So a mom in Canada had a hungry infant and she began to breast feed the child, in a secluded area of the store, under a blanket. An employee of the store told her to stop doing that in the store. Canada mom, reasonably to a point, was upset. Then a flash mob of breast-feeding mommies staged "milk-in" at the mall. Okay, I had to comment and I don't care if I am a man. Here is a situation where both sides are right. Yes, moms who choose or have to breast feed their children should not be stigmatized for doing son. Yes, store owners should be able to say, "hey, I don't want you doing that in my store." It's a mall for cripes sake. The mall could set up a private area for moms to do that. The mom could have simply waited till she could go to another area, maybe even a sitting area, to do the feeding. Children will not die if they are not fed within seconds of crying. Hard to believe, I know.
What irritates me is everyone's reaction. Some said - hey, do that in the bathroom. Really? Would you eat a sandwich, or better yet, feed your child table food in the bathroom? Moms said - we have rights!!! Really? What about other people who also operate in public. Don't they have the right to choose what they or their children are exposed to? Moms said - oh, well, breast feeding is natural and if you can't handle that, maybe you should grow thicker skin or not have children yourself. WHAT THE F***? Really? You are so self-centered as to say that only your viewpoint matters. I do lots of things that are natural everyday! I don't do all of them in public, even under a blanket because it is or can be offensive to some people. I live in a world where I acknowledge that I am not the center of the world and others may react to my actions. Hmm...maybe the best course of action was for everyone to think how they affect others? Guess I'll go get a glass of milk now.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Blogging Dead?
In these days of technological advancement, it seems that the good ole blog is dying. I have posted a blog in two years, but I think it is high time to put some stuff back out there. Yes, the blog returns, but God knows what to write about.
Saturday, January 03, 2009
Setting Your Past on Fire
SERMON FROM DECEMBER 28, 2008
Well, here we are again. Sermon time. Last time was a movie moment, so I think this time, I will go back to sharing something from my past. You see, when I was younger, I had a slight problem with fires. I was three years old and absorbed in another fine episode of Sesame Street. It was a great one and Cookie Monster was about to chow down on some cookies. I was drinking some milk and I felt that I should take Sesame Street lessons to heart. I was going to share my milk with Cookie Monster. Now, you young kids probably have never seen a really old tv, but in the 70s, tvs were often made from black molded plastic with air slots in the back to cool down the tube. Well, to a three year old, those slots look like a good place to share milk with Cookie Monster. With a good slosh of milk, the tv began to spark and smoke. I decided to let my mom know – “Mommy, fire on tv.” Mom thought I was reporting some news event, until the smoke detector went off.
Needless to say, I learned a bit that day. Sadly, my parents did not learn from that moment. I was four and again watching Sesame Street. This time, the Count was teaching us how to count pennies. Hey, I had pennies and I wanted the Count to know he had taught me well. Again, the tv had slots and I had pennies. So the Count and I counted pennies, that is until I shorted out the tv and it smoldered again. Again, mom was not happy and I learned another lesson.
When you graduate from high school, sometimes, you get together with friends and have a bonfire and burn up some old textbook from high school that tormented you. Did I mention I went to one of these bonfires. Well, fortunately for the neighbors, only the birdhouse in their tree caught fire. Another lesson learned.
But in all seriousness, my past is riddled with interesting stories that make up who I am perceived to be. Sadly, my past often prevents me from being who I am. Your past makes up who you are all perceived to be, but also prevents you all from being who you are. What does that mean? We will find out that answer at the end of our lesson today.
Each one of our scripture readings provides some interesting insight into this concept of setting your past on fire. Our reading from Luke should be put into context. Travel MINISTRY. Jesus has just rebuked the Pharisees – which I know is a shocking action for Jesus to do. However, it was the reason for the rebuke that is so important. The Pharisees were questioning Jesus as to why he was “working” on the Sabbath. He had cured a man’s shriveled hand. The Pharisees could not believe that he would do anything on the Sabbath. And Jesus’ pure response was simple – which is lawful on the Sabbath - “to do good or to do evil. To save life or to destroy it.” That’s a powerful rebuke of past traditions. And he teaches his apostles about blessings and woes. Then he talks about good fruit from a good tree – our first reading today. The good man brings forth good things from the goodness stored in his heart. The evil man brings forth evil from the evil stored in his heart. What you store in your heart is what you send out later. Letting go of past wrongs, ill feelings, bad thoughts, and so on will free your heart from being a storehouse of evil. Open your heart to the good things and good things will come forth.
Then we turn to Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians, where in our reading, he talks about reconciling yourself with God. It’s a short and sweet message – believe in Christ and you will be made new. The old things will pass away. Everything will become new. More importantly, our wicked pasts were demolished through the death and resurrection of Christ. All our past sins were washed away. Everything we had done to separate ourselves from God was wiped clean. Our past had been set on fire. But the message calls for more than that. Just as God had done with us, so should we do with others. All past wrongs are to be purged. All slates are to be wiped clean. We cannot be new if we hold on to the past.
