Thursday Theology: Why churches suck

It's pretty late in the day for my usual posting habit, but it has just been that kind of day. I took a brief look at writing this in the wee hours of the morning while working at the Crisis Cold Weather Shelter and decided that I just didn't have the mental energy for it. After getting the shelter put away this morning, I had a nice breakfast with a couple of the volunteers, spent a couple of hours winding down at home, and then managed a few hours of sleep.

Now I've been up for a few hours, had dinner, finished my book, and decided that I should probably just go ahead and force myself to write something. I think a big part of not wanting to write this is that it is a little depressing.

The gospel text from this week's schedule is John 2:13-22.
Honestly, after reading it you probably won't get the same depressing vibe that I do. I don't know what thoughts come to your mind with this text, but I can't help but think that things haven't changed much in 2,000 years. The Jews of Jesus's day had made the process of worship more important than the act of worship. Like many of today's churches, there might have been more to the following of rules about worship and profiting from the commerce of worship than there was about actually worshiping God.
I wonder what kind of table tossing Jesus would be doing in the "christian" churches of the US if he were to visit us.

This is supposed to be the Bible belt. On any given weekend, there are around 600 churches that gather for worship under the banner of Christianity in Springfield MO. Only about a dozen of those churches help in sheltering and serving the homeless and hungry of our community. 
It's odd that many of them will spend big bucks and invest time and trips to help people in other countries, but turn their backs on the people of our own community. I don't understand why there are so few pastors that would encourage church goers to actually serve people in our community.
I guess it's hard to recruit new members (that's church talk for generate more money) when you're offering a job of volunteering to mop floors and clean toilets at the shelter.

There are certainly churches that serve our community in other ways, but there are truly far too few that seem to be interested in doing anything that doesn't profit them in some way.

I really do find it to be a bit depressing.
It's probably a good thing that I'm no longer a preacher. I suck at the business of religion.

John

Wednesday Wisdom

No meme today; just a thought about a lesson I'm still learning.

Silence is hard.

I've gone from being vocal and arguing
to being more contemplative and discussing
to being silent.

On social media--
I've gone from responding
to typing out a response that I delete before publishing (usually)
to just scrolling on.

It's still hard.
It's easier to avoid people and stay off of social platforms.
But (slowly) I'm learning.

Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.
Proverbs 17:28

John

It''s Spring -- almost

I hate to wish my life away looking for the future to rush in, but I am ever hopeful and waiting for spring/summer to arrive. We have had some wonderful days for late February in the Ozarks this winter, but we aren't yet finished with cold weather.
This is the forecast for tomorrow and the coming week:

Wow!
That's a 60 degree (15c) difference between the high and low tomorrow!

Upper 70s today, 80 tomorrow, and down to 20 tomorrow night!
Then back into the mid 70s for the weekend.

My mindful practice helps me to leave the past behind me and keeps me from spending too much time hoping for what is yet to come. So I'll focus on today, even while preparing for tomorrow.

Today I will work on starting some plants for our flower gardens and maybe starting a few veggies, as well.
Sometime soon I need to get the arm on my tiller fixed so that I can add a little space for more sunflowers. I am also adding a native grass and wildflower area to a section of the field that will be food for the pollinators and will reduce my mowing area.

I'm going to do some container gardening this year so I need to get those prepared to accept the seedlings that I'll be starting today. I should have plenty of work to keep me outdoors and busy for the coming month. It's amazing that it will be March before the week is over.
Working in the dirt and being out in the sun is good for my soul, as well as for my physical well being. It is more beneficial than any meditation practice and connects me to nature and nature's Creator. 

What is your favorite way or practice to be well grounded?
How do you connect to the world around you?

It's weird to me that although the Bible teaches that we (people) are created in God's image, I find it much easier to connect with God through the part of creation that isn't other humans. 
And that makes me wonder -- Can others see God's image in me?
That may be something I need to work on.
Hmmm...?

John  

Theology Thursday is back

After skipping a week in the lectionary schedule I am back to my brief comments on some aspects of this week's readings. So far I have stayed in the gospel reading, but there may be times when I comment on the other readings, as well. I do like the practice of keeping close to the gospels. As a Jesus follower, the gospels are where it's at. 

This week's reading is from Mark 8:31-38.
Go ahead and read it, then come back.

It seems to me that most Christian religions have made it all about what religion can do for me (or you).
Follow Jesus and go to heaven.
Behave this way and God will love you.
Have faith in God, and he will take care of you.
Do this. Don't do that. That's how to get God to love you and shower you with blessings.

