Savoring Advent, Saving Christmas

As the calendar turns to December, the church begins a new year. No doubt there are many interesting traditions and practices you do as part of your Christmas preparations. We unpack memories with our cherished decorations. Certain events, particular moments, come into view each and every year at this special time.  Some may be joyous; others are sorrows. This may be a year without: a loved one, a particular tradition, a particular preparation.

One tradition I cherish is our family nativity set on the fireplace mantel. Since Christmas, 1999, this particular Wal-Mart purchased, Chinese manufactured collection of ceramic figurines has warmed our hearts through the years. If you were to visit our home on Prairie Avenue, you would find the backdrop already set up, with our lone shepherd and a small sheep wandering outside of it.

No Mary. No Joseph. No tiny Jesus. No wise men and their camel entourage. Just a shepherd and his lone sheep.

Are these parts missing?  No. It is because their parts of the story have not arrived yet. The season is Advent, preparing, not Christmas. I do not know about you, but a month of preparation still catches me a bit unprepared to receive this timeless story in its fullness. God with us. God dwelling not in heaven, but here, on earth, the son of a teenage mother and his perceived older father.

We receive our two versions of the story from two gospels, Matthew & Luke. Both stories are usually conflated into one singular story, although the differences between each are striking. Each story has its own influences, its own persuasive power. They are not news reports; they are arguments that state the true son of God (and it’s not the Roman Emperor) came to peasants and among the poor.

A birth happens on one day most of the time. It seems odd to celebrate it an entire month, with every element of the story standing faithfully as part of the decorations. Yet, the story begins as a journey. A journey to Bethlehem.

Mary and Joseph will not be in our nativity until December 24. Oh, they are traveling through the house, mind you; spotted on a random shelf or piece of furniture. The wise men are traveling too; their gifts and their animals spotted in other places throughout the house.  The figurine of baby Jesus will be placed in the nativity on December 25, the celebrated birthday. Our wise men figurines will arrive on January 6, twelve days after Christmas, beginning the season of Epiphany.

This year, try not to rush right into Christmas. Spend a little time with Advent, preparing the way. Advent is not to be like Lent; it is a season of hope, joy, expectation. If you are tired of Christmas by the time it arrives, then you have not practiced Advent properly.  Choose to practice a little hope, joy, and expectation this Advent season. Christmas will come.

AHA Days

It has been a while since I have last reported on life and living through my blog. One habit that has not changed since my heart attack is my ability to procrastinate! "New" normal has become, well, rather normal around here. Eating habits leaning heavily towards fruits and vegetables, check. Taking medications each day, check. Slowly adding more exercise into routine, check. Keeping weight off, check.

I call my days anymore AHA days, since it is After Heart Attack Days. Nothing shakes your perspective, emotions, behavior like a life-threatening event. Mortality is no longer an idea or concept; it is a part of my world. Shock and fear has eased in nearly four months since my own day of infamy.

Other than a daily regimen of medications, life seems remarkably unchanged. I feel like nothing really happened, and I have to remind myself that just because my mind still thinks it can do everything like it was July 14, I have to live in a post July 15 world.

The face in the mirror looks unchanged from the harrowing experience. My body, other than easily bruised, looks healthy, even thinner. I see my doctor next month, a 6 month check-up with a cardiologist in January. Yet, imposed boundaries are necessary to keep body and soul together. Fortunately I have a host of friends and families that ask early and often, "Should you be doing that?"

My boundaries are family, appropriate ministry, and community. In family, it is husband to Amanda, father to Patrick, son and brother to Mom, Nathan & Brian. By appropriate ministry, it is reasonable goals and objectives in assisting the life and ministry of Prairie Avenue Christian Church. There are some things I will not do, and cannot do for others in the life of the church. In community, it is seeking the best for Clokey Park Neighborhood Association. Perhaps it is limitation that I have learned best from this experience. Limitation is not limiting; it is releasing. It is not failure; it is prevention. Knowing there are limits makes you aware of the possibilities within them.

Let my AHA days be filled with possibilities, within the boundaries that make life worth living in its fullness.

One month later...

Perhaps it is objectionable to call it a one month "anniversary," since anniversaries are generally associated with an annual date, rather than a mere thirty days. But it is a milestone I find myself contemplating.

