It’s Saturday morning the week before the 4th of July weekend and I just drove home from a wonderful visit with a church member – a visit just to catch up on life. As I sat at the stop light at the corner of Millbank and Putnam Ave. a car passed with the driver holding out of the window a large American flag. At first I thought “How patriotic!” But then as I pondered the flag waving, my sense of his patriotism waned.
He was driving with one hand and his view from the driver’s side door window was three-quarters obstructed by the flag. If I remember correctly our founding fathers and mothers built our nation on the religious (some would say Judeo-Christian) value of caring for the larger community, not ourselves. Remember the words “Liberty and justice for all.” Our society was founded on the principle of caring for each other’s welfare, not just our own. It is about creating a more righteous and fair and just society for all – regardless the plethora of physical, racial, cultural differences that make up this great nation. “Liberty and justice for all.”
Now I am certain that this man did not see himself as unpatriotic…he probably wasn’t trying to be that. However too many people wave the flag and forget the essence of its meaning – stars and stripes bound together to represent the individual states united for a common good – for “Liberty and justice for all.” I think our founders probably would be happier with us if we sought with our whole beings to bring a real equality to this land and work always for the global common good instead of merely waving the flag.
Equality; sacrifice for the common good……….those words sound strangely familiar to words spoken not by a patriot, but by the One we call the Son of God. Maybe we need to remember that being a nation under God rather than under a flag is possibly the most faithful and even patriotic thing we could be.
I join you in working for God to bring liberty and justice to all. And my flag will be waving from the parsonage porch 365 days a year.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Do We Live A Sixteen-Wheeler Life Style?
Before I get into the meat of this blog I want you to know that I have nothing against most large rig truck drivers. In fact, once when I was traveling with thirty youth on a mission trip in Central Pennsylvania and mistakenly dropped the keys to one of two vans we were driving into a sewer drain, a trucker assisted me in retrieving them. His closing words were, "All big rig drivers aren't necessarily who you think they are!"
Now let me move on to a somewhat substantiated opinion. The opinion comes from driving back from a Boston birthday party in a snow storm on Rte. 95! The predominate percentage of vehicles that passed me going 70-miles-an-hour or more were...you guessed it...sixteen-wheelers, big rigs, call them what you like. Most smaller vehicles with the exception of a few four-wheel-drive SUVs were going well below the posted 65-miles-an-hour limit. Two of the closest calls I have ever had on major highways involved speeding big rigs. I have swerved to avoid accidents where cars were crushed under out-of-control "tractor" trailers.
So, as a theological thinker, what's my point here. In the world, many of us are the "big rigs" of the world. We are hauling large quantities of material things through life; we are always in a hurry to get to some destination; we are often oblivious to the little people and little things around us; we don't pay attention too to the weather conditions; we often to expect others to get out of our way; we cause harm to others near and far because of our rushing and believing that the highway was built for us alone.
On the other hand those who call themselves people of faith are aware that there are others on the highway with them; they keep to a safe speed because they know that others could be hurt by their actions; they help stranded drivers when it seems like the safe thing to do; they don't overload their trucks /lives so that rollovers won't crush others' bodies and spirits.
I don't know if this imagery is worthy of further discussion, but, sixteen-or-more wheel drivers, Christians, and others interested in highway or highway of life safety are welcome to share their thoughts.
I hope these thoughts from a VW family (Gretchen and I own three - all old; our sons own three) will remind us all to not drink and drive; not exceed the speed limits (especially in snow storms) and to slow down in general.
Now let me move on to a somewhat substantiated opinion. The opinion comes from driving back from a Boston birthday party in a snow storm on Rte. 95! The predominate percentage of vehicles that passed me going 70-miles-an-hour or more were...you guessed it...sixteen-wheelers, big rigs, call them what you like. Most smaller vehicles with the exception of a few four-wheel-drive SUVs were going well below the posted 65-miles-an-hour limit. Two of the closest calls I have ever had on major highways involved speeding big rigs. I have swerved to avoid accidents where cars were crushed under out-of-control "tractor" trailers.
So, as a theological thinker, what's my point here. In the world, many of us are the "big rigs" of the world. We are hauling large quantities of material things through life; we are always in a hurry to get to some destination; we are often oblivious to the little people and little things around us; we don't pay attention too to the weather conditions; we often to expect others to get out of our way; we cause harm to others near and far because of our rushing and believing that the highway was built for us alone.
On the other hand those who call themselves people of faith are aware that there are others on the highway with them; they keep to a safe speed because they know that others could be hurt by their actions; they help stranded drivers when it seems like the safe thing to do; they don't overload their trucks /lives so that rollovers won't crush others' bodies and spirits.
I don't know if this imagery is worthy of further discussion, but, sixteen-or-more wheel drivers, Christians, and others interested in highway or highway of life safety are welcome to share their thoughts.
