Seven young people were confirmed at Central on May 20. Each read a portion of their faith statement.
Just when I was getting discouraged, here are some excerpts.
"Jesus to me is my best friend and guardian. I can talk to Him whenever and share with him things I feel I can't share with others." (Marianne, age 14)
"Prayer is very important because I can help other people without them knowing." (Nathan, age 14)
"I still struggle to believe everything I hear. Going to church helps me remember that God is there for me and will help me believe." (Hannah, age 14)
"I do believe that I am on this earth for a reason. I don't know the reason yet, but I plan on taking the challenges and living a rich life trying to find a purpose here on this earth." (Jack, age 14)
Yea, I'm proud of these kids. More than they know.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
The secondary title of this blog entry is: "How I survived teaching Confirmation"
So since I'm the "youth" pastor here at Central, I teach Confirmation. I actually love it. I love sharing stories and getting kids to ask questions.
I love kids, especially middle school kids. It's a rough age. You're either getting picked on or doing the picking. Having a (somewhat) captive audience each week is a way to let them know I care about them.
But I also try to teach them some stuff, like Biblical stories, what it means to be Lutheran and how we can use faith in real life. I sure hope something sunk in.
I gave them a "final test" last week. They all failed. Seriously. Now maybe I made the test too hard or didn't do a review. But really, most couldn't identify Joseph, Moses or King David of Old Testament fame (or infamy). Ack! I've failed!
But, then again, every last one of them could tell me the difference between a Lutheran understanding of Law and Gospel.
(For those who don't know...or don't care :)... the Law shows us our human weaknesses and gives us boundaries, the Gospel is good news of what God has already done for us...Lutherans believe we need both and the Bible shows both)
So I confirmed them on Sunday, May 20. All seven of them. I was so proud of them. They read excerpts of their faith statements (I'll post in another entry). Then they came back later that night for a final Confirmtion party.
It pained me to watch them leave that night.
I wonder how many I'll see again in church. I felt sad and kind of defeated. There was so much more I wanted to tell them, so much more I wanted to learn about who they are and what they think.
I wondered if this was what it was like to be a parent, to cast your bread upon the waters and wonder if it will ever return.... (this poetic phrase is from Old Testament sage in Ecclesiastes)
I wonder.
I wonder if anyone else reading this has wondered that too....
So since I'm the "youth" pastor here at Central, I teach Confirmation. I actually love it. I love sharing stories and getting kids to ask questions.
I love kids, especially middle school kids. It's a rough age. You're either getting picked on or doing the picking. Having a (somewhat) captive audience each week is a way to let them know I care about them.
But I also try to teach them some stuff, like Biblical stories, what it means to be Lutheran and how we can use faith in real life. I sure hope something sunk in.
I gave them a "final test" last week. They all failed. Seriously. Now maybe I made the test too hard or didn't do a review. But really, most couldn't identify Joseph, Moses or King David of Old Testament fame (or infamy). Ack! I've failed!
But, then again, every last one of them could tell me the difference between a Lutheran understanding of Law and Gospel.
(For those who don't know...or don't care :)... the Law shows us our human weaknesses and gives us boundaries, the Gospel is good news of what God has already done for us...Lutherans believe we need both and the Bible shows both)
So I confirmed them on Sunday, May 20. All seven of them. I was so proud of them. They read excerpts of their faith statements (I'll post in another entry). Then they came back later that night for a final Confirmtion party.
It pained me to watch them leave that night.
I wonder how many I'll see again in church. I felt sad and kind of defeated. There was so much more I wanted to tell them, so much more I wanted to learn about who they are and what they think.
I wondered if this was what it was like to be a parent, to cast your bread upon the waters and wonder if it will ever return.... (this poetic phrase is from Old Testament sage in Ecclesiastes)
I wonder.
I wonder if anyone else reading this has wondered that too....
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
The conversation about death caught me off guard.
