I cannot dehumanize another without diminishing my own humanity.
I cannot demonize another without giving into my own, inner demons.
I cannot objectify another without disconnecting from my humanness.
I cannot vilify another without becoming a villain.
I cannot victimize another without hurting my own soul.
I cannot oppress another without participating in an unjust system.
I cannot exploit another without losing my integrity and honor.
I cannot hate another without being toxic to myself.
I cannot hold another down without staying down with him or her.
I cannot abuse another without being that which I abhor.
I cannot manipulate another without being less genuine.
I cannot ignore another without the absence of love within myself.
I cannot hurt another without doing damage to my own soul.
I cannot attack another without being offensive.
I cannot willfully offend another without being repugnant.
Therefore, I will
actively commit to the other, and give selfless love
treat others as I would like to be treated
offer the respect and dignity that I would like to receive
share compassion with others with no concern of their "merit"
live empathy with others based upon their need alone
lift up others who have fallen
build up others who have been torn down
come to understand others who are different from myself
celebrate others for who they are
encourage others who have found a different path that works for them
serve others selflessly as an act of love
advocate for others who need a supportive voice and presence
stand with others who cannot stand alone
live without malice, guile or hatred in my heart
live Agape Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Generosity, Faithfulness, Gentleness
and Self-Control
Pastor Jamie
Monday, February 25, 2013
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
The Cost of Idolatry
Sisters and Brothers,
I have often written, and at times spoken of what I call THE UNHOLY TRINITY
or THE TRINITY OF IDOLATRY that I perceive to be a part of our culture, and
which has become so normative for us that we disassociate it from being at
all unfaithful to our Lord, though Jesus, the fulfiller of Law and Prophets, did
address it regularly (as we have that witnessed to in The Gospels).
Greed - Luke 12:15-21 (among others)
What is lost with greed is any empathy for others (who are objectified as a
means to an end), honesty within ourselves or with others (certainly with God
for those who claim to be believers), and rationality (the idea of no limits within
Capitalistic profit, for example).
Lust for Power and Control - Luke 22:24-27 (among others)
What is lost with the lust for power and control is any sense of humanity (it
becomes all about objectifying others), compassion for others (now seen as being
"beneath" one) and humility (because one believes he/she is "above" others).
Obsessive desire for Prestige and Position - Matthew 23:5-12
(among others) What is lost with this obsessive desire is any sense of one's
genuine self, objectivity regarding self with others and any value or concern
for others around one (as self-preservation and promotion becomes our
imperative in life).
The COST is to one's soul, and to any hope of any genuine, authentic relationship
with God, self or others. The problem with idols is that we believe we own the
desire and can use them as a tool to get what we want. The truth is, we are
then owned by them and controlled by them to become what we were never
intended to become. We bow to these altars and serve these masters - lords of
our lives, while dissengenuously giving lip service to Jesus as Savior, and offering
Him praise and Worship with our tithes. We give our true devotion to our selves
in Greed, Lust for Power and Control, and our Obsessive Desire for Prestige and
Position. Jesus was tempted to do so, and so are we.
The cost is too high, folks. What is lost is too precious, because it is integral to
living the Agape Love commanded by Jesus our Lord.
Pastor Jamie
I have often written, and at times spoken of what I call THE UNHOLY TRINITY
or THE TRINITY OF IDOLATRY that I perceive to be a part of our culture, and
which has become so normative for us that we disassociate it from being at
all unfaithful to our Lord, though Jesus, the fulfiller of Law and Prophets, did
address it regularly (as we have that witnessed to in The Gospels).
Greed - Luke 12:15-21 (among others)
What is lost with greed is any empathy for others (who are objectified as a
means to an end), honesty within ourselves or with others (certainly with God
for those who claim to be believers), and rationality (the idea of no limits within
Capitalistic profit, for example).
Lust for Power and Control - Luke 22:24-27 (among others)
What is lost with the lust for power and control is any sense of humanity (it
becomes all about objectifying others), compassion for others (now seen as being
"beneath" one) and humility (because one believes he/she is "above" others).
Obsessive desire for Prestige and Position - Matthew 23:5-12
(among others) What is lost with this obsessive desire is any sense of one's
genuine self, objectivity regarding self with others and any value or concern
for others around one (as self-preservation and promotion becomes our
imperative in life).
The COST is to one's soul, and to any hope of any genuine, authentic relationship
with God, self or others. The problem with idols is that we believe we own the
desire and can use them as a tool to get what we want. The truth is, we are
then owned by them and controlled by them to become what we were never
intended to become. We bow to these altars and serve these masters - lords of
our lives, while dissengenuously giving lip service to Jesus as Savior, and offering
Him praise and Worship with our tithes. We give our true devotion to our selves
in Greed, Lust for Power and Control, and our Obsessive Desire for Prestige and
Position. Jesus was tempted to do so, and so are we.
The cost is too high, folks. What is lost is too precious, because it is integral to
living the Agape Love commanded by Jesus our Lord.
Pastor Jamie
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Pearls among swine
I read a blog recently that implied that people who do not succeed in worldly terms are not worthy of the church's attention or work... even quoting Jesus regarding "the least of these", and then Matthew 7:6 "Do not give what is holy to dogs; and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under foot and turn and maul you." (NRSV) It was a turning around of what Jesus said about judging people, ironically quoting a passage that falls right after Jesus commanding that we are NOT TO JUDGE.