I hope these thoughts from a VW family (Gretchen and I own three - all old; our sons own three) will remind us all to not drink and drive; not exceed the speed limits (especially in snow storms) and to slow down in general.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Golf and Gospel / Thoughts on Perfection and Imperfection
A perfect 8 iron drove the ball 130 yards right over the flag and with back spin rolled it into the hole. That’s a hole-in-one! That happened on the first round of golf that I played with my son, Andrew, on the last hurrah stop on my sabbatical trip. The hole-in-one was not mine – it was Andrew’s! I am glad that I didn’t miss it! If I hadn’t taken the time to STOP and be with family I would have missed an important – maybe not to everyone – moment. It was a perfect shot and a perfect day!
The hole-in-one brought back memories of my one and only hole-in-one. There was a difference however – more than I hit a five iron 176 yards into the hole. Andrew’s hole-in-one flew perfectly over the pin and rolled gently back into the hole. Mine (accomplished when I was 19) flew about 90 yards in the air and then bounced and rolled the last 86 yards into the hole. It was a far from perfect shot.
So what does this have to do with spiritual reflection and personal faith? The first is to take time for essential things like being with important people – family and close friends. The other is to remember that God can use our less than perfect efforts to get the job done. Few (until now) knew the lack of golf artistry that led to having my name engraved on a plaque signifying a rare golf occurrence. God judges us on our good intentions. And if our intentions are good, God can use our less than perfect implementation to build the realm.
Congratulations son! And may all the sons and daughters of the living God keep their eyes on the goal and keep on trying!
(I Corinthians 1:26 – A perfect text for Christians and maybe those who chase a little ball!)
Bob
The hole-in-one brought back memories of my one and only hole-in-one. There was a difference however – more than I hit a five iron 176 yards into the hole. Andrew’s hole-in-one flew perfectly over the pin and rolled gently back into the hole. Mine (accomplished when I was 19) flew about 90 yards in the air and then bounced and rolled the last 86 yards into the hole. It was a far from perfect shot.
So what does this have to do with spiritual reflection and personal faith? The first is to take time for essential things like being with important people – family and close friends. The other is to remember that God can use our less than perfect efforts to get the job done. Few (until now) knew the lack of golf artistry that led to having my name engraved on a plaque signifying a rare golf occurrence. God judges us on our good intentions. And if our intentions are good, God can use our less than perfect implementation to build the realm.
Congratulations son! And may all the sons and daughters of the living God keep their eyes on the goal and keep on trying!
(I Corinthians 1:26 – A perfect text for Christians and maybe those who chase a little ball!)
Bob
Monday, January 21, 2008
Dancing Fountains Gives Me the Shakers
Celine Dion's voice was singing the theme from the film "Titanic" in the background as the smoke rose from the water and the close to 60 fountains of water shot into the night air. Welcome to the football size "man made" lake in front of the huge, ostentatious and ornate Bellogio Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip. Lighted by dozens of spot lights, the fountains "danced" to the music of several well orchestrated contemporary songs. I watched with amazement at what I was seeing.
As the aquatic performance was coming to an end, the music changed for the "grand finale." The melody sounded strangely familiar....and as I thought about it, strangely out of place! While the composition was only instrumental, I remembered the words - "'Tis a Gift to be Simple'." It is a hymn of the Shaker community - a Christian religious sect which flourished in the late 18th and 19th centuries.
The Shakers lived by the motto "keep it simple." They stored up their treasures in heaven and worried little about acquiring the material things of this world. (If you don't believe me, check out the Shaker historic site in Massachusetts.}
The Bellogio - grandiose, over the top, a placed filled with frenetic seekers of easily made material wealth - few with smiles on their faces......the Shakers - humble, calm souled people who did keep it simple.
My concern is that we are more impressed by the big and bold rather than the simple gifts that we have received God's hand. Jesus would probably say that if we chase after treasures on earth we will find a sinking feeling in our souls. When it comes to bringing our Spiritual lives into sync with Christ's call to us, let us do more than just "rearrange the deck chairs on the Titanic!"
Bob
As the aquatic performance was coming to an end, the music changed for the "grand finale." The melody sounded strangely familiar....and as I thought about it, strangely out of place! While the composition was only instrumental, I remembered the words - "'Tis a Gift to be Simple'." It is a hymn of the Shaker community - a Christian religious sect which flourished in the late 18th and 19th centuries.
The Shakers lived by the motto "keep it simple." They stored up their treasures in heaven and worried little about acquiring the material things of this world. (If you don't believe me, check out the Shaker historic site in Massachusetts.}
The Bellogio - grandiose, over the top, a placed filled with frenetic seekers of easily made material wealth - few with smiles on their faces......the Shakers - humble, calm souled people who did keep it simple.
My concern is that we are more impressed by the big and bold rather than the simple gifts that we have received God's hand. Jesus would probably say that if we chase after treasures on earth we will find a sinking feeling in our souls. When it comes to bringing our Spiritual lives into sync with Christ's call to us, let us do more than just "rearrange the deck chairs on the Titanic!"