Thirty days since heart attack. Besides my new medications, and my new constant companion of nitro-glycerin tablets for sudden chest pain, I feel normal. Fewer palpitations, less anxiety attacks, and fewer times I'm reaching towards my neck to take my "pulse." All rather good signs, actually.

There is a check-up on my lungs this week, as well as the Cardiac MRI to disclose next steps in treatment and/or therapy. I have been touched greatly by many acts of compassion and concern over the last four weeks. I have been encouraged by prayers, by cards, and by acts of kindness both great and small. Sometimes you wonder what difference you are making in your daily activities and your causes. I never fully realized or appreciated the larger community of colleagues and friends I have acquired through my life and its adventures!

I even have begun to regain my work duties at Prairie Avenue Christian Church, in small, careful steps.

I do get tired a little more quickly than before. Naps are my friends in the late afternoon. My night owl habits have faded away as I tend to turn in before 10 pm. I'm less insistent and demanding; more grace and forgiveness. I walk a little slower, which means I walk more closely to my wife than before.

Life has changed in so many ways, but thankfully, the good is greater than the bad.

Heart Attack, Part 2

The medications have become a routine, as well as the emphasis on fruits and vegetables with each meal and snack. Recovery seems to be doing well, as I regain energy and start to feel near human again.

As I continue to contemplate my "new normal" as a heart attack survivor, I find myself focusing on the habits and behaviors of my life so far and their implications. Before July 15, I was driving fast and hard, over-committed, and keeping the expectation that I could take it.  Now I know how ridiculous it was to live daily with constant rush to achieve and accomplish.  Our society as a whole does not allow much time for self-review, nor does it allow anything less than accomplishment to be the measure of self-worth. Drive it hard, drive it fast, and win always leads to a hard life and living.

While there is no problem in having goals and trying to achieve them, when achievements are the only measure of worldly success, it does become problematic. Think about how we talk and converse with one another. Most of our conversations revolve around what we "do." We mention our career accomplishments, our social achievements, but rarely do we talk about what we are trying to be. It is generally the fruits of our labor that give us self-worth.

It is especially difficult in my work profession. Pastors tend to be the end all, the be all. Congregations like this, because it tends to allow the congregation to place responsibilities and duties solely upon the pastor, who tends to be workaholic enough to consider it his or her "ministry." While pastors are reminded about self-care, it is rare that it is actually applied. Congregations are a little world reflecting the larger world picture; they want their church to look, feel, and be successful, measured by accomplishments and achievements like their personal life. Ministers/Pastors should remind their congregations that self-worth is not only from accomplishment and achievements; self-worth is measured by one's relationship to God and one another. And sometimes our accomplishments and achievements stand in the way of those relationships.

I find it difficult to return to my former life. It was an unsustainable lifestyle. I am recreating new life around me. A life that is less striving, more discerning. A life that actually takes rest as a measure of health, not a moment of weakness or failure. Measuring life from the perspective of being, not just doing. There will be more "no's" in my future than "yes." There will be more delegating than regulating. I will claim authority, but not be its only author. And all in all, in the end, I will become a better person to all.

Heart Attack, Part 1

Heart Attack. The word probably brings to mind some movie in which a man, clearly over doing it, clutches his chest with a pained face, pauses, and falls to the ground, and in moments, dead. I can't recall a movie involving a woman suffering from a heart attack, even though the number of women dying from cardiovascular disease has been more than men since 1984 (American Heart Association).

Mine was not movie-scripted. It was real. It could have been caught sooner. Thank God it was caught before it was too late. And I am 35 years old. It can happen anytime, any age.

My symptoms were typical, if not immediately identified: pain or pressure in chest, sweating, and a burning sensation above the stomach (hence my initial response of antiacids). But the pain/pressure would not go away.

Some things I did, of course, in hindsight, were really stupid. I mowed the yard in the cool of the morning, even though I did not feel fully up to it. I dropped Patrick off at Amanda's work and drove myself to the emergency room.

