These are a couple of videos that "moved" me. The one in the mall food court happened near where I live. I'm sorry I wasn't there. The other one just made me think. $10 billion versus $450 billion. Wow!
Monday, November 22, 2010
Thursday, October 21, 2010
... about October
I wrote this for tomorrow's newspaper.
This is a good month for me. Last week I celebrated my 44th birthday. Next week my wife and I will celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary. A few days before my birthday we celebrated Thanksgiving. A few days after our anniversary the neighbourhood streets will be teeming with costumed kiddies out for trick-or-treating and I'll be able to sneak some of my favourites out of my kids' bags as well as snacking on the leftovers that we don't give out. There are a lot of good things about October.
But as I write this and look out the window it's grey and overcast. It's been raining on and off all day. I'm wearing a sweatshirt for the first time in months. We've had the furnace running for a couple of weeks. The leaves are falling from the trees. Gardens that were very recently lush and green with a splash of colour here and there are getting kind of wilty and drab and dingy looking.
September still had hints of summer but now it's fall. I'm not saying fall is bad but I'm already missing the warmth of summer, a season that is just too short up here. And I know that a long winter is around the corner. Not that winter is all bad but I could do with a lot less of it.
I guess I just have to learn to take the good with the bad in any season and any month. In the summer I do complain about the humidity when it gets so oppressive that I can't sleep and the slightest physical activity gets me so sweaty. As long and cold as the winter is, there is real beauty in a landscape coated with a newly fallen snow, the kids having a ball playing in the snow, and winter does have Christmas after all.
We have to take the good with the bad. Lutheran theology often talks about tension and paradox, about two "words" required to proclaim truth. We are saint and sinner. Creation is good and fallen. The Word of God is law and gospel. Jesus is human and divine. We live in and with these paradoxes.
I know I'm a sinner. Even though I'm a Christian, even though I'm made right with God by God's grace, I'm still a sinner. And no matter how hard I try I'll never stop being a sinner. But that's okay because God's love and mercy and forgiveness are big enough to deal with my sin and because of that God accepts me and I am also a saint. Saint and sinner, both at the same time.
Maybe that's what some people don't get. The people who see a church full of hypocrites. There may be some, but the hypocrites are the ones who go around sinning yet they deny that they're sinners. They're only fooling themselves because everybody else knows they're sinners.
We've got a sign out in front of the church. One side lets people know what time church is on Sundays. On the other side I put a message. I try not to be too cutesy or clever, instead trying to put up something inspirational. Once the sign said FOR SINNERS ONLY. Okay, so that borders on the cutesy, but those three words contain a profound truth. The church isn't for perfect people. If it was then there would be even fewer people in the pews than there already are.
No, the church isn't for perfect people, it's for sinners. It's for people who need saving. It's for people who need blessing. It's for people who need forgiveness. It's for people who know hurt and need healing. It's for people who need a welcoming and accepting community of faith, a community of other sinners looking for the same thing.
The church is not for perfect people. The church is for people who desire a relationship with a perfect Saviour. Just as any month or any season is a mixture of good and bad, in the same way people who are being saved are a mixture of good and bad, saint and sinner. That goes for me. That goes for you. That goes for my church and your church and the church across town. So I thank God that his love and mercy and forgiveness are big enough for all of us.
This is a good month for me. Last week I celebrated my 44th birthday. Next week my wife and I will celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary. A few days before my birthday we celebrated Thanksgiving. A few days after our anniversary the neighbourhood streets will be teeming with costumed kiddies out for trick-or-treating and I'll be able to sneak some of my favourites out of my kids' bags as well as snacking on the leftovers that we don't give out. There are a lot of good things about October.
But as I write this and look out the window it's grey and overcast. It's been raining on and off all day. I'm wearing a sweatshirt for the first time in months. We've had the furnace running for a couple of weeks. The leaves are falling from the trees. Gardens that were very recently lush and green with a splash of colour here and there are getting kind of wilty and drab and dingy looking.
September still had hints of summer but now it's fall. I'm not saying fall is bad but I'm already missing the warmth of summer, a season that is just too short up here. And I know that a long winter is around the corner. Not that winter is all bad but I could do with a lot less of it.
I guess I just have to learn to take the good with the bad in any season and any month. In the summer I do complain about the humidity when it gets so oppressive that I can't sleep and the slightest physical activity gets me so sweaty. As long and cold as the winter is, there is real beauty in a landscape coated with a newly fallen snow, the kids having a ball playing in the snow, and winter does have Christmas after all.
We have to take the good with the bad. Lutheran theology often talks about tension and paradox, about two "words" required to proclaim truth. We are saint and sinner. Creation is good and fallen. The Word of God is law and gospel. Jesus is human and divine. We live in and with these paradoxes.
I know I'm a sinner. Even though I'm a Christian, even though I'm made right with God by God's grace, I'm still a sinner. And no matter how hard I try I'll never stop being a sinner. But that's okay because God's love and mercy and forgiveness are big enough to deal with my sin and because of that God accepts me and I am also a saint. Saint and sinner, both at the same time.
Maybe that's what some people don't get. The people who see a church full of hypocrites. There may be some, but the hypocrites are the ones who go around sinning yet they deny that they're sinners. They're only fooling themselves because everybody else knows they're sinners.
We've got a sign out in front of the church. One side lets people know what time church is on Sundays. On the other side I put a message. I try not to be too cutesy or clever, instead trying to put up something inspirational. Once the sign said FOR SINNERS ONLY. Okay, so that borders on the cutesy, but those three words contain a profound truth. The church isn't for perfect people. If it was then there would be even fewer people in the pews than there already are.
No, the church isn't for perfect people, it's for sinners. It's for people who need saving. It's for people who need blessing. It's for people who need forgiveness. It's for people who know hurt and need healing. It's for people who need a welcoming and accepting community of faith, a community of other sinners looking for the same thing.
The church is not for perfect people. The church is for people who desire a relationship with a perfect Saviour. Just as any month or any season is a mixture of good and bad, in the same way people who are being saved are a mixture of good and bad, saint and sinner. That goes for me. That goes for you. That goes for my church and your church and the church across town. So I thank God that his love and mercy and forgiveness are big enough for all of us.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Aunt Hetty Died
It's very sad, Jackie Burroughs died today. The only thing I've ever seen her in is the TV series Road to Avonlea. When my wife and I were dating, engaged, and just after we were married that show was a Sunday night ritual at her parents' house with her two younger sisters. Wow, that was 20 years ago!
Hetty King was a crusty character who you couldn't help but love. The episode when her niece, Sarah, wins a writing contest about why you have the best mother, when she wrote about her Aunt Hetty who was raising her, and won the contest, it made me want to cheer while I had a lump in my throat.
Now we're parents of four kids aged 17, 15, 12, and 8 and we've bought the Road to Avonlea series on DVD and Sunday nights are RTA nights. It's one of the few shows that all six of us want to watch together, that we'll shut off the Xbox, close the laptop, and turn off the ipod to watch.
We'll always have Aunt Hetty with us, unfortunately Jackie Burroughs isn't. She died today of stomach cancer. Lord, now you let your servant go in peace.
Hetty King was a crusty character who you couldn't help but love. The episode when her niece, Sarah, wins a writing contest about why you have the best mother, when she wrote about her Aunt Hetty who was raising her, and won the contest, it made me want to cheer while I had a lump in my throat.
Now we're parents of four kids aged 17, 15, 12, and 8 and we've bought the Road to Avonlea series on DVD and Sunday nights are RTA nights. It's one of the few shows that all six of us want to watch together, that we'll shut off the Xbox, close the laptop, and turn off the ipod to watch.
We'll always have Aunt Hetty with us, unfortunately Jackie Burroughs isn't. She died today of stomach cancer. Lord, now you let your servant go in peace.
Thursday, September 02, 2010
...about Homecoming
"I love it here. You can sing as loud as you want. That dude wails on the organ. That dude up there tells stories. It's almost a religious experience!"
