Marriage Resolution Before KS-OK Delegates

This weekend is the United Church of Christ Kansas-Oklahoma Conference's annual meeting in Manhattan, Kansas.

Our church has a resolution on marriage before the delegates. It is submitted, in part, as a response to General Synod 25's declaration supporting same-gender marriage.

The resolution is below:

“After Dialogue, A Declaration About Marriage”

Background
In July, 2005, General Synod 25 passed the resolution, “In Support of Equal Marriage Rights for All” and defeated the resolution, “Marriage Is Between One Man and One Woman.” Through this dual action, General Synod 25 advocates to its conferences, associations, and churches a redefinition of marriage.

At the October, 2005 annual meeting of the Kansas-Oklahoma Conference, the Little River Congregational Church proposed the resolution, “A Breach of Tolerance, Truth, and Unity,” which urged delegates to declare their dissent. Delegates replaced the resolution with a new one. It called the Conference to “a year of respectful dialogue on marriage and issues of human sexuality,” asked the Commission on Educational Ministries to develop appropriate resources for congregational study and action, and encouraged congregations to engage other congregations holding different points of view, in the spirit of Christ’s prayer, “That they all may be one.”

Highlights of action that took place this past year include the following: 1) A discussion facilitators’ training day took place in January, led by Rev. Mike Schuenemeyer (Executive and Minister for GLBT and HIV/AIDS Ministries). 2) The Conference Council at its December meeting decided that conversations would be best arranged by each Association. 3) Little River Congregational and Tulsa Community of Hope jointly offered dialogue and material resources to all interested churches in the Conference. 4) Associations, churches, and individuals engaged in formal and informal conversation.

With the year’s dialogue concluded, this resolution respectfully calls on delegates to disclose their convictions about the nature of marriage, doing so by declaring their dissent with the dual actions of General Synod 25.

Theological-Biblical Perspective
Marriage is a covenant that unites one man to one woman—a pattern rooted in God’s loving actions at creation (Genesis 1-2). This exclusive viewpoint is assumed, endorsed, and exposited throughout Scripture (Leviticus 18; Proverbs 5:15-23; Song of Solomon; Matthew 19:1-6; Mark 7:21-23; Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Colossians 3:18-19; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8; 1 Corinthians 7; Hebrews 13:4). Texts that disparage homosexual and heterosexual behaviors remain relevant today because their witness is rooted in God’s created order.

The church is called to practice the distinctive ministry of Jesus—who offered an extravagant welcome to those on the margins of society, while at the same time upholding God’s demands for righteous conduct. Jesus did not regard sexual ethics as having diminished importance in relation to other demands like the Great Commandment to love God and neighbor. God is still speaking about marriage. God’s message remains the same.
We offer this resolution in the spirit of love to all our brothers and sisters, made in the image of God, who struggle with sexual purity. Available by faith to all sexual sinners is the great hope of grace, forgiveness, and cleansing—made real by Jesus Christ through his life, death, and resurrection. Everyone needs the power of the Holy Spirit and the love of the church to live a pure and whole life. May every church be an embracing and supportive place of refuge and encouragement, while upholding the dignity and sanctity of marriage.

The Resolution
WHEREAS General Synod 25 proposes a redefinition of marriage.

WHEREAS the Kansas-Oklahoma Conference completed a year of respectful dialogue on marriage and issues of human sexuality.

WHEREAS God’s Word defines marriage as a covenant that unites one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24)—a view assumed, endorsed, and exposited throughout Scripture.

WHEREAS Jesus offered extravagant welcome to all and at the same time upheld God’s demands for righteous conduct—never diminishing sexual ethics in light of the Great Commandment.

WHEREAS every local church is called to model Jesus’ ministry—embracing all sexual sinners, nurturing them in community toward holiness and wholeness, while upholding the dignity and sanctity of marriage.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the Kansas-Oklahoma Conference declares that God is still speaking about marriage—God’s definition is the same today as it was in the beginning—one man and woman joined in covenant—and that all other marital unions are out of order with God’s created intent.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Kansas-Oklahoma Conference calls upon United Church of Christ delegates at General Synod 26—via a resolution—to reaffirm marriage as the union of one man and one woman.

"God Is Still Speaking" Psychoanalyzed

Back in Advent 2004 and Lent 2006, the United Church of Christ's "God Is Still Speaking" campaign generated a lot of publicity and controversy with its 30-second "Bouncer" and "Ejector" commercials.

The spots created a wave of discussion and analysis. I even wrote a 22-page theological critique of the campaign that was presented at Faithful & Welcoming Churches national gathering in August.

Now, the God Is Still Speaking campaign is getting psychoanalyzed.

Yes, really.

Dr. Howard Schwartz, professor of management at Oakland University (located in Michigan, not California) has posted a paper probing the psychological reasons that the UCC leadership, despite reason, forged ahead with its advocating and adversarial Still Speaking commercials.

I'll tell you what, if anyone involved with Still Speaking campaign reads it, they won't like it.

The still-to-be-finished work, "Religion Against Itself: The Revolt of the Elite of the United Church of Christ," uses Freudian theory to suggest that UCC "elites" reject the paternal role of father (that is, the self-restraining teachings of the traditional church) for the all-embracing, non-judgmental, loving mother (who preserves and nurtures the child's self-centered commitment to self).

Schwartz asks that the paper not be quoted, yet he posts it on the Internet. I suppose that means he's looking for some feedback before his paper takes its final form. To that end, I'll comment on three observations he makes about the two commercials:

1) Schwartz argues that the ads portray non-UCC churches to be rejecting undesirables from Sunday services and that's simply not true. No church bounces or ejects a person from attending a worship service.

I hope Schwartz isn't missing the comic irony intended by the commercials, but he does have a point. Would the public have taken note of the ads if they were about "certain" people getting rejected/ejected from, say, a church membership ceremony? Wouldn't the public just see that as a squabble among church insiders and of no consequence to them? That certainly wouldn't make for a sexy commercial.

99.9% of all US churches invite everyone to cross the "boundary" of Sunday worship. Everyone is welcome. The reality/controversy facing the broader church today isn't over who may attend Sunday church; rather, it's whether the practicing homosexual is eligible for membership, communion, elder, deacon, pastoral office, etc. These are very different boundaries than mere Sunday attendance. Instead of the "come and see" boundary of Sunday worship, these are "come and be" boundaries that define the church's essence.

2) Schwartz contends that in the elite UCC's mind, those who "reject" homosexuals use the very same reasoning process to also reject single mothers, the handicapped, etc. Again, he says, that's not real world reality.

I see Schwartz's point. The commercials never distinguish the reasons why gays, single moms, brown-skinned people, etc. are bounced and ejected. The viewer just sees them all rejected. In this respect, Schwartz is absolutely right.

However, Schwartz should be sensitive about the church using different reasons to reject people. For example, Christianity Today just recently pleaded for the church to embrace, not stigmatize single mothers. Why the church "looks down" on single women is different than why it "looks down" on homosexual practice. Detractors would respond, "No it isn't." But that is exactly Schwartz's point.

With respect to the UCC's intentions though, my suspicions are the various groups of people represented in the two commercials serve only as shills for the homosexual class. Yes, yes, I know the UCC champions the handicapped and others. However, the only group that the broader church is really arguing about--and the UCC is vigorously advocating--is what place and role should practicing homosexuals have in the church.

3) Schwartz says that even though the ads are aggressive in their condemnation of other churches, the UCC leadership blindly denies any such negative tone.

