"From Win/Lose to Win/Win"

 

Only Love

Growing in Love's Likeness

 

 

 

Falling into Mercy
Tuesday, March 27, 2018

 

The transition to the second half of life moves you from either/or thinking to both/and thinking: the ability to increasingly live with paradox and mystery. You no longer think in terms of win/lose, but win/win. It is a very different mind and strategy for life. In order for this alternative consciousness to become your primary way of thinking, you usually have to experience something that forces either/or thinking to fall apart. Perhaps you hate homosexuality and then you meet a wonderful gay couple. Or you meet a Muslim who is more loving than most of your Christian friends. Or you encounter a young immigrant who doesn’t match your stereotypes at all. Something must break your addiction to yourself and your opinions.

Your first reaction is a struggle: “What do I do now? I don’t like this. I can’t deal with this. I want to go back to my familiar and habitual world.” You know your lesbian daughter is good and you love her and don’t want to reject her. So you ask your minister, “What will I do?” (Hopefully you have a wise, nondual minister!) Inside such “liminal space” is where real change happens, where your self-serving little dualisms must fall apart. It might be called growing up.

Jesus always honored and often idealized good, holy non-Jews, like the Samaritan man (Luke 10:29-37), the Roman centurion (Matthew 8:5-13), and the Syro-Phoenician woman (Mark 7:24-30). But even his disciples struggled to accept that the outsider could or should be accepted. If you’re stuck in the first half of life, with your explanation about why you or your group are the best, you will hold on strongly because it’s all you have, and any change feels like dying.

Often the only thing that can break down your natural egocentricity is discovering that the qualities you hate in others are actually within you. You’re not so moral after all. You’ve imagined doing “bad” things; and if you could get away with it, you know you’d do it. Perhaps the only reason you don’t is because you’re afraid. Fear is not enlightenment. Fear is not the new transformed state of the risen Christ that we’ve been promised. Fear keeps you inside of a false order and will not allow any reordering.

Unless you somehow “weep” over your own phoniness, hypocrisy, fear, and woundedness, you probably won’t let go of the first half of life. If you don’t allow this needed disappointment to well up within you, if you surround yourself with your orthodoxies and your certitudes and your belief that you’re the best, frankly, you will stay in the first half of life forever.  Many religious people never allow themselves to fall, while many “sinners” fall and rise again. Our greatest sin is not falling or failing, but refusing to rise and trust ourselves—and God—again. Make sure you are always in need of mercy and you will never stop growing.

Reproduce from Morning Meditations by Richard Rohr. 

"The Truth About Palm Sunday"

Passion and Palm Sunday Mar 28 2010,  Mark 11:1-10

When you look at the events from Palm Sunday to Good Friday it's almost like one of those "Good news and Bad news" jokes.  The good news might be that Jesus Christ finally reaches His five minutes of fame or the peak of his popularity during this week, riding in a triumphal procession into the holy city of Jerusalem.  There was a big parade, everybody turned out, the disciples were very impressed, and the Pharisees and the Sadducee realized that they had underestimated this simple Galilean teacher.  But just like in our lives today, no one stays on the top for long, fame usually translates into jealousy or anger somewhere within your family or friends and then you become the target for their hostility.  I suppose most of us here can relate to scenario.

Riding this crest of public approval Jesus went to the temple, the very centre of the Jewish faith, and began to teach.  From Sunday to Thursday Jesus was unstoppable.  Things seemed to be working to their advantage and they were confident in the images they had built up in their own minds as to what was to come.  His enemy’s had tried to trap him several times -- but to no avail.   No one even seriously complained when he overturned the tables of the moneychangers and let the sacrificial birds go free.   And in this same period Jesus established this great new commandment, John 13: 34  “Love one another.”  As I have loved you, so you must love one another" and He began this new convenient  with the breaking of bread and the drinking of wine which would later on, become for the church the sacrament of Holy Communion.   So, what's the bad news?   His popularity was superficial for the most part, with his followers and those who were celebrating, yes even with his closest companions, his disciples.   You could compare this kind of popularity to that of a sports icon, or a TV celebrity  where people literally worship them one minute and then are gossiping about their fall the very next day.  On Thursday he was betrayed and arrested and on Friday he was hanging on a cross to take his last breath.   Where was the substance of what and who this man really was to those who followed Him?    Today the palms - tomorrow the passion -- good news and bad news it was no joke.   The grim truth is that the same people who shouted "Hosanna" on Sunday shouted "Crucify him," just five days later.    Everybody's hero became a bloody sacrifice, an object of scorn and hatred.  So where do we fit into this picture today, we don’t hate Jesus and we certainly wouldn’t ask for this death would we?   But Folks there are similarities for us here today, what lesson can we take in and ponder for ourselves.     Can we see ourselves in this picture, those of us who claim to follow Him today?     Let me begin by asking you a personal question.  What is your relationship with Jesus?  How many of us here today would be willing to stand on a street corner and proclaim his message of loving your enemy, or doing good to those who persecute and insult you.  How many of us would have the courage to publicly announce Him to be Lord over your life, Lord over all creation.   Peter the one who was to be the founder of would eventually become Christianity as we know it today, denies being one of his followers, denies evening knowing Jesus.  Now Peter was afraid because he could loose his life, and as we all know fear can do strange things to people, but what about us, what do we have to be afraid of.  Well, I think the worst case scenario would be to loose some friends or family members who might think we’ve gone over the top with our religion.   Tough question I know, but shouldn’t we know in our hearts where we stand with Jesus, in our lives, today, right now.   Many followers thought they knew who Jesus was for them but their relationship was only superficial.  So what would be a fair question for we who claim to follow him today?

