Balance

I’m wearing my preacher’s hat today.

Although most of us want balance in our lives, history is more like a pendulum swinging from extreme to extreme. Historically, the church has mirrored secular culture and more closely proclaimed political party talking points than it has preached and lived the kingdom.

My own awareness of church/cultural dynamics dates back to the 1960's: "flower children", bell-bottom pants, sideburns and peace symbols. My ministry was emerging, and the church whose call I answered was more about social relevance than about stained glass and brass plaques; more about justice than doctrine. Matthew 25 and Luke 4:16-28 were frequent preaching texts, often to the neglect of more personally edifying texts.

Were things better then? No. It was a time when part of the Church neglected crucial elements of faith and practice, like evangelism and spiritual discipline; and in our concern for being non-judgmental we diluted views of morality and erased some lines that should never have been crossed.  Much lost ground was never recovered.

Perhaps the greatest fault of the church in that era was the rigid, non-negotiable lines that were drawn between various manifestations of the Body of Christ. In the last six decades the church has sinfully wasted much time in-fighting over specific differences, instead of finding common ground and working from there to build up the kingdom. “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand” (Matthew 12:25 NIV). That may explain the six-decade decline of the North American Church. A partially united kingdom is better than a broken, divided one.

So, were the 1960's worse than today? No. The social consciousness then was a needed corrective to a tunnel-vision evangelicalism that was suffocating the church. It presented the church as hardly more than an ecclesiastical maternity ward: its only purpose to get people "born again." But if the Church prior to the 1960's was too narrowly defined in terms of maternity, many churches of the 60's and 70's closed down the maternity ward altogether, and attempted to define the church more like an ecclesiastical Department of Human Services.

Again, both are good and necessary dimensions of Christian Disciple­ship. On balance Jesus talked more about ethics than about prayer; more about money than about salvation; more about social justice than about heaven. His kingdom parables were filled with images and metaphors of justice; and, he more frequently spoke of just and ethical relation­ships than of prayer. The Hebrew prophets consistently called God’s people to repent from two sins: idolatry and the unjust treatment of the poor.

But to diminish either focus is to weaken the Gospel, and the pendulum of history brims with correctives that become more destructive than the evils they were designed to correct, and each swing of the pendulum provokes its own hostility. The rigid moralism of Victorianism led to a reactionary swing to "19th century liberalism". When liberalism seemed harmful enough the reactionary swing was toward biblical literalism, which, in turn, created yet another reactionary swing into the 1960's cry for relevance.

NOTE: each reaction was a valid corrective, but when each became an end in itself, rather than a means toward a more balanced, holistic end, it became counterproductive to the Gospel.

Today, for the first time in the church's history, the pendulum may have stopped, and nobody seems to know what to do. An emerging generation is sick and tired of watching people "play church"; sick and tired of watching people who call themselves Christians fighting with each other over style and semantics; sick and tired of seeing Christ represented by people who come across as judgmental and intolerant.

What a wonderful opportunity for the church to become real again! What a wonderful time for the church to hear, as if for the first time, the Word of the Lord:

"Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?  Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard." (Isaiah 58:5-9 NIV)

And what a wonderful time to acknowledge that the same Bible also says,

"I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.  Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.' (John 3:5-7 NIV)

And that same Bible says,

Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 KJV)

And,

If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.  But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.  For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man.  For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. (1 Corinthians 15:19-22 NIV)

What a wonderful time to proclaim the balance: the Word of GRACE that leads to the peace and wholeness that is God's Shalom (salvation); the PROPHETIC Word that calls God's people to repent and to seek justice and to love mercy; the INSTRUC­TIVE Word that teaches God's people how to walk in the ways of the Lord; and the Word of PROMISE that fills us with hope. I believe it is only through hearing and believing and living such a balanced diet of God's Word that Jesus' words make any sense:

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before everyone, that they may see your good deeds and praise God in heaven." (Matthew 5:14-16 NIV)

And that’s how I see it through the flawed glass that is my world view.

Together in the Walk,

Jim

Happy Holidays!

I dug out our collection of Christmas DVDs today. I wasn’t doing it intentionally. I was just reorganizing and reclaiming our entertainment center after 19 months’ absence (during which time our son and granddaughter made good use of it). The DVDs contained Movies, TV specials, concerts, etc.

The one on top was a copy of a 1955 Jo Stafford Album. The title song, “Happy Holiday,” was Irving Berlin’s 1942 classic that everybody loves. The second DVD was the 1942 Bing Crosby/Fred Astaire movie, “Holiday Inn,” in which that Irving Berlin classic was introduced. It’s a perennial favorite, along with “It’s a Good Life!”, “Miracle of 34^th Street,” “White Christmas” and—you can finish the list.