I'm a Lutheran pastor, so talking about end of life, meaning-making, heaven -- no problem. But this was yoga class, full of spiritual-not-religious types, some who've had not-so-nice church experiences.
I study yoga at a studio here in Anchorage, actually I'm in a training program to become a yoga teacher. (As my friend Marcia says: Lutherans Doing Yoga: What does this mean?) I digress....
The class meets four hours each Friday morning. We do asanas (poses), anatomy, adjustments and yoga philosophy.
Based on Hindu wisdom texts, these "yoga sutras" provide the undercurrent for yoga. They speak of how to live a life free from violence, distraction and grasping for material success. Yoga philosophy touches the core of what it means to be human.
So last Friday, there was a sutra on death. I'll paraphrase: The fear of death is the cause of suffering. Usually our teacher comments on the sutra, students say a few words and we move on.
This time, things got heavy. I didn't even realize what was happening until the entire room was in tears.
Stories just came out: One woman watched her father die and it was meaningful and healing. Another women had a memorial service scheduled that day for her grandmother. Another was reeling from news that a young friend has pancreatic cancer. They needed to speak. We all needed to listen.
We all need sacred spaces. I'm so thankful that our congregation provides safe spaces for this kind of sharing. But we don't have the monopoly on it.
So let's celebrate that sacred, holy sharing happens anywhere, everywhere. Look for it, in the space where you find yourself.
I'm a Lutheran pastor, so talking about end of life, meaning-making, heaven -- no problem. But this was yoga class, full of spiritual-not-religious types, some who've had not-so-nice church experiences.
I study yoga at a studio here in Anchorage, actually I'm in a training program to become a yoga teacher. (As my friend Marcia says: Lutherans Doing Yoga: What does this mean?) I digress....
The class meets four hours each Friday morning. We do asanas (poses), anatomy, adjustments and yoga philosophy.
Based on Hindu wisdom texts, these "yoga sutras" provide the undercurrent for yoga. They speak of how to live a life free from violence, distraction and grasping for material success. Yoga philosophy touches the core of what it means to be human.
So last Friday, there was a sutra on death. I'll paraphrase: The fear of death is the cause of suffering. Usually our teacher comments on the sutra, students say a few words and we move on.
This time, things got heavy. I didn't even realize what was happening until the entire room was in tears.
Stories just came out: One woman watched her father die and it was meaningful and healing. Another women had a memorial service scheduled that day for her grandmother. Another was reeling from news that a young friend has pancreatic cancer. They needed to speak. We all needed to listen.
We all need sacred spaces. I'm so thankful that our congregation provides safe spaces for this kind of sharing. But we don't have the monopoly on it.
So let's celebrate that sacred, holy sharing happens anywhere, everywhere. Look for it, in the space where you find yourself.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Virginia Tech.
You're watching it on the news. You're actually reading the Daily Press. You are talking about it at work. I am too. And there isn't really anything to say. 33 people died in a school shooting. What is there to say?
The April 17 shootings at Virginia Tech is probably the most tragic and horrific event we've seen as a nation since September 11, 2001. You can follow the news, talk about it with your friends, and listen to NPR. But what is there to say? And if you're a Christian, again I ask: What is there to say?
I've decided it's better to listen just now. Let's listen. Listen to the stories in the news who were witnesses. Listen to the life stories of those who died at Virginia Tech. (Check it out at http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=9618673)
And let's listen for God and remember God's promises. We trust that God walks with us, always and especially in tragedy. God doesn't leave. God promises God is with us always. Remember, too that prayer is listening. Show up. Be with God. Light a candle for all who died in Virgina.
Instead of asking why or blaming God or stereotyping the perpetrator, I think I'll just try to listen. In stillness, maybe we can hear God's quiet voice: I love you...I'm with you....I will stay close to you.
Have other thoughts on how to respond or process this tragedy? I'd love to hear from you.
Peace,
Pastor Lisa
You're watching it on the news. You're actually reading the Daily Press. You are talking about it at work. I am too. And there isn't really anything to say. 33 people died in a school shooting. What is there to say?
