Wednesday, February 23, 2011

An epiphany during Epiphany

As one who has already completed EFM and is acting as a backup mentor while restudying Year 1 & 2, I was asked to lead Year 4 Lesson 19 tonight. In preparation, while going over the material last evening (Wm. Temple and the Niebuhrs), a thought seemed to jump up and slap me in the face:

“I am a disciple/follower of the Christ as I know Him, rather than any understanding espoused or proffered by any theologian, spiritual leader, or other mentor. While “greater minds” can provide some level of knowledge and direction regarding God and His message; by virtue of “free will”, it is incumbent upon me to know and recognize Him where and how He offers and presents Himself to me.”

Monday, February 21, 2011

What are you so mad about?

The following is "stolen" from the cover of our Order of Worship a few weeks back. It's so powerful, I had to share. The sermon that Sunday was an accompanyment to it. It should soon be posted here under 13 Feb 2011.

6 Epiphany 2011

What are you so mad about? No, really, have you noticed how much madder people seem to be lately? So really, what are you so mad about?

Well, since you asked, there are plenty of reasons, aren’t there?

You’re mad about the crazy pace of change in the world.
You’re mad about our world’s seeming mad dash into craziness.

You’re mad about wars and rumors of wars.

You’re mad that so many people are so poor.
You’re mad that so many people are willing to stay poor.
You’re mad that no one seems to want to help the poor.

You’re mad about irresponsibility run rampant.
You’re mad about the deterioration of values we have long depended on.
You’re mad about our culture’s willingness to spend money we don’t have on things we don’t need.

You’re mad at your parents because they just don’t understand.
You’re mad at your kids because neither do they.

You’re mad at your body because it no longer does what you want it to do.

You’re mad that your church has changed in so many ways it’s hard to recognize it.
You’re mad that the church won’t change to meet the needs of the modern world.

You’re mad that no one even knows what you’re mad about
You’re mad that you don’t even know what you’re mad about.

Yes, there are plenty of reasons to be mad. And to make matters worse, Jesus says leave all that anger alone. If there are so many good reasons to be mad, why does He say leave it alone?

Perhaps it is because of the cancerous power of anger. Mad begets mad. Angry people find other angry people and it feeds the anger. Then the anger is no longer healthy, no longer reasonable, and no longer honest. Before you know it, unchecked anger leads to a kind of madness. But finally unchecked anger sets us up as mini-gods, assuming we know what is right, what is good and what should happen with every one, everywhere.

So turn it loose. Let it go. Make peace, Offer it to God.

Let God be God.

Fr. Chuck