Jesus, however, seems to be saying that it isn't about us at all.
Following Jesus has to be about -- well, following Jesus.
When we make following Jesus to be about what it does for us we miss the whole point. God's love isn't a transaction. Eternal life isn't a cosmic game of Let's Make a Deal and heaven isn't a place we go to when we die.
Heaven is about living in and with the presence of God. Following the gospel isn't about doing the right thing so that we can go to heaven. It's about doing the right thing because it's the right thing.
We are in heaven.
We are in the presence of God. It is where (and how) we live.

I know not all of my readers (few that you may be) are Christ followers, but I think there are still some good things to learn from his teachings. Currently there are more than 45,000 different Christian denominations worldwide. While we might agree to follow Jesus, apparently we can't agree on what that looks like.
Religious systems kind of suck.

For what it's worth -- I'm a Jesus follower.
Admittedly, I'm not that great at it, but I'm working on it.
I don't feel like I'm going it alone because there are a lot of followers that are still working on following Jesus from the inside of different denominational religions. More and more, it seems that there are many of us that are choosing to follow Jesus without the restrictions and rules that churches govern with. If you are one of those unchurched followers of Jesus, feel free to join me in your walk -- no ties or restrictions, you can leave and go it alone whenever you want.
Let's share some thoughts about how to follow Jesus.

John 

Wednesday Wisdom

I have friends that have grown weary in their struggles of fighting for those in marginalized communities. Too often their voices are muted along with the voices of those being oppressed. When they fight alone, resting means losing ground. When we work together, we can continue to move the oppressors and help to give them a new perspective.

This is a worthwhile strategy, but it takes many voices.

John
 

No Monday Meditation

I'm not posting a Monday Meditation today. I'll make time for some meditative thoughts later in the day, but this morning I am really thinking about and being concerned with the number of people that are still supporting the former president in his campaign for re-election to the nation's highest office.

My mind is completely boggled by the number of people that have been taken in by this con man.
As a (former) magician, I have learned some of the street cons -- Three Card Monte, Fast and Loose, The Shell Game. Maybe I need to brush up on them and take them on the road as a money maker rather than as entertainment. It appears that there are a great many gullible people out there that are more than willing to give lots of their hard earned money to a talented con man. 

I do understand that the different parties seem to have very different ideologies and political goals, but surely the GOP can find someone that is more qualified to serve as the leader of our country. I am completely baffled by the all-in to the extreme stance the national party has taken and how all-in also encompasses each level of politics right down to local city councils and school boards. I just can't wrap my head around it. 

I'm not going to put a lot of thought or energy into it this morning (maybe a little thought into practicing those street cons again), but it has distracted me from my usual quiet time. I'll give it some distance and be back for quiet time later.

John 

PS: an interesting combination of labels today -- magic, meditation, and politics

Thursday Theology

No message from the lectionary schedule this week; just a couple of memes to reflect on about how following Jesus should feel and what it should look like.

I've been thinking about addressing the He Gets Us Superbowl commercial, but I haven't decided that it is important enough to give that much time or energy to. I'm a little short on time this morning and didn't think to plan ahead for today's post. 

Have a good day!

John

Wednesday Wisdom

 

Fat Tuesday and Lent

Today is Mardi Gras -- Fat Tuesday, the day of gluttony and debauchery before the solemn season of Lent.
To be honest, I've never really understood either.

To the sections of Christianity that observe Lent, the fasting and other acts of suffering/hardship they put themselves through are supposed to help them to identify with the suffering of Jesus as he fasted for forty days and nights in the wilderness. I guess identifying with Jesus in his suffering is supposed to help us understand the crucifixion better as we approach Easter.
However, I don't believe there is a sect of Christianity today that takes fasting very seriously. The Muslim practice of daily fasting during Ramadan seriously puts any idea of Christian fasting to shame.
The cleansing ritual of fasting is nonexistent in our Western culture today.

Having said that, I do believe that finding ways to better identify with Jesus is an important part of living life as a follower of Jesus. I'm just not sure why we've decided that identifying with his suffering is better than identifying with his acts of mercy and love.
What if those forty days in the wilderness were his way of identifying with our humanity? 
It would seem a little ridiculous for us to use fasting to attempt to identify with his divinity.

I'm going to think on this for today and tomorrow (Ash Wednesday).
How (during Lent) can I best connect with Jesus?
Any advice from my Lenten observing friends?
What are you doing?

John

Monday Meditation

Some morning meditations are easy.
This morning it is snowing outside. The temperature just made it down to the freezing mark and it will only warm up a few degrees today. It looks pretty.
It is easier to appreciate the pretty when I don't have a need to go out in it. 
So...
I'll just sit here and think for a little while.

