Eclectic Echoes -- February 27th

Ed Steltzer says the greatest sin of the church is that we allow members to be pew sitters rather than disciples of Christ!

Related to that is this reflection on the problems with confirmation.

So what is the optimum level of conflict in a church?

Here is a scary poll. The title says Only 2 Percent of Teens See Clergy as Role Models but what is scarier is that while 80% say they are ethically prepared to make ethical business decisions, 40% of them think they need "to break the rules" to get ahead!

The Biology of Belief

Last week, I shared Roger Ebert's touchy tribute to Gene Siskel, this week Jason Boyett reflects on what the tribute had to say about the importance of tradition to faith.

An Ash Wednesday Reflection

Why a good Southern Baptist boy observes Lent

Funny words and suggested uses

Finding subtle ways to tell your pastor to wrap it up (may I add--none of these will work on me!)

Tom reflects on how blessed he is to be a Methodist. (And his parents must be proud!)

Steve reflects on the blessings of being persecuted.

Eric wants to know what would Jesus read? My friend with the new Kindle wants to know names of good books to download. What have you read recently that you would recommend?

When the movie is actually better than the book . . .

How to give your child a Biblical name. We get no points for Laura and Steven but we'll have to start calling Laura "LE." But surely we should get at least two points for Phillip Andrew (despite the misspelling of Phillip)

The Amazing Race: Why Mel wouldn't pray to God to win (Talk about a surprising place to find a wonderful theological reflection!)

NT Wright responds to Piper on views of Justification.

According to Roger Ebert, this year's Oscars were the best ever! I was on my flight home from California during most of the ceremony and I'm looking forward to watching it along with the Red Carpet festivities on HDTV.

And speaking of which, the laugh for the week


Image: The Biology of Belief by Illustration by Christian Northeast for TIME

Preparing for Sunday, March 1st

You are invited to join us at New Life tonight at 6:30 for our Ash Wednesday service! Take this opportunity to reflect on your life and the areas in your life that need to be explored in order to fully enter into the celebration of Easter!

After reflecting on what it means to respond to God’s call, I think it is appropriate that we are beginning Lent with Mark’s story of what happened to Jesus following his baptism!

9In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. 11And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” 12And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.
14Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, 15and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.” Mark 1:9-15

Life following baptism is most often not easy. Following Jesus’ baptism and God’s loving affirmation of him, we are told that the Holy Spirit drove (a stronger and perhaps better translation is expelled---the same word used when Jesus drives out demons) Jesus into the wilderness for a time of testing.
• When have you felt that you were being tempted by Satan? How did you respond? What did you find helpful during those times?

God allows this temptation to occur. What does that tell you about God? What about Jesus? What does this mean when we are tempted or tested?

Unlike Matthew and Luke, Mark doesn’t tell us what the temptations are, but he does say that Jesus was with wild beasts and angels.
• What are the wild beasts in your life?
• Who are the angels?

Just a few thoughts as we enter into a time of examining ourselves, repenting of our sins, and turning away from sin and towards a life of holiness.

Opening Up to God's Transforming Grace

While I was in California, Dale Cohen shared insights into Opening Up to God's Transforming Grace with the congregation at New Life.

Quilt by Sue at Gilgen Art

Who are you praying for today?

According to Mastermedia Internation--Today is the day to pray for Stephen Colbert!

Speaking of prayer, check out these suggestions for Lenten journaling.

Ash Wednesday

Come and join us as we begin preparing our hearts and lives to celebrate Easter as we come together to reflect on our need for salvation. The Water's Edge Praise team will lead our music and we will hear testimonies from some of our congregation about their experience of Jesus Christ. This service will be a wonderful mix of old and new as we receive the traditional mark of ashes to remind us of our need for repentance and our common humanity while reflecting on the Psalms through the use of the Blues! Be sure and join us as we prepare our hearts for the season to come!

"Words and music did for me what solid, even rigorous, religious argument could never do -- they introduced me to God, not belief in God, more an experiential sense of GOD. Over art, literature, girls, my mates, the way in to my spirit was a combination of words and music. As a result, the Book of Psalms always felt open to me and led me to the poetry of Ecclesiastes, the Song of Solomon, the book of John...My religion could not be fiction, but it had to transcend facts. It could be mystical, but not mythical. " Bono

What Kind of Saint?

The other night, Craig and I went to see On the Waterfront at Grauman's Egyptian Theater. It is a great movie! And my favorite part of the movie was the character of a priest, Father Barry, played by Karl Malden. Early in the movie, Father Barry is trying to comfort Edie (played by Eva Marie Saint) and he says to her, "If you need me, you can find me at the church." And she replies, "What kind of saint hides in a church?"

This is an epiphany for Father Barry that begins a journey in which he leaves the comfort of his church and goes to the docks to see what life is like for his parishioners. He tells Edie "This is my parish. I don't know how much I can do, but I'll never find out unless I come down here and take a good look for myself." (Wouldn't John Wesley be proud?!)

In the absence of an obvious waterfront, how can we clergy quite hiding in church and make our parish among our folks?

