When to Pass By

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

Don’t blame me; I vote for peace.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy Child,

I thought you would not cry or need diaper changes. Then I realized you had to have the full human experience.
I imagined you as light-skinned and blue-eyed. Then I thought of how you challenged stereotypes and pre-conceived ideas so we could have a fuller experience of God.
I assumed you would have a halo. Then I realized how your light shone in words and deeds, not in physical appearance.
I thought somehow you would be bigger. But how you looked in the manger does not matter. You became larger than life and death.

Holy Child,
As we have seen you in infant glory, help us grow to see your full-grown splendor.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“My timing was off. I meant to come after sliced bread.”

[The best is yet to be, perhaps, but He never said it.]

D. Blog: A Driving Peeve

We took our daughter to the airport yesterday. Along the way, I had several reminders of a highway peeve: drivers who bring traffic to a halt so they can get a good look at what’s going on with the flashing emergency lights. Nothing blocking the roadway. Nothing that needs their presence or assistance. No signals for them to stop. Just curiosity, a desire to see what the trouble is or to break the monotony of the interstate – thus causing more trouble, in the form of delays, for countless drivers behind them.

I have heard something about passing by on the side, also about standing by. When the appropriate help is on the scene, however, just get out of the way.

Has Jesus Left the Building?

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

This I cannot fathom as anything but madness: a church seminar on peace and justice (great!) and it provokes another group of “Christians” to demonstrate their “moral” outrage outside the church entrance.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy Child,

I, too, placed a gift beside your manger.
It has no monetary value like the gifts of the wise men do.
It will not sustain you on your sojourn in Egypt.
It will not protect you from your gruesome death.
It might go entirely unnoticed in this world.
But you will notice it. You will value it. You will sustain it. You will protect it, the gift of my heart.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“My Mom believes in natural childbirth.”

[Things don’t always go according to plan. Maybe her other children? But He never said this.]

D. Blog: A Parable

"Herod slew the male children under two years of age..." – Matthew’s gospel

Once there was a church that decided to be of service to Christmas shoppers at a local mall.
The women's group offered cookies and hot chocolate at a minimal cost.
The choir sang holiday songs.
The children performed a play.
The preacher dressed up as Santa Claus.
The mall manager gratefully invited them to come back next year.
Jesus left the building…

Common Sense Challenged

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

The brutality of war goes under-reported. An objective alien observer must consider us insane.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy Child,
Shepherds leave their fields to attend your baby shower.
Wise ones travel great distances to bring you gifts.

Holy Child,
Those who oppress the poor fear your appearance.
Despots live in dread of your awesome power.

Holy Child,
Those who desire justice rejoice that you come.
Those who seek peace take courage when you smile.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“From a stork, you say, Reuben? Well, that’s not where I came from.”

[Hard to imagine, I know, but He never said this.]

D. Blog: Uncommon Sense

Last Friday these contractors were installing the steel pillars in concrete to prevent drivers from parking their vehicles on the walk outside a sports bar downtown. They are now in the process of cleaning up at the end of the day and are anxious to go home. How long do you think it will be before reality sets in?

Understanding Gumption

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

What is it about “Thou shalt not kill” that we don’t get?

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy Child,

Angels sang at your birth, proclaiming heaven’s blessing to people of good will.
Surely, angels sang at our births, too, announcing the blessings that we bring to our communities.
Shepherds wondered at your birth – what was God doing? What miracle was this child?
Surely, simple believers wondered at our births, too – what miracles would God do through us?
Wise men bowed in reverence at your birth, acknowledging the mystery of the One come in fulfillment of promise.
Surely, wise ones bowed in reverence at our births, too, recognizing the promise in each one of us, unique and prepared for through all of time.
We recall your birth with devotion. May we in doing so also recall the amazing fact of our own birth – and live to the glory of God.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“The government shall be upon my shoulders? That’ll be the day.”

[Yes, it will. But He never said it.]

D. Blog: Weird Word

“Gumption”
Definition: Colloquial. (1) Spunk, boldness, chutzpah, moxie; (2) common sense, horse sense.

Usage: This word means the same as "rumgumption" and "rumblegumption," variants that you may use should you ever need more syllables. This fake Latin noun (see Etymology) is accompanied by a fake Latin adjective, "gumptious," that describes folks with gumption.

Suggested Usage: While "chutzpah" is part of the Yiddish dialect of English and "moxie" is used elsewhere in the Northeast, "gumption" is the word for these terms in the South. "Bless his soul, Henry Joe just doesn't have the gumption to ask Mabelline out to line dance." However, the word does appear widely outside the South: "It takes a lot of gumption to jump on a bungee cord."

Etymology: It's a mysterious word, as is so often the case with the lexical contributions of Scotland. It plays in a trio, "gumption," "rumblegumption," "rumgumption." Apparently it is a simplification of "rumgumption," referring to the audacity derived from overdrinking, i.e. "overly self-assertive, boisterous." It is probably a rhyme duplicate of "rum" like rumdum "in a stupor from drinking" but with the Latin suffix –tion, added by someone with their tongue in their cheek (making it difficult to pronounce). That suffix gives it a bit more of an educated tone, which might explain why its meaning is more positive than that of "rumdum."

[–adapted from Dr. Language, YourDictionary.com]

Gray and Growing

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

A little peace can go a long way.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy Child,

We make such a show of your coming to live among us, yet we know nothing for certain about your arrival. We tell a story that is almost entirely fiction. To that story, we add more stories and characters and traditions – all fiction. Deep within the layers of wrappings and trappings, hidden from the view of all but a curious few, lies the great gift: the Holy One does not leave us alone in the darkness. You are the light of hope that transcends even death to bring us peace.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“What the heck is frankincense, Mom?”

[Everyone wants to know. He never asked.]

D. Blog: Hidden Growth

Early morning looms gray, in contrast to the brightness we had grown accustomed to in recent weeks. The gentle rain will give the trees and plants a fresh chance of growth before the hard frost, but we cannot predict what it will mean in terms of spring beauty.

It reminds me of our lives. Trouble and gray sadness come, but also provide material for growth. And we cannot tell what it might mean in terms of the beauty when our spring arrives.

Christmas Gratitude

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

I never met a war I could support.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy Child,

Because of you, the bells ring every day, and their song is always of peace on earth, good will to all. The words that accompanied your birth have penetrated the world so that the lack of peace is seen as a moral failure on our part. You brought it to us, but we have trouble holding onto it. Each year we repeat the refrain; each year it serves as a reminder of what God intends: peace on earth, good will to all.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“Play it again, Samuel. For some reason I love ‘Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.’”

[I don’t think it was around then…]

D. Blog: Too Many Presents?

“Too many presents,” said the grandmother, “I don’t need all this.”
Her merchant son was of the opposite opinion. His big seller was a disappointment.
Her grandchildren had mixed reactions. One was quite satisfied, the other’s gifts did not match her expectations.

Our gratitude takes many forms, as does its source.

Christmas Gifts

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

In my heart there rings a melody: “Peace on Earth, Goodwill to All!”

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy Child,

When I awoke this morning, I saw that you had come and left some precious gifts.
Love – for God, my family, and my neighbors in this world.
Hope – that life will contain beauty, reward and joy.
Peace – in my soul, for now I know God loves me.
Faith – that God is with us, in this world and beyond.
Thank you for the gifts. They make this an unforgettable day.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“So Mom tells Dad, ‘Joseph, when I said a room with a view, I didn’t mean a view of the livestock.’”

[Way to spoil the mood, Jesus. Oh…, He never said that.]

D. Blog: A Poem at Christmas

Christmas Gifts

Five thoughtful co-workers gave me presents,
none of them useful to me.

I appreciate most the gifts they present to me.

The wrapped things are like extra merchandise,
better left on store shelves.

Excess-mas reflects in the presents.
The Christ-light shines in my co-workers

Skeptical at Christmas?

