E.R. reveals…

…maybe “inclusive sprituality” is not really working when it really counts:

I thought this goes well with the thoughts provoked in this episode of one of my favorite TV shows:

Terry Mattingly on Americans and Their Vague Religion

Terry Mattingly does his usual good job covering religion. He writes a weekly column for Scripps Howard news that is then run in papers around the world.

Terry writes:

The trend is clear. Vague talk is safer than clear action. Personal beliefs are good, but not if these doctrines lead to actions that indicate that some beliefs are right and others wrong.Seeking is good, but finding is bad. Judging is even worse.

My personal favorite “Terry Mattingly” location is his web site, getreligion.org, an important location on my Bloglines reader. I have mentioned them twice before on the blog.

You can read his coverage of two recent research projects here.

My contribution was:

“There is a sense in our culture that is acceptable to believe in anything spiritual, as long as it makes you a better person and helps you find peace,” said Ed Stetzer, leader of the LifeWay Research team. “One’s faith only becomes a problem when that belief actually makes claims that contradicts the faith of others.”In an age of “I’m OK, You’re OK” spirituality, he added, “American spirituality has glorified ‘searching’ for spiritual meaning, but de-emphasized ‘finding.’ In other words, it is good to be looking for spirituality, but it is intolerant to actually believe you have found a right faith. … Intolerance is defined to mean actually believing that your faith is the correct one.”

Terry always moves beyond research to analysis and I was impressed.

Here are my full answers to his questions.

On there being one way.

The change between the “higher or supreme being” question and “the God described in the Bible,” would seem to say that Americans want “God,” but they are not as sure they want to say God is the exclusive biblical God of Christianity.For that matter, there is a sense in our culture that is acceptable to believe in anything spiritual, as long as it makes you a better person and helps you find peace.

One’s faith only becomes a problem when that belief actually makes claims that contradicts the faith of others. Since Christianity (and other faiths) make exclusive truth claims, it becomes controversial when Christians (and others) start to actually believe and propagate the claims of their faith.

On generic faith.

As best I can tell, those who are not a regular part of a faith community still want to be “spiritual” people, but without a clear faith.As an evangelical Christian, I would say that many fashion a tame God in their own image– a generic god for a generic spirituality, not a God who actually intervened in the world through the death of Christ and calls us to follow and live differently.

For many, they want to get all the benefits of spirituality without any of the truth claims of a rigorous faith.

On Spirituality

I think the Oprah-ization of American spirituality has glorified “searching” for spiritual meaning but de-emphasized “finding.” In other words, it is good to be looking for spirituality, but it is intolerant to actually believe you have found a right faith and want to invite others to such.In “I’m O.K., You’re O.K. Spirituality,” the only sin is intolerance… and intolerance is defined to mean actually believing your faith is the correct one.

On why conservative churches grow even when the majority of Americans lean toward a universalistic faith.

Non-attendees want to ignore a generic God, but when/if they follow a faith, they want one that has robust beliefs and is worth following.Since growing churches tend to have more defined belief systems, when people start a journey to faith, they want something they see as worth believing and giving their life to. A generic god is hardly one worth committing to.

If ever challenged…

…on how you are to live, according to what you know of the Kingdom of God – or the standards of the world, it ever challenged to make just a “little” compromise, this is a good read: Daniel 3.  It is not easy to stand on the platform of the furnace, but it is the right thing to do. We may not be in danger of being thrown into a literal furnace, but doesn’t it feel that way sometimes? We may not be facing bodily burns, but maybe it is the death of a dream that we fear – watching something we believe that God has birthed go up in smoke. Each trial, each challenge to our cause only makes us more determined – unless we choose to quietly bow to ”Nebuchadnezzar”. Standing strong, standing together was not a foretold sure thing – “even if He doesn’t, we will not bow”. In this case It worked out well for these three guys, it worked out well for the King, for the nation, for the Kingdom. Recently I received an email that is worth sharing with any of you who find yourselves on the adventure of the Kingdom, one that may not always “look like” you thought it might:

 ”…we were discussing this passage in relation to going through storms.  I thought about you and how it spoke more to the going than to the storm.”

