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? 

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!

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! 

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.

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.

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!

How Do I Love My Enemies?

I don't know if this is a prayer, a complaint, a "sermon," an article, or what this is. Maybe I'm just talking...maybe just to myself.  I hope this relates to you.  If you have it figured out, let me know how!

The picture above has quotes and paraphrases from scripture - direct from the words of Jesus.  Is he serious?  I'm supposed to love my enemies? He wants me to do good to those who hate me? Jesus tells me to bless those who curse me?  And to top it off, I'm supposed to pray for those who mistreat me?

Yeah, yeah, yeah...I'm a pastor. I "have it all figured out." Well, the truth is - I'm far from it.  Oh, I WANT to be there - I WANT to be able to do these things. I can SOMETIMES do these things. But it's so dang hard to do it willingly.

Who are my enemies? Well, there are those who are far away - people I'll probably never meet - political enemies? Is that the correct word? ISIS (or is it ISIL? IS? you know who I mean), I write enough about Rwanda's Dictator, Paul Kagame and get harassed personally by his paid trolls...I guess he's technically a political enemy.  What about different groups who may not hate me personally but hate my views? They hate Christians (not disagree, but hate - wish death upon me...or at least people like me).  There are people who hate Americans (again, not disagree but hate).  I suppose all of those, and some more that I can't think of right now are my "enemies."

I guess I have more enemies.  That person who cut me off on the highway the other day.  I didn't have pleasant thoughts about him or her (I didn't get a good view of anything but the person's bumper to know if the person was a he or she).  I didn't wish death upon the person, but I had some choice words - from inside my car. Thankfully I kept the gestures to just my mind. There are some people from when I was a kid that I haven't reconciled with. I have no idea where they are now. I don't know how much was my fault and how much was theirs. I suppose it doesn't matter at this point. But, like the 2 Koreas - we are technically enemies...I guess. Maybe I'm overanalyzing.

Some people just plain don't like me. Our personalities clash. I have problems with other people. I don't know if I don't like them or not - maybe it's unfair to say that others don't like me - maybe I should just leave it as our personalities clash.  There are people I'm close with and we have arguments - sometimes bitter.  Does that make that person my enemy? Maybe for that time. What about the people who have hurt me and haven't apologized? Some of them don't even know. It's been years for some. Why should I hold it against them if they don't know? Did they do it on purpose? Maybe, Maybe Not. But maybe they've changed from who they were then to who they are now.  We're all changing everyday.

Honestly, I didn't set out to plan how I would write this. Is this "stream of consciousness" writing? But I think I'm onto something. We're all changing everyday.  If our God is real - and I'm convinced that is the case - Then loving my enemies is a process, not an instantaneous reality.

Salvation is a lifelong work of God through Christ. The question, "Are you saved?" makes me uncomfortable.  The better question is, "Are you justified." Or, in more common terms, "Have you allowed Christ to forgive your sins?"  From that moment, we are BEING saved.

Yeah, we're saved from our sins in a moment, but we're saved from so many other things all of our life.  For me, maybe I'm being saved from myself.  But that's another long story.

How do I love my enemies? I don't have the full answer. But I suppose I can  pray for them. At least in my life, prayer has led to many life changing realizations and changes. God isn't done with me. God isn't done with any of us. Do I love my enemies? I don't know. Can I love my enemies. With God's help, I'm sure the answer is, "Yes."

Book of Revelation Commentary and Discipleship Study

My most recent book is titled The Book of Revelation: Commentary and Discipleship Study.  This book is intended for individual and group Bible Studies.

The book includes the Scripture (in the World English Translation - a free public domain translation) and then commentary followed by discussion questions.

This study uses Revelation as a call to Christian Discipleship. Rater than focus on predictions and telling the future, I focus on how God plans to redeem the world and our role as Disciples of Jesus Christ.

Obviously there are many ways to read any biblical text. The discipleship method is faithful to Revelation because that is exactly what John of Patmos is calling the 7 Churches to whom he is writing to do - become deeper in their discipleship.