Is that ever true. While I understand that a 30-second commercial has to quickly create a "problem" and to show how their "product" solves that problem, that approach was exactly the problem of this campaign-- especially since the "problem" was the beliefs and actions of other churches, and even churches within the UCC. Why won't the UCC leadership admit to the ads' negativity? Schwartz finds this an interesting question.

Schwartz's bigger point is that while the God Is Still Speaking marketing campaign was an outreach tool, it served more as the UCC's advocacy campaign--a negative social critique of church in society. That the UCC leadership went ahead and created a "put down" commercial with it's Ejector ad in 2006, after clear feedback from the networks about its 2004 "put down" Bouncer ad, and after clear evidence from a 2001 Hartford Seminary study that the UCC congregations self-identified themselves as equally divided among liberals, moderates, and conservatives, is evidence to Schwartz of some kind of pathology at work.

What kind of pathology, I'll leave to Schwartz to speculate.

Salt and Sugar--A Tasty Combo

While scanning the newspaper's food section over breakfast today, I read Cathy Sagon's article about a new food trend:

"A sprinkle of salt makes sugar taste even sweeter: That's the basic flavor chemistry behind sweet-and-salty, the newest taste combo to hit the supermarket snack aisle. Granola bars, snack mix and microwave popcorn are all pushing new versions that pair these contrasting flavors."

According to Fran Bigelow, candy maker and founder of Fran's Chocolates in Seattle, "The salt adds complexity. You don't just taste sweet, you taste layers of flavor."

That observation made me think about Jesus' reference to salt, "You are the salt of the earth" (Matthew 5:13). Jesus is speaking of his followers, but you have to think he's including himself also in that statement.

Bigelow's statement made me think of my relationship to Jesus.

Knowing the Salt of the Earth has definitely added complexity to my life. I have the earthly dimension of going to work, mowing the lawn, paying bills, and taking out the trash. But added to that is the eternal dimension of prayer, devotion, and worship that infuses those earthy chores.

Knowing the Salt of the Earth has allowed me to taste multiple layers of sweetness. Loving my wife and kids is sweet; so is watching football, walking the dog, and gazing at the stars. Knowing Jesus adds another layer of flavor to them all.

If salt adds to sweet, I wonder what it'll do for sour?

I got plenty of that too.

How You'll Be Remembered

Joe Rodriguez, religion reporter with the Wichita Eagle, was the invited speaker at a UCC pastoral gathering in Wichita this past Tuesday.

He shared a little about himself and his career at the Eagle, gave his unique perspective on the spiritual life of Wichita, and recalled his most favorite story in 15 years of reporting.

That story reminded me of an important principle.

I can't recall all the details, but here's the jist:

Joe had this certain friend while growing up in Wichita, but lost touch with him after high school. Years later, the two ran into each other and the old friend told his story. After high school, he was so strung out on drugs he tried to commit suicide. He failed, but ended up in the hospital. As he lay in the hospital bed, wondering who he could talk to, he remembered a youth pastor from his junior high school days. The pastor took a genuine interest in his life. The man called the minister and later gave his life to Jesus. Eventually, the man became a youth minister himself.

Last night, my church and the neighboring Methodist church had its monthly junior high meeting. We eat, play games, sing songs, and have a Bible lesson. We had a mixture of church kids and non-churched kids. As we were singing, I noticed one of the non-churched kids was really enjoying it. He even complained when we cut short one song.

Whenever this group meets, you can always count on this kid showing up. He never comes to any other church activity, but he does come to this meeting. I wondered why that was so. And then something from Joe's story hit me:

How you love is how you're remembered.

Love.

Isn't that the reason the bottomed-out kid thought of his old youth pastor?

Isn't that why the non-churched kid keeps coming to our junior high meeting?

Isn't that why people still think about Jesus today?

When Were You Saved?

Two people were walking out of church after Sunday service.

The first one asked, "When were you saved?"

The other replied, "I was saved 2,000 years ago--at the cross."


(Thanks to Ruth for this story)

John Danforth's "Faith & Politics"

There's an old saying that there's three things you're not supposed to talk about in public: faith, politics, and sex.

John Danforth, former Republican US Senator of Missouri and an ordained Episcopal priest, dares to tackle two of those topics in his new book, "Faith and Politics."

And the third topic gets mentioned. In an interview with Danforth in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Danforth recalls his Yale divinity school dean telling him that studying both religion and law was like "being a striptease saint."

His dean raises an important question: Is religious faith incompatible with politics?

Danforth asserts in his book, "No political agenda can claim to be God's will."

Oh?

Danforth's statement is directed at the Religious Right. But if it's true, it equally applies to the religious left. Try telling the people of the liberal United Church of Christ that, "no political agenda can claim to be God's will." My denomination has never been shy to leave their faith behind in the sanctuary when they go out in the public square--take for example our President and General Minister's John Thomas protest in Washington DC that the proposed 2006 congregational budget was immoral. His presence sprang out of not just a political, but also religious conviction.


Here's the problem with Danforth's claim:

It implies that discernment of God's will is not possible when the issue in question concerns something of interest to government. What are religious people to do? Relegate discernment of God's will to life's smaller matters, like deciding what clothes to wear? Please. God's will is much bigger.

Maybe what Danforth is really getting at is this: If God's will about some political matter is discernable, it shouldn't be expressed or packaged as such. To this end, I'm in the crowd that Danforth speaks of when he says there are some "people who do not believe that the kingdom of God can be reduced to a political platform."

While God's kingdom agenda should never be reduced to a political platform (God's program is much, much bigger), we shouldn't make the opposite mistake and think it excludes any political platform.

It's better to say, "No political agenda can claim with absolute certainty to be God's will." This revised statement retains the assumption that God does indeed have an interest in the decisions made by government--decisions that hopefully make the world a better place. And, it retains the notion that Christians can and should humbly seek God's will in the political arena.

Do Christians do politics well? Of course not. Should we then sweep all mention of God out of politics? Absolutely not.

I suspect what Danforth doesn't like is the views of religious conservatives on issues like abortion and marriage--and also the fact they use the democratic process to win at the polls.

All Christians--liberal and conservative--have a responsibility to seek God's will and, yes, express that conviction by getting involved in the political process.

That's responsible discipleship and good citizenship.


UPDATE: Jim Wallis and Ralph Reed trade barbs on religious liberal and conservative politics at Beliefnet.com

Haircuts

Recently I took my 3-year-old son to the barber for the first time.

He cried the entire 30 minutes he was in the chair.

My wife told this story to her lady friends, saying, "He told me angrily, 'I wanna take it off!'"

One of her friends replied, "After coming home once from the beauty parlor, I said the same thing!"

Pope's Remark Upsets Muslims

Pope Benedict XVI is in big trouble with the Muslim world.

Why?

Because he quotes a guy who puts down Mohammed, the founder of Islam.

Remember the fall out from the European editorial cartoon scandal?

All the hysteria? All the misinformation?

Here we go again.

But his time, the stakes are much higher.

The lecture (see the Vatican link here) was given Tuesday, September 12th at the University of Regensburg in Germany, where the Pope once taught years ago. The subject of the talk was the role reason plays in conceptualizing the Christian God.

But everyone is focusing on this quote:

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached."

This remark was first made in 1391 by Byzantine emperor Manuel II Paleologus, as he was debating a Persian on the subject of Christianity and Islam, and the truth of both.

Susan Frazer in an AP report writes: "Benedict did not explicitly agree with the statement nor repudiate it."

