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Monday, April 8, 2013
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Good Things
(This is a looooooooooooooooooooooong post, but I hope you'll find it worth reading all the way to the end).
I used to perform music primarily in churches. For many years I would lead people in singing songs about things they claimed to agree with, and at times I felt like I helped them make a genuine connection with the God of the universe.
About a year and a half ago, I sensed that God was calling me away from that, and calling me to use my musical gifts and passions in other ways for the sake of the “kingdom of love”. It’s been a very interesting ride to say the least.
On the Good Side...
On the good side, we started with hardly any material that would work out among the general population, but the vision and songs came shortly thereafter to where I now have about three albums worth of new material (and one live album to show for it). Not all of the material is appropriate for our band, so I end up performing a number of the new songs at coffee houses and open mics as a solo act from time to time.
This has led to making many new friends that I would never have met otherwise. I’ve learned much from them, enjoyed their company, and been an encouragement to them in return at times. I’ve even had the privilege of recording live albums for several of these new friends.
We’ve been surprised at the poor turnout to our shows, but stepping back I see that most people are doing exactly what I’d want to do at the end of a long day or long week - staying home and relaxing. So please don’t feel any guilt about not coming out (but please know that those who have made the effort are deeply and profoundly appreciated).
The Mission
Anyway, our musical mission has been to proclaim the kingdom of love, it’s beauty, it’s characteristics, it’s values, and at times to sing about the contrasts and consequences of those living in opposition to it. And unfortunately, I’ve noticed that many of the ones living in opposition to God’s way are not “unchurched heathen”, but rather self-assured religious types. It’s been sobering and saddening to see people claim the name of Jesus while living nothing like him.
I don’t care what church you go to, what prayer you prayed, what transaction you think you did in order to get into God’s good graces. These days I don’t think God much cares, either. The thing that has mattered all along has been whether or not you’re living according to the way Jesus taught, or to use his analogy, building your house on the rock rather than on the sand.
Yeah, we’re all screwed up, we all come from dysfunctional families that couldn’t help but lead us astray from the start. We’re all in need of some direction, some assistance, some mentoring, and some deep, heart-based changes. And only God can make that come to fruition, but not without our desire and effort. It’s a partnership where we do what we must and he does what only he can do. In time, a new life is born out of the old. Attitudes are altered, instincts re-programmed, and where there was worry, fear, doubt, and negativity, there is now love, joy, peace, and hope.
Jesus talked about how the needy outcasts of society were entering into his kingdom ahead of the religious people. It was both an encouragement to those who already knew their need, and a shame on the those who should have already known better. And that brings me to my story...
The Story
Life has been hard in these economic times. Business has been bad. At times I’ve worried, at times I’ve prayed, and at other times I’ve written songs to work through it. I wrote “All Thumbs Up” to address my fundamental need for hope rather than skepticism. The song “Work My Blues Away” empathizes with anyone who loses their job, is willing to work, but can’t find employment.
Things were looking bleak. I was making efforts to drum up new business, but there really isn’t any of it out there. Debts started to mount, while our oldest daughter is looking to head off to her first year of college away from home... but where will the money come from? Will she have to come home after a month? Hey God - what are you doing here?
In this particular case, he was reminding us that our true hope can only come from him - not from any government loan, not from any particular customer, not from the lottery, or from any other effort where we “take matters into our own hands”. Our hope was in him loving us, not willing to devastate us (though he is free to do so), and willing to rescue us so that we can boast about how great he is, not how crafty and resourceful we are. I can’t speak for you - I only know that this is what he was teaching us in our particular case.
What do you know?
And then what do you know... a government loan did come through. So did a new customer. So did other unexpected money. The next thing you know, I’m on a plane to Utah, and the project is perfectly timed to where we are able to provide exactly what the customer needs at the precise time they need it. And my key resource at this client is also a musician (which provides a great built-in camaraderie). Now some of the debt is started to get repaid, and the outlook is positive that it will continue for a while. Dumb luck? Sorry, I don’t buy that..
On my second trip to Utah I asked to borrow a guitar from my kind friend, and though he was busy, I found several open mics in town and decided to show up and play some of our “kingdom of love songs”. On Tuesday I performed first at Alchemy Coffee Shop, then I headed over to Mo’s Bar & Grill for a rip-roaring session that was one of my most fun experiences ever.
At Mo’s I spent a good deal of time talking to a relatively new resident of Salt Lake City named Bennett. He’s a music lover who has lived all over the place and had a wide range of musical experiences. He has a bit of Joe Cocker in his voice when he wants to, and plays a really mean guitar. He gave me some contact info and recommended an open mic that he goes to on Wednesdays, and before I fell asleep that night I had already found his music page and friended him on Facebook.
On Wednesday I decided to head over to Mestizo’s Coffee Shop, but before doing so I thought I had better listen to some of Bennett’s music online first in case he asked what I thought. I found his YouTube site and enjoyed a few of the tunes, and then I watched a sortakinda comedy video he did...at least, I thought it was going to be a comedy. In it he revealed that he was homeless and described some of what he went through in the frigid October air in Utah. I didn’t know if it was a joke, an empathizing with the homeless, or if it was real.
