"When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream."(Psalm 126 vs.1)
The lottery ads tell me that all I need is a dollar and a dream. I then could possibly have a fairly sizable financial fortune. Maybe this would be a dream come true. Part of me thinks it would be a nightmare.
What do you dream of. Is it about a better tomorrow? Or is it more about a restoration of what once was?
Personally I have both kinds. Though I'd say I dream more about the future than I do about restoring the past. That may be because my past is fine and there's nothing from it I'd truly like back. But that may not be true for everyone.
There are moments in life that feel like a dream come true. Usually when something terrific happens to us. Thank God for those moments. But I also know that some dreams don't get fulfilled. Some restorations don't happen. And even in those disappointments, those laments of what once was but can't be again or for those missed opportunities that aren't coming again, I too have to be like one who dreams, one who hopes and one who keeps moving forward.
Blessings,
Ed
Thursday, August 8, 2013
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Reflection for August 7, 2013
"Here are my mother and my bothers/! Whoever does the will of
God is my brother sister and mother." (Mark 3:34b-35)
All of us have families. I still have my mother and father who I see periodically throughout the year and certainly talk on the phone to frequently. I am glad to still have a good relationship with them, and that they are still in good health. I know not everyone is blessed to still have their parents around and in some cases the relationship is so strained they are in some ways dead. I also have a sister who again I see from time to time, speak to occasionally. Our relationship is also fine. We don't live close enough to each other to have family weekends and our children's schedules are also road blocks to seeing each other. I did just see her and am glad that she is my sister.
I of course have my own family. A wife and two sons. They bring me much joy and also stress, but nothing out of the ordinary. I hope to maintain that level of warmth and affection as we grow older too.
I have other families, people who I have connections to in different ways. There is my church family, my family of Grinnell alums, my colleagues in ministry. There is a bond of affection that while again I don't see these folks often, I'm always glad when I do.
I try not to set conditions as to who is my family. At first glance it would seem that Jesus rejects traditional family definitions and puts conditions on who's in his family. What I see Jesus inviting us to is a place of seeing all folks who we come in contact with as family. Can we muster the same level of warmth and compassion that we might give to those who we share some real DNA with?
Can we also find in others a sense of family that may be lacking in our own? We need to be careful of projecting to much family dynamics onto what is really community. But there are parallels and sometimes much like heredity, being part of the larger human family can be hard to escape.
Blessings,
Ed
God is my brother sister and mother." (Mark 3:34b-35)
All of us have families. I still have my mother and father who I see periodically throughout the year and certainly talk on the phone to frequently. I am glad to still have a good relationship with them, and that they are still in good health. I know not everyone is blessed to still have their parents around and in some cases the relationship is so strained they are in some ways dead. I also have a sister who again I see from time to time, speak to occasionally. Our relationship is also fine. We don't live close enough to each other to have family weekends and our children's schedules are also road blocks to seeing each other. I did just see her and am glad that she is my sister.
I of course have my own family. A wife and two sons. They bring me much joy and also stress, but nothing out of the ordinary. I hope to maintain that level of warmth and affection as we grow older too.
I have other families, people who I have connections to in different ways. There is my church family, my family of Grinnell alums, my colleagues in ministry. There is a bond of affection that while again I don't see these folks often, I'm always glad when I do.
I try not to set conditions as to who is my family. At first glance it would seem that Jesus rejects traditional family definitions and puts conditions on who's in his family. What I see Jesus inviting us to is a place of seeing all folks who we come in contact with as family. Can we muster the same level of warmth and compassion that we might give to those who we share some real DNA with?
Can we also find in others a sense of family that may be lacking in our own? We need to be careful of projecting to much family dynamics onto what is really community. But there are parallels and sometimes much like heredity, being part of the larger human family can be hard to escape.
Blessings,
Ed
Monday, June 17, 2013
Reflections for June 16, 2013
"Therefore, as I live, says the Lord God, I will deal with you according to the anger and envy that you showed because of your hatred against them; and I will make myself known among you, when I judge you. You shall know that I, the Lord, have heard all the abusive speech that you uttered against the mountains of Israel, saying, “They are laid desolate, they are given us to devour.” (Ez 35:11-12)
Anger, envy, hatred, abusive speech. We know these when we are the targets. Nothing good ever comes from them. When I am the target of these, I have really three options, respond in kind, flee, or perhaps let God deal with that person.
The first one of course only keeps the venom flowing. I may feel better momentarily until the point when what I've just done sets in. Fleeing while much safer, is also somewhat emptying as well. I haven't stood up for myself. I've allowed that person to again know that they've gotten to me. And I leave feeling like a coward or a doormat, again neither a great place to be.
