"But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task",(Psalm 73:16)
Like most of you I've been overwhelmed by the opinions on the Ferguson decision and the aftermath that followed. The lines are clearly drawn, and there is rarely a middle voice heard. I try to listen to both sides and still find myself thinking the issue is incredibly complex and much of the truth is lying under the surface.
The processing of the overload of information and opinion is probably the most tiring. There is also the real fact that I have to constantly remind myself of the lenses through which I'm viewing this, that of an educated, middle class, white, male. The hard part is that my sympathies lie one place.but I know that I play a role in the systems that continue ferment and grow. I also know that I grow weary of the dismissive attitude of some of my social location who refuse to engage the topic and by their vitriol and self righteous tone are only making it worse.
It is hard work to think on all the issues that Ferguson brought to the surface again. Most I will not be able to solve. But no matter how tiring just thinking about it can be. There can really be no rest until these issues are truly understood, taken seriously and ultimately dealt with.
Blessings,
Ed
Wednesday, November 26, 2014
Reflection for November 25, 2014
"From oppression and violence he redeems their life; and precious is their blood in his sight."(Psalm 72:14)
Monday evening the Grand Jury findings were released in the case of Officer Darren Wilson. The verdict pretty much went as expected, no charges filed. I am sure for Officer Wilson at a certain level breathes a sigh of relief. His actions were seen by that jury as appropriate given the circumstances. I heard a brief interview with him where he certain regrets the loss of life. I can't imagine anyone who caused a loss of life who isn't a sociopath not feeling some level of remorse. In many ways his career and name are tarnished forever.
The reaction to the verdict was also regrettably predictable. There are people who will take a tragedy and make it worse. Especially if there are cameras rolling.
The whole case and many like it raise lots of questions for me. The predictable reaction of many with no direct connection to Ferguson MO, was also predictable. We choose to focus on the violent reaction rather than the violence that triggered it. We don't want to address a question of why our police are not going out with partners? Would Officer Wilson have acted differently if he weren't on his own?
Do we want to talk at all about why being a police officer is not a career choice that people of color generally pursue? I was told that many can't pass the background checks. Yet I can't help but wonder if a young person's experience with the police has not been positive and there are few roll models for them to see, why they would even consider it.
I've seen people post stories of black cops killing unarmed white teens and asking "where is the outrage!?" Too which I'd say yes where is the outrage? Why aren't you outraged that we haven't figured out how to define where the line is with the use of deadly force by sworn officers of the law. Instead we bring these examples out to seemingly deflect away from the larger underlying issues.
As a white male, I really won't ever fully grasp what a black male goes through daily. I'm generally treated well by the police, I'm given the automatic benefit of the doubt, my example of white privilege.
As a person of faith, I hope for a day when all of us can find redemption from the violence and oppression that we experience. And when everyone's blood is seen as precious in the sight of everyone.
Blessings,
Ed
Monday evening the Grand Jury findings were released in the case of Officer Darren Wilson. The verdict pretty much went as expected, no charges filed. I am sure for Officer Wilson at a certain level breathes a sigh of relief. His actions were seen by that jury as appropriate given the circumstances. I heard a brief interview with him where he certain regrets the loss of life. I can't imagine anyone who caused a loss of life who isn't a sociopath not feeling some level of remorse. In many ways his career and name are tarnished forever.
The reaction to the verdict was also regrettably predictable. There are people who will take a tragedy and make it worse. Especially if there are cameras rolling.
The whole case and many like it raise lots of questions for me. The predictable reaction of many with no direct connection to Ferguson MO, was also predictable. We choose to focus on the violent reaction rather than the violence that triggered it. We don't want to address a question of why our police are not going out with partners? Would Officer Wilson have acted differently if he weren't on his own?
Do we want to talk at all about why being a police officer is not a career choice that people of color generally pursue? I was told that many can't pass the background checks. Yet I can't help but wonder if a young person's experience with the police has not been positive and there are few roll models for them to see, why they would even consider it.
I've seen people post stories of black cops killing unarmed white teens and asking "where is the outrage!?" Too which I'd say yes where is the outrage? Why aren't you outraged that we haven't figured out how to define where the line is with the use of deadly force by sworn officers of the law. Instead we bring these examples out to seemingly deflect away from the larger underlying issues.
As a white male, I really won't ever fully grasp what a black male goes through daily. I'm generally treated well by the police, I'm given the automatic benefit of the doubt, my example of white privilege.
As a person of faith, I hope for a day when all of us can find redemption from the violence and oppression that we experience. And when everyone's blood is seen as precious in the sight of everyone.