Over the past few weeks I have had a few different people tell me of small ways they have been encouraged by me. I am not saying that for recognition or a pat on the back. It is helpful to know that little things are noticed and appreciated, and it serves as a great reminder to recognize the simple things that others are doing, as well.

One of the freedoms of retirement is the freedom not to care or worry about what others think of me. I don't have bosses to impress, nor coworkers to deal with. Moving on from the preaching/evangelism gig means I don't have to concern myself with the harsh judgement of the loving church people of my past, and I have learned to reject criticism from people that I wouldn't go to for advice. If I don't value them enough to seek their advice, why would I value their criticism?

Recently, I was in a discussion about legacy -- What do we want our legacy to be?
Truthfully, I'm not that worried about how people will remember me. I honestly don't think that people will give much thought to me after I'm gone. Why would they?
I am more concerned with how they feel about me now -- not with whether or not they like me or agree with me, but how they feel when I am in their presence.

Do they feel seen?
Do they feel safe?
Do they feel valued and appreciated?

As I have become more aware of my own self -- the how and why of how others make me feel, I am also becoming aware of how I make others feel. 
It's no secret that I would usually choose not to be around a bunch of people, but for those times when I am, I hope that they are comforted by my presence rather than made uncomfortable by it.

Do you think about your legacy?
Do you wonder about how people will remember you?
Why not try living in the moment and being concerned with how we make them feel -- today?

It is said that people will not remember the things we say or do, but they will remember how we made them feel. The simple things we say and do have value because of how those things make people feel. 
Make somebody feel seen, safe, or valued today.
Maybe they will remember you.

John

Superbowl Sunday -- meh

Yeah, most of you already know I'm not a big football fan. I enjoy the game, but I usually explain it by saying that I do occasionally watch the NFL ... after baseball season is over ... and if there's not a hockey game on.
I actually don't even watch it that often. I did watch two games this post-season -- the Chiefs vs the Dolphins and the Chiefs vs the Ravens. I didn't watch any regular season games.

I'll probably watch the game tonight, or at least some of the game. I doubt that I'll go to our church's chili cook-off/Superbowl party. It might be nice to sample chili and sides, but I am just fine watching the game solo.
Or not watching the game solo.

This is Chief's country here in SWMO, so a KC victory would be grand. Maybe the baseball Cardinals could partner with them to bring two championships to MO this year. Or even three if the Blues can find their way back to the Stanley Cup. In any case, it's just not that big of a deal to me -- not even for the commercials or the halftime show.

Anybody else kind of meh on the big game?
Who has exciting plans for tonight that don't involve football?

John

I've Been People-ing

It's been a weird week. Most of the time I stay at home other than an occasional errand like a run to the store or to get Chris her daily fountain soda. This week has had some type of scheduled people interaction activity on most days.
A doctor appointment, dinner out with friends, volunteer chaplains' meeting, midweek church, and an afternoon drink and cigar with a friend -- that's a lot of people-ing! Nighttime temperatures have been warm enough that the shelters haven't been open. It looks like I'll see some open nights in the coming couple of weeks.

My people interactions have been really good -- especially the Wednesday night dinner and the afternoon cigar. The chaplain meeting was also good. It is such a different energy around people that are actively working that "love your neighbor" thing.
I'm looking forward to not people-ing for most of the weekend. I'll be working at a different shelter on Sunday night if the shelters are open. It's currently a close call on the overnight temps, so I'll have to wait and see. Even so, I think I might be getting better at this people-ing thing, but I think it's best to go slowly. I should probably be more restrictive this week.

John 

Listen to him

I almost skipped today's lectionary schedule and went with a simple message of Love your neighbor. 
The message of "Love your neighbor" is simple. The act of loving your neighbor can be more difficult. In the end, the message part goes well with this week's text, so here it is.

Mark 9:2-9

The transfiguration is a pretty familiar story to most followers of Jesus. Jesus takes a few select disciples to an isolated place and is transfigured into some glowing type of spirit being. Then two icons from Israel's past appear with him -- Moses, who represents the Law, and Elijah, who represents the prophets. Then a voice speaks from a cloud and tells the disciples that Jesus is his beloved son and they are to listen to him.

As faithful Hebrews, they have been taught that God speaks through the Law and the prophets. Now God is telling them that he speaks through his son. 
Jesus would tell us that he didn't come to do away with the Law. Nor did he come to contradict the prophets. Maybe God was telling us that Jesus would help us to understand the purpose of the Law and the prophets. Maybe this was God's way of saying, "Let me simplify things for you. Listen to Jesus."