In the same box was our collection of Christmas cards dating back who knows how long. We keep them for decorations and gift wrapping. “Season’s Greetings,” is among the most common phrases on the covers of the several dozen cards in that stack.

Call me a “Christmas Freak.” I love just about everything about it, from the first decoration I see in some store to the last ornament that's stored in the attic. In the last couple of years I’ve even been able to endure the crowds at the malls without uttering a single “Bah!” or “Humbug!”

I think I love it because in my personal history it’s always been the “Most Wonderful Time of the Year”—with cousins and “Granny” either spending the holidays with us or us with them. I associate Christmas with family, presents, wonderful food, beautiful music, beautiful decorations and the beautiful story that holds it all together.

The story is paramount. No matter what else happens or doesn't happen during Advent and the Twelve Days of Christmas that follow, I’m never distracted from the awareness of that beautiful story. It’s always with me, thanks to the foundation laid in my family—a foundation that included regular participation in the Body of Christ. No matter what symbol is displayed, or when or where, I am reminded that Christmas is about the birth of Jesus, and that through that birth, “God is with us!”

Apparently—and sadly—some are unable to avoid the distractions. Take, for example, those phrases that for over a half-century—for at least six decades—elicited happy smiles, warm feelings and even hugs: “Happy Holidays!” “Seasons Greetings!” More recently they’ve become a distraction to some people.

A few years ago someone suggested that it would be more “inclusive” to use the phrase, “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas”, to acknowledge that not everyone is Christian and to demonstrate respect for their religious freedom—the same respect we expect and demand for our own religious freedom.

Religious freedom, like every other freedom, must be extended to all, or no one is free, for if freedom can be taken from one, it can be taken from all. Further, religious freedom includes the freedom not to be religious at all—and to be free from having others’ religious faiths inflicted upon us.

The intention was to find ways to include people of other faiths—or at least not to exclude them—in the public celebrations of Christian holidays. Nothing has ever been intended or suggested that would limit religious celebrations shared among family and friends and within specific communities of faith.

But the good old American autonomy that built this nation raises its head (unnecessarily in this situation) and asserts, “Nobody’s gonna’ tell me what to do.”

I have not experienced the slightest infringement of any of my rights. I am perfectly free to say, “Merry Christmas” any time I choose, and as far as I know you are free to do the same. Nor do I feel anything has been forced upon me if others choose to say, “Happy Holidays” in deference to the religious freedom of those who don’t share their convictions. Indeed, I don’t feel “Happy Holidays” is a condescension at all. That phrase is a “warm fuzzy” that triggers deep nostalgia and reminds me that Jesus was born.

At what point did “inclusiveness” become bad? At what point did inclusiveness become a liberal conspiracy to take away anyone’s right to say, “Merry Christmas?” At what point did respect for someone who is different from me become a concession to some evil plot to undermine truth? And at what point did the melting pot mentality celebrated in the poem[1] engraved on the Statue of Liberty become an intolerance and disrespect for diversity?

As Christians, we are called to share the joy of our faith; but there are effective ways to share our faith, there are ineffective ways to share our faith and there are counterproductive ways to share our faith. In recent years I’ve seen too much witnessing/sharing that did more harm than good.

And as Americans we have the right to share our faith—but not to inflict it upon anyone who doesn’t want to hear it. And, after all, Christianity is an invitational faith, not a coercive one.

So, I will continue to look for opportunities to make effective witness to my faith, while making every attempt to respect the religious rights and freedoms of those who don’t share it. And if my life is being lived such that others don’t know and respect me as a Christian unless I say, “Merry Christmas,” then I have failed as a Christian and my witness will lack integrity and credibility. And I have absolutely no need to inflict my faith language upon those with other faiths or no faith, and thereby run the risk of alienating them from any possibility of witnessing effectively to them in the future.

That leaves me with more than abundant opportunity within my family, my circle of friends and within my community of faith—and in the yard decorations in front of my home—to say, “Merry Christmas!”

And that’s the way I see it through the flawed glass that is my world view.

Together in the Walk,

Jim

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[1] Give me your tired, your poor, 

Your huddled masses, yearning to breath free, 
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore, 
Send these, the homeless, tempest tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door.

~ Emma Lazarus

This Is My Father's World

Yesterday I did one of my favorite things with my favorite person: we took a foliage drive through the Ozark and Boston Mountains in NW Arkansas. It was our “welcome home” gift to ourselves.

We left home driving west on I-40, and when we reached Arkansas Hwy 23 (known as the Pig Trail because it used to be the preferred way to travel from Little Rock to Fayetteville for Razorback football and basketball), we turned north.