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

If you want peace, you must first prepare the way, then open the door and invite her into your life, then close the door if/when fear approaches.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy Child,

It’s Christmas Eve, and Jesus Christ is coming to town.
We’d better watch out, better not judge, better not pout, better not hate. Jesus Christ is coming tonight.
Hark, the herald angels sing, peace on earth, good will to all. It’s Christmas Eve, and Jesus Christ is coming to town.
We’d better watch out, better not judge, better not pout, better not hate. Jesus Christ is coming tonight.
O come, all you faithful, joyful and triumphant, it’s Christmas Eve, and Jesus Christ is coming to town.
Angels we have heard on high, singing sweetly over all, for it’s Christmas Eve, and Jesus Christ is coming to town.
We’d better watch out, better not judge, better not pout, better not hate. Jesus Christ is coming tonight.
He sees you when you’re sleeping, he knows when you’re awake; he knows when you’ve been good and he wishes it were more often.
We’d better watch out, better not judge, better not pout, better not hate. Jesus Christ is coming tonight.
Three kings came from the East bearing gifts because it’s Christmas Eve, and Jesus Christ is coming to town.
While shepherds watched their flocks by night all seated on the ground, they heard great news that brought delight: Jesus Christ was coming to town.
We’d better watch out, better not judge, better not pout, better not hate. Jesus Christ is coming tonight.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“You can set your calendars by my birth.”


[Do you think? No, He never said it, even if He could imagine it.]

D. Blog: Christmas Skepticism

Jesus forgives us if we show skepticism about the tales of His birth.
A virgin becoming a mother? Get real.
It doesn’t matter, anyway. He arrived. Like we did.

Joseph being told in a dream that it was okay to marry Mary? Maybe. Or maybe his love was stronger than his doubt. Like ours is.

Or, we might think the angel choir is way over the top, that the shepherds would have deserted those sheep immediately.
It doesn’t matter, anyway. We believe the message: He liberates and brings peace to those who hear Him well.

Wise men from the east? Following a star? That shone just over the stable where He lay? Sorry, not in this universe.
It doesn’t matter, anyway. We’re smart enough to realize that He was special and that He invited our participation in a realm superior to any the world has known.

We celebrate His birth not because of the stories, but because of what He means to us – in spirit and in truth.

How Do We Celebrate Christmas?

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

True power lies in creativity, not in destructiveness.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy Child,

Like Mary and Joseph, we travel to Bethlehem with you, and we are unclear just what difference your arrival will make in our lives.
Like the shepherds on the hillside, we travel to the stable to see you wrapped in cloths, born a simple child like one of us.
Like the wise men of old, we travel to Bethlehem in hopes of seeing you, the one foretold who will save us from those things that hold us captive.
Like Joseph and Mary, we travel from Bethlehem, bound with you for a far country, where our former ways are reshaped by your presence with us.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“How babies are born? Sure I know. My Mom told me all about how I was born.”


[That story went over well, I’m sure. But He never told it.]

D. Blog: A Parable

"Unless you become like one of these little ones..."

Once there was a boy who wanted to know what Christmas was all about. He listened to music on the radio and heard it was about toys and tinsel. He watched television and saw it was about parades and parties. He went to stores that had decorations and a Santa brought in by helicopter and learned it was about presents.

Now that he's an adult, he usually spends Christmas at work,
dreaming of how he will spend the triple-time pay he gets.

or,

Now that he's grown, on Christmas Eve he usually goes to a bar
and gets drunk with his buds.

or,

As an adult, he now enjoys the time off from work, but, having no children, feels that he's missing the point of the holiday.

Or…

Hope Lives

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

I don’t know about you, but my handbasket is headed for peace.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy Child,

Angels sang the great hope of peace when you were born.
Be born in our hearts this holiday season.
Shepherds witnessed your birth, gaining hope beyond their lowly social status.
Be born in our hearts this holiday season.
Animals were present around your cradle, connecting you to other parts of life on the earth.
Be born in our hearts this holiday season.
Wise men knelt at your infant feet, hoping for a ruler to meet their expectations.
Be born in our hearts this holiday season.
The hopes of much of the world rest on you yet, and you do not disappoint.
Be born in our hearts this holiday season.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“To be or not to be? That is the question.”

[The Bard of Bethlehem He might have been, but He didn’t say this – probably.]

D. Blog: Here’s Your Sign

[I slow my walking pace when I reach this point. Those Segway riders really have to watch it...]

What Would Jesus THINK?

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

Can you think of a warrior saint? (Killing imaginary dragons doesn’t qualify).

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy Child,

We have anticipated your arrival.
We cleaned the whole house, inside and out, so it would be ready for your arrival.
We bought kosher foods so you could stick to your diet.
We made sure the guest room was prepared so you could make yourself right at home.
We made peace with our neighbors and enemies so you would know we are ready for you.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“Grandma got run over by a reindeer? Who knew?”

[What are we doing with this stuff? Perhaps we need a different sort of bracelet: “What Would Jesus Think?”]

D. Blog: Word Play

[Q] “What is the origin of the expression "cloud nine" for a very happy person?”

[A] The phrase "to be on cloud nine," meaning that one is blissfully happy, started life in the United States and has been widely known there since the 1950s; it has since spread worldwide. It’s said to have been popularized by the Johnny Dollar radio show of that period, in which every time the hero was knocked unconscious he was transported to Cloud Nine. But that was not the origin of the phrase. It’s been around since the 1930s, though early examples show a lot of numerical variability, with the cloud sometimes being as low as number seven or eight or as high as thirty-nine, though seven and nine were most common.

These discrepancies make me suspect the usual explanation of its origin, which is that it comes from the US Weather Bureau. The story is that this organization describes (or once described) clouds by an arithmetic sequence. Level Nine was the very highest cumulonimbus, which can reach 30,000 or 40,000 feet and appear as glorious white mountains in the sky. So if you were on cloud nine you were at the very peak of existence.

The term has always had close associations with the euphoria that is induced by certain chemicals — alcohol in its earlier days but more recently crack cocaine — so perhaps we shouldn’t ask for too great a level of exactness in counting. And the cloud here is an obvious reference to some drug-induced dreamy floating sensation. But I suspect, without having anything so restricting as evidence, that seven was chosen because it’s a traditional lucky number and that today’s more usual nine appears for similar reasons — for example it also turns up in dressed to the nines and the whole nine yards.

[adapted from worldwidewords.org]

It's a Wonderful Life!

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

When you wish upon a star, wish for peace.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy Child,

We want to believe the message that love invaded the earth at Christmas.
Make straight the highway in the desert of our hearts.
We want to believe the message that peace was bestowed on earth at Christmas.
Make low the mountains of conflict in our world.
We want to believe the message that hope flourishes on earth at Christmas.
Make plain the valleys of depression that plague so many people.
We want to believe the message that faith makes sense at Christmas.
Make smooth the pockets of cynicism that torment us.
You send the messages. Give us ears to hear.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“So I asked a mall manager why they sold nothing related to my birth in the weeks leading up to my birthday. He said they decided that if they wanted to make a profit, they needed to throw the baby out and keep the bathwater.”

[I might say that, but He never did.]

D. Blog: Discovering Goodness

Scientists claim to have found a genetic basis for generosity in humans. I find that fascinating. Maybe it relates to what Jesus said about becoming like children…

Other scientists, looking outward instead of within, have new insight about vacuums in space. They say that no absolute vacuum remains empty. Eventually there emerge, these physicists declare, some of the minute elements that make up matter and life. Again, fascinating. No, mind-boggling. The Force IS with us…

Where Is Your Holy Land?

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

God gives us peace. Pass it on.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy Child,

Amid the decorating of the season, may we adorn our lives with joy – for our birth as well as for yours.

Amid the songs of the season, may the song of peace stir us to acts of forgiveness, reconciliation and peace.

