More than a whisper

Sometimes God sends us just the right surprise at just the right time. These are gifts that sustain us or, at least, provide us sustenance along the journey. These can come in a number of forms--usually one that makes some kind of sense to us.

I've lately been reading a book entitled, "The Perks of Being a Wallflower." The story is simple really. It is essentially a novel told in the form of a diary. Charlie has recently entered high school and he is something of a freak. Or, at least, he is told as much by his older sister--and perhaps half the kids in the school he attends, though he doesn't mention this in the diary. Of course, what makes Charlie freaky is simply the fact that he does not fit with whatever it is that identifies the center-point of the world that he must navigate. As this world continues to unfold before him, Charlie feels its weight. Maybe we all do; but we don't all write about it. Most of us don't even talk about it.

For Charlie, the gifts along his journey often come to him in the form of what he calls good music. There is nothing more valuable in Charlie's life than a thoughtfully considered mix-tape. Even in my forties, I can greatly relate. Sometimes I get the sense that there is no one who could stand to hear about all the stuff going on inside my head--except maybe God. But I figure even he gets sick of hearing from me--at least about some things. So I guess every now and then, he sends me a good mix tape.

Here are some of the treasure maps that have kept me going and reminded me that I am not the only freak out there.
so i stumble home at night
like i've stumbled through my life
with ghosts and visions in my sight
we are always living in twilight
"Twilight," The Weepies

Jesus says Mother I couldn't stay another day longer
Fly's right by me and leaves a kiss on her face
While the angels are singing his praises in a blaze of glory
Mary stays behind and starts cleaning up the place
"Mary," Patti Griffin

Oh people, look among you
It's there your hope must lie
There's a sea bird above you
Gliding in one place like Jesus in the sky
We all must do the best we can
And then hang on to that Gospel plow
When my life is over, I'm going to stand before the Father
But the sisters of the sun are going to rock me on the water now
"Rock Me On The Water," Jackson Browne

I know I got a bad reputation
And it isn't just talk, talk, talk
If I could only give you everything
You know I haven't got
"Bad Reputation," Freddy Johnston

Oh, give me more than a whisper
If your sayin', I love you
'Cause it's the whispers
That I've never understood
"More Than A Whisper," Nanci Griffith

Our Greatest Fear

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we're liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others. (Marianne Williamson, A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of "A Course in Miracles", Harper Collins, 1992. [From Chapter 7, Section 3])

According to Wiki, this quotation and various pieces of it have been used over and over again and attributed to everyone from W.E.B. Du Bois to Nelson Mandela. However, it's original source--or, at least in the complete statement here, comes from Marianne Williamson.

I include the quotation as somewhat of a continuation of a sermon that I preached yesterday entitled, "Who do you favor." In that sermon, I tried to extrapolate on Jesus' underscoring of the scriptural claim that we have been made in the likeness or the image of God. Even though the sermon was long--longer than I wanted it to be anyway, I still felt that I did not have enough time to even begin to explain the possible joys (and potential pitfalls) of such a claim.

Frankly, I trembled a bit preaching that sermon. Even though the statement is entirely scriptural, there is just something nerve-racking about suggesting that we might be something more than wretched sinners saved by grace. And we are most certainly that. But having been claimed by this grace, do we dare lift our heads? Or, are we better off remaining on our knees, praying that God will not change his mind and lap them off?

It is a struggle is it not? How do we remain humble and always grateful; while, at the same, time daring to lift our hearts and step forward in courageous faith?

I think that this is why Williamson's words are so often quoted by motivating coaches and commencement speakers, politicians and poets alike. For it states aloud something that is surely true for many of us. Namely, that is not limitation but potential that is the more crippling. It is fear of our light--a light that has been dimmed so thoroughly within us that we might have forgotten it is there.

Part of this, of course, is well-intended. Often times, we squelch the light because we have seen how it can be misused in one way or another. Rather than a beacon, it can be used as a flood lamp or pulsating neon marquis, pointing not to the wonder and glory of God but rather drawing attention only to itself. We see well who we do not wish to be. And this keeps us from risking any of who we are...

