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OK. GodTube, the Christian alternative to YouTube has officially launched. Really. Do we really need a "Christian Alternative" to everything.
Here's a great video from the site about Bono (lead singer of U2):
http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=f887a5e420412b370b36
Make sure you check out the comments underneath. I'll post my thoughts about the tone/content of the comments later, but I'd love to hear what you think.
In my back yard, overlooking our small fish pond, there is a statue of St. Francis of Assisi. St. Francis, who lived in the late 12th-early 13th centuries, is remembered for his commitment to peace and compassion for all people. His deep faith led him to create the Order of Franciscans. But above all, he's remembered for his love for animals. Supposedly he once even preached to birds. The Catholic Church made him the Patron Saint of Animals. 
These past two weeks have taught me that St. Francis and I have very little in common.
First there was the incident with the squirrels. I have won this round, but am sure they will be back to attack the house when I let my guard down. I'm sure St. Francis would've talked with the squirrels, made a bed for them inside the house, provided nuts and water and snickers. I'm just hoping the cayenne pepper and vaseline is still working.
Then, there was tonight.
This afternoon, my aforementioned fishpond had issues. The pump wasn't running well. The water was getting nasty. So, I climbed through the flowerbed dug around in the filter, cleaned some stuff out WITH MY BARE HANDS and then went back to work.
Tonight, after the girls were bathed and ready for bed, I went back out in the dark to see if the water had cleared up. As I approached the edge, something to my right moved. It slithered. And went in to the flowerbed (which I had been standing in). I went for the hoe. St. Francis was watching, I know.
By the time I returned with the hoe, the snake had made his way through the filter--THE FILTER I HAD BEEN RUMMAGING AROUND IN WITH MY BARE HANDS and was floating in the water just below the statue of St. Francis. Don't snakes eat fish? And little girls? And preachers?? He had to go.
With my wife standing bravely in a chair behind me holding a flashlight, I swung the hoe right past the statue of St. Francis and into the side of the snake, sending him to the bottom of the pond. All I could think was "Please be dead. Please be dead."
But he (or she) wasn't.
As I pulled him out with the hoe handle he struck at the handle. Very, very bad decision on his part. I was willing to simply carry him out to the ditch behind the house, but he had committed violence against my hoe handle.
So, I defended the honor of my hoe handle with The Patron Saint of Animals watching me.
The snake can no longer strike the hoe handle.
As Audra convinced the girls that Daddy wasn't a raving lunatic and wouldn't use the hoe on them, I disposed of the what I could gather together of the snake.
Anyone need a statue of St. Francis? I'm sure he wants a new home.
Several times a week, people stop me and ask me questions about scripture, church history, theology, how to kill squirrels, etc. Here's your chance to get your questions out there and let everyone take a shot at them.
Here's how this'll work. Hit the comment button at the end of the article and ask a question, make a statement, etc. If you don't want people to know who you are, just pick a different name or just be anonymous. That's fine.
After the list is up and going, I'll pick a question/scripture/topic, list it in a post with some resources on the web and then we'll talk about it.
One of the things I hope for this spot on the web is that it will be a great place of conversation. Not just a couple of people spouting off about things. So, what have you been wondering about? What scripture passages mystify you? What are things the church does/is about that make your brow furrow?
(Again, I've seen the visitor statistics. I know you're there. Stop lurking and get in the conversation.)
This Sunday, April 1 (yes, it's April Fools day. And yes, you should be concerned about coming to worship if your name is Herbert) is Palm Sunday. Some of the warmest church memories of my childhood come from Palm Sunday.
