The pastor and writer Frederick Buechner speaks of a conversation, miles away from his church congregation, in his summer house near the top of a small mountain in Vermont with the hills turning lavender and the horses swatting flies with their tails. In the conversation someone asked him "Why on earth do you ever leave this place?" He goes on to theologize why indeed we ever leave such places; why does the human constantly feel impelled to leave a wonderful setting and move on to a new adventure.
Why would someone like myself go to spend four years in one of the best communities that I could imagine let alone experience in person? Why would I leave the cherished relationships of mentoring adults and encouraging peers in a strong healthy church? Why would I leave the late night conversations with brilliant minds concerning the universe, human nature, and our creator God? Why would I leave friends with whom I have not only built beautiful memories but also by whom I am well-known and thus encouraged, admonished, and discipled in an unparalleled way?
Buechner wishes that he could answer with the obligation to return to his congregation. That "there is enough of the puritan in all of us to make us feel a little guilty about living a life that is too easy and peaceful, especially in a world where there is little ease and little peace." But none of the answers truly respond to the question "Why do we ever leave?"
The sermon is one that really challenged me, and I want to share a bit of Buechners conversation with you: "Whether we all know it and acknowledge it or not, we are all voyagers on the same sea, and I suspect that the stories that describe our vayages best are ones like Moby Dick, Huckleberry Finn, Don Quizote, and the Odyssey, or any of the fairy tales taht show a man starting out on a high adventure, not always sure what his goal is or what grim hazards he willl meet on the way to it but sure only that the prize at the end of the road will be worth more than whatever it costs him to reach it. We are Captian Ahab out to find the great white whale, and Huck floating down the Mississippi on his raft toward freedom. We are Odysseus lashed to the mast as the sirens sing their song, and we are Frod the Hobbit, in Tolkiens The Lord of the Rings, daring alll the horors of Mordor to get rid of his terrible burden. Jesus himslef tells stories like these. There is the merchant who spends his life searching for fine pearls until finally he comes across one of such splendor that he sells all the rest to buy it. There is the man who is walking through a field somewhere when to his amazement he discovers a great treasure buried there and then "in his joy," Jesus says, sells all that he has to buy that field."
The point is that we are all seeking to be what Buechner refers to as "saints." God is making us "to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ." I don't know if I will ever have a completely satisfactory answer for why I would leave 20 or so of the people that I count very dearest to me, knowing that I will likely never continue any of those relationships to any significant depth. And I don't even expect that God will refill the chasm created by those lost relationships. Depression? No. I have no doubt that in time my love will be wholeheartedly devoted to new relationships. But I am equally convinced that I will never be glad that it was deemed right to leave my best friends.
I learn that living is leaving. Becoming a saint is constantly moving. Buechner caps the story: "The woman who asked me the question would have been justly horrified if I had answered her by saying, 'I leave here to become a saint,' and I would never have had the courage to say it even if it had occurred to me at the time, but in a way I believe it is the truth for us all. Beneath all our yearning for whatever glitters brightest in this world lies our yearning for this kind of life."
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Thursday, May 31, 2012
A theologian speaks about a musician
A short compilation of writings on Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart seem out of Karl Barth's normal subject matter. 8936 pages are used to display his monumental Church Dogmatics. He has, however, altered a musicians perspective on the life and work of Mozart. I was one that has discounted Mozart as "fluff," "repetitive," and "predictable." I must reconsider. Here are just a few of my favorite quotes:
"I even have to confess taht if I ever get to heaven, I would first of all seek out Mozart and only then inquire after Augustine, St. Thomas, Luther, Calvin, and Schleiermacher. How am I to explain this? In a few words perhaps this way: our daily bread must also include playing. I hear Mozart - both younger and older - at play. But play is something so lofty and demanding that it requires mastery. And in Mozart I hear an art of playing as I hear it in no one else. Beautiful playing presupposes an intuitive, childlike awareness of the essence or center - as also the beginning and the end - of all things. It is from this center, from this beginning and end, that I heard Mozart create his music."
And I must attribute my first reminder that music is play to Susan Heninger. I have often credited
her with the knowledge that the hard work of excellent musicianship is ultimately "play."
"I am one of those Protestants of whom Mozart is supposted to have once said that we probably could not properly understand the Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi. Pardon me - Mozart probably knows better now. Still, I don't want to trouble Mozart with theology on this point..."
