Sing Hallelujah

Nancy and I just have gotten back from attending the dinner theater matinee of Sing Hallelujah! My first thought was how I wished that everyone that I know could have been there to witness the play and hear the music. The play itself was very well done about a pastor in his first church following seminary. His enthusiasm for his first church and his desire to praise God was met with dealing with church politics and church gossip. Rather than being discouraged he met the challenge issued to bring back three former members and restore them to the grace of God. He went to a local saloon and met with someone with a drinking problem who was a former member. He was sincere in the desire to reach out to him in love as in the hymn the 90 and 9. He also reached out to a divorced woman who did not feel comfortable returning to the church because of the fear of how others might judge her.
It was also an interesting contrast between the way one always does things and trying to do something new. It started with his first sermon which according to some was too short, not full of hellfire and brimstone, and short on God's judgment. What was amazing to me was not how this can happen in most churches but how the people came together at the end due to opening themselves to the grace of God.
The songs ranged from Amazing Grace, Do Lord, His name was Abraham, Swing down Chariot, the Ninety and nine, Joshua fit the battle of Jericho, Onward Christian Soldiers, Glory train and more. The music helped with setting the mood of the play and conveying the spirit (Holy Spirit) of the performance. The audience often were clapping their hands and there were a few tears including mine.
I am reminded how singing praise songs, even the so-called tradition hymns, can evoke one's emotions and connection with God. Music was part of times that disciples gathered together since the very beginning of the church. Music continues to play a role in the way we worship today. I came away inspired not just by the message that I heard but also by the songs that were sung as they were met to be sung with feeling, gusto, and exuberance. I would heartily recommend if you are in the area of Louisville KY go across the Ohio and go to the Derby Dinner Playhouse. It was wonderful. This was the last showing and I wished we could gather the entire cast to come our way.
A side note about the experience. There were several church groups who were attending and one of them was a United Methodist Church. Nancy and I went over and introduced ourselves and they were very welcoming. I was asked if Nebraska had a football team. I did mention what happened to Louisville. We shared about our churches and it was great to meet them. Another bonus with the connectional system. God Bless you all. Until later.

The pictures are from the family going to the Pirates game. The weather was iffy and the Pirates played poorly, but we had a great time. This was my grandson's first game and my grand daughter's second game. It is always fascinating to have a first experience and enjoy it. We did well until the 8th inning. I wish we could see things with fresh eyes all the time. Saves a lot on being cynical. More later.

Pirates game

Traveling

There is something about the idea of traveling that excites me. Getting in the car and driving particularly is my time of meditation. Seeing new sights and trying new ways of journeying, I find myself becoming more relaxed. That is until the driver beside me cuts me off in traffic. Can't zone out to much.
Often when I travel, I will find myself getting off at the wrong exit or taking an unexpected detour. Sometimes these can lead to an undiscovered treasure. So far this trip I have not had that happen but who knows I still have a week and a half to find out. Needless to say Nancy and I made it safely to Indiana Pennsylvania. We didn't arrive at the time that I thought we would but, Thank God for the travel mercies, we arrived safely.
As we were driving, both of us were aware of the changing environment that surrounded us. As we began to head into the hills of Ohio and Pennsylvania, there are so many differing trees and vegetation compared to Nebraska. Also the corn here is not ready for harvest being still somewhat green. I was a joy to get hugs from my grandchildren and to wake up and see them off to school and day care.
I enjoy traveling and can understand how the writers of scripture would use the analogy of journey to be important to understanding how God works. From Genesis, to the Gospels, and especially in Acts, the theme of traveling takes on meaning about what God is doing in our lives. Every time that we travel we should remember that in the journey God is present to us to share with those who are around us. Whether we travel to distant states or just commute to work, God is present and we need to take time to remember what God has done in other journeyers and what God is doing in our lives.