By doing so, the seminary educated pastor showed his true colors. The church is in a crisis because we have adopted worldly values that contradict Jesus' Kingdom values. We develop whole theologies about our own gain and prosperity, when Jesus calls us to deny our selves, take up the Cross and follow Him. We make it all about our position, power and prestige when Jesus teaches us not to do so. In doing that, we BECOME the dogs and the swine, because what comes out of us is an attempt to justify NOT following Jesus - to justify our NOT loving Neighbor as we love our selves.
In the CONTEXT of not judging others, not considering them less than oneself and not deeming them unworthy of a pastor's advocacy, Jesus is talking about Grace and Agape Love. Living undeserved loving mercy means not judging others, regardless of how we might think they do not "measure up" to some standard we arbitrarily determine. Living Agape Love (self-less, committed action on behalf of another) means not judging another based on merit, but on their need to receive our active commitment and our need to give it, as people who profess to follow Jesus.
In that CONTEXT, the dogs and swine are those who have no value for Grace and Agape Love, but who have come to value rather PRESTIGE, POWER, POSITION and PROSPERITY according to worldly standards. They should not have what is Holy wasted on them because they have no value for Grace and Agape Love. They should not be entrusted with The Gospel of Grace and Agape Love because they do not value it and will attack anyone who does, trampling Grace and Loving Mercy under their feet along with the people who need it, as they pursue their own prosperity, position, power and prestige. Blaming the victims of the world's injustice, brought about by its adoption of ungodly values is a necessity for those who do not follow Kingdom Values.
There are some who will just never grasp the value for Grace and Agape Love. That is tragic. But they should NOT be the ones to whom we entrust The Gospel of Grace and Agape Love, and the ones to whom we entrust the spiritual lives of people who want to follow Jesus. I urge you to find pastors who will preach to you The Good News of Jesus in a faithful, actively loving and gracious way.
Pastor Jamie
By doing so, the seminary educated pastor showed his true colors. The church is in a crisis because we have adopted worldly values that contradict Jesus' Kingdom values. We develop whole theologies about our own gain and prosperity, when Jesus calls us to deny our selves, take up the Cross and follow Him. We make it all about our position, power and prestige when Jesus teaches us not to do so. In doing that, we BECOME the dogs and the swine, because what comes out of us is an attempt to justify NOT following Jesus - to justify our NOT loving Neighbor as we love our selves.
In the CONTEXT of not judging others, not considering them less than oneself and not deeming them unworthy of a pastor's advocacy, Jesus is talking about Grace and Agape Love. Living undeserved loving mercy means not judging others, regardless of how we might think they do not "measure up" to some standard we arbitrarily determine. Living Agape Love (self-less, committed action on behalf of another) means not judging another based on merit, but on their need to receive our active commitment and our need to give it, as people who profess to follow Jesus.
In that CONTEXT, the dogs and swine are those who have no value for Grace and Agape Love, but who have come to value rather PRESTIGE, POWER, POSITION and PROSPERITY according to worldly standards. They should not have what is Holy wasted on them because they have no value for Grace and Agape Love. They should not be entrusted with The Gospel of Grace and Agape Love because they do not value it and will attack anyone who does, trampling Grace and Loving Mercy under their feet along with the people who need it, as they pursue their own prosperity, position, power and prestige. Blaming the victims of the world's injustice, brought about by its adoption of ungodly values is a necessity for those who do not follow Kingdom Values.
There are some who will just never grasp the value for Grace and Agape Love. That is tragic. But they should NOT be the ones to whom we entrust The Gospel of Grace and Agape Love, and the ones to whom we entrust the spiritual lives of people who want to follow Jesus. I urge you to find pastors who will preach to you The Good News of Jesus in a faithful, actively loving and gracious way.
Pastor Jamie
Monday, February 18, 2013
Perfect, Agape Love casts out FEAR
I John 4
When we are living in Agape Love, we leave fear behind. Self-sacrificing committed action on the behalf of the other pushes through fear. It is courageous love. It is self-giving and not self-preserving.
It is, by definition and nature, LIBERAL and not CONSERVATIVE.
We are very fearful people. It causes us to do all manner of defensive things because of the hint or rumor of threat to our selves. We stay away from "certain" people. We do not engage with others. We build bigger fences and move further away from others. We isolate our selves. We buy weapons with which to protect our selves and "our own" against those perceived, rumored threats "out there". Eventually that becomes our ultimate concern, over what it does "in here" - our our hearts and souls.
We are duped into our fear. It sells. It sells wars and the invasion of other nations that would not have to be engaged in, which creates REAL threats to others in our path and to our selves. It sells security systems, weapons and ammunition, bomb shelters, insurance, secret bank accounts, larger and heavier vehicles, antiseptic wipes and anti-bacterial washes and other personal hygiene products. Some of those things have reasonable application. Some add to society's level of fear and therefore our collective level of threat.
We are creating the fearful world and the reasons for fear to which we are reacting. People are buying weapons of mass destruction, fearful that others MIGHT have them and attack them. They are buying extended clips to hold more bullets JUST IN CASE someone else might have them. They are buying armor piercing bullets because you JUST NEVER KNOW. They are going to gun ranges and practicing their aim, just so they can be VIGILANT. With every gun, every bullet and every person who is practicing for a lethal encounter, we are creating the fearful world to which we are, our selves, reacting. We are anticipating the worst. It damages our hearts and souls. It affects our living now.