-- Leo, That 70s Show
I love church, and not because I'm a pastor. I loved church long before I even thought of being a pastor. It probably doesn't hurt that I grew up in the church. I was baptized when I was about 2 1/2 months old. I grew up going to Sunday School, learning the stories of our faith. As a teenager I participated in the activities of the church youth group. That's where I met the girl who would become my wife.
The people in the church are my extended family. The church is home to me. Now my children are growing up in the church and I pray they will come to think of it as their home and family too.
This weekend marks the unofficial end to summer. That's kind of a drag. There's a laid back feel to summer, a good feeling. Schedules aren't as strict. You can go with the flow. A lot of people take vacation time to get away from the everyday. I like it a lot.
But the end of summer is also a homecoming. We come back to a routine, a routine that can be very comfortable. One thing that I appreciate when I come home from a vacation is my bed. No bed in any hotel or in our trailer can compare to my bed. I don't think I ever sleep as well as I do in my own bedroom. There are other comforts at home. I have everything I need or know where to get it because inevitably, on any vacation, either I forget to pack something or I don't have the space to take something along that I might want.
In our church we have Homecoming Sunday every year on the Sunday after Labour Day. People have come back from vacation, kids are back to school, and we invite everyone back to their church home. Some may have been away for a little while. Some may have been away from their church home for a long time, maybe years. Some may not have a church home at all. All are welcome.
Our Homecoming Sunday has turned into a Homecoming Weekend because on the Saturday we're having a pig roast dinner followed by a movie after the sun goes down, all of it out on the church lawn weather permitting.
Everyone is welcome. Now I'm not telling you about this to solicit people away from other churches. If you have a church home I encourage you to go there. If you've been away for a while, go back to your church home. If you've been away for a long time, maybe years, go back to your church home. If you don't have a church home think about finding one. Maybe a friend or neighbour has a church home and would take you with them if you asked.
If you are part of a church family and have a church home, think about those people who haven't been to their church home for a while, or a long time, maybe years. Think about those people, friends, family, co-workers, neighbours, who don't have a church home. Pray for them and invite them to your church home.
As Leo said, "It's almost a religious experience." In a church home, with a church family, we hear about the love of God in Jesus Christ. As we find our home in God and God's church we grow in faith and love. Come home.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Congrats Spain
Congratulations to La Roja, the Spanish national football team for winning the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Congratulations for winning a terrible game. The ref in this one, Howard Webb of England, really ruined it. He gave out a gazillion yellow cards and just spoiled any pace that the game might have. Once the players knew he was calling it so tight they made the most of even the slightest fouls by flopping about on the grass and clutching at ankles and shins.
This isn't sour grapes. I was cheering for Germany but, as I wrote in an earlier post, Spain outplayed them to get to the final. This final was just a boring game. There weren't many good chances for either team. I am glad that it ended with a goal and not with a shootout.
It's also kind of a letdown that the World Cup is over. A month of soccer on TV was fun. And an international tournament with all these national teams is just so much better than a late night replay of a Toronto FC game. That's about all we get to see around here normally.
This isn't sour grapes. I was cheering for Germany but, as I wrote in an earlier post, Spain outplayed them to get to the final. This final was just a boring game. There weren't many good chances for either team. I am glad that it ended with a goal and not with a shootout.
It's also kind of a letdown that the World Cup is over. A month of soccer on TV was fun. And an international tournament with all these national teams is just so much better than a late night replay of a Toronto FC game. That's about all we get to see around here normally.
...about Vuvuzelas
I wrote this for the local paper and it appeared on Friday.
I'm one of the few people I know who likes the sound of the Vuvuzela. Anyone who has been watching the World Cup soccer games from South Africa will be familiar with the buzzing, honking sound that the fans make with their plastic horns. That's the sound of the Vuvuzela.
Some find it annoying or disturbing. After the first few games of the World Cup there were calls to ban the Vuvuzela. Broadcasters have tried to filter the sound somewhat. I'm glad it wasn't banned and I'm glad that I can still hear the tooting of the horns as I watch the games. The Vuvuzela is part of South Africa's soccer culture. It's a part of the fans' enthusiasm as they cheer on their favourite teams.
A couple of weeks ago I attended the Eastern Synod Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada. It was a convention attended by about 300 members of churches from Sault Ste. Marie to Halifax. I submitted a motion at the convention "that the Ministry Director for Worship Ministries investigate the possible liturgical and musical uses of the Vuvuzela and communicate her findings to the wider church."
Okay, it was a joke, and I submitted it to inject a bit of levity into what can sometimes be pretty serious and boring business meetings. One pastor got up to propose an amendment to the motion, suggesting that it be for "outdoor" uses because if it's blown indoors the Vuvuzela can damage your hearing. He also gave a few reasons why it might be a good instrument to be used in churches.
The Vuvuzela can be played by anyone so it's a very inclusive instrument and in the church we want to be inclusive and welcoming to everyone. Also, the Vuvuzela plays only one note which can be a symbol of Christian unity. You'll find all kinds of different churches throughout our city and the world. We worship in different ways and we might understand and express our relationship with God in different ways. But something we do share is our faith in Jesus Christ.
The Vuvuzela can be seen as a symbol of inclusiveness and unity. We sing a hymn in our church written by Marty Haugen that says:
"Let us build a house where love can dwell
and all can safely live,
a place where saints and children tell
how hearts learn to forgive.
Built of hopes and dreams and visions,
rock of faith and vault of grace,
here the love of Christ shall end divisions:
All are welcome, all are welcome,
all are welcome in this place."
The Good News of Jesus Christ tells us that divisions are removed. The love of Jesus can transform our lives and bring about reconciliation between ourselves and God and between each other. The divisions that would include some and exclude others are abolished by the grace of God. St. Paul wrote to the churches in Galatia, "There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus" (Gal 3:28).
We are also united in Christ. In the Bible the letter to the Ephesian church says, "There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all" (Eph 4:4-6). Our unity doesn't mean we're all the same. It means we share something in common, our faith in Jesus Christ.
So I'm going to try to get my hands on a Vuvuzela or two. And I'll blow it (outside) and think of how that buzzing tone reminds me of the inclusiveness and unity of our faith in Jesus Christ.
I'm one of the few people I know who likes the sound of the Vuvuzela. Anyone who has been watching the World Cup soccer games from South Africa will be familiar with the buzzing, honking sound that the fans make with their plastic horns. That's the sound of the Vuvuzela.
Some find it annoying or disturbing. After the first few games of the World Cup there were calls to ban the Vuvuzela. Broadcasters have tried to filter the sound somewhat. I'm glad it wasn't banned and I'm glad that I can still hear the tooting of the horns as I watch the games. The Vuvuzela is part of South Africa's soccer culture. It's a part of the fans' enthusiasm as they cheer on their favourite teams.
A couple of weeks ago I attended the Eastern Synod Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada. It was a convention attended by about 300 members of churches from Sault Ste. Marie to Halifax. I submitted a motion at the convention "that the Ministry Director for Worship Ministries investigate the possible liturgical and musical uses of the Vuvuzela and communicate her findings to the wider church."
Okay, it was a joke, and I submitted it to inject a bit of levity into what can sometimes be pretty serious and boring business meetings. One pastor got up to propose an amendment to the motion, suggesting that it be for "outdoor" uses because if it's blown indoors the Vuvuzela can damage your hearing. He also gave a few reasons why it might be a good instrument to be used in churches.
The Vuvuzela can be played by anyone so it's a very inclusive instrument and in the church we want to be inclusive and welcoming to everyone. Also, the Vuvuzela plays only one note which can be a symbol of Christian unity. You'll find all kinds of different churches throughout our city and the world. We worship in different ways and we might understand and express our relationship with God in different ways. But something we do share is our faith in Jesus Christ.
The Vuvuzela can be seen as a symbol of inclusiveness and unity. We sing a hymn in our church written by Marty Haugen that says:
"Let us build a house where love can dwell
and all can safely live,
a place where saints and children tell
how hearts learn to forgive.
