Wednesday, November 17, 2010

"Because the Bible says" is not good enough.

This week my New Testament Professor made a point I could not go by without sharing and expanding on. We were talking about the Gospel of Matthew and shared how interesting he found the narrative of Jesus' temptation. He pointed out that the Satan character in the narrative tempts Jesus using scripture and Jesus responds with other scripture. To say the Bible says one thing is entirely incorrect because the fact is that the bible says a lot of things and they often contradict themselves.

That being the case why do people continue to say I believe x simply because the Bible says? The answer is that we don't want to take responsibility for our own beliefs. Any reading of the bible necessarily is an interpretation because the Bible does not have one single monolithic theology or viewpoint, on top of that not only is the reader interpreting but if you are not reading in the original language you are at the mercy of the interpretation of the interpreter. And even if you do speak Greek and Hebrew the texts that exist are a compilation of ancient manuscripts which have textual variants within them so even in the original language you are at the mercy of the interpretation of textual critics.

I'm not saying that the scripture is not important, because I think the scripture is incredibly important but what I'm saying is that we can not use the scripture as a shield that relieves us from responsibility for our actions and beliefs. If our answer is that we believe something only because the bible says, I don't think we are taking our belief or the bible seriously. We are also dangerously relieving ourselves from the responsibility of the implications and ends that such beliefs bring about. Much evil has and continues to be justified in this way.

We must take responsibility for ourselves. We must examine our believes using our experience, reason and in conversation with what the tradition has said (this does not necessarily mean agreeing with the tradition but at least taking it into account). If our faith is not examined, thought about, and wrestled with it is no faith at all. And I believe that the authority of scripture only comes when we wrestle with it and struggle with it. We must be a part of the scripture making process.

I hope not to stand behind bible and use it as a shield. I hope to have an examined, thinking faith. I hope that when I fail in these things than I can recognize it.

Sunday, November 14, 2010

A Much Deserved Thank You!!!

To all my PSR Friends,

You all deserve a big thank you. As many of you know I deal with issues of anxiety and depression. Two weeks ago I went through I really bad week where I let my anxiety and panic attacks get the better of me. It is not the first time it has happened, and though I hope it is the last I know it will probably not be the last. In the past when I have struggled with this issues I have felt terribly alone and it has only made me want to withdraw more. But this time I experienced something I have always longed for but had long quit believing would ever happen. I had people see that I was struggling, even though if I'm honest I was trying to hide it. You recognized my pain, and asked me how I was doing. You asked me not in the dismissive way I'm used to but in a way that invited me to be open, you cared enough about me to allow me to be vulnerable and tell you what was really going on. You listened to me and made me feel worthwhile. I can not express how meaningful this is to me. I could not say how thankful I am to all of you and how much all of you mean to me. Thank you!

With all my love,

Chris

Monday, November 8, 2010

Crying Out

Quiet...
There you are...
I feel you but you speak not...
or do you?
Its so hard to tell.
I know you and I don't.
You're right here...
or maybe you're too far...
even to touch.
Help me!!!
I need to understand...
or maybe I don't.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

When Fear Wins America Loses

I have a lot I could write about in the midterm elections and there are no two ways around this I am disturbed by a number of things that happened yesterday. Sadly can not get to everything I would want to in just this blog but I do want to hit on a couple of things.

I think at the heart of what we saw happen last night was based on fear. An great example of this is Oklahoma which felt it was necessary to have a ballot measure that banded Sharia Law. I have spent a lot of the morning trying to research why this would be an issue in Oklahoma, not surprisingly I could not find a single example of Sharia being used in that state. So where does this kind of ballot measure come from? The answer is fear, fear of the "other" which in our current culture is Islam. This ballet measure in my opinion is a reaction not to any real threat but rather to fear of a people and a religion that many American's do not understand.

This is not the only vote that was driven by fear. In Iowa 3 state Supreme Court Justices were removed from the court because the in a unanimous decision the court made that denying LGBT people the right to marry was against the Iowa Constitution. I seriously doubt that those who voted against these judges looked at any other cases that these individuals presided over. Obviously I am a supporter of marriage rights, but even if you have a problem with LGBT people getting married is their really any harm that can be done to you by them being married, or visiting the person they love in the hospital, or being able to be on each others health insurance? The only answer I see to this question is no. The heart of this measure was reacting against judges who allowed something that was feared because it is understood.

In Arizona the people voted to end the state's affirmative action programs. This vote seems to me to be a clear example of white privilege perpetuating itself. Reading the arguments to end these programs I see fear, fear that you may not get a job and someone else may. When we realize there is a great disparity in the jobless rate for African Americans vs that of white Americans we can see that there are reasons that programs like affirmative action are rightfully in place.