We are creating the tension in encounters because we are evermore certain that one of those encounters will necessitate our defensiveness. Because of it, we are seeing those situations at every turn, even when they are not truly there. Our perceptions are formed out of the fear that we have been sold as a people, and we react with the defensiveness and weapons we have been sold as a people. We are BECOMING the REASON for others to do the same, and thus begins the individual arms race that leaves us suspicious of others, fearful of others and defensive with others as we encounter them, and therefore less safe and secure as a people.
I refuse to live my everyday in fear and defensiveness. It prevents me from perfecting the Agape Love which I have been COMMANDED to live by my Lord. It leads to isolation, disengagement with others and suspicion at every turn, which prevent my living Agape Love in the world around me. Yes, it is possible that I could be victimized someday, but I will not VICTIMIZE myself and those around me by living in fear until that MIGHT happen, someday. I will not ruin my life and the lives of those around me NOW, because of what MIGHT happen someday.
Fear leads to defensiveness, intolerance and hatred as pre-emptive measures toward self-preservation. I will not live those things in the world around me, because I cannot embrace those things and live Agape Love. I refuse to be duped into fear and pro-active defensiveness because someone wants to make money off my fear. I will not let my spirit be mangled or my soul damaged by fear that causes me to abandon Agape Love for self-preservation. Agape Love does not allow it. My Lord forbids it.
Pastor Jamie
When we are living in Agape Love, we leave fear behind. Self-sacrificing committed action on the behalf of the other pushes through fear. It is courageous love. It is self-giving and not self-preserving.
It is, by definition and nature, LIBERAL and not CONSERVATIVE.
We are very fearful people. It causes us to do all manner of defensive things because of the hint or rumor of threat to our selves. We stay away from "certain" people. We do not engage with others. We build bigger fences and move further away from others. We isolate our selves. We buy weapons with which to protect our selves and "our own" against those perceived, rumored threats "out there". Eventually that becomes our ultimate concern, over what it does "in here" - our our hearts and souls.
We are duped into our fear. It sells. It sells wars and the invasion of other nations that would not have to be engaged in, which creates REAL threats to others in our path and to our selves. It sells security systems, weapons and ammunition, bomb shelters, insurance, secret bank accounts, larger and heavier vehicles, antiseptic wipes and anti-bacterial washes and other personal hygiene products. Some of those things have reasonable application. Some add to society's level of fear and therefore our collective level of threat.
We are creating the fearful world and the reasons for fear to which we are reacting. People are buying weapons of mass destruction, fearful that others MIGHT have them and attack them. They are buying extended clips to hold more bullets JUST IN CASE someone else might have them. They are buying armor piercing bullets because you JUST NEVER KNOW. They are going to gun ranges and practicing their aim, just so they can be VIGILANT. With every gun, every bullet and every person who is practicing for a lethal encounter, we are creating the fearful world to which we are, our selves, reacting. We are anticipating the worst. It damages our hearts and souls. It affects our living now.
We are creating the tension in encounters because we are evermore certain that one of those encounters will necessitate our defensiveness. Because of it, we are seeing those situations at every turn, even when they are not truly there. Our perceptions are formed out of the fear that we have been sold as a people, and we react with the defensiveness and weapons we have been sold as a people. We are BECOMING the REASON for others to do the same, and thus begins the individual arms race that leaves us suspicious of others, fearful of others and defensive with others as we encounter them, and therefore less safe and secure as a people.
I refuse to live my everyday in fear and defensiveness. It prevents me from perfecting the Agape Love which I have been COMMANDED to live by my Lord. It leads to isolation, disengagement with others and suspicion at every turn, which prevent my living Agape Love in the world around me. Yes, it is possible that I could be victimized someday, but I will not VICTIMIZE myself and those around me by living in fear until that MIGHT happen, someday. I will not ruin my life and the lives of those around me NOW, because of what MIGHT happen someday.
Fear leads to defensiveness, intolerance and hatred as pre-emptive measures toward self-preservation. I will not live those things in the world around me, because I cannot embrace those things and live Agape Love. I refuse to be duped into fear and pro-active defensiveness because someone wants to make money off my fear. I will not let my spirit be mangled or my soul damaged by fear that causes me to abandon Agape Love for self-preservation. Agape Love does not allow it. My Lord forbids it.
Pastor Jamie
Saturday, February 9, 2013
The Year Acceptable to The Lord
Luke 4:16-20
Jesus read from Isaiah 58 and 61 in His hometown Synagogue on the Sabbath. He claimed His authority and shared what His mission was, according to the words of the Prophet. He came to preach Good News to the Poor, proclaim release to Captives, recovery of sight to the blind, liberty to the oppressed and proclaim THE ACCEPTABLE YEAR OF THE LORD. Some scholars speculate about His bringing that word on the 49th year of the 50 year cycle of Jubilee from Leviticus 25. It was the year in which there was social justice - captives and slaves freed; economic justice - debts forgiven, people returned to the homes they owned and lost; and ecological justice - fields lay fallow to allow them to recover from our use. It was Acceptable to the Lord because it was God's will that THIS PART of God's Kingdom should be in line with THAT PART of God's Kingdom - on Earth, as it was in Heaven.
Some confuse this for "The day of the Lord", which refers to the eschatological vision of Messiah's return - when Jesus would judge the living and the dead. This is NOT THAT.
