Saturday, May 23, 2020

When You Are Overwhelmed


It's been a long time since I've written anything of substance for this blog. As people often say when they lag behind, "I've been meaning to..." Well, I've been meaning to get back to writing. I've said that now for almost two years. Do I have anything important to say? Do I have anything that someone else hasn't already said? Will anyone read something I write? Does it even matter?

I won't pretend to be the first person to ask these questions. I won't act like I'm the only person who is overwhelmed with reading other writers that I question whether or not I should add to the fray.

Each time I sat down...or more likely - thought about sitting down at my computer to write, I got distracted, had a voice tell me it's not worth it, or simply decided I didn't want to write. And it's because of those reasons that I'm finally sitting down to write.

I'm here to write about being overwhelmed. Hopefully I'm not contributing to your feelings of being overwhelmed by stating my own. I'm writing to let readers know, "YOU ARE NOT ALONE!"

Politics, COVID-19, daily life, new normals, major changes of plans, my favorite TV show halting production...It all contributes to feeling overwhelmed. Overwhelmed is not a state of mind where I want to stay...but for now...It's ok!

There's a (crass) saying about life that rings true - "$#!+ happens." But the opposite is also true - Grace happens. Beautiful moments happen. Even in the most chaotic times, there are amazing moments of grace and beauty that inspire us to keep going.

So, for now, yes...I'm overwhelmed (along with most people on earth). I don't want to sit through another Zoom meeting (and I have several on my schedule). I want to go sit at a restaurant and eat. I want to go to a baseball game and cheer. I want to walk through a store with no intention of buying anything just to look. But that is all impossible right now.

Instead, I dwell in finding beauty during chaotic times. I turn off the news when the bickering gets on my nerves. I overindulge in watching streaming tv. I read books - some with deep meaning, and others as a distraction. I spend time with my family. I text my friends around the world. And other days - I just dwell in the life of being overwhelmed. And it is ok! It's ok to be overwhelmed! It's ok to know that the world doesn't revolve around me!

Are you overwhelmed? Sometimes, I wish I had some amazing formula for how to get out of that feeling...but part of me is also grateful that I don't. We are not robots. We are humans...created to live.  Living means feeling. I don't want to be an unfeeling robot. I want to feel...even if at times that means I will be overwhelmed.

Sunday, March 27, 2016

In the Dark (Easter Sermon 2016)




John 20:1-18
20:1 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb.

20:2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him."

20:3 Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb.

20:4 The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.

20:5 He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in.

20:6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there,

20:7 and the cloth that had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself.

20:8 Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed;

20:9 for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead.

20:10 Then the disciples returned to their homes.

20:11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb;

20:12 and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet.

20:13 They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him."

20:14 When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus.

20:15 Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?" Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away."

20:16 Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to him in Hebrew, "Rabbouni!" (which means Teacher).

20:17 Jesus said to her, "Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'"

20:18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord"; and she told them that he had said these things to her.



“In the Dark”

Matthew places the Resurrection at dawn, Mark says it was very early…just after sunrise.  Luke tells us that Jesus rose very early in the morning.

But the Easter Story in the Gospel of John takes place, Early…While it was still Dark! Of course, we all have our differing opinions of the status of light vs. dark in the early morning.  Some of us are “morning people while others of us are not.

It was not by chance that Mary Magdalene sees the Risen Christ while it was still dark!

Thomas Fuller, a 17th Century English Churchman and Author of A Pisgah Sight of Palestine  is famous for his quote “It is always darkest, just before the day dawneth.”  He was describing the geography of Biblical Israel for the people of England in the 1600s.  He was telling them about the early mornings and what it looks like so that when they read the scriptures, they could have a vivid picture in their heads.  However, I wonder if he realized the deeper theological truth of that statement…“It is always darkest, just before the day dawneth.” 

In the dark, nothing physically changes from the day, but our fears become more real to us.  We can be in the same location from day to night, but we become acutely more aware of the sounds. We feel threatened.  We fear the shadows. Our thoughts run wild, and thy sometimes consume us.

Darkness is not always a matter of day and night…light and dark.  Darkness also happens in our lives. Darkness is a way of describing our moments of despair. 

