Yesterday the Mega Millions Jackpot was at a record high- somewhere in the neighborhood of $650,000,000.  Lines to buy lottery tickets stretched out the doors of the local Shop Rite and around the building! The scene was similar all around the country. It was a frenzy!  There was no escaping the hot topic of conversation; everyone was talking about it from newscasters to my walking partners: "What would you do with 600 MILLION DOLLARS?"
Translation: What would you do if you could do whatever you wanted?
This is a big question! After we go through the list of 'things we would do:" Pay off debt, buy a bigger house(s), or a car(s) or  a corporation, or an island... (come on, you've thought of escaping to your own private island!) And after we go through the list of who we would chose to help (or not) and charities we would choose to fund (or not)... maybe feed some starving kids, or do something to help the homeless, or dig a bunch of wells for people in Africa... pick your possibilities...
                                                                                                            Then what?
What would you do if you could do anything you wanted?
I suspect that for most folks, there are very few negative things on those lists of "things."  I can't envision many of us deciding to buy weapons of mass destruction or 20 boxes of machine guns with our mega millions.  And while most of us do long for 'world peace' at some level, we are more concerned with individual freedom.  We want to have the means to be able to live out our dreams.  We want to be the people we hoped we would grow up to be when we were young and perceived the world as an open door; people who could change the world! And although we may no longer  want to become astronauts, or  rock stars, or ballerinas, we do yearn for the feeling of "you can do anything" that those dreams brought with them. 
So maybe a better translation of "what would you do with $600,000,000" is: "What would you do with complete freedom to be everything you could be?"

Becoming the people we hoped we would be, or better, who God has designed us to be, when it comes  down to it, has very little to do with money, houses, private islands or being a ballerina.   It has more to do with how we see ourselves.  And if we are honest, most of the things on our 'to do' list (barring the purchases) are within our reach.  We may not be able to fund the digging of a well in Africa, but we can donate old coats to clothe the homeless.  We may not be able to  obliterate hunger, but we can buy a box of pasta for the local food pantry.  And while we may not be able to bring about world peace, we can certainly treat our neighbors a little better... maybe do a better job at caring for each other... maybe look less at what is not in our own hands, and instead notice the hands reaching toward us with needs greater than we can imagine.  (Sadly, we don't have to look very far to find someone who needs help)
Actually, if everyone who bought a mega millions ticket yesterday helped one person for each ticket they bought-  or spent the amount of time that they stood in line, instead helping their neighbor, we would be on our way to bringing about the kind of changing the world effect we dream about... we already have the freedom to become who we were meant to be, and we don't even have to buy a ticket to win.
Just food for thought...

Yet another Lenten season is upon us.  Last night  one of my congregants remarked that every year he comes back to the same question: "What is Lent all about?"  He also said that in previous years there have been times when he felt like he "got it," but it seems like a new challenge every year.

True enough! Each Lenten season brings its own unique 'wilderness' experience; primarily because (in theory), we are not in the same place we were last year.  In fact, if we have been journeying with God for 12 months, (or 12 minutes) we are undoubtedly changed in some way on the inside.  And since I am not the same as I was last year, how can I expect the Spirit that lives in me to allow a mere repeat of a previous experience? And, if this journey is to last the rest of my life, should I not expect to grow in new ways each season?

So for this year, in an effort to allow the Spirit to move in my life, I am going to try something new.  Instead of giving up something for lent, or denying myself the things that I believe keep me from experiencing God, I am going to explore the idea/concept, of a clean heart.  In other words, what would it mean for me to drop my expectations and desires of who and what I want God to be, and just let God be God? What if I went into lent this year with the belief that wherever God is calling me, or in whatever "wilderness" I find myself,  whatever God is leading me to do- that I trust that it is the Spirit that put me there... and that She has, and will have my back?