The Acceptable Year of the Lord was HERE, NOW. It is supposed to be a PERMANENT reality - a Vision of God's Kingdom in both realms - Heaven and Earth - at the coming of Messiah, the fulfillment of God's will here and now. It is the great TURNING AROUND. It is meant to be. Messiah has come! Peace and Justice are to be lived here and now! This is God's vision of this part of the Kingdom being in alignment with the other part of it. It is not about "pie in the sky when we die", but Kingdom Values embraced and lived here and now. The poor have justice is the vision - there is to be justice for the poor NOW. The captives of unjust systems of correction, of any kind of servitude or slavery are to be set free NOW. The Blind, both spiritually and intellectually as well as physically, are to have their sight restored NOW. The oppressed by systems and collective bigotries are supposed to be relieved of the YOKES of oppression, and live in equity and equality with all others. Messiah has come! He declared God's Acceptable Year! We are supposed to be living in Jubilee now and always!
Read the Beatitudes in Luke 6:20-49. It is the great TURN AROUND... TURNING UPSIDE DOWN the values of this world that we have adopted in enmity with God's Kingdom Values - the establishment of God's Kingdom Values in practice here and now - on Earth, as it is in Heaven. THAT is what is acceptable to God - the alignment of our lived values with Kingdom Values here and now! It is about us living God's Will here and now, and thus pleasing the Lord!
Isaiah's Vision in 11:1-10 of the results of Messiah's coming give us a glimpse of what God's plan has been from the beginning - Peace and Justice, even among animals who are natural enemies - for ALL CREATION! Jesus' Mission is God's Vision for us to live here and now!
Jesus' teachings and examples - Imperative Statements, Parables and Teaching Statements all bear out this Vision for our living of God's Kingdom Values. If we want to be people who follow Jesus, we must FOLLOW JESUS in His teachings and examples of how we live with one another in this world, here and now. If we want to be acceptable to God, we must live these Kingdom Values as Jesus COMMANDS, TEACHINGS AND EXEMPLIFIES them, as recorded in the Gospels.
Come, Lord Jesus. And until you come, let us live YOUR KINGDOM VALUES on earth, as they are in heaven. Amen.
Pastor Jamie
Jesus read from Isaiah 58 and 61 in His hometown Synagogue on the Sabbath. He claimed His authority and shared what His mission was, according to the words of the Prophet. He came to preach Good News to the Poor, proclaim release to Captives, recovery of sight to the blind, liberty to the oppressed and proclaim THE ACCEPTABLE YEAR OF THE LORD. Some scholars speculate about His bringing that word on the 49th year of the 50 year cycle of Jubilee from Leviticus 25. It was the year in which there was social justice - captives and slaves freed; economic justice - debts forgiven, people returned to the homes they owned and lost; and ecological justice - fields lay fallow to allow them to recover from our use. It was Acceptable to the Lord because it was God's will that THIS PART of God's Kingdom should be in line with THAT PART of God's Kingdom - on Earth, as it was in Heaven.
Some confuse this for "The day of the Lord", which refers to the eschatological vision of Messiah's return - when Jesus would judge the living and the dead. This is NOT THAT.
The Acceptable Year of the Lord was HERE, NOW. It is supposed to be a PERMANENT reality - a Vision of God's Kingdom in both realms - Heaven and Earth - at the coming of Messiah, the fulfillment of God's will here and now. It is the great TURNING AROUND. It is meant to be. Messiah has come! Peace and Justice are to be lived here and now! This is God's vision of this part of the Kingdom being in alignment with the other part of it. It is not about "pie in the sky when we die", but Kingdom Values embraced and lived here and now. The poor have justice is the vision - there is to be justice for the poor NOW. The captives of unjust systems of correction, of any kind of servitude or slavery are to be set free NOW. The Blind, both spiritually and intellectually as well as physically, are to have their sight restored NOW. The oppressed by systems and collective bigotries are supposed to be relieved of the YOKES of oppression, and live in equity and equality with all others. Messiah has come! He declared God's Acceptable Year! We are supposed to be living in Jubilee now and always!
Read the Beatitudes in Luke 6:20-49. It is the great TURN AROUND... TURNING UPSIDE DOWN the values of this world that we have adopted in enmity with God's Kingdom Values - the establishment of God's Kingdom Values in practice here and now - on Earth, as it is in Heaven. THAT is what is acceptable to God - the alignment of our lived values with Kingdom Values here and now! It is about us living God's Will here and now, and thus pleasing the Lord!
Isaiah's Vision in 11:1-10 of the results of Messiah's coming give us a glimpse of what God's plan has been from the beginning - Peace and Justice, even among animals who are natural enemies - for ALL CREATION! Jesus' Mission is God's Vision for us to live here and now!
Jesus' teachings and examples - Imperative Statements, Parables and Teaching Statements all bear out this Vision for our living of God's Kingdom Values. If we want to be people who follow Jesus, we must FOLLOW JESUS in His teachings and examples of how we live with one another in this world, here and now. If we want to be acceptable to God, we must live these Kingdom Values as Jesus COMMANDS, TEACHINGS AND EXEMPLIFIES them, as recorded in the Gospels.
Come, Lord Jesus. And until you come, let us live YOUR KINGDOM VALUES on earth, as they are in heaven. Amen.
Pastor Jamie
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
100th Blog: IMAGINE...
I imagine...
A DEMOCRACY that is not relative, but true, in which EVERY VOTE is equal and counts, with no lobbyists influencing legislation and votes for money... a democracy OF the people, BY the people and FOR the people - ALL of them equally, and NOT private corporations or just the elite few.
AN EDUCATION SYSTEM in which ALL children get the same quality of teachers because they are all paid the same and will go, not where the money is, but where their passions meet their gifts for teaching, and in which ALL children have the same high quality of materials and technology with which to learn, so that they all truly have an EQUAL chance to succeed and thrive.
