Boxes are beginning to pile up around the apartment. At least, full boxes are piling up. Since December we have been gathering these all-purpose storage containers because we knew that we would be moving. OK, all conversations of foreknowledge aside. . .we were hoping that we would move - desperately hoping. And now that seems to be happening because of a timing higher than our own.
So the boxes are stacking and stuff is disappearing from reach. Soon this will no longer be our reality but only a memory of what once was. Like it, love it, or hate it you have to admit that this scene causes for a brief pause. No matter how much I am anticipating this move, we did spend a year and a half of our lives in this place. In fact, we grew way more than a year and a half's worth within these walls. And now the new day prepares to dawn.
The reality that brought us tears and laughter, heartache and friendship, love and loss will soon be a memory. We will be in a different place. And the more I think over this the more I realize just how this whole life ends up. I suppose some would say that this present reality will someday be a memory and we will be in another reality known as heaven. Yet this seems like a great understatement that provides a disservice to what will actually happen.
For our hope is not that someday we will enter into another reality but that we will come to know reality for what it really is. This is the dim reflection that will be shattered in the moment true light shines upon it. And so we find that our reality does not become memory simply because another reality takes its place. More precisely, what we experience now is a fading memory that promises to keep slipping into reality.
Friday, April 15
Wednesday, April 13
12 7/8
On December 1, 2004, I received the news that the church at which I was working as an assistant minister would no longer be needing my services. Fired. Needless to say, this threw our world into a bit of a whirlwind as we now had to scramble to find a lot of answers to many questions. The biggest question was whether or not we would ever do this sort of ministry again, seeing as how it had burned us so badly.
Four long months later we visited a church in Indiana which was full of warm and loving people. We discovered that these folks had themselves been burned by this greatly flawed human enterprise known as "full-time ministry" (as if all other ministry does not require our full time). Their previous pastor had taken advantage of them and had left them empty, hurting and unprepared for tomorrow. This was a situation to which we could relate.
Coming from this history I did not expect to find such a treasure: this was a community of love, acceptance, faith and hope. Perhaps nobody had informed them of the psychobabble notion that they were entitled to a little resentment and even hatred. Or perhaps they considered their faith and regarded such notions for the crap that it is. These folks want to move on and move forward - they desire to make an impact on their world and do not see their situation as insignifigant.
So I think we'll join them and see what makes such people.
I hold fast to the belief that God does not send us hardships - this makes for a kooky view of God. But it does seem that he allows us to endure so that we might be ready for the task that lies ahead. I am convinced that he had hoped for good things for us by moving to Newnan - mostly, that it would not have ended so soon or with such a venemous send-off. Yet he has chosen not to control the outcome of everything, just the outcome of all things.
The contrasts between these two churches and communites could not be more defined or vast. However, these are ordinary laymen who figure they have been called to minister to all - not just those who vote on their salary. And so. . .yes, I think we'll join them.
Because this community in Twelve Mile seem to be big enough to be called Thirteen. We'll see. . .
Four long months later we visited a church in Indiana which was full of warm and loving people. We discovered that these folks had themselves been burned by this greatly flawed human enterprise known as "full-time ministry" (as if all other ministry does not require our full time). Their previous pastor had taken advantage of them and had left them empty, hurting and unprepared for tomorrow. This was a situation to which we could relate.
Coming from this history I did not expect to find such a treasure: this was a community of love, acceptance, faith and hope. Perhaps nobody had informed them of the psychobabble notion that they were entitled to a little resentment and even hatred. Or perhaps they considered their faith and regarded such notions for the crap that it is. These folks want to move on and move forward - they desire to make an impact on their world and do not see their situation as insignifigant.
So I think we'll join them and see what makes such people.
I hold fast to the belief that God does not send us hardships - this makes for a kooky view of God. But it does seem that he allows us to endure so that we might be ready for the task that lies ahead. I am convinced that he had hoped for good things for us by moving to Newnan - mostly, that it would not have ended so soon or with such a venemous send-off. Yet he has chosen not to control the outcome of everything, just the outcome of all things.
The contrasts between these two churches and communites could not be more defined or vast. However, these are ordinary laymen who figure they have been called to minister to all - not just those who vote on their salary. And so. . .yes, I think we'll join them.
Because this community in Twelve Mile seem to be big enough to be called Thirteen. We'll see. . .
Tuesday, April 5
of priests and popes
What is a priest?
A priest is a mediator between the divine and the human. It is one who connects the things of God with the things of this world in an act of ministry. For some, a priest has been known as a bridge builder - taking on the active task of connecting people to each other and to God. While there are many activities of ritual which faciliatate this, it is also a task of caring. It is only when people care about each other that the priestly activity of mediation finds is true place.
A priest is a changer, one who strives to transform their surroundings. By connecting people with God the priest helps individuals move from what they are into what they are to become. The work of Christ is seen in the way people are changed as they approach the throne. When individuals are changed, the world around them also changes. The priest is the divine tracker who discloses the traces of God in human life.
A priest sacrifices. In almost every religion the practice of sacrificing is reserved for the priestly figure. The same is true in the biblical office of priest. The uniqueness of the Christian priest is that rather than sacrificing an animal for atonement, we sacrifice ourselves. Jesus began this act by giving of himself and now calls each believer to do likewise. Rather than sacrificing folks around us (which many people inevitably do), we must lay down ourselves first.