If all that was no bad enough, but Rand Paul was elected to Congress of the United States. It is deeply troubling because this is a man who said that he disagreed with Article II the Civil Right Act of 1964 which prevents private businesses from discriminating based on race. I understand people saying the wrong thing during a race but he not only said this but defended it. Frankly, there is no excuse for this position he held and defended and I think it brings into serious question his ability to hold any position of power.

In the end I recognize that though I think those who voted these things into being made the wrong decisions, I have to recognize their right to vote the way they did. But I have to say that I believe that fear motivated a lot of those votes. Yes, we live in uncertain times, but if we continue to act out of fear it is the country that loses. It is fear that caused the Salem Witch Trials, fear that caused the Red Scare, and fear that caused us go into Iraq which cost many American Service Women and Men their lives.

We need to have a rational conversation in this country. One that does not comprise of soundbites. One that will not sell papers or drive ratings but one that will help us to rediscover our mutual purpose. I do truly believe we have a mutual purpose. We will not always agree, but we can disagree in a better way. We can leave the fear behind, we can recognize the racism, sexism, hetrosexism and privilege that exist in our country and we can do something about it.

God help us all.

Sunday, October 17, 2010

We Can Be Silent No Longer

Over the years I have heard far too much hate coming from churches directed toward LGBTQ people. I have also seen many wonderful congregations and individuals who have been working for full inclusion for LGBTQ people within religious institutions. In the middle I have seen a lot of well meaning congregations stay out of the issue all together trying not to upset anyone believing that simply because they are not actively perpetrating this hate, they can stay out of the debate.

The recent suicides of 5 LGBTQ young people needs to act as a wake up call to us all. As people of faith and even more for those of us who are leaders have to recognize that our silence is, in a very real way, costing young people their lives. Those of us who believe that LGBTQ people are made in the image of God and that that God not only accepts them for who they are but longs for them to be exactly who they are, we have a responsibility to not allow hate dressed in religious language to be the only voice heard.

When we have people like Tom Prichard from the Minnesota Family Council making statements blaming the suicides on “homosexual indoctrination.” We can be silent no longer. I understand that for many in religious leadership there is risk involved with talking about this issue and taking a stand for inclusion, but think of it this way LGBTQ people everywhere risk each day by just being themselves, I simply find it unethical to choose silence because it is easier or less risky.

As religious leaders we must be willing to risk our own comfort, because there are people in our pews and sanctuaries that are looking for our guidance on this issue. There are many people who are inclined to do much to further the cause of inclusion if we only give them permission to do so. There are also youth and adults in our congregations that simply want to hear from someone that God really does affirm them, people who have been bullied, attacked (possibly physically), and demeaned simply for being who they are. This is simply not ok and we have say so.

Simple tolerance is not enough, to tolerate does not mean to be in solidarity with LGBTQ folks. No, only full inclusion goes far enough, and not a quiet inclusion that simply says this is what we believe, please leave us alone. We must practice an inclusion that all the world can hear, one that sends a message that says the Jesus we understand is not ok with people being stripped of their humanity. That those who call homosexuality an abomination do not speak for us or the Jesus we know.

I implore you be silent no longer, there are those out there who need to hear about the inclusive love of God in which we believe. There are those who need to feel the tangible inclusive love we can provide. As the Church we must repent, our silence has at the very least contributed to the deaths of many wonderful people who we were not there for. We can not let this continue to happen.

God have mercy on us for our silence. God help us as we move to real inclusion. God strengthen us for the struggle. God remind all that you love them for exactly who you made them.

Friday, October 15, 2010

... and yet I am

My history holds a legacy of oppression
but I am not my history... and yet I am.

My faith has perpetrated much evil
but I am not my faith... and yet I am.

My country is build on systems of privilege
but I am not my country... and yet I am.

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Racism and Humanity

This originated as a reflection for my class "Race and Racism in the Congregation" I thought it was worth sharing here. It is a response the second part of the PBS Documentary "Race: the Power of an Illusion"


It is striking to me how quickly and completely the concept that whiteness is the norm has been written into the laws of the United States. It is shocking that a country that expounds the value of equality so quickly begins to make distinctions between people. What is even more disturbing is that in attempt to reconcile the value of equality with these distinctions that some peoples begin to be seen as subhuman.

It was horrifying to hear about the human exhibits that existed at the St. Louis World Fair. It is so easy for us to see in hindsight this for what it was, a kind of human zoo. It would be easy for me to look at this in judgmental horror and think how glad I am that I’m not as bad as those people who stripped people of their humanity in the past. Though it is tempting to pat myself on the back and say how good I am for coming so far, I have to avoid this temptation. If I fall into that temptation I don’t ask the question that is begging to be asked here and that is how are we still stripping people of their humanity.

I think this is a startling fact about racism and institutional racism that not only does it metaphorically strip humanity from those who experience it, but also in it’s very history it has literally left people being categorized as subhuman. This makes the work of bringing down the systems and attitudes all the more important. It is not simply about equality or justice but it is actually about working together to restore people’s very humanity.