It was real
I arrived at Mestizo’s and signed in, then found Bennett sitting at a table with his laptop, guitar, and the rolling cart he had the night before. I needed to put a new battery in the guitar I was using, and he was kind enough to help me out. As he was helping me, I asked “what’s up with the homeless shtick?” He responded with the same grace and smile from the night before that yes, he was living in a car that doesn’t run, playing music on the streets for food, and desperately looking for work with no real prospects in spite of a wide range of skills he possessed.
He’s not a drug addict or alcoholic. He doesn’t smoke. He’s not mentally ill. He’s not negative or scary or freaky or anything. He’s a loving human being who had several too many bad breaks and is doing all he can to survive. I didn’t have time to contemplate it too much because they called my name to come and play and I had to quickly tune my guitar and figure out what songs I was going to do.
I opened with “November Sky”, a brooding tune I composed a year ago that ends with the verse:
I thought of Bennett as I sang it, trying to encourage him and the other in the room to keep hoping no matter how bleak it gets. Next I did a love song for my wife, a recent one that just celebrates the joy of being in love and the healing and acceptance it brings that makes life worthwhile. Then I closed with a newer Delta Twins song called “All Thumbs Up” that describes how I cope by letting God be God and just living in hope.
Bennett heard me play that song at Mo’s the night before, so he quickly grabbed his guitar and played some sizzling lead guitar - it was special. The 20-25 people there seemed to enjoy and appreciate it, too. And then it was Bennett’s turn to play.
He opened with “Never Been To Spain”, a great Three Dog Night classic. He rode the dynamics on that one - soft to LOUD and back again - it was really soulful. And then something even more special happened. He introduced the next song and said it wasn’t going to sound as good it could because it really needs the harmonies that were written for it. And when he started singing it, I could’ve fallen out of my chair - it was “Good Things” by The BoDeans (a Milwaukee band that Joyce and I absolutely love and have seen in concert). And I knew all the words...AND the harmonies.
When he got to the second chorus, I jumped up and joined him. He looked a little shocked that I actually knew the song, much less the harmonies, and then a huge smile came across his face as we sang together:
I just about cried as I was singing it because I was thinking about Bennett’s story and how I longed for him to experience the goodness of God. I sang, I willed, I prayed, I hoped that song for him and with him - “don’t pass me by... I can see good things for YOU and I”. It was one of those musical “moments” that pulls me back onto the stage like a 300 yard drive and a birdie putt beckons a golfer (in spite of the nasty sand wedge shots and slices into the woods).
All We Are Saying
The next performer had a Russian-tinged speaking voice, but the voice of John Lennon sang out from him. He segued from “A Day In The Life” to “Give Peace A Chance”, and encouraged the crowd to join in. I’m trying to sing the high harmonies on it as the entire room is filled with voices crying out for peace, for shalom, for and end to conflict and an embracing of love and justice (not judgment/punishment justice, but the Old Testament meaning of “setting things right” like a broken bone or an unfair action). I was reminded of my friend David Nefesh’s use of the Hebrew phrase tikun olam (“reparing the world”) to describe his (and my and I believe Jesus’) mission.
Then I heard a man who goes by the name Utah Slim sing a song that likened the ugly oil fields of his home state to the raping of a girl, and suggested that no one would normally just stand by and let that happen (and yet we do). I found myself agreeing with him, with them, with this roomful of people ten years ago I would have avoided and condemned as hippies or worse. And yet now I’m sensing the solidarity, the beauty of these people, thinking that maybe like the outcasts of Jesus’ day they were entering the kingdom of God ahead of the overtly religious.
When the Native American named “Jaguar” came up at the end to offer up a closing prayer to the Great Spirit, I sensed it was a holy thing that was happening there at Mestizo’s, and I was privileged to be there. My Baptist upbringing had me analyzing his heartfelt prayer in spite of myself, and I was a little sick that I was glad that I found nothing objectionable. Some old habits die hard.
Jaguar came up to Bennett afterward and inquired more about his situation (they had met previously, and Bennett is why Jaguar came). Jaguar then proceeded to offer some opportunities to Bennett as well as all of his cash. This was God’s economy at work. And though I only had a dollar in my wallet (I always use credit cards when I travel), I did what I could and offered Bennett a ride home to his car. He accepted, and I enjoyed the last few minutes I had to talk with him.
Not for the World
I expect to continue to communicate with him online, and I hope to see him again next time I come to Utah, but one never knows. Even more than that, whether I ever see his face again, I hope and pray that the Great Spirit, the God of the Universe himself, will meet Bennett’s needs every single day, that they will partner together to bring life, beauty, healing, and grace to this scarred world.
And as I drove away I mused on how if I had never followed the calling to stop “singing to the choir” as it were, then I wouldn’t have developed the material or love for playing at open mics and coffee houses, and I would have more likely than not been squandering my evening watching stupid movies and TV shows in my temperature-controlled La Quinta Inn room instead of seeing the kingdom of love thriving in downtown Salt Lake City. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
P.S.