Mark 5:35-39

“…Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.”  So they left the crowd; the disciples got into the boat in which Jesus was already sitting, and they took him with them.  Other boats were there too.  Suddenly a strong wind blew up, and the waves began to spill over into the boat, so that it was about to fill with water.”  Those poor guys!  They were sea and weather wise.  Their only motivation was to follow Jesus.  They weren’t blindfolded or mistaken.  They were not disobedient or heedless.  They did not have mistaken, deceptive, or foolish advisors.  They were listening to Jesus, who was clearly visible and audible.  Others heard exactly the same directive.  So they were right where they were supposed to be, doing what they  were supposed to be doing.  Yet, they left a spectacularly successful ministry and rowed right into a mess.  In fact, they thought they were about to die! And what did they see Jesus doing?  SLEEPING!“Teacher, don’t you care that we are about to die?”  And did He arise and say, oh, so sorry guys, we should not have come this way at this time?  No, not sorry.  He stilled the sea and said, “Why are you frightened?”  Can you believe it? 

just got off the plane…

Last week I started a book club in our home. One of my friends commented that this time of year was a good time to read about the faith journey, so this is what we’ll do. I  first learned of Anne Lamott from two of my dear friends from the Quad Cities. Cindy and Jenn liked Anne, I probably would too. I remember Jenn reading an exerpt and not bleeping the language – hilarious! A year and 1/2 ago, I read Bird by Bird – enjoyed it enough to put a couple more of her books on my Amazon wishlist. In September I received two of her books from another friend for my birthday, thanks Analisa! And today, on a plan to Nashville, I had with me Traveling Mercies.

At one point in the book it is said that many things can go wrong as an effort to distract us from the really good thing that is trying to be born.  The suggestion is that the miraculous will break through if we aren’t aware of it enough to manage it, control it and screw it up. I have often said that it is when I whine about how bad things are, it is then that something really good happens to remind me that I do not have the final say – I am not in control – I am an ungrateful little bratt that needs to increase in faith and gratefulness.

So, Gene and I are in Nashville. The boys are with their Aunt ‘Ne. We will be attending the ZMG (Zavitsan Music Group) Holiday party tomorrow night.

Honestly – I even said this out loud – I would really like this to be the time that we hope…and what we experience is even a bit more that what we could have hoped for. Dream big – I want my dreams to pale in comparison to the life God has in store for me.  Many would say I am living a dream life now. I cannot really argue with that. I have an awesome life. While I’m distracted by dreaming big – God continues to unfold more of the miraculous.  I’ll be looking for more of what God is unfolding this week. How about you?

Grande sogno!

If you are a “people watcher”, you know that the best place to go to observe people. People of all kinds, from all around the world cross paths in airports. Their stories are beautiful, tragic, romantic… I almost ran right into a woman today because I was all caught up in the reunion of a man and his 3 small children who were waiting with a sign “WE LOVE OUR MOMMY”. My favorite thing to do while people watching is to imagine what their stories may be. I imagine that most of the scenarios that I dream up are far beyond what the reality is, but maybe not.

Gene and I are in Denver, CO right now. We are here to be a part of a mentoring program for our friends, Gayle and Jamie Pund (on the left in the back row) who just this week received their appointment with World Venture as career missionaries to Italy.

Years ago we sat around a dinner table at TGIFriday’s with some of our friends, our church planting team in La Crosse. Our conversation that night went to what we thought was a fun little game of seeing what we could come up with to “outdream God”. We got silly, we thought, as we dreamed of all going to Italy, that seemed like a nice enough place to serve God. Since that night, Gayle and Jamie and their 3 kids have spent 3 years in Italy – at a camp that hosted soccer camps for kids, among other things. I think that everyone at that table that night has been part of the ministry in Italy. The Punds are now on a journey toward returning to Italy for a longer term.

Have you ever tried to “out dream” God? It’s dangerous…you might just find yourself one day living out the dream.

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen” Eph. 3:20

As kind of a side note, tonight we visited a church that goes by the name, SCUM of the Earth, we heard a pastor, a homeless man, a woman and then a well known theologian, all talk on Psalm 23. None were given more of a platform than the other. All were given equal time. That is the Kingdom of God present in our here and now just as Jesus intended, I think. I left processing these things…. A well known theologian, a paid Pastor and a homeless man, and a woman, were all parts of the same Body there. All seemed at home there.

If you are part of the Body of Christ – can you be “homeless”? Powerful.

SuperFriends Day!

 

Today is “Super Hero” day here. We are throwing a party and celebrating super heroes.

On a day that much of the world is honoring the tradition of the thinned veil between the spirit world – allowing for the ease of access to spirits, we are going to be praying and honoring those who uphold the ways of our God and King. We pray for protection and the justice of God. We pray that God’s will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven. We desire to be vessels to be used for good, for God’s purpose. We live to honor our Creator and the only mediator, the only way, the life and the truth, Jesus Christ.