Praying for everyone

The texts for this Sunday certainly present a challenge from Jeremiah, to the parable in Luke of the shrewd (dishonest) manager, and even the text from 1 Timothy. I have been struggling about where I wanted to focus on for my sermon. I will be using the text from 1 Timothy. I have talked with others who will be presenting on Jeremiah with the harvest theme and we are not yet saved and the shrewd or dishonest manager. Where I struggle with the Luke story is that we live in such ages of dishonest managers that it would be easy to twist the story to vindicate their dishonesty and their criminal behavior by saying they were only being shrewd. Not is not the point of the parable and it is a parable. Still I am struggling with preaching on this and since I am planning on leaving for vacation Sunday afternoon, I wanted to do something different.
So I chose 1 Timothy which is not without its controversy. Because the author (supposedly Paul) states that we should be praying for everyone, including our political leaders. It seems that it may be easy to pray for those of one's particular party at least here in the United States, it is more difficult to pray for those in the opposite party. Rather we tend to qualify our prayers. There are even those who pray for unfortunate events to occur. Much like some people praying for the death of various leaders throughout the world. Some have even demonized political opponents which not only creates character doubts for the opponents but also on those who would resort to such things. The author states rather we should pray for their well-being.
There is a Jewish story about God and a farmer. God promises to the farmer to grant what he wants but that what ever he asks he will give double to his neighbor. The farmer asks for 100 cattle and God gives him his wish and his neighbor received 200. The farmer than asks for 100 acres of land and he gets his wish. His neighbor receives 200 acres. The farmer becomes upset that his neighbor receives more than what he has. So he asks for his last wish that God would strike him blind in one eye. And God wept.
I know that sometimes I too can be envious of others and at times be angry. Rather than praying for my benefit I need to pray mostly for those with whom I disagree, whom I envy for their continuing success, for those who are critical, and even with the leaders with whom I disagree. My prayers need to be for them to lift them up and to heal my spirit. Today think about those to whom you need to pray not just family, friends, church members but for your enemies for their health and for them to become closer to Jesus.

Reflection on Jeremiah

As I was studying the scriptures for Sunday, I came across two different reflections that seem to work together. One is from "Awaken" and the other is from "This Day," by Laurence Stookey. I would suggest before reading further take out your Bible and read Jeremiah 8.18-19.1. Read the passage slowly allowing the lament to deepen in your mind and soul. I can hear the anguish the writer has about what he has seen and the way people are reacting. Can you not hear the cries even today as to where is God? The cries of feeling forsaken and yet not realizing that they are the ones who have rejected their relationship and covenant with God. It is not divine retribution but humans turning their back on what God has ordained.
According to "Awaken," "The key element of the passage is one of utter loss and devastation, a relationship that has gone terribly wrong. God and the people are no longer united, this is a reality. God is not present in Zion because the people have driven God away, figuratively, and this has resulted in the people's banishment. They turned their backs on God and now wonder why they cannot see God." This was written during the exile as the people attempted to understand why they were enslaved. Throughout the prophets the people were told that they were pursuing idols and false gods. They would not listen and now the consequences of their choices has happened to them. Typical they still do not see how they have contributed to the very problems that they have created. Not much has changed in the thousands of years later. Humans still pursue false gods and idols and then when things go wrong want to blame God for their own choices despite being aware of what God has ordained both here and through Jesus Christ. The cry for healing is great among the people then and today. So what are we to do?
Laurence Stookey writes for the 15th day of the month in "This Day," advice that we can use to reflect on in our own lives. "Ask yourself these questions. When an honest answer is not to your liking, ask God for the strength and wisdom to improve.
What have I done in the past two weeks to help others: to console the distraught, to assist the weak, to guide the confused, and so on?
What have I done to alleviate the larger causes of human suffering: to seek justice, to advance humane treatment of all, to overcome oppression and exploitation of the weak, to speak up in the defence of those who were misrepresented or mistreated?
Have I participated in the weekly worship of the congregation?
Have I received the Supper of the Lord?
If so, has it been for me since then a sign of the presence and power of the risen Lord in our midst?
How faithful have I been in daily devotions, and what benefit have I received from these that has strengthened me for service to others?
In these devotions, have I remembered those for whom prayers were asked in congregational worship?
Does fasting or abstinence in an appropriate form commend itself to me today?"

I was caught with how these two seem to integrate with one another. For if I would take the time to do what Stookey recommends, I would not turn my back on God or pursue false idols. And when I fall short, I need to take time to ask God for the strength and wisdom to improve. Where might you be? Are you lamenting or complaining? Or are you making a difference by acting faithfully in what God has called us to do?

