You're an Abomination! And Oh, By the Way, God Loves You!

I was listening to a sermon message this morning on my laptop and in the message the speaker was lecturing on the subject of "The Truth."  In his comments he mentioned the recent brouhaha concerning Tim Tebow and Pastor Robert Jeffries.  Tim Tebow is the back up quarterback for the New York Jets and an evangelical Christian well know for his public displays of faith.  Mr. Tebow is a much sought after speaker in the faith world and has become a sort of Christian evangelical hero to many.  Pastor Robert Jeffries is Senior Pastor of the historic First Baptist Church in Dallas Texas who has, within the last couple of years become known as an outspoken and controversial spokesman on the hot-button issues of the day, like homosexuality, same-sex marriage, abortion and Christian exclusivity, to name a few.

Some time ago Mr. Tebow accepted an invitation to speak at First Baptist in Dallas when dedicating its new multimillion dollar campus and sanctuary next month.  Then, some columnists and commentators in the news media (including sports writers) took exception to Mr. Tebow's decision and said he was "making the biggest mistake of his life." They called Pastor Jeffries such things as a promulgator of discrimination, exclusivity and even hate.  Mr. Tebow, I suspect out of concern for his public persona and theological understanding, decided to change his mind and then backed out from Pastor Jeffries' invitation.

The point the speaker was making in the sermon message I listened to this morning was that Pastor Jeffries was standing for "The Truth" while Tim Tebow was backing away from "The Truth" and caving in to media pressure.  Mr. Tebow stated that he wants to continue bringing "faith, hope and love to those needing a brighter day" and he has received much support for his decision from many of his fans, Christian and otherwise.  Several Evangelical leaders have come to the defense of Pastor Jeffries stating he is a loving man of God and a dedicated orthodox teacher of the Bible.

So, as a good friend of mine often says, "What's really going on?

I have little doubt that Pastor Jeffries is a good man who believes sincerely in his faith and deeply held convictions.  He has the support of his congregation, many evangelical leaders, and I am sure countless others.  But he, and many like him in the conservative Christian world have, I believe, a problem of perception, a problem of tone.  Now, I know that the reputation Pastor Jeffries has in our culture comes largely from the media which isn't always known to be completely factual in it's reporting or commentaries.  Nonetheless, the media's view of Pastor Jeffries comes from the many words he has spoken when being interviewed by the media and therefore he has to be at least partially responsible and accountable for the views they hold and the reputation he has acquired. 

So, what is the perception problem? 

My Mother taught me from an early age that, "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care."  I think she is correct, and I have seen this truism played out in my life from both sides.  So, when anyone with a smile on their face comes up and says to you, or to the culture at large through the media that, "You're a sinner!  An abomination to God!  You're under the wrath of God!  You will tremble before God at the judgement!  And unless you repent in the way I say, you are going to hell!  And oh, by the way, God loves you and so do I!" That's a problem!  There is little care or concern in such an approach and so why listen to what you think!  My advice to anyone hearing this kind of approach to the gospel?  Run just as fast as you can!

This approach to the gospel doesn't work.  It comes across as cold, unloving, uncaring, wooden, superficial and short sighted.  It often suggests being more concerned with personal ego, being right (at least in your own eyes) than in building a genuine relationship of love and concern with the person or persons you are addressing.     

Conservative Christians across the spectrum who take this approach, knowingly or unknowingly, would do well, I believe, to step back in soul searching reflection and prayer (as perhaps Tim Tebow did), meditating on the love of God, the love he has for his people, and how this love should inform and transform the approach one takes in sharing the good news of God's grace.

Peace for real,
Dennis  
        

A Vision for SoulLight Ministries

Out of my murky, sometimes slow and distracted mind and heart, I seem to be "seeing" a kind of vision for SoulLight Ministries.  The weird thing is I haven't been looking!  And it's a little scary to think about!