Eclectic Echoes -- February 20th

Greetings from sunny California. Craig and I arrived here Monday--and it was cool and rainy! We've seen San Diego and Los Angeles. We had a great time and it was exciting to watch things change daily as Hollywood prepares for the Academy Awards. Our hotel was behind the Ford Theater and we watch the red carpet go down and almost hourly changes. Too bad I won't even be able to watch them live on TV since I'll be on a plane returning home (but I am ready to get home!) And now I'm at the GCFA Quadrennial Training in Irvine, California.

And while I may have been busy playing, lots of folks have been thinking deep thoughts. Here are a few:

Over at United Methodeviations (quickly becoming one of my favorite blogs!), reflections on the use of humor in worship as well as asking whether or not Christians have to be stupid.

On the North Alabama Conference website, the Bishop and Cabinet share how clergy appointments are made.

Which leads to another reflection: Are all healthy churches growing?, Measuring Ministry, and Measuring Faithfulness

Narrative leadership in changing times

Steve West shares his personal experience with spiritual formation.

Roger Ebert remembers Gene Siskel--this is a beautiful reflection on a complicated and beautiful relationship.

You go girl! 8 Great Literary Heroines

And in honor of the Oscars!
7 Oscar Night Surprises
My Brief Wonderful Life

And now for the laugh of the week: Twilight Moms!

God's Call, Our Response--Final Part

Running the Race

Eclectic Echoes Feb. 14th

Happy Valentine's Day! Jason Boyett gives the low down on the origins (spoiler alert--it will ruin most of the myths you've heard) And in honor of the day, you may want to play the Valentine Day Movie Blurb Game.

Adam Hamilton is both hopeful and concerned about the future of the UM Church, while Dan Dick thinks we are acting like Chicken Little.

Speaking of Dan Dick, he encourages pastors to move beyond a goal of being a mediocre church as well as asking pastors and churches to think about their theology of worship.

Don't Ruin the Romance

Bad Christian witness of the week! This story is being mentioned in many blogs, but here is the original: No tip, because we don't believe in working on Sundays!!!!

The Dangers of Wii !

Consider yourself warned: America's Dirtiest Hotels

In Memory of Millard Fuller.

Americans are more loyal to Colgate and Charmin than to church

More for Radical Centrists: Meet Me in the Middle

Last week, a group of us gathered at New Life to explore our Spiritual Gifts, so I found this new poll from Barna on Americans and their knowledge of spiritual gifts interesting.

Interview with Adam Hamilton

And check out Faith Rising's My Space Page for some hard hitting Christian Music. (Two of the band members are part of New Life's Water's Edge Praise Band)

A rather serious laugh for the week

Preparing for Sunday, Feb. 15th

This week, we conclude our reflections on God’s call and our response as we hear Paul urging the congregation in Corinth to run to win:

24Do you not know that in a race the runners all compete, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win it. 25Athletes exercise self-control in all things; they do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable one. 26So I do not run aimlessly, nor do I box as though beating the air; 27but I punish my body and enslave it, so that after proclaiming to others I myself should not be disqualified. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

It’s easy to get caught up in Paul’s sports imagery and think that he is worried about how well we compete against others and whether or not we will earn our own reward, but in the context of his letter to the Corinthians it is clear that Paul is speaking of a kind of running and the imperishable reward is the Kingdom of God.

How should Christians “run” this race we call life? Does it make a difference what our goal is?

Whether you are a prize winning athelete, musician, artist, or scholar, you must discipline yourself. No one becomes skilled without working hard at it.
What kind of disciplines should Christians practice in their daily lives to prepare for the race?
What kind of self-control must we exercise?

One of the big headlines over the past few weeks is the internet photo of Michael Phellps apparently smoking marijuana. For many he is now “disqualified” as a role model. In the last verse of this passage, Paul proclaims that he wishes to live the kind of life that won’t disqualify his message. If we are called to proclaim the gospel, what kinds of actions, attitudes, and behaviors would disqualify our witness?

The Road Goes Ever On

I often get asked about the "long" commute from Huntsville to Grant which is somewhat funny since a large number of folks in Grant commute to Huntsville to work each day. I'm just going in the opposite direction. In any case, it is not a long commute, 35 minutes if you drive the speed limit (a bit less than that for me). And actually it generally took 30 minutes to get home from Trinity if I left during the rush hour. Furthermore, it is a beautiful drive! (Check out the picture of Kennamer Cove taken from the top of the mountain near the DAR school--and the kids get to see this every day going to classes!)

But I've decided the best thing by far is the therapy I receive while driving! I have over an hour each day where I can talk (and at times argue) with God. I can think over what needs to be done. I can mentally rehearse my sermons. I can think through what I need to say to folks. If I'm angry at someone, I can tell them just exactly what I think--with not edits--which I finds usually releases the need to actually say some of the more stupid things that pop in my head. And on days I need to drive to Birmingham, well I can add four hours of therapy.

