For All the Saints…

We bless your holy name, O God,
for all your servants who,
having finished their course,
now rest from their labors.

Give us grace to follow the example
of their steadfastness and faithfulness,
to your honor and glory;
through Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

(UM Book of Worship, 415)

———————————-

 

For all the saints, who from their labors rest,
who thee by faith before the world confessed,
thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

Thou wast their rock, their fortress, and their might;
thou, Lord, their captain in the well-fought fight;
thou, in the darkness drear, their one true light.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

O blest communion, fellowship divine!
We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
yet all are one in thee, for all are thine.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

From earth’s wide bounds, from ocean’s farthest coast,
through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
singing to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost:
Alleluia, Alleluia!

(United Methodist Hymnal, 711)

Is All Violence Somehow Connected?

“Never stop making the connections between sexism, racism, militarism, nationalism and all forms of violence.”  -- Marge Tuite, Dominican Sister

The above quote by Dominican sister, Marge Tuite really caused me to do some thinking.  Are all forms of violence connected somehow?  And, why does this quote seem particularly relevant to me as we approach the celebration of July 4th?

How can all violence be connected since often in our world it seems the “right hand” doesn’t know what the “left hand” is doing?  After all, we live in a world of fast moving pieces and parts of the overall, gigantic puzzle, don’t we?  Can it be that sister Marge Tuite has her finger on the pulse of something here?  I think she does.

What do sexism, racism, militarism, nationalism and all forms of violence share in common with one another?  The need for the oppressing party to show its “superiority.”  This same spirit of self-promotion is the spirit after all, that the Hebrew Scriptures imply got Lucipher “thrown out” of Heaven;  he desired to be equal or superior to God.  This desire for superiority is the same attitude that caused James and John to argue for the prime spot in Heaven right next to Jesus.

So, as we near the July 4th holiday–a holiday where we joyfully celebrate our nation’s independence, a holiday where patriotism runs deep and national pride is at its highest–let us use our freedom not as an opportunity to proclaim our nation’s superiority to the rest of the nations in the world.  But, instead, let us truly rise up and BE great by seeking to use whatever influence we have as a nation in this world to promote peace, justice, freedom, love, and harmony for ALL people, especially those who do not have the freedoms associated with being a resident of the United States or a country where such freedoms can be enjoyed.

What if we as American citizens, in the same breath we said ”God Bless America,” were to also say, “God Bless Humanity?”

Quote of the Day

The gospel of Christ knows of no religion but social; no holiness but social holiness.

- John Wesley,
from the preface to Hymns and Sacred Poems (1739)

Obama at Notre Dame Symbolic of Other Challenges

President Obama’s speech at Notre Dame’s commencement ceremony this past Sunday was very symbolic of at least a couple of major challenges facing the U.S., its culture, and its churches.  It seems to me in the plethora of critiques and comments that have followed this huge event, that most have missed the most amazing thing about this:  both Notre Dame and President Obama deserve praise for being able to embrace this opportunity to put fundamental differences aside on a hot-button issue like abortion and actually try and show the world that our political and religious differences do not have to divide us!

Do not mistake what I am saying.  I do not pretend to believe that everyone present at Notre Dame’s commencement was actually listening to President Obama.  After all, how about the hecklers no less than 4 minutes into his speech?  I also am not pretending to think that the President was fully engaged in listening to all the viewpoints of those in the Notre Dame family.  That’d be a pretty assumption considering he did all the talking, right?  But, I do believe that both parties, at least symbolically, helped to pave the way for future fence-mending and religious and political difference-settling if we are willing to follow their example of dialogue and interaction.

I am paralleling religious and political ideologies here because I believe that when it comes to some issues such as abortion, they are inseparably intertwined.  In the U.S., our religion and our politics have become so polarized and our differences have become so noisily voiced that we often cannot even hear what we’re actually saying to each other.  Upon the rare occasion when we are actually prone to listen to another person who holds vastly different views than our own, what would happen if we did what President Obama talked about in his speech to the Notre Dame audience and used “fair-minded” words?

I should let it be known that I do not agree with all of President Obama’s politics.  In particular, on the issue of abortion, I have a very different stance.  But the President made a very valid point using a couple of different examples during this speech.  First, whether we are pro-life or pro-choice, Christian or atheist, Muslim or Jew, let us work together to reduce the number of abortions and unwanted pregnancies in our nation.  If, as people of faith and citizens of a country we claim to care deeply about the value of human life, then let us work together to make adoption more accessible.  If we care so much about our religious and political views on the topic of abortion, then let us work together to actually provide care for adolescent mothers (and all mothers, for that matter) who do carry their babies to term.