One of the young men at Mestizo's was recording both audio and video for the entire evening. The host of the open mic suggested that Bennett and the video guy get together and maybe do a documentary on his situation. Bennett insisted it not be to garner more support for him, but rather that it be used to encourage other homeless people to not become discouraged, to not give up, and to keep doing what they can until things improve for them. Please pray for the success of this effort.
I used to perform music primarily in churches. For many years I would lead people in singing songs about things they claimed to agree with, and at times I felt like I helped them make a genuine connection with the God of the universe.
About a year and a half ago, I sensed that God was calling me away from that, and calling me to use my musical gifts and passions in other ways for the sake of the “kingdom of love”. It’s been a very interesting ride to say the least.
On the Good Side...
On the good side, we started with hardly any material that would work out among the general population, but the vision and songs came shortly thereafter to where I now have about three albums worth of new material (and one live album to show for it). Not all of the material is appropriate for our band, so I end up performing a number of the new songs at coffee houses and open mics as a solo act from time to time.
This has led to making many new friends that I would never have met otherwise. I’ve learned much from them, enjoyed their company, and been an encouragement to them in return at times. I’ve even had the privilege of recording live albums for several of these new friends.
We’ve been surprised at the poor turnout to our shows, but stepping back I see that most people are doing exactly what I’d want to do at the end of a long day or long week - staying home and relaxing. So please don’t feel any guilt about not coming out (but please know that those who have made the effort are deeply and profoundly appreciated).
The Mission
Anyway, our musical mission has been to proclaim the kingdom of love, it’s beauty, it’s characteristics, it’s values, and at times to sing about the contrasts and consequences of those living in opposition to it. And unfortunately, I’ve noticed that many of the ones living in opposition to God’s way are not “unchurched heathen”, but rather self-assured religious types. It’s been sobering and saddening to see people claim the name of Jesus while living nothing like him.
I don’t care what church you go to, what prayer you prayed, what transaction you think you did in order to get into God’s good graces. These days I don’t think God much cares, either. The thing that has mattered all along has been whether or not you’re living according to the way Jesus taught, or to use his analogy, building your house on the rock rather than on the sand.
Yeah, we’re all screwed up, we all come from dysfunctional families that couldn’t help but lead us astray from the start. We’re all in need of some direction, some assistance, some mentoring, and some deep, heart-based changes. And only God can make that come to fruition, but not without our desire and effort. It’s a partnership where we do what we must and he does what only he can do. In time, a new life is born out of the old. Attitudes are altered, instincts re-programmed, and where there was worry, fear, doubt, and negativity, there is now love, joy, peace, and hope.
Jesus talked about how the needy outcasts of society were entering into his kingdom ahead of the religious people. It was both an encouragement to those who already knew their need, and a shame on the those who should have already known better. And that brings me to my story...
The Story
Life has been hard in these economic times. Business has been bad. At times I’ve worried, at times I’ve prayed, and at other times I’ve written songs to work through it. I wrote “All Thumbs Up” to address my fundamental need for hope rather than skepticism. The song “Work My Blues Away” empathizes with anyone who loses their job, is willing to work, but can’t find employment.
Things were looking bleak. I was making efforts to drum up new business, but there really isn’t any of it out there. Debts started to mount, while our oldest daughter is looking to head off to her first year of college away from home... but where will the money come from? Will she have to come home after a month? Hey God - what are you doing here?
In this particular case, he was reminding us that our true hope can only come from him - not from any government loan, not from any particular customer, not from the lottery, or from any other effort where we “take matters into our own hands”. Our hope was in him loving us, not willing to devastate us (though he is free to do so), and willing to rescue us so that we can boast about how great he is, not how crafty and resourceful we are. I can’t speak for you - I only know that this is what he was teaching us in our particular case.
What do you know?
And then what do you know... a government loan did come through. So did a new customer. So did other unexpected money. The next thing you know, I’m on a plane to Utah, and the project is perfectly timed to where we are able to provide exactly what the customer needs at the precise time they need it. And my key resource at this client is also a musician (which provides a great built-in camaraderie). Now some of the debt is started to get repaid, and the outlook is positive that it will continue for a while. Dumb luck? Sorry, I don’t buy that..
On my second trip to Utah I asked to borrow a guitar from my kind friend, and though he was busy, I found several open mics in town and decided to show up and play some of our “kingdom of love songs”. On Tuesday I performed first at Alchemy Coffee Shop, then I headed over to Mo’s Bar & Grill for a rip-roaring session that was one of my most fun experiences ever.
At Mo’s I spent a good deal of time talking to a relatively new resident of Salt Lake City named Bennett. He’s a music lover who has lived all over the place and had a wide range of musical experiences. He has a bit of Joe Cocker in his voice when he wants to, and plays a really mean guitar. He gave me some contact info and recommended an open mic that he goes to on Wednesdays, and before I fell asleep that night I had already found his music page and friended him on Facebook.
On Wednesday I decided to head over to Mestizo’s Coffee Shop, but before doing so I thought I had better listen to some of Bennett’s music online first in case he asked what I thought. I found his YouTube site and enjoyed a few of the tunes, and then I watched a sortakinda comedy video he did...at least, I thought it was going to be a comedy. In it he revealed that he was homeless and described some of what he went through in the frigid October air in Utah. I didn’t know if it was a joke, an empathizing with the homeless, or if it was real.
