Critique

I have found that feedback usually comes in two basic forms: cloyingly "sweet" or (too) brutally honest or negative. The former is most often employed by the self-esteem folks who worry that every person is like over-ripe fruit: easily bruised. The latter is often voiced by the "religious" who view any person who do not hold up their norms as instant Hell material. Now, esteem and honesty are both important but really make ugly gods.  I meet people every day who have been injured by these false gods.

Worshiping the "esteem" god yields people who are afraid a lot. They have not tested themselves in the real fires of life. Worship of the "honesty" god too often yields either liars or angry folks. Judgment crushes.

Jesus melded the two together. Mercy and the Law co-existed. It is true that this is harder to do than traveling to one pole or the other. But he did it. Those who follow him learn (you have to learn this) it too.

I think Mercy and the Law somehow faced off at the Resurrection (Easter) and became Love. It is a mystery that demands practice.

When you open your mouth (or speak to yourself) today, shun the poles. Live in the Resurrection. That is, embody Love and the tension between Mercy and Law.

Resurrection

I don't really claim to understand the mechanics of The Resurrection. I have never seen anyone raised from the dead. At least, not bodily.

That does not keep the Resurrection from being core to every thought and action of the day. God takes the deadest things I hand out. Things I made dead and I knew I was doing it. Not mistakes but blatant, "Up yours." Defiant, Jim.  Things where I thumbed my nose a God. God takes my mess and, with me (that's the key,) forges a new reality that looks more like what God intended. God does this individually, communally, familially, nationally and globally. God does this through the humble and loving who know their own foibles. God takes crap and grows roses. People do rise from deadness.

Have you turned your deadness over to Christ? He can handle it. The best act it yet to come.

Does this Theology Make My Butt Look Fat?

Every move we make screams of the God/god we worship. And like a pair of jeans, each move can either flatter or not. Theology is what we have to say about God. We need not use words. Faith involves where we put our trust. What do we trust in? This means actions speak way louder than words and even louder that thoughts. Actions betray the God/god we really believe in.

Here are some possible candidates for the unflattering theology. Pardon me while I head back to the dressing room.

I hold grudges. God forgives.

I cling to bad experiences of my past and let them continually hurt my present relationships. Jesus wants to bear our burdens.

I shirk responsibility. Jesus took full responsibility, even if it cost his life.

I am afraid. God's perfect love casts out fear

I hoard money or things and give away little. God gave us everything we have and encourages sharing

I take the best for me and for granted. God has a special place for the poor, sick, imprisoned, and down-on-their-luck. Jesus came as a servant Savior.

I am frazzled. God made a right time for the right things but not enough time for everything. The 24 hour day was his idea.

I am uninvolved. God enters right into the limits of human life and form (Incarnation)

I am a perfectionist. God wants us to be perfectly ourselves, the self that God made. Anything else is a poor substitute.

I am right. God can do that and love as well.

I don't keep my word. Jesus is the creative and life-giving Word.

I complain a lot, especially about others. God loves and that bears all things.

I gossip, meaning that I love to speak of the misfortune of others, especially second-hand. God is compassionate (suffers with) and a companion (breaks bread with.)

Today, we can find one habit that does not speak well of God (or ourselves) and change it. Don't worry about the bad theology that is left. There's tomorrow. Focus on the good and let it crowd out the bad. We can tackle another then. God does not want to crush us either. Jesus says to follow the Way (him.) I figure that there is a fair amount of latitude in that.

Advertising

I love a good ad. I like ones that make me smile the most. Dogs get to me. Children being too cute turn me off. If advertisers really speak of why they have a superior product or service rather than selling me an image using sex or a fabricated need, I am apt to buy.  Mostly, I hate jingles. Don't give me helpless women or buffoon husbands.

You and I are the only advertisement Christ has. We are walking, talking Gospels. It is not "if" we are a great ad, more "how good of an ad are we?" People want to know if our product, Christ, is really life-changing. That requires a changed life. Mine.

On my bad days, I see Christians as the WORST POSSIBLE ADVERTISEMENT for Christ. Self-righteousness, greed, pompous, abusive, holier-than-thou, hate-monging, finger-pointing. These images populate television almost as much advertisements do.

Most of the people I know, even I, are not like that. But what are we like as advertisers for Christ? Do we really know our product and its benefits (limits?) Do we have extensive, first-hand experience with it? Do we speak of it at all and how it has changed our lives? Is it the very centerpiece of our day? Does it remain unused like the juicer we bought in order to get healthy?

Strive to be one great advertisement for the God of Life today. Embrace your identity. Know your product. Love the Lord. If possible, seek counsel with a child. They get it.

A Job or Worship?

A Sunday job (ministry) at church is vital to our community's viability. We could not be the great church without people who freely give of themselves.

It might be tempting to substitute work for worship. Don't give in to the urge. What makes us different and more alive is that we are connected to a great God whom we love. Without worship, we cut ourselves off from our life force.

Almighty

Almighty

The Almighty expects our full attention. The Almighty has a grip on our finances, even if we suffer. The Almighty expects us to drop everything and rearrange our life and prioritize our calendars. The Almighty expects child sacrifice. The Almighty does not worry about burnout because there are more of us. The Almighty expects slavish worship.

No, not THAT Almighty, the God of Jesus. I speak as an observer of the lives of employees in the oil business and as priest to wonderful people. The Almighty I speak of is a bigger home, the career track, the coach, a demanding spouse, the pursuit of more money, alcohol, Facebook, reputation, looks, school, the boss, keeping the peace, downsizing, "more with less," stinginess, feeling good, procrastination, bailing out of commitments, ________________ (you fill in your favorite.)

These almighty's promise the goods but, mostly, fail to deliver the life promised. They, in fact, turn on us and devour us. They may be good in context but they are terrible as the gods of our life. Yet, we too often choose them first.

The Almighty of Jesus does take commitment but also does deliver as promise when we follow in trust. We lose our life to the Almighty and (I do not understand the mechanics,) get it back…and more. We will never be consumed by this Almighty.

The God of Holy Week says, "You can consume me but I will never turn and consume you."

What god will you follow this week? Choose life.