Here is a link to a video that was made of clips from the Charlottesville show we went to on Thursday, October 1st. I think it's well done and shows a nice variety of song clips.
U2 @ UVA, a collection of HD clips - Charlottesville, VA, United States, U2 Community Video
Saturday, October 3, 2009
U2.com > Tours > U2 360 TOUR : 2009 > Charlottesville Goes Crazy
This is a link to an article about the concert we saw in Charlottesville this past Thursday, October 1st at 7:30pm at UVA.
U2.com > Tours > U2 360 TOUR : 2009 > Charlottesville Goes Crazy
U2.com > Tours > U2 360 TOUR : 2009 > Charlottesville Goes Crazy
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
"The Moravian World" Map
Here is my attempt to map "The Moravian World" including our 25 provinces and 8 Mission Areas as of September 2009.
Other Ministries 
Mission Provinces 
Mission Areas 
Unity Provinces
"The Moravian World"
Map Legend: 14%, 39 of 263 Territories
Other Ministries Mission Provinces Mission Areas Unity Provinces The Moravian World (September 2009)
These are the countries that are included in our 25 Provinces and 8 Mission Areas as of the 2009 Unity Synod vote which altered the provincial designations.
These are the countries that are included in our 25 Provinces and 8 Mission Areas as of the 2009 Unity Synod vote which altered the provincial designations.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
"You Know I Believe It" (Sermon for 9-13-09, Pentecost +15B)
Sermon for 9-13-09
Mark 8:27-38
Proper 19B/Pentecost +15B
Christian Education Kickoff Sunday
"You Know I Believe It"
This Sunday marks the beginning of our educational year at Raleigh Moravian. Sunday School started this morning, Confirmation kicked off as well, and many other programs and ministries are starting back after the summer. Today marks the transition to another year, so to speak, in the flow of life in the church. It is most appropriate that we are looking today at this particular passage from Mark's Gospel, as it is a transitional point in the life of Jesus and his disciples.
The passage the Barbara read a minute ago is the peak of Mark's Gospel. It's signals the end of Mark's initial telling about Jesus and his wanderings around Galilee preaching, teaching, and healing. Here he is positioned to head straight from Caesarea Philippi to Jerusalem, the cross, his death, and eventual resurrection. Everything in Mark's stories about Jesus to this point has led him up to this place. And from this place, everything leads down the valley to Jerusalem and all that Jerusalem brings. Caesarea Philippi was situated up in the mountains at the headwaters of the Jordan River, and they physically and emotionally were heading downhill after this conversation.
As this passage opens, we find the disciples and Jesus gathered around talking about the latest rumors and gossip about WHO they think Jesus is. It reminds me of the interviews we see on television these days, where the reporter is standing around asking everyone on the street what they think or believe about a particular topic. Jesus is standing there with the camera rolling and a microphone, asking these friends of his, "So who are folks saying that I really am?" "What's the word on the street?" The disciples list off the various answers and chime in with their contributions to the gossip.
But then the tone changes in the questioning. Jesus transitions into a much more difficult question. The stakes are higher. This isn't the $200 question from the "Gossip" category on Jeopardy. This is the final Jeopardy question, and it's a true Daily Double where all your money's on the line. Alex Trebec, I mean, Jesus, asks, "But who do you say that I am?" What do you believe? Who do you believe? Are you going with the gossip floating around or what?
It's not that the answers that the disciples gave were all bad. "Elijah," and "the prophets" were, after all, wise teachers and important leaders in the Jewish faith. They were strong leaders who lived on in the stories. For most folks, it would be an honor even to be named among the likes of Elijah and John the Baptist. But not for Jesus. He knew the journey ahead would require great knowledge and belief. He knew where they were heading. Jesus wanted to make sure the disciples understood exactly what was going on. He was searching their hearts and minds to find out what they believed? Who they believed? He wanted to make sure the background was in place for them to be prepared for what lie ahead in their journey.
WHAT do we believe? WHO do we believe? The question that Jesus asks the disciples is a question directed to them, but we also hear him asking us the same thing. As followers of Jesus today, who do we say that Jesus is? What do we believe? Our culture gives us many answers to the question about what to believe. If we wear the right shoes or clothes, we can be the top athlete, because the attire makes all the difference. If we wear the latest perfume or jewelry, we will be beautiful. If we use the latest and greatest gadget, we will be wiser or smarter. We are taunted by advertising to help sway our beliefs. There are so many beliefs floating around in our culture, it can be dizzying and overwhelming. If we stop and actually take a look at what we're hearing, seeing, and being asked to believe in, are we happy with the answers we find? What information do we know and, of that information, what do we really believe?