The third option is the hardest but ultimately the most satisfying I think. I have stood my ground, I've taken it, sort of, but have not lowered myself to the other person's level. And I've given them to God. I can only hope that God might turn their hearts in an opposite direction, not away from me, but a change in attitude all around.
Of course I should also mention how I am not immune from showing anger, envy, hatred or abusive speech. Not only in places where I might be responding in kind, but when I'm the one serving up the poison first. I again know that at the end of the rampage, I'm not feeling very powerful, and often foolish. I also know that God might want a word with me as well. I can hope for some mercy and a fresh start. I've been graced so far in that God hasn't dealt with me severely in those times.
Blessings,
Ed+
Anger, envy, hatred, abusive speech. We know these when we are the targets. Nothing good ever comes from them. When I am the target of these, I have really three options, respond in kind, flee, or perhaps let God deal with that person.
The first one of course only keeps the venom flowing. I may feel better momentarily until the point when what I've just done sets in. Fleeing while much safer, is also somewhat emptying as well. I haven't stood up for myself. I've allowed that person to again know that they've gotten to me. And I leave feeling like a coward or a doormat, again neither a great place to be.
The third option is the hardest but ultimately the most satisfying I think. I have stood my ground, I've taken it, sort of, but have not lowered myself to the other person's level. And I've given them to God. I can only hope that God might turn their hearts in an opposite direction, not away from me, but a change in attitude all around.
Of course I should also mention how I am not immune from showing anger, envy, hatred or abusive speech. Not only in places where I might be responding in kind, but when I'm the one serving up the poison first. I again know that at the end of the rampage, I'm not feeling very powerful, and often foolish. I also know that God might want a word with me as well. I can hope for some mercy and a fresh start. I've been graced so far in that God hasn't dealt with me severely in those times.
Blessings,
Ed+
Monday, March 18, 2013
Reflection for 3/18/13
"So that with the eyes of your heart enlightened."(Ephesians 1:18)
I've always liked this image of heart having eyes. Perhaps it is because I tend to see things through those eyes. I form my opinions that way. When I see my wife, the eyes of my heart are definitely enlightened. When I see the plight of others the eyes of my heart get enlightened.
When our heart's eyes see what is happening around us, we can get called to act. A call to action in the service of others is the hope that Christ calls those of who profess faith in him to. It aids in our seeing the beauty around us in the world and in others.
When we close the eyes of our heart, we become blind to the needs of others. We can only then see what is wrong with the world and begin to lose hope. I'm glad my heart's eyes stay open. I see and understand so much better that way.
Blessings,
Ed
I've always liked this image of heart having eyes. Perhaps it is because I tend to see things through those eyes. I form my opinions that way. When I see my wife, the eyes of my heart are definitely enlightened. When I see the plight of others the eyes of my heart get enlightened.
When our heart's eyes see what is happening around us, we can get called to act. A call to action in the service of others is the hope that Christ calls those of who profess faith in him to. It aids in our seeing the beauty around us in the world and in others.
When we close the eyes of our heart, we become blind to the needs of others. We can only then see what is wrong with the world and begin to lose hope. I'm glad my heart's eyes stay open. I see and understand so much better that way.
Blessings,
Ed
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Reflections for 3/6/13
"What you know, I also know. I am not inferior to you."(Job 13:2)
You gotta love Job. As beat up as he is, he still stands his ground. His "friends" lecturing him left and right, and yet he still stands his ground. That's confidence, not only in his own righteousness, but in his knowledge and love of God.
We may think it strange to question God or to be willing to risk that face to face with God, and yet that is exactly what Job is doing.
There are certainly people who are smarter than me out there. There are also plenty of folks who are stronger than me physically. And I will gladly acknowledge when someone knows more or can do more. But I also can tell when someone is at least my equal. And am willing to call their puffery when it is obvious.
I enjoy learning but I don't enjoy an unmerited bravado. It took me a long time to not be intimidated by folks who were my equals. It makes it easier to be in the presence of smarter folks when you believe that you too also are smart.
Blessings,
Ed
You gotta love Job. As beat up as he is, he still stands his ground. His "friends" lecturing him left and right, and yet he still stands his ground. That's confidence, not only in his own righteousness, but in his knowledge and love of God.
We may think it strange to question God or to be willing to risk that face to face with God, and yet that is exactly what Job is doing.