When did you first learn about Jesus, was it in public, a family member or in Sunday school.  We sing about him, we read about him, and we are asked to seek a personal relationship with Him.  But truly how many of us really feel protected, and secure in that relationship.   How many of truly understand and live out our claim that He is Lord over their lives.  His name can be in our words and in our heads, but has He moved from our mind and lips into our heart, where we can feel his compassion for all people and where it stirs you to share it with all those who are in need?   Has Jesus moved into your hands your creative hands no longer only gathering just for yourself?    Has Jesus moved literally into your feet, the very foundation of your physical body, causing you to move out of your comfort zones to share your gifts in service to others?   Can you truly claim to be firmly planted in the wonder of His love?    Difficult question meant to get us to reflect upon our personal relationship with the Master.  For the disciples and the masses, this had not YET happened as it may very well not have happened for you yet.   But let us remember it was to come for them and it would begin for us too, on Friday at Calvary.   That’s where it begins for all of us, at the foot of the cross, but you personally have to go there.   Many still believe that all you are required to do is to profess Him to be Lord over your life and you will be saved.  For them there is no sacrifice, for them there is no work up, no true seeking, and so they cannot be found.  Let us never forget that it is Christ who is seeking you, not the other way around.  And when He knocks at your door, the door to your heart, it will be opened, then you can take Jesus at his word He then will truly be in you, as He is in the Father.  I will then send you the Spirit who will baptize you with fire, and then you will know who I am, then you will know your salvation.     

"Are You Carrying A Heavy Load"

Often, when we hear Jesus talking about his death, we only think of His physical death on the cross. This is something that has to take place to all living organisms our physical death.   But there is another death that is optional but is also necessary in order to live a full life in Him.  Can anyone suggest what that death might be? 

March 18 2018 readings: Jeremiah 31:31-34  John 12:20-33

As I said when we hear Jesus talking about his death, we only think of His physical death on the cross. This is something that has to take place to all living organisms our physical death.   But there is another death that is optional but is also necessary in order to live a full life in Him.  Can anyone suggest what that death might be?  It is the death that produces real fruit in our lives and allows us to live fully in Him.  I challenge you to think about death while looking through this different lens.  Someone was noted for saying that you can only comprehend things according to the lens you are looking through at that moment.  Dr. David Banks a well-known motivational speaker was asked to speaker at a women’s convention in the 60s with over 3000 women in attendance.  “Dr. Banks” one women asked “you must be a bit nervous this evening”.   “Why no why would you say that” Banks asked?   “Well sir why are standing here in the Ladies restroom.”    

When looking through a self-protective lens, surrender you see is not an option.   Just the mention of death to some are dreaded words, let alone death to the self.  Yet Jesus proclaims, unless I die, I will not produce fruit.   What he was really saying was, unless I die to my own understanding, my own will, my own way, I will not be able to live within my Fathers will.   Jesus' profound understanding of this radical lens of selflessness and radical servanthood is a hard pill to swallow in this age of consumerism where the focus is intently upon "my" sensual appetite and its fulfillment. 

When Jesus talks about giving it all or dying to self we squirm. We are fully aware of accidental death, death in war, death through abortion, or as some governments have chosen to give us the personally right to choose death over life.  We can rationalize death in so many other contexts yet, this call to die to self, is the only kind of dying we do not fully comprehend or understand, in fact it is what we shy away from more than physical death.   