At Moravian Seminary, each Masters of Divinity Student is required to write a Credo, which is a fancy word meaning "belief". What do we believe. It usually comes in our final year, and is the culminating paper to wrap up all the information we've been learning and processing through during our schooling. That semester as I spent hours pouring over all that I had read and heard and learned, and trying to wrap my head around all that I really believed out of it. I was forced to answer the question that Jesus asks his disciples--"Who do you say that I am" and I had 30 pages to do it in. And believe me, 30 pages seemed like a lot, until page 29 when I was trying to cram in as much as I could before I ran out of space. It is difficult, if not impossible I think, for us to fully name what we believe, as systematic theologians have spend entire lifetimes trying to fully articulate the faith of the Church in a changing world. I also realized not long after that my credo was finished, that it was not fixed but fluid, because my life and faith journey is always evolving. But as followers of Jesus who are faced with the question, "Who do say that I am?," at some point or another, we are required to name at least parts of our belief-our credo. It's difficult because life changes. It's also difficult because the transition from knowledge to belief is difficult.
The transition in questioning by Jesus denotes a shift from information to formation, from head knowledge to heart belief. The disciples have seen and heard lots. They've watched the latest news polls, heard the politicians and leaders debate, and they must decide for themselves who and what they believe. They know in their head WHO Jesus is, but do they truly believe in their hearts. They'd read the latest authors and bloggers, seen lots of interesting and exciting signs, wonders, and the best advertising money can buy, but WHO had they encountered and what really stuck with them? What were they going to carry with them on the journey ahead?
We all must make that same transition from head knowledge to heart belief, from information to formation. The church, at her best, helps us along this journey by providing us both the information and formation that it takes to move from knowledge to belief. We see two examples today of this journey. Our 2nd graders received their Bibles a few minutes ago, and these Bibles are gifts that hopefully each of them will carry with them along the journey. We've marked a milestone in the journey of faith and continue to give them information and tools to aid in their own answering of Jesus' question--"Who do you say that I am?"
The other example is in our Confirmation Class that began this morning. We have 12 youth that have stepped out today to mark another milestone in their journey. They have begun a process of learning and exploring what it means to be a member of this congregation and the greater Church. It's certainly a class that will provide information, but we also hope it will provide a chance for formation, where their knowledge can become deeper belief.
Church fathers and mothers across the centuries have been trying to sum up their beliefs into succinct statements of faith. We see examples in our Moravian Book of Worship [1]--the Apostle's Creed (page 3) and the Nicene Creed (page 22), both of which are very brief credos. Our Confirmands will follow in this tradition as well. Next spring we will be working together to write a credo as a class--though it won't be like the ones Craig and I had to write in Seminary. I don't know exactly what it will look like, but I trust it will reflect their own beliefs and thoughts-- their own answers to the question, "Who do you say that I am?"
Jesus' question to us, "Who do you say that I am?" in other words, "What do you believe?" requires us to take in the information around us and forms us into disciples who not only have a head of information but a heart that has been formed. Though you may have never considered it before, we, like our confirmands, all have the opportunity to ponder these questions from Jesus Christ of what we believe and define our own credos. Jesus not only gives us the opportunity, but also requests an answer to the question--Jesus wants to know our credos.
Just as advertising comes in various forms in a multitude of places, our credos can be found and expressed in a variety of ways. Sometimes they come in the forms of stained glass windows or poetry, art or dance, hymns or written statements--anywhere we share our answer to the question, "Who do you say that I am?" or "What do you believe?"
I find a simple, yet insightful credo in the music of the Irish rock band U2. Many of their lyrics contain statements of their belief {a brief list can be found at this link}, and one song in particular reminds me of today's passage. "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For", a song off of their 1987 album "The Joshua Tree" professes what I would identify as a credo.
They sing:
"I believe in the Kingdom Come
Then all the colours will bleed into one
Bleed into one.
But yes, I'm still running.
You broke the bonds
And you loosed the chains
Carried the cross of my shame
Oh my shame, you know I believe it.
But I still haven't found
What I'm looking for." [2]
As I have spent time in my car lately driving back and forth to Winston-Salem and around town listening to their music, I am struck by the simplicity and yet profound faith expressed in these words. And the parallels to today's reading from the Gospel of Mark ring loud and clear to me. We are all called to answer the question, "Who do you say that I am?" by moving from head knowledge to heart belief through the formation along life's journey. We don't have all the complete answers right now, nor do we need to, but that can't stop us from answering the question Jesus asks. As Mark and U2 remind us, we're still running, our life of faith is a journey. Jesus invites us to answer the question and then take up our cross and follow him on this journey. The Church helps us mark milestones to direct the path through the giving Bibles and celebrating the sacraments, participation in Sunday School, Confirmation, Youth Fellowship, Small Groups, Mission teams, you name it...