Blessings,
Ed
Monday, November 24, 2014
Reflection for November 24, 2014
"The sick man answered, 'Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; and while I am making my way, someone else steps down ahead of me.'"(John 5:7)
Have you ever been waiting for something? An opportunity to do something or take care of a problem and yet when the moment is right, you either don't have the help you need to accomplish it, or someone else gets there just ahead of you.
It often feels like we are striving on our own and often fall just short, or someone else gets the very thing we sought.
It may be that we actually don't see the help that is right in front of us. It may also be that we are striving for something we don't actually need.
I look at the invalid in this passage and can see those parallels in my own life. Too narrow a focus on how to achieve my goal. No one to help me, and others too quick or better at the game than I. Frustrating no doubt.
From a faith perspective perhaps I'm called to see where God is acting with me in all of this. Have I asked for the right thing? Or do I need to broaden my definition of what the right thing is?
I know what I'd like to see happen, and I've waited a long time for all the stars to align. And that waiting and only seeing one answer might be why I've been unable to achieve my goal.
Blessings,
Ed
Have you ever been waiting for something? An opportunity to do something or take care of a problem and yet when the moment is right, you either don't have the help you need to accomplish it, or someone else gets there just ahead of you.
It often feels like we are striving on our own and often fall just short, or someone else gets the very thing we sought.
It may be that we actually don't see the help that is right in front of us. It may also be that we are striving for something we don't actually need.
I look at the invalid in this passage and can see those parallels in my own life. Too narrow a focus on how to achieve my goal. No one to help me, and others too quick or better at the game than I. Frustrating no doubt.
From a faith perspective perhaps I'm called to see where God is acting with me in all of this. Have I asked for the right thing? Or do I need to broaden my definition of what the right thing is?
I know what I'd like to see happen, and I've waited a long time for all the stars to align. And that waiting and only seeing one answer might be why I've been unable to achieve my goal.
Blessings,
Ed
Saturday, November 22, 2014
Reflection for November 22, 2014
"Let those who say, Aha, Aha! turn back because their shame."(Psalm 70:3)
Have you ever felt like you fell into a trap. Or somehow had your words twisted around in such a way that you wound up contradicting yourself, or admitting to something you hadn't actually done. And inevitably there seems to be someone there to point out your miscue. And they seem to gloat as you stand confused or perhaps even embarrassed.
The fact that there are folks who take glee in the mistakes of others is truly sad. That there are even people who deliberately set others up is also reprehensible. I know I'm turned off by folks with their aha's and gotcha. Really? That's what makes you feel powerful or superior? Please.
That we might hope that they would just go away feeling ashamed by their actions is something to hope for. Regrettably unless someone stands up to them. Calls them on their non sense. The aha's will have it.
Blessings,
Ed
Have you ever felt like you fell into a trap. Or somehow had your words twisted around in such a way that you wound up contradicting yourself, or admitting to something you hadn't actually done. And inevitably there seems to be someone there to point out your miscue. And they seem to gloat as you stand confused or perhaps even embarrassed.
The fact that there are folks who take glee in the mistakes of others is truly sad. That there are even people who deliberately set others up is also reprehensible. I know I'm turned off by folks with their aha's and gotcha. Really? That's what makes you feel powerful or superior? Please.
That we might hope that they would just go away feeling ashamed by their actions is something to hope for. Regrettably unless someone stands up to them. Calls them on their non sense. The aha's will have it.
Blessings,
Ed
Friday, November 21, 2014
Reflection for November 21, 2014
"Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him."(John 3:17)
If you were a sports fan in the 1970's and 1980's you may recall seeing at many a televised sporting event a guy with a rainbow wig and a cardboard sign that said John 3:16. Back then I had no idea what he was referring to. Of course I now and for 20+ years understand that he was using his prime location seats to share the good news of Jesus Christ, that God so loved the world......
And while I certainly embrace that Good News I love the verse that follows as much. That Jesus didn't come here to condemn us. So it sort of begs the question for me. If Jesus didn't come to condemn why do some of his followers feel they must? Are they mad that Jesus didn't share the same zealousness for fault finding and finger pointing? Are they saying he blew it we better take over? Of course I need to be careful or I may fall into the trap of condemning them.
That the world through Christ might be saved is important. For me it is in the believing and then the following the example that I as a part of the world get saved. Saved from myself primarily. Reminded regularly that there are other people who are just as beloved as I am. Who need the same compassion and mercy that I've been given. They don't need Austin 3:16, "I just whooped your ass" but a hand up, a shoulder to lean on and an ear to listen.
Blessings,
Ed
If you were a sports fan in the 1970's and 1980's you may recall seeing at many a televised sporting event a guy with a rainbow wig and a cardboard sign that said John 3:16. Back then I had no idea what he was referring to. Of course I now and for 20+ years understand that he was using his prime location seats to share the good news of Jesus Christ, that God so loved the world......