Built of hopes and dreams and visions,
rock of faith and vault of grace,
here the love of Christ shall end divisions:
All are welcome, all are welcome,
all are welcome in this place."
The Good News of Jesus Christ tells us that divisions are removed. The love of Jesus can transform our lives and bring about reconciliation between ourselves and God and between each other. The divisions that would include some and exclude others are abolished by the grace of God. St. Paul wrote to the churches in Galatia, "There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus" (Gal 3:28).
We are also united in Christ. In the Bible the letter to the Ephesian church says, "There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all" (Eph 4:4-6). Our unity doesn't mean we're all the same. It means we share something in common, our faith in Jesus Christ.
So I'm going to try to get my hands on a Vuvuzela or two. And I'll blow it (outside) and think of how that buzzing tone reminds me of the inclusiveness and unity of our faith in Jesus Christ.
Wednesday, July 07, 2010
Rats
So much for making fun of England for getting knocked out of the World Cup finals. My team, Germany, Die Mannschaft, Die DFB-Elf just lost to Spain, La Roja. Spain deserved to win this game. They seemed to dominate the possession of the ball and just wouldn't let Germany in with any good chances. I'm disappointed. I'll have to take the German flag off my van and put in into storage until the European Championships in two years.
Rats.
Rats.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Germany beats England
What's the difference between the English soccer team and a tea bag?
A tea bag stays in the cup longer.
A tea bag stays in the cup longer.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Green Season
I'm not what you would call an "outdoorsman." I take my family on a camping trip every summer but we like our conveniences. We sleep in a trailer with comfortable mattresses and even an electric heater if the nights should get cold. It's only a short walk from the trailer to the campground's washrooms and showers. We bring along a small refrigerator and a hotplate for cooking.
A few years ago my kids were so disappointed and I felt like such a failure because I couldn't get a decent campfire going. Not that we needed it for cooking, just for the evening atmosphere and coziness of sitting around the fire together. Now I make use of any of the fire starters that they sell in the camp store.
I'm not an outdoorsman but I like to be outdoors. I enjoy the warmer weather when we can eat dinner out on the patio, when I can while away a weekend afternoon lying in the shade of the big maple tree in our backyard. My wife is an avid gardener so our surroundings are so much more beautiful thanks to her efforts with the many plants and flowers that she tends.
My favourite colour has always been blue. Just the other evening I sat staring into a clear blue sky as just a few whispy clouds floated past. But more and more I'm coming to appreciate green.
Hildegard of Bingen, a twelfth-century monastic theologian and horticulturalist, spoke of God's greening power evident in summer's trees laden with growing fruit, the birth of a child, the Eucharistic bread and wine; the planet, humanity and Christ united in a trinity of living, breathing, potent life. God's greatest desire, she suggested, was to bring "green-ness" to all things that could readily fall into graceless aridity and barrenness. To say the least, summer was—for this medieval nun—a time marked by the natural grace of warmth and growth. The gardener in many of us might agree.
The summer isn't all perfect. The sometimes stifling heat and sometimes increased levels of smog can be hard on people's breathing. It's hard for those who can't afford air conditioning or don't have money for vacations to find some respite from the heat. Summer also brings hurricane season to the south Atlantic and tornado season to the Midwest.
In Lutheran theology we often talk about tension and paradox, about two "words" required to proclaim truth. We are saint and sinner. Creation is good and fallen. The Word of God is law and gospel. Jesus is human and divine. It would seem appropriate to recognize that we need two "words" to speak the full truth of the summer season as well. We give thanks for the growth and greening of nature and we plead for mercy when some find it a struggle just to survive.
During this "green" season we can grow in faith as we hear the stories of Jesus' ministry, his daily life and teaching that comfort and challenge. We hear stories of God's favour for the lowly—a widow's only son, a woman called a sinner, a man possessed by demons, people on the margins of life who received new life through Jesus. We also hear stories about the difficulty of discipleship, about disciples who can't follow Jesus wholeheartedly and turn back and about the disciples sent out with the reminder that they may be accepted or rejected.
May our faith be nurtured, may it grow, may it bear fruit as we live in the tensions and paradoxes of life. And may God bless us all.
A few years ago my kids were so disappointed and I felt like such a failure because I couldn't get a decent campfire going. Not that we needed it for cooking, just for the evening atmosphere and coziness of sitting around the fire together. Now I make use of any of the fire starters that they sell in the camp store.
I'm not an outdoorsman but I like to be outdoors. I enjoy the warmer weather when we can eat dinner out on the patio, when I can while away a weekend afternoon lying in the shade of the big maple tree in our backyard. My wife is an avid gardener so our surroundings are so much more beautiful thanks to her efforts with the many plants and flowers that she tends.
My favourite colour has always been blue. Just the other evening I sat staring into a clear blue sky as just a few whispy clouds floated past. But more and more I'm coming to appreciate green.
Hildegard of Bingen, a twelfth-century monastic theologian and horticulturalist, spoke of God's greening power evident in summer's trees laden with growing fruit, the birth of a child, the Eucharistic bread and wine; the planet, humanity and Christ united in a trinity of living, breathing, potent life. God's greatest desire, she suggested, was to bring "green-ness" to all things that could readily fall into graceless aridity and barrenness. To say the least, summer was—for this medieval nun—a time marked by the natural grace of warmth and growth. The gardener in many of us might agree.
The summer isn't all perfect. The sometimes stifling heat and sometimes increased levels of smog can be hard on people's breathing. It's hard for those who can't afford air conditioning or don't have money for vacations to find some respite from the heat. Summer also brings hurricane season to the south Atlantic and tornado season to the Midwest.
In Lutheran theology we often talk about tension and paradox, about two "words" required to proclaim truth. We are saint and sinner. Creation is good and fallen. The Word of God is law and gospel. Jesus is human and divine. It would seem appropriate to recognize that we need two "words" to speak the full truth of the summer season as well. We give thanks for the growth and greening of nature and we plead for mercy when some find it a struggle just to survive.
During this "green" season we can grow in faith as we hear the stories of Jesus' ministry, his daily life and teaching that comfort and challenge. We hear stories of God's favour for the lowly—a widow's only son, a woman called a sinner, a man possessed by demons, people on the margins of life who received new life through Jesus. We also hear stories about the difficulty of discipleship, about disciples who can't follow Jesus wholeheartedly and turn back and about the disciples sent out with the reminder that they may be accepted or rejected.
May our faith be nurtured, may it grow, may it bear fruit as we live in the tensions and paradoxes of life. And may God bless us all.
Friday, May 14, 2010
...about forgiveness
I wrote this for the local paper and it was in today's edition.
One of the few things that various world religions have in common is the idea of sin. It may not be expressed with that term but most religions would describe some ideal for life and would agree that humans don’t live up to that ideal. Judaism, Christianity, and Islam believe that sin creates a barrier between humans and God. Relationship is broken and somehow people need to be saved and have a relationship with God restored.
How that happens differs between religions. Even within a religion there can be different beliefs as to how this restoration can take place. I’m no expert on other religions and I can’t even claim to be totally versed on the subtle differences within Christianity. But I feel pretty safe in saying that a common belief in all branches of Christianity is a belief in God’s forgiveness.
I remember when I was still a seminary student on my internship. I was teaching a confirmation class, a group of twelve and thirteen year olds who weren’t all that interested in what I had to say to them. I asked, “What does God do when we mess up?” and I don’t think most of them even heard me ask the question. Most of the time I didn’t even expect an attempt at an answer but from the noise made by the boys horsing around one of the girls piped up with an answer. She wasn’t all that sure of herself so the answer sounded more like a question. She said, “Forgives(?)”
She was absolutely right. What does God do when we mess up? What does God do with our sin? What does God do to restore our broken relationship? God forgives. The Bible says, “If we say that we have not sinned, we are fooling ourselves, and the truth isn’t in our hearts. But if we confess our sins to God, he can always be trusted to forgive us and take our sins away” (1 John 1:8-9).