I'm not an expert on the history of Mohammed, so if you know, please tell me:

Did Mohammed command his followers to use the sword to spread Islam? Yes or no?

If Mohammed did not advocate the sword, then I can sympathize with Muslims' anger. I don't like my religious figure--Jesus Christ--being grossly misrepresented either.

But if Mohammed did, then why are Muslims so upset? It's history. And sometimes, history hurts. Christians certainly have plenty in theirs to be embarrassed about.

No matter the answer to the above question, isn't it obvious that a few well publicized Muslims are using the sword today in the name of Allah--and in turn labeling Islam as violent? Are such deeds evil and inhuman?

Nobody however is focusing on these essential questions. Instead, all the attention is focused on condemning the Pope.

Here's one example from Frazer's report:

Salih Kapusuz, a deputy leader of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's party, said Benedict's remarks were either "the result of pitiful ignorance" about Islam and its prophet, or a deliberate distortion.

"He has a dark mentality that comes from the darkness of the Middle Ages. He is a poor thing that has not benefited from the spirit of reform in the Christian world," Kapusuz was quoted as saying by the state-owned Anatolia news agency. "It looks like an effort to revive the mentality of the Crusades."

"Benedict, the author of such unfortunate and insolent remarks, is going down in history for his words," he said. "He is going down in history in the same category as leaders such as (Adolf) Hitler and (Benito) Mussolini."

Revive the mentality of the crusades?

In the same category as leaders such as Hitler and Mussolini?

Mr. Kapusuz, read the Pope's lecture. He clearly condemns religious violence. He clearly condemns forced religious conversions. Do you?

After the now infamous quote, the Pope continues to cites the Emperor:

"The emperor, after having expressed himself so forcefully, goes on to explain in detail the reasons why spreading the faith through violence is something unreasonable. Violence is incompatible with the nature of God and the nature of the soul. 'God', he says, 'is not pleased by blood - and not acting reasonably is contrary to God's nature. Faith is born of the soul, not the body. Whoever would lead someone to faith needs the ability to speak well and to reason properly, without violence and threats... To convince a reasonable soul, one does not need a strong arm, or weapons of any kind, or any other means of threatening a person with death...'".

And then the Pope says this. Here is what he believes:

"The decisive statement in this argument against violent conversion is this: not to act in accordance with reason is contrary to God's nature. "

The Pope's lecture is very philosophical.

The reaction to it is not.


UPDATE: Ted Olsen at Christianity Today provides a load of links to this story.
UPDATE 2: The Anchoress provides commentary and lots of good links.
UPDATE 3: OpinionJournal.com has an excellent editorial that summarizes the Pope's original address and the "reasonable" invitation to dialogue he makes to Muslims.
UPDATE 4: Columinist Kathleen Parker summarizes well the Pope's point.

Grieving Sunflowers

In memory of Mike Raleigh
1956-2006

Picture taken at sunset, south of Little River, on Highway 46.

Football and Idolatry

In the previous post I talked about football and idolatry.

I got my own story.

For weeks I've been anticipating the start of the NFL season. My beloved Bengals are looking to have a pretty good year. Even better, their first game was going to be on TV in central Kansas (a rarity). They were playing the Chiefs.

Remember the old ketchup commercial jingle? "Anticipation." That was me.

Bengals on TV. Bengals on TV. Bengals on TV.

I thought it all week.

Meanwhile, on the church schedule was a baptism service Sunday afternoon. My two daughters and four other people were scheduled to go under at Olander's Pond.

I scheduled the service for 5:30pm because...well...that would be long after the Bengals game was over. I could watch every play of the game and soak in the post-game show on TV and on the NFL "Field Pass," where I subscribe to listen to the Bengal's radio announcers.

On Wednesday before the big game, our family got word that my wife's sister and her son would be coming in from Missouri to visit for the weekend.

My wife asked, "My sister has to leave early Sunday afternoon to go back home. Why don't you schedule the baptism service earlier--like at 2:00pm-- so they can see it?"

I replied, "No. That won't work."

She came back, "Why not?"

"Because the Bengals are on TV," I said. "It's the season opener. I'm watching the game."

It was perfect reasoning.

"Honey," she began. "This is our kids' baptism. Our family needs to see it."

"They can see it," I reminded her. "They can stay in town till 5:30pm and leave afterwards."

"But then they won't get back home till after midnight," charged my wife. "That's not considerate. Make it for 2:00pm."

"No," I said, now getting angry. "I'm watching the game. It's the first game of the year. And on top of that, I can't see the Bengals on TV every week. This is my one chance."

Then my wife--as only wives can do--laid down the hammer: "So that game is more important than your family seeing your children's baptism. Glad to know you got your priorities in the right place."

She walked out of the room.

Darn wife.

Darn Holy Spirit.

I rescheduled the baptism.

It was at 3:00pm.

Commentary on Nike's "Football is Everything" Commercial

Last Thursday night kicked off a new season of NFL football and also a new round of commercials that merchants hope will catch your eye.

One that caught mine was Nike's "Football is Everything."

The setting is Briscoe High School and what typically happens across high schools in America on Friday. Football players wear their jerseys to school, daydream about the game in class, and then go out and play the big game in front of the home crowd.

The commercial features "Ryan," an ordinary high school student. But Ryan's teammates are hardly ordinary--they're a whole bunch of NFL players, like the Atlanta Falcon's QB Michael Vick and the Chicago Bear's LB Brian Urlacher. On the last play of the game, with Briscoe down 4, the San Diego Charger's LaDainian Tomlinson tosses a halfback pass to Ryan in the end zone. Ryan catches it and the Briscoe Hawks pull out a big 16-14 win.

I really like the commercial. It's fun and very clever. Through Ryan, all of us regular folk get to be the hero among NFL superstars. How often does that happen? It's every athlete's fantasy.

The musical soundtrack for the commercial is Norman Greenbaum's catchy 1970's hit, "Spirit in the Sky." Having worked in a music retail store for many years, I recognized the song immediately.

The musical intro plays in the background of the commercial's opening scenes. Then after Briscoe's football head coach, (played by NFL Hall of Famer Don Shula) says in the locker room after his pregame pep speech, "Take a knee," you start hearing the first verse of the song through the rest of the commercial:

When I die and they lay me to rest
Gonna go to the place that's the best
When I lay me down to die
Goin' up to the spirit in the sky
Goin' up to the spirit in the sky
That's where I'm gonna go when I die
When I die and they lay me to rest
Gonna go to the place that's the best

The Nike spot ends with a still shot of the triumphant Briscoe team and the words, "Football is Everything."

And that's when I did a spiritual, theological double take.

I love this commercial. So why does it bother me? It's that song.

The lyrics of "Spirit In the Sky" talks about going to heaven after you die. As Greenbaum says, "Goin' up to the Spirit in the sky." Going to heaven because of knowing a "friend" named Jesus.

The song talks about what is ultimate in life:

What transforms life from the ordinary to extraordinary.
What takes life to a higher plane.
What gives purpose and meaning to life.

Jesus.

Forgive me. I'm a pastor. Jesus is my life. I try to look at all of life through God's perspective.

But when I heard Greenbaum's song, I immediately thought, "Oh my gosh, that's idolatry."

Idolatry isn't a very worrisome word on the surface. But that word is like cancer. Idolatry is a spiritual disease that lures you away from Jesus--your Maker and Savior. It tempts you to move your worship and devotion from what's most important to something less important. To switch your allegiances--from God to something less than God.

Like football.

I love football. But it's not everything.