It was real
I arrived at Mestizo’s and signed in, then found Bennett sitting at a table with his laptop, guitar, and the rolling cart he had the night before. I needed to put a new battery in the guitar I was using, and he was kind enough to help me out. As he was helping me, I asked “what’s up with the homeless shtick?” He responded with the same grace and smile from the night before that yes, he was living in a car that doesn’t run, playing music on the streets for food, and desperately looking for work with no real prospects in spite of a wide range of skills he possessed.
He’s not a drug addict or alcoholic. He doesn’t smoke. He’s not mentally ill. He’s not negative or scary or freaky or anything. He’s a loving human being who had several too many bad breaks and is doing all he can to survive. I didn’t have time to contemplate it too much because they called my name to come and play and I had to quickly tune my guitar and figure out what songs I was going to do.
I opened with “November Sky”, a brooding tune I composed a year ago that ends with the verse:
and if my faith is all I own
coupled with a love refusing to die
I suppose that hope will be enough
to get me through this cold November sky.
I thought of Bennett as I sang it, trying to encourage him and the other in the room to keep hoping no matter how bleak it gets. Next I did a love song for my wife, a recent one that just celebrates the joy of being in love and the healing and acceptance it brings that makes life worthwhile. Then I closed with a newer Delta Twins song called “All Thumbs Up” that describes how I cope by letting God be God and just living in hope.
No, no, no - I’m not in on that great big scheme
It’s alright, it’s alright, it’s alright - I’m still living the dream
I just take, take, take each day as it comes
And if you ask me how I’m doing, “I’m all thumbs up!”
Bennett heard me play that song at Mo’s the night before, so he quickly grabbed his guitar and played some sizzling lead guitar - it was special. The 20-25 people there seemed to enjoy and appreciate it, too. And then it was Bennett’s turn to play.
He opened with “Never Been To Spain”, a great Three Dog Night classic. He rode the dynamics on that one - soft to LOUD and back again - it was really soulful. And then something even more special happened. He introduced the next song and said it wasn’t going to sound as good it could because it really needs the harmonies that were written for it. And when he started singing it, I could’ve fallen out of my chair - it was “Good Things” by The BoDeans (a Milwaukee band that Joyce and I absolutely love and have seen in concert). And I knew all the words...AND the harmonies.
When he got to the second chorus, I jumped up and joined him. He looked a little shocked that I actually knew the song, much less the harmonies, and then a huge smile came across his face as we sang together:
Haunting love is all that I feel when you’re passing by
Haunting love is all that I see - it’s there in your eyes, so I say
No, no, no - don’t pass me over
No, no, no - don’t pass me by
See - I can see good things for you and I
yeah, good things for you and I.
I just about cried as I was singing it because I was thinking about Bennett’s story and how I longed for him to experience the goodness of God. I sang, I willed, I prayed, I hoped that song for him and with him - “don’t pass me by... I can see good things for YOU and I”. It was one of those musical “moments” that pulls me back onto the stage like a 300 yard drive and a birdie putt beckons a golfer (in spite of the nasty sand wedge shots and slices into the woods).
All We Are Saying
The next performer had a Russian-tinged speaking voice, but the voice of John Lennon sang out from him. He segued from “A Day In The Life” to “Give Peace A Chance”, and encouraged the crowd to join in. I’m trying to sing the high harmonies on it as the entire room is filled with voices crying out for peace, for shalom, for and end to conflict and an embracing of love and justice (not judgment/punishment justice, but the Old Testament meaning of “setting things right” like a broken bone or an unfair action). I was reminded of my friend David Nefesh’s use of the Hebrew phrase tikun olam (“reparing the world”) to describe his (and my and I believe Jesus’) mission.
Then I heard a man who goes by the name Utah Slim sing a song that likened the ugly oil fields of his home state to the raping of a girl, and suggested that no one would normally just stand by and let that happen (and yet we do). I found myself agreeing with him, with them, with this roomful of people ten years ago I would have avoided and condemned as hippies or worse. And yet now I’m sensing the solidarity, the beauty of these people, thinking that maybe like the outcasts of Jesus’ day they were entering the kingdom of God ahead of the overtly religious.
When the Native American named “Jaguar” came up at the end to offer up a closing prayer to the Great Spirit, I sensed it was a holy thing that was happening there at Mestizo’s, and I was privileged to be there. My Baptist upbringing had me analyzing his heartfelt prayer in spite of myself, and I was a little sick that I was glad that I found nothing objectionable. Some old habits die hard.
Jaguar came up to Bennett afterward and inquired more about his situation (they had met previously, and Bennett is why Jaguar came). Jaguar then proceeded to offer some opportunities to Bennett as well as all of his cash. This was God’s economy at work. And though I only had a dollar in my wallet (I always use credit cards when I travel), I did what I could and offered Bennett a ride home to his car. He accepted, and I enjoyed the last few minutes I had to talk with him.
