Parakalein

Wars are not winnable.  Someone always loses his or her life and his or her spouse, parent, or child!

Where Love wins all war will end!

On this Memorial Day I have a dream.  Maybe it is more of a vision.  The nightmare of war dominates the landscape of humanity.  On the horizon we see the message of peace.  Even as the tsunami of war rises the hope for peace persists.  Memorial Day does not celebrate war it mourns it.  It honors those who sacrificed their lives for peace.

Memorial Day will one day be a historic decoration of the graves of those who did not die in vain in fact we will honor their their deaths pointed humanity, with the finger of oneness, to the fallacy of winning a war.

A day when peace will cover all nations and roll over all the world as a solemn and sacred solidarity of humanity leads us to peaceful resolutions of all disagreements.  Maturity of character and mutual respectfulness as characteristic will have replaced self-cenetered and self-serving competition between nations. Where healthy competition that enhances the well being of all members of earth meets the compassion of all towards all so that no nation has to give their young to the altar of war.  Cooperation and compassion rather than imposition and intrusion will be the hallmarks of that peaceful world.

On that day memorial day would be celebrated through out the whole world.  All will reflect on those who sacrificed their lives in wars who helped us to see once and for all the utter felicity and fallacy of war and the propellent of better ways to resolve conflict.  One day there will be "liberty and justice and peace for all people of earth".

The first Memorial Day in the USA was celebrated on May 30th, 1868.   General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic:

"The 30th of May, 1868 is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land, in this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit."

During the first celebration of Decoration Day, General James Garfield made a speech at Arlington National Cemetery, after which 5,000 participants helped decorate the graves of 20,000 union and confederate soldiers buried in the cemetery.

Weeping for soldiers on both sides of the war, united the nation in its sorrow. It was in this vein that Lincoln called on the nation. "With malice toward, and

The vision is that in all countries of earth, soldiers on both sides of all wars will be honored for their willingness to sacrifice, while all earth affirms the lesson of war.  In the end we all lose someone or something.  When we learn that wars can be justified, while no war is just we will make a step in the direction of peace.  Peace, not as the end of conflicts of disagreements but as an end to using any form of power or coercion to impose or intrude on another's freedom, as the way to sustain "liberty and justice for all"!

Amen!

As I concluded my last post I recalled a wisdom statement from Amy Carmichael, missionary to India.

She said whenever deciding what to say or write, you should ask three questions in this order:

Is is True?

Is it Kind?

Is it Necessary?

We would say less and suffer less if we all guarded our speech with that triage of questions.  Only when you can say the truth, be kind, and speak what is necessary should you speak.

Is that what Mephibosbeth modeled? (see 5/21/14 blog)

I wonder.  He was kind, forgiving, and other focused.  Hmm!

So my prayer is, Mold me into one with a discerning heart. Amen

I recently read a comment on a Biblical story that troubled me.  What troubles me was that the passage was only partially quoted.  We all can see things differently and being open to that can make a difference in the world. Was this a mistake in judgment? Is this the cause of David's kingdom being divided or is this the result of David learning and receiving discernment? No one is always right.

In II Samuel 9-20, there are several accounts of Absalom's conspiracy to overthrow David.  David had discovered that Mephibosbeth was a handicapped grandson of Saul and so David afforded him protection of the kingdom and the inheritance of Saul.  Mephibosbeth, crippled in both feet, had responded with "eternal loyalty" to David.  David had honored him with his grandfather's (Saul) inheritance. Ziba a servant of Saul's household was given to him.  Later on when a conspiracy arose and David fled Jerusalem, Mephibosbeth handicap made it difficult to leave so Ziba pledged to go in his stead and represent his desire to flee with David to him.  When David say Mephibosbeth was not with him and asked him he gave this response, "He is staying in Jerusalem, ...because he thinks that the kingdom of his grandfather will be restored to him."(16:3).  David then awards all that Mephibosbeth had to Ziba.  Later after the conspiracy was over and David returned to Jerusalem, Mephibosbeth approached David and David asked him why he had not accompanied him.  Mephibosbeth answered "My Lord, since your servant is lame, I said I would have my donkey saddled and would ride on it so I can go with the King. But Ziba, my servant betrayed me to you" (19:24).  David declared that the wealth of Saul would be shared equally by Ziba and Mephibosbeth (19:25).  Mephibosbeth responded, "Let him have everything, now that my king has arrived safely home" (19:26)

The interpretation by some is that David lost his kingdom due to his not standing against Ziba's betrayal and returning everything to Mephibosbeth.  As I read this story and looked for later details of this action, I found no account that the wealth was ever split.  David had made mistakes and had learned many hard lessons during this time (II Samuel 9-20). I do not think this was one of them. This is about "collective wisdom". Finding a way to discern who is truthful then acting accordingly.  Like David's lesson at the hand of Nathan. Truthfulness is discernible when the heart is right.