 

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Hebrews 12:1-3)

“whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (2 Cor. 3:16-17)

 

Don’t worry, we are getting plenty of candy! The kids have seen to that as they plan this party – cupcakes are made, pumpkin treats and caramel apples…and yes candy!

 

A time to celebrate rededication…to anticipate…A time to celebrate rededication…to anticipate…

This week the boys have been learning about the holidays celebrated by people of other cultures. Then, while wrapping gifts at the Mall with our PTO, I met Candi. She is Jewish and was very excited to share with me how the Dreidel game works. We had been playing according to Spencer’s rules and it seemed to me that, no matter how the Dreidel landed, I lost pennies. So, some of my competitive nature had kicked in and I was ready to learn how to play this game correctly – giving me a shot at victory!

Candi shared with me some of the history, some of her story and what I caught, beyond the facts, was her excitement. So, this morning while Sam and Gene are at Living Hope Church in Verona where Gene is leading worship, Spencer and I are preparing an advent worship time for our family – working in some of the Hanukkah tradition. We don’t have a menorah so we will improvise using our Christmas candle and the Advent wreath we made. We also will be playing the Dreidel game – which Spencer is preparing as I write.

The dreidel (a four-sided spinning top) has four sides, each engraved with a different Hebrew letter , forming an acronym for the the Hebrew words, נס גדול היה שם, Nes Gadol Haya Sham—”A great miracle happened there”.

So since we are living a life that hopes for the miraculous – counting on it actually, I am ready to celebrate the miracles of God that shout down through history…”I AM!”

The holiday was called Hanukkah meaning “dedication” because it marks the re-dedication of the Temple after its desecration under Antiochus IV. Spiritually, Hanukkah commemorates the Miracle of the Oil. According to the Talmud, at the re-dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem following the victory of the Maccabees over the Seleucid Empire, there was only enough consecrated olive oil to fuel the eternal flame in the Temple for one day. Miraculously, the oil burned for eight days – which was the length of time it took to press, prepare and consecrate new oil. Wikipedia

UPDATE: In the time it took me clean up after our dreidel game and communion (he broke up crackers for communion and then what was left was used for the game of miracle celebration)…spencer posted an entry on spencerlanium.com and made a menorrah, so we do have a menorrah now…

This is a life of worship…

With a life that contains moments like these…it hardly gets any better.

I will exalt you, my God and King,
and praise your name forever and ever.
I will praise you every day;
yes, I will praise you forever.
Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise!
No one can measure his greatness.

Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts;
let them proclaim your power.
I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor
and your wonderful miracles.
Your awe-inspiring deeds will be on every tongue;
I will proclaim your greatness.
Everyone will share the story of your wonderful goodness;
they will sing with joy about your righteousness.
The Lord is merciful and compassionate,
slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
Psalm 145:1-8

The Miracle of Fall

I am in awe these day about the season of Fall. As our days get shorter and t-shirts are replaced by sweatshirts, along with warm temperatures chlorophyll disappears. This is what allows the brilliant yellow pigments that have been masked by chlorophyll show up. There is a sugar that increases at this time to, bringing out the reds.

There are so many things that go on when the seasons change. I marvel at the colors, feel the wind sometimes warm sometimes refreshing and cool. I wish that it could last – that winter would not come. I wish – and this is what I say to the crossing guard when he comments about the weather – that this could be our winter.

Amazing too is how all of nature prepares adapts as the circumstances change. A tree’s roots, branches and twigs can endure freezing temperatures, but most leaves are not so tough. On a broadleaf tree — say a maple or a birch — the tender thin leaves, made up of cells filled with water sap, will freeze in winter. Any plant tissue unable to live through the winter must be sealed off and shed to ensure the tree’s survival.

So for many trees to survive winter, they must let their leaves go. We get to rake! All this reflection brings me to this…

I love…
…the way the leaves on the tree in our front yard fill our living room window with brilliant colors.
…the way the wind blows. That is must for the leaves to take flight.
…playing football in the back yard with the boys.
…walking by homes of neighbors, praying for them and hearing the rustling of the leaves under my feet.
…leaf piles to jump in. I even like raking!
…pumpkins AND fresh flowers at the farmers market.
…pumpkin patches and petting zoos, hayrack rides and carmel apples.
…fire pits and how we smell after sitting around a fire with friends.
…the Bears are winning again!
…yelow, orange, red against the blue sky.
It’s fabulous!

“Every desirable and beneficial gift comes out of heaven. The gifts are rivers of light cascading down from the Father of Light”
-James 1:17

The Miracle of Fall