Amid the shopping of the season, may we obtain a sense of your great gift – the news of God’s love for us.

Amid the busyness of the season, may we take note of the light of hope that shines where you are.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“I’m telling you, Matthew, you shouldn’t say the star rested right over where I lay. Nobody will believe it for a minute once they really understand the nature of stars.”

[Matthew had his own opinions. And Jesus didn’t say this to try to convince him otherwise.]

D. Blog: Sacred Place

I live in the holy land, the one in the mountains of North Carolina. Wherever I walk, I stand on sacred ground. Whatever I see reflects divinity. Whatever I hear echoes the sounds of heavenly music.

I know that what I say of this place can also be true of anyplace on Earth, for the Spirit does not recognize walls or boundaries that try to confine her or exclude her presence. For me, though, this land is sacred. Spirit led me here and brought me to my home in my land of promise. Here I know the Spirit’s presence, here I experience much of what Jesus described as God’s dominion, and here I know the companionship of other seekers who feel, see and hear much of what I do. We live in our holy land.

Out of the Woods...

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

I see nothing sacred in dying for one’s country. For the people we love, perhaps. Better, however, if we live for them. Country benefits more from the living as well.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy Child,

As we marvel at the star, send us your peace.
As we listen to angel choirs, send us your peace.
As we stand in wonder, send us your peace.
As we bow at your manger, send us your peace.
As we hear the cries of children, send us your peace.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“Mom, I had this dream of a white birthday. What does it mean?”

[Having been raised in southern California, I have never quite understood it, either. But He never said it.]

D. Blog: A Poem

A Walk in the Woods

A walk in the woods returns me to childhood camping,
with scenes of wondrous learning and dreaming.
These woods revive all my senses,
the physical five plus memory, both human and personal.
They take me home to the place
where homo sapiens learned how to be,
And bring me once more to Eden, where I name what I know
and wish for the names of what I don’t.

In the woods, walking is required;
no other means of transit takes me to places worth going.
Walking lets me see the monarch butterfly, hear the woodpecker,
taste the honeysuckle, touch the oak’s bark, smell clean earth
or wonder at anything worth sensing there.
When I walk in the woods, I know the trees and the forest –
any other approach just uses them.
This way, they refresh me with coolness, ancient wisdom,
and spirit-lifting leaves that become as pages from the book of life.
To walk in the woods lets me hear and feel myself
as part of what’s real and lasting and whole; I connect to my source and my destination.

Are We Warm Yet?

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

On the whole, I’d rather be in Peace.
(With acknowledgement to WC Fields)

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy Child,

You have our attention because you represent hope.
Come into our hearts this advent season.
We find you appealing because you offer forgiveness.
Come into our hearts this advent season.
We bow before you as the revelation of God to the world.
Come into our hearts this advent season.
We bring gifts to your manger because you represent God’s gift of love to the world.
Come into our hearts this advent season.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“Here, guys. I made these bracelets for you. See, they have ‘WWMD’ sewn on them. That stands for ‘What Would Moses Do?’ I’m hoping the bracelet will remind you to obey the Sabbath laws.”

[WWMD sounds vaguely familiar, but He never said this.]

D. Blog: Temperatures

When I went to school, conflict areas of the world were called “hot spots.” Now, “hot spots” are trendy places to go for an evening of entertainment, exciting vacation venues, or areas with rising real estate values.

Also in my past, we talked about “cool” spots with the same meaning as the current “hot” spots. We also had a “cold” war to contrast with “hotspot” conflicts.

I confess I find this use of language rather confusing. Logic seems to have taken a holiday. I think peaceful places should stake a claim to “warm” as their descriptive word. A warm home. A warm worship community. The warmth of Sweden… (Maybe??)

With Eyes to See

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

Nobody knows the troubles seen in war. Sherman called it hell, but he understated the situation. It defies human words. War goes beyond the worst we can imagine, thus authorities try to hide its atrocities. Calling it hell or sin, while not inaccurate, cannot fully express its abominations, its blasphemy against life.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy Child,

How do we find time to do what is necessary? When we think it all depends on our power, the necessary becomes the overwhelming. When we realize it all depends on divine power, the overwhelming becomes the possible.

Your times of prayer and solitude reminded you of this fact of life. Walking on water and calming a storm are metaphors for this reality.

As a baby, you represent awesome responsibility and wondrous possibility. With God, the possibility goes beyond imagination. Thank you for your example to us. We bow now in wonder, awaiting divine power for divine possibility.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“Rabbi, who was this virgin the prophet foresaw?”

[Ever imagine what it was like trying to teach the child Jesus about scripture? But He didn’t ask this question – at least, not in English.]

D. Blog: A Parable

A man left a library to his children. He told them it offered words of life. One searched the books and found rules to live by. Another searched through the books and tried to figure out the future based on what was in them. The third looked through the books for the pictures of her Dad and what had been important to him. She noticed that some likenesses were better than others, but she kept them all. As the years went by, she added her own memories of Dad to the library.

Where Are We Headed?

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

Peace is calling and I must go.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy Child,

On the way to Bethlehem, your parents wondered what they would encounter there. Your birth in a cattle stall probably did not cross their minds.

On the way to Bethlehem, your parents wondered what would become of their first child. Execution as a preacher of hope was not among their hopes for you.

On the way to Bethlehem, we wonder what we will encounter there. Will we greet the unexpected claims on our lives with joy?

On the way to Bethlehem, we wonder what will become of us. Will we bow in obedience to the claims and hopes you have for our lives?

On the way to Bethlehem, we prepare to greet you as sovereign of life and savior from death and despair. Abide with us, we pray.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“Mom, have you heard? Santa Claus is coming to town!”

[No, He didn’t say it. Definitely not.]

D. Blog: Here’s Your Sign

[Is that a statement of doom and gloom?]

Walla Walla Christmas

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

I follow the scent of peace.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy Child,

We await your arrival with great anticipation. Our dreams and visions raise our expectation that you will bring new hope and possibility to our lives.

Holy Child, we await your arrival with thanksgiving. For you answer our prayers, bearing the promise of salvation from whatever prevents us from experiencing God’s blessings.

Holy Child, we await your arrival with joy. For you are a sign that God will not abandon us to a life that has no purpose.

Holy Child, we await your arrival with excitement. For your coming demonstrates that all creation shares in the blessing of this wonderful event.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“I’m making a list and checking it twice. Gonna find out who’s naughty and nice.”

[Some people think He might, but He never said this.]

D. Blog: What’s in Your Walla Walla?

I wonder about this town in the state of Washington. From potential state capital to notoriety simply on the basis of its name, what else lurks in its claims to fame? Here is some of what appears (adapted) in Wikipedia.

Terminology coined in Walla Walla

Proud residents of the town often brag about it as "the town so nice they named it twice." In fact it was named by the Native Americans and means "Place of Many Waters", the original English name of Walla Walla was Steptoeville named after Colonel Steptoe.

Students who attend Whitman College in Walla Walla are often referred to as "Whitties" and the local folks as "Townies," which leads to calling locals who attend the college “Twitties.” "Whitties" originated as a derogatory term but has evolved into an accepted colloquialism.

As reported in the December 2004 issue of Golf Digest, in May 1956 the head pro, Jim Russell at the Walla Walla Country Club, fired a shotgun to signal the start of play to golfers. This is purportedly the first time a golf tournament used such a starting procedure, today termed as a “Shotgun Start.”

[Steptoeville?? No wonder they restored the original name…]

Heavenly Life

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

Less intelligent/conscious species have not learned to make weapons. Maybe we could train them…

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy Child,

We can’t miss the signs of preparation for the Christmas holiday.
Sales, decorations, advertising, songs of the season, lights, trees.

What do we notice as preparation for your advent?
What gifts should we prepare for your arrival?