Yet  in order to do that, I have to be willing to embrace the truth; that God truly is powerful enough to have cleansed me of anything that I would use an an excuse to keep the Spirit captive within my brain space.  I would normally think of this as my 'giving permission' for the Spirit to move- but that still keeps things under my control.  Instead, I am going to try a paradigm  shift.  I am going to try to adopt the notion that the Spirit of God is truly bigger than my willingness (or lack thereof) to accept or reject Her. 
God help me... I can't wait to see 'what Lent is all about' this year!




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The other night at Bible Study we got into a discussion about weight loss (UGH!). It's a subject that seems that continually scream for our attention.  Many people in the room have gained and lost weight many times, and are just so tired of feeling like failures when it comes to maintaining their perfect weight.  (In the words of 'Fat Bastard', a Mike Meyers Character from the Austin Powers series "I eat because I'm unhappy, and I'm unhappy because I eat")

But when we dug a little deeper, we  spread that feeling of failure is not only pervasive in all areas of our society, but it is also crafted and implemented intentionally. 
We live in a society that depends on us not being "ok" with our appearance, our weight, our cars, our homes, jobs, government- you name it! It needs fixing!
Our economy thrives on this thinking.  If we can be made to feel like we have a problem, well, then that problem can be fixed by any number of products and/or ideas.  And what's more, there is no shortage of people to "help" us reach our goal.  (Whatever that may be- thinner, prettier, richer, safer)

When I worked in sales I learned three rules of selling:
    1. Create a sense of urgency (translation:create  problem)
    2. Offer a solution (moving all obstacles that may prohibit the sale, out of the way)
    3. Convince the customer that you are the only one who can possibly make their dreams come true.

Apply those simple rules of selling to every day life in our country, and you will see them all over, from car sales to fitness & health, to pharmaceuticals to factory farming, to education, to government!
"Not feeling pretty enough? We can fix your ugly smile, your bulging thighs, your nose that is obviously too big, your ankles that are too think, breasts that are too small..." "Kids not smart enough? Buy this... send them here..." "feeling alone? No problem... we have the perfect match for you"  (You get the picture...)

The problem is that all of us profess to know that you can do what you want to the outside, but inside each of us lies the "real" us- the one that was created by and is acceptable to the one who created us. Now, I say that we know this, but very few really believe it, much less live it out.  We buy into the lie- willingly- that somehow all of us are deficient in some way.  And That our deficiency need not hold us back from having everything we dream!

But there is another message- one that runs counter to the message of society.  And that is the message of the Gospel; that despite how you look, feel, thing, act- you are acceptable, and moreover, you are God's delight.  And while that is a difficult message to accept, and even harder to live out, (not to mention it doesn't sell or do one thing to boost the economy) it is, at your core who you are. 
I think it's time that we took back our self esteem and base our view of ourselves, not on what others say about us, but what God says about us.  You are OK!
Just food for thought...

Thomas always gets a bad rap as a doubter… but I think he just felt out of the loop.  Everyone else had experienced something great and he had missed it. And no matter what the group tried to do, they could'nt get Thomas to buy in to what had happened.  Sometimes you need to experience things for yourself.

Can you imagine how whiney and complaining Thomas must have been during that time? He must have been a complete pain in the neck to the other disciples.

But what happened to Thomas is what happens to all of us now and then, especially in church. Sometimes in the process of growth; spiritual, physical, emotional, we can sense things happening… and for many it is fantastic and exciting and the focus is all on the positive.  But for some, this kind of growth, (even if they know it's a great thing)- brings feelings of uneasiness… and discomfort… simply because its new. And that feeling that “everyone else seems to be in a place that I’m not in!” takes over, and folks can feel left out- marginalized- cast off. 

The group, by itself, couldn’t do anything for Thomas.  That is, except to continue on with him. They didn’t exclude him because he was becoming a pain in the neck- or because he wasn’t where they were (yet)… they kept him in the midst of them, and held on to their faith. All were included… even the one who wasn’t quite on board.

And at the appointed time, Jesus came and touched Thomas too.   And notice Thomas never actually touched Jesus’ hands and feet- he believed simply by witnessing the presence of Christ.

"Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”(29)

And I don’t think this was Jesus telling Thomas that he was an idiot for not believing without seeing… or that there was something wrong with him for not being able to believe and buy in- Jesus doesn’t condemn...
But rather  I believe Jesus was saying, 'look... you are going to come across others that also are right where you were at- and I’m not always going to show up physically for people to see in order to believe. 
But you can show up.  And you don’t have to be worried about people “getting it” or “not getting it” or whether you think they need spiritual growth or whatever other judgment or label you want to put on them.  You just show up- and let my power work through you…

Isn’t it amazing that sometimes we don’t give God credit enough to be big enough to take care of her own people? We all have opinions about what everyone else needs to do to get more spiritual.  But here’s what we forget…the spirit lives and breathes in us- it works through us… it doesn’t need us to think of a plan for people, or to exert our agenda of what we think is best for people, or what we think people need to do to get on board… the Spirit is plenty big to take care of things without seeking our wise counsel, especially l for somebody elses life.

  However, we can be the ones to bring that Spirit to someone else… we can bring it peacefully, lovinglyithout judgment or wanting it to change people like we think they should be changed. 

How about just accepting Thomas the way he is? How about just continuing to love him? Continuing to break bread with him and with each other? Cause I don’t know about you but there have been many times in my life when I’ve felt a lot like Thomas- odd man out.  And thank God there was a community who didn’t abandon me but continued to love me the way I was and honor where I was… even though I was a pain in the neck.

All we have to do is show up and let God do the rest. Just show up!

I love to read- and I love buying books.  I have never been a library type of person.  I think it's something about the deadlines; or maybe that I have to give them back after I'm done... I don't know.  And frankly I don't care to give it much more thought than that. 
A few days ago I got some new books in the mail- some I had found in footnotes of other books I had been reading, and some looked interesting from my "recommended for you" list on Amazon.com.  I began going through my normal ritual of holding and smelling each one (kind of like some folks do with a new box of crayons) and flipping through the pages to see if anything jumps out at me that I need to attend to this minute.  Then I put them on the table and longed for  morning to be here so I could start one of them.
Later in the day I talked to Beth (who is, by the way, very much the "library type") and she was telling me about the new book she is reading.  Of course it had all the markings of a great read- (she is the smartest person) and she went into detail; selling me on both the storyline and characterization. I glanced at my stack of "to read" with the packing slip, still attached halfway to the bottom book, gracefully dangling off the table.
"I got some new books today too," I said.  And gave her the titles.  I guess I should mention at this point that I have read possibly one fiction book in the past five years.  (Outside of children's books, that is) My bookshelf is filled with non fiction books; instead of titles like "The Girl With the Pearl Earring" and "Water For Elephants", there are titles like "Self Deception and Wholeness in Matthew and Paul," or "Violence and the Sacred." 
Beth and I had a good laugh at our differences.  She is like my lifeline to many things- she keeps me abreast on all things current in literature, politics and world events.  I relay ideas on composting and theology of scapegoating.  (In an augmentative style of course... )  And every now and then I get a hankering for a good story that hasn't been watered down or "tech"ed up  by movies.  But the truth is, I love what I read.  Even if it seems 'unbalanced' to some- or 'too dry,' to others. 
I thought about the years that I spent my spare time trying to keep up with best selling authors, classic novels or "must read" fiction.  And although much of what I read did form and shape my thinking (everything we do has a part in building who we are) I am finding myself at a place where in my spare time, I read what I like.  Give me a cup of coffee and a theology book and I'm happy.  Afternoon tea with a 'how to homestead on a quarter acre' paperback and I am in heaven. 
What are you reading lately? Are you enjoying yourself? Just food for thought...

