"Some people may wonder: why was the light of God given in the form of language? How is it conceivable that the divine should be contained in such brittle vessels as consonants and vowels? This question betrays the sin of our age: to treat lightly the ether which carries the light-waves of the spirit. What else in the world is as capable of bringing man and man together over the distances in space and in time? Of all things on earth, words alone never die. They have so little matter and so much meaning. . . God took these Hebrew words and breathed into them of His power, and the words became a live wire charged with His spirit. To this very day they are hyphens between heaven and earth. What other medium could have been employed to convey the divine? Pictures enameled on the moon? Statues hewn out of the Rockies?" - Abraham Heschel
I remember a conversation I had with a good friend and Bible professor. A student of ours had written the lyrics to several songs on the walls of his dorm room. The lyrics were racist, vulgar, and profane. The student repeatedly said, "But they are just words to a song, they don’t mean anything. I just like the music." I will never forget my friend’s response to the student. "They are not just words; they are the words you have chosen to represent yourself. Out of all the words, in all the songs, across all of time, you chose these words to represent you and your thoughts. They are not just words; they are your words."
There is some depth to that. I always chose my words carefully, but that was a distinct reminder that of all the words across all of time, these are the words I chose for this moment and for myself. I suppose the same could be true for the words I hear or read. Of all the words in the universe, I chose to hear or read these words. "Of all things on earth, words never die. They have so little matter and so much meaning . . . hyphens between heaven and earth." It is words that connect us to God and help us to know Him.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Hiking and the Christian Life
"Experienced mountaineers have a quiet, regular, short step – on the level it looks petty; but then this step they keep up, on and on as they ascend, whilst the inexperienced townsman hurries along, and soon has to stop, dead beat with the climb. . . Such an expert mountaineer, when the thick mists come, halts and camps out under some slight cover brought with him, quietly smoking his pipe, and moving on only when the mist has cleared away. . . You want to grow in virtue, to serve God, to love Christ? Well, you will grow in and attain to these things if you will make them a slow and sure, and utterly real, a mountain step-plod and ascent, willing to have to camp for weeks or months in spiritual desolation, darkness and emptiness at different stages in your march and growth. All demand for constant light, for ever the best – the best to your own feelings, all attempts at eliminating the cross and trial, is so much soft folly and puerile trifling." – Baron Friedrich von Hugel
Anytime you can compare the Christian life to hiking; for us Montanans, you are hitting a home run. This quote does it so gracefully and strikes the perfect note. We want things now and instantly. We want to leap to the top of the mountain, and we fail. The experienced climber with small persistent steps is what we need. I am using this as awrap-up for my sermon tomorrow, but I am guessing not too many folks will read it between now and tomorrow morning.
Anytime you can compare the Christian life to hiking; for us Montanans, you are hitting a home run. This quote does it so gracefully and strikes the perfect note. We want things now and instantly. We want to leap to the top of the mountain, and we fail. The experienced climber with small persistent steps is what we need. I am using this as a
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Jeremiah and Frodo
"I am not made for perilous quests," cried Frodo. "I wish I had never seen the Ring! Why did it come to me? Why was I chosen?"
"Such questions cannot be answered," said Gandalf. "You may be sure that it was not for any merit that others do not possess; not for power or wisdom at any rate. But you have been chosen and you must therefore use such strength and heart and wits as you have."
~J.R.R. Tolkien
Jeremiah 1:6 But I said, "Hold it, Master God. Look at me. I don’t know anything. I am only a boy!"
Living a life of faith is an adventure. Just like Frodo, sometimes we wonder why we have been chosen. Sometimes, like Jeremiah, we don’t feel adequate. In reality if we have been asked to do something we can’t do, it is irresponsible to do it. So what makes us say yes when God asks us to do something. I think it is a couple of convictions. The first conviction is that God is alive real and personal. Having this conviction about God is the first thing that allows us to follow God where He leads us.
The second is a conviction that what is happening right now in history is critical to our lives and the lives of those around us. The conviction that we are a part of a bigger story and we need to play out part in that story. I love the epic trilogy by Tolkien, because it reminds us again and again to do the right thing even when we don’t think it matters. Tolkien allows us to see the big picture that players in the story cannot see. We know that if one player fails or gives up, the mission fails and the world ends even when the characters don’t realize that their actions have any significance.
Most of life is about getting up tomorrow and doing the right and simple things again. It is about taking the next step; it is about the little things. Frodo reminds me of that too. My favorite scene in the movie version is at the end of the adventure when he sits with his friends and they look at each other knowing that they will continue to do the right things at home in ways that may not seem as significant but are.
"Such questions cannot be answered," said Gandalf. "You may be sure that it was not for any merit that others do not possess; not for power or wisdom at any rate. But you have been chosen and you must therefore use such strength and heart and wits as you have."
~J.R.R. Tolkien
Jeremiah 1:6 But I said, "Hold it, Master God. Look at me. I don’t know anything. I am only a boy!"