The April 17 shootings at Virginia Tech is probably the most tragic and horrific event we've seen as a nation since September 11, 2001. You can follow the news, talk about it with your friends, and listen to NPR. But what is there to say? And if you're a Christian, again I ask: What is there to say?
I've decided it's better to listen just now. Let's listen. Listen to the stories in the news who were witnesses. Listen to the life stories of those who died at Virginia Tech. (Check it out at http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=9618673)
And let's listen for God and remember God's promises. We trust that God walks with us, always and especially in tragedy. God doesn't leave. God promises God is with us always. Remember, too that prayer is listening. Show up. Be with God. Light a candle for all who died in Virgina.
Instead of asking why or blaming God or stereotyping the perpetrator, I think I'll just try to listen. In stillness, maybe we can hear God's quiet voice: I love you...I'm with you....I will stay close to you.
Have other thoughts on how to respond or process this tragedy? I'd love to hear from you.
Peace,
Pastor Lisa
Monday, March 19, 2007
Swimming for Jesus?
Okay, I wasn't really swimming for Jesus but I just thougth that title sounded cool.
I was actually swimming for the Gold Nugget Triathlon, Anchorage's women-only sprint triathlon. It's always appealed to me: I run, I bike, I....can't really swim.
So I'm practicing. This is the year. If only I wasn't so darned scared of the water.
It's a Monday morning and I'm at the Y at 7 for lap swim. This is what it looks like: swim down the length of the pool with only 2-3 strokes between gasping breaths. Then stop and breath heavily. Swim back. Stop. Breath heavily. Repeat 10 times. Great. That's halfway. And it "only" took me 15 mintues. What to the winners do? I think it's at least under 10 minutes total. I hung my head in shame as I realized how out of shape I was.
I think I'd swum/panted through about 12 lenghts when I happened to hear one line of a song on the radio: each day is getting better. I can't remember the song and didn't even realize the radio was on. Just that one tiny moment of grace was all I needed. Just one line, just one word, just one small sign. That's how Christ comes: in the tiniest ways.
An old story quotes a rabbi as saying, "Coincidence is God's way of remaining anonymous." I think that "coincidence" is another word for God's grace.
Okay, I wasn't really swimming for Jesus but I just thougth that title sounded cool.
I was actually swimming for the Gold Nugget Triathlon, Anchorage's women-only sprint triathlon. It's always appealed to me: I run, I bike, I....can't really swim.
So I'm practicing. This is the year. If only I wasn't so darned scared of the water.
It's a Monday morning and I'm at the Y at 7 for lap swim. This is what it looks like: swim down the length of the pool with only 2-3 strokes between gasping breaths. Then stop and breath heavily. Swim back. Stop. Breath heavily. Repeat 10 times. Great. That's halfway. And it "only" took me 15 mintues. What to the winners do? I think it's at least under 10 minutes total. I hung my head in shame as I realized how out of shape I was.
I think I'd swum/panted through about 12 lenghts when I happened to hear one line of a song on the radio: each day is getting better. I can't remember the song and didn't even realize the radio was on. Just that one tiny moment of grace was all I needed. Just one line, just one word, just one small sign. That's how Christ comes: in the tiniest ways.
An old story quotes a rabbi as saying, "Coincidence is God's way of remaining anonymous." I think that "coincidence" is another word for God's grace.
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Faith and Food
The temperature is 5 degrees above zero, my stomach says it’s nearly lunch time and all I can think about are those tomatoes. Those little red jewels seem far, far away in a world blanketed with snow.
I grew them on my deck last summer: cherry tomatoes exploding with sweetness, unlike their pale cousins that line grocery shelves. I had to sit down the first time I ate one. It was just that good.