Peggy Noonan on the Sounds of 9-11

Today is the 5th anniversary of 9-11.

Peggy Noonan has an outstanding article posted at Opinion Journal. She reviews 9-11 in a slightly different way that is sorrowful, yet rewarding:

Everyone remembers the pictures, but I think more and more about the sounds. I always ask people what they heard that day in New York. We've all seen the film and videotape, but the sound equipment of television crews didn't always catch what people have described as the deep metallic roar...

I think too about the sounds that came from within the buildings and within the planes--the phone calls and messages left on answering machines, all the last things said to whoever was home and picked up the phone. They awe me, those messages.

Something terrible had happened. Life was reduced to its essentials. Time was short. People said what counted, what mattered. It has been noted that there is no record of anyone calling to say, "I never liked you," or, "You hurt my feelings." No one negotiated past grievances or said, "Vote for Smith." Amazingly --or not--there is no record of anyone damning the terrorists or saying "I hate them."

No one said anything unneeded, extraneous or small. Crisis is a great editor. When you read the transcripts that have been released over the years it's all so clear...

This is what I get from the last messages. People are often stronger than they know, bigger, more gallant than they'd guess. And this: We're all lucky to be here today and able to say what deserves saying, and if you say it a lot, it won't make it common and so unheard, but known and absorbed.

I think the sound of the last messages, of what was said, will live as long in human history, and contain within it as much of human history, as any old metallic roar.

Military Mistakenly Drops Practice Bombs on Lake

This is a Kansas story I missed over the summer, but just recently heard:

Up at Kanopolis Lake, 20 minutes from where I live in Little River, a B-52 Air Force plane originating out of Louisiana dropped not one, but nine concrete practice bombs into the lake on July 19th, to the astonishment of stunned witnesses lounging on the beach.

Opps. I mean, really big opps.

The story from the Wichita Eagle is here and coverage by a military site, with some humorous comments is here.

The "bombs" were supposed to be dropped at the nearby Smoky Hill National Guard Ranger, which is about 15 miles northwest of the lake. It shouldn't have been difficult to find. It has a 12,000-acre target area.

Officials at the lake have yet to find the bombs. It's not yet clear what damage was done to the lake bottom or the wall of the reservoir damn.

It's hard to tell if the folks in the plane dropped the bombs by accident or as a joke. It probably doesn't matter. Either way, they're in a whole heap of trouble.

The Bible word "sin" means, "to miss the mark." In Romans 3:23, it's utilized to show how utterly off-target humanity is in pleasing God.

Whether intentionally or unintentionally, none of us "made in the image of God" creatures measures up before our maker in thought, word, or deed. We've missed the target God sets before us. We need grace.

Just like that B-52 crew.

This incident happened in July. It's now September.

Wonder if they're out of the doghouse yet?

Andy Stanley's "Communicating for a Change" Part 2 of 2

In the last post I reviewed Andy Stanley's take on effective preaching in his new book, "Communicating for a Change." What I like best is his audience-focused, Me-We-God-You-We outline that clears the way for genuine communication with an audience.

After plowing through the book, I tried his suggested one point message outline this past weekend in a message titled, "Your Work Matters To God." Here goes:

ME--Orientation to the message topic, or what information does the congregation need to know?

During high school and college, I once had a job I loved, but then had to take a boring job I didn't like.

WE--Identification with audience, or what's the motivation for the listeners knowing this?

All of us have struggles with our jobs (Here I addressed the problems faced by high school students, self-employed farmers, construction workers, and retirees)

transition: God cares about our work because His Word tackles one of the most difficult work situations you could imagine--slavery

GOD--Illumination, or looking at what the Bible says on the topic

Exposition of Colossians 3:22-4:1. Brief elaboration of slavery in Roman culture and role Scripture plays in eventually ending slavery in our age. Observation from text: While workers struggle with animosity toward their bosses, laziness, and proper motivation, God calls believers to serve Him while working.

Summary point: How you serve at your job is a reflection of the God you serve.

YOU--Application, or what the listener needs to do with God's Word

Make your work an act of worship (Here is the one point of the one point message)

WE--Inspiration, or why the listener needs to apply God's Word

What would it look like if every person in this room went out and worshipped God while they worked. How might your attitude be different? How might your interaction with others be different?

(This is the one part of Stanley's outline where I really learned something new. This is a time for vision casting--what the application would look like if everyone in the church did it)

In closing, I reviewed the life of Willy Lohman, an aging, desperate, "has been" salesmen from Arthur Miller's play, "Death of a Salesman." Point: Worshipping God at work doesn't automatically take away your problems, but it gives you the opportunity to see God work through your problems.

So I preached the message, recorded it, and listened to it earlier this week. And?

I have a ways to go!

Andy Stanley's "Communicating for a Change" Part 1 of 2

While full service retail Christian book stores are getting rarer by the day, central Kansas is fortunate to have one of the best in probably a three state region--Body & Soul in McPherson, Kansas.

Last week when I was there I bought "Communicating for a Change," by Andy Stanley, son of the famous Atlanta preacher Charles Stanley, and pastor of North Point Church in suburban Atlanta. While Andy is Charles' son, he's definitely his own person--especially when it comes to preaching. He's completely different than his Dad.

Andy's method goes against the grain of many evangelical preachers who preach three or four point messages. Stanley contends that while this kind of preaching is useful in relaying biblical information, it's ineffective in transforming lives. (And isn't that the goal of preaching?) Instead, Stanley lays out a compelling case for preaching one point messages.

The first section of the book is an extended parable of a frustrated Pastor Ray who is surprised to learn from a truck driver the principals of life changing communication. From a book description at Amazon:

"Pastor Ray...discovers that the secrets to successful speaking are parallel to the lessons a trucker learns on the road. By knowing your destination before you leave (identifying the one basic premise of your message), using your blinkers (making transitions obvious), and implementing five other practical points, you'll drive your message home every time!"

The genius of the book is Stanley's method of outlining sermons. Instead of the traditional outlining of "I. A. 1. 2." that is text-centered and text-focused with an infinite amount of principals/applications, Stanley offers up a "Me, We, God, You, We" model that is text-centered and audience-focused and has only one principal for application. Some free examples of Stanley's preaching are available here.

"Preaching for a Change" resonated with me for two reasons. First, one of the greatest responsibilities of a preacher is to show WHY an audience should give a hoot and listen. Please pastor, answer the question, "Why MUST I hear this? What is my NEED?" Far too often, I've heard messages where the preacher recognizes my existence with a silly joke, but then jumps into the text assuming that I'm interested in his topic. (I guess showing up in church was good enough?) Stanley's model makes the speaker develop the need--the tension or the problem the listener needs resolved. In other words, the preacher's "burden" that compels him to proclaim God's message (it has to be more than "It's Sunday, I have to say something.")

Second, this book struck a cord with me because I'm convinced that the pastor's primary purpose when opening the Bible on Sunday morning is more preaching than it is teaching. Teaching aims at the head. But preaching goes for the heart--its aim is to persuade. Most people know intellectually what they should do. What they need is the Holy Spirit's burden to act on it.

In my next post I'll demonstrate Stanley's model. I tried it this past Sunday in my Labor Day weekend message on work.

Big Brutus

With Labor Day over, summer has essentially come to an end. It's an opportune time to look back at what we did for vacation.

This year, the Weis family stayed in Kansas. In July, my Dad and I enjoyed the US Senior Golf Open in Hutchinson. In August, my family visited friends in Pittsburg, KS. On the way home, we stopped to see Big Brutus, the second largest electric shovel in the world.