A priest heals. This is another activity of the holy. By mediating the divine and human, working for change, and being self-sacrificial the priest is able to faciliate the healing of many hurts. It is truly a shame that such a powerful and needed ministry has been so reserved for and perverted by those who search only for 'miracle-curing' rather than true healing. The priest sends each person away with a confidence and a wholeness.
The image that Hebrews draws of Jesus is very human and comforting. The description of the High Priest explains the essence of Jesus and calls each of his followers to do likewise. Pope John Paul II exhibited a true Christlike character to the benefit of our world. He will be remembered as one of the great leaders of the church and a true priest.
We are each called to be a priesthood of believers.
One of our best has now joined the highest.
A priest is a mediator between the divine and the human. It is one who connects the things of God with the things of this world in an act of ministry. For some, a priest has been known as a bridge builder - taking on the active task of connecting people to each other and to God. While there are many activities of ritual which faciliatate this, it is also a task of caring. It is only when people care about each other that the priestly activity of mediation finds is true place.
A priest is a changer, one who strives to transform their surroundings. By connecting people with God the priest helps individuals move from what they are into what they are to become. The work of Christ is seen in the way people are changed as they approach the throne. When individuals are changed, the world around them also changes. The priest is the divine tracker who discloses the traces of God in human life.
A priest sacrifices. In almost every religion the practice of sacrificing is reserved for the priestly figure. The same is true in the biblical office of priest. The uniqueness of the Christian priest is that rather than sacrificing an animal for atonement, we sacrifice ourselves. Jesus began this act by giving of himself and now calls each believer to do likewise. Rather than sacrificing folks around us (which many people inevitably do), we must lay down ourselves first.
A priest heals. This is another activity of the holy. By mediating the divine and human, working for change, and being self-sacrificial the priest is able to faciliate the healing of many hurts. It is truly a shame that such a powerful and needed ministry has been so reserved for and perverted by those who search only for 'miracle-curing' rather than true healing. The priest sends each person away with a confidence and a wholeness.
The image that Hebrews draws of Jesus is very human and comforting. The description of the High Priest explains the essence of Jesus and calls each of his followers to do likewise. Pope John Paul II exhibited a true Christlike character to the benefit of our world. He will be remembered as one of the great leaders of the church and a true priest.
We are each called to be a priesthood of believers.
One of our best has now joined the highest.
Friday, April 1
life goes on
The whole notion of commemorating Easter is to celebrate a two-pronged fact: that death has been defeated and that life wins. All because of a particular individual who proved that he was not just some dead Jew hanging from a tree one Friday afternoon. In what can be known as history's biggest turn-of-events, God took the absurd notion (some say "folly") of dying in order that each individual might have life - not just life on this mortal coil, but a life that never ends.
Each New Testament writer works hard at processing and fully grasping the implications of the ressurection. Luke in particular sees it as the fulfillment of Jewish promise. He quotes a psalm in Acts 2:27 to show how the circumstances surrounding Jesus do fit with the messianic hope set forth in the Old Testament. This hymnic line states the fullness of hope for those who trust in the Lord. The psalmist trusted that his inner fellowship with the divine would not be broken - even by death.
Resurrection itself means that this promise is now passed along to all who believe. Psalm 16 is now read in light of Jesus, whose relationship with the Father was not severed by death. As God's beloved we will not remain in death. Death will no longer have the last word for those who put their trust in him. This is what Paul spoke of repeatedly by referring to firstfruits and death leading to life.
Remembering the work of Christ - his death and resurrection - brings new hope and promise to the world. During bleak and seemingly hopeless situations we see that God is constantly at work to bring about life. This is seen in spring, where creation breaks through the cold and comes alive again. Just like the warm breath of Aslan began to break the spell of the White Witch in Narnia, so too are the cold chains of death being broken by the warmth of God's love.
In the end we must hold fast to this promise and assurance, no matter how difficult it becomes. We are cast down as fools by the world for holding to such things. . .even though it is the same foolishness that confounded so many of the wise. Even when death and despair has made a significant blow we know that (because of a tomb that couldn't complete the job) life goes on.
Each New Testament writer works hard at processing and fully grasping the implications of the ressurection. Luke in particular sees it as the fulfillment of Jewish promise. He quotes a psalm in Acts 2:27 to show how the circumstances surrounding Jesus do fit with the messianic hope set forth in the Old Testament. This hymnic line states the fullness of hope for those who trust in the Lord. The psalmist trusted that his inner fellowship with the divine would not be broken - even by death.
Resurrection itself means that this promise is now passed along to all who believe. Psalm 16 is now read in light of Jesus, whose relationship with the Father was not severed by death. As God's beloved we will not remain in death. Death will no longer have the last word for those who put their trust in him. This is what Paul spoke of repeatedly by referring to firstfruits and death leading to life.
Remembering the work of Christ - his death and resurrection - brings new hope and promise to the world. During bleak and seemingly hopeless situations we see that God is constantly at work to bring about life. This is seen in spring, where creation breaks through the cold and comes alive again. Just like the warm breath of Aslan began to break the spell of the White Witch in Narnia, so too are the cold chains of death being broken by the warmth of God's love.
In the end we must hold fast to this promise and assurance, no matter how difficult it becomes. We are cast down as fools by the world for holding to such things. . .even though it is the same foolishness that confounded so many of the wise. Even when death and despair has made a significant blow we know that (because of a tomb that couldn't complete the job) life goes on.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)