Do you ever feel overloaded with information and/or sensation? I frequently get in those modes of "too much!!!" and I just shut down. On top of my ministry internship involving tasks that are largely "where no one (or very few) have gone before", Annual Conference drama, lack of sleep, planning on relationship contacts, and personal failures in timing, the stuff of life crowds God out.
Writing this post is my therapy for busyness right now. Any of you find yourself in such a state of over-stimulation?
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Clash of These Titans
I love Jon Stewart. Yet, I kinda agree with Wallace at one point. Jon does seem to use the "I'm a comedian" card to excuse his activism. I see nothing wrong with the activism though. At least he tries to criticize everyone who does something stupid. The epic duel was... epic.
What really got me thinking was how they were both arguing totally different things, but trying to speak the same language. It didn't work. How often in our conversations with each other do we argue points on such totally different levels that our words go over each other's heads. What I say to bring life is heard as death, and what another speaks as death, as hear as life. Discuss amongst yourselves... if you can!
Watch the interview between Jon and Chris here!:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTiDZ0-q-2o
What really got me thinking was how they were both arguing totally different things, but trying to speak the same language. It didn't work. How often in our conversations with each other do we argue points on such totally different levels that our words go over each other's heads. What I say to bring life is heard as death, and what another speaks as death, as hear as life. Discuss amongst yourselves... if you can!
Watch the interview between Jon and Chris here!:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTiDZ0-q-2o
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Are We Ready For the Spirit?
John 16:12-15
"I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of Truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you."
The trinity is weird. Am I right? I mean, it makes no logical sense and its one of the key points of derision and criticism from non-Christians (and some Christians, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwKNfhbmtrc). However, while the technical terms and doctrinal statements held and debated by many today were established at the Councils of Nicaea and Constantinople, the foundational ideas are present in the scriptures themselves. I believe the finalized decrees on the specific natures of the trinity and other doctrinal conclusions were and are misleading, but the I also believe that a realization of the trinity's reality in scripture is valuable. There is a strain in all the books of the Bible emphasizing the oneness of God; a strict monotheism with no room for rivals or equals (a concept readily embraceable by our Islamic neighbors). However, there is also another strain which emphasizes the multiplicity of Godself. God appears in various forms. God talks to God. There are messengers of God that are called "God". Does this mean there is more than one God?
What are we to make of this apparent contradiction? Well, for one, it is clear that the science (physics, biology, psychology) of God is not that of created things (in our experience). God is not bound by our singular notions of time and space and personhood. Thus, God is one, but his oneness is varied and diverse and relational. One of the highlights of the trinity is that it allows God a certain greater freedom to be and do, and it establishes the communal, relational nature of God. After all, a God of love cannot love without an other to love in return, even if both entities are within Godself. Confused? Relax. Part of the beauty of the trinity is that it is not comprehensible. And who is to say there are not other parts of the trinity simply not revealed to us! God is God! I sure ain't...
What is interesting to me in this passage (and the part that relates to waiting for Pentecost this Sunday), is how Jesus describes the coming Spirit to his disciples. Jesus frequently talks in John about how he speaks only what the Father tells him to speak and does only what the Father tells him to do. There is a submission in Jesus relationship to his Father (appropriate for these parental terms). Likewise, there is a submissive relationship on the part of the Spirit of Truth, who reveals only what Jesus knows, which Jesus knew from the Father. Thus, the parts of the trinity are not distinct gods, but part of one whole, knowing the same things and acting as one.
The end result of faith is that humans can become sons and daughters of God, much like (but not exactly like) Jesus is God's son. Now, this sounds awesome and liberating, which it is. BUT, I wonder if we are ready for it... The parts of God are mutually submissive, they defer to each other and act together, as one. Are we ready to be a part of that kind of relational system?
This Sunday is Pentecost, the day we remember the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the disciples after Jesus went back into heaven. The disciples were told to wait. Waiting must have been and is infuriating, stressful, anxious... I wonder if the reason they had to wait for the Spirit is that they first had to learn to submit themselves to God's will. To be filled with God's Spirit, God's self, God with us, God within us, we cannot be pursuing our own ends and our own wills. In waiting, we learn to pay attention to God's will, to God's leading, to God's call. Instant gratification is rare in the life of faith. This is good. We wait for the Spirit so that we can make ourselves ready to listen to the Spirit, just as the Spirit listened to Jesus, and Jesus to his Father.