It did not take too long to diagnose a significant cardiac event being evident at the hospital. The EKG came back unusual, and I remember feeling relief when the doctor announced, "You are currently having a heart attack." A rush to the cardiac catherization lab followed, and in less than an hour, the persistent pain was gone and I was recovering in an intensive care room. It was only later on Friday evening (July 15) that I was told I would have been dead that evening if I had not brought myself to the hospital. The other news of the day?  There was an older blockage that had happened earlier in my life, never treated.

I know beyond doubt that in my moment of desperate need, I was lifted up and placed safely to recover from this near-tragic experience. I had already changed my habits towards more healthy lifestyle with increased exercise and weight loss (20 pounds since January!). My path had only recently crossed another heart attack victim who described similar symptoms. I had regained individual health insurance after an allergic reaction earlier in the year sent me substantial medical bills. Since my own father died of heart disease at the age of 46, I knew I was highly likely to suffer from a heart condition. I knew when to go seek help and that is what I did. I also had a beyond natural experience of someone yelling my name clearly without being there. There are too many acts and events of intervention prior to my heart attack to simply say "coincidence."

I was released home on Sunday (an excellent day for pastors to be released from hospitals!), and I came home with a cholesterol-lowering medication, a heart-failure recovery medication, a angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor medication, and an anti-clot medication, plus aspirin. Prior to Friday, I was taking no medications. Now, I will be on some of these medications the rest of my life.

A lot of things have changed since Friday, July 15, 2011. I will probably refer to my life prior to Friday as Before Friday, and my life since as After Friday.

Before Friday, I was an aggressive over-achiever who could not say "no" to any passionate cause or activity. I was over scheduled (who isn't these days?) working on the next event, cause, or activity. I would rather be "busy" than "bored."

After Friday, I realize that I should have said "no" more often, neglected at times what truly was important, and spent too much time on some things that do not really matter as much. I do not have to be "busy" to be successful or effective. I should not feel guilty for slowing down. I know I have "natural" limits and must abide within them from now on. I have more tests and assessments (including treatment of the older blockage) in the near future. Some things must and will wait.

I am thankful for the many hands of prayer, help, and concern expressed and shared during my recent medical "event." It is truly humbling to realize how extensive my life has touched the lives of others. I am glad I am still around to read and listen to each one. God bless you All.

Anticipating the End: 2000 years later...

There has been a lot of attention focused on a former Civil Engineer, Sunday School teacher and Elder in the Christian Reformed Church named Harold Camping.  His broadcasting company, Family Radio, broadcasts his Bible program by radio, television, short wave and Internet, and recently spent over $100 million on an information campaign announcing the end of the world on May 21, 2011.

  As you and I now know, it did not happen. Many have cited the words of Mark 13:32 (as well as Matthew 24:36): “But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” Yet, as it has happened in the past, many were convinced of Camping’s interpretation, selling their possessions, preparing themselves for the inevitable “rapture” that was bound to happen. It happened in 1843, when William Miller, a Baptist layman and amateur student of the Bible, predicted the return of Jesus. When it did not happen, he predicted another date, October 22, 1844, a date which later became known as the Great Disappointment. Part of Miller’s movement actually survives to this day; Seventh-Day Adventists. Another group made “famous” from predicting the end of days are Jehovah’s Witnesses.

  The concept of a rapture of the saints before a tribulation is actually a rather recent development in Biblical interpretation, developing only about 200 years ago and the popular Darby study bible.  The Scofield Reference Bible is based on Darby’s interpretation of different time periods being marked by God’s changing relationship with humanity.  1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 and Matthew 24:29-31 are commonly cited as “evidence” of this plan for the chosen in Christ to be removed prior to the end of the world.

  The Book of Revelation (not Revelations) is often interpreted through the lens of predicting the future. Revelation is first a collection of letters to churches under the charge of the writer as their bishop; secondly it is a series of “visions,” understood fully only by those within those churches, that encourages the faithful to endure hostility and torture in the name of Christ until Christ condemns those hostile to the faith, with the faithful rewarded for their endurance. In other words, Revelation is a love letter to those who are faithful. One day I will teach Revelation as the love letter it actually is.

  Too many times, it is a poor or limited interpretation of a scripture passage that causes a problem. Taking passages from Thessalonians and adding them to Matthew may create a compelling concept, but it was not what Paul intended when he wrote to Thessalonica, nor what “Matthew” was intending when he wrote 24:29-31.  What the Bible says is not the problem; poor interpretation on what it actually means is the issue.