We, like the disciples in Mark, face the questions together. Thankfully and joyfully together we all help each other along on the journey from head knowledge to heart belief as we figure out what we believe and profess our own credos to answer the question, "Who do we say Jesus is?" Even when we haven't yet exactly found what we're looking for, we can still proclaim together, "You know we believe it, "You are the Messiah--The Christ--the Son of God." Amen.
[1] Moravian Book of Worship (Bethlehem, PA: Interprovincial Board of Communications, Moravian Church in North America, 1995) 3, 22.
[2] U2,"I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" from The Joshua Tree album, 1987.
Mark 8:27-38
Proper 19B/Pentecost +15B
Christian Education Kickoff Sunday
"You Know I Believe It"
This Sunday marks the beginning of our educational year at Raleigh Moravian. Sunday School started this morning, Confirmation kicked off as well, and many other programs and ministries are starting back after the summer. Today marks the transition to another year, so to speak, in the flow of life in the church. It is most appropriate that we are looking today at this particular passage from Mark's Gospel, as it is a transitional point in the life of Jesus and his disciples.
The passage the Barbara read a minute ago is the peak of Mark's Gospel. It's signals the end of Mark's initial telling about Jesus and his wanderings around Galilee preaching, teaching, and healing. Here he is positioned to head straight from Caesarea Philippi to Jerusalem, the cross, his death, and eventual resurrection. Everything in Mark's stories about Jesus to this point has led him up to this place. And from this place, everything leads down the valley to Jerusalem and all that Jerusalem brings. Caesarea Philippi was situated up in the mountains at the headwaters of the Jordan River, and they physically and emotionally were heading downhill after this conversation.
As this passage opens, we find the disciples and Jesus gathered around talking about the latest rumors and gossip about WHO they think Jesus is. It reminds me of the interviews we see on television these days, where the reporter is standing around asking everyone on the street what they think or believe about a particular topic. Jesus is standing there with the camera rolling and a microphone, asking these friends of his, "So who are folks saying that I really am?" "What's the word on the street?" The disciples list off the various answers and chime in with their contributions to the gossip.
But then the tone changes in the questioning. Jesus transitions into a much more difficult question. The stakes are higher. This isn't the $200 question from the "Gossip" category on Jeopardy. This is the final Jeopardy question, and it's a true Daily Double where all your money's on the line. Alex Trebec, I mean, Jesus, asks, "But who do you say that I am?" What do you believe? Who do you believe? Are you going with the gossip floating around or what?
It's not that the answers that the disciples gave were all bad. "Elijah," and "the prophets" were, after all, wise teachers and important leaders in the Jewish faith. They were strong leaders who lived on in the stories. For most folks, it would be an honor even to be named among the likes of Elijah and John the Baptist. But not for Jesus. He knew the journey ahead would require great knowledge and belief. He knew where they were heading. Jesus wanted to make sure the disciples understood exactly what was going on. He was searching their hearts and minds to find out what they believed? Who they believed? He wanted to make sure the background was in place for them to be prepared for what lie ahead in their journey.
WHAT do we believe? WHO do we believe? The question that Jesus asks the disciples is a question directed to them, but we also hear him asking us the same thing. As followers of Jesus today, who do we say that Jesus is? What do we believe? Our culture gives us many answers to the question about what to believe. If we wear the right shoes or clothes, we can be the top athlete, because the attire makes all the difference. If we wear the latest perfume or jewelry, we will be beautiful. If we use the latest and greatest gadget, we will be wiser or smarter. We are taunted by advertising to help sway our beliefs. There are so many beliefs floating around in our culture, it can be dizzying and overwhelming. If we stop and actually take a look at what we're hearing, seeing, and being asked to believe in, are we happy with the answers we find? What information do we know and, of that information, what do we really believe?
At Moravian Seminary, each Masters of Divinity Student is required to write a Credo, which is a fancy word meaning "belief". What do we believe. It usually comes in our final year, and is the culminating paper to wrap up all the information we've been learning and processing through during our schooling. That semester as I spent hours pouring over all that I had read and heard and learned, and trying to wrap my head around all that I really believed out of it. I was forced to answer the question that Jesus asks his disciples--"Who do you say that I am" and I had 30 pages to do it in. And believe me, 30 pages seemed like a lot, until page 29 when I was trying to cram in as much as I could before I ran out of space. It is difficult, if not impossible I think, for us to fully name what we believe, as systematic theologians have spend entire lifetimes trying to fully articulate the faith of the Church in a changing world. I also realized not long after that my credo was finished, that it was not fixed but fluid, because my life and faith journey is always evolving. But as followers of Jesus who are faced with the question, "Who do say that I am?," at some point or another, we are required to name at least parts of our belief-our credo. It's difficult because life changes. It's also difficult because the transition from knowledge to belief is difficult.