But there is one more message we heard today, it is from Paul’s letter to the Philipians. He writes to them from prison and reminds them about the good they have been doing. This was a church that began on the banks of a river and they had grown in unity and fellowship. They were not without their failings, but Paul saw the good in these people. Paul exhorted them to press harder toward the goal. It was this line in our reading - Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Paul puts all the past behind him and focuses on the goal in front of him – to be a strong follower and disciple of Christ. Nothing from years ago is going to impede his progress. He did his wrongs and he knows them. There is no reason to dwell on them. The goal is clear and it is in the forward momentum that he reaches it.
So here we sit, trying to absorb these three passages into something that is relevant to our lives. And it is this time of year that it comes into play. Yes, I am going to mention the “R” word – resolution. It comes from the word “resolve,” which has many meanings. The definition of resolve that I choose to use – “to find an answer.” We use resolutions often as a mechanism to cope with past misgivings and malfeasances. My resolution is to quit smoking. My resolution is to stop swearing. My resolution is to give more to charity. Our resolutions are our way of looking at our past and assuaging our guilt by hoping to change things in the coming year.
WRONG ANSWER. That is not a resolution. A resolution isn’t about patching up the past. It’s about letting the past go because it impedes the goal. This year, my resolution is to find an answer. The question for which I am going to find an answer is – How can I be a better Christian? And to do that, I must move forward. I have to set my past on fire. I have to give up all of the petty things that I want, that I believe, that I cling to. And guess what? You do too.
Now, I am going to invite several guests up to the stage. They have actions, feelings, states of being on paper. We are going to set our pasts on fire. Don't worry, my firesetting days are long behind - I hope. FIRE STARTS
There it is – a clean slate. Good can come from our hearts because all that is evil has been burned away. Everything past has become new. We can forget that which is behind us and strive toward the goal. To be a better Christian. Those of you with white sheets of paper – stand up for our congregation. Go home today and set your past on fire. Amen.
Well, here we are again. Sermon time. Last time was a movie moment, so I think this time, I will go back to sharing something from my past. You see, when I was younger, I had a slight problem with fires. I was three years old and absorbed in another fine episode of Sesame Street. It was a great one and Cookie Monster was about to chow down on some cookies. I was drinking some milk and I felt that I should take Sesame Street lessons to heart. I was going to share my milk with Cookie Monster. Now, you young kids probably have never seen a really old tv, but in the 70s, tvs were often made from black molded plastic with air slots in the back to cool down the tube. Well, to a three year old, those slots look like a good place to share milk with Cookie Monster. With a good slosh of milk, the tv began to spark and smoke. I decided to let my mom know – “Mommy, fire on tv.” Mom thought I was reporting some news event, until the smoke detector went off.
Needless to say, I learned a bit that day. Sadly, my parents did not learn from that moment. I was four and again watching Sesame Street. This time, the Count was teaching us how to count pennies. Hey, I had pennies and I wanted the Count to know he had taught me well. Again, the tv had slots and I had pennies. So the Count and I counted pennies, that is until I shorted out the tv and it smoldered again. Again, mom was not happy and I learned another lesson.
When you graduate from high school, sometimes, you get together with friends and have a bonfire and burn up some old textbook from high school that tormented you. Did I mention I went to one of these bonfires. Well, fortunately for the neighbors, only the birdhouse in their tree caught fire. Another lesson learned.
But in all seriousness, my past is riddled with interesting stories that make up who I am perceived to be. Sadly, my past often prevents me from being who I am. Your past makes up who you are all perceived to be, but also prevents you all from being who you are. What does that mean? We will find out that answer at the end of our lesson today.
Each one of our scripture readings provides some interesting insight into this concept of setting your past on fire. Our reading from Luke should be put into context. Travel MINISTRY. Jesus has just rebuked the Pharisees – which I know is a shocking action for Jesus to do. However, it was the reason for the rebuke that is so important. The Pharisees were questioning Jesus as to why he was “working” on the Sabbath. He had cured a man’s shriveled hand. The Pharisees could not believe that he would do anything on the Sabbath. And Jesus’ pure response was simple – which is lawful on the Sabbath - “to do good or to do evil. To save life or to destroy it.” That’s a powerful rebuke of past traditions. And he teaches his apostles about blessings and woes. Then he talks about good fruit from a good tree – our first reading today. The good man brings forth good things from the goodness stored in his heart. The evil man brings forth evil from the evil stored in his heart. What you store in your heart is what you send out later. Letting go of past wrongs, ill feelings, bad thoughts, and so on will free your heart from being a storehouse of evil. Open your heart to the good things and good things will come forth.
