Vantage Point

Prepare the Wild-erness

2009-12-02T10:59:00.000-08:00

Isaiah 40:3-5

From the news of this week, Christmas at worst is a time of wild acquisition (Black Friday and Cyber Monday) and social obligation (translated: a desire to be on a certain “guest list”). Furthermore as we look back on last night’s presidential speech, many ask, “When will the world take a ‘break’ from war, violence, and hatred?”

Imagine for a moment that is was all just a scene on a movie set on the back lot of Hollywood. All just part of a big colossal movie production, where we as the director, following a script, could yell, “Cut!” and then ask the question: “What do we as a people need to do to straighten the way, level the peaks and valleys, smooth out the rough spots, and prepare the wilderness of life in God’s manner and way?” Do you think that we’d do any of this differently? Take a different approach, spend our resources a different way. Reach out in a different manner than we currently are? What about letting others give their input on differing ways, ways that might even be more effective – would we even listen let alone try?

That’s the question to each of us as individuals this Advent – in preparation compared to past ways, would you do anything differently to prepare in God’s way? God wants us to repent and repair our world, beginning with us first, so that our celebration upholds a faithfulness rather than simply rote practices or tired worn out expressions of another holiday season and year to come. To consider ways that bring renewal to us as well as others.

As Isaiah has written, I too pray that you hear the voice calling your heart – and find the shalom of renewal that is called for all. Let God’s glory be revealed through your life as well as in your life this Advent season.

Going “Green” This Christmas

2009-12-01T09:10:00.000-08:00

Luke 3:7-11

In the midst of “Advent 1 – Jesus on the horizon,” John the Baptizer is calling for a change of heart from the religious majority as they hide behind their safe connection to Abraham. John replies, “God can make children from stones if he wants. What counts is your life. Is it green and blossoming?” I can see the crowd hustling and bustling during a busy time of year. Half listening with one ear while going through the lists in their mind of all the things they have yet to do, driving them at such a rapid pace in their life. One just now musing over the “brood” part of his message more concerned with image than content, “What did he just call me?” Yet, some heard John’s call, as they asked “What shall we do?”

“BE GREEN – be full of life for others… if you have the luxury of two coats, give one away.” In other words, can those who need coats get them and do those who possess coats also possess the insight to give them? Be green and blossoming in your life’s actions. Note that I said insight to give, not ability. If I were to count the coats alone in my house, I would see that have the ability to give. But do I have the insight into what God calls me to be and what I truly can do? For giving without rearranging the conditions that created the injustice, becomes giving out of excess and not out of the heart. Green is a movement to make a difference in one’s conditions as well as in my life.

As you check your list, give with the insight of rearranging the conditions in life. Pick one where you can make a difference and then stay connected and committed to making that life changing difference - that’s the GREEN of giving.

From Enduring to Endearing Preparation

2009-11-30T09:19:00.000-08:00

Malachi 3:1-4

I believe that Laura’s (my wife) favorite holiday is Thanksgiving. Her planning, shopping for and choosing of each item is flawless. The week before she is setting up the preparation plan and staging center – some foods in the fridge, some in the pantry area and some in the “cold house” (the shed) out back. As the day arrives she dawns on the apron and begins her symphony with the crescendo served up as guests arrive. A symphony of smells, presentation and tasteful delights – with a few tantalizing calories mixed in between.

Do we take time to prepare for Christmas and the spiritual journey or just jump into the Black Friday/Cyber Monday approach to the season? Advent is about preparation. In this day and age, time goes by very quickly with our busy and often interrupted lives. We celebrate Thanksgiving and then go Christmas shopping the next day. All too soon Christmas and the joy of celebrating Jesus' birth is upon us. Did we take time to notice the process and the journey, the preparation and the love of God? This Advent let’s not forget the preparation – the spiritual preparation that comes before Christmas Day.

Not everyone's participation is the same, or even similar - it could be very different, but I encourage you to take time to prepare yourself this Advent season. Take time to be present in the preparation and discover or experience something new and tantalizing this Advent season.

Broad Rivers and Streams...

2009-11-24T08:05:00.000-08:00

Isaiah 33:21a
21But there the Lord in Majesty will be for us
a place of broad rivers and streams…

Have web sites too, invaded your e-mail as they have mine, calling you to their sites so you can do your Black Friday shopping early and specifically with them? Malls also are invading the newspapers and are already calling us to their bargains of plenty, as the Christmas shopping season comes down upon us all. They all speak of desire for more and hope for that right gift. “Come fill your shopping bag and fill our cash registers – come one and all to find that one elusive item and your Christmas worries will be over!” I feel better already (not).

The newness of the day is upon me and I have many paths beckoning me towards their way. Which one to take? A Hasidic story tells of a rabbi's son who used to wander in the woods. The rabbi asked his son, "I wonder why each day you walk in the woods?" The boy replied, "I go there to find God." "That's very good, son. But, don't you know that God is the same everywhere?" "Yes," the boy answered, "but I'm not."

Go today where you are fed, where you find the Lord in Majesty – a place of broad rivers and streams that flow with energy, producing a fruitfulness and abundance within the depths of your very soul, and a plethora of life along the river’s edge – go there first and then consider the call of the others. In this time of advent go to that place and wait with expectancy to be filled. I suspect that you will not be disappointed for you have been there before and know its richness.

From your friends at River Springs - have a delightful day!

