Archive for the ‘Ethics’ Category

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Prisoner?

July 28, 2008

Still in my study of Luke..

Luke records two stories (early in chapter 6) where Jesus confronts the Laws of the Sabboth. In the Ten Commandments, Moses records one of God’s Laws as “Remember the Sabboth Day and keep it holy.” Believers are instructed not to work on the Sabboth. Sounds simple, doesn’t it? Well, hold on there. What is work? This thought occurred to ancient law makers just as it would today. So for hundreds of years Jewish lawyers set to work defining work. Therefore, when the followers of Jesus were walking with him on the Sabboth and picked some grains of wheat, rubbed them between their hands and then ate the kernels, they were accused of “working” that is harvesting and threshing grain.

There was a 13-week television series that aired on Public Television in the late 1960s called “The Prisoner.” It starred Patrick McGoohan, whose previous credit was a low budget spy series called “Secret Agent.” McGoohan (Number 6) found himself in a perfect little city. Trouble was, he wasn’t allowed out. For twelve weeks, we followed his exploits as he sought to break out of prison, constantly looking for Number One. He talked with Number Two, but never Number One. The last show of the series gave the “punch line.” In fact, Number Six (McGoohan) was really Number One. He had imprisoned himself!

As I study Jesus’ story in Luke for the umpteenth time, it becomes ever more clear that one of the dangers Jesus warns us about is the human tendency to make rules. When you are dieting, do you want to hear “just eat well” or do you want a list of foods to eat and a list not to eat? Similarly, when Jesus asks you to live in the Spirit, can you just do that? Or do you need a list of what to do and what not to do? There are many problems with lists. They can serve to divide the “good” from the “bad.” But later on we are admonished not to do that work of God. We’re all bad, right? Lists (rules) make it seem as if we can earn our salvation by following the letter of the law. That’s wrong. We can’t earn anything.

What did we learn from John the Baptist, and increasingly then from Jesus? First, get right with God. Then, do things for others. That’s it. Live in the Spirit, then always be aware when a brother or sister need a little help and give it. I guess that’s too simple for some people. Either that, or it’s too hard!

Gary Mintchell

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Rules

July 23, 2008

After Luke records Jesus’ dealing with temptations, he proceeds into a compilation of events and sayings. Luke was a physician, and you’ll see more healing stories in his book than anywhere else. Significant among the early healings and other stories was the way Jesus dealt with the Sabboth. I was taught (and have never seen anything to contradict it) that Jewish Sabboth observance really caught on during the Babylonian Captivity as a way to keep their heritage alive. Over time, thinkers kept trying to define what it meant to “keep the Sabboth holy.” If you are to do no work, then what is work? So began a long process of writing definitions–otherwise known as laws or rules–about how to keep the day holy.

Jesus realized that the problem with rules is that they become a burden on the people. They forgot about concentrating on being holy and started concentrating on not breaking the rules. Today psychologists have verified Jesus stance that what you think about determines what you’ll do. When Jesus healed a man’s withered arm on the Sabboth in full view of everyone, he asked whether it was God’s will to do good or to do evil on the Sabboth.

The lesson for us is to reflect on our thoughts and actions and see where our concentration is. Are we more concerned with rules, and not breaking them? Or, are we concerned with God and what He wants us to do in every situation, with every minute? I know which one Jesus picked. Wish I could be as perfect as He!

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Heeding the call

July 14, 2008

I could almost see John the Baptist smiling last Friday (OK, I can’t imagine him smiling, either). Considering the challenges he laid out to believers that I discussed last week, I shared in a celebration of great love and ministry. The dinner was a celebration and thank you to the volunteers who have helped make the local free medical clinic, Compassionate Care, the success it has become over the past year. But even more was the story of one person of faith who asked what she could do to use her talent and faith in service of the poor. I was there because my wife volunteers, but the story is too important to let go unmentioned. There must have been at least 50 people involved. What a great example to those of us who serve less than we could.