Living a life of faith is an adventure. Just like Frodo, sometimes we wonder why we have been chosen. Sometimes, like Jeremiah, we don’t feel adequate. In reality if we have been asked to do something we can’t do, it is irresponsible to do it. So what makes us say yes when God asks us to do something. I think it is a couple of convictions. The first conviction is that God is alive real and personal. Having this conviction about God is the first thing that allows us to follow God where He leads us.
The second is a conviction that what is happening right now in history is critical to our lives and the lives of those around us. The conviction that we are a part of a bigger story and we need to play out part in that story. I love the epic trilogy by Tolkien, because it reminds us again and again to do the right thing even when we don’t think it matters. Tolkien allows us to see the big picture that players in the story cannot see. We know that if one player fails or gives up, the mission fails and the world ends even when the characters don’t realize that their actions have any significance.
Most of life is about getting up tomorrow and doing the right and simple things again. It is about taking the next step; it is about the little things. Frodo reminds me of that too. My favorite scene in the movie version is at the end of the adventure when he sits with his friends and they look at each other knowing that they will continue to do the right things at home in ways that may not seem as significant but are.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Jeremiah - Sermon Series
We began a sermon series this week on the book of Jeremiah. In the life of Jeremiah I am struck by the pervasive authenticity of a man trying to follow God. Somehow, in real life, Jeremiah pursues God with all that he has. I'm thinking the title of the series will be titled, "Running with Horses." If you aren't sure about that allusion, you can find it in the book of Jeremiah or wait for the series.
Today we saw how God knew Jeremiah, chose Jeremiah, and gave him a task to do, and promised to be with him. We were also reminded that God chose each of us, gave us a task to do, and promised to be with us. He didn’t promise it would be easy, in fact He said He would rescue us. Rescuing would imply that things will be tough enough that we will need to be rescued.
We are going to look at the biographical aspects of Jeremiah’s life that are revealed to us in the book of Jeremiah. I want to credit Eugene Peterson whose outline on Jeremiah’s life I am using. You might recognize Peterson’s name – he translated the Message version of the Bible. I enjoy the Message, but Peterson’s other work is most inspiring to me. His work on Jeremiah has been most helpful to me.
God has a lot to teach us through the prophet Jeremiah and I am excited about what the next several weeks will hold.
It takes a lot of time, extra effort, and planning to put together a sermon series. But I think it is worth it for several reasons.
1. A series helps tie together several sermons with a central theme.
2. A series helps us better learn and retain material we have learned because we review it weekly in our minds as we move through the next sermon.
3. A series is a great opportunity to invite new people to church. "Hey our pastor is starting a new sermon series on Jeremiah. You should come."
4. A series can help us see the big picture of a large portion of scripture.
5. Sermon series are interesting and hopefully fun to find ourselves emerged in.
Today we saw how God knew Jeremiah, chose Jeremiah, and gave him a task to do, and promised to be with him. We were also reminded that God chose each of us, gave us a task to do, and promised to be with us. He didn’t promise it would be easy, in fact He said He would rescue us. Rescuing would imply that things will be tough enough that we will need to be rescued.
We are going to look at the biographical aspects of Jeremiah’s life that are revealed to us in the book of Jeremiah. I want to credit Eugene Peterson whose outline on Jeremiah’s life I am using. You might recognize Peterson’s name – he translated the Message version of the Bible. I enjoy the Message, but Peterson’s other work is most inspiring to me. His work on Jeremiah has been most helpful to me.
God has a lot to teach us through the prophet Jeremiah and I am excited about what the next several weeks will hold.
It takes a lot of time, extra effort, and planning to put together a sermon series. But I think it is worth it for several reasons.
1. A series helps tie together several sermons with a central theme.
2. A series helps us better learn and retain material we have learned because we review it weekly in our minds as we move through the next sermon.
3. A series is a great opportunity to invite new people to church. "Hey our pastor is starting a new sermon series on Jeremiah. You should come."
4. A series can help us see the big picture of a large portion of scripture.
5. Sermon series are interesting and hopefully fun to find ourselves emerged in.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Pastor's Code of Ethics and Covenant Final Entry
For my blog I have been examining the Pastor’s Code of Ethics and Covenant. Every profession has some ethical standards, but those of a pastor are necessarily different. We have examined the preamble and the first eight covenants. You can see them by clicking one of the links listed on the right side of this page.
After taking a couple weeks off for Christmas it is a good time to finish the Pastor’s Code of Ethics and Covenant. You can look at previous blogs to read more about the Code of Ethics and Covenant. Below are the final two covenants
After taking a couple weeks off for Christmas it is a good time to finish the Pastor’s Code of Ethics and Covenant. You can look at previous blogs to read more about the Code of Ethics and Covenant. Below are the final two covenants
- I will not proselytize from other Christian churches.
- I will show my personal love for God as revealed in Jesus Christ in my life and ministry as I strive together with my colleagues to preserve the dignity, maintain the discipline, and promote the integrity of the vocation to which we have been called.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Celebrating Xmas this year.