I grew up in west Texas, where autumn foliage was something we read about in geography textbooks. We had a lot of Mesquite trees (most were just big bushes) that didn’t turn colors in the fall. The leaves just fell off. And on the few scrub oak and other hardwood trees out there the leaves just turned brown before they fell off. The first real color I saw was in Quantico, Virginia when I was in Marine Officer Candidate School when I was 26 years old.

It was the same way with mountains. I still remember the first time I saw real mountains: it was on a trip into New Mexico with my uncle’s family when I was nine. I guess that dust-bowl-flatland environment of my younger years is what’s behind the awe I experience in the mountains today. I loved living in northwest Arkansas, and still love driving through that area. I love to vacation in the Rockies; and I grieve at the end as I watch the mountains fade in the rear-view mirror.

So yesterday’s trek with my spouse was very special.

And people were talking about the “polar vortex” as the first wave of frigid air moved into the area. The season is changing—just like it does every year about this time. The earth wobbles on its axis and the northern hemisphere leans away from the sun and we drag out our lawn rakes and leaf blowers—every year about this time.

Will Rogers said, “If you don’t like the weather here (Oklahoma), just wait a minute.” Most states have adopted that axiom as if they originated it. The truth is that it’s a universal phenomenon.

And isn’t that wonderful?

Order. Symmetry. Rhythm. Dependability. All these are attributes of a system that reflects the faithfulness of its creator. “For everything there is a season,” wrote The Preacher (Ecclesiastes 3:1). And he concludes, “(God) has made everything beautiful in its time” (vs. 11).

Brilliant ambers, yellows, oranges and reds of every tint lined the hills and dells of the Mulberry River Valley, and the bluebird sky provided the perfect backdrop. The leaves will fall soon, and their decay will enrich the soil and nourish the very trees from which they fall.

Every year about this time.

I think I feel a “Doxology” coming on!

And that’s the way I see it through the flawed glass that is my world view.

Together in the Walk,

Jim

Thanks FROM a Veteran

Today I’d like to turn the tables and, as a Veteran, say, “Thanks” to a grateful nation.

When I returned from Vietnam in early August of 1968, there wasn’t much gratitude in the air. At least it wasn't evident.

Ten days after I was released from active duty at Camp Pendleton, I attended my first class at The Graduate Seminary of Phillips University in Enid, Oklahoma. Two weeks later I was preaching my first sermon in the small congregation in Waynoka, Oklahoma, where I served during the three years I worked on my Master of Divinity. So, the first few days after leaving a combat zone were more or less a whirlwind of activity.

It was a troubled time in our nation. Beatniks were morphing into Hippies, there were anti-war demonstrations, and the issue of amnesty was being debated in regard to some who had fled to Canada to avoid the draft. The Democratic National Convention that year was in Chicago, and it turned ugly, with demonstrations growing violent. Those events, along with video from the “war” in Vietnam, were on TV newscasts every night.

[NOTE: In my opinion (you decide whether the opinion is “humble” or and arrogant), although the trend toward media partisanism was beginning to emerge in the late 1960’s, for the most part the networks still struggled to maintain journalistic integrity. Media integrity seems rare today, with virtually no effort to conceal its partisanism; indeed, commentary and analysis have supplanted “reporting,” and at the polar extremes, pundits from Fox News and MSNBC seem almost to revel in their rabble rousing.]

Campus life at Phillips included student demonstrations (always peaceful and respectful) related to those same issues; so, I was aware of anti-war sentiments, but I did not experience animosity being directed at me, personally, or the troops in general. At that point I was virtually ignorant in regard to the political and moral questions surrounding the war.

Within a couple of years, though, the Kent State Massacre had jolted the nation and the Watergate scandal was stirring the pot. With all of it pouring into our living rooms via network media, Americans were becoming an angry, polarized people. Some of that anger and hostility was directed at troops returning from Vietnam.

I was distracted with studies and pastoral duties and building a family, so I was blissfully oblivious to the hostility that increasingly was directed at those returning troops. We didn't get ticker tape parades when we returned from Vietnam; but, for me personally, I was altogether content to slip in quietly and resume my life and pursue my goals. I was relatively insulated from the hostilities, and in the conservative backlash that followed those tumultuous 60’s, American sentiment changed.

While few would call me “conservative,” I am grateful for that change.

I am grateful when people discover that I served in the military and extend a hand and a word: “Thanks for your service.” Today, because I am a veteran, I got a discount at AQ Chicken House in Fayetteville, Arkansas. And I try to express my own gratitude when I see a person in uniform—whether it be military, police, fire fighter, EMT, or whatever.