So when people asked John what they should do after they believed (had a spiritual experience with God followed by commitment of their lives), and he said, “If you have two shirts, share with the person who does not have one. If you have food, share that also.” Thanks to Theresa Ditmer and the large band of followers who show that this teaching is still important today.

posted by Gary

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Life after spiritual experience

July 6, 2008

I’m going to be studying the Gospel of Luke for the next few months. Every time you go back and study something you’ve already thoroughly studied, you still find new insights. The idea that fascinates me right now is what do you do after a spiritual experience (called “enlightenment” in some traditions). I was influenced by the meditation experience that swept through the country in the late 60s, and I’ve been meditating and studying that ever since. There are many reasons to meditate, but many people think the goal is “enlightenment” or hearing the voice of God directly. When this happens, does life stop? Acutally, no. Perhaps your spiritual experience came at the evening campfire during Tar Hollow or other church camp. Same thing. What do you do afterward?

So, in the third chapter Luke reports on John (the Baptist). John had a spiritual experience, “a message from God came to John son of Zechariah, who was living out in the wilderness.” This message compelled John to talk to others about his new knowledge–we call that preaching. His fundamental message was that others should get right with God–“turn from your sins.” So our first goal in life is to put all of our trust in God and listen for God’s guidance and insight. But then we also must show the fruits of this trust and insight by how we live. By the way, this is an individual experience. You don’t inherit it (“God can make sons of Abraham from these stones”). You have to take responsibility for your own life and search out God on your own.

Your life will change when this happens, John says. And you will now live your life for others. “If you have two coats, give one to ther poor. If you have food, share it with those who are hungry. …Show your honesty. Don’t extort money.” These were some of the examples that John gave.

Mother Teresa evidently had just one moving experience of Jesus, but she followed the message with a lifetime of service to some of the poorest of the poor. In America we are so blessed with abundance. Giving to those less fortunate is one response that John would approve. The American obsession of living for ourselves would draw his wrath, just as the similar “we’ve got ours, let them get theirs” mentality drew his wrath in his own time.

–Gary

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Partners

June 28, 2008

I just completed a week long intensive on The Missional Church at Ginghamsburg with Mike Slaughter and I am full-to-bursting with ideas. So, I come home to my quiet abode and wonder what now God?

As I am pouring my coffee this morning, my life-partner starts a conversation about his work.  This week he flew out east to the home office for a national sales meeting.  He too is full of ideas and questions. And we talk.

The conversation blends and suddenly I am recognizing that pattern again; where God takes our lives and weaves them together and we can use each other’s learning and questions to discern our own answers.  I am amazed.  We have been through so much together.  There have been major wars fought in our kitchen and tear filled confessions shared on our couch.  We have hurt each other deeper than anyone else ever could and love has grown to heal us. 

As I heard from so many all week who work the mission of Ginghamsburg church, we are broken people and we need a Savior.  And I am so aware that we also need a partner.  God saw this; so Eve was created. Sure we can lead each other down the wrong path, but honestly we don’t need someone else to find that path.  Yet, I believe we do need someone to keep us balanced, to help sift the shaft from the grain, to dry the tears and share the joys.

A partner who helps us pattern our thoughts and exam our words, so that we can better articulate our faith and serve as God’s hands and feet. So we can truly hear the Master’s answer when we ask – what now God?

Posted by Darcy

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Responsibility

June 26, 2008

Are we supposed to be responsible for our actions? How about responsibility for our response to the challenges and opportuities that we face in life? Here is an interesting post on another Blog about personal responsibility. As I reflect over my life and the people I’ve met, I’ve seen far too many people make excuses rather than accept responsibility for being where they are. I’ve seen far too many parents make excuses for their children rather than teaching them responsibility. In 1 Corinthians (7:24) Paul says we are responsible to God. It is a good thing to be able to observe your children as they grow up and become parents to see them as responsible adults. One reason I work with young people through soccer is that it’s the one way I have left to try to pass on the lessons of responsibility. What are you doing to teach responsibility?

Gary

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Revolutionary Jesus?

June 11, 2008

I remember laughing the first time I saw the commercial where the people decide to get organized and buy all the Rubbermaid containers.  They then cleaned their house and low and behold, they find they have room for a ton more “stuff”.  Yet, there is something very sad in that also. Do you see it?

