The gospel of Luke begins “Since many have undertaken to set down an orderly account…I too decided to write an orderly account.” As I prepared our Advent Bible study, focusing on the personalities that appear in the first chapter, reflections of God’s orderly account appeared in a vision, not of ethereal quality, but of material quality. How appropriate that as we approach the celebration of incarnation that the vision of God’s orderly account appears in a vision of the world I saw with my eyes, walked upon with my feet and touched with my fingers. 

Thousands of them shimmering

Pieces of gold illuminating the space in which they hang

From gray limbs and branches, brighter now as silver for the reflection of the golden glow.

Thousands of gold leaf pieces, perfectly shaped

Petaled on the ground, carpeting the trail

Walking on light, the golden radiance lifting

the countenance of my despair and disquiet

To contented stillness

Perfect order of chaotic placement

Let the leaves fall where they may

This is the orderly account

Of God’s chaotic created order

Set down in seasons of gold and orange

Barren and gray

Green and growing.

Jacqueline Beckley heads a product development group and helped design a study sponsored by McCormick (the spice company). The study was called “Crave It!” and was “one attempt to find out what gets people excited about certain foods.” (The End of Overeating, Dr. David Kessler, p. 126) Food manufacturers and restaurants design foods to be craveable. When asked what makes a hamburger craveable, Beckley responded, “A hamburger has all the required flavors, all the texture. It gets you excited, gets your juices running. You begin to chew through it, you feel alive. It suspends time for a brief moment. . .craveability is about the body. Your body is trying to modulate its happiness. It is trying to get to a state of bliss.” (Ibid.)

Is it any wonder our country has a problem with obesity and other countries aren’t far behind. There are entire industries pooling their resources to pursue our hard wired need to experience bliss. It’s not enough to say, “Well, just resist,” because we are bombarded with seductive invitations to literally feed that bliss everywhere we go.

What else can feed this bliss our bodies and spirits so desperately crave. I know it may not sound as thrilling as a hot fudge sundae (Norm’s anyone?), but the practices of our faith tradition can be a place where we experience bliss. Granted, the experience is sometimes fleeting, moments long, but so is the experience of a hamburgers with bacon and cheese.

When I read that sentence, “it is trying to get to a state of bliss,” I thought, “That is one purpose of spiritual practices, at least I think it is.” There are numerous ways we try to comfort ourselves: watching TV, eating, shopping, etc. Could we see that blissful moments are available to us in worship, in prayer, in the study of the scriptures? If we gave ourselves over to worship the way we might immerse ourselves in the experience of a hot fudge sundae, what would our experience of worship be like? If we could anticipate being with other Christians in study, the way we look forward to a TCU or LSU game, would learning be more engaging, more fun?

“Follow your bliss” is a phrase used to encourage people to do what brings them joy, lasting joy. I will be going to Norm’s for a hot fudge sundae at some point, but what sustains me and stokes the embers of lasting joy is prayerful reading of the scriptures (four stranded garland – email me for instructions), music as an expression of connection with God, practicing Reiki and more. What opens you to a state of bliss?  What modulates your happiness? Your Christian faith is on the menu of choices.

Because I’m not convinced anyone reads these articles, let me know by email or phone call or in person that you did. And let me know if it was interesting, boring, helpful, confusing, clear, etc.

We talked about the church and family for about 30 minutes, sharing news of people and remembering friends now gone from our sight. I looked at the clock and knew I’d have to leave soon and asked, “Would you like communion?” “Yes, that would be nice,” she replied.

 I first took out a Bible, which is digitally condensed on my phone. I wasn’t prepared for how deeply moved and connected I’d feel in the simple sharing of the text; simply reading out loud together, without comment or question, our common text.

 Psalm 90: 1-6, 13-17 was the first text. It ends with these words: May the graciousness of the LORD our God be upon us; prosper the work of our hands; prosper our handiwork.

 In an instant I thought of all the work of this woman’s hands in ministry at church, of her handiwork by which the church prospered and was fed, not only with food, but with grace and joyful acceptance.

 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 was the next. It ends with these words: So deeply do we care for you that we are determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you have become very dear to us.

 I thought of how dear this woman is to me and how dear I am to her, even though we see each other infrequently.

 We shared the cracker and the juice, the body and the blood, and prayed. We prayed for other members of our congregation and we prayed for the people of Libya.

