James 1:17-27
You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; for your anger does not produce God's righteousness. Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls.
A speakeasy is an establishment that illegally sells alcoholic beverages. They came into prominence during the Prohibition era of the 1920s. According to Wikipedia, though, the term 'speakeasy' might have gotten its start as early as 1888, when saloon owner Kate Hester refused to pay a fee increase from $50 to $500 for a saloon license. She continued to operate, as did others, illegally, but tried to keep the noise in the place down to avoid unwanted attention. Wikipedia reports that when her customers got too rowdy, she would hush them by saying, "Speak easy, boys! Speak easy!"
What does it mean to speak easy? The speaking easy I am referring to isn't a hushed silence in an illegal bar, but a kind of universally appealing thoughtfulness and mindfulness about what we say and do, which might take place in a bar, on a plane, at the dinner table, and in the church.
In today's text, James suggests that it first begins with listening. "Let everyone be quick to listen." It is often my initial reaction in any situation to say something. Anything. Mindless chatter. I'm good at that. And it is rarely helpful. What we should be doing first, says James, is listening. And then when we do offer a comment it should be slowly offered. We should rid ourselves of bad and negative energies that often surround our thoughts and, instead, "welcome with meekness" the word "implanted" in us already. That word (that Spirit, that sense of the Divine) has the "power to save your souls," says James.
James is trying to assist the early church, who, like us, was filled with misbehaving, misaligned, though well-meaning people. He is trying to diagnose sources of their malcontent and offer remedies or at least managed care. Speak when it is well-meaning words you aim to say. Listen profoundly.
We all know this is the case. My sermon and blog "Mouthwash" from a couple of weeks back addresses a similar topic. Watch what you say, don't speak carelessly or harmfully. In that one we talked more about careless language. This one, I think, focuses more on 'intentional dialogue" in the world.
During the year of presidential campaigns and gotcha politics, it is hard to read pie-in-the sky words like James in Chapter 1 and not think, "Impossible." But we know that as Christian people we must. And we know as people who are ambassadors in this area for Niwot UMC we have an obligation to do it.
I invite you to consider your conversations, your dialogues (with yourself and others). What are you doing right? What could you do better? How does the church, at large, speak?
Email me or comment below.
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Rock and Roll Psalms, Part 2: Serenade
Psalm 84
In last Sunday's sermon, I talked about psalms and rock and roll having a message that was often subversive to the dominant culture and often hinting at social action. I mentioned that Walter Brueggemann, a Psalms scholar, saying we often just pick out the 'sunshine and light' psalms when we read from that book, and that we miss the full-bodied message of the Psalms when we do that. Rock and roll music is like that too, I suggested.
That being said, there are psalms that are designed to praise God. Designed to remind us and prompt us to let go of that which holds us and grasp on to the peace that God provides. Such is Psalm 84. A psalm which reminds us of the sheer and utter joy we have just because we have a God who cares for us.
We needn't worry about our children or grandchildren as they spread their wings because God shelters, for example. Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O LORD of hosts, my King and my God. Happy are those who live in your house, ever singing your praise. Selah
We are assured good things if we walk as godly people, the psalm reminds us. Darkness may creep in, but with the right attitude, we are sure to feel God's goodness with us, even so. For the LORD God is a sun and shield; he bestows favor and honor. No good thing does the LORD withhold from those who walk uprightly.
In last Sunday's sermon, I talked about psalms and rock and roll having a message that was often subversive to the dominant culture and often hinting at social action. I mentioned that Walter Brueggemann, a Psalms scholar, saying we often just pick out the 'sunshine and light' psalms when we read from that book, and that we miss the full-bodied message of the Psalms when we do that. Rock and roll music is like that too, I suggested.
That being said, there are psalms that are designed to praise God. Designed to remind us and prompt us to let go of that which holds us and grasp on to the peace that God provides. Such is Psalm 84. A psalm which reminds us of the sheer and utter joy we have just because we have a God who cares for us.
We needn't worry about our children or grandchildren as they spread their wings because God shelters, for example. Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O LORD of hosts, my King and my God. Happy are those who live in your house, ever singing your praise. Selah
We are assured good things if we walk as godly people, the psalm reminds us. Darkness may creep in, but with the right attitude, we are sure to feel God's goodness with us, even so. For the LORD God is a sun and shield; he bestows favor and honor. No good thing does the LORD withhold from those who walk uprightly.
Sometimes the right song/psalm is a song that reminds you to praise. To look around you and give thanks for every good thing, large or small, that blesses your life. A roof over your head, the stars, the wind, the sun, time spent together.
In Serenade, the Steve Miller Band sings such words of praise. "Did you feel the wind as it blew all around? ... The sun comes up and it shines all around."
This Sunday is our kick off to the fall season at NUMC. We are combining our annual Feast of Beginnings kick off with our annual Summer Picnic. We have much for which we can praise the Lord! Talented people of all ages, encouraging youth, vibrant children and an absolutely brilliant future ahead of us.
What are you thankful for at NUMC? What brings you joy? I'd love to hear from you. Email or comment below.
Peace.
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Rock and Roll Psalms—Part 1: Handle With Care
Psalm 34: 9-14
On Fire, our beloved band, returns to us this week for a two-week engagement. And we are focusing on the outpouring of emotion found in the musical lyrics of both the Hebrew Bible's Psalms and soul-filled classic rock.