I am preparing for this course on “The Missional Church” and the books for the course are great, especially Brian McLaren’s latest book, Everything Must Change. (You can checkout his website for the book at http://everythingmustchange.org/.) I appreciate it when I am confronted with ideals which force me to question my beliefs and faith.  But, even more than that, I especially appreciate when a book makes me want to get off my btm and change the world.  He is asking for a revolution: a revolution in how we hear Jesus, how we perceive our world and how we define ourselves as Christians and Americans.

If you have not read this book – do!

I am a conservative and I normally vote Republican.  Did I hear an “ugh”?  Gary is on the far opposite side. (Notice, I did include the opposite in that statement and not just the far side – ha-ha!) Anyway, I would imagine that this is a book on which we could basically agree. 

We cannot continue to bury our heads in the sand and pretend the rest of the world doesn’t exist.  God gave us paradise and then kicked us out into this world.  In some ways, I think we have reacted like spoiled children ever since – ruining everything given. 

Do you remember the first few days of kindergarten or first grade?  When you entered the classroom and maybe knew one or two other kids?  It was a fearful time, but so exciting too.  Each person brought something new and different into your world and it was great fun to learn and exchange.  The world still is fun and there still are many exciting and new things which others can bring.  The problem for most of us is that we listen to the media, we close our doors to strangers and we fear everyone and everything we do not know.  We look for security systems, defense training, attack dogs and guns to protect us from “them” and to protect our “stuff”; while we are consuming more wealth, resources, talents and technology than any other nation in the world.  Meanwhile, the poor are getting poorer and angrier. 

Revolution is in the wind…and coming to our shores.  The choice is ours whether we meet it with Jesus or go back to our couches behind the double-bolted doors.

Posted by Darcy

 

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That nothing … is me!

May 27, 2008

I buy books according to what catches my interest.  I may hear someone talking about it, or see something written about it, but most times, I am attracted for some reason to pick-up the book at a store and impulsively buy it.  Ten or more years ago, I probably bought Breakfast at the Victory by James P. Carse in that manner, but never read it.  I found the book this morning in a basket of books that once sat by the loveseat, but was moved out for the new carpet to be installed.  I started to read it and the first quote hit me perfectly.  In my mind, this is one of God’s many blessings.  Like when you put on a jacket and find money in the pocket – an unexpected bonus put away from a previous forgetfulness.

Gary is right in saying not to wait for permission.  That requires faith in God though; assurance in the fact that we are hearing and following in the way He would have us go. My problem is I have trouble with the follow-thru.  I am an ideator, if you have ever taken the Strength Finders. My mind popcorns ideas constantly, but I tend to lose interest in the process unless there is a challenge involved.  In this instance also, since kids are not my world, I doubt my ability to connect.

Now, let me tell you my God story in all this.  My mind went into what the Gestalt world would call projection. ‘A projector, unaware that she is rejecting others, believes they are rejecting her.’ (paraphrased from Gestalt in Pastoral Care and Counseling – A Holistic Approach by Jeffrey D. Hamilton, D-Min.)  I convinced myself this was a bad idea and no one else in the world was the least bit interested.  Also, in this process though, I started to read Momentum for Life by Michael Slaughter and attended, as a singer with the school choir, commencement for UTS where he spoke.  He used that book as the basis of his message.  He told about visioning.  He said he had stood in the original Ginghamsburg church asking God for the vision of what he could work towards there.  He saw a future church where three-thousand people would attend while standing behind that tiny country church with no parking lot and just a half circle drive.

I asked God for a vision on my future and sat in quiet for a couple mornings.  I read Psalm 86 repeatedly, mainly because I have to write a sermon on it for July, I read my devotionals and I wrote in my journal.  I talked with my husband and to a few friends, not directly on my “crisis”, just skirting the subject.  Then this morning, I picked-up this book and in the first quote, it was like the proverbial light bulb coming on.  I didn’t see a vision, but I remembered a truth.  I am God’s child and it is mine to be a co-creator with Him. (That is in the Slaughter book as well.) I cannot explain how this verse and my mind work, but I am in awe and so very sure.  Of and by the way, I have heard from all the church leaders I contacted and I’ll meet with three of the four of them tomorrow.  As a Christian counselor once assured me, “Always look for more than one affirmation from God.”  There are always more than we will see.  

posted by Darcy

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To Seek and Save

May 21, 2008

I’d often find him playing beside the back porch or under the deck around the ugly above-ground pool that took up most of the backyard where we lived in Toledo.  He would sneak in around the bushes and over the wire fence in the back.  The gate and wooden fences to the front didn’t stop him.  I don’t remember how often I shared my meals with him or tried to engage him in conversation.  He was broken goods; the spent product of an explosive family where love had lost to anger and manipulation, sanity to drugs and fear.  I think he was about 11 or 12. After his dad left and his brother was sent to prison for abusing his mom, he stopped coming around. 