Not for the World
I expect to continue to communicate with him online, and I hope to see him again next time I come to Utah, but one never knows. Even more than that, whether I ever see his face again, I hope and pray that the Great Spirit, the God of the Universe himself, will meet Bennett’s needs every single day, that they will partner together to bring life, beauty, healing, and grace to this scarred world.
And as I drove away I mused on how if I had never followed the calling to stop “singing to the choir” as it were, then I wouldn’t have developed the material or love for playing at open mics and coffee houses, and I would have more likely than not been squandering my evening watching stupid movies and TV shows in my temperature-controlled La Quinta Inn room instead of seeing the kingdom of love thriving in downtown Salt Lake City. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
P.S.
One of the young men at Mestizo's was recording both audio and video for the entire evening. The host of the open mic suggested that Bennett and the video guy get together and maybe do a documentary on his situation. Bennett insisted it not be to garner more support for him, but rather that it be used to encourage other homeless people to not become discouraged, to not give up, and to keep doing what they can until things improve for them. Please pray for the success of this effort.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
What DID Jesus Do?
So I'm lying down last night at a decent time for once, exhausted and ready to sleep when I start to think what just might be deep thoughts. I don't know how long I was in this state - it may have been 30 minutes or 3 seconds - the brain does strange things at night. And of course I don't remember much now...
What I do recall is that it had something to do with comparing and contrasting what Jesus actually did while walking this planet 2000 years ago. If these thoughts don't interest you, please feel free to drop out now...
Now, I don't mean later events like the crucifixion or resurrection or ascension; I'm talking about what he actually said and did, why he did it, and what he wanted his disciples to learn to do and to become through close and regular contact with him in order to accomplish that mission.
Was he trying to get people to vote for him or to side with him politically? Was he trying to draw people into growing religious club that sings songs about him, talks about him all the time, and thanks him for good things that happen to them? Was he trying to clarify and refine a set of rules we need to live up to in order to be in his good graces? Was he really only coming to die, and all those speeches and healing and stuff were really just the warm-up act? What was he really doing and why?
When I look at his very first public words in the synagogue (yes, he was a Jew talking to Jews almost all of the time), he reads from Isaiah 61 and applies it to himself, saying that passage is fulfilled in their sight that day. Read the historical account in Luke 4:16-21 - it'll take less than a minute.
Assuming you read it, you had to notice phrases like "good news to the poor", "freedom for the prisoners", "recovery of sight to the blind", "to release the oppressed". I guess one could try to spiritualize all of that, but when you look at what he actually did, he healed blind people, he did bring good news to poor people oppressed and held captive by a brutal Roman Empire. He did show them the way to liberty - and it seems to still apply to us.
If you keep reading in verses 22-44 you see that he ticks the religious people off because they wanted to see a show and he wouldn't do it - so of course they wanted to kill him. So he goes to another town and in their religious meeting there was a crazy person (the scriptures say he was demon-possessed), and with a word Jesus sets this oppressed captive at liberty from his insanity. Then he goes to a friends house and starts healing people, starting with the guy's mom. More crazy people show up and walk away healed.
When he tries to leave in the morning to go do the same kinds of stuff in other towns, he says:
At times huge crowds would come to him dying to hear more about this "Good News about the kingdom of God". Luke 6 contains one instance; Matthew 5-7 contains another. His message was essentially the same, and it was not "just ask me into your heart and you'll go to heaven when you die", nor was it "believe that I'm the second person of the Holy Trinity and that my death which hasn't happened yet was for all your sins and my resurrection which also hasn't happened yet proves what I'm telling you is true...and you'll get to go to heaven when you die." What was it? You really should read it for yourself.
His message for them - probably the same kind of stuff he was already saying as he toured the region - is that their attitudes and perspectives need to be almost inverted in order to be healthy, to see things from a "kingdom of God perspective", to brings shalom (peace, wholeness, harmony) to the world:
- learn to love even your enemies
- say good things to those who curse you
- pray for those who insult you
- be kind to those who hate you
- don't immediately react in vengeance when wronged
- give without expecting anything in return
- treat others how you would like to be treated
- be merciful and patient, like God has been with you
- stop condemning and holding people in contempt
- stop treating people as merely objects for your pleasure
- don't be showy with your religious activities
- don't worry about the future
- and much more
In the Matthew account he says we should work to see these values embraced and practiced in the world as our first and foremost job, and that if we do that we don't need to worry about food or clothing or shelter. And then as you read how his disciples did exactly that, they were indeed provided for. The phrase he used was
So when one mentions the concept of "following Jesus", is that what comes to mind? When you compare and contrast these thoughts to the faith traditions and religious assemblies you are familiar with, do you see these kinds of things actually happening to this day? Are those of us who claim to follow him working at the same mission, or have we been side-tracked and distracted?
Are we merely trying to get converts to our ideology? Are we merely trying to pad our numbers with people who say they agree with us about religious things? Are we merely doing our own thing, and not living, practicing, and spreading the Good News of the kingdom of God, that inclusive community where people are loved, embraced, restored, healed, nurtured, and engaged in bringing shalom to their homes, to their communities, to the world?
