Its an old analogy but I thought of it this morning as part of my "day off' time to think. While I am thinking of next Sunday's sermon, who is in the hospital, who I want to write notes to and reflecting on conversations I had with people at church yesterday, and whether I should stop in to say "hi" to the UMW group at church... I am also telling myself to ignore all that and do what I probably should really do; stop running all programs and do a virus scan and maybe a de-frag.
Except its not about the computer (even though I am doing that as I type)...its time for an internal, spiritual virus scan.
Check the inner Security Center? De frag? My computer gives me alerts about questionable programs or access attempts. I suppose my soul sends a few alerts to my body and mind also but I don't pay attention very well. I wonder how much inner psyche "spyware" I have picked up during the week? How many malicious ideas and thoughts have I taken in, waiting to damage some future program function. I wonder how much spiritual infecting I am sending to others without knowing it! (I hope my preaching doesn't across like Spam!) What kind of firewall setting do I have? ... the analogies go on. Do I even recognize the dangerous viruses in me and do I know how to remove them?
Maybe that is where soul searching, listening, contemplative prayer, lectio divina, Holy "conferencing" with others in spiritual care group, or even a good prayerful walk come in. The computer told me how many days behind I was on this check up. I could set it up for automatic scan schedule. I have that setting option too. Maybe that's what liturgical rhythms, and spiritual disciplines really are. Virus scans. Oh if it were that easy!
Another ramble.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Choosing a chair
I wrote my Clergyview article in time for next Tuesday's dead line. Our local newspaper, the Brainerd Dispatch, has a religion section with the opportunity for local clergy to submit articles. Those of you, (the four of you?) who read this blog, can read it again next Friday in the paper. You will find it in back of the sports section but that's another story!
Clergyview for Sept 14th 2007
I saw some coverage in the news about the death of the great Italian opera tenor, Luciano Pavarotti, on September 6th. What I know about opera wouldn’t even fill out a decent sized paragraph. I don’t say that with pride, just a confession of my ignorance that I might correct someday. But I have run across this story (from a source I have misplaced.)
He says that when he was a boy, his father, a baker, introduced him to the wonders of song, and urged him to work hard to develop his voice. Pavarotti took his father's advice But he also enrolled in a teachers' college, and upon graduation he asked his father, "Shall I be a teacher or a singer?" "Luciano," his father replied, ‘if you try to sit on two chairs, you will fall between them.
For life, you must choose one chair."
Pavarotti said, "I chose one. It took seven years of study and frustration before I made my first professional appearance. It took another seven to reach the Metropolitan Opera. And now I think whether it's laying bricks, writing a book--whatever we choose--we should give ourselves to it."
Part of me responds to the story by saying that sometimes we can find or create new “chairs” that combine our multiple talents and callings. But the point of that little story has to do with commitment, discipline or giving ourselves to something. Wholeheartedly, or at least in a direction over time!
Pavarotti, like many others who excelled in some way, picked a chair, choose a path, made a commitment and then studied , practiced, worked and honed the skills, developed the talents and pursued the vision. I don’t see any quick results in his story. Seven years before he made his first professional appearance! Fourteen before the Met! He mentions frustration. If we read between the lines, I’m guessing he had some times of failure, discouragement, impatience, doubts and weariness.
Could that also be true for our spiritual life, faith development and callings of ministry and discipleship? We have some “chairs to fill” in being people of prayer and spiritual formation. Do we stick with it? We have chairs to fill in overcoming poverty. Are we giving ourselves to it in a determined and studied effort? This will take more than seven years! We have chairs to occupy in terms of providing health care and education for all people. We have “chairs to” fill according to Matthew 25 :31- about people who are hungry, thirsty, sick, or needing the “clothes” of dignity. We need to “chair” the ministries of outreach , community and compassion in Christ. Giving ourselves to Jesus is about giving our life to a New Life of love, peace, forgiveness, personal and social transformation. It is about following Jesus. Are you giving yourself to it? Jesus talked about the cost of discipleship as a way of being “real” with us. This will not be the easy chair.“Take up your cross; deny yourself”
You might think about what you are deciding to “sit with” in your life when you take that seat in a worship service. Is this your chair? Have a chair. May I offer you a chair? Don’t leave too soon!.