But at the same time, there is something within us that resonates with Williamson's words. We know that she is right. And we would embrace her invitation--if only we knew how to rightly reveal the light that surely must be within us.

Jesus' tells a parable in which three people are given three different sums. They are then sent into the world, apparently with the expectation of doing something with them. One of the three takes what has been entrusted and buries it in the ground so that it will not be lost--a reasonable response, particularly given the bearish nature of our times! But in the story, this is not acceptable. Indeed, those who ventured their gift are praised while the one who hid it is judged very harshly-- "even what you have will be taken away."

We get it. Life is for living. But perhaps the investment in not so hard. Perhaps God is calling us not to create the light or borrow it from someone else. Perhaps, the nature of the light or the investment that Jesus refers to, is simply that which has been given uniquely to us. In other words, maybe our contributions flow from our unique passions and the very things that we long to share. What a great revelation this would be! In this way, the return is not what I produce but how who I am has brought light into the world in one way or another.

Help us, O Lord. Help us to be who we really are...

BTW, I took that picture this weekend at Table Rock on the Blue Ridge Parkway!

Militant Religion

Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence, but much more now in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure. (Phil. 2:12-13)

Caution: This is one of those PG-13 entries. But not for the usual reasons...

I recently came across a strange article. The headline read, "Jesus Antichrist: Does Joel’s Army Actually Worship Satan?" Nothing like extremists using extreme language to talk about other extremists.

I seriously heard the term "Dominionism" for the first time less than a year ago. [As I am writing this, I see that the spellchecker on Blogger doesn't even recognize the word yet!] The term was brought to my attention by a friend who's reading of and experience with Christianity has been less than encouraging. After he explained it to me, I actually did not believe that it was real. Or, if it was, it had to be very fringe. I didn't give it another thought.

And then I found this article--which is actually a link to a two-hour documentary. I have thus far only seen the first 45 minutes. It was all I could take. The video shows preachers and ecstatic worship services interwoven with scripture references and occasional commentary. Additionally, the video shows lots of young people in skits, worship experiences and even prophetic utterances. Time and again, the focus of the message is that God is raising up a "new breed" with a "special destiny." The imagery and references are consistently to some kind of Christian army.

It was creepy to watch. It was creepy to see how easily religion can be distorted. It was especially creepy to see that children are apparently an integral part of all this.

It is always a risk for Christians to raise question with what might be going on over there in some other corner of the Church. I readily admit this. And I readily admit that I am not sure what God is (or is not) up to in the various expressions of spirituality that pop up from time to time. However, it does seem appropriate for anyone who is serious about the spiritual life to honestly consider whether or not the message that they are listening to, and potentially acting upon, really matches the faith they are claiming to profess.

In this regard, it is hard for me to look at the Jesus we see in the Gospels and see a militant being. It is hard for me to listen to the Jesus who offers us the Sermon on the Mount or sits with his friends on the eve of his betrayal and imagine that this same figure might one day demand that his followers traipse wildly across the globe like a swarm of runaway locusts.

Like I said, I do not claim to know exactly what God is doing at any given moment. All I know to do is consult the scriptures, consider the historic faith of the church and listen for the voice of the Spirit.

Jesus said, "many are called but few are chosen." I have never been especially happy about this because it suggests that there is an element of the spiritual life that transcends what might otherwise be readily seen. In other words, it is apparently possible to imagine ourselves to be faithful and true, when we are in fact missing the mark.

Paul's words in Philippians 2 are important. Whereas he is often telling people exactly what to think and believe, here he seems to step back and give us all some room. We are here reminded that we are, at least partly, responsible for our discipleship and faithfulness. As we all work out our own salvation with fear and trembling, it is my sincere hope that we be guided by the true and Holy Spirit of God.

Let (us) Be

Interesting days we are living in...

I find myself spending a lot of time talking about things like the economy, the social and political climate and, of course, how we as Christians might think about all of this. While I am happy to do so (and feel free to send questions and comments, BTW), I am also mindful to be cautious. One of the most needful and least appreciated aspect of the Christian (human?) life is peace and peace of mind. While many people seem anxiously focused on what to do, I sense that a great many others long simply to be.