EMPLOYMENT in which there MUST BE fair pay and benefits for all, so that employers do not pay some minimum, but must pay a living wage with time off and sick time - a coming together of the nation in one heart and mind, so that people will gladly take less profit for themselves in order that ALL might have enough and a quality of life as they contribute to our society and the world.
HEALTHCARE for ALL, equally.
AFFORDABLE, SAFE HOUSING for ALL, equally.
AFFORDABLE, HEALTHY FOOD for ALL, equally.
AFFORDABLE, AVAILABLE TRANSPORTATION for ALL, equally.
HIGH STANDARDS for how we treat THE CREATION of which we are a part and with which we are subject to the CREATOR.
A NATION OF PEOPLE who value PEOPLE OVER PROFIT, especially when safety and a quality of life is at stake, so that REASONABLE LIMITS are embraced with regard to safety and the well-being of each and all, collectively.
EQUAL SAFETY and ONE JUSTICE SYSTEM for ALL, with equal treatment of all.
A COUNTRY OF DIVERSE FAITHS, but with ONE heart and mind, in which people of ALL faiths get equal time off and respect with which to practice their faiths, children and adults in each day and for each Holy Day.
A CHURCH that again embraces being a MOVEMENT OF BELIEVERS in COMMUNITY, following Jesus' teachings and way of being people who walk with God.
Can YOU imagine that? Doesn't it sound GREAT? Let's work toward that, shall we?
Pastor Jamie
A DEMOCRACY that is not relative, but true, in which EVERY VOTE is equal and counts, with no lobbyists influencing legislation and votes for money... a democracy OF the people, BY the people and FOR the people - ALL of them equally, and NOT private corporations or just the elite few.
AN EDUCATION SYSTEM in which ALL children get the same quality of teachers because they are all paid the same and will go, not where the money is, but where their passions meet their gifts for teaching, and in which ALL children have the same high quality of materials and technology with which to learn, so that they all truly have an EQUAL chance to succeed and thrive.
EMPLOYMENT in which there MUST BE fair pay and benefits for all, so that employers do not pay some minimum, but must pay a living wage with time off and sick time - a coming together of the nation in one heart and mind, so that people will gladly take less profit for themselves in order that ALL might have enough and a quality of life as they contribute to our society and the world.
HEALTHCARE for ALL, equally.
AFFORDABLE, SAFE HOUSING for ALL, equally.
AFFORDABLE, HEALTHY FOOD for ALL, equally.
AFFORDABLE, AVAILABLE TRANSPORTATION for ALL, equally.
HIGH STANDARDS for how we treat THE CREATION of which we are a part and with which we are subject to the CREATOR.
A NATION OF PEOPLE who value PEOPLE OVER PROFIT, especially when safety and a quality of life is at stake, so that REASONABLE LIMITS are embraced with regard to safety and the well-being of each and all, collectively.
EQUAL SAFETY and ONE JUSTICE SYSTEM for ALL, with equal treatment of all.
A COUNTRY OF DIVERSE FAITHS, but with ONE heart and mind, in which people of ALL faiths get equal time off and respect with which to practice their faiths, children and adults in each day and for each Holy Day.
A CHURCH that again embraces being a MOVEMENT OF BELIEVERS in COMMUNITY, following Jesus' teachings and way of being people who walk with God.
Can YOU imagine that? Doesn't it sound GREAT? Let's work toward that, shall we?
Pastor Jamie
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Hopeful
I am hopeful that we will learn to value what Jesus in the Gospels teaches as values.
I am hopeful that we will value people above profit, that we will value our neighbor AS WE value our
selves.
I am hopeful that we will value peace over profit, power, control and hatred.
I am hopeful that we will value everyone having enough and more, over just a few of us having it all.
I am hopeful that we will value everyone equally, and not just some over the rest.
I am hopeful that we will value community over isolation, justice over entitlement and kindness over
self-righteousness.
I am hopeful that we will value mercy over sacrifice.
I am hopeful that we will value grace over merit.
I am hopeful that we will value inclusion over exclusivity.
I am hopeful that we will value love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness
and self-control over greed, lust for power, prestige and position.
I am hopeful that we will value each other and not just self.
I am hopeful that we will value life over death in EVERY situation.
I am hopeful that we will value connection over separation.
I am hopeful that we will value sharing over selfishness.
I am hopeful that we will value acceptance over intolerance.
I am hopeful that we will value the content of our character over the color of our skin, our sexual
orientation, our monetary assets or anything else.
I am hopeful that we will value compassion over apathy.
I am hopeful that we will value rational thought over irrational fear and hatred.
I am hopeful that we will value GOOD NEWS over bad news.
I am hopeful that we will value celebrating others and not destroying or exploiting them.
I am hopeful that we will value God over any of our idols.
I am hopeful that we will value what Jesus taught and exemplified as Kingdom Values.
I am hopeful. I truly hopeful. Be hopeful, and with me determined to spread the hope which will
become a REALITY in the world around us.
Pastor Jamie
I am hopeful that we will value people above profit, that we will value our neighbor AS WE value our
selves.
I am hopeful that we will value peace over profit, power, control and hatred.
I am hopeful that we will value everyone having enough and more, over just a few of us having it all.
I am hopeful that we will value everyone equally, and not just some over the rest.
I am hopeful that we will value community over isolation, justice over entitlement and kindness over
self-righteousness.