The transition in questioning by Jesus denotes a shift from information to formation, from head knowledge to heart belief. The disciples have seen and heard lots. They've watched the latest news polls, heard the politicians and leaders debate, and they must decide for themselves who and what they believe. They know in their head WHO Jesus is, but do they truly believe in their hearts. They'd read the latest authors and bloggers, seen lots of interesting and exciting signs, wonders, and the best advertising money can buy, but WHO had they encountered and what really stuck with them? What were they going to carry with them on the journey ahead?
We all must make that same transition from head knowledge to heart belief, from information to formation. The church, at her best, helps us along this journey by providing us both the information and formation that it takes to move from knowledge to belief. We see two examples today of this journey. Our 2nd graders received their Bibles a few minutes ago, and these Bibles are gifts that hopefully each of them will carry with them along the journey. We've marked a milestone in the journey of faith and continue to give them information and tools to aid in their own answering of Jesus' question--"Who do you say that I am?"
The other example is in our Confirmation Class that began this morning. We have 12 youth that have stepped out today to mark another milestone in their journey. They have begun a process of learning and exploring what it means to be a member of this congregation and the greater Church. It's certainly a class that will provide information, but we also hope it will provide a chance for formation, where their knowledge can become deeper belief.
Church fathers and mothers across the centuries have been trying to sum up their beliefs into succinct statements of faith. We see examples in our Moravian Book of Worship [1]--the Apostle's Creed (page 3) and the Nicene Creed (page 22), both of which are very brief credos. Our Confirmands will follow in this tradition as well. Next spring we will be working together to write a credo as a class--though it won't be like the ones Craig and I had to write in Seminary. I don't know exactly what it will look like, but I trust it will reflect their own beliefs and thoughts-- their own answers to the question, "Who do you say that I am?"
Jesus' question to us, "Who do you say that I am?" in other words, "What do you believe?" requires us to take in the information around us and forms us into disciples who not only have a head of information but a heart that has been formed. Though you may have never considered it before, we, like our confirmands, all have the opportunity to ponder these questions from Jesus Christ of what we believe and define our own credos. Jesus not only gives us the opportunity, but also requests an answer to the question--Jesus wants to know our credos.
Just as advertising comes in various forms in a multitude of places, our credos can be found and expressed in a variety of ways. Sometimes they come in the forms of stained glass windows or poetry, art or dance, hymns or written statements--anywhere we share our answer to the question, "Who do you say that I am?" or "What do you believe?"
I find a simple, yet insightful credo in the music of the Irish rock band U2. Many of their lyrics contain statements of their belief {a brief list can be found at this link}, and one song in particular reminds me of today's passage. "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For", a song off of their 1987 album "The Joshua Tree" professes what I would identify as a credo.
They sing:
"I believe in the Kingdom Come
Then all the colours will bleed into one
Bleed into one.
But yes, I'm still running.
You broke the bonds
And you loosed the chains
Carried the cross of my shame
Oh my shame, you know I believe it.
But I still haven't found
What I'm looking for." [2]
As I have spent time in my car lately driving back and forth to Winston-Salem and around town listening to their music, I am struck by the simplicity and yet profound faith expressed in these words. And the parallels to today's reading from the Gospel of Mark ring loud and clear to me. We are all called to answer the question, "Who do you say that I am?" by moving from head knowledge to heart belief through the formation along life's journey. We don't have all the complete answers right now, nor do we need to, but that can't stop us from answering the question Jesus asks. As Mark and U2 remind us, we're still running, our life of faith is a journey. Jesus invites us to answer the question and then take up our cross and follow him on this journey. The Church helps us mark milestones to direct the path through the giving Bibles and celebrating the sacraments, participation in Sunday School, Confirmation, Youth Fellowship, Small Groups, Mission teams, you name it...
We, like the disciples in Mark, face the questions together. Thankfully and joyfully together we all help each other along on the journey from head knowledge to heart belief as we figure out what we believe and profess our own credos to answer the question, "Who do we say Jesus is?" Even when we haven't yet exactly found what we're looking for, we can still proclaim together, "You know we believe it, "You are the Messiah--The Christ--the Son of God." Amen.
[1] Moravian Book of Worship (Bethlehem, PA: Interprovincial Board of Communications, Moravian Church in North America, 1995) 3, 22.
[2] U2,"I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" from The Joshua Tree album, 1987.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
"Teach Me How To Be Good." Psalm 34 Sermon
Sermon for August 9, 2009
(Lectionary passage for Proper 14B for August 16, 2009)
Psalm Series: Part 2 of 3 on Psalm 34 (verses 9-14)
"Teach me how to be good."