  What about the end of the world? I’m not sure we really are called to be that worried about it. It would have been nice if Camping had gave thought about Jesus’ words in Matthew 25: feeding the hungry, giving drinks to those who thirst, welcoming the stranger, clothing the naked, caring the sick, visiting the imprisoned instead of spending $100 million on billboards, trucks, and broadcasting “his prediction.” Perhaps the truth is that the end of the world has already come, and it came through Jesus Christ. The world was judged by God 2000 years ago by a Roman criminal. He came not to condemn but to save. We can already know the world’s future; it will be fully in God’s presence someday.

  Together, lets focus on the hungry, thirsty, strangers, naked, sick, and imprisoned and let the end of the world happen whenever God chooses. We already know what is expected to those who believe in Jesus Christ. If we are already involved in heaven’s work on earth, why would we be anxious to leave it?

A Letter From Generation X to the Institutional Church

A Letter From Generation X to the Institutional Church:

Dear “Church,”

First of all, you probably do not know me very well. I was born after 1965 and before 1983. We ended the Post WWII baby boom, but that may be about all you can really know about us. Many of us are still not married, especially since many of us suffered through our own parents’ “mid-life” crisis and come from a divorce situation. Our parents’ spent most of their lives working hard and gaining very little for the effort. Spending most of our afternoons, evenings, and weekends growing up alone, we really hesitate to bring children into a world of deadlines, dead-ends, and absent parents. Perhaps that is why we are so restless; nothing in our lives was ever a total comfort.

We have been accused of having a short attention span, perhaps because we were the first generation that was baby-sat by the TV set. Our homes have an endless array of electronic gadgets never seen in human history. And we discard last year’s gadget for only the newest, the best, the most current. We do not have our own style; our musical tastes wander to whatever works for us at the time.

And that seems to be how we approach religion, if we ever consider it. Whatever works for us at the time. Our own personal experience is almost always how we find "truth." We think that one truth is as good as another, and we dabble and seek to find something greater than ourselves.

Let me be clear, you probably don’t see us at your “church.” Since we have mostly lived with the results of our “if it feels good, do it” parents that felt so good enough to walk away from their own commitments to each other, we like more conviction than what we typically find in your churches. Most of us simply will not even come to your doors; you give us no convincing reason for us to be involved anyway.

If you can convince us that we need to be involved, please let us know

GEN X

Responding Without Compensation

Over the past week, I was contacted by someone in the Clokey Park neighborhood needing assistance in the mowing of her lawn. Two years ago, she received assistance on our Decatur Miracle Day with windows that needed to be scrapped and painted. As it is with every Miracle Day project we do, work and supplies are provided to the homeowner at no cost.

I thought about this recent request and decided to simply contact her, show up with my lawn mower, and mow her lawn, without charge or compensation. When I arrived, she was surprised at my offer, since she had tried all possible agencies to find a youth or group who would mow, and had previously paid a neighbor to trim down her "hay field."  I finished the yard (including the hay field), and only asked for a glass of water and a few minutes in her air conditioning. She gladly provided sweet iced tea and I was able to recouperate and have a nice conversation with another "neighbor."

During our conversation, she commented how limited it is that people help others without expecting some cash for services.  I certainly agreed, but felt my assistance to her also helped me in my faith journey. I do not recall a single episode in the Gospels where Jesus asked for compensation following a healing, a feeding, or other miracle. Certainly it was a different time, but I have come to discover two truths in life: it is not always going to be like it is, and it was not always the way it is now. Some things continue, some things fade away.

What would it be for a church to respond in service without expecting any kind of "compensation?" Whether it is appearance in a worship service, becoming a "member," or sending money, there is still this idea of some kind of exchange. I must admit it was refreshing to do something without one thought of compensation.

And I will continue to help her and her lawn without compensation. Yard work can be therapeutic. For Jesus, only one (and a SAMARITAN) leper returned to thank him for the healing. Why should I expect anything more?

Ponder Points

• How often do we serve only to get paid?
• How often does the church "bait and switch" in order to gain "members"?
• How much should we extend "no obligation" to the strangers among us?