This link between people’s humanity and racism has been an epiphany for me. Though I have thought it important to struggle with race and racism for quite some time, it shows me what is at stake in that struggle. There is a big difference between the concepts of people feelings versus people’s humanity being at stake. Somehow this is the first time I am making this connection and it means that I need to rethink the way I talk race and racism. It may in fact mean that I need to think about new models and new language for fighting the specter of racism.

I was shocked by how deeply embedded the normalization of “whiteness” was within the laws and history of the United States. This normalization has allowed people to equate being white with being “civilized.” First off it seems very arrogant to me to consider oneself “civilized” implying that one’s own culture is the measuring stick by which all others are measured. What is even more infuriating is that this concept lead to the discussions of who could be “civilized” (made to live like the dominate “white” culture) and who could not be therefore being labeled as inferior to the dominate “white” culture.

This sense of “civilizing” people has lead to a great deal of cultural genocide. We only have to look at how the Native American cultures in the United States have been systematically destroyed to find an example of this. The unsaid principle is that those being “civilized” have a culture that will not allow them to be fully human and to be fully human one must adopt the dominate “white” culture.

It is again tempting to say this is another idea that is somehow situated in the past, but the truth is that we can still see this idea today. All we must do is listen to the arguments in the emigration debate. It is this “civilizing” tendency that is behind the attempt to make English the national language. Even in the term “illegal emigrant” we see that it labels the person as illegal, suggesting that they must adopt the dominate “white” culture to be citizens.

Another disturbing fact about this tendency toward “civilizing” people is that if a person of color is successful, it allows “white” culture to take credit for it. In other words that person only could be successful because they have been so successfully “civilized.” Take the case of President Obama being described as a “well spoken, articulate black man” as an example. We see in this example the implication that being articulate or well spoken are not attributes that can be attributed with blackness, which in and of itself implies that these are “white” traits. Therefore the President must have been taught these “white” traits. I can not even begin to express how disturbing this logic is to me.

This normalization of “whiteness” without question is one of the factors that leads to the existence of white privilege. It makes me wonder in what ways do I benefit from the fact that “whiteness” is seen as the norm. I think it is this normalization that allows me to not pay to much attention to the fact that I am white. At the worst moments it can lead to me feeling like others should automatically understand my point of view. It makes it easy as part of the group who is seen as the norm to let that, even unintentionally, effect how I see myself.

Social sin is a real thing and if I am honest with myself I am guilty in participating in a number of social sins. All I can hope is that as I keep wrestling with these concepts that I can recognize where that sin exists and do what I can to make others aware of it as well.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Unintentional Poetry


Was writing down some thoughts and these words came out. I wasn't trying to write poetry but it has a ring to it. I don't promise it is any good but here it is:

The drum is my spiritual heartbeat. It beats in the very fiber of my being. I don't understand it but maybe I don't need to. Why speak in this image, oh God? It excites me, infuriates me. The image so deeply resident in my deepest corners , yet foreign, alien, untouchable. And it beats on giving life and raising questions.

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Friday, September 3, 2010

A New Step On the Journey


This morning I took time to walk into the Holbrook building here at PSR and spend time with the pictures of all those who had gone before me. I felt a oneness with these people as if they share my hopes, my dreams and even many of my fears. I was connected for just a moment with those who have paved the way.

Orientation has been an experience and I leaves me with much hope for my time here. I have felt one of my favorite feelings this week and that is knowing I am going to grow, learn, and that I still have a lot to know. I am excited to embrace the not knowing, there is no greater killer of authentic spirituality than certainty.

I am in awe of my classmates they all bring so much to this community. We come from different backgrounds with different traditions and beliefs but yet there is a sense that we have all truly joined in the walk together. For many of my fellow students it has taken much more courage than it has taken me to come to this place, to take this walk at this time. I admire those around, I am honored to be counted among them. I know they will teach me much on this journey.

God lead me on, let me take a new step in this journey. I am ready, excited for the challenge, wanting the messiness, yearning for growth. Calm my fears and help me be open and present to the discomfort. Be with us all as we continue our journeys.

Friday, July 30, 2010

I Love my Muslim Sisters and Brothers


I'm deeply saddened today. I have heard far too much negative talk about my Muslim sisters and brothers. I can't simply sit and listen to it I must respond.

Whether it is the controversy over the building of mosques, miss representations in the media of what Islam says, people drawing the Prophet, or the heinous act of a Pastor planning to burn Qurans on 9/11 it has somehow become seen by some to be socially acceptable to be disrespectful to Muslims. The simple fact is, however, that it is not acceptable.

I spent a year teaching English in Bahrain a Muslim Country off the coast of Saudi Arabia. The Muslims I came in to contact with there were some of the most loving, peaceful and faithful people I have ever meet. I had the great privileged to have many discussions about faith with the people around me. In the end Muslims taught me to be a better Christian and I hope that I help them to follow their faith more fully.