Brutus is 16 stories tall and weighs 11 million pounds. Located in southeast Kansas, Brutus was the symbol of the Kansas coal strip mining industry in the 1960's and 70's. What's fun about Brutus is that you can climb through him--up through the second story (the orange painted section).

Then on Sunday evening-Monday afternoon, the family went camping for the first time. That had all the makings for a big disaster, but we made it easy on ourselves by driving only 20 minutes to Kanopolis Lake. One part is run by the state; the other side is operated the Feds.

Can't say that sleeping on the floor of the van was my idea of restful sleep, but we had fun swimming, grilling, and watching a gorgeous Kansas sunset. With the first attempt a success, I dare say we might try camping again next summer.

What did you do this summer? I hope you were able to carve out some time for refreshment.

Labor Day

Labor Day: The day where we celebrate work by taking a day off from work.

How To Stop a Sneeze

It's Friday, so here's something off the beaten path...

This is how you stop a sneeze. Really. It works.

When you feel a sneeze coming on, and can't afford to do it...because you're talking to your boss or looking intently at your wife...this is what you do to hold it.

Take your finger and put it under the bottom of your nose, between your nostrils. Slowly push up.

That's it. Try it.

Now, if holding my tongue was this easy.

Man Leaves $10,000 Tip for $26 Meal

The Associated Press reports that a man left a $10,000 tip for a meal at an Applebee's Restaurant in Hutchinson, Kansas. I've eaten at this location before. It's only 40 minutes from my house. From the article:

"Two weeks ago, one of Cindy Kienow's regular customers left her a $100 tip on a tab that wasn't even half that.

This week, he added a couple of zeros.

Kienow, a bartender at Applebee's, got a $10,000 tip from the man -- for a $26 meal -- on Sunday."

I just want everyone to know...it wasn't me.

UPDATE 1: The Hutchinson News, the local newspaper, has two stories on Kienow: "Patron Serves Bartender $10,000" and "The Tip Heard Round the World"

UPDATE 2: On September 7 I heard on the radio that the mysterious customer's Visa charge did go through and Ms. Kienow got her money, after Applebees withheld the necessary taxes. Her take? Around $6,700. My guess is the Fed and State officials will use that $2,300 for steaks, beer... and big tips.

Rush Limbaugh and Religious Conservatives--Not As Close As You Think

Yesterday I admitted listening to Rush Limbaugh and commented on the observation he made about God, faith, and conversion (see post below). Permit a brief, general observation about Limbaugh's musings on Christianity and his relationship to religious conservatives.

There's no doubt that much of what Rush says appeals to religious conservatives. Both favor Republicans, limited government, abortion limits, a strong military, and religious freedom in the public square.

But beyond sharing a common political philosophy (religious liberals would say that is plenty enough!), I'm not sure what else Rush and religious conservatives have in common--especially when it comes to religious convictions.

Talk show and TV host Sean Hannity freely identifies himself as Catholic, but to my knowledge Rush has never said outright that he is a Christian or a follower of Jesus Christ. While Rush consistently defends the rights and beliefs of religious conservatives (leading many to think he must be a Christian), if you listen carefully you'll find that Rush keeps his personal beliefs about God very close to the vest.

After all I've heard him say, I would describe Rush as a God-fearing man. No more. No less.

Hannity has talked many times to Focus on the Family's James Dobson, but I've never read or heard Rush interview popular religious conservatives like Dobson or other people--like Southern Baptists Albert Mohler and Jerry Falwell--that the media typically looks to for a controversial quote. I've never seen pictures of Rush with any of these types either. The reason is Rush doesn't attend their events.

Limbaugh proudly smokes cigars, boasts a little too much about himself, and relishes his wads of cash--something religious conservatives wouldn't like their flock doing.

On Sundays, I get the impression that Rush enjoys his recluse life at home in Florida, watches lots of the TV (especially during the NFL season), or is out playing golf with friends. Again, religious conservatives would rather see their flock at church on Sundays.

Limbaugh and religious conservatives are political allies, but beyond that, I don't see anyplace else where their worlds intersect.

Rush Limbaugh on Conversion and Islamic Fascists

OK, I'm going to admit something.

I listen to Rush Limbaugh...a lot.

He's always entertaining and thought provoking. Whether you like him or not, you have to at least grant that fact.

Limbaugh's comments yesterday about the release of Fox News journalists Steve Centanni and Olaf Wiig were especially interesting at it relates to faith and the aims of Muslim extremists.

Since Rush's comments won't be up on his site after today, what follows is copied:

"I have to tell you there are a couple of things about this that I want to comment on. One is, we learned something. I don't know how many of us did, but did you know what these two guys had to do in order to gain their release? They told of being forced to convert to Islam, at gunpoint. Now, you might say, "Well, of course they did that so that gets them out of there," and so forth. But no, no, no, that's not enough, folks. There is a picture here, there is a message here. This is a glimpse into our future. This is their stated goal.

"You don't convert, you die. You don't convert, you remain an infidel, you're going to be a target. If you are Islamic and decide to renounce the faith, you are just as big a target...The New York Times runs this story, stating that Centanni and Wiig were released 'unharmed.' They were not 'unharmed.' That is my entire point! They were not unharmed! When you are forced to renounce your faith at gunpoint in order to live, do you know how many people have died refusing to do this? Your faith? It's one of the most personal, one of the deepest attachments people have is to their faith and to have a gun aimed at you and told to recant and to convert, and then to say you were released unharmed, maybe physically unharmed but this misses the point entirely. Of course it illustrates the people who think this, at the New York Times and write this, illustrates to them just how unimportant personal faith is to them, how meaningless it really is, and that's a big divide in this country."

Rush makes a sobering point about conversion. What these kidnappers did to Centanni and Wiig is a picture of what they seek to do to us--those who are not Muslims, those who profess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and those with no stated religion. You are free to convert to Islam, but if you choose not to, then you will be forcibly converted or killed. And as Rush observed, many believers in similar tough circumstances have refused to recant.

Rush said Centanni and Wiig "renounced their faith," but that may assume a bit too much. Does anyone know the faith of Centanni and Wiig before they "converted"? I don't think the public knows. But this point may be mute. From this point forward, if either one of the journalists should publicly "recant" their "faith," they will be apostates of Islam and subject to execution.

On YouTube, you can watch the five minute video of Centanni and Wiig's testimony. Near the beginning (I assume this is the raw tape from the kidnappers and not the edited work of the video's submitter) is this statement, with spelling and grammatical errors all:

"This decleration was aproved by them , and they accept the faith without any pressure"

You and I clearly see the irony of the situation. Why don't the Islamic kidnappers?

What happened to Centanni and Wiig was a terrible tragedy. It harmed them and all of us who treasure religious freedom and uncoerced conversion.

UPDATE 1: Story by David Aikman on this episode.

UPDATE 2: Christianity's Today "Weblog," written and compiled by Ted Olsen, makes the point that compulsion in religion deserves more than just op-ed coverage in the media.

Carson Palmer Returns

While I've never written about sports on this blog, I am a big fan of my boyhood teams--the Cincinnati Reds and the Cincinnati Bengals. And I visit ESPN daily.

Seven months after getting his knee blown out in January, Carson Palmer capped off his amazing return to action with a great performance tonight against the Green Bay Packers. 9/14, 140 yds, 3 TDs, and even an 11 yard run. Carson looked good, which means the Bengals' hope for a Super Bowl season looks good.

