Just wondering

I'm watching the Pro Bowl...not because I care so much about professional football...but because very dear former members I served will be receiving an award given to their husband/father, Bob Lawing, former NFL referee who died last May. Every NFL ref this year has worn his initials "BL" on their caps all year -- including next week in the Super Bowl. So, in addition to the Panthers having a miserable season, I have had a heavy heart about watching professional football.
In watching to see my friends, I have learned something. In this game, 10 of the players on the field are wearing microphones. We hear everything they say on the field. Now that's something I haven't seen before. Surely the idea that the whole world will hear what they say gives them pause. Maybe this is an idea that should have a broader application.
Today's Old Testament lesson was the wonderful passage in Micah 6: 1-8...what does the Lord require of us but to do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with God. As I sat in worship, I couldn't help but think of the stark contrast to God's requirements as I was hearing them and the world we are living in. Do justice? Love kindness? Dear Lord, we are so far away from justice and kindness being dominating characteristics of people --even people in the church. Sometimes especially people in church. Walk humbly with God? Maybe if the requirement is to walk stubbornly and beligerantly.....but humility? Not so much.
Maybe if people would think about their conversations as if they had microphones? Then we wouldn't have all these secret conversations/social network correspondence that turn out to be hurtful and embarrassing when they come to light. I know someone who has gotten emmeshed in a relationship at work. Like the story I have heard too many times, the relationship didn't start out to be inappropriate. Part of my advice to try to heal and pick up the pieces: with every conversation at work, imagine that your wife is right there to hear every word. Have your conversations as if you are wearing a microphone.
I don't know how the broadcasters chose which players would wear microphones. But this I know: whether we're aware of a microphone or not, there is Someone who hears every word--that Someone who loves us and laid down His life for us...that Someone who should be the One who, above all, we don't want to disappoint.

Words matter.

One week ago, a shooting rampage in Tuscon shocked our nation. As our continued prayers are with Representative Gifford and the families of those who were harmed or killed, the commentators and politicians have spent most of the week arguing about whether or not the vicious political tenor of our nation contributed to the shooting. Yes, some say. No, say others. The argument has filled the airwaves and newpapers and conversations. And the whole argument is beside the point.
The vicious political rhetoric in our nations should stop whether a shooting ever took place or not.
The extreme language should stop because Jesus taught us to love one another as He loved us. Describing people who differ as enemies should stop because Jesus taught we should love our neighbors as we love ourselves. Lambasting others, distorting their words or actions and labeling people should stop because one of God's first major commandments is that we not bear false witness against our neighbors. The vicious attacks should stop because, even when people are enemies, the teaching of Jesus is to love our enemies.
Despite overwhelming, consistent biblical witness to the importance of love, politicians -- and many others in our society--join in condemnation, labeling and accusations without batting an eye. And then, when a tragedy like the shooting takes place, they are quick to say that the words had no effect on what happened.
Indeed, in regard to the Gifford shooting, maybe the violent rhetoric of the political climate was not the cause. That's not the point.
As a pastor, I am in a profession that passionately affirms that words matter. And I say the violence of words is wrong whether there had ever been a shooting or not. The incendiary use of language is wrong because it violates the central Christian principles of love for others. And, whether or not the Tuscon shooter was affected by extremist political language, our nation has become affected by the steady stream of invective. Maybe I should say our nation has become infected.
I urge people not to spend their time arguing about whether or not the political words caused Representative Gifford's shooting. Let us spend our time speaking the truth in love and lifting up the value of words. And don't let anyone tell you that hateful words don't matter. They matter to anyone who follows Christ.

Christmas is not over

Sometimes there is a writer who says just exactly what you want to say. That's what Ann Weems has done for me in her "January's Song"...

There's a rumor on the streets that Christmas is over.

Lights and ornaments are packed away,

Trees dragged to the curb,

people back to business as usual.

We're no longer in the party mood;

the humbugging is back in vogue.

This is January...

How can Christmas be OVER?!

The Child is just newborn,

the song of Peace and Goodwill

still rings in our ears.

The shepherds and sages still kneel to this One who is born to us...

just born to us!

How can Christmas be over?

The story of the gospel is just beginning.

We who saw the Star now live in its Light.

We who saw and heard now believe.

Christmas is not over.

We're just beginning to follow this One
who calls us now to live in the Light of Love.

Christmas is not over.

It's just beginning!

This is January's song!!