Democracy thrives on vigorous debate, and I would not want to quiet the disparate voices—as long as the debate is respectful and seeks resolution rather than party dominance. But, as a veteran, I’m grateful for the atmosphere of non-partisanism that unites our people in gratitude for those who serve and protect. Thank you, America!

And that’s how I see it through the flawed glass that is my world view.

Together in the Walk,

Jim

Christmas Trees in October?

I'm Baaaaaaaack! 

I've discovered that since I'm retired I'm not disciplined enough to work full time and focus on writing. I've got bits and pieces of writings throughout my hard drive! But, maybe for the present I can resort to my favorite (and most effective) mode of therapy. If you find something worthwhile in it, I'll be pleased.

* * *

I am not one who gets upset about the date stores begin to put up Christmas decorations, and I was grateful for that yesterday when I walked into Home Depot and saw their Christmas Tree display. I had a choice; so I chose to experience joy, rather than resentment.

Please don’t insult my intelligence by lecturing me about commercializing Holy Days. I’m as disturbed about that as anybody. [God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.][1] But I've not seen or heard about any valid, effective effort to address the issue. 

But since my seminary days as a student pastor, all I've seen or heard is people griping, whining, complaining and otherwise objecting to the date the tinsel goes up—a date presumably prior to some magical—but unspecified—“appropriate” date.

I have two responses.

First, complaining changes nothing. It does nothing more than spread a negative pall over a season intended for joy. Momma always said, “If you can’t say anything nice…” So my first response is, if you’re not going to do anything about it, griping won’t accomplish anything effective or edifying.

Of course, we all have a right to hold an opinion on any subject; but none of us is obligated to share it. St. Paul advised the church in Ephesus, “Let no worthless talk come out of your mouths; but only what is useful for building up, so that your words may give grace to those who hear” (Ephesians 4:29). Do our opinions "build up"? Do they "give grace"?

In order to accomplish anything positive or effective, some specific things need to be established. First, what, exactly is the upsetting factor? Is it the date stores put up Christmas decorations? If so, why is an early date objectionable, what date would be acceptable, and what would be changed and accomplished by enforcing a new date?

Is the upsetting factor the commercialization and/or the profiteering implied by the early decorations? If so, we’ll need to find an acceptable balance between our moral indignation and the governmental regulation required to affect the change (because governmental involvement would be required. Giving up profit is not likely to become a voluntary effort).

And the fact that we’re dealing with a religious celebration begs the question of the relationship between religion and government. And as a nation that boasts religious freedom, the question arises: are we willing to insist that the celebrations of other religions (e.g., Ramadan, Kwanza, Hanukkah, Maha Shivarati, etc.) be granted the same considerations?

It’s only after determining our goals that we can begin to strategize.

A second response emerges because there appears to be no collaborative effort to influence change in the commercial trend toward early Christmas marketing. If you’re not going to (or can’t) do anything about it, and since it appears to be inevitable barring specific legal regulation, you at least can choose how you will respond to it.

It happens every year; we can anticipate it, expect it, and determine what our response will be. Since we can’t dictate what others will do or how they will respond, we can choose to make our response, as St. Paul advises above, one that will build up and give grace.

I’m guessing that those who are offended by early Christmas marketing are aware of the real “reason for the season”—otherwise (I’m guessing) they wouldn't be upset. So, when in mid-October you see a Christmas Tree or a Santa Figure or a holly wreath, what specifically comes to your mind, that doesn’t come to your mind when you see the same things in December?

In our home, some time in early-to-mid October we decorate for Fall, adding some jack-o-lanterns and ghosts and witches late in October. Early in November we take down the Spooks and bring out the turkeys and cornucopias and pilgrims. Immediately after Thanksgiving we put away the Fall décor and set up the Christmas decorations. That’s what we do. We can’t control—nor do we sense a desire to control—how and when others celebrate the passing seasons of the year and, quite frankly, it’s none of our business. But, we do have nativities and other Christmas symbols in our home that stay on display year-round. Is that OK?

There’s a whole genre of businesses in Branson, Missouri and other resort areas called “Christmas Stores”. They’re open year-round. In Alaska we visited a huge "Santa Store" (Jo Lynn had her picture taken sitting on Santa's knee)--in July! Have you ever visited anything like that? What went through your mind?

Christmas is about the birth of Jesus. No matter what month of the year, no matter in what venue and no matter whether my thoughts focus on presents under a tree or straw in a manger, when I see a visual symbol that represent Christmas, I cannot divorce that experience from the joy of knowing that Jesus, the Savior of the World, was born, and in that birth, God is with us!