In our darkest moments, we find out who our true friends are.  In the good times, friends are easy to come by, but in the dark moments, who are the ones who call, drop by, send cards, are there for us?


I was listening to NPR one day and heard a story of a boy raised by his grandparents after a troubled young childhood.  The boy, who told his story as an adult always knew his grandmother to be the loving, comforting one of his grandparents.  She was the nurturer. 

His Grandpa was the gruff man of few words.  The grandpa was a hard working man who had to wake up early in the morning to work long hours. He was never hurtful, but the boy says he was not physically or emotionally “close.”  Or so the boy thought.

The boy had vivid nightmares well into his teenage years in which he would wake up crying and screaming in terror. Hearing the boy’s screams, the Grandpa would come in and ask what was wrong. The nightmares always involved “monsters” under the bed or in the closet.

Rather than shame the boy or tell him his nightmares were silly, this overworked grandfather would get on his hands and knees, crawl to the edge of the bed, pound around making noises and  “kill” the monsters under the bed or sometimes in the closet.  When the boy was satisfied the monsters were dead, the grandfather would stand up, pat the boy on the head, and calmly walk out saying, “I’m down the hall if you need me.”

This scene was played over and over for years – sometimes several nights a week.

One night the boy realized his grandpa always wore an old red polo shirt and his “tighty-whities” to bed when he came in on his “monster killing” mission.  As grandpa was leaving and telling the boy that he’d be down the hall, the boy asked why his polo was red.  As if he had the answer rehearsed, the grandpa in his gruff, calm voice answered,  “It used to be white son, it used to be white.”

Years later, the grandpa passed away, the boy, now a young man went on his own and became well adjusted.  He realized exactly what those moments meant.  His nightmares kept his grandfather, the man who had to be awake early in the morning for a long day of work, up at night.  But, grandpa never complained.  In fact, this grandpa’s selfless love helped to form this boy into the safe and secure young man he had become.

We all struggle with darkness. Darkness is not just absence of light – We have dark moments in life - Loss, struggles, health issues, worry, pain.

Even more than the grandpa, if Easter teaches us anything – God does his finest work in the dark! Thomas Fuller’s quote may well be changed to, “It always seems darkest before the day dawneth!”

Genesis begins: In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters.

Darkness is God’s canvas to paint his masterpiece.
Darkness is God’s lump of clay to start his pottery.
Darkness is God’s orchestra to compose his symphony.


Darkness is where God took what was dead and gave life – calling us into a covenant to follow the one who came out of that tomb to bring us into the eternal light and everlasting life!

Friday, July 24, 2015

I'm Doing a New Thing - God



18 
Isaiah 43:18-21



do not remember the former things,
    or consider the things of old.
19 
I am about to do a new thing;
    now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness
    and rivers in the desert.
20 
The wild animals will honor me,
    the jackals and the ostriches;
for I give water in the wilderness,
    rivers in the desert,
to give drink to my chosen people,
21 
    the people whom I formed for myself
so that they might declare my praise.

Many churches get excited when they read and hear a sermon on Isaiah 43:18-19: "Do not remember the former things or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing."

Those same churches often follow with a prayer something like this: "Dear God, show your mighty hand - do your new thing - but please! For the love of all things sacred, keep everything the same HERE!"

If you don't believe me look at the very first church in Acts 11.  God gives a vision to Peter where the message is, "What I [God] have made, do not say it is unclean!"  This was different from the Jewish dietary laws and laws dealing with the Gentiles. But still it was what God said to Peter. The Jewish Believers had a difficult time believing that the Gentiles could be a part of God's People.  And yet, God created the Gentiles. 

Why do we fear change?  Answer these questions - 
- Are you a pack rat? Do you keep some unnecessary stuff that doesn't even hold sentimental value?
- Do you have a morning wake up ritual that it would cause your day to be ruined (or at least uncomfortable) if it were changed?
-Does your bed have to be "just so" in order for you to sleep (for non health reasons)?
-Do you have "your chair" or "your place to sit" in your house?

Granted, those are not spiritual questions, but they show our dislike of change!

There may be some humor here, but when it comes to the Church, this is Life or Death for people - Heaven or Hell!

As God says to Isaiah, "I'm going to do a new thing." We can no longer act as if that "new thing" isn't happening here!

