Where does Jesus meet you?

This is my final sermon from Spiritual Preaching this past Spring 2010.  I will most likely preach this again, although it will still go through more revisions.  I think it is important to share it in it's original form though.  Comments welcome!

A Personal Lament

¹Heavenly Father, what have you given me today?  The trials and tribulations of this call consume me.

²With each move I make, I am met with challenges that seem beyond my abilities.

³With you I can achieve without limitations.

⁴Through your strength I can act for others

⁵You are the provider of both grace and instruction

⁶Each day I bow to your Almighty power

⁷Surround me in your wisdom!  For with you I can follow your call.

⁸Heavenly Father, your glory and love conquer all!

Christian Pollution (James 1:19-27)

Please be gentle as this was our first sermon in front of the class.

Personal Theology

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If I had to compare my theology to one thing, it would be a marble statue.  This is not because I believe my theology is hard and unwavering or any other analogy you can make to the structure of the statue itself.  It is based solely on the creation process.  I don't know how long it took Michaelangelo to carve and chisel out his statue of David, but every day I feel like a new piece is chipped away to expose the theology, the intricate belief and faith structure below, to my eyes, heart and mind.

Every question, every challenge, every interaction with people at school, work and in the world clarifies for me how I believe God is at work within our world.  Furthermore, I realize that the questions and challenges posed to me force me to reconcile how and where I believe God is at work in me.  Then, to take it one step even further, once I have considered how I believe God is/was around me in the world and how I believe God to be in me, can I then put my faith in that God?

I don't think that seminary or theology school is a way for God to take future leaders of the church and break them down simply to build them back up as I've heard others theorize.  I think it is one of many places that we go to, either led by God or by our own desires, within this world that puts the chisel and hammer in our hands and asks us to articulate what we put our faith in.  What do we believe?

Trusting God with 100% Discipleship (Mark 10:17-31)

I love Chipotle burritos.  This is relevant, I promise.  I could eat a Chipotle burrito every day, but it's not normal for someone to eat a burrito for lunch every day.  On top of that neither my wallet nor my waistline can afford it.  That's not the point.  I love them, so I bargain and rationalize with myself until the point that I “earn” them.  I want each of you to consider something that you earn and revel in.   For some it might be that moment in the morning before the children wake up or right after they've gone to bed at night and the whole house is quiet for a moment or two.   For others it might be that first cup of coffee for the day; you cup it in your hands, breathe in the aroma and enjoy your moment with the coffee.  I wouldn't be surprised if some of you probably spent all summer working on that honey-do list, so you felt justified sitting on the couch for that first opening day kickoff a few weeks ago.   For me, I will not eat out for a couple weeks or try not to spend money on silly things or most recently I used an aced quiz as a reason to celebrate with trip to Chipotle.  It's something that I don't have constantly.  It's mine as a reward, celebration, something I've earned or deserved.  I've felt the same way about my coffee in the morning, that bonus check for work or those extra gifts for myself that make their way into the shopping cart when I'm shopping at Christmas time for everyone else.   I know you each have to have something.  Take a moment and get something in mind that's personal for you.

Do you have one in mind?  Good!  We'll get back to that.

Each of us strives to live a good Christian life.  Some days we're better at it; others days we struggle.  Most days though, we follow the basic rules set forth, right?  1 - You shall have no other gods.  2 – Do not worship false idols.  3 - Do not use the Lord's name in vain.  4 – Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy.  5 - Honor your father and mother.  6 - Do not murder.  7 - Do not commit adultery.  8 - Do not steal.  9 - Do not lie.  And, 10 - Do not covet (Exodus 20:1-17).   I can't speak for each of you, but I haven't murdered anyone.  I've honored my mother and father at least during my twenties.   I try to steal a few more minutes of sleep each morning with the snooze button as an accomplice.  Overall, if we were to walk through the Ten Commandments individually, while we wouldn't be flawless, most of us would have fairly solid attempts at living by these rules everyday.  As Christians we tack on a couple more in addition to those listed in the Old Testament.  Jesus commands us to love our God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength and to love our neighbor as we love ourselves (Mk 12.30-31).  Those two commandments alone are another whole sermon, but we'll worry about those another day.  My point though is that we are each seeking a relationship with God without sin, through prayer, by following the commandments God and Jesus have set forth for us.  Many would call this discipleship, a giving of our lives over to God and adhering to God's doctrines. Let's briefly review the scripture:

As [Jesus] was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"  Jesus said to him, "You know the commandments."  And the young man said to him, "Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth."  Jesus looking at him, loved him and said, "You lack one thing; go; sell what you own; and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me."  When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions.

Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!  It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God."  They were greatly astounded and said to one another, "Then who can be saved?"  Jesus looked at them and said, "For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible."

This scripture lesson is about a young man seeking eternal life both now and after death with God.   He comes to Jesus asking what more he can do.   Jesus, like we did this morning, explains that first a person must follow the commandments set forth by God.  When the young man claims to have followed them, Jesus knows this is true for he looks at the young man with love.

But I want you to stop for a minute before deciding what this story is about for you.  Often times it is easy to see this story with only two sides; the one of wealth and having it and how to reconcile that within this story or the one of no wealth and absolving ourselves of the relevancy of this story to our lives.  I challenge you today to consider it not as a story of wealth but as a call to complete discipleship.  One with you walking and living a life in what John Wesley called "practical divinity - 'having the mind of Christ and walking as he walked.'"

How many of you have given your life to God only to hold onto 5% or maybe just 1% of it?   How many of you are holding onto that one piece that you feel you control?  Are you allowing something, perhaps your personal achievements, your personal moments of success or earnings like my Chipotle burrito to hold you back on that threshold of complete discipleship?  Do you have something here that if you were to give up or give over to God would allow you to completely give yourself to God?  I'm not asking any of you to go home and give up your cup of coffee or football games.  What I want you to consider though is how you approach those moments in time; are they recognitions of the gifts God has given you while you live in this world or moments of self-glory while you live of this world?

Trust is difficult especially in the world, society and culture in which we live.  Consider though the possibility that it is not any more difficult today that for those persecuted and martyred for following a man they claimed was God in the flesh against all Jewish traditions and beliefs; the same traditions and belief we follow today commanding us to have no other gods.  What are you holding onto that does not nurture your soul and spirit but your stomach, your wallet, your house or belongings and impedes God's call to you and command, "Follow me."

Perhaps this seems difficult, complex, easier said than done, counter to how we understand the world, society and culture in which we live.  This was the case when Jesus was talking to the disciples.  Their confusion over Jesus' command to the young man was due to Jesus' complete contradiction to the teachings and understandings of that time.  It was a time of prosperity theology; those who sinned were punished and those who were good, pious and approved of by God were rewarded with wealth and riches.  Jesus was then - as he is now - contradicting the teachings and beliefs of that time.

While you consider this call to follow Jesus, know that you do not have to do it on your own, nor can you.  Jesus tells us as he told the disciples following him then, this is not something mortals can do on their own.   If we are to trust God enough to give our lives 100%, we can do it only in partnership with God as it is God that allows such impossible things to be done - like a camel through the eye of a needle.

This scripture story is in fact the only time we hear of someone turning down Jesus' call to follow him.  That is where this story and ours can cease similarities.   We, too, have been called to follow in discipleship.  We, too, struggle with giving up that which we have earned, worked hard for, have acquired for status, comfort, love and stability in our world, society and culture.   The story we have heard ends without that acceptance of 100% discipleship.  What will we each have in common with this story, and what will we have that is different?  Can you give up that final 5%, 1%, half a percent of your life that you're holding onto?   Can you step over that threshold, accept partnership with God, trust God and give over what has been preventing you from 100% discipleship with God?

Hearing God When One is Not Listening

Over Winter Interim I took a class called Spiritual Leadership. Essentially the class was about having your own spiritual leader and why in addition to being someone else's spiritual leader. There was a lot of inner reflection, discussion of how we tap into our spiritual side and conversations about growing comfortable in the chaos, out of control. Long story short, it was a great class.

