Throwback Thursday: The Southern Cross

I spent 9 months in 1986 working and as the regional director of  youth ministry and religious education for the New England Yearly Meeting of Friends, travelling a 6 state area training local church workers and planning events. Why only 9 months?  Read on in this vintage post from November of 2009.  

The Southern Cross (at right) is a constellation that has helped sailors navigate the seas for hundreds of years.  For me, the phrase conjures up two images- a song by Crosby, Stills and Nash, and my time in New England Yearly Meeting.  Today I will tell you some stories of mishaps and mayhem during 1986.  Some of these stories may lead you to believe that Quakerism in New England was in a bad state of affairs at the time.  I cannot argue against that point of view.  I did meet some wonderful, faithful people in the region,  But for today...here are three stories that represent my experience.

In March I led a retreat for youth in western Mass.  We worshiped together, played together and learned together. It was a great weekend, and something very new for the youth involved.  I talked to many parents as they picked up their kids, and most seemed excited at the new direction I was taking the program.  One mom, from the Boston suburb of Peabody (pronounced Pee-bud-ee, NOT pea body!) had a concern.  She pulled me aside and said without a trace of a smile, "If my daughter comes home talking like you (with a southern accent) then she will not be allowed back at these events."  I laughed and responded "I don't think that is anything ya'll have to worry about."  She fired back "I'm not kidding.  Learn to speak real English."  And she walked away.  So much for the Quaker belief in the equality of all people, whether they be Yankee or not...

Sometime that same Spring I led a workshop on religious education at a Friends Meeting out near Cape Cod.  (By the way- is there any national historic monument more disappointing than Plymouth Rock?  I mean come on...it's really just a rock?)  On Saturday I spoke to a crowd of about 30 on new methods of teaching the Bible to children.  I spoke of how Jesus called the children to him, and how he indicated that we must become like children to enter the kingdom of heaven.  Afterwards, while having refreshments, an older woman (I am guessing about 107!) came up to me and got right in my face- well, she would have been right in my face if she could have reached it!  Seriously, she had to reach up just to be able to poke me in the chest- which she did!  She spoke to me in one of those cackling, Wicked Witch of the Northeast type voices and said "Young man, we don't talk like that here!"  I searched my memory, trying to remember what I could have said that would have been offensive, but I had no idea- and I told her so.  She poked me once more and said in a low, condemning snarl, "you said JESUS CHRIST.  We don't say that here.  You can talk about Jesus or you can talk about Christ, but don't assume they are the same."  I was stunned.  How was I ever going to make a difference with theology like that floating around?  I had to just walk away.

As I have mentioned before, most of the meetings in New England featured traditional Quaker worship, with no pastor or planned music.  The format came from the concept that if you gather in expectant silence, God will speak through the worshippers.  In the earliest days of Quaker worship elders often gave hour long sermons from the silence.  I had experienced great moments of God's presence through this style of "open worship" at New Garden Friends Meeting and at Quaker Lake Camp, so I looked forward to worshipping with Friends all over New England.  One Sunday (or First Day, in the traditional Quaker language) I found myself settling into the silence with about a dozen others at a meetinghouse in Rhode Island.  Midway through the hour I felt God tugging at my heart with a message, and, as often happens in such situations, I suddenly found myself on my feet and speaking.  Worship concluded without anyone else speaking, and afterwards, I found myself being ignored.  I finally stopped an older man, introduced myself and asked if there was anything the Yearly Meeting office could do for their Meeting.  He very tersely told me no, and then proceeded to ask me why I had spoken like that.  I told him that I felt I had been led by God to speak.  He shook his head and informed me that this was a silent meeting, and that I was the first person to speak during worship in over 40 years.  A silent meeting- talk about adventures in missing the point!

I found Friends Meetings with only three or four members left, keeping the doors open to keep alive the memory of their ancestors who had founded them.  I found people who had no idea that George Fox, the original Quaker, had been a Christian and a biblical scholar.  And I found lots and lots of folks who worshipped Quakerism, pacifism and history- all things that I love, but in this sense, false idols all!  I became more and more convinced that I needed to bring a focus on Jesus to the youth I had come there to serve.  I needed them to know that we are a Resurrection People.  They needed to know about the cross and the empty tomb.  I had to tell them the Good News!  I just couldn't do it with a southern accent...