Not only does God forgive us, we are also commanded to forgive others. In the prayer Jesus taught to his disciples we pray, “Forgive us for doing wrong, as we forgive others” (Matthew 6:12). There was also a time when one of Jesus’ disciples asked just how often he should forgive. “‘How many times should I forgive someone who does something wrong to me? Is seven times enough?’ Jesus answered: ‘Not just seven times, but seventy-seven times!’” (Matthew 18:21-22). Jesus wasn’t just giving him a higher number, he was telling him to stop keeping score. Just forgive!
I don’t think we realize the power of forgiveness. The word has become kind of bland. It has become a “Yeah, whatever. No sweat. Just don’t do it again.” But the concept of forgiveness in the Bible is a life-changing thing. It’s a creative act. New life springs from forgiveness. “Put up with each other, and forgive anyone who does you wrong, just as Christ has forgiven you. Love is more important than anything else. It is what ties everything completely together” (Colossians 3:13-14).
That can be hard for some of us to take. Some things might be easier to forgive than others. Some things might seem totally unforgivable. In 2006 a gunman took hostage and then shot and killed five young girls before taking his own life in an Amish schoolhouse in Pennsylvania. One would think that such an evil act would be unforgivable but the families, the parents of those children, forgave the killer. Those who know about Amish life and culture and faith explained that their willingness to forgive does not undo the tragedy or pardon the wrong, but rather constitutes a first step toward a future that is more hopeful.
There’s an important point in there. Forgiveness does not say the action was not wrong. Forgiveness does not dismiss the fact that evil exists and happens. Forgiveness does not mean there are no consequences. Forgiveness doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t try to right the wrongs we have done. Forgiveness allows for reconciliation and a future that is more hopeful.
Recently there has been frequent attention in the media to sinful actions in parts of the Christian Church. The alleged sins of certain members of the clergy were kept quiet, or ignored, or overlooked. These acts were evil, perpetrated by people who held positions of power and trust against the innocent and vulnerable. Does that mean those actions are unforgivable? No. Does that mean those actions should not be punished? No. The consequences of sin remain and certain punishments are required by law.
But forgiveness of our sins is a foundation of the Christian faith. We confess it in our worship when we confess our faith by reciting the creeds of the church. The heart of the Christian message of salvation is reconciliation. “God was in Christ, offering peace and forgiveness to the people of this world. And he has given us the work of sharing his message about peace” (2 Corinthians 5:19).
We are made right with God and given new life, a life and future that are hopeful, by God’s grace and mercy. Our actions will have consequences and may deserve punishment. Relationships become broken. But by God’s grace relationships can be mended. Reconciliation can take place. Forgiveness can lead to new life and a future with hope.
One of the few things that various world religions have in common is the idea of sin. It may not be expressed with that term but most religions would describe some ideal for life and would agree that humans don’t live up to that ideal. Judaism, Christianity, and Islam believe that sin creates a barrier between humans and God. Relationship is broken and somehow people need to be saved and have a relationship with God restored.
How that happens differs between religions. Even within a religion there can be different beliefs as to how this restoration can take place. I’m no expert on other religions and I can’t even claim to be totally versed on the subtle differences within Christianity. But I feel pretty safe in saying that a common belief in all branches of Christianity is a belief in God’s forgiveness.
I remember when I was still a seminary student on my internship. I was teaching a confirmation class, a group of twelve and thirteen year olds who weren’t all that interested in what I had to say to them. I asked, “What does God do when we mess up?” and I don’t think most of them even heard me ask the question. Most of the time I didn’t even expect an attempt at an answer but from the noise made by the boys horsing around one of the girls piped up with an answer. She wasn’t all that sure of herself so the answer sounded more like a question. She said, “Forgives(?)”
She was absolutely right. What does God do when we mess up? What does God do with our sin? What does God do to restore our broken relationship? God forgives. The Bible says, “If we say that we have not sinned, we are fooling ourselves, and the truth isn’t in our hearts. But if we confess our sins to God, he can always be trusted to forgive us and take our sins away” (1 John 1:8-9).
Not only does God forgive us, we are also commanded to forgive others. In the prayer Jesus taught to his disciples we pray, “Forgive us for doing wrong, as we forgive others” (Matthew 6:12). There was also a time when one of Jesus’ disciples asked just how often he should forgive. “‘How many times should I forgive someone who does something wrong to me? Is seven times enough?’ Jesus answered: ‘Not just seven times, but seventy-seven times!’” (Matthew 18:21-22). Jesus wasn’t just giving him a higher number, he was telling him to stop keeping score. Just forgive!
I don’t think we realize the power of forgiveness. The word has become kind of bland. It has become a “Yeah, whatever. No sweat. Just don’t do it again.” But the concept of forgiveness in the Bible is a life-changing thing. It’s a creative act. New life springs from forgiveness. “Put up with each other, and forgive anyone who does you wrong, just as Christ has forgiven you. Love is more important than anything else. It is what ties everything completely together” (Colossians 3:13-14).
That can be hard for some of us to take. Some things might be easier to forgive than others. Some things might seem totally unforgivable. In 2006 a gunman took hostage and then shot and killed five young girls before taking his own life in an Amish schoolhouse in Pennsylvania. One would think that such an evil act would be unforgivable but the families, the parents of those children, forgave the killer. Those who know about Amish life and culture and faith explained that their willingness to forgive does not undo the tragedy or pardon the wrong, but rather constitutes a first step toward a future that is more hopeful.
There’s an important point in there. Forgiveness does not say the action was not wrong. Forgiveness does not dismiss the fact that evil exists and happens. Forgiveness does not mean there are no consequences. Forgiveness doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t try to right the wrongs we have done. Forgiveness allows for reconciliation and a future that is more hopeful.
Recently there has been frequent attention in the media to sinful actions in parts of the Christian Church. The alleged sins of certain members of the clergy were kept quiet, or ignored, or overlooked. These acts were evil, perpetrated by people who held positions of power and trust against the innocent and vulnerable. Does that mean those actions are unforgivable? No. Does that mean those actions should not be punished? No. The consequences of sin remain and certain punishments are required by law.
But forgiveness of our sins is a foundation of the Christian faith. We confess it in our worship when we confess our faith by reciting the creeds of the church. The heart of the Christian message of salvation is reconciliation. “God was in Christ, offering peace and forgiveness to the people of this world. And he has given us the work of sharing his message about peace” (2 Corinthians 5:19).
We are made right with God and given new life, a life and future that are hopeful, by God’s grace and mercy. Our actions will have consequences and may deserve punishment. Relationships become broken. But by God’s grace relationships can be mended. Reconciliation can take place. Forgiveness can lead to new life and a future with hope.
Tuesday, April 06, 2010
Post-Easter Post
It's something, how a dreary and rainy day can change your mood. Or maybe it's just a letdown after the emotion of Easter. What a weekend!
You go through such a range of emotion through the Three Days. The Maundy Thursday liturgy includes the laying on of hands with individual absolution which always kind of gets me. The words I say are "In obedience to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ, I forgive you all your sins." It's entirely biblical and it's right and good to do this but I kind of feel, like, Wow! I forgive you all your sins(?)
Then there's the foot washing. I don't wash the whole congregation's feet or even a representative twelve. I ask one person ahead of time if they'll allow me to wash their feet. Again, it's moving. I take off my chasuble and stole while the person takes his/her shoes and socks off and I kneel down and take one foot at a time, pour water over it, and dry it. Then I get myself dressed again while s/he puts socks and shoes back on. I kind of have a sense of embarassment, certainly humility, so that it's hard even to look up into the person's face.
Then we share the Lord's Supper which isn't really anything out of the ordinary. After that we strip the altar and worship space. The way we do it, I pick up the various items and paraments all around the chancel and any altar guild members who is present comes forward to receive them and take them out of the sanctuary. Our organist normally chants Psalm 22 a capella and I sit down until he is done and then leave in silence.