Last weekend Steve and I took some much needed vacation time to visit with our family in Pennsylvania. Steve's immediate family all live there, and 2 of his cousins also flew in from out of state, so there were lots of us around the whole weekend spending time together. Or should I say, spending time with the kids. It's amazing isn't it, when there is a new baby, or babies in our family's case, how they become the center of attention. Between Steve's brother and sister, we now have 4 nieces and a nephew who are all under 4 years of age. Our newest 2 nieces are 4 months and 2 weeks old. Let's just say they are not lacking in attention--especially last weekend with everyone visiting! It was great to see them, and it was hard to leave, knowing how fast they grow up. The 2 week old will probably be walking and talking by the time we see her again at Christmas--or at least trying to do both!
[My nieces and nephew (aged 2.5 yr, 3 yr, 4 mo., 4 yr, 1 wk), August 09, Philadelphia, PA]
Last weekend in the midst of diaper changes, feedings, naps, and other infant, toddler, and preschooler activities, I spent quite a bit of time reflecting on the innocence and wisdom of children and all that I have to learn from them. My nieces and nephew are constantly amazing me with their newest accomplishments and achievements. Rolling over, walking, talking, and potty-training are among the big accomplishments of these first few years. But there were other things I saw happening. Helping hold a younger sibling and tenderly kiss her cheek. Making a sister laugh just by making silly faces. Helping mom or dad retrieve any number of needed items for the two babies. These children are not unusual in these activities, and they have their moments too. All children, I imagine, push their parents button just when they have the least patience to deal with it. But as an aunt, I was able to step back and just love these kids and watch in amazement how they are growing and maturing into cute, helpful, and good kids.
During the trip, I found one of my sister-in-law's parenting magazines and picked it up to read. One article struck me as profound and wise. It was an article that asked children "What's the best tip you have for your parents?" As you might guess, some of the advice centered around what you might expect: a three-year-old's suggestion, "Give more marshmallows" and a four-year-old's idea, "Take me to Disney World to see all the princesses." But some of the others left me amazed at the wisdom from the mouth of babes as the saying goes. A five-year-old said, "Listen when I am talking" and one twelve-year-old expounded on that by saying, "Let me speak. Sometimes when I say something, my mom doesn't let me finish my sentence." One five-year-old child said, "Give me a million hugs every day" and yet another, age ten, said, "Always give your kids enough attention and the love they deserve." All of these are wise, but one struck me as true wisdom. Six-year-old Delaina from Connecticut, said, "Teach me how to be good." [1] Teach me how to be good. Truly, out of the mouth of babes...
The psalmist in today's Psalm 34 text is dealing with this same question of how to be good and offers some wisdom to aid in the teaching. Last week Craig talked about the experience of tasting and seeing that the Lord is good from verse 8. As you might remember, this Psalm is written in the Hebrew as an acrostic, where each line begins with the letters of the Hebrew alphabet in order. It's also a Psalm of Thanksgiving, but in addition to that, it's a Psalm that offers wise council and teaching, much like the book of Proverbs.
Join me, if you are able, in reading aloud the section of today's focus--starting at verse 9 and finishing with verse 14.
"9 O fear the Lord, you his holy ones, for those who fear him have no want. 10The young lions suffer want and hunger, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. 11Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. 12Which of you desires life, and covets many days to enjoy good? 13Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit. 14Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it." (Psalm 34:9-14, NRSV)
As we look at this specific section, we see that it is dealing with the six-year-old's advice, "Teach me how to be good." The Psalmist asks the rhetorical question of the "children" which includes anyone wanting and able to learn. We can substitute disciple or learner for children, or we can recognize how we are Children of God and the Psalmist is speaking to us the question: "Which of you desire life, and covets many days to enjoy good?" (verse 12) Then the advice and wisdom follows for anyone who fears the Lord.
As a youngster and even more recently too, I struggled with the phrase "fear of the Lord". Why should I be afraid of the Lord, when the Lord is the one providing for my needs and helping me to lack no good thing, as the Psalmist says in verse 10? We see fear used two different ways in the Psalm: one way is in verse 4 of the Psalm where the Psalmist experienced God's delivering him of all his fears. And we must recognize that fears can sometimes be a good thing. We teach children to be cautious of stoves, stairs, and streets, because having a “healthy respect” or fears for some things are life-giving for basic survival. [2]
But the other uses of fear in this Psalm are a different word in the Hebrew that means something completely different. Our typical use of the word fear in English involves being afraid, but in verse 7, 9, and 11 “fear” is not being afraid. Instead fear means here to revere, or trust, or depend upon the Lord. Around the time this Psalm was likely composed, Near Eastern cultures used the phrase "fearing the Lord" to mean claiming ONE God to worship. [3] It involved singling out a specific God--in this case The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob--The Lord God Almighty, so we might translate it instead to say "Revere the Lord God Almighty".