Why don’t these kinds of partnerships take place in our country?  Why can’t people who worship in different faith traditions, ,who vote for different political candidates and parties, and who have different viewpoints on social issues work together and pursue solutions on common ground?  It’s the same reason  that the gay activist and the evangelical pastor can’t seem to find it in their hearts to work together to help solve the epidemic of AIDS in our country:  both are far too often concerned with being “right” instead of actually making a dent in the problem.  They just cannot seem to bridge the gaps in their differences.

There’s a lot to be said about having the “right” perspective on issues that have moral implications.  I am a pastor, after all, and I hate “bad” theology, “stinking” thinking, and “corrupt” politics.  Thanks to the educational requirements of my denomination, I’ve invested around $100,000 to be educated in such topics as ethics, social issues, and all sorts of faith-based jargon.  But, I suppose the bottom line is this:  people don’t care how much we know until they know how much we care.  And, if we care as deeply about social matters like abortion, AIDS, and others as we say we do—we’d better start caring enough to work with people on the opposite side of the issues to actually make some progress on the challenges facing us.

Who Would Jesus Torture?

The words of the above title just don’t seem to flow off the tongue very well, do they?  And yet, recent surveys and headlines surrounding the United States’ torture of prospective terrorists have indicated that the more often a person attends church, the more likely they are to consider torture an acceptable means of extracting information.  We’re not talking about “fly by night” research companies that have produced such evidence either.  CNN recently published an article based on a study performed by Pew Research Center that showed this unfortunate trend among Christians, especially evangelical Christians.  It got me thinking:  who would Jesus torture?

Our best witnesses to the life of Jesus are the gospel accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, right?  And amazingly, we don’t find Jesus torturing anyone, do we?  In fact, Jesus gives some pretty straight talk that is exactly OPPOSITE of what we tend to think and feel as human beings.  Love our enemies?  Pray for those who persecute you?  I’m pretty sure he at least meant not to torture them.

I know, already some of you are getting to your keyboards to respond!  Before you do, I want you to know I have been doing a lot of thinking about this, praying, and searching the Bible for perspective.  Just hear me out, OK?

The point of justification some would use for torture as an acceptable means of extracting information from prospective terrorists (or others) is that it is “effective” in obtaining vital information that may in turn help to fight terrorism.  Fox news recently reported that Former Vice President Cheney ordered the release of some memos containing details of such “interrogation” efforts in order to prove just how “effective” these techniques were.  Many would argue, “We need to do ‘whatever it takes’ to get information out of prospective terrorists.  I would raise the question, “At what point is gaining the information not worth the compromise of our nation’s integrity?”

Simply because the end may justify the means is not a good argument in favor of torture, is it?  One of my best friends and I recently disagreed on this topic.  He quizzed me, “Maybe we should just ask one of the orphans from 9/11 how they feel about it?”  It took me a while to compose an answer, I’ll admit, because I did not want to minimize the tremendous pain that all 9/11 victims suffered and no doubt still may suffer.  But, then it came to me.  It was Jesus who asked, “What does it profit a person to gain the whole world but lose their soul?”  There is some information that, no matter how valuable, is simply not worth compromising the “soul” of our nation in order to obtain.  Who cares if we “win” the battle but lose the “war?”  While we undoubtedly have a commitment as citizens of the U.S. to our own people, what about our obligation as human beings to love and care for the humanity of those who do not dwell within the boundaries of our own country, regardless of what terrible acts they may be suspected of?

Who would Jesus torture?  Our answers may reveal a lot about our understanding of Jesus Christ, the Gospel, but also about our view of the world and the people in it.

The “Boyling” Point

Stereotypes.

 

Like them or not, it’s what people do.  We stereotype each other.  Sometimes we lump people into a particular category based upon where they are from, what their job is, who their friends are, or even, in religious circles—what denomination they are a part of.  Recently, there was a very public example of stereotyping based on physical appearances. (scroll down to the bottom of this post to see the video clip off of Youtube)

 

Just in case you haven’t heard of Susan Boyle’s remarkable story, she was recently a contestant on the British reality TV show, “Britain’s Got Talent.”  Her vocal performance of “I Dreamed a Dream” from the musical, “Les Misérables” has caused quite a stir.  At the time I’m writing this article, the Youtube clip of her has over 45 million hits!

 

When her name is announced, the 47-year-old church organist from a small town in Scotland very clumsily walks out onto the stage in front of the judges.  She does not look at all like what most of us would imagine a superstar singer to look like.  In fact, her clothes are somewhat plain and maybe even a little worn.  Her appearance is everything but glamorous and “perfect.”  Her hairstyle might best be categorized as…well…untamed!

 

Yet, once the music begins and she opens her mouth, time seems to stand still and the crowd quickly becomes mesmerized by her enchanting and even angelic voice.  In the end, everyone is both elated and shocked at the amazing vocal performance given by Susan…that is, everyone but Susan.  In her own understated way, Susan never doubted that she could sing.  She was well aware of the gift that God had given her with her vocal abilities.  Her elation was based on the fact that she was allowed to share this gift publicly.