I've tried more and more to remind myself and others that Good Friday is not necessarily a sad or somber occasion, just a subdued or austere day. It is, after all the "triumph of the cross" that we proclaim and celebrate. We read the passion from John's Gospel in which Jesus does not suffer, does not cry out, does not feel foresaken by God. It is, after all, called "Good" Friday. Our organist chose ELWorship 350 as the Hymn of the Day. "They crucified my Lord, and he never said a mumbalin' word; not a word, not a word, not a word." I normally like something like "Ah, Holy Jesus" or "O Sacred Head, Now Wounded" but the African American spiritual was very fitting. We prayed the bidding prayer, and did the procession of the cross. I always mean to get a more substantial cross. The one we have, that was here before I came here, is made out of 2 x 3s and looks nothing like something on which anyone could be crucified. Then I read the solemn reproaches to which we responded each time with the Trisagion (ELWorship 161) by Mark Mummert. Then we sang 803, "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross" and then left in silence after reverencing the cross.
We don't do an Easter Vigil service. We did the first few years I was here together with the Anglican Church. I enjoyed the service but I honestly don't miss it. The weekend is so full anyway.
But we do worship at dawn (or slightly after). We have a sunrise service on Easter Sunday out at our cemetery. I proposed it for my first Easter here and the Worship Committee said, "You can do it, but I don't know who's going to come." That first year (2003) 28 people came and since then it has become a tradition that many people don't want to miss. This year we were 61 gathered there. We start at 7 a.m. so the sun had been up for a little less than half and hour. We bring a table and I bake bread on Saturday and we have Holy Communion together.
After that service we come back home and our kids search around the living and dining rooms to see what the Easter Bunny left them. Then at 9 a.m. we go to the church for breakfast. Then we have worship in the church at 10:30 a.m. It's amazing what a difference the registration on the organ and the bright tunes of the Easter hymns will do to change the mood from Thursday and Friday's services. And the alleluias just lift my spirit after having disappeared all during Lent. We changed to setting 1 of the liturgy from ELWorship and the canticle of praise "This is the feast..." is just awesome in my opinion. The alleluia in the third verse goes up to a high E-flat so that you can pretty much shout it out. We ended with 382, "Christ Is Risen! Alleluia!" which has been transposed in ELWorship so that the refrain only goes up to an E-flat instead of an F as it did in LBW, but it's still a joyful noise.
Yesterday was a day of rest. We slept in. We rented some movies (Sherlock Holmes, Planet 51, Blindside) and just vegged on the couch in front of the TV. After a four day weekend the kids weren't eager to go to bed and see the weekend end. Then today we woke up to a grey sky and showers through the day.
But it's still Easter. I've got to try to remember that. Maybe I have to go home and greet the family with "Alleluia! Christ is risen!" to get myself and all of us back into that frame of mind. As I look outside there are crocuses and daffodils blooming, and the first tulip. The grass is really green. I don't know if it was like this a week ago. New light is streaming. Er ist wahrhaftig auferstanden! Il est vraiment ressuscite! Alethos Aneste! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
You go through such a range of emotion through the Three Days. The Maundy Thursday liturgy includes the laying on of hands with individual absolution which always kind of gets me. The words I say are "In obedience to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ, I forgive you all your sins." It's entirely biblical and it's right and good to do this but I kind of feel, like, Wow! I forgive you all your sins(?)
Then there's the foot washing. I don't wash the whole congregation's feet or even a representative twelve. I ask one person ahead of time if they'll allow me to wash their feet. Again, it's moving. I take off my chasuble and stole while the person takes his/her shoes and socks off and I kneel down and take one foot at a time, pour water over it, and dry it. Then I get myself dressed again while s/he puts socks and shoes back on. I kind of have a sense of embarassment, certainly humility, so that it's hard even to look up into the person's face.
Then we share the Lord's Supper which isn't really anything out of the ordinary. After that we strip the altar and worship space. The way we do it, I pick up the various items and paraments all around the chancel and any altar guild members who is present comes forward to receive them and take them out of the sanctuary. Our organist normally chants Psalm 22 a capella and I sit down until he is done and then leave in silence.
I've tried more and more to remind myself and others that Good Friday is not necessarily a sad or somber occasion, just a subdued or austere day. It is, after all the "triumph of the cross" that we proclaim and celebrate. We read the passion from John's Gospel in which Jesus does not suffer, does not cry out, does not feel foresaken by God. It is, after all, called "Good" Friday. Our organist chose ELWorship 350 as the Hymn of the Day. "They crucified my Lord, and he never said a mumbalin' word; not a word, not a word, not a word." I normally like something like "Ah, Holy Jesus" or "O Sacred Head, Now Wounded" but the African American spiritual was very fitting. We prayed the bidding prayer, and did the procession of the cross. I always mean to get a more substantial cross. The one we have, that was here before I came here, is made out of 2 x 3s and looks nothing like something on which anyone could be crucified. Then I read the solemn reproaches to which we responded each time with the Trisagion (ELWorship 161) by Mark Mummert. Then we sang 803, "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross" and then left in silence after reverencing the cross.
We don't do an Easter Vigil service. We did the first few years I was here together with the Anglican Church. I enjoyed the service but I honestly don't miss it. The weekend is so full anyway.
But we do worship at dawn (or slightly after). We have a sunrise service on Easter Sunday out at our cemetery. I proposed it for my first Easter here and the Worship Committee said, "You can do it, but I don't know who's going to come." That first year (2003) 28 people came and since then it has become a tradition that many people don't want to miss. This year we were 61 gathered there. We start at 7 a.m. so the sun had been up for a little less than half and hour. We bring a table and I bake bread on Saturday and we have Holy Communion together.
After that service we come back home and our kids search around the living and dining rooms to see what the Easter Bunny left them. Then at 9 a.m. we go to the church for breakfast. Then we have worship in the church at 10:30 a.m. It's amazing what a difference the registration on the organ and the bright tunes of the Easter hymns will do to change the mood from Thursday and Friday's services. And the alleluias just lift my spirit after having disappeared all during Lent. We changed to setting 1 of the liturgy from ELWorship and the canticle of praise "This is the feast..." is just awesome in my opinion. The alleluia in the third verse goes up to a high E-flat so that you can pretty much shout it out. We ended with 382, "Christ Is Risen! Alleluia!" which has been transposed in ELWorship so that the refrain only goes up to an E-flat instead of an F as it did in LBW, but it's still a joyful noise.
Yesterday was a day of rest. We slept in. We rented some movies (Sherlock Holmes, Planet 51, Blindside) and just vegged on the couch in front of the TV. After a four day weekend the kids weren't eager to go to bed and see the weekend end. Then today we woke up to a grey sky and showers through the day.
But it's still Easter. I've got to try to remember that. Maybe I have to go home and greet the family with "Alleluia! Christ is risen!" to get myself and all of us back into that frame of mind. As I look outside there are crocuses and daffodils blooming, and the first tulip. The grass is really green. I don't know if it was like this a week ago. New light is streaming. Er ist wahrhaftig auferstanden! Il est vraiment ressuscite! Alethos Aneste! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Saturday, April 03, 2010
Easter Gospel
The previous post made mention of my uncle who has cancer. When he was diagnosed last fall he was told he might have 11 months to live. The past few weeks had been looking pretty grim as the tumor was affecting his ability to eat and drink so he wasn't getting any nourishment and getting weak and thin. He had intestinal surgery to relieve the problem he was having and the surgeon thinks that now he could possibly have up to 2 or 3 years. He also said that a positive attitude can have a remarkable effect on the length and quality of life he has left. I don't know if the surgeon is aware of the effect that faith and prayer is having and will have on my uncles life as well.
This news has just lifted my spirits so dramatically. When I heard this news yesterday it was just like, WOW!
Happy Easter.
This news has just lifted my spirits so dramatically. When I heard this news yesterday it was just like, WOW!
Happy Easter.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Holy Week
It's Holy Week, the most sacred time of the church year, when we remember Jesus' sacrifice of his life, celebrate Christ's life-giving passion, our Passover with Christ from darkness to light, from bondage to freedom, from death to life.