Then we turn to Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians, where in our reading, he talks about reconciling yourself with God. It’s a short and sweet message – believe in Christ and you will be made new. The old things will pass away. Everything will become new. More importantly, our wicked pasts were demolished through the death and resurrection of Christ. All our past sins were washed away. Everything we had done to separate ourselves from God was wiped clean. Our past had been set on fire. But the message calls for more than that. Just as God had done with us, so should we do with others. All past wrongs are to be purged. All slates are to be wiped clean. We cannot be new if we hold on to the past.
But there is one more message we heard today, it is from Paul’s letter to the Philipians. He writes to them from prison and reminds them about the good they have been doing. This was a church that began on the banks of a river and they had grown in unity and fellowship. They were not without their failings, but Paul saw the good in these people. Paul exhorted them to press harder toward the goal. It was this line in our reading - Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Paul puts all the past behind him and focuses on the goal in front of him – to be a strong follower and disciple of Christ. Nothing from years ago is going to impede his progress. He did his wrongs and he knows them. There is no reason to dwell on them. The goal is clear and it is in the forward momentum that he reaches it.
So here we sit, trying to absorb these three passages into something that is relevant to our lives. And it is this time of year that it comes into play. Yes, I am going to mention the “R” word – resolution. It comes from the word “resolve,” which has many meanings. The definition of resolve that I choose to use – “to find an answer.” We use resolutions often as a mechanism to cope with past misgivings and malfeasances. My resolution is to quit smoking. My resolution is to stop swearing. My resolution is to give more to charity. Our resolutions are our way of looking at our past and assuaging our guilt by hoping to change things in the coming year.
WRONG ANSWER. That is not a resolution. A resolution isn’t about patching up the past. It’s about letting the past go because it impedes the goal. This year, my resolution is to find an answer. The question for which I am going to find an answer is – How can I be a better Christian? And to do that, I must move forward. I have to set my past on fire. I have to give up all of the petty things that I want, that I believe, that I cling to. And guess what? You do too.
Now, I am going to invite several guests up to the stage. They have actions, feelings, states of being on paper. We are going to set our pasts on fire. Don't worry, my firesetting days are long behind - I hope. FIRE STARTS
There it is – a clean slate. Good can come from our hearts because all that is evil has been burned away. Everything past has become new. We can forget that which is behind us and strive toward the goal. To be a better Christian. Those of you with white sheets of paper – stand up for our congregation. Go home today and set your past on fire. Amen.
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Mixed Feelings for America
Yes, Obama is our next POTUS. I am very happy about that. Sadly though, I watched silently as 3 states in our country joined many others in writing discrimination into their state constitutions (yes, California may appear too-close-to-call, but let's face reality). What do I mean? The issue is about gay marriage, but really it is quite bigger than that. Say what you will about gay marriage, that is not my point.
Here is what the issue truly boils down to. The STATE (meaning the government, not a particular entity) has created a legal concept known as marriage (or put your own state-created right in there). That legal concept includes some responsibilities, but also includes a great deal of rights and state-offered benefits. The State's apparent reason for this legal concept and the rights/benefits offered to those who partake of the legal concept is that marriage promotes stability, reduces crime, encourages population growth, and so on. Now, imagine that the State then comes in and says "You people are prohibited from marrying because of some immutable characteristic that you were born with and we don't like it."
Most of the amendments banning gay marriage are definitional amendments, and generally they read: "MARRIAGE IS DEFINED AS THE LEGAL UNION OF ONE MAN AND ONE WOMAN." Does this stop gays from marrying? No, so long as they marry someone of the opposite gender, not necessarily the one they love. Okay, so let's change the definition a bit.
"MARRIAGE IS DEFINED AS THE LEGAL UNION OF ONE MAN AND ONE WOMAN OF THE SAME RACE."
"MARRIAGE IS DEFINED AS THE LEGAL UNION OF ONE MAN AND ONE WOMAN OF THE SAME IQ."
"MARRIAGE IS DEFINED AS THE LEGAL UNION OF ONE MAN AND ONE WOMAN OF THE SAME ANCESTRAL NATIONAL ORIGIN."
"MARRIAGE IS DEFINED AS THE LEGAL UNION OF ONE MAN AND ONE WOMAN OF THE SAME FAITH."
Same race? That was tossed out by our U.S. Supreme Court on the grounds that it was discriminatory. What, you say? Yes, as recently as 45 years ago, certain states said that a marriage between a white person and a black person was constitutionally prohibited. They said that marriage between races was against the Bible. They said that marriage between races would destroy the institution of marriage. Hmmm, this sounds familiar, but we will get back to that later.
Same IQ? Well that prohibition would basically prohibit Republicans and Democrats from every getting married. But in all seriousness, intelligence is, at least in part, an innate characteristic. Why not prohibit opposite-intelligence marriages? It would protect people from having one person in control, which could lead to financial or physical abuse, which could result in divorce, which destroys the sanctity of marriage.
Same national origin? Again, why not? Let's not let someone of Irish descent marry someone of English descent. No Arab-Jew weddings for this blogger. See how we can create unity through force. I love this idea.