I believe the controversy of Mosques and the negative things said about Islam come from a lack of understanding. To put it simply those out their who use the Suicide Bombs do not represent the reality of Islam anymore than those who bomb abortion clinics represent the reality of Christianity. The are radicals and should be named as such but we can not begin to judge a religion by the radicals. I know I don't want Christianity to be judged by it's extreme elements. As for the Quran, any negative thing you could say about it, you could find the equivalent thing in the book I hold as Holy, love and take very seriously the bible.

So today I'm here to stand with my Muslim sisters and brothers. The truly are my sisters and brothers and as their sibling it is my privilege to stick up for them.

Monday, July 26, 2010

Thank You to Collegiate UMC/ Wesley Foundation

I don’t have the words to express the joy and blessing it has been to be a part of the Collegiate United Methodist Church/ Wesley Foundation family of faith. Tammy and I could never thank you for all the love you have shown us over the past two years. You welcomed
us and brought us into your wonderful family of faith and nurtured us every
step of the way. As I head off to Seminary at The Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, CA know I carry you all in my heart. I know God has truly blessed us by letting us be a part of this place and this place will always be a part of us.

All our love and gratitude. Shalom to you all.
Chris Hockley
Campus Ministry Associate

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Spiritual Practice Vs. Religiousity


The phenomena of people calling themselves “spiritual but not religious” is not new but it is a growing reality. It is tempting for those who consider religion important to dismiss people who use this descriptor for themselves as somehow being less committed or “wishy washy”. My experience is that this is simply not the case.

Those who have taken on this descriptor have something important to teach us. Listening to those who call themselves “spiritual but not religious” what you often find are people who are deeply committed to spiritual practice but with no interest in the dogma that comes along with traditional religion.

Truth be told I see a great deal of wisdom in the distinction that they are making. Though I see great value in the shared history and guidance that religion can offer us, we must recognize that the heart of religion is in spiritual practice. We can go to worship all we want and hear stories about being compassionate, be told we need to be more loving, and sing songs about being a more just world but if we do not cultivate these attitudes within ourselves and in our daily lives than that worship is hollow.

It is exactly this talk without action that those who have taken on the “spiritual but not religious “ moniker are reacting against. The tricky thing about being a spiritual person is the more you learn, the less you realize you know. If we are to be compassionate people we must spend time cultivating compassion in ourselves everyday. If we are going to loving people we must meditate on love all the time. If we are going to act with justice we must incorporate justice into the fiber of our being.

It is this that faith is about, not about simply believing something but practicing to make the values mentioned above a part of our deepest being. We need to fight less about doctrine and focus more on cultivating those values that are at the heart of the religion that we practice. Maybe it would be smart for all of us to be more spiritual and less religious.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Reflections on hearing His Holiness the Dalai Lama speak


I was privileged yesterday to get an opportunity to hear His Holiness the Dalai Lama speak at the University of Northern Iowa. I got a lot out of the experience and want to do some reflecting on it here.

One thing that has always struck me about His Holiness is that he exudes such joy and hope. In person this absolutely holds true. This is a man who has seen an awful lot in his life and has every reason to be less than optimistic about human nature, yet he is full of joy and optimism. His point of view is striking and lovely. He understands that we give violence power by having the perception that we live in a violent world when a vast majority of the 6 billion people on earth are not violent people. His view on violence does not come out of naivety, he knows first hand both the price of violence and non-violence. If this man who has seen the atrocity of China taking his country of Tibet can be committed to non-violence than we all can be.

His Holiness' respect for all people is a challenge to all of us. He points out that before anything else we are human, everything else is secondary. He is absolutely right that we go wrong when we lose that fact and let those secondary things keep us from being the human family.

I was impressed by his discussion on ethics and how ethics are essential to our world. Though religious ethics are great and where he himself gets his ethical ground, he makes the great point that one can be ethical without a religious background.

I'm spurred on by his commitment to interfaith dialogue. Not only does he speak of
interfaith dialogue but it is clear he lives it. I was greatly taken by the diversity of the group of people who came to see him speak. That says a lot about not only the man but about what he has to say.

When he speaks the things he says are not complicated but they are striking. It was a great experience to see him and that is something I have wanted to do for a long time. If you have never read any of his many books I highly recommend them. The Art of Happiness is very accessible and a good place to start.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

The Importance of Science


I've been thinking about science a lot in the past week. It started when I discovered that www.symphonyofscience.com put up some new videos (if you have never seen their videos check them out). I've had a little more time on my hands so I have been watching a number of scientific documentaries. Lastly I had a friend mention on twitter that every child should be taught scientific method.