Isaiah goes on to quote God saying, "The wild animals will honor me!"  Look at who is becoming the Church. We in the church were once wild animals! It's pure and plane SIN to continue calling the wild animals, wild animals. They are Potential Saints! They need to be called what God Calls them!

The church is scraping and grasping to hold onto what was. Peter is clear in Acts that God is leading us to what WILL BE! Look where the spirit is falling! Look around the world and see where the church is bursting with life!

Now - Let me be clear: in Peter's time, the church was politically divided. There were more political/religious parties than we can even think of.  We have Republican and Democrat (with some smaller parties thrown in). They chose to have Christ as their primary focus and politics took a much later position. God and Neighbor mattered much more! 

I have a diverse group of Facebook friends, and the majority are confessing Christians.  But I'm afraid I wouldn't know that by seeing their posts. American Christians seem obsessed with earthly politics and blame others for the state of the church. Sorry people, but God tells us it's OUR job with his power!

American Christians seem more obsessed about "getting our nation back" than getting people back in our pews.  It doesn't take a mathematical genius to see we have a problem! Look around! Again, this is a life or death issue for people.

American Christians seem more concerned with who is attacking our beliefs (verbally) than who we are winning to Christ. Again - we bear the burden and responsibility of love. Jesus commanded US - not THEM. They hit us, we turn the cheek. Don't like it? Well, I'm uncomfortable with it too, but Jesus said it, so we need to work on that!

And if you're still reading, if you're not too angry with me yet - What if we were more concerned with lifting the cross in people's lives than a Confederate Flag - or American Flag - or any flag?  Our heritage is Christian! Before we were Christians we fooled ourselves by saying we had a heritage.  The world is a hotel - Christianity is a home. Think about that.

And think about this - We would never go to a hospital that isn't fully committed to health because our lives would be in danger. BUT Christians often go to churches that aren't committed to Christ without doing anything about it because Christians don't really think our souls are in danger.  So, do we believe what we say we believe?

This isn't all bad news - It's a call to see God's Vision!  God let's us back on the train! God lets us take our faith seriously again. God gives us second chances.

Nothing stays the same! Watch out your window and you'll see the world change in an hour. But that's the way God designed it. Now - Pray and Act - What is God calling you to do?

Friday, July 3, 2015

The Middle of the Road



Come join me for a walk in the middle of the road. I promise it's not what you think. Contrary to people say, you do have to make decisions. 

When you're walking in the middle of the road, people are angry with you. "You're not on our side!" Well, that's the point. I see cars on the Left side that are good. I see cars on the Right side that are good. I also see cars on both sides that are bad. When I'm in the middle of the road, I can see both sides. I can choose.

It's dangerous to be in the middle of the road. There are traffic jams on either side that often get out of control. Have you ever been in a traffic jam? People get angry when they are in a traffic jam. They get angry because the other side seems to be moving. It's as if there's a small war on the road. People walking in the middle of the road aren't safe. You have to be careful. You have to watch your step. You have to watch your surroundings. 

Sometimes, a car from either the Right or the Left will offer you a ride. When you've walked a long time, a ride is a tempting offer. There's nothing wrong with taking a ride if the ride is the right one to take. When you're walking in the middle of the road, you have to decide. Is it better to keep walking or is it better to accept the ride? Sometimes you can change your mind - you can get out of the car and begin walking again. Sometimes you can't change your mind. People who walk in the middle of the road have to make hard decisions. 

When I walk in the middle of the road, one of my greatest wishes is that the cars on both sides would just respect the rules of the road. I wish that somehow the road would be a place of harmony. Some cars go one way; some cars go another way. Sometimes that's how it works. Usually, the road is a place of competition. The drivers want you to go their way. Their way is the only correct way...or so they say. 

The middle of the road can be scary because it can be lonely. Cars travel in packs of traffic. It makes the drivers feel safe. People in the middle of the road walk alone. 

I invite you to join me in my walk in the middle of the road. We can get in a car from time to time. We can direct traffic when the drivers can't seem to figure out the rules of the road. We can see the good cars and we can see the bad cars. Will you join me in the middle of the road? 


Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Telling the Truth in Church - Not what you think


The story of Jairus's Daughter and the Hemorrhaging Woman can be interpreted as messages of how Jesus brings life to the dead. Those are completely valid and true readings of this scripture. However, as I prepared to preach this scripture last week, I found something else shining from the text. Yes, Jesus brought life back to people who had lost it. Jesus does that today. But there is also something in this scripture that we often miss.

Mark 5:21-43New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

A Girl Restored to Life and a Woman Healed

21 When Jesus had crossed again in the boat[a] to the other side, a great crowd gathered around him; and he was by the sea. 22 Then one of the leaders of the synagogue named Jairus came and, when he saw him, fell at his feet 23 and begged him repeatedly, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live.” 24 So he went with him.
And a large crowd followed him and pressed in on him. 25 Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years. 26 She had endured much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had; and she was no better, but rather grew worse. 27 She had heard about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28 for she said, “If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well.” 29 Immediately her hemorrhage stopped; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. 30 Immediately aware that power had gone forth from him, Jesus turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my clothes?” 31 And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing in on you; how can you say, ‘Who touched me?’” 32 He looked all around to see who had done it. 33 But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling, fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. 34 He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”


35 While he was still speaking, some people came from the leader’s house to say, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the teacher any further?” 36 But overhearing[b] what they said, Jesus said to the leader of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” 37 He allowed no one to follow him except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. 38 When they came to the house of the leader of the synagogue, he saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. 39 When he had entered, he said to them, “Why do you make a commotion and weep? The child is not dead but sleeping.” 40 And they laughed at him. Then he put them all outside, and took the child’s father and mother and those who were with him, and went in where the child was. 41 He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha cum,” which means, “Little girl, get up!” 42 And immediately the girl got up and began to walk about (she was twelve years of age). At this they were overcome with amazement. 43 He strictly ordered them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.

We often get in the "trap" of over-spiritualizing our faith. Before you get angry, the Spirit is good! The Spirit is part of the Trinity. I'm not speaking of that spirit. Over-spiritualizing is when we begin to say that our physical existence doesn't matter and only our spiritual existence does. Over-spiritualizing occurs when we say our sole purpose to life is to get to heaven and none of the sufferings of this world matter.  That cannot possibly be true.  Jesus came as a God-man. God and Human. Jesus came in our form to sanctify this experience and to redeem it. Humanity and human existence matters. Jesus healed human suffering in this scripture and in many others.  God the Father delivered human Israelite slaves from bondage.  Humanity matters!

With that in mind, we see what happens. Jesus brings life in this scripture. But notice what happens BEFORE Jesus heals.  Jairus and the Bleeding Woman must tell the truth of their conditions.  

In churches, Christians often feel it is our job to pounce upon people and give them the truth of Christ as we understand it. Yes, we are to guide people to Christ. But sadly, well meaning Christians often take that as a battle order rather than a discipleship call.  We forget that in order to make disciples, we must listen.  And if we truly want to make disciples, we must let those whom we are charged to minister to tell the truth.  We are in essence, "doctors" for God.

Think of going to the doctor. A doctor cannot treat an illness unless the patient tells the truth about his or her condition.  Sometimes it feels embarrassing to tell your symptoms to the doctor, but yet the doctor patiently listens with care so that she can treat you the best she knows how. 

Why aren't most churches places where we can tell the truth of the symptoms of our lives? Why do people feel they have to hide their problems from other Christians? Simply put, too many Christians disobey the plain words of the Lord - they judge, they gossip, and they shun.  No, I'm not saying every Christian is like this. I've met many who are not. But as the saying goes, "It only takes one bad apple to ruin the barrel."  As Christians we bear the burden of proof. We are ambassadors of Christ. As people see us, so they assume we are. 

In our scripture, talking about a dead 12 year old girl is not pleasant. Talking about hemorrhaging for 12 years is not pleasant.  In our churches, talking about suffering relationships is not pleasant. Talking about abuse is not pleasant. Talking about sins that we struggle with is not pleasant. Talking about questions or doubts we have is not pleasant. But they should be allowed so that people can come into a closer walk with Christ. 

As Christians, we do not have to micromanage God. God can defend and take care of whatever happens. Our job is only to point to God. We don't have to judge. We don't have to have all the answers. If we truly believe in an all powerful God, then we should trust that God! 