 

As I thought about this amazing story, the Scripture came to my mind from 1 Samuel 16:7 (New Revised Standard Version), where we’re reminded, “the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” 

 

While only God can see the heart and we as human beings cannot—I wonder, is there something we can do as individuals that might contribute to the transformation of society into an environment where stereotypes and these types of “pre-judging” are minimized?

 

In honor of Susan Boyle and anyone who has ever been unfairly compartmentalized into a preconceived notion or stereotype, let’s make the Oologah-Talala area a place where everyone gets an equal opportunity to make their unique contribution to our community.  Not everyone of us can sing like Susan Boyle.  But, the truth remains that God has uniquely gifted each of us with some capacity to contribute to the greater good.  Let’s expect beauty where “ordinariness” abounds.  Let’s seek to be surprised by each other’s “unexpected” abilities, talents, and contributions.  Isn’t it exciting to imagine the possibilities that exist when we refuse to stereotype?

 

Rush Limbaugh to Speak at Conference on Ending Poverty

Ok, in case you needed a belated April fools’ joke…watch this video!  I’m just not a Rush fan, so I swallowed this April fools’ joke hook, line, and sinker when I first saw it and wasn’t watching closely!

Am I My Brother/Sister’s Keeper?

Every now and then, someone tells a familiar story in a timely moment–and it transforms the ways I’ve always heard the story.  It’s no secret that economic times are tough.  It’s no secret that people are divided politically on how we should respond and what the leaders of our nation and world should do (if anything) to aid in turning around the downward economic trends.

Recently, I read the following article by Tony Campolo in which he tells a very familiar story.  It’s a story that Jesus used to illustrate a few Christian principles.  Who knew it was so appropriate for our current economic climate.

Check it out.

http://blog.sojo.net/2009/03/24/im-the-older-brother/

David

The “H” Word is Back in Style

Who said Baptists can’t have fun?  Now, before I go and offend all of my Baptist friends here in internet land–it is only coincidental that this argument and debate appears on a Baptist owned and operated website.

First, De La Torre writes a provocative article exegeting Matthew 15:21-28–the conversation between Jesus and a Canaanite woman seeking healing for her daughter.  In this article, he raises a very controversial question:  could Jesus have expressed racism in the following reply to the woman in quest of this healing for her daughter:

“I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. It is not good to take the bread of the children and throw it to the dogs.”

Read the article here:  http://www.abpnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3870&Itemid=9

At the end of his article look how he gets flamed!  Ouch.

And then, read the author’s next posting as a response to his critics:  http://www.abpnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3941&Itemid=9

My question here is this:  when we start tossing around the “h” word–heretic–who gets to judge who (or whom…correct my grammar if you will!).

What the U.S. Needs More than $ Bailouts and Stimulus Packages

I realize that my area of expertise is somewhat limited.  3 degrees in Theology does not make one a political scientist by any stretch of the imagination.  With that said, I do have an observation to make about our country’s recent political attempts (or should I say a lack thereof) in the area of diplomacy.

Our lack of care and concern for how other nations in this world viewed us certainly go back further than this war in Iraq.  At the least, the war showed our outright willingness to ignore matters of diplomacy.  Even in the Old Testament, diplomacy was modeled as the general rule.  Take for example the story of Isaac and Abimilech (Genesis 26:26-31).  Here two men with completely different agendas and from opposing countries saw fit to decide to have a treaty and that they should do no harm to one another.

This is not just another blog opposing the Iraq war.  Let me make it clear:  I support our men and women in the armed forces.  Right now, they are on the front lines and I pray for them regularly.

What I am suggesting is that the “Bush doctrine” of invading first, asking questions later is perhaps best illustrated by the war, but is a symptom of a larger political disease that our country seems to exemplify.  I call it:  national self-absorption.

As citizens of the U.S., we certainly should have special feelings about our country.  But, perhaps just every once in a while, right before or after singing loudly, “God bless America…”  We should pray or sing, “God bless Iraq…or Iran…or Kuwait.”

I am pretty sure that when Jesus said, “Love your enemies…” He at least meant we shouldn’t kill them without even being directly provoked (hmm….Iraq war?).

As Christians, let us pray for the leaders of our nation and all the other nations of the world.  Let us pray that a new day of diplomacy and peace will reign and that ignorant and self-absorbed agendas would be placed aside.  We are a powerful nation.  But, my friends, the U.S. needs to remember, we are only one nation that happens to be a part of a much bigger world.

Let us pray for Secretary of State Clinton as she travels to Asia to mend political fences and national relationships with some very important world leaders:  http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=100684698