Clergyview for Sept 14th 2007
I saw some coverage in the news about the death of the great Italian opera tenor, Luciano Pavarotti, on September 6th. What I know about opera wouldn’t even fill out a decent sized paragraph. I don’t say that with pride, just a confession of my ignorance that I might correct someday. But I have run across this story (from a source I have misplaced.)
He says that when he was a boy, his father, a baker, introduced him to the wonders of song, and urged him to work hard to develop his voice. Pavarotti took his father's advice But he also enrolled in a teachers' college, and upon graduation he asked his father, "Shall I be a teacher or a singer?" "Luciano," his father replied, ‘if you try to sit on two chairs, you will fall between them.
For life, you must choose one chair."
Pavarotti said, "I chose one. It took seven years of study and frustration before I made my first professional appearance. It took another seven to reach the Metropolitan Opera. And now I think whether it's laying bricks, writing a book--whatever we choose--we should give ourselves to it."
Part of me responds to the story by saying that sometimes we can find or create new “chairs” that combine our multiple talents and callings. But the point of that little story has to do with commitment, discipline or giving ourselves to something. Wholeheartedly, or at least in a direction over time!
Pavarotti, like many others who excelled in some way, picked a chair, choose a path, made a commitment and then studied , practiced, worked and honed the skills, developed the talents and pursued the vision. I don’t see any quick results in his story. Seven years before he made his first professional appearance! Fourteen before the Met! He mentions frustration. If we read between the lines, I’m guessing he had some times of failure, discouragement, impatience, doubts and weariness.
Could that also be true for our spiritual life, faith development and callings of ministry and discipleship? We have some “chairs to fill” in being people of prayer and spiritual formation. Do we stick with it? We have chairs to fill in overcoming poverty. Are we giving ourselves to it in a determined and studied effort? This will take more than seven years! We have chairs to occupy in terms of providing health care and education for all people. We have “chairs to” fill according to Matthew 25 :31- about people who are hungry, thirsty, sick, or needing the “clothes” of dignity. We need to “chair” the ministries of outreach , community and compassion in Christ. Giving ourselves to Jesus is about giving our life to a New Life of love, peace, forgiveness, personal and social transformation. It is about following Jesus. Are you giving yourself to it? Jesus talked about the cost of discipleship as a way of being “real” with us. This will not be the easy chair.“Take up your cross; deny yourself”
You might think about what you are deciding to “sit with” in your life when you take that seat in a worship service. Is this your chair? Have a chair. May I offer you a chair? Don’t leave too soon!.
Social "problems" and "news"
Yesterday a person came in to my office asking for suggestions on who to talk to about something. It seems he is currently un-employed but for the past few weeks has been working through one of the local "temp work" agencies. That job is now done. He usually does light labor or custodial work. But he has a physical health condition that needs attention and it often keeps him out of the job market. He has no health insurance coverage. The local hospital gave him an application form for an assistance program they provide and then referred him to an out of town clinic that is associated with their assistance program . He didn't know how to fill out all the questions on the form and out of town transportation proved to be an obstacle. I asked about MinnesotaCare and and if he had checked with other social service resources etc.... He said "they didn't have any help" He spoke of how last year he just went over some of the income guidelines for some programs and that they want his last years income statements. Now this year he has far less income and there is nothing left from last year's income. It's a scene that gets played out many times and I am not naive enough to think I am getting the whole story on this person's situation. But bottom line. Here is a person who needs a surgery and until he get it he is unemployed. He can't get into the health care system or at least its too hard for him to figure it out. I think of that when health care issues are bounced around the political playing field. It's people. Not just issues or social problems. And more than once the people have found their way to my office and into our churches. As he left he said something else. He said "Thank you for listening. That's what I don't get." We need something better. (We came up with another plan for trying to navigate "the system" and I also offered to help him visit with our local state senator and representative.) Maybe I will keep you up on the story.
And then I was talking the other night to a person who told about a family member who lost their house. The mortgage rate had shot up beyond their ability. Its the story we see again and and again in the mortgage crisis news. But it gets down to people we know or at least we can see the faces.
The news is happening here. We get struck by the news when it hits us tragically close to home in such things as floods or a bridge collapse; when the national news is in our own backyards. But it alway is!
Health care and Housing. Mix that in with Matthew 25:31 ff and our Wesleyan traditions and see what you come with! Let's get GOOD NEWS for people in the news.
.... just another ramble?
And then I was talking the other night to a person who told about a family member who lost their house. The mortgage rate had shot up beyond their ability. Its the story we see again and and again in the mortgage crisis news. But it gets down to people we know or at least we can see the faces.