The kids would gather in the Fellowship Hall after Sunday School. The director of our children's choir would hand out palm leaves to every able-bodied child (all of about 15 of us if everyone showed up). Then, we'd march upstairs, around to the front of the church and down the center aisle as we sang, Hosanna, Loud hosanna . . . We'd make the trip down the aisle, put our palm fronds down in front of the altar, and find our parents. It was GREAT to get to actually participate in worship. I wonder if that's how the people felt as they cheered Jesus into Jerusalem on the Sunday before the Passover. They were a part of something much bigger than themselves. Did they go home excited? satisfied? This Sunday at Parkway Heights, we'll look at that parade into Jerusalem. If there was ever a moment of misunderstanding in scripture, this was it. Everyone cheered on Sunday, but by Friday, there were no more cheers. No more palms. No more cries of, "Hosanna." Why did things turn so quickly? We'll take a look at that and more this Sunday. Here's the scripture for the week. Spend some time reading it. What doesn't make sense? Where do you get lost in this story? Luke 19.28-40: After he had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, saying, ‘Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, “Why are you untying it?” just say this: “The Lord needs it.” ’ So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, ‘Why are you untying the colt?’ They said, ‘The Lord needs it.’ Then they brought it to Jesus; and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road. As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, saying, ‘Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!’ Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, ‘Teacher, order your disciples to stop.’ He answered, ‘I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.’ I'm looking forward to this Sunday.
OK, so maybe Easter doesn't have any songs the Muppets might sing, but that doesn't mean it's any less important than that other day back in December.
[Note from Eddie: I'm having a little trouble formatting things tonight. Forgive me. We'll get better as we go.]
I think it's intersting that Easter, somehow, missed out on the overwhelming commercialism that is Christmas. Now, I know what you're thinking: "But Eddie, what about the Easter bunny? Easter egg hunts? the colored eggs? Easter baskets?" I know. I know. I didn't say Easter had escaped all the commercial aspects. It just isn't as laden with commercial flair. Everything centers around a Sunday, after all. And we don't talk so much "Easter Holidays" as much as we say, "I"m off for Good Friday." (at least in the south) Hallmark won't sell nearly as many cards. There are no "After Easter" sales. And the bunny doesn't rate nearly as high up on the list as the guy in the red suit. At my house, the Easter bunny did show up, but all we got was chocolate and the eggs we had dyed the day before at my Grandmother's house. Nothing that would get us up at 4 a.m. to see what the bunny had brought.
But, even though the day may be much less overwrought I wonder if we aren't just as confused about the day as we are about Christmas.
Easter comes and goes and comes and goes. Does it sink in or bounce off from year to year?
Let me ask you (and I know you're there because I see the visitor stats, so answer the question. Just hit the "Comment" button), what is the big deal about Easter? When the rubber meets the road for you, what does Easter morning really, really mean? What does it say to your day-to-day existence? Everything? Nothing?
Take a shot at it. I won't laugh. And who knows, your thought may just end up being the inspiration I need this year (Easter is a difficult day to preach). Let me hear from you.
Our Road Trip continues next Sunday, March 25. It's going to be a great morning with some great music in both services. This week we talk about the ways and places we need to "pull over" and rest. When my youth group would travel to North Carolina every summer to go to Lake Junaluska, we'd leave at midnight so we could travel through the night. Invariably, the driver would get tired and so we'd pull off the highway at one of the rest stops so he could sleep for an hour before moving on. This was a way of ensuring the safety and success of the rest of our journey. What could happen if we did the same with our spiritual lives?
Our scripture next Sunday is Isaiah 43.16-21:
Thus says the Lord,
who makes a way in the sea,
a path in the mighty waters,
who brings out chariot and horse,
army and warrior;
they lie down, they cannot rise,
they are extinguished, quenched like a wick:
Do not remember the former things,
or consider the things of old.
I am about to do a new thing;
now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness
and rivers in the desert.
The wild animals will honour me,
the jackals and the ostriches;
for I give water in the wilderness,
rivers in the desert,
to give drink to my chosen people,
the people whom I formed for myself
so that they might declare my praise.
Take a look. Have a read. What do you think? What do you hear in this passage? I'd be interested to know as we prepare for Sunday.
Every time someone preaches, things get left out. There's not enough space, time, interest, continuity to present absolutely everything. One of the reasons we started this blog was to offer some of what got left out. This Sunday's scripture, Philippians 3.17-4.1 was rich with meaning and thought. The apostle Paul truly put his keenest thought into this section of writing as he brought his letter to the Philippians to an end. In the sermon we talked about the destination guiding the journey--that living as a "citizen of heaven" meant we live with the values of the Kingdom now. This comic pretty much sums up the sermon.
But there are a few other interesting pieces of this passage.