Thank God for sweet summer tomatoes, fresh heads of lettuce and tender green peas! God has long spoke to people through earth’s bounty. Food is nearly a sacrament: God demonstrates love through ordinary things. Consider Biblical history. God created a garden of delicious food for Adam and Eve, the widow at Zarephath fed Elijah with the tiniest portion of flour and oil, Moses and the children of Israel lived on manna and quail from God’s hand. When Jesus came among us, he started an entire meal to demonstrate his great love: bread and wine are taken, God’s grace fills us.
So if God can speak through manna and quail, bread and wine, I think God comes through cherry tomatoes. What is it for you? A family meal at the table? The summer’s first red salmon? Lettuce from your garden? Savor it! That’s what God intended.
Except that sometimes we don’t. We’ve been doing a 5-week series at our 9:45 service entitled “Simpler Living, Compassionate Life.” The premise is simple: we enhance our ability for compassion when we slow down, simplify. Recently, we discussed simplicity as it pertains to food. In an ideal world, the answer is this: “Find the shortest, simplest way between the earth, the hands, and the mouth.” (Lanza del Vasto).
Poet and farmer Wendell Barry says our culture produces “industrial eaters,” where we mindlessly shovel in fuel and move on to the next thing. Thus, we participate in an economic system in which agri-businesses mass produce food in ways that harm the environment and pollute our bodies. And think of the fossil fuel it took to get that apple here from New Zealand or those grapes from Chile!
We ask: is this what God intended? How can we simplify our eating habits to become more compassionate to others and creation? Then we hold that in tension with the realities of limited time and budgets. You might say, “This is all very sad but I am unable to cook all my own meals and I can’t afford to shop exclusively at Natural Pantry.”
Our Biblical witness demonstrates God’s interest in reconciliation, in relationships restored. The first step is realizing disconnect. We can begin here. Some simple steps for simpler living around food:
Think about where your food comes from. Ask questions. Research.
Buy local whenever possible, or from the Pacific Northwest/California.
Take your kids to a farm or the petting zoo. Teach where milk comes from.
Bring your own grocery bag; choose minimally packaged food.
Grow something, anything, in your house that’s edible.
Cook at least one meal a week and eat it with family or a friend.
Garden, hunt and fish responsibly.
Thank God when you sit down for a meal.
Consider shopping at the Anchorage Farmers’ Market this summer, which will be held in Central’s upper parking lot.
May you be nourished by God’s love!
The temperature is 5 degrees above zero, my stomach says it’s nearly lunch time and all I can think about are those tomatoes. Those little red jewels seem far, far away in a world blanketed with snow.
I grew them on my deck last summer: cherry tomatoes exploding with sweetness, unlike their pale cousins that line grocery shelves. I had to sit down the first time I ate one. It was just that good.
Thank God for sweet summer tomatoes, fresh heads of lettuce and tender green peas! God has long spoke to people through earth’s bounty. Food is nearly a sacrament: God demonstrates love through ordinary things. Consider Biblical history. God created a garden of delicious food for Adam and Eve, the widow at Zarephath fed Elijah with the tiniest portion of flour and oil, Moses and the children of Israel lived on manna and quail from God’s hand. When Jesus came among us, he started an entire meal to demonstrate his great love: bread and wine are taken, God’s grace fills us.
So if God can speak through manna and quail, bread and wine, I think God comes through cherry tomatoes. What is it for you? A family meal at the table? The summer’s first red salmon? Lettuce from your garden? Savor it! That’s what God intended.
Except that sometimes we don’t. We’ve been doing a 5-week series at our 9:45 service entitled “Simpler Living, Compassionate Life.” The premise is simple: we enhance our ability for compassion when we slow down, simplify. Recently, we discussed simplicity as it pertains to food. In an ideal world, the answer is this: “Find the shortest, simplest way between the earth, the hands, and the mouth.” (Lanza del Vasto).
Poet and farmer Wendell Barry says our culture produces “industrial eaters,” where we mindlessly shovel in fuel and move on to the next thing. Thus, we participate in an economic system in which agri-businesses mass produce food in ways that harm the environment and pollute our bodies. And think of the fossil fuel it took to get that apple here from New Zealand or those grapes from Chile!