The news is happening here. We get struck by the news when it hits us tragically close to home in such things as floods or a bridge collapse; when the national news is in our own backyards. But it alway is!
Health care and Housing. Mix that in with Matthew 25:31 ff and our Wesleyan traditions and see what you come with! Let's get GOOD NEWS for people in the news.
.... just another ramble?
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Wesley picture
I have this picture of John Wesley as the background on my computer. At least for now. I have not looked up the history of this portrait so I am more than a little free with my interpretation. It would be another good reason to heed the sage advice...don't let the facts get in the way of an excuse to make up a story. Is this John Wesley saying "hello" to me when I sit down at my computer? That's not a bad way to keep a Wesleyan view on the morning devotions. Maybe.... maybe Mr Wesley's hand is in a gesture of blessing? Or is this just a gesture in his preaching.Or is he waiving goodbye? In my cynical or satirical moments I might think its Mr Wesley's comment on much of today's church behavior: "Good riddance. ..lots a luck." I would like to think he is clutching the Bible close to himself in silent prayer. Maybe his handed is lifted in prayer too. Or maybe his hand is lifted in a send off : "Remember what we are about! Have a good day! God be with you! "
Thanks John.
Almost blogs
I haven't "blogged" in a week or so. For that matter I have not been doing much in my journal writing either. When I started this I wondered if, and how it would affect my journaling. Although they are very different, with a blog having some audience or reader theoretically out there. When I lead classes on journaling I ask the" journalers" if they have some audience in mind when they write, such as God, or some future reader, or themselves etc?
Oh where was I...I almost blogged.
I have thought about it. I could write about Hals death a week ago Monday, and the memorial service last Thursday. Or I could Blog about Sara leaving for Hamline, and setting up the dorm. She and Hamline are off to a good start. Or I could blog about Nick starting back to school also. He has an early bird 7 Am class all year. Uff da. (Why isn't uff da in the spell check?)
Or I could comment about all the things gearing up at church. Wilma Roberts, will lead a small group study; Living Fully and Dying Well. I will lead "Beginnings The Spiritual Life" class on Sunday evenings starting on Sept 16, and then it will be offered again on Tues evenings as the Women's Bible study. Another new thing will be the Early Music Worship that will use contemporary Christian praise and worship music cds from 9-9:20. We have wondered how to create that venue and offer that music and worship experience so maybe this is an option. Our music resources are pretty traditional otherwise but the interest for this is among us. Maybe we will get the new sanctuary video projection up and running soon!
Another blog idea was to talk about the books I am reading, have recently read or plan to read. Some of those in these stages are:
Krista Tippett - Speaking of Faith
Richard Rohr;-Simplicity
Donald Miller- Searching for God Knows What
Timothy Jones The Art of Prayer
Philip Gully - Porch Talk
Justo Gonzalez - The Apostles' Creed for Today
(also Habits of the Heart; a companion book for the Spiritual Life study I cited above.)
My spiritual connection group that doesn't have a name is supposed to finish up Borg's, Heart of Christianity next week so I better skim it again
Then finally,
I was going to blog about how I spent Labor day...end of summer and all that....I pondered getting the canoe out but I endeded up spreading a new black layer of asphalt seal-coat on the parsonage driveway. It doesn't seem like a real recreational thrill but since I saw a few other people at Home Depot that morning I guess we werent all out at the lake! But it was nice to see something accomplished. It will help the ice and snow melt off faster this winter and I will be grateful for my practical side. ..at least thats what I told my canoe. Of course I cooked something on the grill! Other than a few other household chores I went to tell the neighbor about the tall jack pine that is broken off in the stand of trees between our houses. My chain saw skills aren't up to the job and neither is my chain saw. I could tell you about the time I almost dropped a tall pine tree on the church at Beech Creek in Kentucky but some stories are best untold. No one else knows about it! The city "Park and Rec" dept owns the land between us as part of cul de sac street plan that never developed so it's their problem. The tree is hanging up on another tree for now but its leaning his way, and will fall close to his house. We hope the "City" shows up soon. Labor day fun!
I was going to blog about all these things. But I didn't. Probably won't get it into my journal either.
Just rambling on
Oh where was I...I almost blogged.