There are certainly people who are smarter than me out there. There are also plenty of folks who are stronger than me physically. And I will gladly acknowledge when someone knows more or can do more. But I also can tell when someone is at least my equal. And am willing to call their puffery when it is obvious.
I enjoy learning but I don't enjoy an unmerited bravado. It took me a long time to not be intimidated by folks who were my equals. It makes it easier to be in the presence of smarter folks when you believe that you too also are smart.
Blessings,
Ed
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Reflections for 3/5/13
"Each of you must give as you have made up your mind not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."(2 Corinthians 9:7)
What was the last thing you cheerfully gave to? Was your gift money, some object or perhaps your time or talent? In church speak we call this stewardship and we are called to practice it in all aspects of our life.
I know that I cheerfully give of my time to my vocation, to my family and to my friends. There has never been any reluctance to do so because I do it out of love for those folks. I'm certainly not under any compulsion, at least most of the time. I will admit that that here are times that a gentle prodding can often get me moving because sometimes I get stuck in a rut. But once I've invested fully in what's happening I'm there.
I also give cheerfully of my treasure, eg. money, to my church, and to my college and seminary. Again I don't have to give to any of those institutions but they play and have played important roles in who I am today. Frankly I'm not as cheerful when I have to pay bills, but then again that's under compulsion.
Where are the places and people that gladden your heart and that you gladly give to? What are the people and places you feel reluctant to do so, yet you have no real choice about it? Can the first type of giving redeem the second?
Blessings,
Ed
What was the last thing you cheerfully gave to? Was your gift money, some object or perhaps your time or talent? In church speak we call this stewardship and we are called to practice it in all aspects of our life.
I know that I cheerfully give of my time to my vocation, to my family and to my friends. There has never been any reluctance to do so because I do it out of love for those folks. I'm certainly not under any compulsion, at least most of the time. I will admit that that here are times that a gentle prodding can often get me moving because sometimes I get stuck in a rut. But once I've invested fully in what's happening I'm there.
I also give cheerfully of my treasure, eg. money, to my church, and to my college and seminary. Again I don't have to give to any of those institutions but they play and have played important roles in who I am today. Frankly I'm not as cheerful when I have to pay bills, but then again that's under compulsion.
Where are the places and people that gladden your heart and that you gladly give to? What are the people and places you feel reluctant to do so, yet you have no real choice about it? Can the first type of giving redeem the second?
Blessings,
Ed
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Reflections for 2/21/13
"I do not want to see you now just in passing, for I hope to spend some time with you if the Lord permits."(1 Corinthians 16:7)
One of the parts of my vocation that I enjoy is pastoral calling. Visiting sick and shut ins. I try to make enough time on my calendar to not have to clock watch, to be able to spend as much time visiting with folks as needed. Sometimes these visits are short, and sometimes they can last two hours. The amount of time is not as important as the quality of the visit.
I also know that I enjoy visiting friends as well. My past couple of summer baseball trips I've managed to spend time with various friends. It has always been a good to spend time with them, to catch up with what's been going on in their lives.
It is certainly obvious when someone is giving you quality time. You have their attention, and they seem to enjoy your company also. It is also clear when someone is just giving you a perfunctory visit. They have to be there, they don't really want to be there, and they are watching the clock, looking for a way to graciously move on.
When we value the person we are visiting we want to make the most of our time together. Yes there are moments that we wish could be longer, and in our overly scheduled, rushing from one event to another, lives, that can sometimes be a challenge. But for those moments when we are truly present for each other even the shortest visit can seem like they never end, in a positive way.
Blessings,
Ed
One of the parts of my vocation that I enjoy is pastoral calling. Visiting sick and shut ins. I try to make enough time on my calendar to not have to clock watch, to be able to spend as much time visiting with folks as needed. Sometimes these visits are short, and sometimes they can last two hours. The amount of time is not as important as the quality of the visit.
I also know that I enjoy visiting friends as well. My past couple of summer baseball trips I've managed to spend time with various friends. It has always been a good to spend time with them, to catch up with what's been going on in their lives.
It is certainly obvious when someone is giving you quality time. You have their attention, and they seem to enjoy your company also. It is also clear when someone is just giving you a perfunctory visit. They have to be there, they don't really want to be there, and they are watching the clock, looking for a way to graciously move on.
When we value the person we are visiting we want to make the most of our time together. Yes there are moments that we wish could be longer, and in our overly scheduled, rushing from one event to another, lives, that can sometimes be a challenge. But for those moments when we are truly present for each other even the shortest visit can seem like they never end, in a positive way.
Blessings,
Ed
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