It was the last that got me thinking my friend made a great point we should be teaching all children scientific method. First I was surprised that this had to be said because in my upbringing I was taught about scientific method, but I have begun to realize that my experience is unique that there are a lot of kids who do not get the chance to see the beauty of the universe that exists around them.

I'm very disturbed by the anti-science strain that has taken root in some communities of faith. I think that it has lead to a very unhealthy view of the universe around us. I think that science not only can help us to understand the world we live in but it can also help us to rediscover the natural wonder and awe we have for that world. I think that this anti-science mentality has contributed to the environmental crisis we find ourselves in.

Science can also teach us important lessons about living in the questions. Scientists search for answers yes, but they also are excited by the search and comfortable with saying we don't know. This is important because the fact is that life is about the search.

Faith should not be taught in the science classroom. I would not be comfortable as a person of faith having my child be told about faith in school. Science needs to be taught as science, if people wish to tell their children something different it is their responsibility to do so not the school's. Science by definition is observable and faith is not. I certainly see my faith and science as compatible and value both very much, but faith is not scientific (because it is not observable). Science certainly informs my faith, and my faith colors how I see science but there is great value with me wrestling with the questions of the intersection of faith and science myself and I think that others should be given the opportunity to wrestle with these issues.

Do something scientific this week!!! See the wonder and awe science has to offer. I think you will find it exciting.

Friday, May 7, 2010

Saying Goodbye, Looking Back and Moving Forward

Life's transitions are always different and can be difficult. I'm in the middle of a transition currently. I'm finishing up my last couple of months here at Collegiate United Methodist Church and Wesley Foundation. Even though I still have a couple of months left here finals are finishing at ISU so I am finding myself saying goodbye to some of my students.

If I'm honest about it is not easy saying goodbye to this wonderful group of students I have worked with over the last two year. They have brought a lot of joy into my life. There are not words that could possibly express how great being a part of this faith community has been and how blessed I have been to be able to serve them. The things I have gained from them will last a life time. So I have to say I'm sad today as I say goodbye to some of them. I am lucky that I will get to work with some of them over the summer. But in the end it is a good thing that I am sad because that means that this experience has meant a lot to me.

I am excited about going to seminary and am very much looking forward to that experience but I will miss all the great thing I have been a part of here over the past two years. And I think it is as important to mourn the loss of the amazing experience. There will be a lot of time to be excited for all the wonderful things I will discover in the Bay Area but today is for looking back at how blessed I have been, to thank those students I have been so lucky to share my time with, to say goodbye to some of them and to recognize the sadness even as I am excited for the future.

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Sustainability Sermon

When you look at the world around you what do you see? Over the years I can tell you that I have had many answers to that question, some better than others. As I have thought about what the biblical narrative has to say about sustainability, it has occurred to me that how we answer that question may be much more important that I had thought before.
The way we view the world around us is at the very heart of the issue of sustainability. How we view creation will determine how we interact with it. Our own view on what God’s creation is and how we fit in may determine the very essence of what our faith calls us to when is come to sustainability.
Theologian Mathew Fox has a great deal to say about the way we see the universe. He points out that after the industrial revolution we have begun to see the universe as if it were a machine. We see it as cold, lifeless. Somewhere along our journey as humankind we have lost our sense of connection to the life and creativity infused into the universe by God. The very life that God has gifted to us is represented in the world around us and that connection is not only important to us spiritually but practically as we learn more about the awful effects that we can cause to the world around us. It will be hard for us to become better stewards and to try to live in a sustainable manner if we do not reexamine our world view and take seriously the idea of God as creator and the universe as creative. We can not continue to see the universe as dead because if we do we will continue to treat it as if it is dead.
If we are to rediscover a world view of a lively universe it is wise for us to turn to the indigenous people, the first peoples who have traditionally seen the world around them as very much alive. As we heard Michael Jacobs tell the story of creation, we hear the focus repeated that God not only created sometime in the past but rather that God created, is creating and will create. Creation is a process, a dance that we are invited into. That sense of God at work all around us in the natural world helps us to view the natural world very differently. We begin to see creation as a part of us and us as a part of creation. By now you’ve probably noticed the music in the background. This is a ceremonial song of the Lakota people honoring creation. They believe that when they sing and dance to this music they are assisting the creator in creating. We must begin to view our creative efforts each day in the same way. God is calling us to be co-laborers in the creation process. This is why we are given the gift of creativity. Sustainability is going to take new ideas and creative solutions from all areas of life if we are to live in connection with the universe. It is important now more than ever that we have a world view that embraces that connection.
Science is beginning to show us just how truly connected to each other and to the universe we really are. (Youtube Clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGK84Poeynk&feature=player_embedded)
As I hear the words of the great scientists in the video I feel that we are not only connected to each other biologically, to the earth chemically, and the rest of the universe atomically, but if we are so deeply linked to the rest of creation what does that tell us about how deeply we are linked to the creator.
You see the very nature of God is creatively creating. God has put in the very universe itself the quality of creativity. All we have to do is to leave some carbon and hydrogen atoms alone long enough to see that they will become any number of things from stars to life. If the very atoms we are made of are infused with such creativity how much more do we have the responsibility to be creative.
By shifting our world view we join in the dance of creation. By rediscovering our connection to the universe around us we rediscover a much greater connection, a connection to wonder and awe, a connection to life itself and the source of that life.
Seeing the universe as creatively created by God to be infused by life that is connected, we begin to realize that sustainability is about much more than simple survival. Sustainability is about being in connection with God and in communion with the world around us. We are being called to much more than simply stopping the damage that currently is being done to the world around us, rather we are being asked to join the universe to creatively find solutions to the issues that face us environmentally.
As our world view changes we will begin to see God calling us to be co-workers in the business of life. God calls us to take an active roll in the world around us. This extends beyond even the natural world to each aspect of our life. As we take that active roll of creativity we will discover how creativity can be a spiritual act, a means of Grace.
If we continue to see the universe as nothing more than a machine than our only responsibility is to keep the machine running so that it can serve us. But if we begin to take serious the connection that we find in the universe then our very well being depends on the well being of the universe around us. We must rediscover our place in the universe instead of somehow seeing ourselves outside and separate from the rest of the natural world.
We must continue to heed God’s call to create. We must find new ways to live that respect the value and life of the universe around us. We can not continue simply to use that which is around us because as we have heard over the last couple of weeks, it is destroying us. God has given us the gift of connecting to all the life that is around us. Let us accept that gift, and protect it.
The God of wonder calls us, how will we respond? Our creative creator invites us to look at the world with new eyes, can we do it? My prayer is that we can look at our universe with new eyes, that we can connect with life accepting the great gift that life is, and that we can be co-workers with God as God continues to create around and within us. Let the God of all creativity inspire us to act creatively, to better connect to the joy and hope that already