Same faith? Really, most people don't get to choose their religion. It is chosen long before. Can we really have a sanctified marriage if one of the participants, let's say she is Jewish, does believe in her husband's Messiah? We are asking for loads of trouble.
We don't do any of these discriminatory actions, which would very much protect this concept of the "sanctity of marriage," and "protecting our families." I am confused. We say it is time for change. We went out into the world and said no more to the old ways. And here we sit, writing discrimination into state constitutions.
How does someone's choice of soulmate destroy the sanctity of marriage? I guess because "the gay" is contagious? We will be damned if our children will be forced to read "King and King" (a book about prince who seeks love and marries a prince), but we give our children over to television and violent video games. I guess love in non-traditional forms is bad, but blood-spattered heads and half-naked eye-candy is totally cool (so long as it isn't gay, unless the blood-spattered heads are on gays). It is totally okay for people to choose not to marry and have children together, but when two people of the same gender choose to do so, that is bad.
America has a new dawn before it. Sadly, there are storm clouds trying to block out the sun. I guess this is our America. A time for change. Where discrimination is okay when the person you are discriminating against is "icky." Go kiss your bride, America, but watch out for the stubble.
Here is what the issue truly boils down to. The STATE (meaning the government, not a particular entity) has created a legal concept known as marriage (or put your own state-created right in there). That legal concept includes some responsibilities, but also includes a great deal of rights and state-offered benefits. The State's apparent reason for this legal concept and the rights/benefits offered to those who partake of the legal concept is that marriage promotes stability, reduces crime, encourages population growth, and so on. Now, imagine that the State then comes in and says "You people are prohibited from marrying because of some immutable characteristic that you were born with and we don't like it."
Most of the amendments banning gay marriage are definitional amendments, and generally they read: "MARRIAGE IS DEFINED AS THE LEGAL UNION OF ONE MAN AND ONE WOMAN." Does this stop gays from marrying? No, so long as they marry someone of the opposite gender, not necessarily the one they love. Okay, so let's change the definition a bit.
"MARRIAGE IS DEFINED AS THE LEGAL UNION OF ONE MAN AND ONE WOMAN OF THE SAME RACE."
"MARRIAGE IS DEFINED AS THE LEGAL UNION OF ONE MAN AND ONE WOMAN OF THE SAME IQ."
"MARRIAGE IS DEFINED AS THE LEGAL UNION OF ONE MAN AND ONE WOMAN OF THE SAME ANCESTRAL NATIONAL ORIGIN."
"MARRIAGE IS DEFINED AS THE LEGAL UNION OF ONE MAN AND ONE WOMAN OF THE SAME FAITH."
Same race? That was tossed out by our U.S. Supreme Court on the grounds that it was discriminatory. What, you say? Yes, as recently as 45 years ago, certain states said that a marriage between a white person and a black person was constitutionally prohibited. They said that marriage between races was against the Bible. They said that marriage between races would destroy the institution of marriage. Hmmm, this sounds familiar, but we will get back to that later.
Same IQ? Well that prohibition would basically prohibit Republicans and Democrats from every getting married. But in all seriousness, intelligence is, at least in part, an innate characteristic. Why not prohibit opposite-intelligence marriages? It would protect people from having one person in control, which could lead to financial or physical abuse, which could result in divorce, which destroys the sanctity of marriage.
Same national origin? Again, why not? Let's not let someone of Irish descent marry someone of English descent. No Arab-Jew weddings for this blogger. See how we can create unity through force. I love this idea.
Same faith? Really, most people don't get to choose their religion. It is chosen long before. Can we really have a sanctified marriage if one of the participants, let's say she is Jewish, does believe in her husband's Messiah? We are asking for loads of trouble.
We don't do any of these discriminatory actions, which would very much protect this concept of the "sanctity of marriage," and "protecting our families." I am confused. We say it is time for change. We went out into the world and said no more to the old ways. And here we sit, writing discrimination into state constitutions.
How does someone's choice of soulmate destroy the sanctity of marriage? I guess because "the gay" is contagious? We will be damned if our children will be forced to read "King and King" (a book about prince who seeks love and marries a prince), but we give our children over to television and violent video games. I guess love in non-traditional forms is bad, but blood-spattered heads and half-naked eye-candy is totally cool (so long as it isn't gay, unless the blood-spattered heads are on gays). It is totally okay for people to choose not to marry and have children together, but when two people of the same gender choose to do so, that is bad.
America has a new dawn before it. Sadly, there are storm clouds trying to block out the sun. I guess this is our America. A time for change. Where discrimination is okay when the person you are discriminating against is "icky." Go kiss your bride, America, but watch out for the stubble.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Marriage, Society, and Hope for Individual Responsibility
Okay, it really is time to open my mouth and say some things. The chips are falling where they may with the gay marriage debate. Massachusetts, then California, then Connecticut, and Iowa is waiting in the wings with a decision likely in late Winter. So why say anything? I guess because it is time to really let people just how pissed off I am at the propaganda tactics. For the record, I am in favor of marriage generally, regardless of orientation. Hey, the "state" felt it necessary to create a legal entity known as a "marriage," and so it cannot continue to behave so one-sidedly when it comes to those who wish to be married to the partner of their choosing.