And finally a quote that I think most musicians will acknowledge paints beautiful verbal picture with accurate insight:
"Once upon a time I formulated my notion [of the state of music in heaven] this way: it may be that when the angels go about their task of praising God, they play only Bach. I am sure, however, that when they are together en famille, they play Mozart and that then too our dear Lord listens with special pleasure."
"I even have to confess taht if I ever get to heaven, I would first of all seek out Mozart and only then inquire after Augustine, St. Thomas, Luther, Calvin, and Schleiermacher. How am I to explain this? In a few words perhaps this way: our daily bread must also include playing. I hear Mozart - both younger and older - at play. But play is something so lofty and demanding that it requires mastery. And in Mozart I hear an art of playing as I hear it in no one else. Beautiful playing presupposes an intuitive, childlike awareness of the essence or center - as also the beginning and the end - of all things. It is from this center, from this beginning and end, that I heard Mozart create his music."
And I must attribute my first reminder that music is play to Susan Heninger. I have often credited
her with the knowledge that the hard work of excellent musicianship is ultimately "play."
"I am one of those Protestants of whom Mozart is supposted to have once said that we probably could not properly understand the Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi. Pardon me - Mozart probably knows better now. Still, I don't want to trouble Mozart with theology on this point..."
And finally a quote that I think most musicians will acknowledge paints beautiful verbal picture with accurate insight:
"Once upon a time I formulated my notion [of the state of music in heaven] this way: it may be that when the angels go about their task of praising God, they play only Bach. I am sure, however, that when they are together en famille, they play Mozart and that then too our dear Lord listens with special pleasure."
Monday, May 21, 2012
Keeping God's Earth
This book has altered my perspective.
I've grown up with a disinterested view of environmentalism. It's not that I didn't think recycling wasn't valuable or more blatantly that the earth was made for humans and we might as well get what we can out of it as fast as possible. No, I didn't think in those terms, but I have been apathetic.
Following the demanding lines of "The Treasure Principle" and "Discipleship," this book leaves no wiggle room for practical application. You can disagree with the exegesis, but if you accept the exegesis you are forced into rigorous demands for a new way of life. In this case, a way of life that is more concerned about the Biblical Perspective on the Global Environment.
I suppose its easy to be disinterested in the environment that I call home. I have a new respect because of the global perspective. For example, the average U. S. resident is responsible for 176 gallons of water use per day. In Africa, per capita water use is 10 gallons (with a wide range above and and going as low as 3 gallons per day) and many of those people have no access to sanitary water. Me using less water for my shower might not help them, but selfless efforts like this do, and they show the love of the church for the human race that God has created.
The demand of the book, however, is not found in its explanation of man's needs. The demand is found in the Scriptural mandates to care for the earth. God has given every thing for our food (Gen. 9), but He has not taken away our mandate to act as stewards and gardeners. Block argues that even the imago Dei is less an image of selfish dominion and more and image of caretaking stewardship, for the Lord who will one day return and ask what we have done with the talents he has given us.
My perspective is changed. I'm not convinced that man can or should stop global warming. I'm not convinced that paper is better than plastic. But I am convinced that stewardship is my responsibility, possibly one of my primary responsibilities.
I've grown up with a disinterested view of environmentalism. It's not that I didn't think recycling wasn't valuable or more blatantly that the earth was made for humans and we might as well get what we can out of it as fast as possible. No, I didn't think in those terms, but I have been apathetic.
Following the demanding lines of "The Treasure Principle" and "Discipleship," this book leaves no wiggle room for practical application. You can disagree with the exegesis, but if you accept the exegesis you are forced into rigorous demands for a new way of life. In this case, a way of life that is more concerned about the Biblical Perspective on the Global Environment.
I suppose its easy to be disinterested in the environment that I call home. I have a new respect because of the global perspective. For example, the average U. S. resident is responsible for 176 gallons of water use per day. In Africa, per capita water use is 10 gallons (with a wide range above and and going as low as 3 gallons per day) and many of those people have no access to sanitary water. Me using less water for my shower might not help them, but selfless efforts like this do, and they show the love of the church for the human race that God has created.
The demand of the book, however, is not found in its explanation of man's needs. The demand is found in the Scriptural mandates to care for the earth. God has given every thing for our food (Gen. 9), but He has not taken away our mandate to act as stewards and gardeners. Block argues that even the imago Dei is less an image of selfish dominion and more and image of caretaking stewardship, for the Lord who will one day return and ask what we have done with the talents he has given us.