There's a lot I've left unsaid. I haven't addressed where the cross and tomb fit in, nor have I addressed anything beyond the gospels. This subject is probably dense enough to write a whole book on it. Maybe these will become some of the notes for it. In the meantime, I'd recommend Dallas Willard's classic "The Divine Conspiracy". I saw an ad for another book by him yesterday...and I suspect that's what got my mind going as I lay my head down last night. And now I wish I could go back to bed, but I'll pour a cup of coffee and hope and pray you found these ramblings helpful. Peace.
What I do recall is that it had something to do with comparing and contrasting what Jesus actually did while walking this planet 2000 years ago. If these thoughts don't interest you, please feel free to drop out now...
Now, I don't mean later events like the crucifixion or resurrection or ascension; I'm talking about what he actually said and did, why he did it, and what he wanted his disciples to learn to do and to become through close and regular contact with him in order to accomplish that mission.
Was he trying to get people to vote for him or to side with him politically? Was he trying to draw people into growing religious club that sings songs about him, talks about him all the time, and thanks him for good things that happen to them? Was he trying to clarify and refine a set of rules we need to live up to in order to be in his good graces? Was he really only coming to die, and all those speeches and healing and stuff were really just the warm-up act? What was he really doing and why?
When I look at his very first public words in the synagogue (yes, he was a Jew talking to Jews almost all of the time), he reads from Isaiah 61 and applies it to himself, saying that passage is fulfilled in their sight that day. Read the historical account in Luke 4:16-21 - it'll take less than a minute.
Assuming you read it, you had to notice phrases like "good news to the poor", "freedom for the prisoners", "recovery of sight to the blind", "to release the oppressed". I guess one could try to spiritualize all of that, but when you look at what he actually did, he healed blind people, he did bring good news to poor people oppressed and held captive by a brutal Roman Empire. He did show them the way to liberty - and it seems to still apply to us.
If you keep reading in verses 22-44 you see that he ticks the religious people off because they wanted to see a show and he wouldn't do it - so of course they wanted to kill him. So he goes to another town and in their religious meeting there was a crazy person (the scriptures say he was demon-possessed), and with a word Jesus sets this oppressed captive at liberty from his insanity. Then he goes to a friends house and starts healing people, starting with the guy's mom. More crazy people show up and walk away healed.
When he tries to leave in the morning to go do the same kinds of stuff in other towns, he says:
"I have to tell the Good News about the kingdom of God in other cities also. That's what I was sent to do."Then Luke says Jesus went all around the region doing the same stuff in the religious assemblies. It seems to me that he was pretty clear about his mission, and was actually doing it. And his disciples were watching, learning, and waiting their turn (which they soon got).
At times huge crowds would come to him dying to hear more about this "Good News about the kingdom of God". Luke 6 contains one instance; Matthew 5-7 contains another. His message was essentially the same, and it was not "just ask me into your heart and you'll go to heaven when you die", nor was it "believe that I'm the second person of the Holy Trinity and that my death which hasn't happened yet was for all your sins and my resurrection which also hasn't happened yet proves what I'm telling you is true...and you'll get to go to heaven when you die." What was it? You really should read it for yourself.
His message for them - probably the same kind of stuff he was already saying as he toured the region - is that their attitudes and perspectives need to be almost inverted in order to be healthy, to see things from a "kingdom of God perspective", to brings shalom (peace, wholeness, harmony) to the world:
- learn to love even your enemies
- say good things to those who curse you
- pray for those who insult you
- be kind to those who hate you
- don't immediately react in vengeance when wronged
- give without expecting anything in return
- treat others how you would like to be treated
- be merciful and patient, like God has been with you
- stop condemning and holding people in contempt
- stop treating people as merely objects for your pleasure
- don't be showy with your religious activities
- don't worry about the future
- and much more
In the Matthew account he says we should work to see these values embraced and practiced in the world as our first and foremost job, and that if we do that we don't need to worry about food or clothing or shelter. And then as you read how his disciples did exactly that, they were indeed provided for. The phrase he used was
"seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things (food, etc) will be added unto you."
So when one mentions the concept of "following Jesus", is that what comes to mind? When you compare and contrast these thoughts to the faith traditions and religious assemblies you are familiar with, do you see these kinds of things actually happening to this day? Are those of us who claim to follow him working at the same mission, or have we been side-tracked and distracted?
Are we merely trying to get converts to our ideology? Are we merely trying to pad our numbers with people who say they agree with us about religious things? Are we merely doing our own thing, and not living, practicing, and spreading the Good News of the kingdom of God, that inclusive community where people are loved, embraced, restored, healed, nurtured, and engaged in bringing shalom to their homes, to their communities, to the world?
There's a lot I've left unsaid. I haven't addressed where the cross and tomb fit in, nor have I addressed anything beyond the gospels. This subject is probably dense enough to write a whole book on it. Maybe these will become some of the notes for it. In the meantime, I'd recommend Dallas Willard's classic "The Divine Conspiracy". I saw an ad for another book by him yesterday...and I suspect that's what got my mind going as I lay my head down last night. And now I wish I could go back to bed, but I'll pour a cup of coffee and hope and pray you found these ramblings helpful. Peace.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Like Father, Like Son
I love my son. He's thirteen, on his way to being a good man. He's kind, intelligent, sensitive, passionate. He's a baseball player, a musician, a budding songwriter, an aspiring comic, a goofball, and in general a joy to my heart. I absolutely love spending time with him, but I also enjoy seeing him go off and accomplish things by himself and be a friend to others. I don't dominate his existence, but I do enjoy our time together.