Because of Jesus,

Inclusion (The Art of Kissing Frogs)

If you have been following this blog at all the past few weeks then you know of my obsession with the recently completed Olympic games.  One of the themes of those London games was that they be "for everyone," and to the amazement of the world they were indeed just that.  The Church of Jesus Christ often speaks of being inclusive; the games of the XXX Olympiad walked that talk!  In addition to the variety found anytime 200 plus nations gather, there were specific instances of acceptance that were quite remarkable.  There were female athletes from countries who had never allowed women to compete before 2012.  There was a double amputee running alongside able-bodied men.  There were representatives of pretty much every major religion, including a young USA female gymnast who chose music for her floor exercise that would give a shout out to her Jewish heritage in memory of the Israeli athletes murdered by terrorists at the 1972 Munich games.  Stereotypes were broken as a white British man won the long jump and a black American received a swimming medal. There were gay athletes at these games and no one pointed out this fact- and no one cared.  The spirit of acceptance and inclusion was truly incredible, and left me with this question- How can the Church be more like that?  How do we remain faithful to our beliefs without shutting the door on the world?

The first thing we need to is let go of our Better Bes.  In his book Just Walk Across the Room, Bill Hybels writes that most Christians are willing to be accepting of others, as long as they meet our list of things they had "better be."  They had better be clean and polite. They had better be people who look like us.  They'd better be ready to sing the songs we like to sing. They had better be people who vote for the right political party and come from the right background.  They had better be against all the right things and for all the right things.  In other words, we want the new people in our churches to be just like the old people- just like us!  This is not inclusion, this is a selection process.  Instead of listening to people, hearing their stories and investing in their lives, we judge based on what we think we know.  And we shut them out.  You may say "my church doesn't turn anyone away."  You do not have to ask someone to leave to let them know they are not wanted.  Our attitudes speak volumes.

Jesus gave the church a very different model of responding to people, one that we often choose to ignore.  Jesus had no list of Better Bes. Instead, he invested in the lives of those he met to the point that he turned them into Used To Bes.  Think about it.  Peter and Andrew used to be fishermen. Matthew and Zaccheus used to be tax collectors.  Mary Magdalene used to be a woman with a bad reputation.  Bartholomew used to be blind.  Lazurus used to be DEAD!  In fact, we all used to be dead until Jesus went to the cross for us.  He didn't care what we looked like. He didn't care about our theology.  He didn't care about our politics.  He gave us one great commandment- LOVE GOD AND LOVE PEOPLE- and then gave his life so that we might live. It's like we were all frogs waiting to become princes and princesses, and Jesus had to kiss every stinking one of us.  And he did.  And because of his love, we all have the opportunity to become Used To Bes by simply following him.  

So how can the church become more loving, accepting and inclusive?  It's really not a difficult answer, although we seem to have a great deal of trouble doing it.  We need to follow the Great Commandment.  We need to open our hearts and our doors and we love everyone, ESPECIALLY those who are not like us.  We must reach out to the lost, the hurting and the helpless.  We have to reach out to those whose feel separated from God's love- for any reason.  It is time to realize that we are all Used To Bes, and that Jesus built his church just for us.  And then we must become HIS church, and do the work we are called to do.  And what is the task of the church?  To kiss frogs, of course...

Because of Jesus,

My Favorite Olympic Moments

The recently completed Olympic Games of London 2012 offered some amazing moments and stories.  Some were tales of victory, some of triumph over the odds and some of loss.  Here (in no particular order) are some of my favorite story lines...