What to think with the next pot luck

Every once in awhile, I come across an article that I think is insightful and want to share with those who might read my blog. This came from UMNexus who sends me their information through the email. The subscription is free if you are interested in receiving this. I copied an article about Methodist Pot Lucks that I think we should seriously read and to reflect on. It was an eyeopener for me especially as I am trying to lose a few pounds and have to watch my calorie and sugar intake. Read and if you have time reply.
My Big Fat Church Supper ReduxBy Cynthia B. Astle
Oh, those potluck church suppers! Thinking of all that comfort food laid out on long tables makes a faithful United Methodist's mouth water. We even joke that instead of the cross-and-flame, our official denominational logo ought to be a casserole dish.And yet … Let's face it, friends, we all need to eat healthier. Better nutrition is an especially critical situation for our beloved clergy, who've been found to be among some of the most unhealthy professionals on the planet – a combination of too much stress, too little exercise and yes, those Big, Fat Church Suppers.How critical is it? Let's take a look at the caloric intake of a traditional church supper consisting of fried chicken, green bean casserole, potato salad, molded gelatin salad, coleslaw (see a theme emerging?), apple pie and chocolate cake (because we don't want to hurt someone's feelings by not trying their dessert).
Fried chicken (1 piece) 905 calories
Green bean casserole (1/2 cup) 120 calories
Potato salad (1/2 cup) 340 calories
Molded gelatin salad (1/2 cup) 180 calories
Coleslaw (1/2 cup) 110 calories
Apple pie (1/6 of 8-inch pie) 280 calories
Chocolate cake (1/16 slice) 280 calories
GRAND TOTAL 2115 calories
There you go – one plate of church potluck and you won't have to eat again that Sunday. Take seconds, or double portions, and you won't have to eat on Monday, either. Note that this menu doesn't include rolls or sweetened iced tea – another 258 calories for one dinner roll and another 50 calories in tea with two rounded teaspoons of sugar.What's a congregation to do? Eating together, from the ritual feast of the Eucharist to the feast of the fellowship table, is a bedrock cultural practice of church. Can we keep the tradition and have our angel food cake, too? Here are some ideas from two UM NeXus readers, both clergywomen, who responded to our recent invitation to talk about My Big, Fat Church Supper.Rev. Helen Dukes: “I was very thin until I became a pastor. Nevertheless, I served one church that made sense. There were many diabetics in the congregation and at all the events the food served took on a health quality, from veggies and dip replacing cookies to sugar-free deserts. We just need to learn to care about the health of one another and not feed our sweet tooth and ego instead. It’s a matter of love instead of indulgence, remembering that sharing table fellowship (especially communion) is a part of our Christian bonding process.”Rev. Nancy A. Carter: "I have been concerned for a long time about the 'food culture' seen in most congregations, gatherings of United Methodist Women, and so on. A couple of decades (or more) ago, when I was in my 30s, I tried to maintain a very healthy diet in the midst of the church and broader culture. I would call ahead to places where I was going to meetings and send written information about my diet, to mixed results. Finally, after a few years and as I went to pastor a church for the first time, I gave up on the diet. If I had stayed with my eating 'discipline,' I would be much healthier now -- I know that."1. When a dish contains a variety of ingredients, all of these should be listed on a note card that accompanies the dish. Not only might this help folk thinking about calories but those who have allergies or conditions like celiac sprue. When hosting small groups at my home, I have either done this or verbally told them what is in various dishes."2. We need to take into account not only our health but that of others beyond our household or neighborhood. Often what may not be healthy or as healthy for us to eat/drink is not healthy for other people, animals, and/or the environment. In our eating habits, we need to look at products that come are Fair Trade, organic, locally grown, etc. -- how can we help not only ourselves but others. Where did that coffee, sugar, chocolate come from? How was it produced? Who benefited? Did anyone suffer [from this food production]?"3. John Wesley encouraged fasting . . .'Wesley was convinced that fasting, abstaining from food or drink, was a practice firmly grounded in the Bible. People in Old Testament times fasted (Ezra 8:23). So did Jesus and his followers (Matthew 4:2; Acts 13:3), and Wesley saw no reason why modern Christians should not follow the same pattern. His plan of fasting sometimes allowed for limited eating and drinking. He found that fasting advanced holiness.' (Page 33, "John Wesley: Holiness of Heart and Life" by Charles Yrigoyen, Jr.)"4. Some of my suggestions imply that educating ourselves and congregations may be needed -- not only about obvious things like nutrition but also to put it in the context of how it fits in the broader picture of holy living and 'moving on to perfection.' Congregational responses might lead them into unanticipated areas. I mentioned Fair Trade but also we know, for example, that eating disorders can be related to experiences of childhood abuse. Then there is that other big issue of poverty and hunger -- not only 'overseas,' but in our own neighborhood. What we eat and why does not happen in isolation."Note the spiritual depth of these two responses: Helen's "it's about love, not indulgence," and Nancy's "diet discipline" and "fasting." Could we get any more Wesleyan about our food culture than to prepare our dishes with the idea of "watching over one another in love" when potluck suppers roll around? Is your congregation fostering healthier choices in life?