As some of you know about me, I am no fan of our materialistic, consumer oriented, market-driven culture.  Period!  In the religious area of our culture, I have been associated with ministries throughout most of my adult life and I have been an observer of  religious organizations through the years and have seen all too often the marketing and public relations machines at work pumping out the "brand" and "product" of their ministries, and it has always made me uncomfortable.

Is the work of a ministry accomplished by the leading of the Holy Spirit as she guides and directs the ministry leadership and staff in service to others?  Is the mission driven by a desire to serve God with him at the center of all ministry effort and motivation?  Do the donations and offerings that are received the result of people being genuinely moved by the spiritual integrity and mission of the ministry? Or is much of the work of the ministry, staff, and donations the result of the slick, well oiled and varied marketing and public relation campaigns, not unlike any for profit corporation which pumps out its brand and product for consumption by it's consumers?

I am sad to say that my experience in working for various ministries through the years is there is at best a very blurred line between God honoring heart oriented ministry to those in need of spiritual help, and ministries that will drop the name of God as it feels it needs to in order to serve not so much God or others but rather to serve the marketing and public relations effort to bring in the greatest number of donations, so that it may continue to operate and do its work.  The work done is often more social, therapeutic, or self-help (not all bad) with the intent of assisting "clients" on how to become successful, self-sufficient and more viable consumers in our market-driven culture, with little offered in the way of spiritual counsel or direction.  And it troubles my heart.  

All of that to say that when it comes to a SoulLight Ministries' vision I desire that it be a spiritually organic, mustard seed, from the bottom, to those in need ministry, founded and operating out of Jesus' great commandment to love God, and love others as we love ourselves.  Period!  And whatever comes from this is to the glory of God!

And so, as I see it right now, SoulLight Ministries' vision focuses in three main areas: 

1. Contemplation - It starts and ends with each one involved seeking, willing a deeper experience in God.  "...the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God." (2 Corinthians 2:10). 

2. Compassion -  Coming along side and being there for those who are suffering and in need, making a difference by our presence in their lives. "...when [Jesus] saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them, because they were distressed and scattered..." (Matthew 9:36).

3. Social Action - A Christian prays for God's will to be done on earth as in heaven.  This necessitates not only continued prayer and compassion, but also social action, standing against injustice and oppression in this culture so that God's reign on earth expands and advances.  "...what does the Lord require of you but to do justice and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6:8).  

So there you have it!

Please comment and let me know what you think.  I welcome and appreciate your input and suggestions.  Thank you so much for your interest and please continue to follow SoulLight Ministries not only via this blog but also through our new SoulLight Ministries' facebook page.  If you haven't already please consider "LIKING" our page so we can reach more facebook readers. 

Peace for real,
Dennis



     

I Don't Care! There I Said It!

So, here it is, the beginning of another week and according to my schedule it's time to write my blog.  Lucky me!  Actually I like very much writing my blog and sharing it with whoever chooses to read it.  But today, well today, I'm just not feeling it.  You know what I mean, right?  Stuff happens!  The stuff of life.  The stuff that we usually don't tell anyone about because we want to give an always, ever-present appearance and impression that everything is fabulous and wonderful!  And the reality is, you lost your job, the kids aren't minding, the car broke down, the rent is passed due, your spouse isn't speaking to you, and....well you get the picture.  I mean, take your pick of any of the things I just listed, or add your own.  We've all been there, right?

I know, it's times like these that others will tell us we're suppose to count our blessings, or get up and get going, or volunteer down at the food bank, or of course, pray.  People will tell you, "Get off  your pitty potty!  Man up (or woman up as the case may be), it could be worse!  Think about all those poor people in India!"  It's usually about this time I have come to my mind several obscenities which I would like to say but usually don't 'cause after all I'm a spiritual person. : )

But the fact is, sometimes I just don't care! 

There, I said it!  And the last few days that's exactly how I have been feeling.  I don't care!  You've been there.  So, what's my answer to getting out of the doldrums?  Beats me, and I don't care! 