We have become so accustomed, hardened even desensitized to the physical death of others because it is all around us daily, in the news and on our TV’s.  Yet we never really associate death with our appetites for personal fulfillment of want and need. But somehow folks, we must face that death to actually begin to live as Jesus would have us live.   

I have to admit that depriving myself of chocolate during lent just doesn’t cut it folks.   

Jesus wants more of me than just chocolate.  In fact Jesus wants my all in all.   I don’t know about you but I continue to struggle with that, a complete surrender I mean.  I guess being aware and facing this fact daily helps to keep trying,  but as Paul says in Romans 7: 18-20   I know that good does not live in me—that is, in my human nature. For even though the desire to do good is in me, I am not able to do it.   I don't do the good I want to do; instead, I do the evil that I do not want to do.  If I do what I don't want to do, this means that I am no longer the one who does it; instead, it is the sin that lives in me.

May I suggest that a misunderstanding between the burdens we carry and the cross we are asked to bear may help you as it did for me?  While sitting at the bedside of a parishioner who was about to die of cancer I envisioned the shadow of the cross was upon him.  This led me to enter more deeply into the meaning of the cross in my own life.  Occasionally I hear people talk about the burdens they put up with on a daily basis.  Often this talk is accompanied by significant complaining and even the gnashing of teeth.   I have to admit that I find it hard to "see"  a Cross in such conversations.   As I discerned my feelings I begun to realize that maybe we need to make a distinctions between a burdens and cross bearing.  The question that comes to mind is, are they the same?  Burdens and cross bearing.

Things that happen in our lives that are difficult, hard to understand or to comprehend are burdens that we carry.  They can overwhelm us and we can just collapse under their weight.  They are just that - burdens.  Burdens are awful.  When I hear the word "burdens," I feel the weight and the tiredness and the weakness that the word implies.   It depresses me even further as it seems to rob me of any hope of recovery.   Now here is where our definitions and understandings can get off track.   I can begin to think that the burdens themselves are crosses that are thrust upon me to bear something to resist.  Here is where we need to understand that the meaning of “bearing your cross” is not something that is thrust upon you.   A burden only becomes a "cross" when I choose to accept it, to carry it, but with much prayer, and the awareness of what I am, who's I am, what I am doing and for whom I am doing it.   Otherwise I am not carrying a cross, I am just shouldering or staggering under a burden.  And if left as a burden its hopelessness will eventually crush me.  Hope is the nugget, found in its transformation, no longer a burden but the cross I bear.  

Once a burden is transformed into a cross and I willingly choose to embrace it, then something happens and transformation occurs.  I am given the strength to bear it.   Jesus who shows me how to bear a cross gives me hope, that my suffering will not be in vain, will not, despite appearances, be wasted.  I carry my cross with dignity even if I sometimes stumble, as did Christ, beneath its weight.  My eyes become fixed on the Author and Finisher of all things instead of on my limited lens of sight.   My eyes strain beyond the crucifixion and the death, past the darkness and silence of the tomb, into the dawn of an Easter morning.  Jesus Saves.    Journey well my friends, and the congregations sang   Amen.

"Humor Is Good For The Soul"

“Humor is Medicinal”

How many here today use email regularly, anyone ever make the slip up of sending mail to the wrong person by mistake.  It can be embarrassing!!!   Listen to this story.  

A man went on a vacation to Florida from their home in Northern Canada. He went ahead and his wife was to come in a  day of two.   In his hurry to send her an encouraging e-mail he makes a slip up and sends it to the wrong person.  It goes to the preacher’s wife who has the same first name, but her husband had just passed away the week before. The message reads: Darling: "Having fun, but it sure is hot down here. Looking forward to your soon arrival."

Readings Ephesians 2: 1-10 Psalm 107 John 3: 14-21

We who were once dead in our trespasses - are now alive together in Christ.  If that statement is or becomes your reality, then your life is a full life - a life dominated by the light rather than the darkness, - a life of both seriousness and of joy and laughter.  It is not a life void of struggles, yet full of endless joy and spiritual wellbeing.   A life in which death does not have the last word folks.  That is the message of our coming Easter and it should remain our focus as we continue our Lenten journey.

There is no life like it and humour is part of that life.    Humour is medicinal – it lifts the spirit and lightens the heart.   Centuries ago Solomon said - "A merry heart is good medicine, but a downcast spirit dries up the bones".   