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Earth Day Reflections

I have to start by being honest I'm not nearly as green as a should be and want to be. I'm still a relative new comer to being intentional about my consumption , more specifically trying to curb my consumption. I could go on about what we should do to be more green but that would be hypocritical.

Instead I want to suggest that we look at the universe around us with new eyes. It is far too easy to see the universe around us as if it was a machine, cold and dead. This is simply not the case the universe is infused with creativity. If you leave atoms alone long enough all kinds of amazing things happen.

If we begin to see the universe as alive and wonderful we begin to reconnect to the universe, to each other and to the source of it all. We must reconnect to our sense of wonder. Have you ever just stopped to be in awe at the natural things around us? Have you ever had a conversation with a tree? If you haven't I invite you to try it because I believe you will find it enlightening.

So today I challenge you to go out and be in awe today. Look at the world around you with wonder. After all God created and saw that it was good. Let us take time today to see for ourselves that it indeed is good.

Sunday, March 28, 2010

This I Believe : Creatitivty is a A Spiritual Act

I wrote this as a part of a study we are doing at the church I work at that is based on the NPR series "This I Believe"

I believe that creativity is a spiritual act. Creativity is at heart of the universe we live in. Too often we think about the universe we live in as being a dead and lifeless machine, but that is not the case. Science shows us this, if you leave elements alone long enough they will combine and create all kinds of things.

The act of creativity connects us. It certainly connects artist with those who view the result of the creativity but I think that it goes much deeper than that. When we are creative we connect with the very world around us and with the source of all.

This view has changed the way I see things, as the season changes it is more that just something that happens each year. It is instead creativity at work, I see the process of creation happening right in front of me.

God did not just create at some time in the past. Instead creation is continually happening around us. God has created, is creating and will create. So as God creates it gives us the opportunity to use our gift of creativity to be active co-creators of a more just, loving and caring world.

It is through this spiritual act of creativity that we will better our world. When we look at the world we can see that the same old solutions that we have been trying to use for years simple are not working. The good news is that when we see creativity as a spiritual act it allows us to create new solutions to the problems facing us and future generations. It allows us to be at the work of bettering the world with God, side by side with our creator. It allows us to more fully mean it when we pray “your will be done.“ The opportunity to use our passion to help God’s kin’dom come excites me and gives me reason for much hope.

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Creativity

This week I have come in contact time and time again with discussion about how the creativity and spirituality are connected. Sense I believe in a creative creator God it makes good sense to me that creativity and faith are deeply connected.

The theologian Matthew Fox talks of creativity being at the very center of the universe we live in and I have to agree with him. The more I know about science the more I realize that the universe we live in is not some lifeless machine but is rather very much full of life and creativity.

If the world itself is creative and if God Godself is creative than does it not follow that we should be creative too. But creativity is not just something that is to be aspired to we must to have respect for it because not only do our most noble actions come from creativity but so do our darkest actions. We must always be checking our creativity with morality.