I'm not going to count my blessings. I'm well aware of my blessings.  I'm not going down to the food bank, and I'm not going to get up and get going.  I'm not going to pray......well, actually I have prayed but it hasn't made any difference, but that's okay.  My God isn't a genie or a vending machine so I don't expect him to jump just because I'm having a bad day.  

Do you know what I'm going to do?  I'm not going to do anything really!  Sorry if that disappoints you but it's the truth.  I'm going to hold on tight, stew in my own juices, and be as kind as I can be in the process.  And I know, because I've live long enough and experienced enough of life, that this will pass, and my disposition will improve and I'll be able to say once again with some level of authenticity, "ALL IS RIGHT IN THE WORLD!"

In the mean time, I'd appreciate it if you would please keep your distance.  I like you and I really don't want to fire any obscenities in your direction.  After all, I am a spiritual person. : )

Peace for real,
Dennis  

 

"That's Okay, Sir....God Bless You!"

So, even though I'm not a huge or generous giver of money to people with cardboard signs standing by the roadsides around my city, I do find my heart going out to them whenever I see them, which is often.  I wonder, what is their story?  How did they get to this point?  Where is their family? Where do they sleep at night?  And, what keeps them going?  I find myself wanting to and planning to stop and speak with these men and women to get answers to my questions with the hope of perhaps helping in some way more than I do.

Recently, as I was driving through the Home Depot parking lot in my neighborhood there was a person with a sign standing at the end of the parking lot which is not uncommon.  Sometimes it's a man, sometimes a woman, sometimes a family with a child or children.  As I drove up next to this man I rolled down my window.  He was probably in his 60's, wearing old and wrinkled clothes and a beat up baseball cap.  His face was weather-beaten, his hair thin and receding,  and I saw only two yellow teeth left in his mouth.  I gave him some money.

It wasn't a lot of money, not because I'm stingy, but because currently I am unemployed and I need to be frugal with my limited finances.  And yet, even though unemployed I have a comfortable home which I own, two cars which are paid off, plenty of food, cable, internet, a loving family, etc. and so I say to myself regularly, "Surely Dennis, you can do something."      

So I rolled down my window and gave him some money and I said to him as our eyes met, "Sorry, it isn't much."  That's when I saw his two yellow teeth because he smiled at me and said kindly, "That's okay sir.  Thank you very much.  God bless you."  I smiled back, nodded and drove off.

Each time I help, I find myself wanting to do more. It's not so much from a sense of guilt as it is a growing realization that he is my brother.  He is my neighbor.  He is me. 

Peace for real,
Dennis   

I Miss the Stars!

No, I am not referring to Hollywood or professional sports celebrities.  I am referring to the glorious, majestic heavens!  When was the last time you witnessed first hand on a clear night, away from the smog, air pollution, and city lights, the stupendous glory of the heavens?  Do you remember?

It's been a while for me.  And I miss it.

I remember so well as a child living in a rural community in a dimly lit neighborhood parking myself at night on our front porch, or positing myself face up on the grass and gazing with innocent wonder at the beauty of the night sky.  I didn't know what it meant.  I don't think I really cared what it meant.  All I know is it would  give me a sense of awe at the bigness up there.

But then the busyness of life took over.  School, sports, chores, more school, parties, college, career, upward mobility, making money, marriage, children, paying bills, more work, meetings, living in city after city of noise and lights, etc. etc. etc.!  And somewhere along the way, too early on, I stopped looking up. 

I do remember one occasion when visiting Hawaii for a church convention on the island of Maui looking up.  It was a quiet evening.  Stillness was all around.  We were returning to our rented townhouse from an evening church service and I was walking from the car towards the residence and, as if drawn by something or someone, I looked up.  And what I witnessed was nothing short of dazzling!

Cluster upon cluster, upon cluster of stars against the blackness of the night sky.  Everywhere.  The stars were everywhere, all around.  I couldn't move.  I was mesmerized by what I saw.  I've never experience anything like it, not before, not since.  It was as if I could touch them. Touch the stars.   

Every time now that I think about that occasion, that mystical experience, those few moments, I think of the passage in sacred scripture,

             "When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have               set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?"