Making disciples means we have to listen. We don't get to choose who we meet or who God calls us to serve. People have real questions and people have real struggles. Committed Christians have real questions and real struggles. Why can't the church be a place of support rather than one of judgment and reproach? 

If the church wants to be the church, then our call to authentic truth telling and vulnerability is something we will take seriously. Take an inventory of yourself and of your church. Can people tell you the truth? Can they be vulnerable to you? Can you tell the truth of your own struggles? Then, rather than sulking in the negative answers you find, do something about it. Be the example. This will not create a weak church - it will create a strong church - The one God intends us to be!

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

3 Things You Need In Life



This post is going to be very short. The message is very clear. It applies to churches. It applies to communities. It applies to everyone!  Read the lyrics to the song, then read my short reflection at the end.


Pete Seeger and Lee Hayes wrote the song, "If I Had a Hammer"

IF I HAD A HAMMER

If I had a hammer,
I'd hammer in the morning
I'd hammer in the evening,
All over this land.
I'd hammer out danger,
I'd hammer out a warning,
I'd hammer out love between my brothers and my sisters,
All over this land.


If I had a bell,
I'd ring it in the morning,
I'd ring it in the evening,
All over this land.

I'd ring out danger,
I'd ring out a warning
I'd ring out love between my brothers and my sisters,

All over this land.
If I had a song,
I'd sing it in the morning,
I'd sing it in the evening,
All over this land.

I'd sing out danger,
I'd sing out a warning
I'd sing out love between my brothers and my sisters,
All over this land.


Well I got a hammer,
And I got a bell,
And I got a song to sing, all over this land.

It's the hammer of Justice,
It's the bell of Freedom,
It's the song about Love between my brothers and my sisters,

All over this land.
It's the hammer of Justice,
It's the bell of Freedom,
It's the song about Love between my brothers and my sisters,
All over this land.


Words by Lee Hays
Music by Pete Seeger (1949)
TRO - (c) 1958 (renewed) & 1962 (renewed) Ludlow Music, Inc., New York, NY


Just the other day, I was riding in the car with my kids - age 5 and 8.  They wanted to listen to "old music." I suppose it's all relative. 

I put on this song. It's amazing how some songs are just timeless. They loved it. 

When the song was over, my 8 year old son, who often has a way of surprising me with his profound thoughts...and fart jokes (I never know which is coming), said "You know...Those are 3 of the most important things you need in life - Justice, freedom, and love."

Dad learned a lesson - and I hope you do too! 


Thursday, June 4, 2015

Sexual Victimhood - A Topic the UMC will NOT Discuss


First of all, why should I even have to use the sign I did as the "title" picture of this article? The year is 2015, and people still blame victims of sexual assault for the crimes committed against them. Quite frankly, I'm tired of hearing things like, "If she dressed more appropriately...," "If she didn't dress like she was advertising...," "It was just inappropriate touching; not rape..." "That's what happens when you hang around with the wrong crowd...," and the list goes on.

I'm tired of the bullshit that downplays what the perpetrator has done: "Every man has needs...," "He was just curious...," "She was lonely...," "This person only did it once and is really sorry...," and you know the rest.

Before someone goes off and says that perpetrators should be allowed to be forgiven, I completely agree. Forgiveness, however is a job of the Holy Spirit. Forgiveness comes from repentance.  I can't tell a victim to blindly forgive - I'm not an expert in such trauma. I can't tell any person not to feel what he or she feels. Only God can change a person. Let's also remember that forgiveness DOES NOT mean earthly "not guilty" verdicts. Forgiveness means that the person has confessed and repented before God because of Christ. It means the person is justified before God. It does not mean the person is justified before those he or she hurt and the community around them.

No, this is not a witch hunt. I am not on a crusade to hunt down anybody.  But I have a point to this article.

It is Annual Conference time in the United States for the United Methodist Church. Simply explained, each region is divided into "conferences" (groups of several hundred churches). They hold an annual conference to discuss church business including finance, appointment of pastors, hold training sessions, and vote on resolutions.