Pundits and fans have talked endlessly about Carson's return to the field--how his knee would hold up and Carson's psyche under pressure in the pocket. Blah. Blah. Blah. But when Palmer finally stepped on the field for that first time since his injury, ESPN's Monday Night crew completely missed the moment!

After the Bengal's Madieu Williams intercepted a tipped Brett Favre pass, the change of possesion happened quickly and without a TV timeout. So after all the hype about Carson getting back on the field, what we saw instead was a confusing shot of a Bengal sideline camera moving to a new position. The producer in the truck messed up and ESPN missed a climatic scene. When we finally did see Palmer, he was at the line getting ready for the snap. But we saw the rest--and that's what really matters to Bengal fans.

Palmer is a Christian. Here's an article posted on the website of Palmer's high school team that briefly mentions his faith.

Lessons on the Birds and Bees

Yesterday my 8 year old daughter asked me, "Were you surprised to see Mommy's tummy when our little brother was inside?"

I said, "No."

She asked, "Well, did you know how he got there?"

I replied, "Yeah, I think I have pretty good idea."

She said, "No you don't."

I retorted, "I don't?"

She insisted, "No you don't. He got inside Mom's tummy because I prayed for him!"

Golly, I can't believe it took me this long to finally figure it out!

N.T. Wright's Last Word

After buying the book this past spring, I finally finished reading N.T. Wright's 144 page book on Scripture--The Last Word.

Wright is a British citizen, Bishop of Durham, and a member of the Anglican Community. He's one of the world's most respected biblical scholars. You can find some of his work here.

There were two things I found most helpful. First, "authority of Scripture" is a shorthand phrase that speaks of God's authority exercised through Scripture by means of the Holy Spirit. In particular, God's authoritative work is what He is doing through the crucified and risen Lord to change lives and bring about His kingdom on earth. In other words, God is using Scripture to proclaim the message of His Son that will change the world--a mighty work overseen by the Holy Spirit. So then, our allegiance is not to a Book. Our allegiance is to God who reveals and proclaims Himself (in part) through a Book.

Second, Scripture is best understood as a 5-act play. Act 1 is creation. Act 2 is the fall. Act 3 is Israel. Act 4 is Jesus. Act 5 is the church. Each act builds upon the other. Some themes are carried through the whole play. Some appear only for a time (like animal sacrifices and the Law in Act 3). So then, Wright says, we shouldn't expect a return to the Garden of Eden (Act 1) because what God is working toward is His kingdom over all the earth (end of Act 5). We shouldn't deny that evil exists (Act 2) and neither should we think that evil will not be overcome (Act 4-5).

This analogy is particularly useful because it explains why believers in the New Testament age don't obey every jot and tittle of the Law as believers did in the Old Testament age (with the coming of Jesus, the act/era of history has changed). It also explains why the New Testament's moral codes should not be nullified (we're still living in the age of the church).

While Wright covers a lot of ground in so few pages, I wish he devoted time to the question of the Bible's inerrancy and infallability. For this, I heartily recommend Dr. Dan Wallace's "My Take on Inerrancy."

If you're motivated to better understand the role the Bible plays in your faith, N.T. Wright's The Last Word is an excellent choice.

Diaper Bombs

Over the weekend we went to visit our friends the Mosers who recently moved to a new town.

Late in the evening, and with everyone near asleep in the house, my wife handed me my son's dirty diaper and ordered me to get rid of it.

No problem. I started looking for the trash. "No, don't leave it around here," she ordered. "Take it outside."

So I leave our basement bedroom and start looking for the trash dumpster.

I go out the front door and look near the garage. Not there.

I looked on the side of the garage. Nope.

I looked inside the garage. No luck.

As I wondered around in an unfamiliar house, looking for a trash can I can't find, I began thinking about my hero Adam West, better known as Batman, and that one scene in the 1966 movie where he's desperately running around with a bomb, and he says in exhaustion:

"Some days, you just can't get rid of a bomb."

I finally found the dumpster. It was sitting in the fenced-in backyard.

The world is safe again.

Bruce Cockburn

Last night I saw Bruce Cockburn, one of my favorite artists, perform in Kansas City at the Emporium.

Cockburn is a musician, guitarist, singer, songwriter. A Canadian, his lyrics are thick with observations about love, politics, and faith.

This was the fourth time I've seen him--Pittsburgh and Cincinnati in the late 80's, and Dallas in 1992. This was definitely the smallest venue. There was about 200 people, me, and my friend Lonnie. We pulled up chairs and were seven rows back.

Songs in his set list included his popular "Wondering Where the Lions Are," "Open," "Lovers In a Dangerous Time," "If A Tree Falls," "Night Train," "Last Night of the World," and "Put It In Your Heart."

New songs played from Bruce 29th album included, "Mystery," Baghdad," "Life Short Call Now," "Beautiful Creature," and "Slow Down Fast," "Tell the Universe," and "Different When It Comes to You."

I was surprised we didn't hear "Rocket Launcher" during the encores.

If you've never heard him before, he's definitely worth checking out. What a great way to wrap up the summer.

Riding Lawn Mowers

It's Friday, so here's a thought off the beaten path.

When it comes to large motors on wheels, who is more typically attracted to that--men or women?

Right. Men. This isn't sexist. It's just a fact of life. Men like engines--building them, fixing them, running them, talking about them. Sure, there's lot of gals who like Nascar. But usually, motors are a GUY thing.

Which leads me to this observation:

If it's men who usually like big motors on wheels, then why is that I see more women than men riding lawn mowers?

Do your own unofficial survey. Do a Google image search on "riding mowers."

I think its the only time that men gladly give over the wheel to a lady.

Iraq, Prayers, and Miracles

By Pastor Ted Weis (C)

This story was first printed in the Little River Monitor Journal in 2004.

Tyler Whorton, son of Allen & Kristi Whorton of Little River, returned home to the United States last week after completing a year of military duty in Iraq.

But on the day that Tyler left Iraq, he almost didn’t get out alive.

About 3:00pm Iraq time on Tuesday, October 26, Tyler, his entire mortar platoon, along with medics, and other personnel, took off from Mosul on a C-130 airplane. When the plane left the ground, a sense of relief came over everyone on board. The soldiers had completed their year’s service. They had done their job well. They survived a year in a hostile war zone.

Meanwhile, back in the United States, three of Tyler’s relatives sensed a strong urge to pray the day before Tyler was scheduled to leave. Early Monday morning, Tyler’s aunt Merrily Pierson of McPherson started praying when she couldn’t get Tyler off her mind. Unbeknownst to Merrily, the mother-in-law of Tyler’s brother was also led to pray. Lynette Dansel of Jetmore, Kansas reported a strong burden to pray for Tyler.

Why was God leading people to pray? Less than five minutes after the wheels of Tyler’s airplane left the ground in Mosul, as the aircraft was still ascending into the sky, everyone on board heard something hit the plane. Was it a bird? That’s what everyone thought at first.

Then, Tyler looked out his window and saw that the plane’s # 1 engine was on fire. The C-130 has four propeller engines, two on each wing. The # 1 engine is the far outside engine on the plane’s left side.

Adrenaline swept over everyone. The plane was 1,000 feet in the air. Returning to Mosul was out of the question. The plane was potentially too crippled to make it back. If they did try to return, they risked falling under enemy fire.

Tyler and his comrades had served an entire year in Iraq. All that time, Tyler’s parents had prayed for his safety. All that time, Tyler and his platoon had avoided injury and death. Now, at the very moment they were leaving to get out, would they all die in a plane crash?