The unspeakable beauty and splendor of God's Universe.  Why did he ever choose to bother with us?  I'm convinced it's because this same God of creation who made the stars desires to share his whole Divine Trinitarian Love with us!  And I long to return the grace and favor!

Yes, I miss the stars.

And so, I think soon I'm going to pack up my little family, leave the city and venture out into the woods or mountains - somewhere away from this sound and light show, and once again, look up into the darkness of the night sky and worship the God of the stars, the God of the heavens, who is both transcendent (above the heavens) and yet intimately present to us all.

Peace for real,
Dennis    

A Parable on Charity and Social Justice

"Once upon a time there was a town that was built just beyond the bend of a large river.  One day some of the children from the town were playing beside the river when they noticed three bodies floating in the water.  They ran for help and the townsfolk quickly pulled the bodies out of the river.

"One body was dead so they buried it.  One was alive, but quite ill, so they put that person into the hospital.  The third turned out to be a healthy child, who they then placed with a family who cared for it and who took it to school.

"From that day on, every day a number of bodies came floating down the river, every day, the good people of the town would pull them out and tend to them - taking the sick to the hospital, placing the children with families, and burying those who were dead.

"This went on for years; each day brought a quota of bodies, and the townsfolk not only came to expect a number of bodies each day but also worked at developing more elaborate systems for picking them out of the river and tending to them.  Some of the townsfolk became quite generous in tending to these bodies and a few extraordinary ones even gave up their jobs so that they could tend to this concern full-time.  And the town itself felt a certain healthy pride in its generosity.

"However, during all those years and despite all that generosity and effort, nobody thought to go up the river, beyond the bend that hid from their sight what was above them, and find out why, daily, those bodies came floating down the river."  

I think the point of this parable is pretty clear: it is to point out the difference between private charity and social justice.

Private charity responds to the homeless, hurt, wounded and hopeless among us, but doesn't try to get to the causes and reasons for why they are there.  Social justice on the other hand tries to travel up the river and change the causes and reasons that created the homeless, hurt, wounded and helpless.

The God of compassion asks only one thing of us, that we "act justly, love tenderly, and walk humbly with our God" (Micah 6:8).

As we begin this new year of 2013 may we as believers in the God of compassion be committed to and actively involved in both private charity and social justice.

Peace for real,
Dennis

 

What Is This Awesome Mystery? Happy 2013!

As 2012 comes to an end this evening at midnight and 2013 dawns, I thought it appropriate to offer a few words concerning perspective.  Words about what is the really important one thing in life - whatever the season of whatever year. 

The few words concerning perspective do not come from me this day but rather from an acquaintance of mine. His name in history has come down to us as Symeon the New Theologian.  Symeon was a monastic monk and  priest who was revered, ridiculed, and exiled.  He was hailed at times as an orthodox Christian theologian par excellence, as well as accused of being an excessive radical and heretic.

I find that sometimes I am on the end of such labels.

Nonetheless, my friend Symeon whether hailed or ridiculed, was passionate about the reality of one's personal experience of God.  He penned many words throughout his life but these which follow are ones that strike in me emotions, sensations, soul stirrings which I find hard to articulate.  Words which help put in perspective for me the one thing:  Knowing God.      

As you end your day this evening and awaken to another, please allow the words of my friend Symeon the New Theologian to reverberate in your soul......


"What is this awesome mystery
that is taking place inside me?
I can find no words to express it;
my poor hand is unable to capture it
in describing the praise and glory that belong
to the One who is above all praise,
and who transcends every word.....
My intellect sees what has happened,
but it cannot explain it.
It can see and wishes to explain,
but can find no words to suffice;
for what it sees is invisible and entirely formless,
simple, completely uncompounded,
unbounded in its awesome greatness.
What I have seen is the totality recapitulated as one,
received not in essence but by participation.
Just as if you lit a flame from a flame,
it is the whole flame you receive."
                                     
                          -- St. Symeon the New Theologian (949 - 1022)

Peace for real in 2013,
Dennis