And while I certainly embrace that Good News I love the verse that follows as much. That Jesus didn't come here to condemn us. So it sort of begs the question for me. If Jesus didn't come to condemn why do some of his followers feel they must? Are they mad that Jesus didn't share the same zealousness for fault finding and finger pointing? Are they saying he blew it we better take over? Of course I need to be careful or I may fall into the trap of condemning them.
That the world through Christ might be saved is important. For me it is in the believing and then the following the example that I as a part of the world get saved. Saved from myself primarily. Reminded regularly that there are other people who are just as beloved as I am. Who need the same compassion and mercy that I've been given. They don't need Austin 3:16, "I just whooped your ass" but a hand up, a shoulder to lean on and an ear to listen.
Blessings,
Ed
Thursday, November 20, 2014
Reflection for November 20, 2014
"And he said to him, 'Everyone serves the good wine first, and the the inferior wine after teh guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.'"(John 2:10)
Have you ever noticed that there are people who get off to a great start but as time goes on, their efforts diminish, what impressed you at first isn't happening anymore. Perhaps they hoped you might not notice what was currently happening and only recall how good things were in the beginning.
But saving the best for last, almost seems counter intuitive. Hey we might not be interested by that point.
Vanessa Williams had a song about that with such memorable lines as "sometimes the very thing you're looking for is the one thing you can't see." And I think there's something to that when I reflect on good wine coming now.
The thing about that "first miracle at a wedding in Cana of Galilee" is not only only water into wine, but more so for me that Jesus brought something forth from a place no one expected it. He didn't fill empty wine jars, but jars whose purpose was something else.
And doesn't that happen too in life. That things that we really need come from unexpected sources. That what starts out as a seemingly empty jar can bring forth the best stuff. And maybe for those of us who start off a little slower, who aren't as flashy. This might be good news indeed.
Blessings,
Ed
Have you ever noticed that there are people who get off to a great start but as time goes on, their efforts diminish, what impressed you at first isn't happening anymore. Perhaps they hoped you might not notice what was currently happening and only recall how good things were in the beginning.
But saving the best for last, almost seems counter intuitive. Hey we might not be interested by that point.
Vanessa Williams had a song about that with such memorable lines as "sometimes the very thing you're looking for is the one thing you can't see." And I think there's something to that when I reflect on good wine coming now.
The thing about that "first miracle at a wedding in Cana of Galilee" is not only only water into wine, but more so for me that Jesus brought something forth from a place no one expected it. He didn't fill empty wine jars, but jars whose purpose was something else.
And doesn't that happen too in life. That things that we really need come from unexpected sources. That what starts out as a seemingly empty jar can bring forth the best stuff. And maybe for those of us who start off a little slower, who aren't as flashy. This might be good news indeed.
Blessings,
Ed
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
Reflection for November 19, 2014
"The Lord said to Joshua, 'Stand up! Why have you fallen on your face."(Joshua 7:10)
For the last couple of days my reflections have perhaps been a little melancholy. Frankly that's where I was. I wish I could say that things have taken a turn for the better, they haven't. But last night as I went to bed after getting rejected yet again, something began to change for me.
I had been brought low, perhaps even to a metaphorical falling on my face. But as I lay down on the air mattress while spending the night with two homeless families being housed at a local church, I began to see my plight in a different way. Perspective has a way to do that.
When the alarm went off, another day had dawned. A day when I knew I would get to go home to a warm house. I'd be greeted by a wife who loves me unconditionally. And that this pity party I'd been engaging in, wasn't changing anything.
So this invitation to stand up, I accept! Doesn't change the slump, but reminds me that the slump cannot be gotten out of if I'm lying down face first by my own choice.
So today back to trying, reminding myself that I'm still standing and it is a much more comfortable place to be and easier to see where you need to go.
Blessings,
Ed
For the last couple of days my reflections have perhaps been a little melancholy. Frankly that's where I was. I wish I could say that things have taken a turn for the better, they haven't. But last night as I went to bed after getting rejected yet again, something began to change for me.
I had been brought low, perhaps even to a metaphorical falling on my face. But as I lay down on the air mattress while spending the night with two homeless families being housed at a local church, I began to see my plight in a different way. Perspective has a way to do that.
When the alarm went off, another day had dawned. A day when I knew I would get to go home to a warm house. I'd be greeted by a wife who loves me unconditionally. And that this pity party I'd been engaging in, wasn't changing anything.
So this invitation to stand up, I accept! Doesn't change the slump, but reminds me that the slump cannot be gotten out of if I'm lying down face first by my own choice.
So today back to trying, reminding myself that I'm still standing and it is a much more comfortable place to be and easier to see where you need to go.
Blessings,
Ed
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