The psalmist is making a connection between this fear of the Lord and enjoying good. The instructions that follow are in response to the HOW question--how is one to be good? Delaina's question is answered with two verses of instructions that lead to the good life that the Psalmist is experiencing because of his relationship with God Almighty, and so he provides this wisdom to others who want to know HOW to be good too.
This list of ideals is just that--ideals for behavior and action. It's the suggestion of an ethic to live by that places one in line with God's Kingdom. On one hand these ideals don't sound too hard. They aren't extraordinary. Yet, as we all know, these ideals are much tougher to follow day in and day out. "Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit"—like gossip; lies; worry; using harsh words. "Depart from evil"—in the form of hatred; envy; lust; greed. "Do good"—by loving your neighbor; feeding and clothing the homeless; visiting the imprisoned. "Seek peace, and pursue it"-- bring wholeness and healing; dig wells for clean water; provide vaccinations; lobby for justice. The evils are part of our culture and are often hard to avoid. At the same time the good ideals are countercultural and are often hard to pursue.
I see this as one of those passages that is there to help motivate us to keep trying to live up to the ideals, while at the same time forgive us for when we don't quite hit the mark. We can't continually go around beating ourselves up for when we miss the mark, and yet we can't live as though God’s Kingdom is out of reach completely so why try to live at all. It reminds me of the quote by W. Clement Stone that reads, "Aim for the moon. If you miss, you may hit a star." [4] Or better yet, C. S. Lewis, the famed English Christian writer said, "Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither." [5]
Aiming for heaven. That idea reminds me of the Lord's Prayer. If you were here during Lent, you recall we spent the six weeks before Easter exploring the Lord's Prayer and what it means for us today. Jesus taught us to pray, "Your Kingdom come. Your will be done. On earth as it is in heaven." Bringing heaven to earth. "Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace and pursue it." They have a very similar ring to them.
Modeling how to be good and live these Psalmist’s ideals teaches the all the Children around us, in the most general sense, how we can all help bring heaven to earth and live into God’s Kingdom. It's just like we try to model right behavior and being good for children. Parents, and anyone involved in raising children, model how to be good to these children to help them live life to the fullest and enjoy good. The Psalmist is offering these ideals to us to help enjoy and share the good that comes from God alone. Jesus modeled these ideals when he walked the earth as our ultimate model and teacher. They are counter cultural, kingdom of Heaven practices, and they help teach us how to be good.
Just as parents model to their children, sometimes it's the children that model goodness back to us. At dinner one evening, our three-year-old nephew offered the blessing for the family. His little voice led us to pray, "God is great, God is good. Let us thank Him for our food. By his hands we all are fed. Give us Lord our daily bread. AMEN." I stood in awe as he knew every word. My pride and excitement in that moment was evident as I stood beaming from ear to ear. It is likely that he doesn't yet know what all the words mean, but that didn't stop him from modeling the practice of giving thanks and celebrating God's bounteous goodness back to us.
In the same way, we don't have to fully understand God's Kingdom to aim for heaven to bring it to earth. In that moment I got but a mere glimpse of the pride and love God must have when we model to others these practices that indeed teach us how to be good... when we keep our tongues from evil and our lips from deceit. When we depart from evil, and do good; seek peace and pursue it. It is in these small glimpses of God's Kingdom of heaven come to earth that I pause and thank God for the children in my life. It is in these times that I realize that the ideals of the Psalmist are not impossibilities, but they instead provide the target goal. Aim for heaven and you get earth thrown in. When we practice how to be good together as a community of Children of God, we model for each other the good in life. We walk together in the fear and reverence of the Lord, and proclaim it with our lives. "Come, O children of God, listen to us; we will teach you how to be good." Amen.
[1] Real Simple: Family Magazine, 2007, Their Words: "What's the Best Tip You Have For Your Parents?", page 16. [All children's quotes mentioned here are from this article.]
[2] Matthew Myer Boulton, "Pastoral Perspective" for Proper 15 in Feasting on the Word, Year B, Volume 3, eds. David L. Bartlett and Barbara Brown Taylor (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2009) 348.
[3] Richard Clifford, "Exegetical Perspective" for Proper 15 in Feasting on the Word, Year B, Volume 3, eds. David L. Bartlett and Barbara Brown Taylor (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2009) 347.
[4] http://www.quotesdaddy.com/quote/232056/w-clement-stone/aim-for-the-moon-if-you-miss-you-may-hit-a-star
[5] http://www.quotesdaddy.com/quote/232056/w-clement-stone/aim-for-the-moon-if-you-miss-you-may-hit-a-star
(Lectionary passage for Proper 14B for August 16, 2009)
Psalm Series: Part 2 of 3 on Psalm 34 (verses 9-14)
"Teach me how to be good."