The gods of productivity and efficiency

I have been working on our Bible study of Exodus. In the notes, I have come across some comments by Walter Brueggemann that are found in the New Interpreter's Bible, Vol. 1 Exodus. What he had to say parallels what I have been reading in "Deep Economy" by Bill McKibben. What McKibben talks mostly about is the present way we go about our lives striving to have more and more. As we gather all this material information, study after study points out that we are not happier than we were prior to having all the choices and lifestyle that we have today. There seems to be such a disconnect with our sense of happiness in our "hyperindividualism." Even when I was teaching sociology and social work, I frequently commented that there seems to be more concern about what the individual wants that the sense of community has fallen to the wayside. I have been concerned about this loss in our neighborhoods, our society, and even in our world. This seems to be not what God intends for us. Yet, even in churches today it seems to revolve about meeting my needs rather than being concerned about others. So that we can turn a blind eye on the exploitation of people in other parts of the world that support our style of living. We continue to buy cars, SUV's, and other vehicles that use an extraordinary amount of oil and then complain that we cannot have cheap oil or food because we want food that is out of season where we live.
McKibben states, "Fast, cheap and easy is what we have at the moment, they are the cardinal virtues upon which our economy rests (and if they are also adjectives you don't want attached to your child, well, that should give you a little pause). The word we use to sum up these virtues is "efficiency," and on its altar we have sacrificed a good deal: our small farms were inefficient compared with factory farms; our local retailers were inefficient compared with Wal-Mart; having free time is inefficient compared with working more hours. Relationships were inefficient compared with things. And, in a certain, limited sense, each of these ideas is correct. If you leave certain factors (pollution, say and unhappiness) out of account, we've built a society more efficient than any the world has ever seen" (pg 120). Research shows that instead of people working fewer hours they are working more hours or working more than one job. When asked what would make a person happier the number one answer was more money. In fact, we have gotten information about what people want most from church and the answer is recreation. Somehow I was not surprised.
McKibben goes on to say that something needs to change and that it is not a liberal, conservative, Democratic, Republican, social conservatives and environmental progressives agenda. "At the risk of betraying my background as a Sunday school teacher, let me say that these changes seem to me, at least in some measure, to be compatible with strong faith.
Consider an obvious example that makes this point clear. The most inefficient idea our society ever embraced was originally a Jewish inspiration: the Sabbath, a day set aside for relationships with family and with God and with the world around us. For much of American history, things stopped on the Sabbath...The seventh day offered a chance to rebalance your life a little...What brought down [the blue laws] was precisely the understanding that they were inefficient--they reduced the amount of business that could get done, the amount of money that could be made" (pgs 120-121). He points out the biggest supporter in Virginia to repeal the blue laws was the Chamber of Commerce.
In our study of Exodus, we are studying how the Pharaoh attempted to keep the people of Israel subjugated. Especially when Moses came to ask permission for the people to go worship. Walter Brueggemann commented, "The strategy of Pharaoh is worth study. His notion is that the pressure of productivity is the way to keep social relations from changing. That is, the lazy and unproductive have time to listen to voices that authorize dangerous changing. Productivity numbs attention to the voice of new possibility. This mode of enslavement is worth considering in a society that is aimed at the acquisition of goods in the pursuit of greed and affluence.
Two dimensions of numbing through productivity might be identified. On the one hand, consumerism, the driving ideology of Western society, is based in the capacity to produce and acquire wealth as a sign of personal worth. While production quotas may not be as abusive and demeaning as in this narrative, the pressure to produce and achieve is enormous in our society, so enormous that it robes energy from every chance for justice and freedom. On the other hand (and more subtly), in a moral posture that is focused on “doing,” even the doing or “goodness” leads to a passion for busyness that leaves little time for “being.” One can imagine that the exodus narrative is an exercise in weaning the imagination of the listening community away from an ideology of productivity, in order to have room and energy to “be.” Pp 730 NIB Vol 1
It is something that we need to reflect on in our lives. How happy are we? What will make us happy? I challenge that more work, more money, more things will ever lead to more happiness. I believe it is in community, relationship, and mostly in our relationship with God that will bring us any sense of happiness. The pursuit of the other goals will only lead to further destruction of our world spiritually, physically, and relationally.