• The Opening Ceremonies. It was a night that brought us James Bond & the Queen,  Rowan Atkinson doing Chariots of Fire and Sir Paul McCartney singing Hey Jude. It featured a battle between Lord Voldemort and Mary Poppins, and reminded all of us in the USA just how proud the Brits are of their government-run free health care (Imagine that!).  It also gave us one of my favorite opening ceremony moments ever- the forging of the Olympic ring in the stadium, then joining it with 4 more in the sky. Powerful stuff. 
• Michael Phelps!  He wasn't content with just smashing the record for all-time medals won. He wanted more!  People doubted Phelps after his day one loss in the 400 IM.  You should never doubt the best swimmer in history. Ever.  He came back to win 4 more gold medals and once again claim the title King of the Pool.  For a related story, see also Shutting Up Ryan Lochte.
• Great moments for Great Britain!  The Brits were powerful in lesser-known venues like rowing and cycling, but the world felt the full force of their love for their athletes as stadiums ROCKED when Jessica Ennis won the heptathlon; Moe Farah claimed gold in both the 10,000 and 5000 meter races;  and Andy Murray won tennis gold at Wimbledon.  Congratulations, UK, on hosting a great Olympics, and for providing moments of majesty for us all!
• The Queens of the Beach!  For a third straight time Misty May-Trainor and Kerri Walsh-Jennings won beach volleyball gold.  Considered to be a bit past their prime, the Golden Girls were awesome again, losing only one set.  Love me some beach volleyball, men's and women's- so it is NOT just the bikinis!  :)
• A True Winner.  I blogged earlier about how much I was inspired by South African Oscar Pistorius, the double amputee who ran the 400 meters.  But my favorite Oscar moment was provide by Karani James of Grenada, who after winning the 400 semi in which Oscar finished last immediately went to Pistorius and asked to exchange name bibs with him- a very unusual act showing the world champion's respect for what Oscar had accomplished.  THAT is the Olympic spirit!  James went on to win Grenada's first ever gold medal in the event.  Great story...
• USA Team Glory!  You all know how I feel about soccer (I don't!) but there were great moments for the USA team, including Alex Morgan's amazing game winning goal in the semi-finals and Hope Solo's amazing performance in the gold medal game.  The USA women's water polo team was also amazing winning their first ever gold, and of course the Fierce Five gymnasts also provided a team thrill.  USA!  USA!  USA!
• No Belly Flops Here!  American David Boudia stunned the world by winning the gold medal in the men's 10 meter platform diving event over prohibitive favorite Bo Qiu of China and local hero Tom Daley of GB.  His last dive had to be nearly perfect- and it was!  Amazing performance under pressure...
• Never Give Up.  Chinese 110 meter hurdler Liu Yiang (a former world champion) fell over the first hurdle and was out of the qualifying race.  He was also injured.  But he picked himself up, hopped down the track on one leg, kissed the final hurdle and crossed the finish line.  Another great moment was the performance of silver medal winning USA 4 x 400 meter relay team led by Bryshon Nellum, the young man who has shot in the leg several years ago and told he would never run competitively again.  Not only did he compete, he was also chosen to carry the USAmerican flag in the closing ceremonies.  Again...the true Olympic spirit in action.
• Mad Scientist Comeback!  In the gold medal match in men's indoor volleyball, Brazil crushed Russia the first two sets (they play best 3 out of 5).  The Russian coach rearranged his line-up, putting players in positions they had never played before with the national team.  The announcers declared it a panic button move and declared the match over.  Russia won 3 sets in a row to upset Brazil and win the gold.  Best coaching move EVER!!!
• Women or Fish?  The women from the USA simply dominated the swimming pool, led by the 4 gold medals of 17 year old (same as my son, and he is single, Missy!) Missy Franklin.  Among the other ladies providing thrills and world records in the pool were Rebecca Soni, Allison Schmitt, Katie Ledecki and Dana Vollmer.  And most, if not all, will be back for Rio 2016.  Sorry, world!  :)
• The Faster Ever!  The women of the USA's 4 x 100 meter relay team not only won gold, they broke a world record set back in the 1980s by a steroid fueled East German team.  Actually they didn't break the record...they SMASHED it!  I love relay races, and this one was amazing.  Way to go Tianna Madison, Allyson Felix, Bianca Knight and Carmelita Jeter!!!
• Lightning Bolt!  Jamaican Usain Bolt is simply amazing to watch.  He has now competed in two Olympics, won 6 gold medals and set 4 world records.  Sorry Carl Lewis and company, but the battle for Greatest Sprinter Ever is a battle for 2nd place.  Everyone is now chasing the legend...
• The Closing Ceremonies.  Eric Idle singing Always Look On the Bright Side Of Life was the night's clear winner.  Anytime you get a little Monty Python, things are just better!

So there you have it.  That's my list, although it could have been much longer!  And now that the games are over, I am in serious need of a new hobby.  Any suggestions?

Being Great

I watched in awe last night as the Jamaican 4 x100 meter relay team smashed their own world record.  Here were 4 men, gifted by God, trained by coaches and supported by friends and family, who went out on the track in front of millions of people watching and achieved greatness.  They weren't just good, they were spectacular.  Good would not have been enough.  They came to London for greatness.

It got me thinking about how often how I have settled for "good" in my life.  I am not talking about accomplishing things that draw attention to me, I am referring to things that inspire others.  I look at so many people who have had great accomplishments and marvel at their faith and determination to do great things. I am 52 years old and I often wonder what chances I have already missed to serve God in some bigger, more productive way.  It is a sobering thought, for example, to realize that by the time Mozart was my age he had been dead for 18 years. He left a mark on the world as a young man that has inspired generations of musicians.  What mark am I leaving and who have I inspired?  I have been blessed to live an interesting and productive life full of wonderful relationships and moments of service, but how many opportunities have I missed to do something great in the name of Jesus?  There have always been excuses, "what ifs" and "if onlys" that have kept me from achieving everything God has had in store for me.  And I want that to stop.

All of us have been gifted by God, trained by leaders and supported by family and friends. What will we do with our gifts?  We will seek glory for ourselves or glory for God?  Will we settle for "just getting by" or will we seek to do great things in the name of Jesus?  The decision is up to each of us.

