Logs and specks in one's attitude

Two recent events have been on my mind lately.  In one of those events, I was a small part of a discussion of theology and beliefs with a group who, by most folks, would be labeled conservative evangelical Christians.  It was a lively discussion about some of the contemporary issues facing the church.  The other group would be labeled moderate or liberal by most folks.  They were discussing some of the same issues.  I know not to stereotype large groups by the actions of a smaller group.  Nevertheless, I came away from these two discussion groups with the awareness that I felt more comfortable with the conservative group.  I disagreed with their views on most of the contemporary issues with which they were discussing.  What I liked about them and their discussions was the respect they demonstrated with those who held differing opinions.  The more moderate or liberal group stated views with which I would personally agree.  However, they were disrespectful of those who might disagree with them.  The made fun of others, even calling some by name.  I felt very uncomfortable with this group's spirit.  In my opinion, their attitude was arrogant and disrespectful.  I'm aware that arrogance and disrespect can easily be an attitude for any of us.  I'm also aware that we may not be aware of such as attitude.  Jesus talked about having a log in one's eye that needs to be taken care of before an effort is made to remove a splinter in somebody else's eye (Matthew 7:1-5).

The Pope's Kiss

The most significant religious event I've seen in years was recently when Pope Francis held and kissed the handicapped child, Dominic.  Perhaps I'm moved by this action because Judy and I are taking care of my brother, Bobby, who is developmentally handicapped.  Bobby recently suffered an accident in which he broke both bones in his lower right leg.  As his body was recovering from the fracture blisters so the Surgeon could do surgery, he suffered a seizure.  The seizure threw him off his bed and broke his left arm.  In my very prejudiced opinion, it is Dominic, Bobby and those like them who hold the message related to the future of the church.  If the church is to have a relevant ministry in our culture, it will have to be and do something other than self-absorbed ministries, care of the Church's magnificent property and deliver carefully crafted sermons which are non-offensive.  The handicapped among us may not be able to provide the financial means to support the church's ministries, maintain her wonderful facilities or understand her Sunday sermons.  They do, however, know if they are loved and accepted, not tolerated, but wanted.  They have a comprehension that lies deeper than mental understanding.  Perhaps, it is the handicapped individuals among us who can teach us what it means to be a church.  They have a crucial message to teach us.  May more of us follow Pope Francis' leading.  When Pope Francis stopped, held, hugged and kissed Dominic that looked more like what Jesus would do than all of the other things that happened in that grand, beautiful and carefully orchestrated religious procession.

Easter

I've had several memorable Easters. The most unpleasant was when I was about nine or ten. Mom had the idea that it would be great if she dressed me in a new navy blue suit, white shirt, a clip on tie and shined "Sunday shoes." I didn't like the idea and fought the tie and suit coat all day long. The tie kept coming, off with my assistance, but either Dad or Mom would clip it back on with a grim look on their face. Somewhere there are pictures of that unpleasant Easter. I think that event spoiled me on wearing ties. I often wear a tie but I don't really like them. The most memorable Easter was serving communion to a tour group with Dr. Wayne Ward in Jerusalem's Gordon's Calvary and Garden Tomb. Gordon's Garden was what I imagined Calvary and the garden tomb to be like although it probably isn't the real place. That experience in that place made the crucifixion and resurrection very real. That even has made me believe that Communion needs to be taken regularly; maybe weekly rather than quarterly. The most significant Easter was my father's death. Dad died in Lexington on Good Friday, 1998. His funeral was Easter evening. The next day we flew with his body to Shawnee, Oklahoma, for his burial beside my mother who died in 1987. Every since Dad's death, Good Friday and Easter have had a deeper and more personal meaning. I'm not sure what Easter 2013 will hold for us.  A significant aspect of Easter is waiting.

 

How Much Is Enough?