We ask: is this what God intended? How can we simplify our eating habits to become more compassionate to others and creation? Then we hold that in tension with the realities of limited time and budgets. You might say, “This is all very sad but I am unable to cook all my own meals and I can’t afford to shop exclusively at Natural Pantry.”
Our Biblical witness demonstrates God’s interest in reconciliation, in relationships restored. The first step is realizing disconnect. We can begin here. Some simple steps for simpler living around food:
Think about where your food comes from. Ask questions. Research.
Buy local whenever possible, or from the Pacific Northwest/California.
Take your kids to a farm or the petting zoo. Teach where milk comes from.
Bring your own grocery bag; choose minimally packaged food.
Grow something, anything, in your house that’s edible.
Cook at least one meal a week and eat it with family or a friend.
Garden, hunt and fish responsibly.
Thank God when you sit down for a meal.
Consider shopping at the Anchorage Farmers’ Market this summer, which will be held in Central’s upper parking lot.
May you be nourished by God’s love!
Monday, February 05, 2007
Empty is good
In our 9:45 sermon series, we're doing a 5-week ponder on simplicity. Wanted to share a bit from last Sunday (Feb. 4) with you all.
We talked about simplicity and time. Do we love or hate free time? Is it energizing or boring? Relaxing or scary? Depends, it seems, on the situation and time in our lives.
Generally, our fast-paced McLifestyle discourages spaciousness of time. I'd like that burger and fries yesterday, please. (If I ate meat, that is). I digress. We're compulsively multi-tasking to fill time. Check out what else you do while you eat, drive or watch TV. I have changed an entire set of clothing and put on make up while driving. This is NOT something on which I should boast!
So in a culture that says you should be (over)filled and fulfilled and satisfied. But that's not real. And that's okay.
Why, you ask? Why would I want space, longing, emptiness?
It's part of being human, that's why. We are created with a certain longing, restlesness, desire. We are not meant to be completely fulfilled by the things of the world. We are meant to be filled by God. We are made to grow, to become. We are hard-wired for hope.
What do you think? Is there value in emptiness? Is there value in entering your own emptiness? What happens when you stop and think? What happens when you stop and notice God? What is that like?
Faith907
In our 9:45 sermon series, we're doing a 5-week ponder on simplicity. Wanted to share a bit from last Sunday (Feb. 4) with you all.
We talked about simplicity and time. Do we love or hate free time? Is it energizing or boring? Relaxing or scary? Depends, it seems, on the situation and time in our lives.
Generally, our fast-paced McLifestyle discourages spaciousness of time. I'd like that burger and fries yesterday, please. (If I ate meat, that is). I digress. We're compulsively multi-tasking to fill time. Check out what else you do while you eat, drive or watch TV. I have changed an entire set of clothing and put on make up while driving. This is NOT something on which I should boast!
So in a culture that says you should be (over)filled and fulfilled and satisfied. But that's not real. And that's okay.
Why, you ask? Why would I want space, longing, emptiness?
It's part of being human, that's why. We are created with a certain longing, restlesness, desire. We are not meant to be completely fulfilled by the things of the world. We are meant to be filled by God. We are made to grow, to become. We are hard-wired for hope.
What do you think? Is there value in emptiness? Is there value in entering your own emptiness? What happens when you stop and think? What happens when you stop and notice God? What is that like?
Faith907
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
I Corinthians 13:1-13
By the way, here's the text so you can read it yourself.
The first link is to the NRSV (New Revised Standard Version) which we usally use at Central Lutheran.
http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=36593716
This next link is from "The Message," a contemporary translation I enjoy.
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=I%20Corinthians%2013:1-13;&version=65;
Faith907
By the way, here's the text so you can read it yourself.
The first link is to the NRSV (New Revised Standard Version) which we usally use at Central Lutheran.
http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=36593716
This next link is from "The Message," a contemporary translation I enjoy.