The California decision is a hot one because they have a ballot initiative, with semantics wars going back and forth, to ban marriage. Each side is now engaged in an advertising battle to end all advertising battles. Here is some print media garbage from the "Yes on Prop 8" (against gay marriage) people:
"California's state Education Code (Sections 51890 and 51933) requires that teachers instruct children as young as kindergarteners about marriage. If the California gay marriage ruling is not overturned, teachers will be required to teach young children there is no difference between gay marriage and traditional marriage. Proposition 8 protects children from being taught in California public schools that same-sex marriage is the same as traditional marriage."
WHAT??? Yes, that's exactly what was said. Here is the substance of the ad: The ad features a young girl arriving home from school to show her mother a picture book that was read to her class by their teacher that day. The book, "King and King," is about a prince marrying another prince, "and I can marry a princess" the girl says, to her mother's disbelief.
WHAT, part 2????? So, now, reading something about homosexuality makes you gay (or at least to the Yes on 8 people, makes you consider going gay). Truly, I am perturbed for many reasons, but the most important is this: Since when are parents prohibited from having discussions with children about what they learn in school and whether they agree with what is taught? Seriously, there are lots of things I was taught in school that my parents did not agree with. But isn't that what education is all about - the advancement of knowledge by the free exchange of ideas? Do I think that a 7-year old should be taught anything about marriage (regardless of orientation)? Hell no. Children should never learn about the horrible institution of marriage (and all the ills it seems to bring into people's lives) until they have mastered algebra.
Am I anti-marriage? No, I love it. But when it comes to our children learning about math and music before learning about social institutions, I choose the basic learning first. However, if it is going to be taught, teach it fairly and openly. If there is a parent that disagrees, then by all means, do you job as a parent and teach your children your values. I guess I am just fired up mostly because I cannot believe that we live in a society that treats classes of people differently and turns to the government when being a parent is too hard. Next thing you know we will be asking the government to make interracial marriage illegal and asking the going to install parental control chips in our television sets.
The California decision is a hot one because they have a ballot initiative, with semantics wars going back and forth, to ban marriage. Each side is now engaged in an advertising battle to end all advertising battles. Here is some print media garbage from the "Yes on Prop 8" (against gay marriage) people:
"California's state Education Code (Sections 51890 and 51933) requires that teachers instruct children as young as kindergarteners about marriage. If the California gay marriage ruling is not overturned, teachers will be required to teach young children there is no difference between gay marriage and traditional marriage. Proposition 8 protects children from being taught in California public schools that same-sex marriage is the same as traditional marriage."
WHAT??? Yes, that's exactly what was said. Here is the substance of the ad: The ad features a young girl arriving home from school to show her mother a picture book that was read to her class by their teacher that day. The book, "King and King," is about a prince marrying another prince, "and I can marry a princess" the girl says, to her mother's disbelief.
WHAT, part 2????? So, now, reading something about homosexuality makes you gay (or at least to the Yes on 8 people, makes you consider going gay). Truly, I am perturbed for many reasons, but the most important is this: Since when are parents prohibited from having discussions with children about what they learn in school and whether they agree with what is taught? Seriously, there are lots of things I was taught in school that my parents did not agree with. But isn't that what education is all about - the advancement of knowledge by the free exchange of ideas? Do I think that a 7-year old should be taught anything about marriage (regardless of orientation)? Hell no. Children should never learn about the horrible institution of marriage (and all the ills it seems to bring into people's lives) until they have mastered algebra.
Am I anti-marriage? No, I love it. But when it comes to our children learning about math and music before learning about social institutions, I choose the basic learning first. However, if it is going to be taught, teach it fairly and openly. If there is a parent that disagrees, then by all means, do you job as a parent and teach your children your values. I guess I am just fired up mostly because I cannot believe that we live in a society that treats classes of people differently and turns to the government when being a parent is too hard. Next thing you know we will be asking the government to make interracial marriage illegal and asking the going to install parental control chips in our television sets.
Monday, October 06, 2008
I speak in the tongues of men and of angels
It's been some time since I wrote here. Partly, it is because I have had a lot of work, a lot of baby raising, and a lot of personal time to enjoy. I was pondering a lot of things and I am reminded of a few phrases that have had some relevance to me lately:
1) If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.
2) It is better to keep your mouth shut and have people think you are a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.
3) Gossip is like a boomerang. It will hit its intended target, but don't forget that it comes back to the thrower.
4) Be who you are and say what you feel because those who matter don't mind and those who mind don't matter.
I have to let you know one important thing. The quote from paragraph #4 is often attributed to Dr. Seuss. I have to clear something up. It's not from the good doctor. Sure, it fits his later writing style (Oh, The Places You'll Go), but he didn't write it.