God hears the cries of his people and in love - answers them.  Comfort and meaning can be found in the reading this morning. God hears and cares for each and every one of His children.   God, not only gave us His son but “GOD LOVES THE WOLRD.”  God reaches out in forgiveness to heal those who turn to the Son, those who believe in him, those who are willing to turn a new leaf, surrendering your old ways of living as you pick up your cross and follow Him.  

Today I want to share this serious Lenten gospel message with a mixture of truth and humour.  God never leaves us - or gives up on us - no matter what we do, God makes provision for self-centeredness, pride and the ego in our lives.  Yes, there is a plan for dealing with our shortcomings, it’s called consequences and we have all experienced them when we make choices in our lives.

Three men who showed up at the gates of heaven one day.  To their surprise there was a guard at the gate.  They immediately asked what was going on – “We thought Saint Peter would be there to meet us.”   "Heaven has a new policy", replied the guard.  "Before entering heaven everyone must pass a spelling test." "OK", said the first man.   "Spell the word GOD", the guard asked him.  "G O D" replied the man. The gate opened and in he went.  The second man stepped forward, the guard asked, “are you ready.”  "Most certainly", replied the man, "I only hope that you will not be too hard on me." "No problem", replied the guard.    “Spell GOD” he did and the gate opened and in he went.  The third man appeared quite irritated.  "This is ridiculous", he said to the guard.  "Who ever heard of such silliness?   As soon as I get in, I'm going to register a complaint!!"  "I'm sorry", said the guard, "but the rules are the rules.  Are you ready to spell your word?" Piece of Cake”  “Very well", said the guard, spell   "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious"  Consequences, We can read in  2 Peter 2:16 that it took a miracle to get a donkey or ass to speak.  Now it literally would take a miracle keep this one quiet.  We are sometimes our own worst enemy Folks.  

Jesus came to give life, and give it abundantly - now - and eternity.  In return - he simply asks that we follow him whole heatedly, that we turn our lives over to his care completely, holding nothing back.    A songs that comes to mind are “ Give Them All To Jesus” or  “I surrender all”  

God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.  God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world may be saved through Him.  Those who believe in him, will live forever - in God's kingdom.    None of us knows just what that kingdom will really look like - but we do know that in it there will be not more war or suffering, not pain, no tears, no more torment. 

 A suburban lady who was not only disagreeable, but a bit of snob, was chatting over the fence with a neighbor.  "We are going to be living in a better neighborhood soon".   Well said her neighbor.  “Isn’t that nice, we are going to be living in a better neighborhood too!” “Oh Your moving” said the snob?  "No we're staying right here."

In God’s Kingdom we will not be afflicted by peoples ugly attitudes towards life, those whose works are meant for evil, nor will we have to deal with those who walk in darkness.  But in the meantime we do have to deal with them.  A good way of doing so is by not taking their insults too heart, their acts of evil personally, but by turning the other cheek when we can and speaking the truth in love to all whom we meet. 

Perhaps we can take a lesson from this story.    The Caption of a sailing vessel was known to rule with a firm but fair hand.  One day he was approached by a disgruntled revengeful seaman who said "I have a special message from the admiral, Captain.  It is directed to you personally."   Oh said the Caption "Read it to me", the sailor read, "Of all the blundering, stupid, idiotic morons, you take the cake."  The Captain looked straight into the eyes of the seaman and said, “Hah a coded message A, have it d-coded for me immediately sailor.”    You see when dealing with difficult people it’s always best to remember that angry, disgruntled or dissatisfied people are building the walls of their own prison as they generate negative energy. 

Which reminds me of the atheist who asked the preacher "do you honestly believe that Jonah spent three days and nights in the belly of whale?"   The preacher replied, "I don't know sir, but when I get to heaven I will ask Jonah himself."  "But suppose he is isn't in heaven?"    The preacher though for a moment, “you might be right!, then you’ll get to ask him!" 

Remember as well this saying when you are being annoyed by someone who attacks your faith “the man who tries to prove that there is no hell, generally has a personal reason for doing so”. 

But all in all folks remember this - for the believer there is no such thing as hell, why, because Jesus has given the keys to the kingdom of heaven for those who believe in him.   He has opened the gates - and he invites us in, and all he asks of us is, that we believe - and follow him.  Trusts his words, and relying upon his love, a love which comes to us from our Heavenly Parent.  By grace you are saved through faith - and this is not your own doing, it is your personal gift from God.   and the Congregation sang “Amen.”