When our creativity is at its best we can be co-creators with God in a world that is more just, more loving and more sustainable. It is through creativity that I believe we will learn to deal with the climate crisis, create equal rights for all sisters and brothers and find ways to help the poor and oppressed.

I believe that creation is not some event that has happened in the past I believe that God continues to create all the time and that we are a part of that process through creativity. We as people are in process. We are becoming and the sooner we realize that we are never at where we need to be but that we are journeying the sooner we can begin to creatively help each other on the journey.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

My Interfaith Story

I attended training put on by the interfaith youth core (IFYC) this last week. Part of this training focused on telling our interfaith story and so I felt compelled to share my interfaith story here. So here is my story:

I grew up in Wyoming so I did not grow up around a ton of diversity but I was lucky enough to grow up in Laramie where the University of Wyoming is located where there is at least some diversity. I’m very thankful that I grew up in a family where knowing about diversity was seen as a value. Instilled with that value I have been always interested in other cultures and other religions, though I did not have much contact with people of other faiths.

When I went to college I went to a United Methodist School in South Dakota so while there was some ethnic diversity there was not a lot of religious diversity. I tried to seek whatever religious diversity I could in college feeling that it was important as a Christian to at least know about what people of other faiths believe, but there was just not a lot of opportunity to be in contact with those with different faith traditions.

As I entered into my adult life I continued to read books by those of other faiths, but I don’t think I could say that I really knew anyone of another faith. So when my wife and I got an opportunity to teach in Bahrain (a small Islamic island nation off the Coast of Saudi Arabia) we jumped at the chance. Though I never would have admitted it at the time and hate admitting it now looking back I defiantly felt some anxiety going to the Middle East. I worried about being treated in a hostile way simply because of my Christian faith. I was further made nervous as our excitement was often met not will equal excitement for us but with questioning. I will never forget the look people would get in their faces and the sound of concern in their voices as they grilled us about this being a good idea and if we were going to be safe.

So when we landed in Bahrain in the late summer of 2007 I brought all those concerns and anxiety with me. What I found there in the relationships with those people I met was very different than those fears that others and if I’m honest that I myself had had.

Soon after we got there it was the month of Ramadan and many of my students were fasting, I decided that I needed to understand as a teacher what my students were going through so I decided to fast in solidarity with them. The faith my students had in their fasting inspired reminded me of how Jesus had fasted in the desert to find direction and the focus that my students put on the poor during that month lead me to look again at how my scriptures dealt with who were less fortunate. My students through their Islam taught me to be a better Christian.

It is because of this experience and many others during that year, that I feel more connected to my sisters and brothers of other faiths. Through working and being in relationship with those of other faiths I have learned and continue to learn more about my faith. I become a better Christian through my friendships with those of other faiths and I hope that it deepen those others’ faiths as well.

Monday, February 22, 2010

Spiritual and Religous

Sermon from 02/07/10 Sorry it has taken so long to put this up.

