Not home from the retreat yet...but had to post something to all the Mothers in our lives...whether we're able to see them face to face or merely remember them in our hearts, they touch us all.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Retreat
Beginning today (Thursday, 5/5/11) I will be on retreat in the rolling hills of Kentucky until Sunday. My prayer is that it will be a time of introspection, meditation, learning and listening.
I will be back with you on Monday.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
My opinion....
I have put off responding to the death of Osama bin Laden simply because I wasn't sure how I felt about it. Of course, I was pleased that the world no longer contained the one face that made each of us recall the terror, anger and sadness of 9/11. But I could not bring myself to celebrate in the fashion of so many others. I am not judging their outpouring of jubilation...each is free to react in their own way.
But rather than celebrating death, isn't it more satisfying to know that American arms and intelligence have triumphed in a contest with our enemies? Even though it has taken much longer than any one of us would have liked or expected, we have at last rid the world of al-Qaeda's most valuable figurehead. Seal Team 6 performed their duties quickly and effectively. Have you noticed that those who were on the front lines, who jumped into harms way to do their duty and accomplish their mission, are keeping well hidden from the glare of the camera? They refuse our praise and adulation. If you could ask any one of them, they would tell you that it's all in a day's work. This is what they have sacrificed and trained for...to defend freedom at a moment's notice.
While I realize it has probably been a long time since bin Laden has been the real leader, the fact that he has been able to survive for so long has been extraordinarily symbolic to his followers. But, when the time came and his location pinpointed, he and his followers succumbed after a very brief struggle. His last stand cannot be used to glorify him or serve him as a martyr. .
I am also pleased to know that we do not have to struggle with the myriad of issues that would have presented themselves if he had been captured alive. Where would we try him? What prison would hold him? Would his ultimate death be televised and thus used to inspire countless others? The fact that he died without the glare of television crews and was buried quietly in the sea, which does not give up her dead, made handling the situation simpler and easier. Some may try to argue that the military should not be judge, jury and executioner but he was tried in the court of world opinion almost ten years ago...his fate was sealed at that point.
I am no where near perfect and cannot say that I am right...it's just the way I see it.
But rather than celebrating death, isn't it more satisfying to know that American arms and intelligence have triumphed in a contest with our enemies? Even though it has taken much longer than any one of us would have liked or expected, we have at last rid the world of al-Qaeda's most valuable figurehead. Seal Team 6 performed their duties quickly and effectively. Have you noticed that those who were on the front lines, who jumped into harms way to do their duty and accomplish their mission, are keeping well hidden from the glare of the camera? They refuse our praise and adulation. If you could ask any one of them, they would tell you that it's all in a day's work. This is what they have sacrificed and trained for...to defend freedom at a moment's notice.
While I realize it has probably been a long time since bin Laden has been the real leader, the fact that he has been able to survive for so long has been extraordinarily symbolic to his followers. But, when the time came and his location pinpointed, he and his followers succumbed after a very brief struggle. His last stand cannot be used to glorify him or serve him as a martyr. .
I am also pleased to know that we do not have to struggle with the myriad of issues that would have presented themselves if he had been captured alive. Where would we try him? What prison would hold him? Would his ultimate death be televised and thus used to inspire countless others? The fact that he died without the glare of television crews and was buried quietly in the sea, which does not give up her dead, made handling the situation simpler and easier. Some may try to argue that the military should not be judge, jury and executioner but he was tried in the court of world opinion almost ten years ago...his fate was sealed at that point.
I am no where near perfect and cannot say that I am right...it's just the way I see it.
Bully...
The topic of bullies comes up often in today's world. They have always been with us but until recently, were squarely in the minority. When I was a child, to be called a bully was to invite adult intervention. Allowing one child to bully another was not tolerated. The bully was punished in an effort to curb their behavior.
Unfortunately, they are fast becoming too loud to drown out, too powerful to control by conventional means. It's happening more often and earlier. Is it their fault? Or, is it ours? Do we stand up to the bully in a way in which Christ is honored? While He walked this earth, Jesus would not, did not tolerate this type of behavior...but He did not retaliate by trying to shout them down...He spoke the truth to them. In quiet, calm tones.
While it is so hard to watch (especially in children), we do neither ourselves or them any favors by stooping to their level. The Reverend Fredrick Schmidt, Jr. sheds some light on the situation...
Welcome to the bully culture: E Pluribus Bully'em. They are armed and dangerous. Not in the traditional sense. They are armed with the internet. They are armed with the ability to say anything and everything until it sticks. They are loud and large.
So where does the spiritual task lie?
1. Listen to the people on the edge.
2. Invite them into the conversation.
3. Insist that they are heard—even if what they want to say is not something you (or the bullies) want to hear.
4. Mirror in your own behavior the modesty that allows others to make their own choices.
5. Remember that God's politics are not your politics—or theirs. Your way is not the only way.
6. Insist on listening.
7. Redirect attention away from the labels to the arguments, the logic, the evidence, the data.
8. Resist the bullies. Resist them by speaking out. Resist them by being honest. Resist them by naming their behavior what it is: bullying.
9. If necessary, turn them off until they learn the limits of their singular, childish demands.
To back off and shrink back neither serves God nor the search for Truth. Backing off strengthens bullies—reinforces their delusions—and fosters an idolatry that crowds out the voice of God.
Caving into bullies is the new apostasy. To face it squarely is to risk the new martyrdom.
Join the effort. Be a saint.