As a United Methodist Pastor, I will soon be attending my Annual Conference. Let me be clear. I love being United Methodist. I am NOT saying the United Methodist Church (UMC) is better than any other church...I am saying I love being a part of the UMC. I find spiritual satisfaction anywhere I am around fellow Christians from no matter what denominational background they come. It is by choice that I choose to be part of the UMC. 

As one who loves my church, I believe the most loving thing to do is to point out ways that it can be improved! First of all, I believe we (and all churches) do that by following the leading of the Holy Spirit. Period. However, there are earthly factors entrusted to us.

A point which is dominating the UMC is homosexuality. An obscene amount of money has been spent discussing this issue, putting pastors and bishops on church trial for violating our Book of Discipline (similar to a church book of rules), travel to discuss this issue, publications on this issue, and so forth. In the United States alone, I recently read that over $2 Billion (not confined only to the church, but all institutions) has been spent on homosexuality.  

I begin to wonder if people do not trust God enough to think that we can actually "solve" this issue if there is an issue to be solved. Instead the church bickers, and even threatens to split over this one issue. Why can't the church trust that if God sent his Son to save the world, God really meant it?

However, there is an issue that we can discuss. There is an issue we can exercise some control. In our pews every week, and in our Bible studies, and in our Youth Groups, are people who are victims of sexual assault of some form.  Most of us don't even know who they are. Statistics show that these victims are in EVERY church in the USA regardless of denomination.  They hear us pastors condemn sin of every sort. Then they see us comfort the sinners. They see us help the sick. They see us minister to the dying. Sadly, they themselves, rarely receive any care.  They suffer in silence. The stigma is too great. 

Churches claim to be "safe spaces." Maybe we are. But do we let people know that we are safe for every issue? Do we let victims of sexual assault know that we are advocates for them? Do we let them know that this is not God's plan for them? Admittedly, if it were not from the writing of a friend from Seminary, I would not have seen my own blindness on this issue. 

I would be extremely surprised if any of this is mentioned at ANY Annual Conference this year except in some ignorant comment from someone decrying how homosexuality "causes" sexual assault.  That saddens me. Statistics show that there will be a sizable representation of sexual assault victims in these Annual Conferences.  Yet we will continue to silence them. 

Please - How do we break the silence? This is my thinking space. I need help. Comment below.

Monday, May 18, 2015

A Second Home in the Big House of Stone - Zimbabwe



People say, "Home is where the heart is."  If that saying is true, then I truly have a home in a land where I have no ancestral roots - a land where, to my knowledge, no one in my family has ever visited - a land where I have no family connection - a land where I have nothing to own and where I desire nothing to own.  My home is not built of bricks and mortar nor wood and nails.  My home is solely a place where part of my heart resides.  Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe. Some say there is confusion about what the name means. It seems that "Zimbabwe" comes from two Shona (one of the local Zimbabwean languages) words describing the structure that is partially pictured above.  That structure is called in modern times, "Great Zimbabwe." In ancient times, it was home to the Shona King. Great Zimbabwe is a historical site today and can be visited today.  It is near the modern Zimbabwean city of Masvingo.  Pictures do not do Great Zimbabwe justice! At first glance, Great Zimbabwe doesn't even look so "great." Most of the fortress is built on what appears to be a small hill.  That "hill" is not so small after you try to climb it! There are millions of hand laid stones that have stood for hundreds of years - with absolutely NO MORTAR!

This stone palace - Great Zimbabwe - is where the modern nation derives its name.  Zimbabwe comes from 2 Shona words. "dzimba" meaning "Big House" and "ibwe" meaning "stone."  Big House of Stone.

My love of Zimbabwe began several years ago. My wife and I lost our teaching jobs in Ohio and moved to North Carolina because she had family here.  We found jobs about 2 hours away from them. In the town where we settled, we met a couple at church who had twin boys who were the same age as our then infant son.  We shared a lot in common with them. That couple was originally from Zimbabwe. They came to America after college for an "adventure."

Through them, I learned slowly about life and culture in Zimbabwe.  And through them, I met my friend John - a Zimbabwean pastor who leads an African congregation in America. He and I attended licensing school together - a requirement for Methodist Pastors in America.  We became instant friends.

After a few years of friendships and idle talk of visiting, my seminary graduation present was a trip to Zimbabwe with John.  I was instantly in love with the land and the people! I made friendships that will never be broken!