Bob
Saturday, January 19, 2008
A Lot of Holy Water
I visited the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles today! I lighted a candle and said a few prayers for Anna, Raymond, and Herb – my parents and Gretchen’s father - it’s good to remember. I walked through the sanctuary and the lower mausoleum and viewed the beautiful stained-glass windows. As I went to sit and meditate in the back of the sanctuary I noticed a large pool of water. If I hadn’t known better, I would have thought I was in a Baptist church which had a large baptistery. However it was at the back of the sanctuary – the wrong end for a baptistery. Then I saw the sign – Holy Water. It was a lot of Holy Water and it probably cost a lot of money to build the container for all those gallons. . Every Catholic church has Holy Water so that when worshippers enter or leave the sanctuary they can touch their forehead with a little water to remind them that they are baptized Christians. The remembrance is supposed to help make them act as Christians in ALL that they do.
Sometimes after we leave church we forget that!
Maybe we need a large fountain-sized container of water at the entrance to our church which might grab our attention? Maybe we could install one in our homes? But then maybe the best thing to do is remember that we are baptized every time we wash ourselves with water or drink a glass of water or get rained on or walk or ride by a stream or lake! That’s a better idea because it saves on needed space and save money – which could then be redirected to those in greatest need of water and other essentials of life.
How are the ways you remind yourself that you are a Christian?
Refreshingly Yours,
Bob
Sometimes after we leave church we forget that!
Maybe we need a large fountain-sized container of water at the entrance to our church which might grab our attention? Maybe we could install one in our homes? But then maybe the best thing to do is remember that we are baptized every time we wash ourselves with water or drink a glass of water or get rained on or walk or ride by a stream or lake! That’s a better idea because it saves on needed space and save money – which could then be redirected to those in greatest need of water and other essentials of life.
How are the ways you remind yourself that you are a Christian?
Refreshingly Yours,
Bob
Hoover or Harrah's
In twenty-four hours I spent time in two canyons. One was the Colorado River Canyon – the second was a canyon created by the large hotel-casinos on the “The Strip” in Las Vegas – Harrah’s, The Venetian, The Bellagio, etc. etc., etc. I overheard a man in the second canyon say how amazing and miraculous was this hotel canyon. I found the other God created canyon much more amazing and miraculous. I stood in that canyon next to the depression era built Hoover Dam. I think my opinion was not based on my aversion to the gambling industry – one that did not benefit at all from my brief visit there (unless you consider seeing two “Broadway” type shows a financial boom to the industry).
Rather my opinion was based on the fact that Hoover Dam was a testimony to the best in the spirit – that spirit of sacrifice for the larger good. The Hoover Dam provides electricity for millions of people – Los Angeles is its largest beneficiary. The construction of that dam has made a parched land blossom so that people can be fed. The risks taken by brave souls in constructing Hoover Dam also provided for recreation at Lake Mead for another generation. That other canyon is a testimony to the selfish aggrandizement of too many people in our world. The Gospel is about “we first” not “me first”? Hoover or Harrah’s? I think you know on which I would place my bet when it comes to building the realm of God – that realm in which everyone is a winner.
Amazed and Overwhelmed By the Beauty of Nature and of the Human Spirit,
Bob
Rather my opinion was based on the fact that Hoover Dam was a testimony to the best in the spirit – that spirit of sacrifice for the larger good. The Hoover Dam provides electricity for millions of people – Los Angeles is its largest beneficiary. The construction of that dam has made a parched land blossom so that people can be fed. The risks taken by brave souls in constructing Hoover Dam also provided for recreation at Lake Mead for another generation. That other canyon is a testimony to the selfish aggrandizement of too many people in our world. The Gospel is about “we first” not “me first”? Hoover or Harrah’s? I think you know on which I would place my bet when it comes to building the realm of God – that realm in which everyone is a winner.
Amazed and Overwhelmed By the Beauty of Nature and of the Human Spirit,
Bob
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
A Great Movie - The Great Debaters
As part of the sabbatical journey I promised to take in a few movies. Several days ago I saw The Great Debaters. The movie is at the same time a feel-good - feel-bad movie. A true story about a small Black college debate team defeating the Harvard debate team in the first half of the 20th century inspires while addressing forthrightly the issue of the depth of racial hatred in the pre-civil rights south. Articulate debate arguments at one moment.........a Black man being burned on a cross the next. In the end you leave cheering, but, during the film you find yourself shuttering on the verge of tears.
My hope is that the film will inspire those who view it to be more committed to continuing the debate on the subtleties of racism that still exist and our need courageously address them. The playing field is still not level. There's no debate in the Bible when it comes to Jesus' position on justice!
Bob
My hope is that the film will inspire those who view it to be more committed to continuing the debate on the subtleties of racism that still exist and our need courageously address them. The playing field is still not level. There's no debate in the Bible when it comes to Jesus' position on justice!
Bob
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