Last weekend Steve and I took some much needed vacation time to visit with our family in Pennsylvania. Steve's immediate family all live there, and 2 of his cousins also flew in from out of state, so there were lots of us around the whole weekend spending time together. Or should I say, spending time with the kids. It's amazing isn't it, when there is a new baby, or babies in our family's case, how they become the center of attention. Between Steve's brother and sister, we now have 4 nieces and a nephew who are all under 4 years of age. Our newest 2 nieces are 4 months and 2 weeks old. Let's just say they are not lacking in attention--especially last weekend with everyone visiting! It was great to see them, and it was hard to leave, knowing how fast they grow up. The 2 week old will probably be walking and talking by the time we see her again at Christmas--or at least trying to do both!
[My nieces and nephew (aged 2.5 yr, 3 yr, 4 mo., 4 yr, 1 wk), August 09, Philadelphia, PA]Last weekend in the midst of diaper changes, feedings, naps, and other infant, toddler, and preschooler activities, I spent quite a bit of time reflecting on the innocence and wisdom of children and all that I have to learn from them. My nieces and nephew are constantly amazing me with their newest accomplishments and achievements. Rolling over, walking, talking, and potty-training are among the big accomplishments of these first few years. But there were other things I saw happening. Helping hold a younger sibling and tenderly kiss her cheek. Making a sister laugh just by making silly faces. Helping mom or dad retrieve any number of needed items for the two babies. These children are not unusual in these activities, and they have their moments too. All children, I imagine, push their parents button just when they have the least patience to deal with it. But as an aunt, I was able to step back and just love these kids and watch in amazement how they are growing and maturing into cute, helpful, and good kids.
During the trip, I found one of my sister-in-law's parenting magazines and picked it up to read. One article struck me as profound and wise. It was an article that asked children "What's the best tip you have for your parents?" As you might guess, some of the advice centered around what you might expect: a three-year-old's suggestion, "Give more marshmallows" and a four-year-old's idea, "Take me to Disney World to see all the princesses." But some of the others left me amazed at the wisdom from the mouth of babes as the saying goes. A five-year-old said, "Listen when I am talking" and one twelve-year-old expounded on that by saying, "Let me speak. Sometimes when I say something, my mom doesn't let me finish my sentence." One five-year-old child said, "Give me a million hugs every day" and yet another, age ten, said, "Always give your kids enough attention and the love they deserve." All of these are wise, but one struck me as true wisdom. Six-year-old Delaina from Connecticut, said, "Teach me how to be good." [1] Teach me how to be good. Truly, out of the mouth of babes...
The psalmist in today's Psalm 34 text is dealing with this same question of how to be good and offers some wisdom to aid in the teaching. Last week Craig talked about the experience of tasting and seeing that the Lord is good from verse 8. As you might remember, this Psalm is written in the Hebrew as an acrostic, where each line begins with the letters of the Hebrew alphabet in order. It's also a Psalm of Thanksgiving, but in addition to that, it's a Psalm that offers wise council and teaching, much like the book of Proverbs.
Join me, if you are able, in reading aloud the section of today's focus--starting at verse 9 and finishing with verse 14.
"9 O fear the Lord, you his holy ones, for those who fear him have no want. 10The young lions suffer want and hunger, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. 11Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. 12Which of you desires life, and covets many days to enjoy good? 13Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit. 14Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it." (Psalm 34:9-14, NRSV)
As we look at this specific section, we see that it is dealing with the six-year-old's advice, "Teach me how to be good." The Psalmist asks the rhetorical question of the "children" which includes anyone wanting and able to learn. We can substitute disciple or learner for children, or we can recognize how we are Children of God and the Psalmist is speaking to us the question: "Which of you desire life, and covets many days to enjoy good?" (verse 12) Then the advice and wisdom follows for anyone who fears the Lord.
As a youngster and even more recently too, I struggled with the phrase "fear of the Lord". Why should I be afraid of the Lord, when the Lord is the one providing for my needs and helping me to lack no good thing, as the Psalmist says in verse 10? We see fear used two different ways in the Psalm: one way is in verse 4 of the Psalm where the Psalmist experienced God's delivering him of all his fears. And we must recognize that fears can sometimes be a good thing. We teach children to be cautious of stoves, stairs, and streets, because having a “healthy respect” or fears for some things are life-giving for basic survival. [2]
But the other uses of fear in this Psalm are a different word in the Hebrew that means something completely different. Our typical use of the word fear in English involves being afraid, but in verse 7, 9, and 11 “fear” is not being afraid. Instead fear means here to revere, or trust, or depend upon the Lord. Around the time this Psalm was likely composed, Near Eastern cultures used the phrase "fearing the Lord" to mean claiming ONE God to worship. [3] It involved singling out a specific God--in this case The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob--The Lord God Almighty, so we might translate it instead to say "Revere the Lord God Almighty".