My perspective is changed. I'm not convinced that man can or should stop global warming. I'm not convinced that paper is better than plastic. But I am convinced that stewardship is my responsibility, possibly one of my primary responsibilities.
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Why I'm Voting for Scott Walker
I recently overheard a neighbor complaining about the fact that soon our parks will be gone and our roads will be in disarray because the government is stopping spending money. "Just you watch and see, if the [republicans] have their way it will happen."
I mourned. Not because he's wrong. Because he's absolutely right and he thinks its wrong. His "recall Walker" and "recall Fitzgerald signs" were recently replaced with two democratic candidates. He spends money to keep them lighted and visible 24/7. I'll shoot straight and admit that he has one of the best reasons I can think of for being so adamant about his views: He has worked for the government his entire life. I don't want to work for the government for my entire life. It's called socialism, and I think it's a poor system of government.
Anyway, as I was saying, he's exactly right. For years, we've been spending money we don't have. And when we don't personally have it, we call the government thinking they can help us. For generations, our forefathers worked their butts off, until at a critical time in each of our histories, someone made the call to move to the land of opportunity. Now that we are here, we are personally responsible for the fact that it will soon be gone. I don't want my children to have to work their butts off for my grandchildren who will have to move to a new land of opportunity because I destroyed this one. Maybe it will mean that I have to live within my income. Maybe it will mean that I will actually have to work a little harder if I want a little more. I have one of the best qualities of life on the planet; as much as I think my car and my books and my kayak is important. I like the public parks, but if we don't have enough money I think we will be able to do without them. We can hang out in our backyards with our children- at least they're not working 12 hours a day in horrible conditions... yet.
This message was paid for by www.blogspot.com, a website that... I'm not really sure how they make their money. Ironically, its not the government. But its probably making money for more than its inventor. Its probably raking in funds and jobs for the investors and companies that advertise somewhere on its domain. This message was brought to you on a macbook paid for by my father. Not, mind you, by choice, but rather because the government allocated his funds towards a program that paid for a significant portion of my computer. The money probably would have paid for all of the computer if it didn't have to go through the IRS and countless other bureaucratic positions. I was happy that the same government paid for a significant portion of my school bill, but come to think of it, I bet the money would have paid for my entire school bill if it didn't go through the same process as the computer money.
I mourned. Not because he's wrong. Because he's absolutely right and he thinks its wrong. His "recall Walker" and "recall Fitzgerald signs" were recently replaced with two democratic candidates. He spends money to keep them lighted and visible 24/7. I'll shoot straight and admit that he has one of the best reasons I can think of for being so adamant about his views: He has worked for the government his entire life. I don't want to work for the government for my entire life. It's called socialism, and I think it's a poor system of government.
Anyway, as I was saying, he's exactly right. For years, we've been spending money we don't have. And when we don't personally have it, we call the government thinking they can help us. For generations, our forefathers worked their butts off, until at a critical time in each of our histories, someone made the call to move to the land of opportunity. Now that we are here, we are personally responsible for the fact that it will soon be gone. I don't want my children to have to work their butts off for my grandchildren who will have to move to a new land of opportunity because I destroyed this one. Maybe it will mean that I have to live within my income. Maybe it will mean that I will actually have to work a little harder if I want a little more. I have one of the best qualities of life on the planet; as much as I think my car and my books and my kayak is important. I like the public parks, but if we don't have enough money I think we will be able to do without them. We can hang out in our backyards with our children- at least they're not working 12 hours a day in horrible conditions... yet.
This message was paid for by www.blogspot.com, a website that... I'm not really sure how they make their money. Ironically, its not the government. But its probably making money for more than its inventor. Its probably raking in funds and jobs for the investors and companies that advertise somewhere on its domain. This message was brought to you on a macbook paid for by my father. Not, mind you, by choice, but rather because the government allocated his funds towards a program that paid for a significant portion of my computer. The money probably would have paid for all of the computer if it didn't have to go through the IRS and countless other bureaucratic positions. I was happy that the same government paid for a significant portion of my school bill, but come to think of it, I bet the money would have paid for my entire school bill if it didn't go through the same process as the computer money.