You can purchase a copy at amazon.com at this link

Stories that Form Us - Sermon

(I delivered this sermon on Christmas Eve 2014. It is not verbatim since I use the barest of notes and my memory when preaching)

So many people get nostalgic at Christmas time. Every year, we watch the same Christmas movies. Will George Bailey save the Savings and Loan from Mr. Potter again this year? Will Bedford Falls be ok?  Will Rudolph lead Santa's sleigh this year? Of course we know the answers, but yet we watch them nonetheless. And if we are honest, we still even experience some suspense.

Christmas is a time some of us get with friends and family and share the same stories that we've shared for years...or we may sit alone and remember the private memories that we don't want to share.

Why do we do this?

The stories of our lives form who we are.  They explain who we become. We act certain ways because of what has happened to us in the past. If you listen to a person long enough, you will find out what is important to him or her...just by listening to the stories.

For me, Christmas has always been my favorite holiday. Once the clock strikes 12:00 on November 1, I'm technically allowed to put up the first Christmas tree in the house! (Yes, we have several). It's not the presents...In fact, I only remember a few gifts from when I was young. Christmas means so much more. I remember the experiences.

On Christmas Eve, we would go to my maternal Grandparents' house for supper. The whole family would be there. We kids would play, and then get anxious because that was the one night out of the entire year Grandma insisted on hand washing the dishes and not using the dishwasher. It's not like she used fine china...It was just her regular plates and silverware.

My sister, cousin, and I eventually worked out a spy ring. One would hide under the dining room table, one at the entrance to the kitchen, and another behind the fridge. We had hand signals to let each other know how much longer it would be until it was time to open presents.

On Christmas Day, we'd go to my paternal Grandma's house. She used paper plates! But she always made my favorite mashed potatoes! There was one year that I took it as a personal insult when she wanted to make a "lite lunch" and made potato salad. We spoke again a few weeks later.

But Christmas also meant snow, decorating, making cookies, sledding, and of course, stories!

There was the year my uncle told 5-year old me that he shot a guy wearing all read out in his back yard. I was scared the whole night that Santa wouldn't come. And there was my Grandma's Charlie Brown Christmas Tree. I was young and got to pick it out for her. She saw it and cried because, "The damn thing was so ugly." (My Grandma was not one to use strong language, so it must have been bad). My dad took her to the grocery store and my uncle and I decorated it. She came back and cried again because she had "never seen such a beautiful tree." My kids and wife endure these stories multiple times every year!

I remember the last Christmas with my Grandpa being alive. He had surgery that put him in a coma. After his brain waves stopped, we removed life support, but he hung on a few days. He was in a hospital 3 hours away on Christmas Eve. I remember sitting in HIS chair - the one he was VERY possessive of! I wouldn't leave it. It was the last connection I had to him. He died three days later.

It's normal for people to keep memories alive. It's even Biblical! In the Old Testament, when God did something amazing for the Israelites, something like the Passover, God commanded them to remember this day and do something to commemorate it. Depending on the tone of the holiday, it would be a joyous celebration or a somber remembrance.

The Bible is God's Story. The Christmas story is our entrance into God's story. Jesus came for all people - Gentiles and Jews. This is God's continuing story of God with us - Emmanuel (Hebrew - Im [with] enu [us] el God]). This Christmas story is where we - individually and corporately enter God's story.

We can now be part of God's Family!  In the words of Church Father Athanasius of Alexandria - "God became man so man could become god." He DID NOT mean we would be literally god, but rather we could share in God's promises because of God becoming human in Christ.

And now, with new eyes, read the Christmas Story:

Luke 2:1-20 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

The Birth of Jesus

2 In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 All went to their own towns to be registered. 4 Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5 He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

The Shepherds and the Angels

8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Blessed are the Peacemakers - More Reflections on Race

I honestly don’t know how to begin. I honestly don’t know where this is going. Lord, lead me as I write!

People rarely like to talk about race. Many people will say they are “colorblind” when it comes to race. That statement, as well intentioned as the person saying it means it to be, cannot and should not be.

God created us as embodied souls – or souls with a body. Either way, one cannot be separated from the other…at least in this earthly life. Part of our bodies includes our skin. My skin happens to be white.

What is white skin? To look at it, “white” may not even be the best description. My skin is more tan or pink than white, but yet people classify me as “white.” I have some brown hair on my arms, a few moles and blemishes, some scars, but that doesn’t change my classification as “white.”