Our first trip was part vacation and part mission trip.  We did work in churches and helped individuals as we found needs, but yet it was also a chance for me to see a new place. For John, it was a chance to see the land of his birth through my eyes.

I was taken in by the hospitality of everyone! Visiting is like being a royal guest. There is no such thing as imposing on anyone. When visiting someone, the first thing that happens is that you will be fed. If it is meal time, be prepared to eat! You will NOT go hungry!

Hosts and friends will devote one hundred percent of their time and energy to guests. This is not out of obligation - this is out of genuine love! Schedules can be rearranged - but time with a guest cannot. If, by chance the host has an appointment that absolutely cannot be missed, the host will make sure that the guest is well taken care of!

Despite what people hear about Zimbabwe on Western News sources, I have never felt safer anywhere than I have in Zimbabwe.  Of course, there is crime in Zimbabwe - there is crime anywhere.  The crime, however, is well controlled and not a common occurrence. I was in very rich areas, very poor areas, and everything in between. I can honestly say that I never felt unsafe! Well, last year, on my first trip, we were at a game park, and we were told that a lion had been seen a few months earlier - I did feel slightly in danger - but I never felt unsafe because of people!

Even Zimbabwean authorities are polite while they are doing their jobs. Customs agents are charged with searching luggage, checking documents, and maintaining a fast flow of people at the airport.  This is not a job I envy! No one enjoys going through that department, and I'm sure they receive rude comments on a frequent basis.  Each experience I had with them, however, was polite.  They asked permission before opening my bags.  They smiled when greeting me.  They welcomed me into their country.  I cannot say the same about my own TSA agents in the United States.  They were rude, sarcastic, and even yelled at me and others.  Yes, I'm sure it's a monotonous and stressful job.  I'm sure they get asked many "dumb" questions.  But, these are the first faces that a person sees upon entering the country. I felt welcomed when I entered Zimbabwe. And trust me...I asked some dumb questions just to make sure I did the correct things.  I felt embarrassed entering the United States.  We can do better! I feel sorry for those particular TSA agents...you have an important job, but you are not THAT important that you can't treat someone as a human being!

Describing exactly why  Zimbabwe will forever be another home to me is difficult. It's not just the hospitality.  It's not just the welcome I received.  It's not just the sights I saw.  It's not just the friendships.  All of those things combined can give part of the reason that Zimbabwe is another home to me, but some reasons are beyond words.

Sometimes, when you've been away from home a long time or after a long day, you get home.  You get to your favorite place in your house and you exhale and everything just feels right.  You feel at home.  That is how I feel when I'm at home here in the USA.  That's how I feel when I'm with those I love in Zimbabwe.

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Stop Already!


I had great intentions of writing a semi-specific blog post about some situation in the past couple months, adding some theology, describing how we as humans just need to love more, and how...well...blah blah blah.

It seems there's been an onslaught of stupid avoidable crap lately! I'd use stronger words, but I'm trying to control myself.

Racist shootings, unnecessary violence, political drama, plane crashes, taunting of black college students (on multiple occasions), using the Bible to condone outright oppression, killing of innocent civilians, murders, rapes...Ugh...I know I'm forgetting a lot here.

I honestly can't keep track of it all. It's weighing me down. I try to process one injustice or crime and another happens. Seriously people, what the hell?

Just stop it! I don't need to go into why any of this is wrong. If you don't know by now, you choose not to know. OK, there may be a small portion of the population out there that is genuinely ignorant (meaning "not knowing"), and they need to be educated. The rest of us - we should know how to act.

Tomorrow is Maundy Thursday - the day Jesus gave the commandment to, "Love one another as I have loved you."  It's a Commandment, people, not a suggestion.  Is it difficult? Yes! Does it say anything about how the other person has to act? No! We still have to find a way to love them - at least how to treat them decently.

Do we Christians forget that this Commandment is for ALL TIMES? Not just for Maundy Thursday?

I'm so embarrassed that at least some of the problems are created by my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ! Grow up! Quit judging - start loving. Plain and simple! No ifs, ands, or buts.

I guess I don't have anything dynamic to say - no profound words. But for heaven's sake, people. Let's get our acts together! Just stop the madness!