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=I%20Corinthians%2013:1-13;&version=65;
Faith907
Love and noisy gongs.
On Sunday, January 28, we'll read the text from I Corinthians often used for weddings. You know, "Love is patient, love is kind," and all that stuff about love never dying.
Can I have the rings please?
Yup. It's the oh-so-cliche wedding text. Now I'm not pooh-poohing it for weddings. But that's not what this text was written for.
It was written for disgruntled members of a congregation. A group of people who were fighting. The church in Corinth (these ancient letters were written to churches in various cities) was in an uproar. They argued about who was better and who had the better spiritual gifts.
And Paul (who wrote I Corinthians) responds by telling them that each part of the body is important (see I Corinthians 12). Paul also teaches them something about love: God's love.
So what can this text mean for you?
You are called into community. Somehow the Holy Spirit is leading you into a congregation, worship space, Bible study group, whatever. God wants to nourish you with a community of believers.
Then what? Well, you recognize that each have gifts. And you try to get along with each other.
How? By following all the rules of how to love? Well, maybe. But how about starting with God's love. God's love is patient with you, God's love is kind. God's love endures all of your good and not-so-good behaviors. God's love will never die.
A group gathered with these principles is in the best place to start living and serving together.
Anything else, and you're just a noise gong.
Lisa
Faith907
On Sunday, January 28, we'll read the text from I Corinthians often used for weddings. You know, "Love is patient, love is kind," and all that stuff about love never dying.
Can I have the rings please?
Yup. It's the oh-so-cliche wedding text. Now I'm not pooh-poohing it for weddings. But that's not what this text was written for.
It was written for disgruntled members of a congregation. A group of people who were fighting. The church in Corinth (these ancient letters were written to churches in various cities) was in an uproar. They argued about who was better and who had the better spiritual gifts.
And Paul (who wrote I Corinthians) responds by telling them that each part of the body is important (see I Corinthians 12). Paul also teaches them something about love: God's love.
So what can this text mean for you?
You are called into community. Somehow the Holy Spirit is leading you into a congregation, worship space, Bible study group, whatever. God wants to nourish you with a community of believers.
Then what? Well, you recognize that each have gifts. And you try to get along with each other.
How? By following all the rules of how to love? Well, maybe. But how about starting with God's love. God's love is patient with you, God's love is kind. God's love endures all of your good and not-so-good behaviors. God's love will never die.
A group gathered with these principles is in the best place to start living and serving together.
Anything else, and you're just a noise gong.
Lisa
Faith907
Welcome Back!
Confession time: I haven't written here for months. I've missed you. Let's keep the dialogue open on faith and life. Let's keep it real, too. You hear enough preachy stuff from the world telling you what you should do, how you should be, what you should buy.
This is real: God knows you, loves you, forgives you for whatever you did or didn't do.
And spirituality is real, too. There's something in us that yearns for connection to something bigger than us. So let's talk about it.
To start, I thought I'd chat about the readings we use each week during our Sunday services. I'll post some thoughts on Tuesdays (that's today) about the readings to come.
So check out my blog on Tuesdays... comments on this week's readings to follow.
Peace!
Pastor Lisa
Faith907
Confession time: I haven't written here for months. I've missed you. Let's keep the dialogue open on faith and life. Let's keep it real, too. You hear enough preachy stuff from the world telling you what you should do, how you should be, what you should buy.
This is real: God knows you, loves you, forgives you for whatever you did or didn't do.
And spirituality is real, too. There's something in us that yearns for connection to something bigger than us. So let's talk about it.
To start, I thought I'd chat about the readings we use each week during our Sunday services. I'll post some thoughts on Tuesdays (that's today) about the readings to come.
So check out my blog on Tuesdays... comments on this week's readings to follow.
Peace!
Pastor Lisa
Faith907
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
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
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
Monday, October 16, 2006
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
(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
Saturday, October 07, 2006
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
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
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
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
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
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
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.
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.
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