 I left with a Butterfinger, small size candy bar from her Halloween stash and as I nibbled it on the elevator ride to the lobby was aware that Christ had been with us and was still with each of us. We had together built up the body of Christ a little more this day, both strengthened for our journey of discipleship and service.

 What will you do today to build up the body of Christ?

We’d been to the Bristlecone Pine Forest in the White Mountains before. Mike, David and I took a rough, dirt road into the National Forest, straight up a steep mountain. We walked the Patriarch Grove at 11,000 feet marveling at the stark beauty. Some of the trees in that grove are over 3,000 years old. It is humbling to stand next to something that old that is living.

That night in the campground, an amateur astronomist had his telescopes out. He let us look through the big one at three amazing sites: an expanding star, the Ring Nebula (an exploding star) and the shock wave of a super nova, the Veil Nebula, which also happens to be in our Milky way galaxy. All three of these “events” happened thousands of years ago, maybe even when the ancient Bristlecone pine trees were seedlings.

“When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them? Yet you have made them a little lower than God, and crowned them with glory and honor. You have given them dominion over the works of your hands:” Psalm 8

As people, we tend to feed ourselves on the stuff that maintains our sense of superiority more than our sense of humility. As people of faith, however, we are mindful of our place in the cosmos, reminded we are in a place of privilege and responsibility, not of our own cleverness, but because of God’s generosity.

Regular reminders of this privilege and responsibility keep us humble. Standing by a tree that has lived longer than numerous civilizations and looking at the evidence of ancient cosmic power were two powerful reminders to me of my place in God’s vast creation. How blessed am I to bear witness to the wild vitality of God’s creative power.

Jeff, the astronomist, was kind enough to give us this photo, among others. He stayes up most of the night and morning to record images from space. You can find more of his images at www.flikr.com/photos/cygnusloop.

Generosity #1

I forgot all the Bed, Bath and Beyond coupons. I had scads of them. It was going to save us bundles of money. We stood in line at the Ft. Worth BBB on Friday night, Sharon and I, waiting to pick up the dorm room package we’d ordered in California. Ahead of us was one of three other TCU Freshmen (and I mean male types) we’d met on the plane also headed for Texas Christian University.  He was with his mom who’d been very friendly to us on the plane. I bemoaned my forgetfulness in leaving the coupons and this woman began looking into a large, legal sized envelope in her arms. “How many do you need?” she asked.

Not wanting to be greedy and figuring she’d need as many as possible given the number of items on the table, I said “One would be great”. “Really? I’ve got lots.” And I could see that yes, indeed, she had scads and scads of BBB coupons. She gave me six and wanted to give me more.

The items we had were totaled up and I handed over one coupon. The clerk asked, “Do you have more coupons?” Well, yes I did. I was stunned that I could use more than one on the same ticket, but apparently it’s allowed. Additionally, the expiration date doesn’t mean anything. I gave two more, knowing we’d probably be back for additional items, which we were.

Generosity #2

Travelling costs money. Staying away from home costs money. We were given shelter by Sharon Beaucond, niece to Jan and Ray Akin, members of our church. Sharon B. gave us a place to stay and even more, gave of herself: her kind and loving presence. It wasn’t just that she helped us keep our expenses down, she provided a sense of home. She made us coffee cake on Sunday morning and listened to our tales of moving in.

Generosity #3

After moving in, we were fed dinner by the Rodenberg family in their new home. (Former members, recently moved within five minutes or so of TCU – Tamara is now on staff at Brite Divinity, the seminary related to TCU) It was their first dinner in their dining room at a table with chairs. It was extraordinary hospitality, given that they’d begun to move in just the day before. We were fed more than food. The laughter and stories filled us with joy, comfort and encouragement.

Generosity #4

Sharon receives two scholarship grants because of her Disciple connections. Those funds are made possible by stewards who gave long ago and stewards who give today and stewards who manage those funds. One of those funds is from the Theodore and Beulah Beasley Foundation, Inc. The Beasleys made their money in oil and were members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). More about the Beasleys another time, just to note that these people who we never knew are helping us send our daughter to college. That’s generous. It’s like planting a tree in a yard you are leaving: leaving a gift for the next occupant.

Generosity #5

We worshiped at South Hills Christian Church on Sunday morning. A number of people spoke directly to Sharon, offering their assistance in any way, letting her know all she had to do was call. Here was a community ready to be her community if she wanted. They didn’t insist she come back; they offered their help whenever she wanted to call.

Generosity Groundwork

Within the span of 72 hours, we received these gifts and many others. The generosity of other people carried us through a time of incredible transition. I am rich with blessings. My cup overflows. Gratitude spills out.