Greed may be the original sin of Adam and Eve.  Some of the Desert Fathers and Mothers of the church believed this.  These early church leaders thought that Adam and Eve were not content with what God had provided.  There was something more that was within their reach and that was desirable.  So, they took it for themselves.  That's greed.  It seems to me that greed is underneath the other deadly sins such as lust, gluttony, anger, envy, etc.  Just because something is desirable and within one's reach doesn't always mean that we should take it.  Greed is the spirit within us that hasn't answered the question, "How much is enough?"  Greed doesn't seem to have a 'stop button.'  Erich Fromm, a Psychoanalyst and Social Philosopher wrote, "Greed is a bottomless pit which exhausts the person in an endless effort to satisfy the need without ever reaching satisfaction."  Paul had evidently discerned the answer to greed when he wrote, "...for I have learned to be content with whatever I have." (Phil. 4:11, NRSV.)  Greed haunts us like a demon seeking to destroy our lives, families, churches, communities, etc.  We seem to have more and more than we really need, yet we are not content.  The answer to our searching is evidently not outside of ourselves but, inside our self where our relationship with God is created and sustained.  

Grades and Grace

I like my teaching opportunities. I teach two courses at the Baptist Seminary of Kentucky and occasional courses at the Lexington Theological Seminary. I enjoy preparing the syllabus and the class lectures/discussions. I like the interaction between the students as well as with myself. I feel exceptionally blessed to be teaching in my assigned fields. My trouble with teaching is giving a grade. I have the students do book reviews, reflection papers and case studies. So, what is the difference between an A and B on a book review or case study paper? I'm not sure. I tend to give a lot of A's. I give a C when it is pretty clear that the student didn't make much of an effort. So, effort counts a lot with me and my grading scale. I've thought about giving exams, but I would have essay exams which puts me back in the same dilemma. I want to know how a student is thinking more than whether or not they know an answer. They've bought the textbooks so, even years from now they can look up an answer if they've forgotten. All of this is on my mind because in a couple of days I have to turn in grades for the Intensive Pastoral Care and Counseling class I taught at LTS during January. Since I ask students to do a lot of theological reflection, I'll do the same with my dilemma. How would Jesus grade the work the students did in that class? Which raises the greater question, if Jesus gave grades I wonder how He would grade my work for the Kingdom? More significantly, I wonder if He would grade my relationship with Him? Honestly, I don't think Jesus gives grades and I call that grace. Everyone who desires a relationship with God, passes! Yes, I like that. Grace says, let's do away with grades. Unfortunately, I think the Seminary will still require that I "grade" those papers laying on my desk.

The Times They Are A-Changing

In the summer of 1961, Judy and I (who were seriously dating at the time) drove to Glorieta, New Mexico with three college colleagues to participate in Student Week at Glorieta. We stopped in Amarillo, Texas, to get some lunch. We were not seated. The owner of the restaurant came, told us we would have to leave and escorted all of us to the door. One of our friends was black. In the fall of 1962 another friend and myself from Oklahoma Baptist University tried unsuccessfully to buy tickets to admit us into the OU and Texas football game. Since we were already in the area, we decided to stay over on Sunday and go to church to hear a rather well-known Baptist Preacher. The Church's usher told us we could not sit on the main floor, so he would take us to the balcony. My friend was black. We skipped church that day and drove back to Oklahoma Baptist University having neither seen the football game nor gone to church. Today, some fifty years later, our nation stops to celebrate a holiday in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., an Afro-American Baptist Preacher. Also today, our nation inaugurates an Afro-American President for his second term of office. In 1964, Bob Dylan was singing, "The times they are a changing." Yes, how the times have changed. Deo gratis!

 

Where are the Answers?

I’m a Marriage and Family Therapist as well as a Pastoral Counselor.  Over the years I’ve sat with women and men who were abused as children.  They ask me, “Why won’t God protect innocence children?”  I don’t have an answer to that question—didn’t then and don’t today.  What efforts I’ve heard seem to be trying to protect God and God’s reputation.  If God needs our protection, we don’t have much of a God.  I think God has a lot to answer for when we enter the eternal realm.  With the murder of the children and adults in Connecticut, that question is fresh in my mind.  I choose to continue to believe, pray and look into the scriptures.  I’ll continue wrestling with the question.  Whatever faith is all about, at least it is trusting in a reality, i.e. God, who won’t let you make sense of the reality.  That’s doesn’t seem fair.  Today I’m grateful for some of the imprecatory Psalms, such as Psalm 44—note the “but” in verse 9 that changes the tone of the Psalm.  My prayer is from Psalm 44:26 “Wake up God and help.”  These Psalms of lament let me know that I’m not alone with these questions about this God.