So what is this rambling all for? I guess I am an unapproachable person, because many people (from the courthouse, from non-work world, and even from church) have been very free with their words and judgments about me. I find that interesting, but more so, I find it sad. I am certainly not perfect, but well, suppose you could address the concerns directly to me. Anyways, I am just irritable enough to let bad attitudes get to me. So, take this real Dr. Seuss quote to heart this week: "So the writer who breeds more words than he needs, is making a chore for the reader who reads."
1) If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.
2) It is better to keep your mouth shut and have people think you are a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.
3) Gossip is like a boomerang. It will hit its intended target, but don't forget that it comes back to the thrower.
4) Be who you are and say what you feel because those who matter don't mind and those who mind don't matter.
I have to let you know one important thing. The quote from paragraph #4 is often attributed to Dr. Seuss. I have to clear something up. It's not from the good doctor. Sure, it fits his later writing style (Oh, The Places You'll Go), but he didn't write it.
So what is this rambling all for? I guess I am an unapproachable person, because many people (from the courthouse, from non-work world, and even from church) have been very free with their words and judgments about me. I find that interesting, but more so, I find it sad. I am certainly not perfect, but well, suppose you could address the concerns directly to me. Anyways, I am just irritable enough to let bad attitudes get to me. So, take this real Dr. Seuss quote to heart this week: "So the writer who breeds more words than he needs, is making a chore for the reader who reads."
Sunday, August 03, 2008
I Believe in Unicorns
My sermon from July 27, 2008 called:
I BELIEVE IN UNICORNS
One day, years ago, my friend Mike, a devout agnostic, asked me, after our philosophy of theology class, “Why do you believe in Jesus?”
Stunned by this very unusual question, I answered, “Because that’s who I was taught to believe in.” And then the discussion went away. We were college students and pizza was more important. And I was sliding closer to agnoticism myself.
So, when this question came to me from our youth group earlier this year, the question required an answer. And the question was more quixotic than I had encountered before. Why? Because it was this question, “Why should I believe in Jesus? I can’t even see him in my daily life.” Talk about a sermon that writes itself. And so, I set out to ponder all the things I believe without actual visual proof.
I believe in gravity. I have never seen gravity personally, although I have seen gravity in action when my lumbering body finds one of the many invisible holes in the ground that plague our country. I believe in air. I have never seen air personally, except when I have visited Los Angeles. I know that air is there because I breathe. I believe in the Cubs winning the World Series. I have never seen it personally, but the rubber wristband I have from Wrigley Field has one word on it . . . “believe.” I believe there are Democrats in DuPage County. DEMOCRAT VISUAL AID. No one has ever truly seen one here, but they do exist. They leave droppings and clues everywhere.
I believe in this guy – SHOW SANTA VISUAL AID. I have never seen Santa Claus. I have never spoken to him face to face. I have never been able to find real, CSI evidence of his existence. But I believe. How could you not? Selflessly thinks of others. Is independently wealthy. Impeccable choice of covert outfits. Why this Santa fella is okay. He is almost at Batman levels of popularity.
But not even Santa comes close to this though. I need something as a better example. Something powerful. Something imaginative. Something with one horn coming from its forehead. Unicorns – that’s it. SHOW UNICORN VISUAL AID. Unicorns are sometimes associated with pink fluffy clouds and pretty scenery. However, unicorns are also noble, powerful, and fierce. But more importantly, unicorns fall into the realm of magic and wisdom. So, why talk about them here? Well, there’s a story about a little girl who finds her way into a crazy, magical world. Her name is Alice. She meets many people and creatures during her adventures. In one scene, she has just met Humpty Dumpty, and then a flurry of all the king’s horses and all the king’s men arrive. Finally, she settles down at a tea party, and a there he is ---- the unicorn. Now, everyone at the tea party is a bit nutty, except for Alice and this unicorn.
The unicorn has never seen a child before. Awestruck at this find, the unicorn remarks that he always thought children were wild, fantastic monsters. When Alice responds, she too is awestruck, saying that she always thought unicorns were fabulous creatures. It is then that the unicorn says it all, “well, now that we have seen each other, if you believe in me, I’ll believe in you. Is that a bargain?” They celebrate this moment of belief with a plum-cake.
Believe is a strange word. It means to accept something as true and factual. It means to have an opinion on something. It means to have a strong conviction in the goodness or ability of something or someone. It means to have religious faith. Whatever meaning you attach to the word, to believe is something monumental. And nowhere does believing require proof, fact, or evidence.