Because of Jesus,

It's Youth Ministry!

People often ask me if I can describe what it was like to be a Youth Pastor and serve in Student Ministries for all of those years.  The above description (from a t-shirt I still wear on occasion) pretty much says it all!  I am also often asked if I miss it.  Read the shirt one more time and tell me what you think...   Have a blessed weekend!

Because of Jesus,

I Am Not

This post was inspired by the great Louie Giglio.  Thanks for always pushing us, Louie!

When Moses asked God who he should say sent him to save the people of Abraham, God responded "tell them I AM sent you."  Yahweh is the "I AM," the God who was and is and is to come; the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I am none of those things, and neither are you. We are but tiny parts of God's plan, like so many before us and so many around us. When John the Baptist was asked if he was the promised Messiah, he replied, "I am NOT...but there is one who will come and reveal everything God has promised." We, like Moses and John and Peter and so many other giants of our faith, are NOT. But we know the great "I AM." As you live your life today, be WIDE OPEN to the fact that God is God...and you are NOT. Open your hearts that God might use you so His will can be accomplished on this earth. Submit yourself so that Jesus might have His way with you and that you might quit trying to have your way with Him. Only then can his light shine its brightest. Only then can Jesus truly be the hope of the world. I forgot this for a period of time and made a huge mess of my life.  I don't intend to ever let it happen again.  A sign I used to have up in my office said The Main thing is to keep the Main Thing the Main thing!  I pray this prayer often in the hope that it will keep me focused on the things that truly matter.  I hope you will pray along...

Loving God, today I turn my life over to You. My skills, my failures, my sin and my joys all belong to You. I recognize that my life is not about me, but it is all about You. I realize that I sometimes like to play god, but that I am NOT..You ARE! Help me to understand that Jesus did not die on the cross so I could accomplish some political agenda or achieve some lofty position on this earth. Jesus died for my sins, because I am a sinner. Jesus gives me grace so that I might offer love and forgiveness to others, especially to the "least of these brothers of mine" who are in need and to the lost who think themselves to be beyond His grace. In the words of King David, himself a sinner of great magnitude, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit with in me, so that I might serve You." Use me, and I will give you the glory. Remind me today that I am NOT...but I know I AM, and that when I serve You we can offer hope to a hurting world.

In the name of the great I AM,
Amen

We've Got It All Wrong

Ulysses Bolton of the Bahamas???

The other day I was eating lunch by myself in a restaurant where they have televisions. They had the Olympics on with the sound off, and they were showing a water polo match between two European countries.  I was loving the action, but I soon found myself distracted by the conversation at the table next to me. It seemed to be a family, with a grandmother, a younger couple, and two teenagers.  They were discussing the Olympics, and this is a synopsis of what I heard...

Why are the showing swimming (it was water polo) again?  I hate swimming.  I like the running.  They never show the running (except for hours in prime time).  You know who is really good?  That Ulysses Bolton (Usain Bolt), the one from the Bahamas (Jamaica). He is so fast. I saw him win the 1000 yard (100 meter) dash.  He is really American you know, he just runs for the Bahamas because there team is easier to make.  Almost all of those foreigners really live in America.  Why do we let those foreign countries in the Olympics anyway (WOW!)? You know what else I hate? When those stupid British people say soccer and football are the same thing (The entire world calls it football except us)!  Yeah right. The Bucs would kill those soccer teams (seems unlikely the Bucs would win at either sport)...

I'll stop there, although unfortunately they didn't.  The discussion also had some racist elements and accused all gymnasts and volleyball players of being gay.  To sum up, there was NOTHING they said that was completely accurate.  Their facts were all wrong.  And yet, they were certain of every word that they said.

We live in a world where this is not an unusual happening- in fact, it is the norm.  Whether discussing the Olympics, defending our favorite political party or trying to prove a theological point, we often yammer on as if we know what we are talking about, when in fact we've got it all wrong.  Jesus IS the truth, and yet so many people have false understandings of his teachings and his mission.  Our sources are far too often talking heads and bloggers who also have no idea what they are talking about.  And so the misinformation spreads until there are many believers in facts that are simply not true.

The third chapter of the book of James contains many warnings about watching what we say and speaking only the truth.  If James were writing today he would have talked about typing the truth as well.  My lunch experience was a reminder to me that we cannot speak the truth if we are not first willing to seek it, and to hear things that may be difficult to hear.  Just because someone else said it and we agree with it does not make it true.  We must seek the truth- and we must look more than one place.

So today I ask myself and each of you...what is it we've got all wrong?

Because of Jesus,