Holy Week. Maybe Hectic Week or Harried Week would be more appropriate for clergy. Yesterday was the birthday of one of my daughters. We went out for dinner and the restaurant she chose was over an hour's drive away. I was happy to take her there. I think we fall just short of spoiling our kids and a birthday should be special. But my wife asked a few times if something was wrong because I was very quiet and didn't seem to be into the birthday celebration. I said maybe I was just tired.
Now that I look back on it, and consider how I'm feeling today as well, I think maybe I'm just feeling a little overwhelmed about how busy this week will be. In addition to four sermons to write (Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter 7 a.m., Easter 10:30 a.m.) there are a whole lot of logistics that I have to try to remember. Ask someone if they'll let me wash their feet on Thursday evening. Get the cross out of the basement for Good Friday. Arrange for everything we'll need out at the cemetery for the sunrise service. Bake bread for the Easter services and maybe for Thursday as well. Did I mention four sermons to write?
When I finally get to the worship services, assuming everything has been remembered and/or has fallen into place, I do get into the moment and they can be moving and they do mean something for my faith. But by the time I sit down to Easter lunch I'm exhausted. As much as I liked the Easter Vigil service the first few years I was here I don't miss it since we haven't done it for a few years now.
As exhausting as this week can be I wouldn't want to miss it. I actually look forward to it. I grew up going to all the services in Holy Week and I can't understand the people who miss any of them. Liturgists will tell you that the worship services of the Three Days are all of one piece. There's no blessing at the end of the Maundy Thursday services because it continues on Good Friday. We leave in silence on Good Friday, again without a blessing, because we conclude our observance on Easter when the bells will ring again and the organist will pull out all the stops and blast us up out of our seats (Auferstehung).
I have an uncle who is dying of cancer. I visited him last week and he says he's ready to die. He's my godfather and a faithful Christian man. He may have a few months left. His doctors are doing what they can to give him more time and to give his life as much quality as they can in the time he has left. Tears are shed in our family as we think of losing him. His birthday (I believe 72) will be on Good Friday. This week is what our faith is all about. "'Death has been swallowed up in victory.' 'Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?' Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Cor 15.54-56).
So, maybe once in a while, for the sake of our faith, I'll be exhausted by the celebration of our Lord's Passover. Now back to writing sermons. Blessed Holy Week and Happy Easter.
Holy Week. Maybe Hectic Week or Harried Week would be more appropriate for clergy. Yesterday was the birthday of one of my daughters. We went out for dinner and the restaurant she chose was over an hour's drive away. I was happy to take her there. I think we fall just short of spoiling our kids and a birthday should be special. But my wife asked a few times if something was wrong because I was very quiet and didn't seem to be into the birthday celebration. I said maybe I was just tired.
Now that I look back on it, and consider how I'm feeling today as well, I think maybe I'm just feeling a little overwhelmed about how busy this week will be. In addition to four sermons to write (Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter 7 a.m., Easter 10:30 a.m.) there are a whole lot of logistics that I have to try to remember. Ask someone if they'll let me wash their feet on Thursday evening. Get the cross out of the basement for Good Friday. Arrange for everything we'll need out at the cemetery for the sunrise service. Bake bread for the Easter services and maybe for Thursday as well. Did I mention four sermons to write?
When I finally get to the worship services, assuming everything has been remembered and/or has fallen into place, I do get into the moment and they can be moving and they do mean something for my faith. But by the time I sit down to Easter lunch I'm exhausted. As much as I liked the Easter Vigil service the first few years I was here I don't miss it since we haven't done it for a few years now.
As exhausting as this week can be I wouldn't want to miss it. I actually look forward to it. I grew up going to all the services in Holy Week and I can't understand the people who miss any of them. Liturgists will tell you that the worship services of the Three Days are all of one piece. There's no blessing at the end of the Maundy Thursday services because it continues on Good Friday. We leave in silence on Good Friday, again without a blessing, because we conclude our observance on Easter when the bells will ring again and the organist will pull out all the stops and blast us up out of our seats (Auferstehung).
I have an uncle who is dying of cancer. I visited him last week and he says he's ready to die. He's my godfather and a faithful Christian man. He may have a few months left. His doctors are doing what they can to give him more time and to give his life as much quality as they can in the time he has left. Tears are shed in our family as we think of losing him. His birthday (I believe 72) will be on Good Friday. This week is what our faith is all about. "'Death has been swallowed up in victory.' 'Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?' Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Cor 15.54-56).
So, maybe once in a while, for the sake of our faith, I'll be exhausted by the celebration of our Lord's Passover. Now back to writing sermons. Blessed Holy Week and Happy Easter.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Holy Week Concert
I sing in a chamber choir called Choralis Camerata made up of singers from the Niagara Region. This weekend we're performing twice:
Choralis Camerata
with the
Ensemble Camerata
presents
Vivaldi—"Gloria"
Stainer—"Crucifixion"
Saturday, March 27 — 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 27 — 7:30 p.m.
Lundy's Lane United Church, 5825 Lowell Ave., Niagara Falls
Sunday, March 28 — 2:30 p.m.
First Grantham United Church, 415 Linwell Rd., St. Catharines
Soloists:
Soprano: Jennifer McKillop; Alto: Vicki St. Pierre;
Tenor: David Holler; Bass: Dane Wendell
Tenor: David Holler; Bass: Dane Wendell
Adults $25; Seniors $22
It's been fun learning these pieces and I imagine they'll sound beautiful. And they'll be a wonderful meditation on the events we'll be observing and commemorating in the coming weeks. If you're in the area and wish to attend you can get tickets at the door.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
...about language
I wrote this for our local paper. It should appear on Friday.
In last week's federal throne speech, the governor general made mention of the government considering a change to some words in our national anthem. There were a few reactions to the proposal.
Some jumped on it as another instance of political correctness gone too far. Some welcomed the debate or discussion in an effort to make a symbol of our nation more inclusive. Some thought it was a red herring thrown in by the government to deflect some attention from other more delicate and possibly embarrassing issues. If that was the intention then I think it worked for a time because it resulted in numerous news stories and editorials.
It got me to thinking about language, and the power or language. A song by the Police back in the '80s had a line that went "Poets, priests and politicians / Have words to thank for their positions." But it's more than that, everything depends on our language and how we're able to communicate things.
I found early in my career as a pastor that the way I say things is very important because if I'm not clear then people can take things in the wrong way, take them in a way that I never intended. I think we all learn at one time or another, in one situation or another, that you have to be careful what you say and how you say it.
In the case of our national anthem, some people take issue with the line "True patriot love in all thy sons command." In the original English words, written in 1908, that line said "True patriot love thou dost in us command." Those words are more inclusive, but nobody talks like that anymore. Language changes over time. The use of "sons" to refer to all Canadians and the use of "man" to refer to all of humankind regardless of gender was at one time commonplace and implicit. It's not strictly the case anymore. Language changes over time.
In the church there are often objections to newer, more modern translations of the Bible. The King James Version was produced in the year 1611 and portions of that version are well known, not only in church but in society. That version has a very poetic and majestic quality to it. But people don't talk that way anymore and language has changed over the past 400 years.
Some words have just gone out of use. Who would know that 'gins' actually means 'traps' or 'wist' actually means 'knew'? Other words have changed their meaning like 'carriage' which sounds like something that would be drawn by horses but used to mean 'baggage.' Or 'prevent' which sounds like you're keeping something from happening but which used to mean 'precede.'
Similarly, the word 'men' used to be used to refer to all people whether male or female and for many people it still does so they don't see a problem in using it that way (though not when it's a sign on a door). But for more and more people the word 'men' refers specifically and only to males and it's not a matter of them being stubborn and refusing to let the word refer to all people, it's a matter of language changing.