I had forgotten about him until last Wednesday.  We had our last Ministerial Formation group meeting at the Original Pancake House and while waiting for everyone to show up, my friend from Cleveland asked about the children in my life.  I am used to saying we have no kids, but he then said ‘You surely influenced some along the way.’  That thin gaunt face came across my mind and I remembered. I wonder where he is now.

I don’t have any kids, I have never been a teacher and I have spent many Mother’s Days wondering why God – why did we not have a family.  Lately though, I have had this unexplainable desire to work with youth.  It started with the amazing young adults at General Conference and my refreshingly supercharged roommate for the week.  Then I awoke one morning with this idea for blending my passion for spiritual growth and my need to help others avoid the painful path I walked.  I had a leadership class project requirement, so I set the plan to paper and PowerPoint.

I wish I could say my presentation was a success.  I failed on many points, including a claim that I said OK 46 times (?), but I received great insight into what needed to be changed.  I also failed to excite the leaders in my church when given the chance by our Senior Pastor to present the idea.  But, that has only made me more determined to try again. I truly feel the need to stop the senseless wasting of the fertile minds of the next generation – “to seek and save what was lost” (Luke 19:10).

It is often in the small things that we really make a difference.  Many we would probably never realize if asked, but to someone else that could be the pivotal point.  That’s what makes it so important to be open to God’s will and seeking the opportunities to serve.

 I have not given this blog the attention I promised, but hope to increase my attention from this point forward.  I would love to hear your thoughts.

posted by Darcy

 

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Making sausage

May 7, 2008

In my profession, I observe high technology happenings as they relate to manufacturing. There is a committee currently attempting to write a standard for a new method of digital communication between sensing devices in a process plant and computers. There is a phrase about not watching them make sausage if you want to eat it. Watching a committee work is something like watching sausage being made as I wrote in a recent post in my professional blog. Well, the General Conference of the United Methodist Church is something like that. It is political in the sense of a large number of people gathering to establish policy, but many of them have greatly differing points of view.

Darcy and I talked about her post Sunday and a little about her experience at the Conference. She was taken aback by the protesters. Well, I earned my old Jackson Center nickname as “the protester” in the late 1960s. I saw the FBI agents (you knew them, they had dark suits, white shirts, narrow ties) taking pictures at anti-war rallies. I was stupid enough to drive through Mississippi into Louisiana in 1970 with an equal rights decal on my car. Can’t believe I’m still alive. On the other hand, I learned something about protesting–the only person that feels good about it is the protester.

I have been at a worship service led by homosexual people, with the greater part of the audience also homosexual people. It was a fantastic Christian worship experience. I’m willing to bet that I’m the only one reading this post that isn’t offended. That’s part of the “sausage making” of a big conference when there are truly differing views on a topic–each convinced that God, Scripture and whatever else is on “our side.” Except, I don’t do sides anymore. You’ll never move people forward through spectacle. People’s hearts change over time by personal experience with “the others.” If I had my way, I’d strike out every adjective that modifies the description “Christian.” We’re just people trying to journey on the path set before us by Jesus. That’s hard enough to do let alone trying to saddle other people with guilt and hard feelings.

I began this blog thinking about a book “The Congruent Life,” by C. Michael Thompson. The congruent life lets Jesus shine through me in everything I do. Although it may be trite, the phrase “what would Jesus do” does have meaning. As the writer of Hebrews says at the beginning of Chapter 12, let us fasten our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. So, when Darcy wrote about kindness–that’s part of the equation. Empathy, understanding, listening, sharing–they all fit, too. I think just as soon as I’m perfect, then I’ll start telling others they need to be perfect, too. Until then, we’re just journeying on…

Gary

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