I've been noticing over the last few days that many people on Face Book are going to try giving up social networking for Lent.  I'm guessing the reasoning behind such decisions have to do with the amount of time people spend on those sites; time that could otherwise be spent doing something else more constructive.  An admirable quest to be sure- I'm all for living more of life than watching life play out on a screen. (well, except maybe for movies but you know me...)
But I'm wondering, if in giving something time consuming up for Lent will enable us to have time for other things, what will folks planning on filling that "extra" time with?  Anything that we "give up" will be replaced by something.  So unless we think through what we will do in the time we have freed up, we may find ourselves in a bit of a quandary come Ash Wednesday.
And this has less to do with FB than it does the whole concept of giving something up for Lent in the first place. 
When we decide, hopefully with some forethought, assessment of lifestyle and hopefully prayer, to alter our lives for seven weeks, what is the reasoning for doing so?
No answers, just food for thought...

    I have a passion for movies and especially for finding theological themes in movies. That's the disclaimer. Not that I am a movie snob- (even though my Netflix queue may say otherwise.  Some of the categories on my queue include "Critically Acclaimed Visually Striking Cerebral Movies" or "Controversial Understated Emotional Foreign Dramas.") I'm more like a movie geek. I like obscure, somewhat heady movies with deep characterization and rich story.
    So when I recently watched the old 1980's version of Pippi Longstocking with my grandchildren, I did not expect to find anything remotely reflective about it.  The plot is thin and the acting even worse- all the children speak too fast with little or no believability; the adult cast is somewhat better (Eileen Brennan being the obvious bright spot) but overall sadly lacking...
    However, there one bit of dialogue that happens very quickly, that caught my attention. Pippi and the two neighborhood kids are going shopping.  As they are about to enter a "cleaning supply store," the children ask, "What are we buying today, Pippi?" A wide smile appears on  Pippi's face and she answers "A grand piano!"  The kids quickly interject "They don't sell pianos here, Pippi."  But Pippi's smile remains... "They might today!" she says.
    They might today! 
I think I want to adopt that as a personal motto! Too often I go into a situation, expecting it to turn out....well... exactly as I expect it to, and nothing more. And more often than not, I am correct.  But by holding on to my own expectations, I don't leave room for the Spirit to surprise me.  Heck, I don't even leave room for people to surprise me.
    Yet, I profess to believe in the God of surprises; the God who promises to go beyond everything I can dream or think or imagine!
    Today holds the promise of being something more than I expect.  But perhaps I need to hold the door open for grand pianos to be found in cleaning supply stores.  Perhaps I need to drop what I know to be true; what I think about the world, and instead look for what God is saying and doing in the world. 
    What would life look like if we all dropped our expectations; of people, of situations, of God... and just lived, watching and waiting for God's leading and movement in our lives?  How different would I respond to things that happen in any given day if I were free to act without anticipating the outcome?  And how would it affect the people with whom I interact?
    Would they perhaps be free to drop their walls as well? I don't know... but they might today!
Food for thought...

I have a friend who is "angry with God." She has been through more sorrow and hurt in her life than I could imagine, and some of that hurt has (sadly) come from the church. 
Her major complaint is that God is uncaring; and her anger stems from God's absence during the most difficult times in her life.  From her experience: She hurt- she prayed- God didn't show up to tell her things were going to be ok- and they still aren't.

I'm reminded of The Dark Night of the Soul- Saint John of the Cross, almost every time I speak with her.  And most of the time, at the end of our conversations, I walk away with an increased sense of helplessness.  I can't prove the presence of God in someone's life (nor would I presume to do so) and telling her my own story seems futile.
 
In our most recent exchange, I told her I was praying for her, so that she would know she isn't alone in her suffering.  In my mind I hoped that it would bring comfort.  Instead, she asked- "how does it feel to believe in a God that is silent? How does it feel to have someone else get more love from that god and show it off when you are hurting by praying for you?"
My translation of that statement: "God loves you and not me- don't rub that in my face."

I wonder how many others have been hurt by the "I'll pray for you" statements Christians toss around so cavalierly- as if it would mean something other than "I have an 'in' with God and maybe I can convince him to help you too." 

Just food for thought on today's journey...