I think it would be absurd for me to plan out his life in excruciating detail. There's so much he's interested in, so much he could do; I wouldn't want to lock him into just one thing like "son, be a doctor and make me proud" or anything like that. Sure, I'll provide some guidance along the way, but I know that the only things that will stick will be things he personally chooses to do, not out of manipulation or guilt or shame or pressure, but out of the depths of his heart, out of his true passions, and consistent with the skills and talents he has and has developed.
I suspect one reason God designed the roles of father and mother was so we could understand in hindsight his perspective toward us as his children and grasp the true nature of our parental roles. As father he is a strong, supportive, encouraging, wise provider. His maternal nuturing, compassion, mercy, and gentleness demonstrate other facets of his deep love for us.
That's why I find it implausible when some suggest his sovereignty results in micro-managing every little facet of our lives like some cosmic control freak. I've seen some parents like that, and they don't resemble at all the God I've come to know and love.
I also find it unnecessary to live in fear of missing "his perfect will for my life" (a man-made phrase if ever I've seen one, right up there with "just ask Jesus into your heart", something no apostle ever did). Sure, I'd be a wise child to seek his guidance - especially about big matters - but ultimately that choice will be mine to make and hopefully I'll do so in a way consistent with the values he has instilled in me.
I also know that I'm free to try and to fail, and that it's OK. Just as I'll be there to help my own son pick up the pieces, sort things out, and try to do better the next time, so I know he'll be there for me and that ultimately even the mistakes will teach me something and work out for some kind of good in the end.
And so I enjoy the time I do spend with "heavenly father" in private. But I also know that he wants me to go out there and be all that I can be for my sake and for the sake of the world that he created. Sure he'll be watching, and ready to help me pick up the pieces once again, but he's given me the freedom to choose, the encouragement to try, and the hope that I can make a contribution to this good, great world of his.
I think it would be absurd for me to plan out his life in excruciating detail. There's so much he's interested in, so much he could do; I wouldn't want to lock him into just one thing like "son, be a doctor and make me proud" or anything like that. Sure, I'll provide some guidance along the way, but I know that the only things that will stick will be things he personally chooses to do, not out of manipulation or guilt or shame or pressure, but out of the depths of his heart, out of his true passions, and consistent with the skills and talents he has and has developed.
I suspect one reason God designed the roles of father and mother was so we could understand in hindsight his perspective toward us as his children and grasp the true nature of our parental roles. As father he is a strong, supportive, encouraging, wise provider. His maternal nuturing, compassion, mercy, and gentleness demonstrate other facets of his deep love for us.
That's why I find it implausible when some suggest his sovereignty results in micro-managing every little facet of our lives like some cosmic control freak. I've seen some parents like that, and they don't resemble at all the God I've come to know and love.
I also find it unnecessary to live in fear of missing "his perfect will for my life" (a man-made phrase if ever I've seen one, right up there with "just ask Jesus into your heart", something no apostle ever did). Sure, I'd be a wise child to seek his guidance - especially about big matters - but ultimately that choice will be mine to make and hopefully I'll do so in a way consistent with the values he has instilled in me.
I also know that I'm free to try and to fail, and that it's OK. Just as I'll be there to help my own son pick up the pieces, sort things out, and try to do better the next time, so I know he'll be there for me and that ultimately even the mistakes will teach me something and work out for some kind of good in the end.
And so I enjoy the time I do spend with "heavenly father" in private. But I also know that he wants me to go out there and be all that I can be for my sake and for the sake of the world that he created. Sure he'll be watching, and ready to help me pick up the pieces once again, but he's given me the freedom to choose, the encouragement to try, and the hope that I can make a contribution to this good, great world of his.
Monday, November 23, 2009
What would Jeff have said?
I was asked to prepare some scripture readings for Jeff Moore's funeral last Saturday, verses from Jeff's perspective of what he'd want people to know and a few things he might have wanted to share. Here's what I came up with...
Moses to Israel
Jesus with the religious leaders
The night before Jesus died
Many years later by John, one of Jesus' disciples
Love God. Love others. It’s real living, full of joy.
Yes it costs, but everything requires some kind of sacrifice – it’s just a question of what you give up in order to get what you want. When you look back on your life, will it be worth it? Love God. Love others.
Or in the immortal words of Bill and Ted: “Be excellent to each other…and party on, dudes!” (This was really in my notes, but there were so many old people there who wouldn't get it I decided to skip it).
We’re here for God and for each other, and for just a short time. Let’s learn to love.