I guess that is why I don't listen to as many podcasts as I thought I would on my drive. Nor do I listen to books on tape. In fact, I generally listen to one of three things: Sirius XM Broadway Channel (try singing "Loathing" from Wicked when you are mad at someone--great therapy!), National Public Radio (All things Considered or Morning Edition), or Sirius XM Spirit (Contemporary Christian).

So for my family or friends who are concerned about the drive--other than I have to remember everything when I leave or I'm in trouble (I now have a spare robe and white stole in my closet just in case!)--I think I'm probably healthier for the drive!

You are being watched!

A man was being tailgated by a stressed-out woman on a busy boulevard.

Suddenly the light turned yellow just in front of him. He did the right thing, stopping at the crosswalk, even though he could have beaten the red light by accelerating through the intersection. The tailgating woman was furious and honked her horn, screaming in frustration as she missed her chance to get through the intersection, dropping her cell phone and makeup in the process.

As she was still in mid-rant, she heard a tap on her window and looked up into the face of a very serious police officer. The officer ordered her to exit her car with her hands up. He took her to the police station where she was searched, fingerprinted, photographed, and placed in a holding cell.

After a couple of hours, the policeman approached the cell and opened the door. She was escorted back to the booking desk where the arresting officer was waiting with her personal effects.

He said, 'I'm very sorry for this mistake. You see, I pulled up behind your car while you were blowing your horn, flipping off the guy in front of you, and cussing a blue streak at him.

I noticed the 'What Would Jesus do?' bumper sticker, the 'Choose Life' license plate holder, the 'Follow Me to Sunday-School' bumper sticker, and the chrome-plated Christian fish emblem on the trunk. So, naturally..... I assumed you had stolen the car.

Thanks to Jean Cobb for sharing this wonderful joke which she passed on to me since it fit so well with Sunday's sermon!

God's Call, Our Reponse Part IV

All Things to All People?

Eclectic Echoes Feb. 6th

Betwixt and Between--President Obama is the same age as I am. Some claim we are Boomers and others lump us with Gen-X, this article from USA Today points out that we actually represent a bridge generation "Generation Jones" which is both idealistic and pragmatic.

Some excellent and challenging thoughts on the UM Church
What We're Not is as Important as What We Are
The Big Five: prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness. (Be sure and read the comments for more challenging thoughts)

Facebook: Connection trumping relationship?

In case, I haven't pointed it out to you yet--be sure and check out Amelia's One Minute Devotionals. This one really spoke to me!

Shane Claibourne's Christianity (and I hear he is coming to Trinity in Huntsville this year!)

This week, the internet was out at New Life and the phone system for New Hope's customer service pushed the limits of my patience. So it was with interest and a bit of humility that I read this article on Christians and the way some treat people in the service industries.

What I really could have used that day was The Biblical Curse Generator! Check it out.

Habitat For Humanity Founder, Millard Fuller, died this week.

I think there is great value in symbolic acts that can be easily incorporated into daily life. So I found John's questions about the sign of the cross intriguing. What do you think?

And here is this week's laugh--it's a bit long but worth it!

Preparing for Sunday, Feb. 8th

Directions to all the people in the world
Originally uploaded by abrinsky

16If I proclaim the gospel, this gives me no ground for boasting, for an obligation is laid on me, and woe to me if I do not proclaim the gospel! 17For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward; but if not of my own will, I am entrusted with a commission. 18What then is my reward? Just this: that in my proclamation I may make the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my rights in the gospel.
19For though I am free with respect to all, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I might win more of them. 20To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though I myself am not under the law) so that I might win those under the law. 21To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law) so that I might win those outside the law. 22To the weak I became weak, so that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that I might by all means save some. 23I do it all for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings. 1 Corinthians 9:16-23

As we continue to explore God’s call and our response, today we turn our attention to Paul’s response to God’s call that he preach the gospel. This passage comes after a lengthy discussion an argument within the Corinthian Church over whether they could eat meat offered to idols. Some said they were free to do whatever they wanted since through Christ they were granted freedom from the law. Besides, idols are the real, so no harm no foul. Others felt like it was a temptation and a breaking of law to eat the meat. Paul instead calls on them to be aware of the struggles of those who are weaker and more prone to temptation.

Some among the Corinthians had apparently called into question Paul’s credentials as an apostle. His unwillingness to let them feed and house him was seen as a sign that he was not a true apostle. After all, Jesus had said that his laborers deserved to be paid (Luke 10 among others). But Paul disagrees and points out that he is experiencing true freedom not by demanding his rights but by relinquishing them.
• As someone who struggled with her call to preach, I am struck by his comment, “Woe to me if I do not proclaim the gospel!” In the end, I responded to God’s call because I came to the same conclusion! What does Paul’s observation mean to all baptized Christians?
• We hear lots of talk in our country about our individual rights? What does Paul’s teaching have to say to Christians in America today?
• Paul said that he became “all things to all people” so that some might be saved.
o What does it mean to be all things to all people?
o What does that mean we should be willing to give up?
o What, if anything, should we hold on to?

See you Sunday as we continue to explore more ways to respond to God’s call!

God's Call, Our Response Part III

What Should We Ask?