Well then, what did Jesus teach?
Love God.
Love your neighbor.
What if we show our love for God by how we love our neighbor?
I'm pretty sure that is the case. I don't think you can actually love God and not love your neighbor -- and yeah, Jesus teaches that, too.

Here's some bad news: Loving your neighbor is hard.
Nobody said it would be easy.

I chose my coffee mug for this morning's post. Groucho the cat is also enjoying the fireplace.

John

Wednesday Wisdom

 

My Calendar

How do you mark the passing of time?
This morning I woke up at 6AM and was looking at the constellation Scorpio out of my southern facing bedroom window. The Scorpion is a summer constellation!
It probably sounds pretty lame or like I must have a boring life, but I find it kind of exciting to see this nighttime summer constellation in February's early morning sky. It means summer is on the way!

I really do look forward to the changing night sky and I watch the stars as we make our annual orbit around the sun. The winter sky is beautiful and exhibits many bright stars. However, long observations of the winter sky can be challenging when it is just too damn cold outside to enjoy it. 
One of these days I should up my telescope game and replace the beginner's 60mm refractor that I've had for more than 30 years. Or maybe I'll just continue to observe the universe with a simple magnifier or the naked eye. 

In any case, seeing the early sky this morning is a great way to begin the day.
My other calendar reminds me of an early morning doctor's appointment. Regular check ups with a dermatologist are important for a guy that loves being in the sun as much as I do.

I hope you have a great day, too!

John

Monday Meditation (or not)

No real Monday Meditation today. 
But I am contemplating the simplicity of my life. 

I don't really do much anymore. 
I don't have to.

I don't worry about being an influencer -- over anyone.
I don't worry about leaving a legacy.
I don't really care what other people think about me, my thoughts, or my actions.
It's pretty freeing.

I am grateful that I have this privilege of not caring.
I don't have a boss to please.
I don't have to do or say things to manipulate friends or acquaintances.
I've made religion less about what I do and more about who I am so I don't have to wear the "church" mask. I think I've been mostly genuine in my church life, but not caring what church people think is a real gift.

While I don't really go out of my way to be a kind person, I think that I generally am.
Neither do I go out of my way to be an asshole, but fear that I am sometimes that, too.
Mostly I like who I am.
There are times when I don't.

I have some really good people connections -- not a lot of them, but some really good ones.
I have become more sensitive to the energies that people put out and feel that I am somewhat of an empath. I haven't really figured out what to do with that, but it's there.
That energy connection has made me more aware of my relatively few people interactions. I am finding that -- even without trying -- I am influencing people's thoughts and decisions.
I'm not sure how I feel about that.

Today will be a quiet day. Sending this note out into the virtual world will likely be the most people interaction that I will have today.
Sounds like it'll be a perfect day!

John

Connections

Just a quick Sunday morning note--

Thursday night was a little bit warmer so the overnight shelters weren't open. In fact, they weren't open  all week, so I was able to make it to this week's More Than at Battlefield Venues. It was great to get to see and visit with Pastor Chris and his wife, Morgan.

Chris is one of those few people whose mere presence lifts my spirit. It had been quite some time since I'd seen him and I didn't realize how much I had missed that uplifted feeling. So this morning we are heading into Springfield for The Venues' Sunday morning church time. I do hope to see a few more of those people that lift my spirit. 

Do you have that one person (or those few people) that just lifts you up by their presence? 
If it's been awhile, maybe you should make an effort to reconnect.

Do you ever wonder if you are that person for someone else?
Hmmm...?

John

Was Jesus an Introvert?

This week's gospel text is from Mark 1:29-39. Check it out. 

It is a little comforting to know that after a day of being around and serving people, Jesus needed to get away from it all and find time to connect with God.
Is Jesus connecting with God the same as people connecting with themselves?
Isn't that connecting with self, God, grounding, mindfulness the kind of discipline that we learn both in the Judeo-Christian practice of prayer and the Eastern practice of meditation?
Isn't getting away from people to recharge/refocus a defining introvert characteristic?

Maybe not.
Maybe it is a human need that introverts are just better at than non-introverts.
Maybe we all have the need to regularly connect to God/the Universe/our inner being but we don't all recognize just how important that connection is to our spiritual well being.

I have to admit -- the Jesus/God thing sometimes confuses me. Did Jesus go away to pray because it was something he needed?
Or was he teaching us how to deal with the stress of being around people because he knew that we would need it?
Does God retreat to a quiet corner of the cosmos whenever God gets weary of our endless prayer lists of the things we want/need? 
Maybe that's when bad things happen.

Just my Thursday morning thoughts.

John

P.S. Another Thursday morning thought -- it's a good thing I'm not really a preacher anymore. These weekly thoughts would make for terrible sermons!