I am hopeful that we will value mercy over sacrifice.
I am hopeful that we will value grace over merit.
I am hopeful that we will value inclusion over exclusivity.
I am hopeful that we will value love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness
and self-control over greed, lust for power, prestige and position.
I am hopeful that we will value each other and not just self.
I am hopeful that we will value life over death in EVERY situation.
I am hopeful that we will value connection over separation.
I am hopeful that we will value sharing over selfishness.
I am hopeful that we will value acceptance over intolerance.
I am hopeful that we will value the content of our character over the color of our skin, our sexual
orientation, our monetary assets or anything else.
I am hopeful that we will value compassion over apathy.
I am hopeful that we will value rational thought over irrational fear and hatred.
I am hopeful that we will value GOOD NEWS over bad news.
I am hopeful that we will value celebrating others and not destroying or exploiting them.
I am hopeful that we will value God over any of our idols.
I am hopeful that we will value what Jesus taught and exemplified as Kingdom Values.
I am hopeful. I truly hopeful. Be hopeful, and with me determined to spread the hope which will
become a REALITY in the world around us.
Pastor Jamie
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Using our God-given BRAINS as followers of Jesus
There are "clergy", "pastors", "ministers", and even "bishops" who not only try to get their parishioners to turn off their brains in Worship and Study, but who actively seek to bring into question those who have prepared for ministry and encourage the use of one's brain as being "unfaithful" somehow. These are usually clergy who have not gone through any kind of formal training, as did Jesus' disciples for three years at His feet before being sent out as Apostles (including internship when Jesus sent them out to do ministry and brought them back to debrief the experience - Luke 10). They are threatened by anyone who uses their brain in conjunction with their faith, because if they do, they will see through the false authority, false teachings and false directions they preach regarding Scripture and the following of Jesus in the world. Anyone who has been formally trained, anyone who questions those things that might seem inconsistent with the pastors' teachings and anyone who dares to ask about the depth of meaning within The Word is held in contempt or disregarded for using their brains.
"Woe to you lawyers (of The Word)! For you have taken away the key of knowledge; you did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering." Jesus Luke 11:52
"Then He (Jesus) opened their MINDS to understand the scriptures..." Luke 24:45
"He (Jesus) said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your MIND.'" Jesus Matthew 22:37
"The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the Good News." Jesus Mark 1:15 "repent" = Metanoia in Koine Greek = change one's MIND - way of THINKING - (so that your direction will change)
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your MINDS, so that you may discern what is the will of God - what is good and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12:2
"Brothers and sisters, do not be children in your thinking; rather, be infants in evil, but in thinking be adults... (regarding the higher need for the telling of God's Will than for speaking in tongues)." II Corinthians 14:20
If ANYONE who claims to represent Jesus gives you a simplistic, "canned" and black/white answer to a sincere question, and especially if then they say that you must just "believe" without using your brain or without questioning them in their answer - find a DIFFERENT TEACHER regarding Jesus and your following of Jesus.
If ANYONE tells you to open your heart and spirit and close your MIND with regard to the Word, and they give a surface-level, superficial and literalistic understanding to you, insisting that you just believe what they say - find a DIFFERENT TEACHER regarding Jesus and your following of Jesus.
If ANYONE repeats the same thing over and over without explanation, and tells you that you must just believe it without question in order to be faithful or righteous - find a DIFFERENT TEACHER regarding Jesus and your following of Jesus.
If ANYONE casts aspersions on those who have taken the time, money, effort and sacrifice to get formal training in The Word from credible biblical scholars and critical thinkers - find a DIFFERENT TEACHER regarding Jesus and your following of Jesus.
Jesus is the fulfiller of the Law and Prophets. Jesus is our authority on The Word and Will of God. If you want to know how to follow Jesus more closely in your life, start by reading the Four Gospels and what Jesus TAUGHT and EXEMPLIFIED about how to follow Him, and not just the miracles, signs and wonders. Yes, Jesus died for us and was risen from death to life. No - that is NOT all we need to know about Jesus. Yes, Jesus is Savior, but Jesus is also LORD of our lives. Wouldn't it make sense to read what Jesus Himself is witnessed as saying, teaching, commanding and doing?
If ANYONE suggests to you that this walk of faith is ALL ABOUT saying "the sinners' prayer", "accepting Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior"and they ignore the needs of the most vulnerable, all or only about praise, adoration and tithing alone, a certain way of thinking (or non-thinking), all about YOUR purity and holiness and not about God's, supernatural interventions with no action needed on our part in each others' lives, getting your blessings and being highly favored for yourself with no concern for neighbor or brother or sister, "hating the sin" and pointing it out all the time to "the sinner" (who is no more sinful than you are), deciding that someone else - ANYONE else is going to hell, twisting the Word around to make themselves look good and anyone not like them look bad, judging ANYONE for ANY reason, church growth, prosperity or American Civil religion (the inability to distinguish between God and country or believing God only favors this country) - they do NOT know the Jesus of the Gospels. Find a DIFFERENT TEACHER regarding Jesus and your following of Jesus.
Please. Use your Brain! God created you with it so that you would use it.
Pastor Jamie (B.A. in Theology; Master of Divinity Degree from an accredited Seminary)... 27 years of ministry in The Word, and NOT the only one!