Let’s look at our Old Testament reading. The brief reading from 2nd Chronicles is part of a tumultuous time in the Kingdom of Judah. Jehoshaphat is a king in trouble. Ammonites and Moabites are attacking. Things do not look good. And so, Jehoshaphat and his people do what anyone might do when faced with terrible adversity. They pray to God. And God’s spirit comes down and reassures them and tells them that the battle is His, not theirs. And on the morning of the impending battle, like a good leader, Jehoshaphat says to his people: Believe in the Lord and you shall be saved. Believe in His prophets and you will succeed. Believe in the Lord and you shall be saved. That’s a powerful request when faced with the probability of annihilation by your enemies. But not only that, believe in His prophets and you will succeed. Imagine being at rock bottom and having someone tell you to believe in God and everything will be okay. That is not only cold comfort in hard times, it is also rather difficult to do when staring into an abyss.
If we look back to Alice and the Unicorn, it might make more sense. Alice to me represents the absolute innocence of humanity in a world that completely lacks any sense whatsoever. Things are topsy turvy and no one is helping Alice find her way back to comfort and safety. I am not going to imply that the unicorn is intended to represent God, but for this sermon, let’s just go with that. With a queen trying to kill everyone, a cat that toys with people for his own amusement, and a world filled with looneys, Alice is beyond lost, and when she sees this magical creature, a spark of hope begins. And this unicorn says it all, “If you believe in me, I’ll believe in you.”
Simple message – easily lost on people.
So we turn to our New Testament reading. Nicodemus, one of the Pharisees, comes to Jesus in the night to express his thoughts that God must be with Jesus because of all the miracles he has performed. After some dialogue, Nicodemus still does not understand the spiritual rebirth that Jesus tells him all must have. Jesus, with some dismay, says that with all the earthly things Nicodemus has seen, he still does not believe, and given that, how will Nicodemus believe when Jesus speaks of the heavenly things. And then we come to the point of the reading. Believe in me and you will have eternal life. The unicorn couldn’t have said it better.
Hearing is easy. Believing is hard. So why believe? Perhaps we might go back to childhood and this guy again – SANTA PIC. We see Santa as kids and think of joy, kindness, love, and peace. We say Santa is for kids, but I disagree. Santa is for adults. For that one day, Santa restores our faith in the world. Santa renews our hope that things will be brighter. In short, we believe in Santa because he believes in us. He doesn’t ask us for anything more.
When I wandered through college, I grew to be faithless and non-believing. It wasn’t because I had learned science and philosophy and so on to replace Jesus. It wasn’t because my days had been filled with more worldly passions which drew me away from God. It was because of the very question you heard me mention earlier – how can I believe in Jesus when I can’t even see him in my daily life? As a college kid, I had gone beyond the simple message and wanted more. I needed to see Jesus and see evidence that he was in my life. I did not know that I saw it all along.
The journey back to Jesus came at one of those abyss moments, like Jehoshaphat faced when the Ammonites and Moabites surrounded him. I won’t go into it, but I learned I didn’t need proof. I just needed to believe. God would take care of the rest. He would believe in me. He would make things better. So the best way to answer the question posed, is this: Believe and look around. Jesus is there in your daily life, believing in you when you eat breakfast, when you play in the yard, when you drive a car, when you spend time with family, and even when you sit alone in quiet times.
LOOK AT THIS PICTURE. (show Jesus picture)
NOW CLOSE YOUR EYES.
YOU ARE STANDING BEFORE JESUS.
YOU CONFESS YOUR BELIEF IN HIM.
AND HE SAYS
“I BELIEVE IN YOU.”
AMEN.
I BELIEVE IN UNICORNS
One day, years ago, my friend Mike, a devout agnostic, asked me, after our philosophy of theology class, “Why do you believe in Jesus?”
Stunned by this very unusual question, I answered, “Because that’s who I was taught to believe in.” And then the discussion went away. We were college students and pizza was more important. And I was sliding closer to agnoticism myself.
So, when this question came to me from our youth group earlier this year, the question required an answer. And the question was more quixotic than I had encountered before. Why? Because it was this question, “Why should I believe in Jesus? I can’t even see him in my daily life.” Talk about a sermon that writes itself. And so, I set out to ponder all the things I believe without actual visual proof.
I believe in gravity. I have never seen gravity personally, although I have seen gravity in action when my lumbering body finds one of the many invisible holes in the ground that plague our country. I believe in air. I have never seen air personally, except when I have visited Los Angeles. I know that air is there because I breathe. I believe in the Cubs winning the World Series. I have never seen it personally, but the rubber wristband I have from Wrigley Field has one word on it . . . “believe.” I believe there are Democrats in DuPage County. DEMOCRAT VISUAL AID. No one has ever truly seen one here, but they do exist. They leave droppings and clues everywhere.
I believe in this guy – SHOW SANTA VISUAL AID. I have never seen Santa Claus. I have never spoken to him face to face. I have never been able to find real, CSI evidence of his existence. But I believe. How could you not? Selflessly thinks of others. Is independently wealthy. Impeccable choice of covert outfits. Why this Santa fella is okay. He is almost at Batman levels of popularity.