Some people prefer that I describe my race as European-American because saying that I’m “white” implies that I consider myself “elite” in comparison to others. My ancestors came from Europe. European-American is my ethnicity. But race is different. When I say “white,” I am describing what I see in the mirror – or rather what others have termed my skin tone to be. I don’t use “white” as an inherent descriptor of power, though I will discuss that later.

Race is a human construction. Ethnicity is not. Humans have a need to determine what makes each of us different from others. Ethnicity is a descriptor of our ancestral origins. Humanity invented race to say that one color is better than another color. History has shown that people's minds consider “lighter” skin colors superior to “darker” skin colors.

Obsession with skin colors caused slavery – or at least American slavery. Obsession with skin colors caused colonization of the African continent. Obsession with skin colors caused segregation where blacks were forced into sub-standard institutions to keep things “pure” for whites. Obsession with skin colors is sadly alive and well today.

In just the past few weeks, we’ve seen the Grand Juries failed to prosecute police officer Anthony Baez who used a chokehold on Eric Garner, killing him. A previous Grand Jury acquitted another police officer, Darren Wilson in the shooting death of unarmed teen Michael Brown. 

The issue, however, is not specifically about Garner and Brown – but do not, for one second, think that I am diminishing the importance of these lives!  The larger issue is the obsession with skin colors and the lack of justice in the history of America for black people.  If we could truly say that these were isolated issues, and if we could be assured that both Grand Juries gave full fairness to both cases, and if we could say that blacks were treated equally with whites, then there would be little issue. Maybe there would be some raised eyebrows. Maybe some would disagree with the decisions, but the issues would not reach national importance.

America suffers from a 400-year problem of obsession with skin color. That obsession is called racism. Racism can ONLY come from the powerful – the white skin.  Minorities can be bigoted, they can be rude, they can be hateful, but they cannot use a tool that belongs only to the powerful. Minorities cannot be racist.

Racism consists of more than disliking someone based on skin color – that is being bigoted.  Racism is a systematic disease. Racism is visible AND invisible. Racism exists in peoples’ actions and in the collective mindset. Racism prevents mobility of the minority that is being targeted – intellectual, spiritual, and physical mobility. Racism kills – it kills the mind, it kills the soul, and it kills the body. 

Jesus calls his followers to be peacemakers in the Beatitudes of Matthew 5.  A peacemaker DOES NOT throw up a “yeah, but…” every time an uncomfortable and tragic situation comes our way. Have blacks committed horrific crimes as well? Yes. All races have. But, such is not the point. The discussion at hand is about justice for God’s black children. Later, if needed, we can have a different discussion. A peacemaker does not use counter-examples to hold to the status quo.

A peacemaker reaches across uncomfortable spaces and extends the hand of peace. Most (if not all) who read this post did not serve on the Grand Juries in question. Most who read this are probably good people who love their neighbors. We don’t need “good people” right now.  We need peacemakers from the white community.  We need whites to stand in solidarity with our black brothers and sisters. We need white people who are willing to say, “I have never felt your pain. I have never had anyone look at me and question whether I am a criminal or not. I have never gone through any of that, and I want a world where you don’t have to either.”

Throughout the Bible, God, without exception, stands with the poor and oppressed. Again, now is not the time for whites to describe how we may be oppressed. It is true that others more powerful than us may oppress us. We will have time to deal with that oppression. If we are true peacemakers, we will be able to deal with all oppression with all people regardless of race.

America is in crisis. Crisis can end in a multitude of ways. People can choose how to handle a crisis. We can sit back and do nothing and let others fight the battle. That option is contrary to being a peacemaker. That option carries unknown consequences.  We can stand for the status quo. That too is not being a peacemaker. It is like one saying “peace, peace when there is no peace (Jeremiah 6:14).” We can be peacemakers. We all have different gifts and talents to do this. We can recognize that our black brothers and sisters are suffering. We may not be able to change every situation, but we can walk to road together. It will be difficult...It will be rewarding...It will be tiresome...It will be loving...

As everyone knows, in suffering, sometimes the best “medicine” is a companion.