That joy, for me at least, trumps all commercialism—no matter what time of year. I experienced my first little twinge of "Christmas Spirit" last night when I saw Home Depot's Christmas Tree display.

And that’s how I see it through the flawed pane of glass that is my world view.

Together in the Walk,
Jim

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[1] The Serenity Prayer adopted by AA and many other 12-step recovery groups; attributed to American theologian Reinhold Niebuhr.

Certainty vs. Trust

The longer I live the more I realize that faith has more to do with trust than with certainty.

I grew up in the years during and immediately following World War II when, as with most American families, church was the center of our life: Sunday morning and evening and Wednesday evening, and I was active in the “Royal Ambassadors”—a wonderful kind of faith-based

Polishing My Halo

I remember hearing about a young minister who preached her first sermon. It was well-received, and the people responded with enthusiasm.

The next Sunday she preached the identical sermon. The people seemed puzzled, and the elders huddled. They decided she was young and inexperienced, and they just needed to encourage her.

But when she preached the same sermon again on the third Sunday, the elders took her aside. "We want to help," they assured her. "We know that you're inexperienced and may not have but one sermons; so what can we do to help"

"Oh, I have other sermons," she said. "And as soon as I see evidence that you've heard this one, I'll move on to the next one."

The longer I live the less I feel truly understood. In fact, the longer I live, the less I sense that many humans understand each other. It’s hard to disagree with the graphic posted here.

 Many folks seem to think they already have all the truth, and anyone who disagrees is wrong, and must be corrected. Too often their attempts to correction are filled with hostility and words of hate (although hatred is universally denied). Antagonism usually increases when there are political implications.

Let me polish my halo a bit before I say that I think I’m a good listener. It is my intention to listen to any and all perspectives on a given issue. As a result, I have been known to change—or at least modify—my perspectives regarding some issues.

To be sure, I hold strong convictions about most subjects. On the other hand (hold on a second while I adjust my halo), I recognize the difference between “conviction” and “truth.” I’ve said and written many times, “I believe in absolute truth, but I don’t believe any human or human community is capable of perceiving truth absolutely.” I don’t see much evidence that many others are aware of—or care about—any distinction between “truth” with their perception of it.

Still, I feel compelled to keep trying to articulate my convictions, maybe as much for self-understanding as for sharing with others. I’ll keep trying. Maybe I’ll be either heard or corrected. Either is acceptable.

Labels, parties and philosophies notwithstanding, my political position is simple: it’s about people—all people—having unencumbered access to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, and to everything those ideals imply. I believe our government exists to implement the goals and aims of the Preamble to our Constitution: “…to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity…”

Too often the details of implementation get hidden in the quagmire of political ideologies that serve as smoke screens to hide an intention not to reach out to people. Some of those ideologies indicate a callous lack of caring. Others assume that recipients of assistance are undeserving. Some are based on a political philosophy that says government should not be involved in anything other than infrastructure and national defense (Constitutional Preamble notwithstanding); and some emerge out of a political and economic perspective that puts budgets and spending above the needs of people.

Many who oppose public assistance would defer that task to faith-based and private sector entities. Theoretically, I agree. Tragically, human needs exceed the resources of faith-based entities, most of which are declining and struggling to survive. Many private foundations and individual philanthropists deserve headlines and kudos; but their combined efforts and resources also are insufficient to make a general difference; and many of them bypass the human needs that exist outside the specific focus of their efforts.

I understand that public assistance programs are abused, and that undeserving people take advantage. But I have seen convincing evidence that such cases represent a small fraction of the total, and that most abuse and fraud is done at the administrative, rather than the distribution level. To withdraw all such assistance in order to stop fraud is a cruel slap in the face to the vast majority of recipients whose needs are valid.

I would rather insure that every human need is met, even if in the process a significant number of undeserving persons receive resources, than to see one person go without needed medical care, food, clothing, shelter and a fair living income for work performed. I don’t care who gets it done; but I do care who obstructs its accomplishment.

My politics places people above any political or economic ideology, and I simply don’t care which organization, agency, ideology or party offers the most effective means of meeting human needs.

I’m working through my eighth decade of life, and my observation consistently has been that those who popularly are labeled “liberal”—for all their faults and human failings (and there are many)—are more willing than those who popularly are labeled “conservatives”—for all their virtues and merits (and there are many)—to meet human needs by whatever means are available.

I think that’s part of what it means to “establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility… promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity,” and therefore I believe that’s part of what the government is created to accomplish.

And that’s the way I see it through the flawed pane of glass that is my world view.

Jim