Those who do not wait follow instead their own path, and it is not the Spirit of Truth that leads us in those times, but false spirits. it is difficult to wait. I pray I am ready when the time is right...
Happy waiting!
"I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of Truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you."
The trinity is weird. Am I right? I mean, it makes no logical sense and its one of the key points of derision and criticism from non-Christians (and some Christians, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwKNfhbmtrc). However, while the technical terms and doctrinal statements held and debated by many today were established at the Councils of Nicaea and Constantinople, the foundational ideas are present in the scriptures themselves. I believe the finalized decrees on the specific natures of the trinity and other doctrinal conclusions were and are misleading, but the I also believe that a realization of the trinity's reality in scripture is valuable. There is a strain in all the books of the Bible emphasizing the oneness of God; a strict monotheism with no room for rivals or equals (a concept readily embraceable by our Islamic neighbors). However, there is also another strain which emphasizes the multiplicity of Godself. God appears in various forms. God talks to God. There are messengers of God that are called "God". Does this mean there is more than one God?
What are we to make of this apparent contradiction? Well, for one, it is clear that the science (physics, biology, psychology) of God is not that of created things (in our experience). God is not bound by our singular notions of time and space and personhood. Thus, God is one, but his oneness is varied and diverse and relational. One of the highlights of the trinity is that it allows God a certain greater freedom to be and do, and it establishes the communal, relational nature of God. After all, a God of love cannot love without an other to love in return, even if both entities are within Godself. Confused? Relax. Part of the beauty of the trinity is that it is not comprehensible. And who is to say there are not other parts of the trinity simply not revealed to us! God is God! I sure ain't...
What is interesting to me in this passage (and the part that relates to waiting for Pentecost this Sunday), is how Jesus describes the coming Spirit to his disciples. Jesus frequently talks in John about how he speaks only what the Father tells him to speak and does only what the Father tells him to do. There is a submission in Jesus relationship to his Father (appropriate for these parental terms). Likewise, there is a submissive relationship on the part of the Spirit of Truth, who reveals only what Jesus knows, which Jesus knew from the Father. Thus, the parts of the trinity are not distinct gods, but part of one whole, knowing the same things and acting as one.
The end result of faith is that humans can become sons and daughters of God, much like (but not exactly like) Jesus is God's son. Now, this sounds awesome and liberating, which it is. BUT, I wonder if we are ready for it... The parts of God are mutually submissive, they defer to each other and act together, as one. Are we ready to be a part of that kind of relational system?
This Sunday is Pentecost, the day we remember the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the disciples after Jesus went back into heaven. The disciples were told to wait. Waiting must have been and is infuriating, stressful, anxious... I wonder if the reason they had to wait for the Spirit is that they first had to learn to submit themselves to God's will. To be filled with God's Spirit, God's self, God with us, God within us, we cannot be pursuing our own ends and our own wills. In waiting, we learn to pay attention to God's will, to God's leading, to God's call. Instant gratification is rare in the life of faith. This is good. We wait for the Spirit so that we can make ourselves ready to listen to the Spirit, just as the Spirit listened to Jesus, and Jesus to his Father.
Those who do not wait follow instead their own path, and it is not the Spirit of Truth that leads us in those times, but false spirits. it is difficult to wait. I pray I am ready when the time is right...
Happy waiting!
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Waiting For Myself
Psalm 25:1-10
"To you, O LORD, I lift my soul; in you I trust, O my God.
Do not let me be put to shame, now let my enemies triumph over me.
No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame,
but they will be put to shame who are treacherous without excuse.
"Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths;
guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
Remember, O LORD, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old.
Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways;
according to your love remember me, for you are good, O LORD.
"Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.
He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.
All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful
for those who keep the demands of his covenant."
Part of the trouble with waiting is that it feels so much like I should be doing something. I realize God is always the chief actor, but it feels more like I am waiting for myself to catch up to where God wants me to be. Its clear I am still a sinner and God's mercy, love, and grace are keeping me afloat. I pray God will wait for me, as I wait for God. I want the life he has to offer, but my while my spirit is willing, my flesh is weak... and tired, and hungry, and slow, and confusing, and greedy, and misleading...
What an amazing thing that those who put their hope in God will not be put to shame. We certainly deserve much shame. I suppose shame is reserved for those who don't do anything with their problems; those who don't recognize that in God there is no shame and even the things that the world and culture around us might call shameful, God can make honorable when she calls us to them.
May we keep the covenant, as God keeps the covenant.