I am celebrating Xmas this year. I know much has been said about the war on Christmas and that even seeing me write the word Xmas angers some people. It might be true that someone somewhere wrote the word Xmas to avoid using the name of Christ. But if we examine our history a little more carefully we will find that originally the word Xmas was actually a way to clearly communicate, and in fact to highlight the name of Christ.
In Greek, the language of the New Testament, the title Christ is spelled Xristos. The letters are Greek, and the first letter is a Chi and is pronounced like the ‘ch’ sound in English. The Chi is shaped like an ornate 'X'. From its earliest beginnings, Christianity was symbolized by the Greek letter Chi. Most of the members of the early church were illiterate but could recognize the letter Chi and the first letter in the word Christ.
Archaeologists have unearthed homes from the first century with no other signs of literacy except for the Greek letter Chi or 'X' inscribed on the doorpost or above the door. Most archaeologists agree that this must have been a place where Christians met. Many of us are aware of the symbol of a fish as the symbol of choice for first century Christians. But the Chi was apparently just as popular, if not more so.
Countless Greek Christians were persecuted for their faith. When a Christian was martyred, other Christians often traced an X to mark the spot where a believer had given his or her life in faithfulness to Christ. The symbol of the X became the ultimate symbol of devotion and sacrifice. During the Dark Ages many church leaders taught their illiterate congregation the symbol of the X as a way to remember the name of Christ and when turned on its side as a way to remember the cross.
Many Monks and clergy used to ornately write a large X in their writing in order to make the name of Christ stand out. By writing Xmas with dramatic flair, it stood out and drew attention to Christ. These men and women believed the name of Christ was a name of power and held great devotional value. They took joy to see it stand out and honor their Savior.
When Christmas began to evolve into a holiday in the mid-eighteen hundreds retailers began to use the term Xmas to both save space and to draw the attention of Christian groups who would be familiar with the symbol. It made sense because many Americans could not read and they could more easily grasp the meaning of the word Xmas than to grasp a longer word like Christmas.
Unfortunately we have lost our knowledge of this great symbol of our faith found in the word Xmas. It should be a reminder that our forefathers not only celebrated but sacrificed their very lives because of their faith. Xmas reminds us of the nativity and the cross and the resting place of martyrs. What more power and appropriate symbol could we find for Christmas.
In Greek, the language of the New Testament, the title Christ is spelled Xristos. The letters are Greek, and the first letter is a Chi and is pronounced like the ‘ch’ sound in English. The Chi is shaped like an ornate 'X'. From its earliest beginnings, Christianity was symbolized by the Greek letter Chi. Most of the members of the early church were illiterate but could recognize the letter Chi and the first letter in the word Christ.
Archaeologists have unearthed homes from the first century with no other signs of literacy except for the Greek letter Chi or 'X' inscribed on the doorpost or above the door. Most archaeologists agree that this must have been a place where Christians met. Many of us are aware of the symbol of a fish as the symbol of choice for first century Christians. But the Chi was apparently just as popular, if not more so.
Countless Greek Christians were persecuted for their faith. When a Christian was martyred, other Christians often traced an X to mark the spot where a believer had given his or her life in faithfulness to Christ. The symbol of the X became the ultimate symbol of devotion and sacrifice. During the Dark Ages many church leaders taught their illiterate congregation the symbol of the X as a way to remember the name of Christ and when turned on its side as a way to remember the cross.
Many Monks and clergy used to ornately write a large X in their writing in order to make the name of Christ stand out. By writing Xmas with dramatic flair, it stood out and drew attention to Christ. These men and women believed the name of Christ was a name of power and held great devotional value. They took joy to see it stand out and honor their Savior.
When Christmas began to evolve into a holiday in the mid-eighteen hundreds retailers began to use the term Xmas to both save space and to draw the attention of Christian groups who would be familiar with the symbol. It made sense because many Americans could not read and they could more easily grasp the meaning of the word Xmas than to grasp a longer word like Christmas.
Unfortunately we have lost our knowledge of this great symbol of our faith found in the word Xmas. It should be a reminder that our forefathers not only celebrated but sacrificed their very lives because of their faith. Xmas reminds us of the nativity and the cross and the resting place of martyrs. What more power and appropriate symbol could we find for Christmas.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Part 7: Pastor's Code of Ethics and Covenant
For my blog the last six weeks I have been examining the Pastor’s code of ethics and covenant. Every profession has some ethical standards, but those of a pastor are necessarily different. We have examined the preamble and the first eight covenants. You can see them by clicking one of the links listed on the right side of this page. This week let’s think about the ninth covenant.
- I will hold in confidence any privileged communication received by me during the conduct of my ministry. I will not disclose confidential communications in private or public except when in my practice of ministry I am convinced that the sanctity of confidentiality is outweighed by my well-founded belief that the parishioner/client will cause imminent, life-threatening, or substantial harm to self or others, or unless the privilege is waived by those giving the information.
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