Help us reclaim Christmas from its hijacking by commercial interests.
Bring us once more in devotion to your manger.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“You like the one about the reindeer, kids? With the red nose? But Sarah thinks my imagination goes beyond ridiculous.”

[Jesus! No.]

D. Blog: Heaven on Earth

I don’t know about a heaven beyond. I believe there is something more than wishful thinking involved in the idea. Sadly, however, religion has emphasized it so much that we tend to overlook the heavenly invasion into this world, the eternal that includes the present, the mingling of after-life with this life.

Too often religion has overturned the divine affirmation in the Genesis creation story: “It is good,” such that religion has emphasized fall, sin, suffering, law, punishment, discipline, self-sacrifice – at times to the point of actually saying: “This world is evil.”

Count me among those who reject such a “religious” perspective. I agree whole-heartedly with that Genesis writer. I agree with the movie title: “It’s A Wonderful Life.” I agree with one of my personal inspirations whose motto was: “Life is good. Yeah!”

Heaven coming to Earth, in other words, is not just something I anticipate at some point in the future. It is a blessing I experience every day. Despite the pain and difficulty, life brings amazing pleasure, joy, love, beauty and fulfillment. I call it heavenly.

Celebrating Christmas

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

“The man said I should watch out for the enemy. I been watchin’ for almost 60 years, but I’ve never seen an enemy.”

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

It’s hard to hear you when we surround ourselves with noise. You speak quietly, in a whisper, to persuade and encourage, not to shout orders or directions.

True, we can hear you in spite of the din of our battles and our competitive struggles to build memorials to ourselves. But when we step into your Garden of Earth, we sense the futility of all that. We come home to your waiting arms and hear your voice whisper – in the trees, birds, streams, ocean, insects or desert stillness: “I love you.”
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“Mary, how can I give you five gold rings? Three turtle doves I could afford, but not five gold rings!”

[No, He didn’t say it. But my hunch is we astonish Him with what we’ve attached to celebrating His birth.]

D. Blog: Jesus? Homeless?

When did we see Jesus homeless?

Bobby Sax, long-time street musician in our town, plus the friend he was living with, lost everything when their house-trailer burned about a week ago. “Everything” included Bobby’s four saxophones that helped him earn a simple living.

In response to the news story about Bobby’s loss, contributions of money, assistance, and at least one saxophone have flowed to ease the men’s pain and shock, and restore their hope. I expect to hear Bobby’s jazzy saxophone next time I go downtown.

Sometimes, sometimes, we do see Jesus in the homeless and make the compassionate response.

When Were We Prodigal?

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

Do I hear a waltz? No, I think it’s the angels’ Peace on Earth anthem.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy Child,

Can we ever prepare for your arrival?
Perhaps you always come when the house is untidy, the bank account unbalanced, the schedule out of control.
We don’t make the path straight for you. Your spirit messenger does that.
When you come, we simply stand in awe – like shepherds hearing a divine choir: “Behold, to you this day is born a savior.”
Amazed by your presence, we move forward, a new bounce in our step, a new hope in our heart.
Surprise us once more, we pray.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“See guys, there’s this place called the North Pole, where a guy in a red suit has elves making toys all year. Then he hands them out to children on my birthday. What? I don’t know why he doesn’t give them to me, Peter. You don’t believe it? Oh, ye of little faith.”

[Of course He never said this. But I have to wonder what He might think of the ways we celebrate His birth.]

D. Blog: Woman Overlooked

A woman had given birth to two sons, but in those days she did not count.
When her younger son left ill-prepared for a foreign land, she had no say.
When that son came home humiliated, her feelings were not recorded.
When her husband wanted a party in that son’s honor, her role did not merit mention.
When her elder son took offense at the attention lavished on his brother, the fact that she massaged his ego went without notice.

Perhaps she’s like a certain woman in the “Church of the Brethren.”
Perhaps when Jesus speaks of the father who had two sons, she assumes she’s included.

Letters at Christmas Time

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

Dear Eirene,
Having a less than wonderful time. Wish you were here…

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

When it’s cold outside, we naturally come to where it’s warm – into your arms.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“Dear Virginia,
No, there is no Santa Claus – just me.”

[No, He didn’t say it. Sometimes I might – but see below.]

D. Blog: Yes, Virginia

Dear Virginia,

You ask about Baby Jesus – was he real or is it all just a story?

As real as Santa Claus – that’s the short answer. He’s the reason, in fact, for remembering Saint Nicholas (Santa Claus). Like St. Nicholas, Jesus has a lot of speculation and legend attached to him. But Baby Jesus and Santa Claus were real human beings before they became the stuff of legends.

Nothing about the stories of Jesus’ birth can be verified as factual. Yet those stories are true. They say:

- a great light of hope accompanied Jesus when he came into the world (thus, the star);
- his birth signified good news for common humanity (thus, the shepherds and what the angel told them);
- his life would free/save millions of people from guilt and sin and oppression (thus, the song of Mary and the message of the angels);
- at his birth, something of divinity became visible in this world (thus, wise men following the heavenly star, an infant king - but more - for David’s throne, and a choir of angels);
- his reign does not depend on wealth or powerful armies or social position (thus, a lowly birth in a stable, to an unwed mother, with shepherds to observe);
- wise ones acknowledge his reign, for he embodied peace between God and humanity (thus, the wise men and the proclamation of the angel);
- at his birth, rulers on earth felt threatened because he challenges all oppressive systems (thus, Mary’s song and Herod’s reaction to Jesus’ birth).

So, Virginia, the Baby Jesus is real and the stories about him are true. His arrival in this world represents God’s gift of love to all humanity and we should celebrate his birth for all we’re worth. I think Santa Claus would agree.

Merry Christmas!

What Do We Prize?

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

I’ll stop praying for it when peace is no longer the fondest hope for children, the less powerful in this world, and the spiritual leaders of the world’ religions.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

Human beings are so amazing.
So destructive, and so creative.
So thoughtful, and so insensitive.
So stupid, and so clever.
So loving, and so hate-filled.
So understanding, and so intolerant.
So paranoid, and so brave.
So generous, and so selfish.
So ugly, and so beautiful.
So inspired, and so base.
It becomes very confusing.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“Mary, trust me, you don’t need the mistletoe.”

[Oh, why not? Right - no English.]

D. Blog: A Parable Retold

"Pearl of great price..."

The kingdom of God has an effect like the case of a bargain
hunter who goes to a yard sale where she finds a priceless
antique. Because it is a cash-only sale, she puts down a quick
deposit, rushes to her bank to empty her accounts, arranges to
sell all the family property and cash in the life insurance
policies. Hurriedly she goes back and lays everything in front
of the seller.

Even he might think she should reconsider.



[You may have noticed the need to decide about this parable's message. The urgency in Jesus' parables usually involves the need to decide about submitting to the dominion of God. This parable also poses a question about the church that is in "possession" of the pearl.]

Like Kids in a Candy Store?

A. Unabashed Pacifist:
When you see me wave from the peace train, hop aboard.

B. Unabashed Christian:
Holy One,

If I had planned my life according to a script, I would have missed wonderful opportunities, gorgeous scenery, uplifting experiences, a perfect mate, fine children, and so much more.

While I do not believe you scripted my life, I do believe you guided me in ways that have enriched my life and kept me from limiting patterns like those of people who live according to some prescribed or predetermined plan.

I am eternally grateful.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:
“Cut down forests of fir trees every year for my birthday, March 17.”

[What??!! You must be kidding! No way He said this.]

D. Blog: Here's Your Sign

[The not-just-proverbial kid in a candy store at Christmas.]

Merry Hullabaloo to You, Too!

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

Why wait? Declare peace now!

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

We live within your grace and blessing.
It overwhelms me.
It makes me wonder that so many people do not or cannot see this, that so many people wear blinders to this reality, or have been blinded and can’t see it.
I see it, know it with absolute certainty.
We live within your grace and blessing.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“When you celebrate my birthday, be sure to include reindeer, a snowperson, and a fat old man in a red outfit.”