Now, in the case of changing a lyric in O Canada maybe the timing of this latest proposal is suspect. But I disagree with people who say it's a non-issue. For them it might be a non-issue but for some it is an issue about how they know and see themselves. We can't discard the issue by saying "oh, they're just words." Words have power. The childhood saying "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me" is just wrong. Words have the power to hurt and words have the power to heal.
Just think about the effects on someone who repeatedly hears things like: "you're worthless," "you're ugly," "you're stupid," "nobody loves you," "you disgust me." And then think about the effect on someone who gets to hear things like: "I love you," "you have a beautiful smile," "I'm proud of you," "well done," "I'm blessed to know you." They're not just words. They can be weapons used against the soul and they can be an ointment to soothe the soul.
In the church we believe that words can work miracles. "Faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ" (Romans 10:17). We believe that hearing the Good News about Jesus Christ produces faith and faith is what makes us right with God. Words matter. Words have power. Words heal the soul and give life.
May we all use words carefully, respectfully, and honourably. And may the way we use our words show love for all of our human family.
In last week's federal throne speech, the governor general made mention of the government considering a change to some words in our national anthem. There were a few reactions to the proposal.
Some jumped on it as another instance of political correctness gone too far. Some welcomed the debate or discussion in an effort to make a symbol of our nation more inclusive. Some thought it was a red herring thrown in by the government to deflect some attention from other more delicate and possibly embarrassing issues. If that was the intention then I think it worked for a time because it resulted in numerous news stories and editorials.
It got me to thinking about language, and the power or language. A song by the Police back in the '80s had a line that went "Poets, priests and politicians / Have words to thank for their positions." But it's more than that, everything depends on our language and how we're able to communicate things.
I found early in my career as a pastor that the way I say things is very important because if I'm not clear then people can take things in the wrong way, take them in a way that I never intended. I think we all learn at one time or another, in one situation or another, that you have to be careful what you say and how you say it.
In the case of our national anthem, some people take issue with the line "True patriot love in all thy sons command." In the original English words, written in 1908, that line said "True patriot love thou dost in us command." Those words are more inclusive, but nobody talks like that anymore. Language changes over time. The use of "sons" to refer to all Canadians and the use of "man" to refer to all of humankind regardless of gender was at one time commonplace and implicit. It's not strictly the case anymore. Language changes over time.
In the church there are often objections to newer, more modern translations of the Bible. The King James Version was produced in the year 1611 and portions of that version are well known, not only in church but in society. That version has a very poetic and majestic quality to it. But people don't talk that way anymore and language has changed over the past 400 years.
Some words have just gone out of use. Who would know that 'gins' actually means 'traps' or 'wist' actually means 'knew'? Other words have changed their meaning like 'carriage' which sounds like something that would be drawn by horses but used to mean 'baggage.' Or 'prevent' which sounds like you're keeping something from happening but which used to mean 'precede.'
Similarly, the word 'men' used to be used to refer to all people whether male or female and for many people it still does so they don't see a problem in using it that way (though not when it's a sign on a door). But for more and more people the word 'men' refers specifically and only to males and it's not a matter of them being stubborn and refusing to let the word refer to all people, it's a matter of language changing.
Now, in the case of changing a lyric in O Canada maybe the timing of this latest proposal is suspect. But I disagree with people who say it's a non-issue. For them it might be a non-issue but for some it is an issue about how they know and see themselves. We can't discard the issue by saying "oh, they're just words." Words have power. The childhood saying "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me" is just wrong. Words have the power to hurt and words have the power to heal.
Just think about the effects on someone who repeatedly hears things like: "you're worthless," "you're ugly," "you're stupid," "nobody loves you," "you disgust me." And then think about the effect on someone who gets to hear things like: "I love you," "you have a beautiful smile," "I'm proud of you," "well done," "I'm blessed to know you." They're not just words. They can be weapons used against the soul and they can be an ointment to soothe the soul.
In the church we believe that words can work miracles. "Faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ" (Romans 10:17). We believe that hearing the Good News about Jesus Christ produces faith and faith is what makes us right with God. Words matter. Words have power. Words heal the soul and give life.
May we all use words carefully, respectfully, and honourably. And may the way we use our words show love for all of our human family.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
God's Valentine
This certainly isn't original from me. It's one of those things that circulates from time to time, especially at this time of the year. I'm using it in my children's chat this Sunday and giving a copy to each of the kids, cut out in a heart shape and glued on a red construction paper heart.
For God so loVed the world
that he gAve
his onLy Son,
so that evEryone who
believes iN him
may noT
perIsh but may
have eterNal
lifE.
John 3:16
Happy Valentine's Day this Sunday.
For God so loVed the world
that he gAve
his onLy Son,
so that evEryone who
believes iN him
may noT
perIsh but may
have eterNal
lifE.
John 3:16
Happy Valentine's Day this Sunday.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Why God?
When a tragedy like last week's earthquake and today's large aftershock in Haiti happens people invariably as how God could let something like that happen. This is not a refutation of Pat Robertson's drivel. I don't think his statements deserve any attention. But I was thinking about God letting something like this happen.
The first thing I thought about was, just how much would we appreciate God's intervention in our lives? Do we really want God to stop every poor choice we make? Is some mysterious force supposed to prevent humans from settling in any part of the world that might be prone to a natural disaster? What natural forces would we expect God to prevent? We don't even know how tectonic movements, volcanic activity, and weather phenomena act together with countless other natural forces to keep our world merrily spinning and humming and working.
Then, specifically with Haiti, what exactly is God responsible for in the current situation? How much less severe would the devastation and loss of life be if the people of Haiti hadn't suffered from decades of deplorable government under dictators and other incompetent rule? How many of the buildings that collapsed might have survived, saving hundreds or thousands of lives, if better building codes and practices would have been in effect and in place? How would the lives of the people in Haiti be better if their plight and poverty hadn't been ignored for so long by those in the world who are so much more fortunate?
And if God is supposed to take the blame for this tragedy, does he receive the credit for all the lives that weren't lost? Does God receive the credit for the help that is now on the way to save lives and help rebuild and give the people of Haiti a new start?
So, where is God in all this?
Well, if we look for God then we have to look to the cross. It's on the cross where God meets us. God makes himself present hidden in weakness, vulnerable, suffering, forsaken, dying. Because of Jesus we see God weeping where there is pain and alienation, rejoicing where there is wholeness and love. In Jesus God has entered the darkness of our existence to gather us into his reign of wholeness, unity, and peace.
If the world was ignoring the plight of the people of Haiti at this time it would be a double tragedy. I believe the heart of God breaks as the people of Haiti suffer and die and mourn. I also believe that the heart of God rejoices as so many around the world unite in this effort to show our love, compassion, concern, and help to that country at this time.
There are many worthy organizations helping in the relief efforts at this time. One that I hold up and support is Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR) who are combining their efforts and resources with other churches in the organization Action by Churches Together (ACT) to provide relief and rehabilitation in Haiti. The Canadian government is matching donations made by individual Canadians by February 12, 2010. Contributions to the Haiti appeal may be made in the following ways:
1. Online at www.clwr.org/donate. In the process of completing the form, you will come across a pull-down menu that allows you to designate a specific project. Choose Haiti Earthquake.
2. By calling CLWR's toll-free number: 1.800.661.2597. If you do not need to use a toll-free line or are calling locally from the Winnipeg area, you can reach CLWR at 204.694.5602.
3. By sending a cheque made payable to CLWR to: CLWR, 302-393 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3B 3H6. Please indicate in your correspondence that you wish to contribute to the Haiti Earthquake Appeal.
4. Through ELCIC and LCC congregations by giving an offering designated to the Haiti Earthquake appeal.
The first thing I thought about was, just how much would we appreciate God's intervention in our lives? Do we really want God to stop every poor choice we make? Is some mysterious force supposed to prevent humans from settling in any part of the world that might be prone to a natural disaster? What natural forces would we expect God to prevent? We don't even know how tectonic movements, volcanic activity, and weather phenomena act together with countless other natural forces to keep our world merrily spinning and humming and working.