"To you, O LORD, I lift my soul; in you I trust, O my God.
Do not let me be put to shame, now let my enemies triumph over me.
No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame,
but they will be put to shame who are treacherous without excuse.
"Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths;
guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
Remember, O LORD, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old.
Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways;
according to your love remember me, for you are good, O LORD.
"Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.
He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.
All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful
for those who keep the demands of his covenant."
Part of the trouble with waiting is that it feels so much like I should be doing something. I realize God is always the chief actor, but it feels more like I am waiting for myself to catch up to where God wants me to be. Its clear I am still a sinner and God's mercy, love, and grace are keeping me afloat. I pray God will wait for me, as I wait for God. I want the life he has to offer, but my while my spirit is willing, my flesh is weak... and tired, and hungry, and slow, and confusing, and greedy, and misleading...
What an amazing thing that those who put their hope in God will not be put to shame. We certainly deserve much shame. I suppose shame is reserved for those who don't do anything with their problems; those who don't recognize that in God there is no shame and even the things that the world and culture around us might call shameful, God can make honorable when she calls us to them.
May we keep the covenant, as God keeps the covenant.
Monday, June 6, 2011
How Long, Oh Lord! (new format and new directions (like GLEE!))
Acts 1:1-5
"In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: 'Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized by the Holy Spirit.'"
We don't wait very well. As Americans, as humans, waiting is difficult. Anticipation builds our bodies and minds and spirits up to where we need to let out the energy, but sometimes the appropriate manner of release is dependent upon something outside of us. The disciples had just journeyed through a few crazy years of non-stop travel, service, emotional moments, confusion, suffering, witnessing their leader destroyed and glorified, coming to spiritual awakening, confounded by misunderstanding, etc... And as Jesus prepares to leave this earth after its all over, he tells the disciples not to KEEP GOING, "You got what it takes! Run with it!" Instead, he says to wait... Wait for the Spirit... They've already been baptized with John's cleansing waters, but something more remains before the disciples can make Jesus' mission their own.
The Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus at his water baptism by John, but apparently the disciples did not have the same experience. They were clean, as Jesus tells them at the Last Supper, but they are not prepared. After all, the mission, all mission, ALL ministry, is actually GOD'S mission and GOD'S ministry! To take it upon ourselves would be to steal God's glory for ourselves. That is why the Spirit is so critical. To become one with the Spirit is to join God as Christ's body in the world.
But... they had to wait. I can see Jesus telling the disciples "Stay, boys, stay! Stay! Good disciples... Wait! Wait! Good job!" Indeed, sometimes we need to be held back from barging off into the world, believing we know what is ours to do, but having not consulted or been empowered by the Spirit first.
I find myself in a similar state; waiting for instructions. I suppose the truth is, despite how annoying such times are, the greatest ministry can be done while waiting for instructions on later ministry. So hang in there! Its a'comin!
"In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: 'Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized by the Holy Spirit.'"
We don't wait very well. As Americans, as humans, waiting is difficult. Anticipation builds our bodies and minds and spirits up to where we need to let out the energy, but sometimes the appropriate manner of release is dependent upon something outside of us. The disciples had just journeyed through a few crazy years of non-stop travel, service, emotional moments, confusion, suffering, witnessing their leader destroyed and glorified, coming to spiritual awakening, confounded by misunderstanding, etc... And as Jesus prepares to leave this earth after its all over, he tells the disciples not to KEEP GOING, "You got what it takes! Run with it!" Instead, he says to wait... Wait for the Spirit... They've already been baptized with John's cleansing waters, but something more remains before the disciples can make Jesus' mission their own.
The Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus at his water baptism by John, but apparently the disciples did not have the same experience. They were clean, as Jesus tells them at the Last Supper, but they are not prepared. After all, the mission, all mission, ALL ministry, is actually GOD'S mission and GOD'S ministry! To take it upon ourselves would be to steal God's glory for ourselves. That is why the Spirit is so critical. To become one with the Spirit is to join God as Christ's body in the world.
But... they had to wait. I can see Jesus telling the disciples "Stay, boys, stay! Stay! Good disciples... Wait! Wait! Good job!" Indeed, sometimes we need to be held back from barging off into the world, believing we know what is ours to do, but having not consulted or been empowered by the Spirit first.
I find myself in a similar state; waiting for instructions. I suppose the truth is, despite how annoying such times are, the greatest ministry can be done while waiting for instructions on later ministry. So hang in there! Its a'comin!
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