Left-Brain Preaching

During these years of my wife’s illness and eventual passing, we’ve listened to and watched (thanks to You Tube and TV) a lot of worship services. I have been fascinated by the diversity of preaching. It seems to me most preaching is a left-brain activity. The left brain is where our logical or rational work takes place. It is important that our theology be rational. We want to understand (a left-brain desire) the scriptures and make sure that we are right with our beliefs. Emotion seems like a second thought to a sermon. Emotions are usually activitated by stories. Unfortunately, the stories are usuall given to support the logical or rational conclusion of the sermon. Emotions are how people connect with each other. Jesus’ stories or parables contained a lot of emotions if we can ‘feel’ his parables and not only understand them. The worship services that my wife and I kept returning to were a balance of left-brain and right-brain. The music stirred our emotions, and they contained good theology with their words. The preaching was a balance of left and right brain activity. Those worship services challenged our thinking and touched our hearts.

Relationship, not efficiency

I have begun work after a long-extended absence. I chose to call the folks to see about rescheduling. I could write an email or text. Emails and texts could certainly convey the appropriate information. However, I like to hear a person’s voice. No two voices are the same. The voice carries something unique about the person and that person’s personality. I am interested, not only in conveying appropriate information but hearing their unique voice. Calling may be more ‘work’, but my desire is not efficiency but relationship.

Experiencing Grief

My wife of 63 years died five days ago. I have taught grief work in two seminaries as well as countless churches. Experiencing grief and teaching about it are different things. When I am asked about myself, I respond “I’m okay, I’m not okay and that’s okay.” I know that grief lasts forever but, also, grief is not permanent. I’m lonely in our home and I welcome solitude. I listen to quiet instrumental music and have little interest in television. I don’t care who won Jeopardy and I have no interest in international or national events about which I can do nothing. The preacher preached about the good life in Jesus. I believe that most days but not currently. I cannot comprehend that my wife, who was so alive and vital, now exists in a dimension where I can’t reach her--not yet. It may be true that I am learning by experiencing something I need to learn; however, I really did not want to know whatever this new learning is, and especially not this way. Our home is quiet and that’s okay and it is not okay.

A Christian Nation?

Today’s Lexington NBC television station reported 20% of families in a nearby county lived at or under the federal poverty income. The news story was about a nonprofit providing food for children. That county has two fine universities and several large manufacturing plants. That county is not one which I would consider a ‘poverty county.’ I find this news frustrating and alarming. How can that be in the USA with all the money our government spends? Jesus talked about taking care of the poor, children and widows. Politicians and others talk about the USA being a Christian nation. If you want the USA to be a Christian Nation, I recommend you find out what being a Christian Nation means. Check the references of the One after whom we are called Christian, i.e., Jesus & Matthew 25:31-46. A “Christian Nation” takes care of the poor, children and widows.

80% Old-Fashion

I just took an MSN on-line survey and learned I am 80% “old-fashion”. By the way, if you believe the accuracy of such online surveys, there is some ocean front property in Oklahoma in which you might be interested. Back to the survey, I am 84 years of age, so a large portion of me ought to be old-fashion. I failed 20% of the questions because I read books from my kindle and/or laptop rather than only physical books. I also send emails and texts more often than I write handwritten notes. I do, however, write handwritten cards and letters so I may be more old-fashioned than 80%. The survey did not give me an idea of finding one’s purpose or meaning of being old-fashioned. I still go to work regularly as a psychotherapist and I’m more concerned with an elderly person’s sense of meaning and purpose rather than if they read physical books. I hope they are still reading!

Seeking Progress, not Perfection

I am learning that my ideas, thoughts, opinions, beliefs, theories, etc. are mine, not because they are correct and yours are less than correct, but because, at this time in my life’s evolution, maturing, growing, developing, etc., they are helpful and useful in my living. I am, however, not so attached to my present ideas, opinions, thoughts, beliefs, theories, etc. that I think you must agree with me, because tomorrow I may have some different type of life experiences which will motivate me to change some of these ideas, thoughts, opinions, beliefs, theories, etc. My primary desire is not to be right, although I seek not to be too wrong, but my hope is to mature, grow and develop. I am seeking progress not perfection.

Church, a Den of Robbers?

The great movement of Desert fathers and mothers out to the desert happened in the 300’s. Why, what happened? Constantine, the Ruler, made Christianity the national religion. In 312 he saw the vision of the cross at the Battle of Milvian Bridge (312 CE), which he won and intrepreted as a call for everyone to become Christian. Christianity was no longer a persecuted religion. One of the reasons the desert fathers and mothers went to the desert was because they were disappointed with the Christians who were not longer fearful of being arrested. Christianity became their national religion. It was safe, easy, comfortable and even culturally expected. Cultural and society expectations became more influential than the teachings of scripture, and especially the gospels. Those desert fathers and mothers went to the desert to pray the Psalms (7 times a day, Psalm 119:164) and to make a serious effort to live as Jesus taught and modeled for them (and us). Jesus said Church was to be a place for prayers and he was paraphrasing Isaiah. “My house shall be a house of prayer for all the peoples" Isaiah 56:7. In Matthew 21:23, Jesus added, “but you are making it a den of robbers.” Ouch! Perhaps Jesus was saying we’ve made Church a “den of robbers” because we have stolen prayers from the Church by insisting own our ideas of what Church should be doing. We are to gather in community, church, primarily for prayer. Jesus said so! Bible study, preaching, praise, evangelism, fellowship, youth retreats, etc. are not bad, but they steal the time and focus for prayers. The temptation is for society and culture to be the primary influence about who the Church is to be and what it is to be doing.