[Suppose He knew... But no way He said this.]

D. Blog: Weird Word of the Day - hullabaloo

[From Allwords.com]:

hullabaloo - noun
hullabaloos
1. colloq - An uproar or clamour.

Thesaurus: furore, uproar, tumult, brouhaha, clamour, din, racket, commotion, panic, ruckus (US), to-do.
Etymology: 18c: a rhyming compound derived from Scottish baloo lullaby.

[From MSN Encarta]:

hubbub: noisy excitement or fuss ( informal )
[Mid-18th century. Alteration of hollo-ballo, holla, early variant of hello]

[From the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary]:

Main Entry: hul·la·ba·loo
Pronunciation: \ˈhə-lə-bə-ˌlü\
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural hul·la·ba·loos
Etymology: perhaps from hallo + Scots balloo, interjection used to hush children
Date: 1762

[Don't you love this stuff? How to figure the etymology and determine a precise date. About like the date of Jesus' birth... And the hullabaloo we make of it...]

Do You See What I See?

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

If big business could see the profit in it, we might have peace.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

Even if we want to escape your love, we cannot.
Only abuse or injustice or tragedy can remove the sense of your loving presence.
Even evildoers do not remove themselves from you.
You know their hearts and their self-loathing.
Like the prodigal’s mother, your tears flow even after he returns.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus.”

[Hard to imagine. How we’ve strayed from mother Mary kissing baby Jesus…]

D. Blog: What I See

I see dead people. They move. They breathe. They speak. They laugh and cry. They dwell upon trivia. They have no hope in this life. The Holy One loves them.

I see mean people. They criticize others. They manipulate others. They damage others. They stifle hope because they are hopeless. The Holy One loves them.

I see stupid people. They might have poor education. Their sense is uncommonly poor. They make impulsive decisions that lead to disaster. They trust politicians in TV ads. The Holy One loves them.

Of course I also see lively, creative, compassionate, highly intelligent people. The Holy One loves them no more and no less than the others I see.

I see myself mostly in the last group of people, but I probably fit in all those categories at some times. I see that the Holy One loves me, too.

The Real Reason for the Season?

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

I’m dancing challenged, but when peace comes, I will dance.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

When I look at “organized” religions, I tend to become very pessimistic.
I know you live partly in them, too, but really, they often provide an extremely distorted picture of you, a blasphemous image, I would say.
They seem to think they control you, that you are at their service and that they should control those who would know and serve you. Fortunately, they cannot control you or confine you within their sanctuaries.
People can hear you speaking over the declamations of preachers, through the hardened walls of conventional beliefs and practices. People can and do interact with you quite apart from religion.
Your Spirit blows where it wills, even bringing reformation on occasion.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“Yes, I know the stories told about my birth, but verily I say to you, I came from the planet Krypton.”

[Perhaps as likely a story as the one we have? But He never said anything like it!]

D. Blog: Reason for the Season?

It must be the holiday season. I’m getting grumpy about the disconnect between “Christmas” and Jesus. Reason for the season? I don’t think so.

I think we have several other reasons for the season. Primarily devoted, I suppose, to giving. Or perhaps to helping merchants make a profit. Or giving in to materialistic desires and temptations. Or, for many, the ideal of family. Or perhaps to a nostalgic image of the past.

Whatever. We see very little during the season that reminds us of the one who said “Seek first the dominion of God’s justice and peace.” If He’s present in the season at all in our culture, he only appears as an amazing holy infant who sleeps silently through the night. That concession hardly counts as “putting Christ in Christmas.” It compares to celebrating Abraham Lincoln because he was born in a log cabin in the hills of Kentucky where the stars shone bright.

I wonder whether we should stop calling it Christmas, give the holiday a name that actually reflects what we appear to be celebrating. We could call it, perhaps, the Winter Festival of Giving, the Season of Winter Warm Fuzzies, Commercial-mas, Santa-mas, the Annual Buying/Spending Binge, or the Celebration of Materialism.

As every mall in America demonstrates, the season has much more to do with that imaginary Santa Claus than it does with the real Jesus. The Grinch had nothing to do with stealing "Christ"-mas. It had already disappeared and it won’t likely return. Harumph!

To Whom Do We Cling?

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

Violence will not make our demons disappear.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

Your children, the peacemakers, get killed.
Your grandchildren, the peace lovers, get silenced.
Your realm of peace and justice gets hijacked.

Why? Because we lack faith in you. Because we allow our fears and our demons to control us. Because we forget and deny that we are your children.

Forgive us. Lead us not into temptation. Deliver us from the evil of returning evil for evil, for only you can break that cycle.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth, Mom.”

[Some birthday, huh? He didn’t say it.]

D. Blog: A Haiku

That lonely reddish leaf
Clings tightly to its branch –
Nurturer and home.

Following a Cloud

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

Help! We’ve fallen and we can’t get out of this war-trap!

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

Have I told you lately that I love you?
Have I told you “thank you” today?
Have I expressed my joy to you today for the amazing experience of life?
Have I prayed to you today for the people and causes I’d like to help?
Have I told you today that I love you?
It’s true. I do.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“Mom always had to be special. Being married to a carpenter just wasn’t good enough for her.”

[Hmm… Nope, He didn’t say that.]

D. Blog: Following a Cloud

According to scripture, the Hebrews, after escaping slavery in Egypt, were led by a cloud in their wandering in the wilderness. I guess that could explain why it took 40 years for them to reach their land of promise. As I observe clouds, I think they would make unpredictable and erratic guides.

On the other hand, I can see how people might find them so attractive and varying as to want to devote 40 years to watching them. Or, perhaps clouds are so rare in that part of the world that the novelty made them follow…

Clouds as rarity raises other possibilities for interpretation/consideration. What of a need for rain then? Follow the cloud in hopes of water, a place where rain occurs? And, does cloud then become a symbol of hope rather than of trouble? By all means, let there be clouds in our lives to bring that which nourishes and guides us, that which removes the drought of spirit in our land…

What Music Do You Hear?

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

Do you hear what I hear? The angelic songs of peace!

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

Looking at my past, I conclude: Life is good. Yeah!
Looking at today, I affirm: Life is good. Yeah!
Looking to the future, I declare: life is good. Yeah!

But none of that is news to you.
At the moment of creation, you shouted: Life is good. Yeah!

Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“If you could read my mind, what a tale my thoughts would tell.”

[He didn’t say it, but we keep trying to read His mind.]

D. Blog: A Parable – sort of

"Sing unto the Lord..."

For some people, the dominion of God is like Musak with a stuck sound track. It's normally just there in the background, but when something goes wrong, they begin to notice it.

For others, the God’s dominion is more like country and western songs, sentimental and twangy.

Still others associate it with classical music, aesthetically pleasing, but with little beat and often unemotional.

And some would identify it more with rock and roll, involving the senses, but with little attention paid to the words.

For myself? I like hootenannies and hymn-sings.



[Not all the sayings of Jesus we refer to as parables tell stories. They may be similes such as this, comparing something familiar with God's realm, which is normally less visible. The
"parable" of the mustard seed is a good example of such a saying.]

Whose Way?

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

You can never have too much peace.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

Somebody.
Somebody mowed the grass in the park. A little thing, largely unnoticed, yet helpful for our enjoyment of the park.
Somebody.
Somebody prepared last night’s shrimp at the Asian restaurant…
Multiple recipes, actually, all very tasty, all created by a chef – some where and some when.
Somebody.
Somebody designed and built the house we love and that friends admire.
Somebody.
There are countless such somebodies, wonderful somebodies.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“I did it my way.”

[Frank sang it, but Jesus lived it first – just never said it.]

D. Blog: Here’s Your Sign

[No wonder we think the service we get is terrible when we go shopping these days.]