1. In verse 20, where Paul says, "Our citizenship is in heaven" also has some implications for our understanding of citizenship in this world. Now, let's be clear. Paul, in Romans 13 calls us to have respect for the governments we live under (but remember this is a Roman citizen calling people to be loyal to HIS government). But, I think hyper-patriotism in any country is detrimental to our ability to live faithfull. Why? Because when we equate patriotism with following Christ, then we lose our ability to faithfully call our government and leadership into account. Yes, we live within our country; yes we support our government in all the ways we can. But we never lose sight of the fact that our ultimate citizenship is not in any country on this planet. Our citizenship is in heaven. Our hearts and minds belong to God. Period.
2. There's a neat piece of v. 20: "it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ." What does this mean? Didn't Paul think that the savior had already arrived--that Jesus was the savior? Yes. Paul believed that Jesus was the savior, but he was adamant that Jesus was coming again. Soon. And I think it's very interesting that Paul saw the savior as coming INTO our world again. There's no sense in Paul's thinking that we're going to be saved from the difficulties of this life. Instead, Jesus is moving in! Coming into our lives, our world, our wars, our problems. There is no idea of "rapture" or being saved "from" this life. Jesus is coming into our problems and our places. I think this is amazingly hopeful.
3. I didn't even get a chance to talk about Philippipans 4.1: Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved. Paul enters his final chapter of this passage with a call to stand firm. This is one of my favorite images in scripture. That we are called to hold onto what we know and who we are as followers of Christ no matter what. I hope as you go through this week you'll find places and ways to "stand firm"
God speed.
OK. There are things in this life that we despise. Broken Zippers. Spoiled Fruit. Cockroaches. Paparazzi. Some of you may even have people you despise.
But for me, it's squirrels.
May God rapture all squirrels from the planet.
I told Audra yesterday that she is to put "He Hated Squirrels" on my tombstone. She will not get one dime from my life insurance if she does not.
It began 4 years ago with a brutal battle against a family of squirrels. I beat them back.
But the battle resumed yesterday. They are in my attic. They're chewing through my gutters (yes, metal gutters).
Please say a prayer.
Next Sunday, we move along with our RoadTrip, looking at Destinations. Every great journey begins with an idea of where you might end up. The destination actually guides what you do along the road. So, what can followers of Christ claim as their "destination"?
Just answering "heaven" doesn't really seem to be enough . . . Maybe I'm just weird. But the "streets of gold and gates of pearl" just don't do it for me. Lots of thinking to do this week.
Here's the passage we'll be looking at next Sunday:
Philippians 3.17-4.1
17Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us. 18For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even with tears. 19Their end is destruction; their god is the belly; and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things. 20But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. 21He will transform the body of our humiliation that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself.
4Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.
So, what does this passage say to us about our destination?
David sends these. They are a few additional sites dealing with confession. Some are discussion. Others offer places to confess. Enjoy!
uk confessor site
http://www.premier.org.uk/engine.cfm?i=322&bhcp=1
truth and reconciliation movement
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/week207/perspectives.html
Methodist emergent church deals with confession
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/week845/interview1.html
Andrew Greely - Roman Catholic grips with confession
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/week536/agreeley.html
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/week522/feature.html
I grew up Catholic, so I remember my first confession very vividly. The priest was Father Swift. My first communion/first confession were supposed to be on Easter Sunday 1978 (or was it 1979?). But because of the floods across Mississippi that year everything got pushed back a week. After our family wandered over the United Methodist Church, I left thoughts of confession, Hail Mary's, acts of penitence, and communion every Sunday behind.
But, I think we lost something in the shift--the need for confession as an act that sets you free from the past. Now I've heard all the complaints about Catholic confession (and made a few myselft)-- "I don't need mediator between me and God," "Well it's not worth it if you confess and then go out and do the same thing again." But there is something inherently good about having a moment when you can let the past go. Now I'm not saying we bring the Catholic system of confession into every church, but having a time or way or place to lay our past open before God and/or others is important.
This Sunday we'll get to talk about handing the past over to God.
Interestingly, the web is providing ways for people to do just that. Check out this site:
http://postsecret.blogspot.com/http://postsecret.blogspot.com/
It's gotten a LOT of press and it's incredibly well used as a place people can admit the good and the very bad. But, be aware it's a PG site. People are honest about things on the site--about all sorts of things. Consider yourself warned.
Let me know what you think about confession and the website.