When I was younger I used to spend hours talking to the trees. I would sit and listen as the wind blow through the branches and I could imagine these noble plants imparting their wisdom upon me. After all they had been there before I was born and in all likelihood will still be there long after I’m gone. I felt connected, connected to the trees, connected with the earth, and most importantly connected to the creator of all of us.
Sadly, it has been a long time sense I have spent time with the trees and the reality is I’m coming to realize that I need to reconnect. You see that time listening in the quiet hearing the wind through the trees was truly a spiritual discipline that grounded me and routed me in connection to God and to the life that was all around me.
We are a people in desperate need of connection. Because we do not connect with other people we see violence, hatred, and indifference that degrades and strips humanity from ourselves and others. Because we are not connected with the earth we see climate change, extinction of species and loss of ecosystems that threatens life itself. Because we are not connected to God religion is used to draw circles of exclusion, to cause pain and heartache, instead of being the life giving, reconciling force that it can and should be.
There is a real want in our world to connect to something deeper, to be a part of more than ourselves. And yet for many they have been disenfranchised by organized religion, seeing it not as a place where life can be found and that connection can be nourished and grown, but rather as a place of rules and dogmas that get in the way of that connection, that spirituality. (recycle your faith video).
I would imagine that for many in this room that the story in the video connects in some way if not in many ways with you. I know it connects with me, I hear many of my thoughts spoken out loud when I see this video. I would hope that we here at Wesley Foundation and Collegiate UMC are doing our part to provide that safe place to talk about the hard questions of our spirits and journey in those questions together. But just because we are trying to be that kind of place does not mean that we do not have a lot to learn from those who consider themselves spiritual but not religious.
The fact that so many people are taking on this descriptor for themselves tells us that we as Christians need to make sure that we are not sacrificing that connection, that spirituality I was speaking of earlier for our preconceived notions of what is Church. In fact we need to make sure that as a church that we are nourishing those connections, that spirituality that so many are looking for.
The words from Isaiah we read earlier tonight speak to this connection, this wholeness that we can find through God. It tells us to seek God and poetically describes what that connection can be like. As we read the scripture it is striking that when one connects or reconnects as it may be to God, we not only connect with the creator we connect with creation.
As we spend our time connecting with God we should feel more connected to the very world we live in. By cultivating spirituality we can feel that care that God has for this world. We begin to see others through God’s eyes making us more compassionate, caring and willing to build up others humanity. We begin to see the natural world through God’s eyes. We recognize that we cannot continue to consume without thought of the impact. We begin to see ourselves through God, not as mistakes of the past, not as our insecurities but we see ourselves as what we are and may became. By cultivating spirituality we cultivate hope.
So the question becomes what can we do to connect with God, to revitalize that spirituality that is within us. We can turn to the spiritual disciplines to study, prayer, creativity, meditation, silence, fasting, service and many, many more.
You see these practices are not ways simply to be holy or to appease an angry parent in the sky. No, the reason for these practices is to cultivate a connection to God, to each other, and to the world around us. It is through cultivation of our spiritual selves that we are given the strength and energy to carry on and fight for social justice, to feed the hungry, to care for the forgotten, and to love our enemies.
Our spiritual disciplines and practices should spur us on. Spur us on to creativity. They should enliven us and invigorate us to be co-creators with God of a world that is more just, more loving, and more connected.
I think the fourth affirmation in the Phoenix Affirmations puts it well.
As Christians, we strive to respond to God's artistry in Creation by integrating the arts in worship, education and proclamation. We encourage the reclaiming of artistry and artistic expression in all Christian endeavors, both personal and communal.
We affirm that the Path of Jesus is found where Christ's followers make sincere and vibrant worship of God as central to the life of their community as Jesus did. We further affirm artistic expression as a way of reflecting God's creativity, joy, and prophetic voice in what may be seen, heard, felt, tasted, sung and spoken.
We confess that we have moved away from Christ's Path when we have failed to make worship the product of our best efforts to experience and express love for God, neighbor and self in community with others. We have moved further from this path when we have considered the arts as trivial or merely tangential to the life of a mature Christian community.

In this affirmation about worship we find a call to artistry in responding to God’s artistry. The great leaders that have gone before us who have made a differences are at their heart “social artists.” Connecting what is bigger than them and using that connection and creativity to better the world around them furthering that connection.
So what of religion then? Is it just something to be thrown to the curb? I don’t think so. We can be both spiritual and religious. At its best Christianity acts as a wide path up the spiritual mountain. It has nurtured many different people from many different backgrounds. I find that my religion works to deepen my spirituality through the understanding of those who have come before me. Our religion can act as a well marked path that keeps us from wondering around the spiritual mountain aimlessly.
I think that we can be both spiritual and religious. If we are keeping that balance right our religion deepens our spirituality and our spirituality energizes our religion. Spirituality and religion can be two sides to the same coin. When we can hold the two together in balance we can be not only in closer connection to God, but we will be more ourselves.
So I challenge you today to get connected. Pray, meditate, have a discussion with one another, talk to a tree, dance, do what it takes to be in connection with God. Because the more we are connected the more we can co-labor with God so that God’s Kin’dom can truly come. Amen.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Our Best vs. Their Worst

Over the last year or so I have spent a lot of time thinking about how divided everyone seems to be and how no one seems to be able to communicate with one another. I believe deeply in spirited debate and that two people can believe very different things yet still be respectful and learn from each other. But I don't see a lot of this kind of debate out there. So I have been wondering why that was.

As I have pondered this one thing I keep seeing is people comparing their best with other people's worst. If I'm honest with myself this is something that I myself am guilty of so as I talk about this I recognize that I have been part of the problem.

The reality is that when we begin to compare our best with others worst we do much more than than just shut down conversation we also begin to label the person or group that we are disagreeing with as "the other" or "the enemy." By making this best vs. worse comparison we deny others their humanity and we deny ourselves the ability to grow and learn by hearing other points of view.

The fact is that I have seen this vs. attitude in many of the pressing issues of our day. In conversations about religion and science, in conversations about other faiths, in conversations about politics, and in conversations about theology. We can not continue to try to make ourselves right by looking at the worst of the people we disagree with because they can look right back at us and do the same thing.

If we can learn to disagree and have a real discussion and debate where we allow both sides of issues the opportunity to speak and truly hear, not just listen to, but truly hear both sides I believe we will have a new found respect even for those who believe very different things than we do. Even if we can't find common ground we can at least hear each other.

We live in a world and a nation divided, the challenges we face each day are becoming more and more complicated. We can not longer parish as fools by blaming one another for every evil known to human kind. Instead we must face the challenges together as sisters and brothers knowing that we are not always going to come to the same conclusions. We must remember the next time we are tempted compare our best with others worse, that in the world we live not all are guilty but all are responsible.