What's up Your Sleeve?

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

Call me an idealistic teenager, but I think war sucks.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

I cannot abide lying and cynicism and denying accountability among political leaders.
Can you?
I tire of those who “serve” the people and leave public “service” with pockets full of money.
Don’t you?
I see little hope in the political system we’ve devised and the complacency of this “democracy.”
Do you?
Your dominion come on Earth as in heaven.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“Only seven more shopping days until Passover.”

[The season has arrived, but not for Him.]

D. Blog: Weird word – “finagle”

"Finagle" is apparently an alteration of an originally English dialectal verb "fainaigue" meaning either "renege [at cards, etc.]" or "shirk [work, etc.]". The origin of "fainaigue" is given as unknown by the big dictionaries. My own speculation is that it might have been originally "feign-ague" = "feign-illness" = "malinger". It is conceivable that the "feign" might have been "fain" = "willing" here, and/or that the "ague" might have been "ache", to the same effect (shirking one's obligations).

[From a post by DGW]

finagle

1926, Amer.Eng., possibly a variant of Eng. dial. fuinaigue "to cheat or renege" (at cards), of unknown origin.

[Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper]

Murphy's law is an adage in Western culture that broadly states that things will go wrong in any given situation, if you give them a chance. "If there's more than one possible outcome of a job or task, and one of those outcomes will result in disaster or an undesirable consequence, then somebody will do it that way." It is most often cited as "Whatever can go wrong, will go wrong" (or, alternately, "Whatever can go wrong will go wrong, and at the worst possible time, in the worst possible way" or, "Anything that can go wrong, will," or even, "If anything can go wrong, it will, and usually at the most inopportune moment"). The saying is sometimes referred to as Sod's law or Finagle’s law, which can also be rendered as "Anything that can go wrong, will—at the worst possible moment".
A lesser-known addendum to Murphy's Law is Flanagan's Precept, which categorically states that both Murphy and Finagle were incurable optimists.

[from the Wikipedia entry on Murphy’s law]

Is God's Grace Sufficient?

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

Call me naïve, but I think war is unrealistic.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

We don’t want it to end, this life of toil and trouble, pain and loss.
The contradiction would be ludicrous if that were the whole picture.
But life is far more than suffering.
What we want to continue are love, beauty, laughter, music, inspiration and joy.
And they do – in you.
We give thanks for the wonderful gift of being alive.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“Where’s Waldo?”

[Maybe it was the name of a lost sheep? Not!]

D. Blog: God’s Grace Suffices?

I have heard the affirmation about God’s grace all my life.

On the one hand, I cannot argue with its truth. God’s grace carries us through our failings, our sins and our struggles.

On another hand, I think the affirmation makes a whimpering understatement. God’s grace does much more than suffice. It bathes us in the extravagance of divine love. God’s grace floods and fills every cell of our beings, every nanosecond of our lives, every neuron of our brains, every molecule we breathe, every charge of emotion, every whisper in our spirit, every hint of the soul we are.

“Suffice” does not suffice to describe the infinite grace of Divinity.

God's Protection? (part 2)

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

I’m sentimental. I love peace.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

Seasons come and seasons go. You remain.
Change is the only constant – other than you.
Life and death feed each other. You fast, steadily.
Our lives last but an instant. You are beyond time.
We make vain efforts to outlive death. You will see to that.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“I hate it that I get no reception here in Gethsemane.”

[I guess the prayer-as-phone-line-to-God metaphor never worked for Him…]

D. Blog: Protecting the Holy One (part 2)

I, too, would like to protect God from false notions of what God is like, from what appear to be blasphemous ideas: that God condemns to hell, that God hate gays, that God would destroy the human population with flood or fire, that God would directly “cause” tragedy or disaster, that God favors one gender over another, one nation over another, one culture over another, one religion over another.

Jesus is reported to have said many things that make sense. That the most important things in life are to love God and love our neighbors – this seems primary. I notice there’s nothing about protecting God, just loving God.

What's Next to Godliness?

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

Would it be a good war if no civilians died?

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

I have long heard the saying that cleanliness is next to godliness.
I suppose you don’t mind cleanliness, but it seems to me that it does not rank very high on your list of priorities – nowhere near justice, peace, love, mercy, truthfulness and wisdom, for instance.

I think of the leaves in our yard or the pine needles on our roof. If you were such a neat freak, would you have done trees that way? I don’t think so.

You seem to consider what we call dirt and disorder part of the natural process. We humans are the ones who can’t handle them. Yet we put up with war and starvation, homelessness and desperate poverty in a world of plenty. I hear you saying we should clean up those disgraceful messes and stop fussing about our nails and our lawns.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“Where’s my remote?”

[He didn’t say it. Maybe didn’t need one…]

D. Blog: A Haiku

We grew apart.
I left.
I’m entering another relationship.

[On leaving one church for a new one.]

What's in a COB Name?

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

War is just a fad. Peace is always in style.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

Sometimes I wonder how the human world would be different if you had made us a little more like angels.
Suppose we did not see our differences as reason enough to dislike, put down, abuse, ridicule, hate, oppress, enslave or slaughter one another.
Suppose we accepted our common humanity, our common origins, our common fate on Earth.
Suppose you had made us like that…

You did?
That’s what it means when we pray for your dominion to come on Earth as it is in heaven?
You made it possible for us to realize something like heaven on Earth?
What a concept!
What a project!
You think we can do that??!

Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“This little piggy went to market…”

[I can think of a couple of reasons He never said that – probably.]

D. Blog: What’s in a Name?

The religious tradition that nurtured me has, for this age, a strange name: Church of the Brethren. Archaic, unfamiliar word that’s often misspelled even by members of the church. The name sounds as if it excludes females and it commonly brings the question, “Is that a Catholic order of some kind?”

There have been attempts to bring about a name change, but to date without success. Some of the suggestions for a new name that retains the COB abbreviation are fun or interesting to consider…

Church of the: Beleaguered, Broken, Bad Name, Boring, Bedeviled, Bankrupt, Blocked, Bifurcated, Bloodied, Bereft, Bewildered, Bipolar, or Beloved.

I think the last has sounds best.

Banquet Time

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

There is one problem with peace – doctors and funeral directors don’t have as much to do.

[An actual news item this past week reported that cemetery workers in Baghdad are not earning as much as they did a few months ago...]

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

You never disappoint me.
I sometimes have unrealistic expectations of you…

You never disappoint me.
I have but to look out a window to see trees, mountains, river and flower.
I have but to taste a fresh raspberry or dark chocolate.

You never disappoint me.
I have but to hear Bach, Beethoven, Josh Groban or Denise Graves.
I have but to share laughter with friends or take Alice in my arms.

You never disappoint me.
I have but to smell the honeysuckle or touch Boo’s fur.
I have but to sense your silent presence.

I sometimes have unrealistic expectations, but you never disappoint me.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“In the grand scheme of things, what does a simple piece of fruit matter?”

[Good point. But He never said it – probably.]

D. Blog: A Parable

"The banquet..."

The dominion of God is like a large family which gathers for a reunion once a year to mark Grandma's birthday. The celebrating begins as soon as two relatives are re-united. As they mingle and re-connect, some talk about fond memories, some gossip about present happenings in the life of the extended family, some discuss the food they will eat later in the day.

The meal never begins until all family members are present or accounted for.

How to Judge Christianity??

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

The ruby shoes will take me home to Peace. [Not in Kansas anymore.]

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

We try to pin you down.
We try to fence you in.
We try to name you, label you, use you for our purposes.
We try to understand you, explain you, define you, predict your character and behavior.
We try to analyze you, avoid you, persuade you, blame you.
We try to outwit you, pacify you, do what we think will please you.
We even try to take your place.
You will have none of it. You do not serve as our divine object or creation.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“You’re doing a heckuva job as high priest, Caiaphas.”