This Sunday, March 11 (the day you must change your clocks) we will continue our Lenten Series, RoadTrip. Over the past two weeks, we've talked about Detours and Road Conditions. This week we will look at Baggage. Every journey entails packing, but our ability to travel will be determined by how and what we pack to take along the way.
Our Scripture for this Sunday is Psalm 32:
Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
Happy are those to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
While I kept silence, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long.
For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah
Then I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not hide my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah
Therefore let all who are faithful offer prayer to you; at a time of distress, the rush of mighty waters shall not reach them.
You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with glad cries of deliverance. Selah
I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
Do not be like a horse or a mule, without understanding, whose temper must be curbed with bit and bridle, else it will not stay near you.
Many are the torments of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds those who trust in the Lord.
Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart.
This is a great Psalm that calls us to acknowledge what we're carrying around and then leave what we don't need behind. What do you think of it?
See if you're brave enough and smart enough to beat the best . . .
I've put together a Yahoo Tournament bracket for March Madness (The Parkway Pick'em). Even if you don't know basketball, join up and see how you can rate against the best (Eddie, that is). All you have to do is use the information below to register, and then sometime between Sunday night (after the selection show) and Wednesday night (when things kick off) pick your teams. You can pick by who you think will will, by the alphabet (that's how Debra is picking), team colors (Jennifer's choice), or simply choose Duke to win it all (Eddie's guiding principle).
Here's the information:
go to the website: http://tournament.fantasysports.yahoo.com/men
and then use this information to log in to the Parkway Pick'em bracket:
Group ID#: 49706
Password: grace
You'll need to set up a free Yahoo account, but you'll be guided through that.
Remember: there are no prizes, just pride. Invite a few others to play (as long as they aren't UNC fans).
The NBC TV show Heroes and the ABC TV show Lost are two of my favorite shows. Two summers ago I stumbled onto Lost by accident. It's the story of a group of plane-crash survivors trapped on an island somewhere in the Pacific (maybe--we're not really sure at this point). Hero's debuted this year and tells the story of people scattered across the United States who discover they have amazing abilities. Over the course of time, these "heroes" are being drawn together to save New York City from destruction. Every week, I watch these two shows. It doesn't matter what else is going on in life. I will watch these shows. The TiVo knows to record these two shows above all others.
But as the seasons have rolled along this year, an interesting theological twist has emerged. On Lost the characters all seem to be driven by fate, not choice. It's as if some other power is moving pieces on a chess board (and in fact this week John Locke--one of the primary characters--spent a good deal of time playing chess). Desmond, one of the island's residents, can sense the future. And he's discovered that try as he might, he cannot change the future. It's pre-ordained. He tries to save Charlie, but realizes that ultimately Charlie will die--he cannot change the future.
Sometimes we take on this fatalistic view, and in fact some theologies have encouraged it. Some denominations see life as pre-ordained or pre-destined. We cannot choose our paths, they are chosen for us. We simply play out the string. I dated a girl in college who was part of a church that believed that if you were going to get into heaven it was pre-ordained and pre-destined by God (and if you were so chosen, then you'd end up in her church! I unfortunately was a pagan and not eligible for the joys of heaven because I continued in my Methodist ways).
Now most of us don't think in those terms, but occasionally it does creep into what we say and what we nod our heads to when others say it. Ever heard, "Well, the Lord took them. It was their time?" Or we say, "The Devil made me do it." As if there are no ultimate choices we can make; no difference we can impart on our lives from within. We can all tip in that direction from time to time.
The show Heroes, though is presenting a different view. Several of the characters have seen the future and it's a bad one. A nuclear bomb (or nuclear person) explodes in New York. The characters, even though they continue to see this future are working against it with the sense that they can change the future. Things can be different. They have their powers, their abilities and they're going to stop the evil.
To me, this is much more hopeful. This is much more scriptural. Even though we can sense and see the evil around us, we do have the hope of change, the possibility of a different life. Easter, just a few weeks away, tells us just that. So, we continue to work for peace and justice, we continue to offer up our lives and gifts, even though we're not sure what kind of difference we'll make. We just know it's the best we can do. And the most faithful thing we can do.
So, I'll continue to track the survivors on Lost and I'll pull for the tortured Heroes, but this season I'll choose hope, even if it doesn't all work out in the end.