In Psalm 34 we read, The young lions suffer want and hunger, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing... Which of you desires life, and covets many days to enjoy good? ... Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
In "Handle With Care" we hear "I've been fobbed off and I've been fooled. I've been robbed and ridiculed. In day care centers and night schools. Handle me with care.... I'm so tired of being lonely. I still have some love to give. Won't you show me that you really care?"
Joining forces in this outpouring lyric of emotion, we feel the longing of the psalmist and the lyricist to just be protected and loved. The psalmist is convinced that trusting in God can keep the 'bad stuff' away, or at least make it bearable. The lyricist is sure that being with another human can keep the 'bad stuff' away, or at least make it bearable.
Such is life. We stand in the midst of an open field, or in the center of a crowded mall, and we cry out (either literally or just inside ourselves)... "Why do I feel so alone?" And we long for that sense of purpose, that sense of belonging to someone else besides ourselves, that sense that someone cares for us so deeply that no matter what happens we know we are loved.
What songs or Psalms do you turn to in times of loneliness? What activities do you pursue when you need to 'get on with life'? How do you handle times when the 'lonelies' or the 'dissatisfied doldrums' set in? What role does God or your faith play in all of this, either good or bad?
Email me or comment below. I am so looking forward to rockin' out with you and On Fire for the next couple of weeks.
On Fire, our beloved band, returns to us this week for a two-week engagement. And we are focusing on the outpouring of emotion found in the musical lyrics of both the Hebrew Bible's Psalms and soul-filled classic rock.
In Psalm 34 we read, The young lions suffer want and hunger, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing... Which of you desires life, and covets many days to enjoy good? ... Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
In "Handle With Care" we hear "I've been fobbed off and I've been fooled. I've been robbed and ridiculed. In day care centers and night schools. Handle me with care.... I'm so tired of being lonely. I still have some love to give. Won't you show me that you really care?"
Joining forces in this outpouring lyric of emotion, we feel the longing of the psalmist and the lyricist to just be protected and loved. The psalmist is convinced that trusting in God can keep the 'bad stuff' away, or at least make it bearable. The lyricist is sure that being with another human can keep the 'bad stuff' away, or at least make it bearable.
Such is life. We stand in the midst of an open field, or in the center of a crowded mall, and we cry out (either literally or just inside ourselves)... "Why do I feel so alone?" And we long for that sense of purpose, that sense of belonging to someone else besides ourselves, that sense that someone cares for us so deeply that no matter what happens we know we are loved.
What songs or Psalms do you turn to in times of loneliness? What activities do you pursue when you need to 'get on with life'? How do you handle times when the 'lonelies' or the 'dissatisfied doldrums' set in? What role does God or your faith play in all of this, either good or bad?
Email me or comment below. I am so looking forward to rockin' out with you and On Fire for the next couple of weeks.
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Mouthwash
Ephesians 4:25-5:2
Almost everyone remembers a parent or grandparent saying, "I'm gonna wash your mouth out with soap" in response to a curse word or an angry outburst from a child or grandchild. And some of us may have, indeed, have our mouths literally washed out with soap. Ew.
Today is Paul's version of that with the Ephesians. He is encouraging them to speak with kindness and the love of Christ. It is important to note that he isn't saying to be sugary sweet and fake or artificial. In fact, he acknowledges the legitimacy of anger, saying:
Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not make room for the devil...
He follows this up by encouraging them, even when they are angry, to "let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear."
What useful words in the midst of today's violent and hate-filled rhetoric about politics, social issues, topics of race, gender, class and sexual orientation, etc. We don't seem to "get" what being a Christian is about, at least in terms of what Paul suggests here.
Injustice is something to be angry about. But creating more injustice by spouting off our mouths in violent and destructive ways only contributes to the injustice. Feeling ignored or insignificant is something to be angry about. But letting our anger boil over inside of us until we spew it out in a rage against someone or some institution only contributes to our own feelings of inadequacy.
How can we heed Paul's advice as Christians in 2012? What can we do to contribute "only what is useful for building up" as we go about our daily lives? What can we do to make people see that the Christ we follow isn't about taking sides, but about allowing for grace to enter?
Email me or comment below. Peace be with you.
Almost everyone remembers a parent or grandparent saying, "I'm gonna wash your mouth out with soap" in response to a curse word or an angry outburst from a child or grandchild. And some of us may have, indeed, have our mouths literally washed out with soap. Ew.
Today is Paul's version of that with the Ephesians. He is encouraging them to speak with kindness and the love of Christ. It is important to note that he isn't saying to be sugary sweet and fake or artificial. In fact, he acknowledges the legitimacy of anger, saying:
Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not make room for the devil...
He follows this up by encouraging them, even when they are angry, to "let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear."
What useful words in the midst of today's violent and hate-filled rhetoric about politics, social issues, topics of race, gender, class and sexual orientation, etc. We don't seem to "get" what being a Christian is about, at least in terms of what Paul suggests here.
Injustice is something to be angry about. But creating more injustice by spouting off our mouths in violent and destructive ways only contributes to the injustice. Feeling ignored or insignificant is something to be angry about. But letting our anger boil over inside of us until we spew it out in a rage against someone or some institution only contributes to our own feelings of inadequacy.
How can we heed Paul's advice as Christians in 2012? What can we do to contribute "only what is useful for building up" as we go about our daily lives? What can we do to make people see that the Christ we follow isn't about taking sides, but about allowing for grace to enter?
Email me or comment below. Peace be with you.
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