"Woe to you lawyers (of The Word)! For you have taken away the key of knowledge; you did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering." Jesus Luke 11:52
"Then He (Jesus) opened their MINDS to understand the scriptures..." Luke 24:45
"He (Jesus) said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your MIND.'" Jesus Matthew 22:37
"The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the Good News." Jesus Mark 1:15 "repent" = Metanoia in Koine Greek = change one's MIND - way of THINKING - (so that your direction will change)
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your MINDS, so that you may discern what is the will of God - what is good and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12:2
"Brothers and sisters, do not be children in your thinking; rather, be infants in evil, but in thinking be adults... (regarding the higher need for the telling of God's Will than for speaking in tongues)." II Corinthians 14:20
If ANYONE who claims to represent Jesus gives you a simplistic, "canned" and black/white answer to a sincere question, and especially if then they say that you must just "believe" without using your brain or without questioning them in their answer - find a DIFFERENT TEACHER regarding Jesus and your following of Jesus.
If ANYONE tells you to open your heart and spirit and close your MIND with regard to the Word, and they give a surface-level, superficial and literalistic understanding to you, insisting that you just believe what they say - find a DIFFERENT TEACHER regarding Jesus and your following of Jesus.
If ANYONE repeats the same thing over and over without explanation, and tells you that you must just believe it without question in order to be faithful or righteous - find a DIFFERENT TEACHER regarding Jesus and your following of Jesus.
If ANYONE casts aspersions on those who have taken the time, money, effort and sacrifice to get formal training in The Word from credible biblical scholars and critical thinkers - find a DIFFERENT TEACHER regarding Jesus and your following of Jesus.
Jesus is the fulfiller of the Law and Prophets. Jesus is our authority on The Word and Will of God. If you want to know how to follow Jesus more closely in your life, start by reading the Four Gospels and what Jesus TAUGHT and EXEMPLIFIED about how to follow Him, and not just the miracles, signs and wonders. Yes, Jesus died for us and was risen from death to life. No - that is NOT all we need to know about Jesus. Yes, Jesus is Savior, but Jesus is also LORD of our lives. Wouldn't it make sense to read what Jesus Himself is witnessed as saying, teaching, commanding and doing?
If ANYONE suggests to you that this walk of faith is ALL ABOUT saying "the sinners' prayer", "accepting Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior"and they ignore the needs of the most vulnerable, all or only about praise, adoration and tithing alone, a certain way of thinking (or non-thinking), all about YOUR purity and holiness and not about God's, supernatural interventions with no action needed on our part in each others' lives, getting your blessings and being highly favored for yourself with no concern for neighbor or brother or sister, "hating the sin" and pointing it out all the time to "the sinner" (who is no more sinful than you are), deciding that someone else - ANYONE else is going to hell, twisting the Word around to make themselves look good and anyone not like them look bad, judging ANYONE for ANY reason, church growth, prosperity or American Civil religion (the inability to distinguish between God and country or believing God only favors this country) - they do NOT know the Jesus of the Gospels. Find a DIFFERENT TEACHER regarding Jesus and your following of Jesus.
Please. Use your Brain! God created you with it so that you would use it.
Pastor Jamie (B.A. in Theology; Master of Divinity Degree from an accredited Seminary)... 27 years of ministry in The Word, and NOT the only one!
Losing our humanity
"If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other." Mother Theresa
The school shootings continue. Our children are learning TOO WELL what we are teaching them. They are getting a steady message of "look out for number one" and "take care of your own". They are learning that beyond our immediate family, church or gang we need not perceive or live out any loyalty to anyone else, see that we are connected to them in any way, or have any concern for their well being - only our own. It is "us" and "them".
We fail to see our connection to ALL humanity. It used to be that kids would fight hand to hand, and when the fight was over, it was over. Sometimes we even became friends with those with whom we fought. Then it became knives, and the pain that was inflicted was more intense and the scars more permanent and devastating. That struggle was still eye to eye, however, and we struggled together. Now at 50 yards a person can just spray at the OBJECTS around them, disassociating their simple, easy action from what happens far away. With a gun, the damage is permanent and the loss is devastating with very little effort or physical, emotional engagement.
We objectify, vilify and de-humanize others to allow ourselves our "justified" self-centered orientation on the world. It allows us to go unchecked in our greed, hatred, exploitation and apathy toward others around us. It is "us", not AND, but VERSUS "them". We see it in our politics, our economics, our denominations and congregations, our ideologies, and especially the fearful way we see the world and therefore live in it. What is lost is open, genuine human encounters. What is lost is relationship. Store owners used to KNOW their customers, but now it is all about selling more to more, and people are reduced to demographic data. We used to get fired up about OUR candidate and party, and support them while exhibiting some level of respect for their opponents, but now the "other" candidate is vilified and de-humanized in very public and ugly ways, and those who think differently are objectified and held in contempt. Our concern for our selves and those just like us racially, religiously and economically is all we can muster. Anyone else is "on their own". We exploit anyone we can, and blame them for being exploitable. We just ignore anyone who has nothing we want, or whom we perceive is no threat to us. They are non-existent to us, which diminishes our humanity.
In the church, denominations are convinced of their own doctrinal perfection, while belittling others for theirs. Congregations show deep loyalty to their pastors and congregations and the prestige of being associated with them, while having no concern for any others, and even perhaps seeing them as not being of the same faith. Christians are now taught to be all about personal salvation and being blessed and highly favored for themselves. The connection to people of other faiths, other expressions of their own faith or the poor and marginalized is of no concern, even while proclaiming love and loyalty to Jesus, whose teachings in the Gospels are ALL about denying self and serving God by serving others, and especially the most vulnerable. Ignoring what Jesus taught and exemplified, while offering lip service praise and devotion with one's tithes is considered faithfulness. "Getting my praise on, giving my tithes and receiving my blessings and favor" is what it has become for many, at the expense of others around them. Their preachers are very happy with this, because they too are all about their own promotion, prestige, power and wealth, so they objectify the numbers of worshipers who write the checks and have little concern for the people beyond that. What we learn in church diminishes our humanity AND our Christianity because of it.