Advent 1: Jeremiah 33:14-16

2009-11-23T09:52:00.000-08:00

Hi there!
On a wall in our house we have gridiron pictures that speak to the last four years of high school football that have engulfed our family, with Matthew, our graduating senior, leading the charge. As I look upon them I am reminded of another picture at another time. A little guy snuggled in his mother’s womb and a U of O football announcing his arrival in a waiting nursery. Waiting and expectancy are inseparable.
This week marks the beginning of Advent – waiting and expectancy. A time of "bifocal" vision: to see both the cosmic picture as well as the immediate. Can we see the greater picture of God's loving purposes and action; as well as the immediate and personal setting, where God breaks into our lives in ordinary and un-ordinary ways? Amidst it all, the Advent-Christmas season offers us the hope and assurance that God is still at work – has been at work – will always be at work, offering love, grace and peace. Yes, even in the midst of fearful times.
The Son of God born on this earth – Advent 1. God’s plan full of waiting and expectancy, as well as God’s question to us – “Did you even notice?” Advent 1 challenges us to "Watch with expectancy." As you go through your day, what signs and wonders of God's activity do you observe? How is God's life giving message breaking out? Are you a part of it?
Heavenly Father, let us see with expectancy and grasp understanding with thankful hearts. Amen.

2009-04-27T09:17:00.000-07:00

2 Corinthians 4:16
So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day.

Note: Deb M, a former classmate from high school who now resides in B.C. wrote: “we are all a spiritual people having a physical experience." Her sister, with a chuckle I beleive, then commented on the physical form we’re given to travel in. As I look upon my own “form” of transportation I’m thankful for their thoughts.

I enjoyed the movie The Curious Case of Benjamin Buttons. Although I’ve not read Fitzgerald’s story of living life in reverse, the movie portrayed to me a thought of reverse engineering. That in the spiritual and physical dimensions of life, God employs reverse engineering and restores us to the original intended image – “Let us make humankind in our image according to our likeness.” Therefore throughout this process we are brought to a hazy understanding and ultimately to a birthing point of the next dimension – new arrivals in this life as well as the one to come.

Which brings me to the thought of that meshuga place called middle age. I think I might be arriving at the station. Could it be that middle age refers more to landscape than a place in time? More of a position of sight? A place where I can finally see that the path I’m on may in fact have an eventual ending. Not that it will be immediate (at least I hope I can’t see that far), but that it does have such a point of arrival. From where I stand (and as I pop a few Motrin) I can look back and enjoy the view from afar. Yet, as I look ahead I get the sense that what I know and have experienced won’t go on forever. In rumination, my life is but a series of steps, one at a time, and the total of those steps represent my being now. Ahhhh, but those still ahead, those steps that I’ve not yet made – those that are yet to become are all that I might still be someday. So, with that in mind (and for you Allman Brothers fans), “Lord, I’m gonna keep on keep’in on!”

Still Rockin, Ted

2009-04-15T08:48:00.000-07:00

1 Samuel 17:38-40

I went to high school and wore a letterman’s jacket. I had an image and then graduated.
I went to college and joined the fraternity, played rugby, wore the image and life moved on.
I put on a suit and went into business and wore the image and the path changed
I got married and wore the image and it too, changed.
I went to seminary and into ministry and wore a robed image until I hung the robe in a closet…

I’m getting the idea here that there is a pattern – you think?

In 1 Samuel, David has a humungous challenge in front of him – a Goliath one in perspective to life. It is a life threatening challenge to him and his countrymen that could disastrously end in a blink of an eye. Saul, the king, gives David his own personal image – his armor. I look at these two situations, mine and David’s. I begin to get it – imitation can be suicide.

I was with a new acquaintance yesterday. He is in such a place in his life that as soon as he attaches to an image, he is whisked away to a completely different situation. Never enough time to try one on and wear it. Naked in a society where so many have a choice as to which one to wear today. He feels abandoned to who he could be or might have become. He and I cast images of the past aside, ignored the showers we faced between sun breaks and smiled in the warmth of the sun. We took those things around us, accepted the day and did the best we could with what we had – we formed a new image and titled it friendship.

May you be so fortunate as to be naked this week too!

Shalom, Ted

2009-04-13T11:03:00.000-07:00

Scripture: John 17:13-19

Thought: Last week was full of messages for Maundy Thursday, Good Friday/Holy Saturday, Easter Sunday – a brunch for all, new music with a fresh and enlivening sound of talent from a budding musician. With it all said and done I’m told that the winner over Easter weekend was Hannah Montana: The Movie. Yes, Variety Magazine reports that it had the second-best Easter weekend opening ever, grossing an estimated $34 million bolstering Miley Cyrus’ star status. Ah, the world we live in – and in reality that’s what Easter is all about – the world we live in.

Congratulations Miley! When the director said “lights, camera, action!” defined by the world’s standards, Hannah Montana: The Movie hit the top of the charts. But that is where the casting call and the Easter message part. The casting call of life (and Miley knows this too) is defined not by the world, but by the call to serve the world. Our heavenly Director forgets about the lights and camera and just calls out Action!” It’s not about the show, but the response. The daily missions we are called to in our supporting roles, bring into people’s lives a true life giving message of God’s love. It is all imparted through our main character – the living, risen Christ himself. And every now and then – we get a speaking part.

Praying your week hits the top of the charts in someone’s life!
Now, where’s that make up trailer… Ted