Friday, May 18, 2012
Love and Respect
"When Nehemiah led his men in rebuilding the wall and fighting off the enemy, he urged them to 'fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives' (Nehemiah 4:14). Something in a man longs for his wife to look up to him as he fulfills this role. And when she does, it motivates him, not because he is arrogant, but because of how God has constructed him. Few husbands walk around claiming, 'I'm first among equals.' The husband with goodwill knows this isn't his right, but it is his responsibility. She, on the other hand, possesses something within that thirsts to be valued as 'first in importance.' Nothing energizes her more! She is not self-centered. God placed this in her by nature."
In his book, "Love and Respect," Dr. Eggerichs seeks to exegete and discuss the reason that Paul writes in Ephesians 5:33, "Each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband." He considers it no coincidence that the husband is to love and the wife is to respect. His argument is then that Western contemporary culture has not correctly distinguished between the two and couples are unable to obey Ephesians 5:33 without such a proper understanding. He argues that the husbands greatest desire is for his wife to respect him. Dr. Eggerichs even points to statistics that suggest a man would rather hear his wife give a list of reasons that she respects him than a list of reasons that she loves him. On the other side, a wife's greatest desire is for her husband to love her. She wants him to roll out the red carpet for her, not out of respect but as evidence that she is of first importance to him and is dearly loved.
In a world where the church is reacting to proper and improper modes of feminism, "Love and Respect" has clarified the desires of husbands and wives and has given a new framework to discuss the ways that those desires can be fulfilled. I'm thankful to have read it before marriage is anywhere near my horizon.
In his book, "Love and Respect," Dr. Eggerichs seeks to exegete and discuss the reason that Paul writes in Ephesians 5:33, "Each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband." He considers it no coincidence that the husband is to love and the wife is to respect. His argument is then that Western contemporary culture has not correctly distinguished between the two and couples are unable to obey Ephesians 5:33 without such a proper understanding. He argues that the husbands greatest desire is for his wife to respect him. Dr. Eggerichs even points to statistics that suggest a man would rather hear his wife give a list of reasons that she respects him than a list of reasons that she loves him. On the other side, a wife's greatest desire is for her husband to love her. She wants him to roll out the red carpet for her, not out of respect but as evidence that she is of first importance to him and is dearly loved.
In a world where the church is reacting to proper and improper modes of feminism, "Love and Respect" has clarified the desires of husbands and wives and has given a new framework to discuss the ways that those desires can be fulfilled. I'm thankful to have read it before marriage is anywhere near my horizon.
Thursday, May 17, 2012
The right tool
Scraping duct tape residue off a window is not a fun task. Poor thoughts were running through my mind concerning the people who thought it was a good idea to hang the window signs with duct tape. "I wish they were hear to see what a problem they've caused." "I'd make them take it off, so they'd never dare do it again." "Here I am again, cleaning up someone else's mess." "Why didn't they take a moment to use the right tool for the job - masking or scotch tape."
Even goo gone was helpless against the little dots stuck from last summer. What a pain. After dozens of minutes, I decided to take my chance and put a paint scraper to the window. I figured it wouldn't help, and worse that it would in some way damage the window. I was totally wrong. Come to find out, it was exactly the right tool for the job, leaving me with the task complete in a matter of seconds. Literally felt like cutting butter - not even that hard stick of butter that you get from the fridge and is extra hard to put on the toast. No, were talking about butter thats been in the cupboard for a few hours.
Thanks God, for the reminder of the importance of the right tools. Just like the right words are so much more effective whether in a speech, a note of encouragement, or a careful admonishment. The extra minutes that it takes to research and obtain the right tools is so worth the end result.
Even goo gone was helpless against the little dots stuck from last summer. What a pain. After dozens of minutes, I decided to take my chance and put a paint scraper to the window. I figured it wouldn't help, and worse that it would in some way damage the window. I was totally wrong. Come to find out, it was exactly the right tool for the job, leaving me with the task complete in a matter of seconds. Literally felt like cutting butter - not even that hard stick of butter that you get from the fridge and is extra hard to put on the toast. No, were talking about butter thats been in the cupboard for a few hours.
Thanks God, for the reminder of the importance of the right tools. Just like the right words are so much more effective whether in a speech, a note of encouragement, or a careful admonishment. The extra minutes that it takes to research and obtain the right tools is so worth the end result.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
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