Signs, Signs, Everywhere are Signs

All I heard leading up to the Olympics was the overwhelming concern over the security. Would the Police and Security agents be able to keep everyone safe? Could they keep terrorists from blowing up the stadiums? Would Al Keida strike? And the answer-no. There was nothing. No bombs; no threats; no crazy radical Islamic followers; nothing but national pride. We expect those heathen Muslims to act against such a gathering, but in the end-nothing.

Oh, wait, there was something. There was one incident. But he was not Muslim. He was not a terrorist. He was a defrocked priest from Scotland wearing a man dress. He ran out in his little kilt and pushed the leader of the men’s marathon off of the road. Along with the kilt he had a sign on his back that read, "“The second coming is near says the Bible. The Grand Prix Priest Israel Fulfillment of Prophecy Says the Bible”." I am so sick of signs like his. Apparently a couple of years ago he ran out into the track of British Grand Prix traffic with cars traveling at 200 mph wearing a sign that read, "“Read the Bible -- the Bible is always right."” But he isn’t the only one toting a sign.

I see signs on Church billboards warning of hell for sinners or guilting people who pass by into attending church.
I see people stomping around free clinics carrying signs that read “"Abortion is murder.” "
I see signs around the capitol building that read "“Fags go to hell.” "

Signs, signs, everywhere are signs. But where is the love? What ever happened to “Love your neighbor and pray for those who persecute you.” God, it pisses me off. When are we going to learn that the kingdom is more than a matter of talk, but of power and love.

Nationalism and Sport

This year the Olympics have returned to its roots by going back to where it all started – Athens, Greece. I thought this was a great idea, and could possibly lend itself to a lot of great moments. So I started watching, but I didn’t see the sort of events that defined the Olympics back in the day. I see badminton, table tennis, synchronized diving and swimming, 2 versions of volleyball, and shooting. But perhaps the most annoying “competition” (I hesitate to call it “sport”) is the trampoline. Apparently team, individual, and some crazy performance was not enough gymnastics—they had to add in a trampoline into the mix. And they wonder why the stadiums are empty. I don’t know, could it be because there are about 500 different competitions, most of which are contrived to appease a small group and very few of which are worth watching?

The whole thing reminds me that our world is wasting so much time on things that just don’t matter. More than that, we continue to set up these events that make nations compete for the right to be called the best nation in the world. And lo and behold, the USA continues to dominate and come out on top. And we think we have come so far.

The Dark Night of the Soul

I spend a lot of time wondering why I don’t feel like doing “spiritual” stuff like praying, Bible reading, etc. Perhaps it is because I feel guilty that I haven’t been doing them, or that I don’t even know if they will do anything. Other times, my devotional life is merely an exercise of study, not truly changing my heart. And so I wonder, “What is keeping me from that vibrant relationship that was mentioned in the previous post? What makes me so lackluster?”

I found a couple of answers when reading The Dark Night of the Soul by John of the Cross. He states:
“They will beg God to take away their imperfections, but they do this only because they want to find inner peace and not for God’s sake…Such souls become weary with spiritual exercises because they do not yield any consolation, and thus, they abandon them.”

Those comments hit me square in the face. I spend so much time thinking that I need to engage in these exercises so that I will feel right about myself and my relationship with God. But the truth is, that selfish attitude denies their power and ignores the purpose for the sacrifice of Christ. Christ died for God’s sake, to appease the holiness of God. As a result, the sacraments and my devotional life should not be focused on my feelings, but on the “invisible and unfelt grace of God [which] is much greater, and it is beyond our comprehension.”

In the end, it seems that my lackluster attitude and feelings are a failing on my part of being too selfish and self-absorbed. My focus should be on God, not on me. If my Bible Reading doesn’t seem to yield fruit, I must remember that I am studying the very word of God. If my prayers seem empty, I can’t forget that I am speaking directly to the God of the universe. And if my worship is lifeless at times, I am still praising the God of creation.

I’ll end with another quote from the Ragamuffin Gospel:
“In the final analysis, the real challenge of Christian growth is the challenge of personal responsibility. The Spirit of Jesus calls out a second time: Are you going to take charge of your life today? Are you going to be responsible for what you do? Are you going to believe?”

The Impetus

The title of my blog is taken from a chapter found in The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning. I just finished reading it, and the chapter entitled “The Second Call” had a profound impact on me. Check out what Manning says:

“This is what the second call of Jesus Christ means today: A summons to a new and more radical leap in hope, to an existential commitment to the Good News of the wedding feast. If we believe the exciting message of Jesus, if we hope in vindication, we must love, and even more, we must run the risk of being loved…The call asks, do you really accept the message that God is head over heals in love with you? If in our hearts we really don’t believe that God loves us as we are, if we are still tainted by the lie that we can do something to make God love us more, we are rejecting the message of the cross.”

I appreciated these words because I come from a somewhat legalistic background that places a high priority on works, and leaves little room for experience. As a result, much of my Christian walk feels like it has been lifeless and devoid of passion. Notice some of the words that Manning uses: “radical leap, existential, exciting, risk, head over heals in love.” Those are the sorts of words that I want to use to describe my faith. I am tired of going through the motions of prayer, praise, confession, etc. I want to find in myself that place that Thomas Kelly describes in his work, A Testament of Devotion:

“Deep within us all there is an amazing inner sanctuary of the soul, a holy place, a Divine Center, a speaking Voice, to which we may continuously return. Eternity is at our hearts, pressing upon our time-torn lives, warming us with intimations of an astounding destiny, calling us home unto Itself. It is a light which illumines the face of God and casts new shadows and new glories upon our faces.”

To be an effective minister I believe that I need a place of security that I can that run too when confronted with apathy, disinterest, resistance to the Spirit, and all the other influences that come from congregations and that I place on myself. This fortress of solitude cannot be built overnight, and will require constant upkeep. But without it, I fear I will become another statistic in the Barna Research of those out of the ministry.

I will deal more with how this inner fortress is built in the next post, and probably throughout the rest of the blog. Any insight along the way will be greatly appreciated.

The New Addition

Well, we just got home with Elijah. He is pretty awesome. He has it pretty well too. Eating, sleeping, some more eating. Not too bad.
Carrie did so well and there were no complications that I was not worried. During the delivery I didn't pass out or throw up. I just enjoyed it all.
I haven't really had time to digest it all. But when I do i will post something. For now, I am just soaking it all in.

A Little Background

As I state in the description, "This blog is dedicated to all those long time Christians who are still searching as well as to those newcomers who are just beginning the journey. May we learn together as we accept God’s call to renewed faith."

I can’t guarantee that I will post everyday, or that I will be as thorough as Regan, but I will do my best to keep it interesting. You are welcome to post whatever you feel led to, as I will do the same.