Song Lyrics, Take 2

I'm still thinking about song lyrics. Has anyone else noticed the lyrics to "Move Along" by the All-American Rejects?

It's pretty catchy but I didn't think anything of it until one of the middle school students here at Central Lutheran said something about it.

For privacy, I'll call him "Tyler." He's had a hard year, struggles with behavior issues and fitting in at school.

He told me recently that "Move along" inspires him, reminds him to keep going when things get difficult.

Here's the chorus:

Speak to me, when all you got to keep is strong
Move along, move along like I know you do
And even when your hope is gone
Move along, move along just to make it through
Move along
Move along.

Nice to know that it's making a difference for one kid.

Faith907

Atheism 102

(or Why I'm Still a Christian)

I appreciate the conversations I've had about Sam Harris' book "Letter to a Christian Nation." Harris, an atheist, presents a case against Christianity, or any faith, really.

We owe it to ourselves to take him seriously, because doubut is part of any authentic faith. But not too seriously.

Atheists have been around forever. Think Nietzsche (God is dead) or Albert Camus (French novelist, early 1900s). Other famous atheists (according to Wikipedia):
Ralph Vaughn Williams, Kurt Vonnegut, Julia Sweeney, Katherine Hepburn, Woody Allen, Larry Flynt and Warren Buffet. Hmm. I wonder what it means to them.

I could argue that every culture/society has had some form of religion, so we're created that way because there is something out there.

I could argue that religion motivates people to help others and benefit the world.

I could argue that I've had personal and transformative experiences that can only be explained by God.

I could argue that belief in God helps me live a better life and provides a framwork to live out my values.

All of those things are true, but that's not why I'm a Christian. Then why?

Mystery.

That's it. Mystery. I'm a Christian because I believe I need mystery. I believe you do, too. Maybe you call it something else. (Allah, Ganesh, Brahman, the Great Spirit, unanswered scientific questions). I need mystery. How else can we live in this broken world? How else can we find nourshment for weary minds and hearts?

When I can't figure out how to be kind and good enough, break bad habits, make people love me or get outside my own head, mystery meets me. Something must be greater, bigger, better than my own self. Otherwise, what's the point? How could I ever find rest?

Mystery. As a friend of mine says: "It's a cold, dark universe out there." Mystery gives me a place to rest. I can stop doing, being, striving and hurting.

Atheists like Sam Harris say God is like talking to an imaginary friend. I guess he could be right. But I'll take my chances with mystery. I call it God.

Faith907

Aetheism 101

Lots of people don't believe in God. Sometimes I forget this; I'm immersed in the business (busy-ness?) of faith.

An NPR interview with aetheist author Sam Harris last week jolted me. Listen yourself on NPR's Web site: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6166802

His main points (as I understand them):
* Christianity is damaging and the church has hurt people.
* Christians deceive themselves with made up stories of God.
* There is a universal morality that should guide our decisions.

This might be oversimplified. But it's important to listen. Harris has written two books: "End of Faith," and "Letter to a Christian Nation."

Why should people of faith listen? Because people like Harris will make us mad. They also challenge us. Make us think.

Thinking is good. We don't check our brains at the church door.

So listen.

Wonder.

Ask.

Let me know what you come up with. I spent a couple nights tossing and turning over Harris' book "Letter to a Christian Nation."

I'll write more later....I'd love to hear what others think....

Faith907

Faith907

Theology. Everyone's doing it. Especially song-writers.

I notice this when I listen to the radio. Do you? Tell me which songs; I'd love to hear.

What do I mean, "doing theology?" Well, they're talking about faith, God, life, death and what matters. C'mon! This is theology.

I heard this song by Switchfoot today on 102.1 here in Anchorage.

Check out some of the lyrics:
Maybe redemption has stories to tell Maybe forgiveness is right where you fell Where can you run to escape from yourself? Where you gonna go? Where you gonna go? Salvation is here

Also the chorus says: "I dare you to move."

Hmm. Salvation, redemption and forgiveness. Sounds churchy to me. I think he thinks those things are a good idea.

Here's another one of my favorites, it's from Gomez' CD "How we Operate." The line is: "The things that are given not won are the things that you want." Hey, how 'bout that for theology? Things like God's love, mercy, forgiveness and grace. Things like the love and kindness of other people. Heck yeah I'd rather have them given than try to win them.

It's theology.

What have YOU noticed?


Faith907

Hello world!

Welcome to Faith907.
Why faith? Because this is a place to share faith reflections, theological insights, creative ideas and meditations on being a follower of Jesus Christ.
Why 907? Because I live in Alaska...907 is the phone area code for the whole state. And our life of faith is always lived out in context. We are where we are.

I'm writing this blog as an extension of who I am and what I do. A few things to know:
* I'm a Lutheran (ELCA) pastor.
* I live in Anchorage, Alaska.
* I'm 29.
* My favorite cheese is Dubliner. And goat.

Here are a few things I believe:
* Humans are drawn to experiences of the divine. Pick any civilization. They worshipped something. Or lots of somethings.
* We didn't create this mystery. It just is. God (or whatever you call it) created our world and continues to breath life into us. God holds us in life and death.
* God makes promises and keeps them. God invites us into relationship.
* We can't do anything to make God love us more. We can't earn our way to anything holy. God reaches out first in love.
* Baptism is a way that we are claimed as God's child. We belong to God.
* God loves us. Really loves us. Just as we are.
* God wanted to show how to live. God broke into our world as a human. His name was Jesus.
* Jesus went to the fringes. He cared for the widow, orphan and stranger.
* Jesus offered us a new relationship. We celebrate this in a meal called Eucharist. It's a simple meal of bread and wine. We remember how much we are loved when we partake.
* God is with us each day. Everywhere. We'll notice this by keeping our eyes open.
* We can talk to God in prayer. Anytime.
* God communicates in all kinds of ways. Through the Bible, through prayer, through listening to our quiet intuition, through other people.

So stay tuned for more. I'll sent out semi-regular reflections on faith and life. Love to have you respond. We may just learn something together.

Also: if you live here too, you are welcome to join us for worship. Central Lutheran Church. 15th and Cordova. Thursday nights at 7:30 pm. Contemplative (Holden Evening Prayer). Eucharist. Quiet. Peace.