[Would disaster coordinator have suited him better? I’m certain Jesus didn’t say this.]

D. Blog: Here’s Your Sign

What a Hoot!

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

The physician has prescribed a cure for our war disease: (1) forgiveness – three times daily; (2) overcoming evil with good – as often as possible; (3) loving enemies – as often as necessary.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

This joy – who can express it?
This beauty – what can surpass it?
This sweetness – when could it possibly end?
This holiness – where would we find its limits?
This glory – how can we overlook it?
This love – who can fathom it?
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“Never again!”

[I think it might have been the eighth word from the cross, but there’s no record that He said it.]

D. Blog: What’s Up With That Word?

Hootenanny

[Excerpted from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia]

Hootenanny was used in the early twentieth century America to refer to things whose names were forgotten or unknown. In this usage it was synonymous with thingamajig or whatchamacallit, as in "hand me that hootenanny." Hootenanny was also an old country word for "party". Now, most commonly, it refers to a folk-music party.

According to Pete Seeger, in various interviews, he first heard the word hootenanny in Seattle, Washington in the late 1930s. It was used by Hugh Delancey’s New Deal political club to describe their monthly music fund raisers. After some debate the club voted in the word hootenanny, which narrowly beat out the word wingding. Seeger, Woody Guthrie and other members of the Almanac Singers later used the word in New York City to describe their weekly rent parties, which featured many notable folksingers of the time. Joan Baez made the analogy that a hootenanny is to folk singing what a jam session is to jazz.

… [One of several more recent application of the word is the one below]

Started in April of 2000, The Hootenanny is the name of a growing annual ski and snowboard event that typically takes place on the first weekend of March in the Interior of British Columbia, Canada. Often referred to as "The Hoot", it is comprised of 4 days of snow sports and socializing and draws people from all around Canada, the US, and overseas. Its essence is captured in its motto: "The Hootenanny...where friends are found, reputations made, and lives forever altered".

Just One Day?

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

The organizational chart for peace looks like this: a circle of all kinds of people, with divinity in the center.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

You never stop loving us, despite our despicable behavior.
You never stop providing opportunities for us, despite our bad decisions.
You never stop putting beauty in front of our eyes, despite our preference for trivia and fads.
You never stop offering forgiveness to us, despite our inclination toward vengeance and guilt and shame.
You never stop wanting the best for us, despite our stupid, short-sighted and self-destructive actions.
You never stop loving us, despite our rare expressions of thanks.
Thank you!
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“For the Festival of Booths, we should eat turkey. Oh, right, we don’t have them around here. Ham’s out, too, for sure. I suppose it’ll have to be lamb as usual.”

[Nice try, but He did not designate turkey as the Thanksgiving meat.]

D. Blog: Happy Thanksgiving!

One day a year? Way too little for giving thanks! The Deuteronomic “law” for that Festival of Booths required a full week for the harvest celebration. I’ll be thankful tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday, too. Probably go on for the foreseeable future.

Nothing can diminish the wonder and joy of living on Earth. I sometimes doubt whether heaven can compare to this glory we call life. I’m willing to find out, but meanwhile, I think constant gratitude is the appropriate response to the opportunity to breathe in this life.

Whose Needs Matter in Worship?

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

Raise your hand if you want war for Christmas.
[I didn’t think so. Why do we buy it?]

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

Our little rituals and celebrations might amuse you. Or not. Perhaps they please you, perhaps they sadden or anger you.

I think of the recent Halloween and All Saints Day, marking what we fear and people who inspire us. But you are the answer to our fears and the source of all inspiration. You supply the breath of air/spirit that gives life, the courage for living, the hope that goes with them.

I will celebrate you all my days.

Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“Yeah, I’ve been working out. How do you like my abs?”

[Worked out at Lord’s Gym, no doubt… Not!]

D. Blog: Meeting My Needs in Worship

I sometimes hear people say things like “congregational worship no longer meets my needs.” Part of me wants to respond with “since when is worship supposed to meet YOUR needs?”

Worship should focus our attention on the Holy One, right? It should encourage us to love God and to love our neighbors, both in and beyond our community of faith, right?

I suppose that if the worship experience does not do those things for us, or proves a distraction from those things, then a problem exists. Not because it does not meet our needs, however, but because it has become something other than worship for us.

Once again, worship is not about me. It should, however, reflect and support my understanding and experience of the Holy One. If it does not, I might say it doesn’t meet my needs, but what I mean is that it does not qualify as worship for me.

Awe-full Day

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

Stubborn and smug in their brand of patriotism, they go to war rather than seek peace or embrace change.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

Surely, this slice of heaven I know on Earth cannot be taken from me.
This love, this joy, this beauty, this wonder, this peace – surely they stay with me.
Surely, too, your heaven’s wholeness requires my slice.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“I, Jesus of Nazareth, do solemnly swear that I will uphold the integrity of the Grand Lodge of the Sons of David.”

[Hmm… No, He never said it.]

D. Blog: A Poem

Birthday Present

What to do for a birthday present?
I would like to toy with the words:
be present on the day of birth,
present the birthed one to the day,
make the day of birth a present,
move the birth into the present day.
They all contain a playful gift, I think.

But our feelings betray us on the occasion.
Too full, too many, too stirred.
Laughter helps defuse the reminders of expanding past
and shrinking future. Awful day…
Maybe some thing or celebration
wraps that anxiety, hides it in smiling bow.
Or not. Best hope a notion to seize the day.

Tears of joy we also quell, and do so, sadly.
For this one, unique in all of time and space,
shares the spark of life with me. We are
together blessed by this.
Fully present, can we be, to an awe-full day?

Do You Hear Them Calling?

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

You can recognize peace by the absence of hungry children.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

It’s all so wonderful, I struggle for words. Just look at that pine tree in the yard – an absolutely amazing entity! I could study it for the rest of my life and never comprehend its mystery and beauty. I won’t, though. I’ll just enjoy looking at it and feeling overwhelmed by the thought that millions, perhaps billions, of these “common” trees populate our mountainous region of the world. Awesome!
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“Did you hear, Dad? A Samaritan family moved in down the street. There goes the neighborhood.”

[I’m certain He never said this.]

D. Blog: John the Naturalist

“The mountains are calling and I must go.” – John Muir

If you’ve checked my blog posts once in a while, you will know that I identify with this quote. It is both a literal truth and a metaphorical truth. I connect with the physical mountains and want to rest in their heights. And, I connect with the spiritual heights they represent so often in art, poetry and psalm. I respond to their call…

Fear Not?

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

Did Jesus say anything more often than “Fear not?” Peace now.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

In you, I have security that is real.
In you, nothing can threaten.
In you, I fear no evil.
In you, there is nothing to fear.
In you, my soul knows peace.
In you, even death is no enemy.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“Help me run my lines, Jesse. You know we’re performing Godspell on the Sabbath.”

[Maybe that’s how He got his start? Not!]

D. Blog: A Parable

“But in This I Do Not Commend You”

An old lighthouse had saved many ships and lives from destruction along a stormy coast. Its volunteer crew took pride in what it did. Over the years, however, the crew aged. Younger people decided they would be more comfortable living inland, away from all the storms. The lighthouse continued sending out its strong light, however.

Around the lighthouse grew a town full of appreciative artists, small businesses, and tourists. Eventually, the town’s bright lights made people wonder whether the lighthouse still served a purpose. Most of the crew even moved inland to escape both the storms and the growing population. Upkeep of the lighthouse became difficult. Townspeople still liked to take children to see it, though, and to have them learn the grand tradition of the lighthouse.

In a time of tight budgets and environmental concern, a new town council decided to tax the lighthouse property, and passed an ordinance to reduce night lighting. Somebody asked about the safety of those at sea. “Oh, it’s the lighthouse’s job to take care of that,” said the council chairman. Of course, he had only gone inside it as a child, but he admired it.