The psalmist is making a connection between this fear of the Lord and enjoying good. The instructions that follow are in response to the HOW question--how is one to be good? Delaina's question is answered with two verses of instructions that lead to the good life that the Psalmist is experiencing because of his relationship with God Almighty, and so he provides this wisdom to others who want to know HOW to be good too.
This list of ideals is just that--ideals for behavior and action. It's the suggestion of an ethic to live by that places one in line with God's Kingdom. On one hand these ideals don't sound too hard. They aren't extraordinary. Yet, as we all know, these ideals are much tougher to follow day in and day out. "Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit"—like gossip; lies; worry; using harsh words. "Depart from evil"—in the form of hatred; envy; lust; greed. "Do good"—by loving your neighbor; feeding and clothing the homeless; visiting the imprisoned. "Seek peace, and pursue it"-- bring wholeness and healing; dig wells for clean water; provide vaccinations; lobby for justice. The evils are part of our culture and are often hard to avoid. At the same time the good ideals are countercultural and are often hard to pursue.
I see this as one of those passages that is there to help motivate us to keep trying to live up to the ideals, while at the same time forgive us for when we don't quite hit the mark. We can't continually go around beating ourselves up for when we miss the mark, and yet we can't live as though God’s Kingdom is out of reach completely so why try to live at all. It reminds me of the quote by W. Clement Stone that reads, "Aim for the moon. If you miss, you may hit a star." [4] Or better yet, C. S. Lewis, the famed English Christian writer said, "Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither." [5]
Aiming for heaven. That idea reminds me of the Lord's Prayer. If you were here during Lent, you recall we spent the six weeks before Easter exploring the Lord's Prayer and what it means for us today. Jesus taught us to pray, "Your Kingdom come. Your will be done. On earth as it is in heaven." Bringing heaven to earth. "Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace and pursue it." They have a very similar ring to them.
Modeling how to be good and live these Psalmist’s ideals teaches the all the Children around us, in the most general sense, how we can all help bring heaven to earth and live into God’s Kingdom. It's just like we try to model right behavior and being good for children. Parents, and anyone involved in raising children, model how to be good to these children to help them live life to the fullest and enjoy good. The Psalmist is offering these ideals to us to help enjoy and share the good that comes from God alone. Jesus modeled these ideals when he walked the earth as our ultimate model and teacher. They are counter cultural, kingdom of Heaven practices, and they help teach us how to be good.
Just as parents model to their children, sometimes it's the children that model goodness back to us. At dinner one evening, our three-year-old nephew offered the blessing for the family. His little voice led us to pray, "God is great, God is good. Let us thank Him for our food. By his hands we all are fed. Give us Lord our daily bread. AMEN." I stood in awe as he knew every word. My pride and excitement in that moment was evident as I stood beaming from ear to ear. It is likely that he doesn't yet know what all the words mean, but that didn't stop him from modeling the practice of giving thanks and celebrating God's bounteous goodness back to us.
In the same way, we don't have to fully understand God's Kingdom to aim for heaven to bring it to earth. In that moment I got but a mere glimpse of the pride and love God must have when we model to others these practices that indeed teach us how to be good... when we keep our tongues from evil and our lips from deceit. When we depart from evil, and do good; seek peace and pursue it. It is in these small glimpses of God's Kingdom of heaven come to earth that I pause and thank God for the children in my life. It is in these times that I realize that the ideals of the Psalmist are not impossibilities, but they instead provide the target goal. Aim for heaven and you get earth thrown in. When we practice how to be good together as a community of Children of God, we model for each other the good in life. We walk together in the fear and reverence of the Lord, and proclaim it with our lives. "Come, O children of God, listen to us; we will teach you how to be good." Amen.
[1] Real Simple: Family Magazine, 2007, Their Words: "What's the Best Tip You Have For Your Parents?", page 16. [All children's quotes mentioned here are from this article.]
[2] Matthew Myer Boulton, "Pastoral Perspective" for Proper 15 in Feasting on the Word, Year B, Volume 3, eds. David L. Bartlett and Barbara Brown Taylor (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2009) 348.
[3] Richard Clifford, "Exegetical Perspective" for Proper 15 in Feasting on the Word, Year B, Volume 3, eds. David L. Bartlett and Barbara Brown Taylor (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2009) 347.
[4] http://www.quotesdaddy.com/quote/232056/w-clement-stone/aim-for-the-moon-if-you-miss-you-may-hit-a-star
[5] http://www.quotesdaddy.com/quote/232056/w-clement-stone/aim-for-the-moon-if-you-miss-you-may-hit-a-star
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