But not even Santa comes close to this though. I need something as a better example. Something powerful. Something imaginative. Something with one horn coming from its forehead. Unicorns – that’s it. SHOW UNICORN VISUAL AID. Unicorns are sometimes associated with pink fluffy clouds and pretty scenery. However, unicorns are also noble, powerful, and fierce. But more importantly, unicorns fall into the realm of magic and wisdom. So, why talk about them here? Well, there’s a story about a little girl who finds her way into a crazy, magical world. Her name is Alice. She meets many people and creatures during her adventures. In one scene, she has just met Humpty Dumpty, and then a flurry of all the king’s horses and all the king’s men arrive. Finally, she settles down at a tea party, and a there he is ---- the unicorn. Now, everyone at the tea party is a bit nutty, except for Alice and this unicorn.
The unicorn has never seen a child before. Awestruck at this find, the unicorn remarks that he always thought children were wild, fantastic monsters. When Alice responds, she too is awestruck, saying that she always thought unicorns were fabulous creatures. It is then that the unicorn says it all, “well, now that we have seen each other, if you believe in me, I’ll believe in you. Is that a bargain?” They celebrate this moment of belief with a plum-cake.
Believe is a strange word. It means to accept something as true and factual. It means to have an opinion on something. It means to have a strong conviction in the goodness or ability of something or someone. It means to have religious faith. Whatever meaning you attach to the word, to believe is something monumental. And nowhere does believing require proof, fact, or evidence.
Let’s look at our Old Testament reading. The brief reading from 2nd Chronicles is part of a tumultuous time in the Kingdom of Judah. Jehoshaphat is a king in trouble. Ammonites and Moabites are attacking. Things do not look good. And so, Jehoshaphat and his people do what anyone might do when faced with terrible adversity. They pray to God. And God’s spirit comes down and reassures them and tells them that the battle is His, not theirs. And on the morning of the impending battle, like a good leader, Jehoshaphat says to his people: Believe in the Lord and you shall be saved. Believe in His prophets and you will succeed. Believe in the Lord and you shall be saved. That’s a powerful request when faced with the probability of annihilation by your enemies. But not only that, believe in His prophets and you will succeed. Imagine being at rock bottom and having someone tell you to believe in God and everything will be okay. That is not only cold comfort in hard times, it is also rather difficult to do when staring into an abyss.
If we look back to Alice and the Unicorn, it might make more sense. Alice to me represents the absolute innocence of humanity in a world that completely lacks any sense whatsoever. Things are topsy turvy and no one is helping Alice find her way back to comfort and safety. I am not going to imply that the unicorn is intended to represent God, but for this sermon, let’s just go with that. With a queen trying to kill everyone, a cat that toys with people for his own amusement, and a world filled with looneys, Alice is beyond lost, and when she sees this magical creature, a spark of hope begins. And this unicorn says it all, “If you believe in me, I’ll believe in you.”
Simple message – easily lost on people.
So we turn to our New Testament reading. Nicodemus, one of the Pharisees, comes to Jesus in the night to express his thoughts that God must be with Jesus because of all the miracles he has performed. After some dialogue, Nicodemus still does not understand the spiritual rebirth that Jesus tells him all must have. Jesus, with some dismay, says that with all the earthly things Nicodemus has seen, he still does not believe, and given that, how will Nicodemus believe when Jesus speaks of the heavenly things. And then we come to the point of the reading. Believe in me and you will have eternal life. The unicorn couldn’t have said it better.
Hearing is easy. Believing is hard. So why believe? Perhaps we might go back to childhood and this guy again – SANTA PIC. We see Santa as kids and think of joy, kindness, love, and peace. We say Santa is for kids, but I disagree. Santa is for adults. For that one day, Santa restores our faith in the world. Santa renews our hope that things will be brighter. In short, we believe in Santa because he believes in us. He doesn’t ask us for anything more.
When I wandered through college, I grew to be faithless and non-believing. It wasn’t because I had learned science and philosophy and so on to replace Jesus. It wasn’t because my days had been filled with more worldly passions which drew me away from God. It was because of the very question you heard me mention earlier – how can I believe in Jesus when I can’t even see him in my daily life? As a college kid, I had gone beyond the simple message and wanted more. I needed to see Jesus and see evidence that he was in my life. I did not know that I saw it all along.
The journey back to Jesus came at one of those abyss moments, like Jehoshaphat faced when the Ammonites and Moabites surrounded him. I won’t go into it, but I learned I didn’t need proof. I just needed to believe. God would take care of the rest. He would believe in me. He would make things better. So the best way to answer the question posed, is this: Believe and look around. Jesus is there in your daily life, believing in you when you eat breakfast, when you play in the yard, when you drive a car, when you spend time with family, and even when you sit alone in quiet times.
LOOK AT THIS PICTURE. (show Jesus picture)
NOW CLOSE YOUR EYES.
YOU ARE STANDING BEFORE JESUS.
YOU CONFESS YOUR BELIEF IN HIM.
AND HE SAYS
“I BELIEVE IN YOU.”
AMEN.
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