Everyone was scared, but everyone had also been trained for moments like this. Fortunately, pilots of the crippled plane were able to remotely extinguish the fire and land safely at a nearby airfield. The emergency lasted a total of five minutes. But as Tyler related, it seemed like hours.

After being so glad to leave Iraq forever, the 57 troops were relieved to be back on Iraqi ground so quickly. Amazingly, no one was injured.

What hit the plane?

When the pilots and soldiers went to examine the disabled engine, they made a startling discovery—a hole had been blown through the engine!





Apparently, an enemy insurgent shot a shoulder-launched, surface-to-air missile at the plane as it took off from Mosul.

Miraculously, the missile didn’t explode when it struck. In all likelihood, the insurgent forgot to pull out the missile’s two security pins that would have armed the explosive.

Further examination of where the missile struck unveiled the good fortune of everyone. The missile hit only 12” away from the plane’s fuselage and about the same number of inches from the plane’s left propeller.



If the missile had struck the propeller, the debris would likely have shattered the neighboring propeller on the plane’s left side.



With both propellers on the left side destroyed, the plane would have fallen like a rock hundreds of feet to the ground. And if the missile had struck the fuselage, the fuel that was propelling the soldiers out of a war zone would have become the bomb that killed everyone on board.



Startled, but grateful, Tyler and the 56 other soldiers boarded another plane later in the day, making it safely--and without incident--to Kuwait. From there, Tyler joined 335 other soldiers and flew out of the Middle East to Germany and then on to Bangor, Maine. In Bangor, a veterans group greeted the arriving plane. The veterans shook hands with all 335 soldiers, thanking them for their service. Then they handed each arriving soldier a cell phone and said, “Call whoever you want.”

But Tyler had already called his wife Darsha—as soon as he got to Kuwait. He asked, “Were you by chance praying for me early this morning your me?”

Darsha replied, “No, me and the baby were asleep. Why?”

Tyler said, “Oh, nothing…”

Looking back on all that happened, Tyler said, “It just goes to show you that it’s never over until it’s over. I never prayed so hard in five minute’s time in all my life. Our pilots did an incredible job.”

Interestingly, the weekend before Tyler left Iraq, Tyler’s grandmother Loretta Pierson felt such an urgent need to pray for Tyler that she felt sick to her stomach. The only other time Loretta prayed with such fervency was when Tyler was involved in a shootout with insurgents during his tour of duty.

Said Loretta, “Sometimes, God alerts us to pray before something happens.” Indeed, that’s what God did when he led the members of Tyler’s family to pray.

Christians know the need for prayer. Now, they know its power!

Sorry for the Delay

Golly, today I got snowed under with other responsibilites (I do have a life other than this blog) and I didn't get the chance to post this incredible story that I've told you that I'll tell you. Whew...

But have no fear! Tomorrow is a new day.

It'll be worth the wait. Promise.

An Incredible Story--Forgotten

The other day a strange envelope appeared in my post office box.

The return address was from my church I pastor. The letter was addressed to me. It had an old .37-cent stamp on it, which you can see on the left (the post office didn't catch the fact it was mailed without the needed two additional cents). The envelope had two folds at perfect thirds.

All these clues led me to figure out that this was a self-addressed and stamped return envelope that I had created sometime in the past.

But when?

I opened the envelope. Inside, I found a story I had written two years ago in November 2004. Also included was a rejection letter from Guideposts magazine.

Then I remembered what I had long forgotten: Over two years ago, I sent Guideposts a true story about a soldier from our church that experienced the power of prayer in a most incredible way while serving in Iraq.

Guideposts rejected my story. However, here on my blog, we have much lower standards! So tomorrow, I'll share with you this story.

It's truly incredible.

The Mortician's Funeral

I've conducted dozens of funerals and attended plenty of others, but today will be different because I'm going to the mortician's funeral.

Doug Sillin learned the funeral business from his parents and got his license in his early 20's. Sillin Funeral Home has served the people of Rice County for many years. Doug did his job well. He viewed his work as a calling. When our first baby died at four days old, I gave her over to Doug's big arms and compassionate heart. At that horrible moment, it was a blessing to give my daughter to someone I knew and trusted. Having worked "behind the scenes" on several funerals with Doug, he always performed his work with the utmost professionalism.

Doug, 52, died last Wednesday after a long battle with diabetes.

Even morticians are mortals. Rest in peace Doug.

"Comma-Tary" on God Is Still Speaking

The paper I presented at the Faithful & Welcoming's national conference about the United Church's "God Is Still Speaking" advertising and identity campaign is now posted on the website of Faithful & Welcoming Churches.

"'Comma-Tary' on the United Church of Christ's Still Speaking Initiative" offers an in-depth theological analysis on the campaign--considering its view of UCC history, its preference for recent revelation, its view that God's nature is evolving, and its view that the church be radically all-embracing.

In short, I put forth a four-fold case about the phrase, "God is still speaking."

1) It is a good summary of the UCC’s history, yet it cannot prima facie validate our history today as correct. 2) It warrants the UCC’s interest in God’s revelation today—in comparison to evangelicals, conservatives, orthodox, traditional believers (ECOT’s) pattern of placing all revelation in the sieve of sola scriptura. 3) It warrants the UCC’s belief in an all-embracing, inclusive God—in comparison to ECOT’s preference for God who redeems sinful humanity through Jesus Christ. 4) It warrants the UCC’s “extravagant welcome” in all aspects of the church’s life—in comparison to ECOT’s preference for distinctions and holiness guidelines.

If you're a member of the United Church of Christ, or if you really enjoy thinking and talking about theology, I welcome your thoughts and responses.

Other Voices To Hear About Terrorism

In reading about recent terrorist activities--Hezbollah in the Middle East and now an averted terror plot involving airplanes in England, I ran across two very interesting stories that give insight into each of these situations.

While journalists are laying fault at the feet of Israel and/or Hezbollah for the current conflict, little has been said about the culpability of Lebanon itself--until now. Writing in Beirut, Michael Behe exposes the fault of Lebanon's government in allowing Hezbollah free reign in their country after the UN passed resolution 1559 and after Israel abandoned its occupation in 2000. He writes:

"It is easy now to whine and gripe, and to play the hypocritical role of victims. We know full well how to get others to pity us and to claim that we are never responsible for the horrors that regularly occur on our soil. Of course, that is nothing but rubbish! The Security Council’s Resolution 1559 – that demanded that OUR government deploy OUR army on OUR sovereign territory, along OUR international border with Israel and that it disarm all the militia on OUR land – was voted on 2 September 2004.

"We had two years to put implement this resolution and thus guarantee a peaceful future to our children but we did strictly nothing. Our greatest crime – which was not the only one! – was not that we did not succeed but that we did not attempt or undertake anything. And that was the fault of none else than the pathetic Lebanese politicians.

"Our government, from the very moment the Syrian occupier left, let ships and truckloads of arms pour into our country. Without even bothering to look at their cargo. They jeopardized all chances for the rebirth of our country by confusing the Cedar Revolution with the liberation of Beirut. In reality, we had just received the chance – a sort of unhoped-for moratorium – that allowed us to take the future into our own hands, nothing more."