One Way?

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

Jesus said that there are many rooms in the divine mansion. War doesn’t fit in any of them.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

Your tent has room for all. You do not exclude, but receive us with joy.
Your caravan can take billions of people. You put everyone in their reserved seat.
Your mansion has many rooms. You save a special space for each of us.
You do not discriminate between races, sexes, religions or nationalities.
You say, “Come on inside. Welcome home.”
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“Let’s see, I can be there between 2 and 6 on Saturday to work on your bathroom vanity.”

[Definitely not, especially not on a Saturday, or whatever He called that day of the week.]

D. Blog: Here's Your Sign

How Fit are Fiddles?

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

Until the real thing comes along, it seems that prozac passes for peace.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

I don’t mean to complain, but couldn’t you make it a little easier on poor people, working or not?
Couldn’t you make it a little easier on the mentally ill and the homeless?
A little easier on those afflicted with restricting religion?
On those who think bigger barns are the way to go?

Whose responsibility? Oh…
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“Would you like fries with that?”

[He was a teenager, but never said this.]

D. Blog: Weird Phrase

FIT AS A FIDDLE -- "In fine shape; feeling good.”

Fiddles are admired for their sound and sometimes for their trim and symmetrical shape. Indeed, to say 'his face is made of a fiddle' was once a way of describing someone as charming.

Still, fiddles are not known for fitness, and one suspects the allure of alliteration in the origin and perpetuation of the saying, which is quite old. It appeared in 1616 in William Haughton's 'Englishmen for My Money': 'This is excellent, i' faith; as fit as a fiddle.' At that time 'fit' meant appropriate, proper or fitting; its meaning 'in good shape' evolved in the 19th century and transformed the meaning of 'fit as a fiddle.'" From "The Dictionary of Cliches" by James Rogers (Ballantine Books, New York, 1985).

Seeing the Beauty of Earth

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

In a sense, war is a game of life and death for the young, “Russian” roulette perhaps.
For their elders, the politicians, it is like a chess match.
I refuse to compete.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

It can get dark, but you do not leave us alone.
It can get messy, but you do not leave us alone.
It can get scary, but you do not leave us alone.
It can get painful, but you do not leave us alone.
It can get lonely, but you do not leave us alone.
It can get hellish, but you do not leave us alone.
It can get overwhelming, but you do not leave us alone.
It can get confusing, but you do not leave us alone.
We dwell with you.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“Mom, none of the other kids will play Scrabble with me.”

[Tough to compete with perfection. He never said it though.]

D. Blog: Consider Earth

Earth is beautiful. And not just from space. From my windows. From the mountains, the valleys, the rivers and the plains. From sandy beach and sandy desert. From forest and meadow and plains. From creek and waterfall, lake and ocean. From highway and byway, path and trail and railway. From airplane, car, wagon, sled, skis or skates. From snow-capped heights and roof-top observatory.

Anyway you look at her, Earth is beautiful!

God's Protection?

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

The truly new world order will not include domination.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

You light up my life.
You fill up my senses.
You show me the way.
You make me want to shout.
You give me hope to carry on.
You invite me to THE party.
You provide all I need.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“It would really surprise Mom if I turn this water into Dr. Pepper.”

[The guests at that Cana wedding would have appreciated it. Not!]

D. Blog: Offering God Protection

Why do so many people think they can or need to protect God?
Don’t they have it backwards?
Don’t the presumption and arrogance strike them?

Imagine Moses: “I climbed this mountain, Holy One, to offer you the protection of this raggedy band of former slaves. In exchange, all we want is a land of milk and honey. Deal or no deal?”

The Sanhedrin to Jesus before they send Him to Pilate: “We’re seeking your death penalty because we need to protect the Holy One from threats like you.”

Amazing, the gall of it all.

From Silence, Words

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

We want to live in peace, but “they” are monsters. That’s the excuse for war. But a true Christian, I think, lives in peace because “they” are neighbors.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

My life flows on, amid the constant wonders: natural beauty, growth, opportunity, creativity, knowledge and love. They fill me with joy and gratitude.
How can I keep from singing?

My life flows on, amid the persistent horrors: violence, greed, cruelty, contamination, weapons of mass destruction. They discourage and frighten me.
How can I keep from praying?

My life flows on, amid the amazing developments: in science, technology, art, cooperation, learning and discovery. They make me want to hang around.
How can I keep from hoping?
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“Next, I stick pins into the Herod doll – here and here. Sore neck and ulcer coming up.”

[No, this was not part of His approach.]

D. Blog: Words out of Silence

“One thing Quakers are best known for is the silence at the center of our worship. Quakers keep silence for at least two reasons-- out of a holy skepticism, and, a holy awe of the power of words.

Quakers, rooted in the silence between words, know most words are unnecessary! Worship is a time away from words, to seek what is beneath words, beyond words-- more real than words.

To speak out of the silence, then, is an awesome responsibility; to write out of that silence is, too.

Marianne Moore said of poetry, ‘Anything is allowable, so long as it improves on the blank page.’ When words are an improvement over the wonderful silence, you'd better say them. Otherwise, you'd better not.

Friends who have sat in silence together have seen one another, and themselves, scandalously without their words on. We don't need words to fill up the space between us, or to make sure that God is there. But, we find that into that space, and before our God, words come.

Many Quakers know the story of John Woolman's trip into the back country to visit some native Americans with whom he did not share a language. During his visit, they took time to pray together, and Woolman asked the translators not to bother translating. Though they could not speak to one another, there was a sense of divine love among all the people gathered,
according to Woolman, and he heard later from one translator the comment from one man there: ‘I love to feel where words come from.’

When we gather from our different places, let us ground ourselves first in the silence together. Before we begin to share our love of words, let us share God in a deeper place-- the place from where words come.”

Elizabeth Lyzenga

Celebrate Armistice or Veterans?

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

Lacking peace, he subconsciously longs for death. Having no peace, he thinks war is a reasonable activity.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

Your thoughts are not like ours.
Good. If they were, how could we exist?
Your wisdom is not like ours.
Good. If it were, what would we know?
Your mercy is not like ours.
Good. If it were, what would we know of grace?
Your justice is not like ours.
Good. If it were, what would we know of freedom?
Your righteousness is not like ours.
Good. If it were, would we ever know joy?
Your peace is not like ours.
Good. If it were, would we ever know forgiveness?
Your love is not like ours.
Good. If it were, would we ever find true union?
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“Was my sermon too long?”

[I think a few people probably got up and left.. But, no, He never said this.]

D. Blog: Armistice Day

World War I involved 35 countries. It lasted five years, from 1914 to 1918. The US only fought from 1917 to 1918, but one year was more than enough time to claim too many lives, and people held tight to the notion that this was the very last war. When the fighting stopped, leaders of several countries signed an Armistice on the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month in 1918.

This day was set aside to celebrate peace and to reflect and remember the sacrifices men and women made during World War I. The first official celebration was on November 11th, 1919. Veterans who survived the war marched in parades and were hometown heroes. World War I was called ‘the war to end all wars’ because everyone hoped there would never be another one.

Almost 20 years later, in 1938, Congress voted to make Armistice Day a federal holiday. Sadly, the very next year, in 1939, World War II began. This ended the talk of no more wars.

After World War II, Armistice Day was still celebrated on November 11th. Around 1953, people began calling it Veterans' Day. This was in thanks and remembrance to the veterans in their towns. No longer was it an observance to mark the achievement of peace, but of the sacrifices made by those who had gone to war. In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a bill proclaiming November 11th each year as Veterans' Day.

Personally, I wish we still had an Armistice Day. Memorial Day and July 4th are dominated by honoring veterans and those who died in wars. I think we would be well served by a day to honor the achievement of peace and the hope for an end to war.

[some adaptation from an article “The War to Begin all Wars” by Sarah Lane on www.classbrain.com]