All these people and more became to us ambassadors of God’s generous care. What wonderful teachers I’ve had over the last three days. Their able stewardship inspires me to be a better steward, a more generous steward.

Warm Blackberry Cobbler with Vanilla Ice Cream

Warm Blackberry Galette with Vanilla Ice Cream

Blackberry Jam on a Warm Biscuit

Is it possible to have too many blackberries?

The only mornings I have not picked blackberries in the last 6 weeks were the mornings I was on vacation with my family. There are mornings I’d prefer to roll over, close my eyes and not pick. However, I am unwilling to risk losing anymore than possible to rot, birds, and bugs. In hot weather, a semi-ripe berry can go to overripe berry in less than 48 hours. Even with a protective net, some are given up to clever birds and a few bugs. In the coolness of the shaded morning, I pick.

Another gallon bag of berries was placed in the freezer and to my surprise, there were now 5 gallons: the miracle of abundance playing out right before my eyes. I had no idea there were this many berries. Steadily, two to four cups a day adds up. Abundance, God’s abundance isn’t the jackpot, pot of gold at the end of the rainbow kind of abundance. God’s abundance is a steady, non-flashy work that, when we stay on course, somehow surprise by its abundant results.

God provides the land and the land provides the food. Barbara Kingsolver writes, “The land provides our genesis.” Our genesis, our beginning is in the land. Protecting that land should be our number one priority, if we want it to provide us with what we need to sustain our living.

The more I work with the land, the more protective of it I become, so it pains me that many people seem to be careless about the care of the land. Our industrial way of farming puts the people who make the decisions far away from actual dirt. Most of the people in our nation are city dwellers and want cheap food at the grocery store, regardless of the cost to the land. We aren’t living within our means when it comes to the use of the land, which provides us with our beginning and sustains us through life. We take more out of the land than we put into it.

I’m grateful for the harvest of blackberries, but it didn’t come of its own accord. We planted, pruned, watered and yes, fed these plants with the refuse of our kitchen (compost) and sea kelp fertilizer. We take out of the land bountiful harvests every year. It is only right that we give back; it’s an investment in future harvests. And we give back what builds up the land. It’s not flashy. It’s a bit of grunt work. I think it’s a little like the Kingdom of God.

“Slavery had a disastrous impact on African-American families, yet sadly a child born into slavery in 1860 was more likely to be raised by his mother and father in a two-parent household than was an African-American baby born after the election of the USA’s first African-American president.”

The preceding statement is part of a pledge promoted by The Family Leader, a non-profit promoting anti-gay ideology.That it was even in the pledge to begin with reveals the ongoing insidious presence of racism. This segment has been removed after receiving national attention when signed by two Presidential candidates, one of which had not bothered to read the entire pledge. This left me wondering that if elected, would this candidate sign a treaty or agreement not fully knowing what it contained? Is it possible the French could get the Lousiana Purchase back if they just slipped it in with a bunch of papers to be signed?

Whoever wrote this pledge clearly has not studied U.S. History. Slaves didn’t live in family arrangements anything like what even the poorest whites lived in. Slaves were separated and sold regardless of family connection, sometimes intentionally sold and separated because of their family relationship. That African-Americans since slavery have created strong communities and strong institutions is testimony to the courage, intelligence and character of mothers, fathers, grandparents, aunts, uncles, sisters, brothers: families.
This long sentence, since removed, is evidence of the racism we must continue to name. To ignore statements like this one and not correct its inaccuracies is to let the lies of racism be the last word.

Followers of Jesus must speak clearly against the evils of racism as a matter of faith. The Table to which Jesus invites us is a table that among other things calls people into authentic community, honoring our differences and discerning our common life.

“There is no human convenience without human inconvenience.” Bill Lee reminded us that the gospel of Jesus Christ is not a life of convenience in worship this morning, a service of healing for those suffering with HIV/AIDS. Mike and I were grateful to experience the power of God’s Spirit through the music and the message.

In a culture that places a high value on convenience, the Christian life is not attractive unless it is stripped down and refurbished in the garb of prosperity and positivism. Rev. Lee admonished us preachers to “stop preaching like Joel Olsteen” a very popular preacher, with a very big church that believes blessing means material prosperity. So much for Job.