On the other terror front, a hair-raising article by Annie Jacobsen shows that as early as 2004, terrorists have been trying to blow up planes in-air by manufacturing a bomb in-flight with materials brought on board. These attempts are not just recent. They've been going on for three years. She recalls the events of her June, 2004 flight from Detroit to Los Angeles with 14 Middle Eastern men aboard:

"The take-off was uneventful. But once we were in the air and the seatbelt sign was turned off, the unusual activity began. The man in the yellow T-shirt got out of his seat and went to the lavatory at the front of coach -- taking his full McDonald's bag with him. When he came out of the lavatory he still had the McDonald's bag, but it was now almost empty. He walked down the aisle to the back of the plane, still holding the bag. When he passed two of the men sitting mid-cabin, he gave a thumbs-up sign. When he returned to his seat, he no longer had the McDonald's bag.

Then another man from the group stood up and took something from his carry-on in the overhead bin. It was about a foot long and was rolled in cloth. He headed toward the back of the cabin with the object. Five minutes later, several more of the Middle Eastern men began using the forward lavatory consecutively. In the back, several of the men stood up and used the back lavatory consecutively as well.

For the next hour, the men congregated in groups of two and three at the back of the plane for varying periods of time. Meanwhile, in the first class cabin, just a foot or so from the cockpit door, the man with the dark suit – still wearing sunglasses – was also standing. Not one of the flight crew members suggested that any of these men take their seats.

Watching all of this, my husband was now beyond "anxious."

Once you start reading Jacobsen's story, you can't stop until you've reached the end. Let's hope and pray these fascist threats to our freedom will soon end.

Jesus Meek and Mean?

Have you read a familiar Scripture passage, only to discover something you never saw before?

It happened to me the other day. I was reading John 2:12-25 and the story of Jesus clearing out the Temple. After Jesus sees the merchants and the money exchangers and before he runs them all out, John tells us one action of Jesus. This is what I never noticed.

"So he made a whip out of cords..." (2:15)

Jesus didn't grab an existing whip. He didn't buy one. He didn't commission one. He even didn't snap his fingers and have one appear.

He made it himself.

I wonder, where did he get the materials? What was he thinking about when he was making it? How long did it take him to finish?

Before I noticed this, I assumed that Jesus simply shooed everyone off.

We often picture Jesus is meek and mild, almost a sissy-like. This isn't the Jesus I grew up hearing.

Jesus, meek and mean.

My Name In Lights

Never thought I'd see this--my name in lights. This is the name of a pharmacy in PA and I happened to see the sign. 

Price of Gas

The other day I was on Main Street in our little town when I ran into a friend who sang at our church six weeks ago. Originally, we had planned to eat lunch after church, but I had to cancel because my son David was taken to the emergency room and eventually hospitalized the night before.

My friend asked, "Is your son OK?" I replied, "Yeah, he's fine. We took him in because he was in a lot of pain--his belly was bloated and hard as a rock. As it turned out, all he was suffering from was trapped gas...Now why couldn't he have this problem in the middle of Wednesday? Instead, it had to be on Saturday night, 11:00pm, when the only place to get him help is the emergency room. So basically, we spent $1,000 on trapped gas."

Hearing this, another friend standing by said, "And people have the nerve to complain about the price of gas!"

Faithful & Welcoming Churches Meet in PA

This past weekend, August 4-5, I participated in Faithful & Welcoming's (FWC) first national conference in Bechtelsville, PA. Nearly 150 people heard forums, presentations, and small group discussions around the theme, "Our Future and the United Church of Christ."

(For those needing background, FWC is an organization within the liberal-leaning United Church of Christ. FWC consists of Christians who consider themselves evangelical, conservative, orthodox, and traditional (ECOT) in their beliefs. We organized in opposition to our General Synod's recent support for same-gender marriage and in hopes of restoring the UCC to its founding vision of being a united and uniting church. I am one of the FWC board members.)

We invited and were pleased that several people from the UCC's national and conference settings attended the meeting. J. Bennett Guess, editor of the United Church News, filed a story that appears on the UCC website. Bob Chase, Minister and Team Leader of the UCC's Proclamation, Identity and Communication Ministry, addressed the group in the first plenary session, declaring the need to hear and respect a wide variety of voices that exist in the UCC. Bob Thompson, President of FWC, encouraged us with his opening message, "We Can Do It If We Will."

The Christian faith is all about relationships--with the Savior and each other (Steve Clifford). To this end, the weekend was successful in developing relationships and breaking down our suspicions of each other--even while we honestly discussed the issues that divide us.

I come home with a clearer understanding of where the UCC is right now. ECOTs are a dwindling minority in the UCC. While there's room for us in the UCC, we haven't been permitted a forum at the national and at many conference levels to present our views. For example, when General Synod 25 passed its support for same-gender marriage, it gave direction to how the national setting of the church should function; that's how resolutions affect the national setting. My thought is this: instead of providing web resources that only explain the support for same-gender marriage, why not provide alternative resources from UCC people making the case for traditional marriage? The General Synod resolution speaks to, not for the local churches. Let others voices speak as well--especially since everyone knows this issue threatens our unity like no other.

I also come home with a vision of what the UCC can be--a wonderful union of churches where there is liberty in the things we believe--a place where believers of diverse opinion choose to live in close proximity with those with whom they might disagree in order to learn more about our own beliefs and our Savior.

Deadlines

I've heard it said, "If the world didn't have trade shows, nothing would ever get done."

I believe it.

All this week I've been preparing a paper for the UCC Faithful & Welcoming Churches conference this weekend in Pennsylvania. It's a detailed "comma-tary" on the United Church of Christ's "God Is Still Speaking" publicity and identity campaign.

The paper is done. The conference is tomorrow.

Mel Gibson's BraveHeart Confession

By now you've probably heard that Mel Gibson, a Catholic and the creative force behind the 2004 movie Passion of the Christ, was arrested Friday, July 28 on a suspicion of drunk driving.

And--while getting arrested--he uttered quite a few colorful words and spewed out some despicable, racist epithets about Jews.

When Passion came out, critics questioned if it was anti-Semitic. Now that Gibson said as much while drunk, people are connecting the dots--thinking he really does hate Jews.

I don't know about you, but I admit times when terrible thoughts run quietly through my mind. Sometimes I welcome them and make them mine. Sometimes I repudiate them and put them out of my mind.

When people call us to account for the bad things we say, how we respond says a lot about us--and what we really believe about the things we said.

You've heard so-called apologies: "I'm sorry that people took it the wrong way." "If you got mad about it, forgive me." "I didn't mean to create all this attention." And of course, "My lawyers have told me not to talk about this incident because it's a pending legal matter."

You'll probably keep hearing in the media what Gibson said during his arrest, but you won't hear much about what he said after. So if you miss it, you can read it here:

On Saturday, Gibson released the following statement:

"After drinking alcohol on Thursday night, I did a number of things that were very wrong and for which I am ashamed. I drove a car when I should not have, and was stopped by the LA County Sheriffs. The arresting officer was just doing his job and I feel fortunate that I was apprehended before I caused injury to any other person. I acted like a person completely out of control when I was arrested, and said things that I do not believe to be true and which are despicable. I am deeply ashamed of everything I said. Also, I take this opportunity to apologize to the deputies involved for my belligerent behavior. They have always been there for me in my community and indeed probably saved me from myself. I disgraced myself and my family with my behavior and for that I am truly sorry. I have battled with the disease of alcoholism for all of my adult life and profoundly regret my horrific relapse. I apologize for any behavior unbecoming of me in my inebriated state and have already taken necessary steps to ensure my return to health."

Have you ever seen a more complete apology from a public figure? I think Gibson has more than fulfilled the pre-requisite of 1 John 1:9--"If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."

Hey Mel, God forgives you. May He now clean you up.