Moses to Israel
Deuteronomy 6:1-2 This is the commandment, the rules and regulations, that GOD, your God, commanded me to teach you to live out in the land you're about to cross into to possess. This is so that you'll live in deep reverence before GOD lifelong, observing all his rules and regulations that I'm commanding you, you and your children and your grandchildren, living good long lives. 3 Listen obediently, Israel. Do what you're told so that you'll have a good life, a life of abundance and bounty, just as GOD promised, in a land abounding in milk and honey. 4 Attention, Israel! GOD, our God! GOD the one and only! 5 Love GOD, your God, with your whole heart: love him with all that's in you, love him with all you've got! (from "The Message" paraphrase)
Jesus with the religious leaders
Matthew 22:34Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
The night before Jesus died
John 13:33"My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come. 34"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
John15:9"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. 11I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. … 17This is my command: Love each other.
John 17:20"…I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
Many years later by John, one of Jesus' disciples
1 John 4:7Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
Love God. Love others. It’s real living, full of joy.
Yes it costs, but everything requires some kind of sacrifice – it’s just a question of what you give up in order to get what you want. When you look back on your life, will it be worth it? Love God. Love others.
Or in the immortal words of Bill and Ted: “Be excellent to each other…and party on, dudes!” (This was really in my notes, but there were so many old people there who wouldn't get it I decided to skip it).
We’re here for God and for each other, and for just a short time. Let’s learn to love.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Probably the first of several
You Moved On
You were my fullback, I was your keeper
just a few shots, each game was a sleeper
left `em weeping, waltzing away with the win
Power forwards, rebounding, blocking
on the floorboards, shooting and rocking
to the rhythm of high school hoops with my friend
and on the diamonds all across town
racking runs up and gunning `em down
it was a good year I never wanted to end
you built me up
you cheered me up
then you moved on ahead of me...
a few years later we were at it again
making movies, mixing songs with my friend
so much to learn, so much you already knew
you were patient, willing to teach
never cutting or trying to preach
you were a hero though I wasn't aware of the truth
you built me up
you cheered me up
then you moved on ahead of me...
decades passed...
children grew...
then your dad moved on ahead of you...
then you came back larger than life
same old humor - sharp as a knife -
a deeper faith, anchored in something secure
oh, how you helped out - late in the night
pushing, prodding, getting it right
trying to fashion something that just might endure
you built me up
you cheered me up
then you moved on ahead of me...
this time you can't return
but there's one thing I've learned
you moved on to lead the way for me.
c. 11/18/2009 by Bob Young
You were my fullback, I was your keeper
just a few shots, each game was a sleeper
left `em weeping, waltzing away with the win
Power forwards, rebounding, blocking
on the floorboards, shooting and rocking
to the rhythm of high school hoops with my friend
and on the diamonds all across town
racking runs up and gunning `em down
it was a good year I never wanted to end
you built me up
you cheered me up
then you moved on ahead of me...
a few years later we were at it again
making movies, mixing songs with my friend
so much to learn, so much you already knew
you were patient, willing to teach
never cutting or trying to preach
you were a hero though I wasn't aware of the truth
you built me up
you cheered me up
then you moved on ahead of me...
decades passed...
children grew...
then your dad moved on ahead of you...
then you came back larger than life
same old humor - sharp as a knife -
a deeper faith, anchored in something secure
oh, how you helped out - late in the night
pushing, prodding, getting it right
trying to fashion something that just might endure
you built me up
you cheered me up
then you moved on ahead of me...
this time you can't return
but there's one thing I've learned
you moved on to lead the way for me.
c. 11/18/2009 by Bob Young
Jeff Moore, 1960-2009
He introduced me to Steve Martin's comedy on the soccer field when I was 16. He told me what Mensa was (and he was a member). He showed me how to listen to a song one instrument at a time so I could learn to then hear the whole mix. He had an uncanny ear to point out the slightest buzz, pop, blip, or other artifact. He had the most amazing stories (most of them probably true) about meeting Rev. Al Green, Marc Cohn, and about his dear friend Darrell becoming friends with Jerry Reed. His smarts and speed (in spite of his size) enabled our soccer team to only use two fullbacks, and teams could go an entire half getting maybe one shot on goal. He had the ability to size people up and keep them honest with humorous little zingers that never became malicious. I don't think I ever saw him angry. He had an amazing singing voice, but was far more comfortable behind a mixing console. He taught me how to use head voice instead of falsetto. He was a very good record producer, patiently pointing out what could be better, and always keeping in mind the goals of the band, the capabilities of the musician, and the possibilities of the song. He helped produce my first recording, the one that got my dad to lay down $5000 on a home studio to get me started. He could be trusted with the most embarrassing details. I'll ignore the video production company we started - not every venture pans out. I'd only once gotten so drunk that I couldn't remember what I did or said (just before I met my future wife after a high school basketball game); it was on the way to his house for a party, and he was kind enough to remember what I said and did and recall it for me over the years. My buddy Tom and I visited him in the hospital a few weeks back when he first got sick. I called, emailed, and texted him a few times since. I heard he got out of the hospital and had to go back in because the breathing was just too difficult. I didn't sleep well tonight, and got up at 3am only to find out from a friend that he had gone to meet his father and his Heavenly Father. He was gentle and strong, care-free and careful, fun and funny. He was my friend and I'll miss him very much.
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