Because it was a week-long class, it is offered as a Pass/Fail - no letter grade given. The requirements for passing were attendance, participation and a reflection paper due prior to grades being due for Spring classes, that's this Friday. So, I am - with pleasure actually - powering through the required readings and incorporating some of the thoughts into my reflections and digestion of the course materials since December. Therefore, I'm reading The Meandering Way.

The theme of the book, seems so far, to be about listening to the Spirit and letting it guide you. In the second chapter, Gary A Shockley walks you through some basic steps of discernment - Listening, Waiting, Reflecting, Acting and Awe. Each are well spelled out and accessible to anyone believing in a relationship with a higher being.

That's where it loses me. What if one is not "attuned" to a higher being? Shockley talks about the Israelites wandering in the wilderness and the provision of manna everyday by God. Shockley's blunt explanation of the situation moved me, "Tomorrow God would provide - again. They couldn't make it happen." My faith in God agrees with that, which shakes me to my core. There are people in this world that I care deeply about, that I pursue relationships with, and actively engage - but what if they're not listening?

So, here's my question...I believe in a sovereign God, One who is in everything. I believe that if God wills something to happen it will. But, God gave us free will. And, Shockley's book very clearly spells out a need to listen and discern to live a path with God. Where do these two concepts meet? And, if you don't believe in a Christian God but a higher being, my question remains. How does one follow the path expected of him/her if they're not seeking to follow a path from God, YHWY, Divine Being, Fate, etc?

Class Catch-Up

So my last post had me signing off and committing to a daily posting. Perhaps I should try that before I promise it. :) Classes have just wrapped up mid-terms. Everything is fairly fresh, and I'm hoping that knowing what chaos truly is (exams) that I'll see extra time in my day to post. I would love to post now, but I'd rather wait until after class tonight so ideas are fresh.

Bare with me :)

Baby Steps

Okay, my goal is to start writing on here. I'm in my fourth week, first trimester of seminary, and thoughts and ideas are just all stirred up. I'd like to be on here (cross your fingers) once a day getting some of them out of my head and onto here. The problem is I'm terribly behind, and I don't want to only put half effort into this blog or schooling. So, posts will start small. Please bear with me.

I will probably say this time and again...please comment - agreeing or disagreeing. I welcome discussion. I do not welcome rudeness, and I reserve the right to delete comments that I deem inappropriate. I'm hoping this will be conversational not argumentative.

Alright...my first contribution...what I'm studying (then I have to get back to studying it).

Colloquium - um, this is like seminary homeroom...we support each other, challenge our comforts and more stuff I'll allude to later on.
Hebrew Bible I - we are powering our way through what many call the Old Testament. This includes massive amounts of reading, memorization, intense discussions, quizzes and more. This is a key component to me being behind and my varying stress level.
Ethical Analysis & Advocacy - we are studying different motifs/methods for discussing ethics and ethical issues. I'm definitely finding this class to be interesting both because of the professors and the class participants.
Youth Ministry - this is my online course which is good but probably not my favorite format. I am learning a lot, and there are tons of recommended readings I hope to get to after graduation.
Faith, Race and the Future of Democracy - this is my weekend course (Oct 17 &18). They changed the title, and probably the content. I'm a little apprehensive, yet stoked I can get a credit in a day and a half. :)

I'll keep you posted on these classes, the topics, the issues and my responses.

Religion

I've noticed many people I have known or know today do not openly associate themselves with a religion. Many in fact not only avoid religious ties but consider themselves agnostic or even atheist. Now, while I realize that for all of eternity there have been agnostics and atheists, I think those numbers are higher today in relation to total population than previously.

Unfortunately, I don't think these people have a problem with religion. I'm sure if I were to say that to them, they'd argue with me. I'm sure they believe they have a problem with religion. I don't think that's the problem though. I think the problem is with the Church. I'm not accusing or pointing fingers at one specific church, but the whole Church body, today and historically. I believe too many people have been told they're going to hell for this or that. They've been told this is right or that is wrong. Humans have taken it upon themselves to be judge, jury and executioner. Last time I checked all Christians believed that was up to God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. When did we think it was acceptable for us to tell people what is or is not wrong?

