Tuesday Musings April 12 2019

                It is a cold and windy Friday as I write. Nebraska has continued to be the brunt of several winter storms in this April. It is a reminder of the climate changes that are occurring throughout the world that affects the weather in our nation. From strong storms that produce a foot or more of snow in the plains, to tornados, high winds, and thunderstorms, all in the same state. On top of that, we are fast approaching Holy Week which begins Sunday of this week. As I am preparing a sermon for Maundy Thursday, I am reminded of the impending storms that Jesus experienced in that week leading to Good Friday and the exultation of Easter Sunday.

                I have found that a resource that I have used as a pastor both in sermon preparations as well as bible studies has been “The Last Week: What the Gospels Really Teach About Jesus’ Final Days in Jerusalem,” by Marcus Borg and John Crossan. What has always intrigued me, is the roller coaster of emotions that occurred during that week. We go from the triumphant parade on Palm Sunday, to cleansing of the temple, to the challenges and teachings during the week, to the upper room, and to the betrayal and crucifixion. The scriptures present each day of the week that ultimately acts as the impending train wreck for not only Jesus but also for his followers.

                I know that some people’s lives one can see the impending train wreck that can happen. Whether it be due to illness, depression, addictions, relationships, or grief, one can almost see what might happen. I saw that when I was counseling families and individuals. Despite where their issues were leading them, they almost seemed to be impossible to stop. But like what was happening and the seemingly end of Holy Week, that was not the final answer. For every Good Friday, for every low point in anyone’s life that traversing of the valley of death, there is an Easter. The Good Fridays of our lives are not the final answer. Yet, I also believe that we do need to travel through those valleys so that we can experience the other side. If we are willing to work through whatever we are dealing with, there is another Easter that can renew and restore us. It is a difficult time and journey, but we are not alone. Just as the disciples who denied and ran away, they were able to experience the risen Christ, but they needed each other. We need each other so that we don’t have to traverse the difficult times on our own.

                For me, that is the power of Holy Week and Easter. That no matter what I face in life, I am not alone. I know that the Holy Spirit surrounds me as does my community of faith. I would encourage all of us to not skip over all of the Holy Week to go from Palm Sunday to Easter, but to take time to read the gospels of that time and to attend services that are offered during the week. May this time of year be a time for us to remember, renew, and to find new meaning for us.

Shalom

Eldon

Tuesday Musing a month later on a Friday April 5th 2019

It has been awhile since I have written. It is interesting how time slips by even when one is retired. There have been some issues that I have helped with for the conference and have been facilitating a small group bible study with our life group. Also have had a couple of weeks of being under the weather with this transition between winter and spring. I am also going to be preaching on Maundy Thursday for Water’s Edge and am in the process of working on my sermon. I never noticed how when one is preparing sermons on a weekly basis the effort to plan for maybe 2-3 sermons a year seems to take more effort.

                I wanted to share with you some insights that I came across reading an old journal that I wrote while in seminary. I and several students did an immersive experience with the Pueblo Indians in New Mexico. I had written about this several years ago but was struck as I reread the notes that I took. At that time which was about 2003, there was a main controversy between the NM board of education and the tribe leaders about teaching children their native language as part of the curriculum.  At issue was the idea that denying access to the tribe’s language was creating issues with cultural identity.

                The concern dates back to the previous century when Native American children were forcibly put into Anglo schools without concern about teaching anything about their people and their culture. The idea was to assimilate these children into the White predominate culture. This was supposedly for their own good. This was done despite the fact that the reservations were supposed to be separate nations within the USA. Later studies have shown that when one denies the culture of a people there several negative consequences that affect the people. The tribes in NM were trying to make changes to help reinstate a sense of pride in the culture of the people. This was at that time heading to the State Supreme Court and possible to the SCOTUS.

                What I was noting was that the power of language can indeed shape the culture that we live. The question that arises is does language shape culture or does culture shape the language? It is almost the chicken and egg argument. Regardless, I have seen culture being changed and the language, rhetoric, and discourse supporting that change. I see it prevalent in our society, our government, and even in our churches. I find much of the church discourses, that seem to be the most vocal, run counter to the messages of Jesus. There seems to be a return to language of legalism, exclusion, and dogma of church rules. There is some counter-cultural language to these concerns but is disorganized and demonized by the others. There is also silence or collusion to avoid conflict in this discord. Much of this stems from whether to accept LGBTQIA+ as fully in communion with the church. The arguments against inclusion almost never quote the gospels but quote Leviticus, some of Paul’s comments, and many misreading of other epistles of the Christian scripture. Again, I see the parsing of words and language that is shaping the gospel message of love to one of condemnation. My prayer is that the voice of the good news will eventually prevail.

                On another note, I wanted to share a prayer that I wrote in 2007 as I was in the process of going to a new appointment. I also wrote what I thought God might replay. Here it is.