I am confident neither Mike nor I preach in the style of Joel Olsteen. I am also confident this makes what we preach an acquired taste. Accustomed to the flavors of convenience, it can take some time to teach people how to develop their palate to appreciate the depth and breadth of flavors of Christian faith. Living a moral life means we are willing to be inconvenienced for the sake of the common good. Christian discipleship is anything but convenient. “Growing the church” means we are inviting people into a new culture of inconvenience, but one in which people are accompanied through all the pains and possibilities of life by the community that gathers at the Table of grace hosted by Jesus.

Freedom is something highly valued in our nation. Liberty is built into the DNA of our corporate life. We like having choices and dislike being told what we should or shouldn’t choose.

The Golden Rule, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” has become the semi-Golden Rule, “Do what you choose to do as long as it doesn’t impinge upon someone else’s right to choose what they want to do.” (On Thinking Institutionally by Hugo Hechlo) Freedom and liberty are wonderful gifts, but they come with a cost we don’t often count. The cost comes in our corporate life, our shared life and what is called “the common good”. Freedom and liberty are wonderful gifts but unless they are mitigated by a concern for the “us”, they can fuel a me-centered, narcissistic culture.

It has become natural to think I can choose what and who has a claim on me, my time, my money, my energy. People stay away from groups that might lay claim to their loyalty and support. Religious groups, in an effort to get these people to walk through their doors, are careful to be “user-friendly”.

Next Wednesday, a group of leaders from institutions around the Inland Empire are gathering to consider how we think institutionally and live from our institutions for the sake of the greater common good. Institutions are thought to be an anachronism in today’s culture, but institutions continue to navigate much of our living: multi-national corporations, banking industry, government, medical industry, etc.  It’s just that most people have absented themselves from the institutions that mitigate the pressures of life.

Members of our congregation are among the leaders attending this retreat of the Inland Empire Sponsoring Committee (OneLA). Our purpose is to build power so we can effectively address together the challenges we certainly face together as people living in the Inland Empire. The mission field is here; we are in the middle of it. The Inland Empire faces some of the highest unemployment rates and highest mortgage foreclosure rates in the nation. People are hurting deeply. They are our neighbors and friends. What can we do about it? Build the institutional power necessary to address the real threats we face.

The body of Christ belongs where there is need and hurt to bring the healing power of God. You belong to the body of Christ. Christ has a claim on you, your energy, time, and yes, money. Consider well the choices you do make in light of the claims on your life by the one you choose to follow.

Are 200 pea plants too many? I’m beginning to wonder. In my enthusiasm, I planted over 200 pea seeds this year. There are four successions of plantings, allowing continual picking for weeks.  My memories of sweet, fresh peas from last Spring lingered these last 10 months in such a way that I was determined to have enough to actually serve peas. In past years, they served more as a condiment added to pasta or risotto. This year, we have served peas as a dish all on its own: spectacular.

It has become a spiritual practice: picking peas almost every day. They must be picked almost everyday. As the first planting faded, the next planting picked up steam. The second wave has crested and beginning to slow as the third row needs daily attention. Still, almost everyday, the peas need to be picked. Picking them regularly encourages greater production and isn’t that the point, to have an abundance of peas?

Half way through this season of abundance, I find myself looking forward to the day when the peas will no longer be calling me to get out of bed, then I remembered, “Strawberries, the strawberries are just beginning and need to be looked in on daily.”  After that, there will be the green beans. Abundance.

The abundance in the gospel of John (wine at the Wedding at Cana, bread and fish feeding over 5000 people) is an abundance with a back story. It wasn’t simply magic. The servants at the Wedding had to fill up huge purification jars with water and when over 5000 were fed, the disciples had to gather up the fragments of what was leftover. There may have been a miracle of abundance, but it was a miracle that included the active participation of people other than Jesus.

We are blessed with a piece of land around our house that produces an abundance of food. It grows of its own accord and makes food we get to eat and share. It grows of its own accord because we plant it, water it, and tend it. We actively participate in the process of abundance and sometimes it’s tiresome. Because it is occasionally tiresome does not mean it is an endeavor unworthy of our efforts. Some of the best and most important work that is done in this world is tiresome from time to time.

I think people who are not part of a regular faith community often don’t learn this important reality, that experiencing the abundance of God’s love and grace is not a magic trick. It requires something of us, an investment of our time, energy and creativity and sometimes it is tiresome. But that is not God’s fault anymore than it is the fault of the peas for growing so well after I planted them. If you let God in your life, that requires regular tending. It’s a practice and sometimes that practice provides a condiment of joy to your life and sometimes an entire bowlful. You’ve just got to keep tending.