Our personal survival and thriving is our only concern, so it has become our idol - our god (Paul Tillich). Anyone we leave in our wake is of no concern to us. Some who buy guns are just fascinating with having a killing machine. Some who buy them thrive on a sense of superiority. Others who buy them are so fearful that others have them that they feel they MUST. But it is RARELY mentioned by anyone who is so fearful that their whole orientation is about self-preservation, about the horrible emotional trauma that having to kill someone would mean for them, or anything about the horrible loss felt by the family members and loved ones of the person they would kill. "They" do not deserve such consideration. It is only all about "us" and only our survival and thriving. Our humanity is diminished, or even lost.
It is truly sad what we have become as seen through our children, and how they are acting this out in their schools, neighborhoods and organizations. We cannot complain that they are not learning from us, but rather that they are learning the lessons TOO WELL. We are losing our humanity. We are willingly diminishing our society and our collective humanity, but pridefully throwing away our humanity as individuals, families and groups in America.
What was it that JESUS taught about our humanity with each other in the world?
God, help us to RE-DISCOVER our humanity as we have it in our connection with others around us.
Let it begin with me.
Pastor Jamie
The school shootings continue. Our children are learning TOO WELL what we are teaching them. They are getting a steady message of "look out for number one" and "take care of your own". They are learning that beyond our immediate family, church or gang we need not perceive or live out any loyalty to anyone else, see that we are connected to them in any way, or have any concern for their well being - only our own. It is "us" and "them".
We fail to see our connection to ALL humanity. It used to be that kids would fight hand to hand, and when the fight was over, it was over. Sometimes we even became friends with those with whom we fought. Then it became knives, and the pain that was inflicted was more intense and the scars more permanent and devastating. That struggle was still eye to eye, however, and we struggled together. Now at 50 yards a person can just spray at the OBJECTS around them, disassociating their simple, easy action from what happens far away. With a gun, the damage is permanent and the loss is devastating with very little effort or physical, emotional engagement.
We objectify, vilify and de-humanize others to allow ourselves our "justified" self-centered orientation on the world. It allows us to go unchecked in our greed, hatred, exploitation and apathy toward others around us. It is "us", not AND, but VERSUS "them". We see it in our politics, our economics, our denominations and congregations, our ideologies, and especially the fearful way we see the world and therefore live in it. What is lost is open, genuine human encounters. What is lost is relationship. Store owners used to KNOW their customers, but now it is all about selling more to more, and people are reduced to demographic data. We used to get fired up about OUR candidate and party, and support them while exhibiting some level of respect for their opponents, but now the "other" candidate is vilified and de-humanized in very public and ugly ways, and those who think differently are objectified and held in contempt. Our concern for our selves and those just like us racially, religiously and economically is all we can muster. Anyone else is "on their own". We exploit anyone we can, and blame them for being exploitable. We just ignore anyone who has nothing we want, or whom we perceive is no threat to us. They are non-existent to us, which diminishes our humanity.
In the church, denominations are convinced of their own doctrinal perfection, while belittling others for theirs. Congregations show deep loyalty to their pastors and congregations and the prestige of being associated with them, while having no concern for any others, and even perhaps seeing them as not being of the same faith. Christians are now taught to be all about personal salvation and being blessed and highly favored for themselves. The connection to people of other faiths, other expressions of their own faith or the poor and marginalized is of no concern, even while proclaiming love and loyalty to Jesus, whose teachings in the Gospels are ALL about denying self and serving God by serving others, and especially the most vulnerable. Ignoring what Jesus taught and exemplified, while offering lip service praise and devotion with one's tithes is considered faithfulness. "Getting my praise on, giving my tithes and receiving my blessings and favor" is what it has become for many, at the expense of others around them. Their preachers are very happy with this, because they too are all about their own promotion, prestige, power and wealth, so they objectify the numbers of worshipers who write the checks and have little concern for the people beyond that. What we learn in church diminishes our humanity AND our Christianity because of it.
Our personal survival and thriving is our only concern, so it has become our idol - our god (Paul Tillich). Anyone we leave in our wake is of no concern to us. Some who buy guns are just fascinating with having a killing machine. Some who buy them thrive on a sense of superiority. Others who buy them are so fearful that others have them that they feel they MUST. But it is RARELY mentioned by anyone who is so fearful that their whole orientation is about self-preservation, about the horrible emotional trauma that having to kill someone would mean for them, or anything about the horrible loss felt by the family members and loved ones of the person they would kill. "They" do not deserve such consideration. It is only all about "us" and only our survival and thriving. Our humanity is diminished, or even lost.
It is truly sad what we have become as seen through our children, and how they are acting this out in their schools, neighborhoods and organizations. We cannot complain that they are not learning from us, but rather that they are learning the lessons TOO WELL. We are losing our humanity. We are willingly diminishing our society and our collective humanity, but pridefully throwing away our humanity as individuals, families and groups in America.
What was it that JESUS taught about our humanity with each other in the world?
God, help us to RE-DISCOVER our humanity as we have it in our connection with others around us.
Let it begin with me.
Pastor Jamie
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