Dear God

                I thank you for what you have given me in my passions and in my talents. Even though I often take them for granted. There are times, I move in my own rhythm and forget to open a moment with you. Forgive me when I become self-centered and arrogant. Curb my tongue when I speak harshly of others.

                I ask for your special mercy in areas of my life mostly my shadow life that lives opposite of what you desire for me. At times, it seems so strong that overwhelms my desire to live according to what you will. I continue to hold onto trying to control rather than surrendering to you.

                Guide me in ways that lead me to life. To not hide in the shadow anymore. To strengthen me. Look to my family and you know how important they are. Heal the hurts I have caused by my life with them and others. I pray this in Jesus’ name.

And here is the response that came to me.

Dear Eldon

                Do you not believe I love you. That even when you turn away, I am there waiting. It does pain me that you won’t let go of these petty problems but hang on to them. Did not I make you in the likeness of my spirit? I will support you in what you do. I will bring healing to you and those you love and those around you.

                Are you willing to let me into your life? To take time to check in? Be diligent. Practice the means of grace that you have. No more just mouthing the words but put them into action. Even when you struggle, I will love you. Nothing you do will separate me from you.

God

Tuesday Musings March 12, 2019

                This is the season on Lent. Somehow, I was distracted and did not do a musing last week. Some of that was due to continuing to reflect on the General Conference held in February. Some of that was due to not feeling well as my winter cold morphed into my spring sinuses. Today, I feel on the mend and am finishing up the medications. Also, the bitter cold and snow has affected my mood as well. Be that as it may, I wanted to get back on track.

                During this time of Lent, we spend a lot of time reflecting on scripture through daily devotions or other devotions. What I noted last week though I did not write, was the concept of scriptural holiness. One can get on Facebook and see articles that claim God’s Word as the source of all they believe. The United Methodists look to the Wesleyan Quadrilateral as we reflect and understand how God is active in our world today. These four points are scripture, tradition, experience, and reason. Scripture is the foundation but needs to be examined in the context of the other three parts. Augustine, one of the prominent theologians, talks about understanding scripture in “On Christian Doctrine” the following, “he simply teaches that we are all free to read Scripture and take from the text whatever the Holy Spirit inspires for our good. But we must neither claim to know the author’s intention nor assert a universal and definitive meaning of any text. The former is known only by the Holy Spirit.” He had also asserted that one can read scripture literally, but much of scripture is allegorical and metaphorical. And to best understand the intent of scripture one would be best to reflect on all levels as guided by the Holy Spirit and the tradition of church. John Wesley would include as well to read based on our experience and our reason.

                Where I stand regarding scripture, I try to read scripture first in prayer and then look at the context of what was happening when the writers of scripture put pen to paper. Scripture consists of 66 books written by numerous authors in differing times and to people who were in need of hearing about God and God’s relationship to us. I believe that scripture is divinely inspired and that is why it still has relevance today. In the 39 books of the Hebrew scripture and the 27 books of the Christian scripture, we can find an understanding of how God was during the history of Israel and of the church. In the small group that Nancy and I attend, we are studying Revelation. From the start, we have talked and read that this book of the bible was never meant to be taken literally. There are parts, especially the letters to the seven churches, that speak to the cultural concerns of the author. The rest are visions and dreams that are to be looked as allegorically. Is there truth to what is written? There are aspects that are still relevant to us today about accommodating with cultural and societal norms.

                As I continue to look at this and whether we are to take a literal view of scripture, I cannot but wonder where we would be if Jesus did that. One of the main charges against Jesus, who was Jewish, was his disregard of the scripture and laws of Moses. He healed people of the sabbath. He touched lepers. He ate with sinners. These were all violations of the faith at that time. He even spoke to those outside of the people. He was willing to become unclean in order to reach out to the marginalized and those who were ostracized by the society. He was guided by the scriptures particularly the prophets of Israel. What he declared in the gospel of Matthew, was that he was not to do away with the scripture but to fulfill it. For me, that is to look at the heart of scripture. During the Sermon on the Mount, he stated “you have heard, but I tell you” several times.

                Another concern I have about reading scripture, is what is called proof texting. One prevalent proof texting involves what Jesus says about marriage found in Matthew 19. Many who use this scripture as pointing out that Jesus opposed same sex marriage quote Mt. 19:4-6. By pulling out these verses without the context of the first part of Chapter 19, one seems to say that marriage is only between a man and woman. Unfortunately, that is not what Jesus was answering. The question was posed to him about divorce. Jesus was opposed to the divorce laws of that time which allowed men to divorce their wives without any reason. Jesus never said one way or another about same sex relationships.

                So, as we continue our Lenten journey, as we do our devotions, take time to not just read the verses, but also look at the context especially the verses before and after to better understand. May God bless our journeys together.

Eldon