with this child.
I imagine those who looked upon the infant child Jesus saw something of the promises of things to come.
One of the Old Testament prophets Ezekiel, delivers God’s word of a promise fulfilled, many years before Jesus is born. He tells the people, “And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you.” (36:26)
It is this promise and this fulfillment of this promise that becomes the very heart of our Christian faith and our Christmas celebration. A new heart and a new spirit are realization of the promise God made to us through Jesus Christ.
Luke and even Linus remind us that we have received the good news of a great joy that is for all the people. For unto us is born in the city of David a savior, who is Christ the Lord. Now is the time for all of us to bring this good news to the poor, this message of hope to the hopeless and help to the helpless.
As we go about our Christmas celebration, out into our own part of the world, let God shape our new hearts and spirit that we might become for those in need the sign of Jesus Christ alive and well and active not only this season, but throughout the year.
Merry Christmas to you my friends – May Christ be at the heart of all you do.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
There Is Dirt On The Way To Heaven
Last year, around this time, I spent a couple of hours with a man who is on a 5-year bicycle journey across the states raising the awareness of a POW in the Iraq war. He came into my office shedding many layers of clothing and then spent an hour or so telling me his story. In the end I asked how I could be of help to him, resulting in my taking him to the Comfort Inn and putting him up for two nights and buying him lunch at McDonalds. From there he would continue his biking journey into Minnesota. After unloading his bike, his huge pack and some of his clothing from the back of my Saturn and him from my front passenger seat I noticed quite a bit of dirt and slush from the snow in the back as well as some grease on the passenger seat. I tend to obsess a bit about neatness and the ‘dirt’ left behind caused me a small amount of anxiety. With rags, vacuum, and Resolve to the rescue I was able to get past that moment.
In reflection of my helping the man, but being a bit anxious about the dirt left behind, I realized that there is dirt on the way to heaven. We encounter dirt in many forms as we strive to live better lives and help those around us. John Wesley wrote what is known as the General Rules for Society. One of these rules tells us we are to be merciful and when possible do good, in every way, to all humanity. Yet, in doing so we often times have to go outside our comfort zone. I am very comfortable when things are nice, neat, orderly and just so. Unfortunately, that isn’t always how it is for me. Life itself isn’t very nice, neat, orderly and just so and sometimes I just have to resolve myself to this. No pun intended!
Quite a number of years ago I spent two years overseeing the Feed the Homeless program for our church in Madison. The people I met were homeless folks who hadn’t showered, brushed their teeth or changed their clothing in days. Nevertheless, they were interesting and in different ways quite wonderful people. I served them dinner, sat next to them, and ate meals with them. I’ve also worked on missions’ trips helping to rebuild buildings, cut back brush and dig ditches. I remember going back to the church where we stayed barely having enough energy to take a shower. I was tempted to fall asleep with several layers of dirt on me more than once. In my own younger life I have strayed, at times, from the path Jesus put before me – delving in my own forms of ‘dirt’.
There are many kinds of dirt in our lives, isn’t there? Yet, with a bit of resolve (or Resolve), with faith in Jesus, with prayer, with help from those around us, with being part of a faithful church family, with strength from the Holy Spirit and with commitment to Christ we can make our way through the dirt. We can be washed clean. If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. (1 John 7)
Let us go forth today knowing we are cleansed on our way to heaven even as we give ourselves to God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Until next time peace and blessings,
Pastor Patrick
In reflection of my helping the man, but being a bit anxious about the dirt left behind, I realized that there is dirt on the way to heaven. We encounter dirt in many forms as we strive to live better lives and help those around us. John Wesley wrote what is known as the General Rules for Society. One of these rules tells us we are to be merciful and when possible do good, in every way, to all humanity. Yet, in doing so we often times have to go outside our comfort zone. I am very comfortable when things are nice, neat, orderly and just so. Unfortunately, that isn’t always how it is for me. Life itself isn’t very nice, neat, orderly and just so and sometimes I just have to resolve myself to this. No pun intended!