I have thought about it. I could write about Hals death a week ago Monday, and the memorial service last Thursday. Or I could Blog about Sara leaving for Hamline, and setting up the dorm. She and Hamline are off to a good start. Or I could blog about Nick starting back to school also. He has an early bird 7 Am class all year. Uff da. (Why isn't uff da in the spell check?)
Or I could comment about all the things gearing up at church. Wilma Roberts, will lead a small group study; Living Fully and Dying Well. I will lead "Beginnings The Spiritual Life" class on Sunday evenings starting on Sept 16, and then it will be offered again on Tues evenings as the Women's Bible study. Another new thing will be the Early Music Worship that will use contemporary Christian praise and worship music cds from 9-9:20. We have wondered how to create that venue and offer that music and worship experience so maybe this is an option. Our music resources are pretty traditional otherwise but the interest for this is among us. Maybe we will get the new sanctuary video projection up and running soon!
Another blog idea was to talk about the books I am reading, have recently read or plan to read. Some of those in these stages are:
Krista Tippett - Speaking of Faith
Richard Rohr;-Simplicity
Donald Miller- Searching for God Knows What
Timothy Jones The Art of Prayer
Philip Gully - Porch Talk
Justo Gonzalez - The Apostles' Creed for Today
(also Habits of the Heart; a companion book for the Spiritual Life study I cited above.)
My spiritual connection group that doesn't have a name is supposed to finish up Borg's, Heart of Christianity next week so I better skim it again
Then finally,
I was going to blog about how I spent Labor day...end of summer and all that....I pondered getting the canoe out but I endeded up spreading a new black layer of asphalt seal-coat on the parsonage driveway. It doesn't seem like a real recreational thrill but since I saw a few other people at Home Depot that morning I guess we werent all out at the lake! But it was nice to see something accomplished. It will help the ice and snow melt off faster this winter and I will be grateful for my practical side. ..at least thats what I told my canoe. Of course I cooked something on the grill! Other than a few other household chores I went to tell the neighbor about the tall jack pine that is broken off in the stand of trees between our houses. My chain saw skills aren't up to the job and neither is my chain saw. I could tell you about the time I almost dropped a tall pine tree on the church at Beech Creek in Kentucky but some stories are best untold. No one else knows about it! The city "Park and Rec" dept owns the land between us as part of cul de sac street plan that never developed so it's their problem. The tree is hanging up on another tree for now but its leaning his way, and will fall close to his house. We hope the "City" shows up soon. Labor day fun!
I was going to blog about all these things. But I didn't. Probably won't get it into my journal either.
Just rambling on
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Road trip and re-entry
Nick and I enjoyed the drive back from Michigan by way of the Upper Peninsula and Nick got to drive across the Mackinaw bridge. On the way we talked about road trips and I told him how I had driven out to Boston back in seminary days and on other trips I drove out to Montana, Colorado, Arizona, and Mexico from Minnesota. Lots of miles by myself... and I managed to point out that I did it in cars with no cruise control, no air conditioning or tilt steering wheels or much seat adjustment; no tape or CD decks (I'm not sure if I even had an FM radio on the 1970 Maverick that followed my Rambler.) Although I am more or less mechanically incompetent, back then out of necessity I carried an assortment of automotive fluids, spare parts and tools and told Nick about the parts I replaced on the road : starters, alternators, belts, water pumps etc. He probably heard it as one of those "what it was like in the old days" and how he is supposed to think of how he has it easy.
Actually I was reminding myself of how easy it is now, and how my expectations of what I think I have to have are now very different. Besides the cars, what changed? When, how and why did I change? Is it just because I want my family to be safe in a vehicle? That would be good reason enough. Or is it a change in me? When did adventure give way to comfort and reliability? Has this happened in other areas of my life? I would like to think that my spiritual travels haven't lost the sense of adventure and risk? But there is a very good chance I have opted for an easier ride and less surprises.
My second thought in this blog has to do with re-entry... re-entry as in "coming off vacation and back to work. " To use the analogy, as I understand re-entry into the earth's atmosphere if you come in too fast or with too steep of an angle of descent, or with damaged heat tiles, you could burn up. Quite often thats what getting back feels like; trying to catch up too fast and getting up to speed too soon; in time for a funeral or wedding or Sunday service prep or meetings and pastoral care or some church problem and....right away the heat is on. This time I tried, and was able to come back slower by not rushing in on Tuesday afternoon. I slipped into church Tues. evening to get the mail and was pretty busy on Wednesday, but I am feeling good about being back. It was a good re entry.