Then, specifically with Haiti, what exactly is God responsible for in the current situation? How much less severe would the devastation and loss of life be if the people of Haiti hadn't suffered from decades of deplorable government under dictators and other incompetent rule? How many of the buildings that collapsed might have survived, saving hundreds or thousands of lives, if better building codes and practices would have been in effect and in place? How would the lives of the people in Haiti be better if their plight and poverty hadn't been ignored for so long by those in the world who are so much more fortunate?
And if God is supposed to take the blame for this tragedy, does he receive the credit for all the lives that weren't lost? Does God receive the credit for the help that is now on the way to save lives and help rebuild and give the people of Haiti a new start?
So, where is God in all this?
Well, if we look for God then we have to look to the cross. It's on the cross where God meets us. God makes himself present hidden in weakness, vulnerable, suffering, forsaken, dying. Because of Jesus we see God weeping where there is pain and alienation, rejoicing where there is wholeness and love. In Jesus God has entered the darkness of our existence to gather us into his reign of wholeness, unity, and peace.
If the world was ignoring the plight of the people of Haiti at this time it would be a double tragedy. I believe the heart of God breaks as the people of Haiti suffer and die and mourn. I also believe that the heart of God rejoices as so many around the world unite in this effort to show our love, compassion, concern, and help to that country at this time.
There are many worthy organizations helping in the relief efforts at this time. One that I hold up and support is Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR) who are combining their efforts and resources with other churches in the organization Action by Churches Together (ACT) to provide relief and rehabilitation in Haiti. The Canadian government is matching donations made by individual Canadians by February 12, 2010. Contributions to the Haiti appeal may be made in the following ways:
1. Online at www.clwr.org/donate. In the process of completing the form, you will come across a pull-down menu that allows you to designate a specific project. Choose Haiti Earthquake.
2. By calling CLWR's toll-free number: 1.800.661.2597. If you do not need to use a toll-free line or are calling locally from the Winnipeg area, you can reach CLWR at 204.694.5602.
3. By sending a cheque made payable to CLWR to: CLWR, 302-393 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3B 3H6. Please indicate in your correspondence that you wish to contribute to the Haiti Earthquake Appeal.
4. Through ELCIC and LCC congregations by giving an offering designated to the Haiti Earthquake appeal.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
...about my alarm clock
I've been thinking about getting back into the swing of things. The holidays are over which leaves me in a somewhat melancholy mood.
Even though I might sometimes decry the commercialism of the season something about the decorations in the stores, even when they go up right after Hallowe'en, got me into the spirit of Christmas.
The season brought with it the obligation to get together with grandparents and aunts and uncles and cousins and all of the rest of the relations, but I looked forward to that.
For me, a pastor, the season brought with it some extra work and extra worship services and extra sermons to preach, but I enjoyed that.
And then there were the presents. I enjoyed going out or going online to shop, to try to think of something that my wife or my kids would like to find under the tree. And even though I'm 43 years old, I still enjoy getting presents the way I did when I was seven.
As much as we, in the church, like to emphasize that the Christmas season doesn't end on December 25 it still feels that way. We left the tree and the decorations and the poinsettias to decorate the church, we even sang Christmas carols on the two Sundays after Christmas, because the twelve days of Christmas begin on Christmas Day and run into January.
But for some reason it didn't feel like Christmas anymore. The TV channels stopped playing Christmas specials and movies. The radio stopped playing Christmas music. And somehow I wasn't able to maintain that Christmas spirit in my own heart and mind.
Then the kids went back to school this week, I had to start setting my alarm again in the mornings and getting up earlier than I ever did the past two weeks. It's back to the old routine. It's kind of a drag.
But then I remembered a song that I haven't heard in many years. As a kid I had a Sesame Street Christmas record. It's certainly not a religious song but I think it can have religious significance. It's called "Keep Christmas with You All Through the Year." The message of Christmas is that God became one of us and came to be with us.
And that Sesame Street song is significant because that Christmas miracle is not something that happens on one night of the year or for twelve days of the year or even for one month a year. It's not a message that only rings true as long as there's a fir tree standing in your living room or as long as Christmas carols play on the radio.
We believe that Christ comes among us whenever his followers gather to worship. We believe that Christ comes among us whenever we hear his word proclaimed. We believe that Christ comes among us whenever we share in his holy meal. We believe that Christ comes among us whenever we show love to our neighbours.
So I'll look forward to hearing those carols again next December. And I'll try to remember that the miracle of Christmas, of God coming to be with us and among us, happens all year long. But I don't have to enjoy getting up with the alarm again.
Even though I might sometimes decry the commercialism of the season something about the decorations in the stores, even when they go up right after Hallowe'en, got me into the spirit of Christmas.
The season brought with it the obligation to get together with grandparents and aunts and uncles and cousins and all of the rest of the relations, but I looked forward to that.
For me, a pastor, the season brought with it some extra work and extra worship services and extra sermons to preach, but I enjoyed that.
And then there were the presents. I enjoyed going out or going online to shop, to try to think of something that my wife or my kids would like to find under the tree. And even though I'm 43 years old, I still enjoy getting presents the way I did when I was seven.
As much as we, in the church, like to emphasize that the Christmas season doesn't end on December 25 it still feels that way. We left the tree and the decorations and the poinsettias to decorate the church, we even sang Christmas carols on the two Sundays after Christmas, because the twelve days of Christmas begin on Christmas Day and run into January.
But for some reason it didn't feel like Christmas anymore. The TV channels stopped playing Christmas specials and movies. The radio stopped playing Christmas music. And somehow I wasn't able to maintain that Christmas spirit in my own heart and mind.
Then the kids went back to school this week, I had to start setting my alarm again in the mornings and getting up earlier than I ever did the past two weeks. It's back to the old routine. It's kind of a drag.
But then I remembered a song that I haven't heard in many years. As a kid I had a Sesame Street Christmas record. It's certainly not a religious song but I think it can have religious significance. It's called "Keep Christmas with You All Through the Year." The message of Christmas is that God became one of us and came to be with us.
And that Sesame Street song is significant because that Christmas miracle is not something that happens on one night of the year or for twelve days of the year or even for one month a year. It's not a message that only rings true as long as there's a fir tree standing in your living room or as long as Christmas carols play on the radio.
We believe that Christ comes among us whenever his followers gather to worship. We believe that Christ comes among us whenever we hear his word proclaimed. We believe that Christ comes among us whenever we share in his holy meal. We believe that Christ comes among us whenever we show love to our neighbours.
So I'll look forward to hearing those carols again next December. And I'll try to remember that the miracle of Christmas, of God coming to be with us and among us, happens all year long. But I don't have to enjoy getting up with the alarm again.
Friday, January 01, 2010
Happy 2010
Happy New Year!!!
We went down to the canal to see the fireworks at midnight. I expected a bigger crowd but the people who showed up got a good show. It was a 10 minute fireworks show and really impressive.
I hope 2010 is a better year than 2009. Last year wasn't all bad. There was the trip to New York in February and the trip to Florida including M & Rs wedding in September/October.
But there were some really sad diagnoses in the extended family. I presided at the funeral of a soldier killed in Afghanistan. I wish the damned war would end. Just the day before yesterday four more Canadian soldiers and a newspaper reporter were killed. I'm sick of it.
I've got a good life and a great family, there's just a lot of crap going on in the world. Here's hoping 2010 will have more good news. God bless us, everyone.
We went down to the canal to see the fireworks at midnight. I expected a bigger crowd but the people who showed up got a good show. It was a 10 minute fireworks show and really impressive.
I hope 2010 is a better year than 2009. Last year wasn't all bad. There was the trip to New York in February and the trip to Florida including M & Rs wedding in September/October.
But there were some really sad diagnoses in the extended family. I presided at the funeral of a soldier killed in Afghanistan. I wish the damned war would end. Just the day before yesterday four more Canadian soldiers and a newspaper reporter were killed. I'm sick of it.
I've got a good life and a great family, there's just a lot of crap going on in the world. Here's hoping 2010 will have more good news. God bless us, everyone.
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