Quite a number of years ago I spent two years overseeing the Feed the Homeless program for our church in Madison. The people I met were homeless folks who hadn’t showered, brushed their teeth or changed their clothing in days. Nevertheless, they were interesting and in different ways quite wonderful people. I served them dinner, sat next to them, and ate meals with them. I’ve also worked on missions’ trips helping to rebuild buildings, cut back brush and dig ditches. I remember going back to the church where we stayed barely having enough energy to take a shower. I was tempted to fall asleep with several layers of dirt on me more than once. In my own younger life I have strayed, at times, from the path Jesus put before me – delving in my own forms of ‘dirt’.
There are many kinds of dirt in our lives, isn’t there? Yet, with a bit of resolve (or Resolve), with faith in Jesus, with prayer, with help from those around us, with being part of a faithful church family, with strength from the Holy Spirit and with commitment to Christ we can make our way through the dirt. We can be washed clean. If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. (1 John 7)
Let us go forth today knowing we are cleansed on our way to heaven even as we give ourselves to God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Until next time peace and blessings,
Pastor Patrick
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Let Our Hearts Be Broken
As president of the Greater Milton Ministry Association I will be meeting with the local pastors and district school superintendent in just a few days. I'll lead the time of prayer and open the discussion with a focus on the economic situation and how it affects the families in our communities. Let me share with you the devotion and prayer I have written for this meeting. I believe with my whole heart that it speaks to all of us.
Devotion for Dec 17th
My prayer this morning is going to be a simple one, yet I believe it has far reaching implications. My prayer is this: God, break my heart for the things that break yours.
This morning as we gather together we are going to discuss our economic situation and how this affects the families in our community. Many of us see the adverse affects of our economical downturn in our churches as well as our school systems. While each of us has, in our own ways, contributed to this situation of excessive debt it is time for us to be leaders not only in our churches but in our community by helping to contribute to the solution. I’ll be honest, I’m not entirely sure how we are going to do that, but my faith in God tells me that together – with one another and with God leading the way – we can find a way.
I have talked with numerous people, families and individuals, who have lost their jobs, who are struggling to put food on their tables, who are being evicted from their homes because they are unable to pay rent, who are unable to get their medical prescriptions filled. There is a trickle down effect of the GM plant closing, other companies laying off or eliminating shifts, and of soaring prices. Thankfully the gas prices have come down a bit – and this has helped.
The biblical mandate given to us as followers of Jesus leaves us no option other than to keep the broken and the poor at the center of our priorities. “Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; the Lord delivers them in times of trouble.” (Proverbs 41:1). May we keep this in mind as we meet today and as we go forth from this table and back into our own churches and micro-communities, let us pray that God will continue to move us to lead in a way that helps bring hope to the hopeless and help to the helpless.
Let us pray: Gracious God, find it in our hearts today that we may come together as Christian leaders to find ways to bring relief and ease to those who are hurting. May our hearts be broken by the very things that break your heart. Amen.
Devotion for Dec 17th
My prayer this morning is going to be a simple one, yet I believe it has far reaching implications. My prayer is this: God, break my heart for the things that break yours.
This morning as we gather together we are going to discuss our economic situation and how this affects the families in our community. Many of us see the adverse affects of our economical downturn in our churches as well as our school systems. While each of us has, in our own ways, contributed to this situation of excessive debt it is time for us to be leaders not only in our churches but in our community by helping to contribute to the solution. I’ll be honest, I’m not entirely sure how we are going to do that, but my faith in God tells me that together – with one another and with God leading the way – we can find a way.
I have talked with numerous people, families and individuals, who have lost their jobs, who are struggling to put food on their tables, who are being evicted from their homes because they are unable to pay rent, who are unable to get their medical prescriptions filled. There is a trickle down effect of the GM plant closing, other companies laying off or eliminating shifts, and of soaring prices. Thankfully the gas prices have come down a bit – and this has helped.
The biblical mandate given to us as followers of Jesus leaves us no option other than to keep the broken and the poor at the center of our priorities. “Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; the Lord delivers them in times of trouble.” (Proverbs 41:1). May we keep this in mind as we meet today and as we go forth from this table and back into our own churches and micro-communities, let us pray that God will continue to move us to lead in a way that helps bring hope to the hopeless and help to the helpless.
Let us pray: Gracious God, find it in our hearts today that we may come together as Christian leaders to find ways to bring relief and ease to those who are hurting. May our hearts be broken by the very things that break your heart. Amen.
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