Monday

I have no real title for my blog today. This past weekend I spent almost 21 hours with a confirmation class on a retreat to begin their confirmation journey. It was the most fun time getting to know these young people. One thing that struck me was their energy and enthusiasm and their creativity. I am looking forward to the time we have together for the rest of the year. So when it came to Sunday needless to say I was tired as I am not as young as I once was.
Sunday I was preaching on the Luke gospel that talked about being a disciple and whether or not one is willing to pay the cost to finish what one starts. I know that I am a person who has started many things and sometimes leaves several projects half done. For those who are aware of the Meyers Briggs Inventory I am an INFP which translates out to being an introvert, intuitive, feeling, and perceptive personality. What that means in real life is that I love my alone time, I have some ability to intuit people, I make decisions mostly based on my values, and I tend to be at times spontaneous and disorganized. One has to go into my office to see what that means or better my play room in the basement. I am a visionary and can see possibilities that others may not notice. Sometimes it is difficult to get things completed so I need people around me that are organized.
What all of this has to do with the gospel is that I have to work at paying the cost to see something through to the end. I know that there are others and my point in my sermon is that enthusiasm is not enough to make sure things are completed. That was what Jesus was concerned about with those who were following him. That is true with us today. I am looking forward to this Sunday as we begin to look at the way we can follow through is by the grace of God. More later.

Hospitality

The time seems to have gotten away from me at least this week. There seems to be times when I am not sure if I can discipline myself to sit down and write. This week was one of the times when there seems to be so much going on that I have distracted myself. I have also been contemplating some of the activities that are coming up for our church. We will be having a planning retreat to focus a vision statement to improve our ministries.
Two of those ministries deal with worship and welcoming. I was struck with the lectionary suggestion from the gospel of Luke this Sunday. Jesus was eating with a Pharisee and noticing how people were trying to get the seats of honor. He pointed out to those who were trying to exalt themselves to not seek the best seats but rather choose a lower seat and if the host or hostess wishes you to take the seat of honor you will not embarrass yourself. He also spoke to the host that instead of inviting friends, family, or rich neighbors the guest list should be the poor, the lame, the crippled, and the blind. Those who cannot return the invitation. Today was communion Sunday. Even though we celebrate communion weekly on Wednesdays, I felt that today especially was important to remember that the table of the Lord is open to everyone, pharisee, rich neighbors, disciples, poor, disadvantaged in all ways, and most of all to sinners. There are no pre-conditions to coming to the table.
Instead of the usual visuals on the altar, I set up two table settings with the bread and the cup. It struck me that we need to remember that the setting of the Lord's Supper was a dinner with his disciples. Meals are so important to developing who we are. It was true in Jesus' time as it is in our time. Meals are a time we gather together to share with one another. I believe that we not only need to recover this time we have with our families and friends but with others around us. Somehow fast food or noisy restaurants are not the same thing. Sitting down together to share food for our bodies and to share the word for our souls are important. The question is when was the last time we have invited the stranger to sit down with us. Hospitality often can mean generosity shown to strangers.
Something to think about this Labor day weekend.