Unfortunately, they are fast becoming too loud to drown out, too powerful to control by conventional means. It's happening more often and earlier. Is it their fault? Or, is it ours? Do we stand up to the bully in a way in which Christ is honored? While He walked this earth, Jesus would not, did not tolerate this type of behavior...but He did not retaliate by trying to shout them down...He spoke the truth to them. In quiet, calm tones.
While it is so hard to watch (especially in children), we do neither ourselves or them any favors by stooping to their level. The Reverend Fredrick Schmidt, Jr. sheds some light on the situation...
Welcome to the bully culture: E Pluribus Bully'em. They are armed and dangerous. Not in the traditional sense. They are armed with the internet. They are armed with the ability to say anything and everything until it sticks. They are loud and large.
So where does the spiritual task lie?
1. Listen to the people on the edge.
2. Invite them into the conversation.
3. Insist that they are heard—even if what they want to say is not something you (or the bullies) want to hear.
4. Mirror in your own behavior the modesty that allows others to make their own choices.
5. Remember that God's politics are not your politics—or theirs. Your way is not the only way.
6. Insist on listening.
7. Redirect attention away from the labels to the arguments, the logic, the evidence, the data.
8. Resist the bullies. Resist them by speaking out. Resist them by being honest. Resist them by naming their behavior what it is: bullying.
9. If necessary, turn them off until they learn the limits of their singular, childish demands.
To back off and shrink back neither serves God nor the search for Truth. Backing off strengthens bullies—reinforces their delusions—and fosters an idolatry that crowds out the voice of God.
Caving into bullies is the new apostasy. To face it squarely is to risk the new martyrdom.
Join the effort. Be a saint.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Feast Day
One of my favorite books in the Bible is the Book of James. There is so much practical instruction for the church and it's members. It is worthwhile to read on a regular basis...
May 3rd is the Feast Day for "James the Less"
James (first century), and apostle known as James the Less, the son of Alphaeus, may have been "the Lord's brother" (Galatians 1:19). He may also be the James who became the first bishop of Jerusalem and authored the epistle of James.
"This James would certainly qualify as a "lesser" disciple during Jesus' time. He must have quietly been formed and nurtured in the way of Jesus, for after the Resurrection he became one of the leaders of the growing church. James expressed his concern for the issues of the day in a letter. He warned against showing favor to the rich and upheld the link between faith and works, between hearing and doing the Word. He warned against loose tongues, boasting, and judging. James instructed Christians to pray and care for the suffering. His short letter, full of practical advice for being the church, bears reading again. James reminds us that though one may be quiet for a time, the call to leadership may come at any time."
Information from MethodX
May 3rd is the Feast Day for "James the Less"
James (first century), and apostle known as James the Less, the son of Alphaeus, may have been "the Lord's brother" (Galatians 1:19). He may also be the James who became the first bishop of Jerusalem and authored the epistle of James.
"This James would certainly qualify as a "lesser" disciple during Jesus' time. He must have quietly been formed and nurtured in the way of Jesus, for after the Resurrection he became one of the leaders of the growing church. James expressed his concern for the issues of the day in a letter. He warned against showing favor to the rich and upheld the link between faith and works, between hearing and doing the Word. He warned against loose tongues, boasting, and judging. James instructed Christians to pray and care for the suffering. His short letter, full of practical advice for being the church, bears reading again. James reminds us that though one may be quiet for a time, the call to leadership may come at any time."
Information from MethodX
Life and Death
All things must come to an end, and there are two alternatives before us. They are life and death; and every one of us will have to go to his own particular place. There are two different coinages, so to speak, in circulation, God’s and the world’s, each with its own distinctive markings. Unbelievers bear the stamp of the world; while the faithful in love bear the stamp of God the Father, through Jesus Christ. Unless we are ready and willing to die in conformity with His Passion, His life is not in us. Ignatius of Antioch
Monday, May 2, 2011
Disciples...
Jesus chose His disciples from the common people. Four of them were fishermen, one was a tax collector, we're not sure what the others did before Jesus came into their lives but suffice it to say they were probably involved in the family business. He chose these men to preach, teach and lead. He called them to set up, plant and grow churches. Most of the disciples were untrained (in anything other than the family business), uneducated and in many ways not spiritual in worldly terms. He didn't raise them to lofty positions. He simply called them to make disciples of their friends and neighbors...who would then make disciples of their friends and neighbors. Thus the cycle begins and grows.
Why then have we made it so hard? We leave the task of making disciples to the “experts”...preachers, teachers, youth leaders. We send them for training and throw money at them. Some are brilliant leaders...but where did we ever get the notion that it was “their” job? When did we abdicate our position in God's Kingdom? Is it because it's too hard? We might be ridiculed? We're too apt to play a numbers game and thus make it a competition? We don't have the time? We don't want to expose ourselves or our feelings?
Should we not simplify the nature of making disciples? Each new disciple of Christ reaches out to help make another. Think of the possibilities if this was one of our primary duties...the churches we have now could scarcely contain all the new members. The task is not to be the greatest disciple, it is to make as many disciples as possible.
Why then have we made it so hard? We leave the task of making disciples to the “experts”...preachers, teachers, youth leaders. We send them for training and throw money at them. Some are brilliant leaders...but where did we ever get the notion that it was “their” job? When did we abdicate our position in God's Kingdom? Is it because it's too hard? We might be ridiculed? We're too apt to play a numbers game and thus make it a competition? We don't have the time? We don't want to expose ourselves or our feelings?
Should we not simplify the nature of making disciples? Each new disciple of Christ reaches out to help make another. Think of the possibilities if this was one of our primary duties...the churches we have now could scarcely contain all the new members. The task is not to be the greatest disciple, it is to make as many disciples as possible.
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