The point is not necessarily idleness. It is rather a healthy gratitude and fascination with life itself. In honor of this, I am going to resist the urge to blog on about this that and the other. Instead, I thought I would offer some resources that might help us re-appreciate simply being. I am shooting for stuff you have probably not seen, heard or discovered yet.

Films:

"Henry Poole is Here" (Drama) Luke Wilson has done some amazing work--most of it disguised by the unassuming approach he often takes. This film is powerful. Bring tissue.

"Moneyball" (Drama) What? This movie is still in theaters! Ah, but have you seen it? I understand the book is very good as well... What they did with the film is an important reminder that courage is sometimes a thankless virtue. It also makes a subtly hopeful statement about family.

"Joe vs. the Volcano" (Comedy) When I first came to Saint Francis, I hung two posters in my office. This was one of them. It was confusing to a lot of people... So is the Gospel.

"A Life Less Ordinary" (Comedy) Probably a strange choice given the amount of violence and overall stress in the film. However, watching the characters traverse the challenges of their situations reminds us how hungry we are just to be. And, in the process, the film also points toward grace. Can it be that in the midst of our seemingly impossible stories, God really is trying to work out some good?

"Desert Blue" (Drama/Comedy) Perhaps my favorite example of "you have probably never heard seen this." The story is set in an extremely tiny desert town and centers around the lives of young people. Remember when friendship was the only thing that really mattered?

"Interstate 60" (Comedy) Another example you have almost certainly never seen. Beware though, this film does not shy away from profanity. The opening scene involves a post-Parkinson's Michael J. Fox cursing his eyes out. It is hard even for me to watch. Keep going though--this film might just restore your hope in your own future. No connection to the BTTF series. I am not kidding though--this film is not intended for your teenager or your mom.

"Million Dollar Baby" (Drama) I know, there should be no Academy Award winning stories on this list but in his old-age, Clint Eastwood has become one of the premier story-tellers of our time. You can also see "Unforgiven," "Gran Torino" and the highly under-rated "Bronco Billy." All love stories really, just not in the traditional sense.

-------------------------------------------------
These last few are only for the die-hards. If you could not find something to get you through the weekend in the above list, then you are not likely to be encouraged here. But if you are learning to enjoy your own company, try these:

"Kicking and Screaming" (Comedy) This is NOT the Will Ferrell movie. It was a film done in 1995 about a bunch of guys who recently graduate from college. (Kicking and Screaming--get it?) It is kind of a man-flick. But it does poke fun at how self-involved we men can be so women might like that. The film is directed by Noah Baumbach who is famous and hated for his obsession with dialogue. Imagine listening to one of my sermons for two hours--only funnier and with quotable quotes!

"The Big Empty" (Think sci-fi comedy here). This is a weird film but I find myself popping it in the DVD about once every three months or so. For those of us still wondering who we are and what we are doing here, this might just be our film.

"True Romance" (Adventure) O.K., you might have seen this but it was a long time ago. It is filthy--blood, guts and morally suspect people. But its also got Elvis obsession, a convertible and Brad Pitt in his shortest role to date. Most importantly, it has a really, really good ending. And let's face it, we're all romantics at heart.

Songs:

With the wonderful world of YouTube, it is now possible to not only hear any song you want at any time, you can usually find someone singing it as well or, at least, enjoy pretty pictures while you are listening...

"Heavenly Day" (Patty Griffin) Go to YouTube and search it right now. It will make all the time you have wasted reading this blog suddenly worthwhile. Then you can spend the rest of your week listening to the other 200 songs that she has written and recorded, most of them just as good!

"The Wing and the Wheel" (Nanci Griffith) These really are two different people. The Wing and the Wheel is melancholy in verse but it will leave you strangely hopeful about everything you have been through.

"Don't Look Back in Anger" (Oasis) I don't think Oasis ever wrote a bad song. It was tough to choose one here but this seems to especially go with the whole be theme. If it doesn't do the trick, try the acoustic version of "Slide Away"... Amazing.

"Rain King" (Counting Crows) Fast, feel good song. Besides you have probably heard the other possibilities. "A Long December" is also great but the list is already a little long on slow and sad.

Of course, the Beatles wrote a song about all this. It's pretty good too.

Peace,

Mark