I will admit that we have the Bible to interpret. I will admit that we only have humans to read and teach the scripture in church. I will admit that we're all doing the best we can. And, I will admit that you cannot have anything be organized without some structure, aka church. But, this has gotten out of hand. I hope some day these individuals that were offended or turned off by the Church someday revisit the idea. I hope the agnostics and atheists of the world consider forgiveness for human error. I pray that those I know and those I don't never hold the Father accountable for humans. The Church is a house of worship, prayer and teachings; it has never been God's will for it to be a courthouse or prison.

I am a big fan of Casting Crowns. I think this portion of What This World Needs speaks best and summarizes my beliefs about this topic:

People aren't confused by the gospel
They're confused by us
Jesus is the only way to God
But we are not the only way to Jesus
This world doesn't need my tie, my hoodie
My denomination or my translation of the bible
They just need Jesus
We can be passionate about what we believe
But we can't strap ourselves to the gospel
'Cause we're slowing it down
Jesus is going to save the world
But maybe the best thing we can do
Is just get out of the way

Iliff Here I Come

I've made a decision on school. I've been accepted and sent in my deposit for Iliff School of Theology. I think this school will align better with my belief system. In addition to that, I think it will be easier to be a conservative in a liberal school than a liberal in a conservative school.

I am excited and yet terrified. It seems like it can't get here soon enough and yet like it won't ever come. I look forward to the change and then I miss all who I have here.

The long and the short of it is, I'll believe it when I see it. I'm sure it will all be here soon enough.

Current Reading

Right now I'm working my way through the book, unChristian. It was recommended to me by a colleague, and I'm quite intrigued by it. It is a consolidated view on a study conducted to find out what non-Christian believers think about Christians. And, I think their data is accurate.

I'm finding this book and a lot of the discussion around it frustrating. On the website they link to their You Tube Channel; some of the comments made by self-proclaimed Christians infuriated me. All they did was add fuel to the flame of the accusations in the book: hypocritical, convert hungry, antihomosexual, sheltered, too political and judgmental. I know some of the people that feel this way. I've heard their reasons, and unfortunately their reasons weren't too far off. I've also heard Christians feel this way. I've felt this way at times.

I'm having a hard time working through this book. I get frustrated quickly because of where Christianity is now positioned. I find myself pulling out the bible and reading about how we should be, why we should be different, how we're wrong and how perception is just part of the problem.

I'm thinking about adding this book to my Recommended Readings. It generates a lot of conversational points that need to be discussed, a lot of points that need to be listened to. Have you heard of this book or read it? If so, what are your thoughts?

Current School Status

As you may or may not know, I am currently in the process of applying to seminary to acquire my Masters of Divinity. I'm doing this for a number of reasons. The first is that I have a calling to the ministry. At least that is how I and others are interpreting it. I always say though that perhaps that is God's way of getting me to school. Who knows what His path will be after that? Second, I always seem to have more and more questions regarding religion and spirituality. I figure, where else to find more information than school? Finally, I always wanted to get my Masters. If I were to win the lottery, I would use the money to go to school for the rest of my life.

I'm applying to four three schools: Asbury Theological Seminary near Lexington, Kentucky; Iliff School of Theology in Denver, Colorado and Duke Divinity School in Durham, North Carolina. Those schools have been chosen at random from a hat containing all of the seminaries and theological schools in the United States. I'm kidding. These schools were chosen for a number of reasons of which I'm not going to go through right now. Perhaps another time.

As of right now I've heard back from Asbury. I was accepted to my delight! Now, I'm just waiting on Iliff and Duke.

Well, I just wanted to give you a little insight into who I am and a bit of my motivation with this blog. I encourage comments and questions.

Work in Progress

This blog has been floating untouched for months. I've finally been able to start tweaking it and making it my own. Please know that I don't blog a lot, let alone at the quality I want this blog. This will take time, but I encourage each of you to have patience and come back. This is something very important to me. It will be up and running beautifully, just give me time.