Rambling on
Actually I was reminding myself of how easy it is now, and how my expectations of what I think I have to have are now very different. Besides the cars, what changed? When, how and why did I change? Is it just because I want my family to be safe in a vehicle? That would be good reason enough. Or is it a change in me? When did adventure give way to comfort and reliability? Has this happened in other areas of my life? I would like to think that my spiritual travels haven't lost the sense of adventure and risk? But there is a very good chance I have opted for an easier ride and less surprises.
My second thought in this blog has to do with re-entry... re-entry as in "coming off vacation and back to work. " To use the analogy, as I understand re-entry into the earth's atmosphere if you come in too fast or with too steep of an angle of descent, or with damaged heat tiles, you could burn up. Quite often thats what getting back feels like; trying to catch up too fast and getting up to speed too soon; in time for a funeral or wedding or Sunday service prep or meetings and pastoral care or some church problem and....right away the heat is on. This time I tried, and was able to come back slower by not rushing in on Tuesday afternoon. I slipped into church Tues. evening to get the mail and was pretty busy on Wednesday, but I am feeling good about being back. It was a good re entry.
Rambling on
Friday, August 17, 2007
Lakeside
Rory:
Just a quick blog from Lakeside, Ohio. Sara got on line so I could fix the spelling errors in my last blog entry. There's probably an analogy there, about fixing our mistakes that the whole world can see; but since we couldn't get back onto the internet, they couldn't be fixed!
The next two days will be spent playing minigolf, eating donuts from "The Patio", checking the waves, and feeling the breeze off of lake Erie; tonight, it's Mary Wilson of the Supremes at the Hoover Auditorium.
Sara:
As dictator (no pun intended) of my dad's )above) blog post, I required a typing fee. I am being paid in donuts.
Growing up, I've got a lot of fun memories from Lakeside. All the times we've met my mother's family here to chat on the front porch of this old Lakeside Hotel (built circa 1880-something). It's the kind of place where fancy dinners are commonplace, shuffleboard courts overrule tennis courts, and you can rent kites for a buck fifty down by the pier.
It's an old lecture tour, concert sites place my dad says. He's got some fancy word for it... Chitaqua? Chitakwa? Looks like I'm the one who can't spell here. Either way, it's a long, pretty word that sounds just like the waves on the shore - you know, where the back haul of the water rolls the pebbles like rain? Long, long, long reaching waves with a mind of their own. Chataqua...
Chautauqua, he says. C-h-a-u-t-a-u-q-u-a. Like water, I say. All I hear is water in a word like that, no matter what it really means.
Alright, I'm off now. We're set for a game of minigolf and, if I'm lucky, a few more of those home-fried donuts from The Patio. Cool beans, I say. Something with coconut. Makes your mouth water.
Goodnight!
-Sara
Just a quick blog from Lakeside, Ohio. Sara got on line so I could fix the spelling errors in my last blog entry. There's probably an analogy there, about fixing our mistakes that the whole world can see; but since we couldn't get back onto the internet, they couldn't be fixed!
The next two days will be spent playing minigolf, eating donuts from "The Patio", checking the waves, and feeling the breeze off of lake Erie; tonight, it's Mary Wilson of the Supremes at the Hoover Auditorium.
Sara:
As dictator (no pun intended) of my dad's )above) blog post, I required a typing fee. I am being paid in donuts.
Growing up, I've got a lot of fun memories from Lakeside. All the times we've met my mother's family here to chat on the front porch of this old Lakeside Hotel (built circa 1880-something). It's the kind of place where fancy dinners are commonplace, shuffleboard courts overrule tennis courts, and you can rent kites for a buck fifty down by the pier.
It's an old lecture tour, concert sites place my dad says. He's got some fancy word for it... Chitaqua? Chitakwa? Looks like I'm the one who can't spell here. Either way, it's a long, pretty word that sounds just like the waves on the shore - you know, where the back haul of the water rolls the pebbles like rain? Long, long, long reaching waves with a mind of their own. Chataqua...
Chautauqua, he says. C-h-a-u-t-a-u-q-u-a. Like water, I say. All I hear is water in a word like that, no matter what it really means.
Alright, I'm off now. We're set for a game of minigolf and, if I'm lucky, a few more of those home-fried donuts from The Patio. Cool beans, I say. Something with coconut. Makes your mouth water.
Goodnight!
-Sara
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