In this instance, I think David said he would divide the inheritance, which obviously was important to Ziba, to see Mephibosbeth reaction. It was not a final determination.  It may have been to discern truth and loyalty.  He was discerning Mephibosbeth's heart. When David said he would divide the wealth between the two of them, it was to watch the response.  The person who told the story, quoted Mephibosbeth's response:  "Give it all to him".  That sounds like an angry response. The implication is that the statement revealed that David could not put the words of the betrayer out of his head and believed them to at least some degree.  This would be an error. David had learned to be discerning from having poor discernment. He had let his emotions rule his judgement but no this time.That is not the whole truth as Mephibosbeth added that he was just glad that David was home.  Had he respond with accusations of unfairness and injustice it would say one thing to the King.  He chose to respond with, "give him everything, I have no ill feelings toward him and am simply glad you are well and have returned to Jerusalem".  Kindness and benevolence were revealed in his heart and David acted accordingly.  Whose interpreter is correct?  Mine gives some credit to David's growth curve. For me the whole phrase is more important than a part of the phrase.  Parsing phrases creates splits in understanding. Adding words can do the same.  Honestly I see the words I added to make it seem, I am right.  Being open to see that, keeps my heart open to my colleague.  For me it is interesting that years later Solomon would demonstrate this same wisdom to determine who was the real mother. He had no intention of cutting the child in two just ordered it to see the heart. The woman who was willing to have the child cut in two was not the mother but the one who was willing to give him up, was the true mother.  Solomon discerned true loyalty by this wise judgment. David discerned true loyalty by this wise judgment.

Often times we think we know what a person has done by the words they say. Sometimes our biases effects our perception.  By looking closer we can discern a deeper truth. David's kingdom was divided, true.  It was due to poor judgments, true.  That this particular judgment was the catalyst for the division of the kingdom is divisive.  I am not saying, it was a wise decision. I am saying it was wise to present it to discern a better decision.

David like all of us, had made lots of bad decisions that had created divisions.  But to interpret this statement as a cause of his divided kingdom is to miss the larger point.  Loyalty and truth are sometimes hard to discern but there is a way to test the heart, to know the heart.  This is the wisdom of discernment in action, a matter of the heart.

May God grant all of us discerning hearts and minds.  This is a gift that will keep on giving.

PS  When I began to blog this I was going to mention the person with whom I disagreed.  Discernment had me realize I did not have to do that to make my point. There are always two ways to look at anything which is really the most important point.  What is the most beneficial, to the most people, is an act of discernment.

I blogged a couple years ago about their not being any such thing as "Righteous or Just War".

It upset people whose sons and daughters have died in wars as some interpreted me to say that we should not have gone to war.  People wanted to fight me on their interpretation of my premise.

I did not mean that I do not honor the lives of men and women who have sacrificed their lives for peace in the world.  The very freedom we can sometimes take for granted was not free.  It has a price.  Sadly too often the price is dead soldiers.

What I want to say is that War never ends conflict.  As Bill Clinton noted well in a speech at the 2008 Democratic Convention, "The world is more impressed by the power of our presence (to act with kindness in the world) than they are by the presence of our power (to crush our enemies under our feet)".

Hating the enemy is the battle cry of all wars.  Even the war to end all wars did not end all wars. The battle cry of God is Love Your enemies.  The Battle of Armageddon is not a battle of military might but of the presence of the eternal and transforming love of God.  The word Armageddon is made up of two Hebrew words that mean Mountain and Valley.  This battle levels the playing field, has no place, or is ubiquitously here and there.  It is where all the forces of hatred are melt away in the presence of Love and Grace.

War is what we do because there is no trust to do otherwise.

Love is what you do when you know otherwise.

We can justify going to war.  We can celebrate defeating the enemy.  Justifying war does not make war just.

Jesus died to end all wars not to win a war!

"The strife is over, the battle is done" means war ends as love begins.

Wars are not winnable.  Someone always loses.

Love wins and ends all war!

In this book Chad Gibbs challenges us to truly understand what it means to love your enemies.

In each chapter he begins with a quote.  One of them is "I hate quotes".  There is nothing I hate more than when people quote things out of context.  However, who am I to address the issue of context as none of us knows 100% the context of anything.



In one chapter he quotes, Psalm 139, "I Have nothing but hatred for them, I count them my enemies".  This is verse 22.  The context is this entire Psalm and perhaps all the Psalms as when originally given there were no chapters of verses just a flowing document with a clear focus.  Hmm?

So to context:  verse 19 follows an emphasis on the quality of transparency and openness before God. In the first verse (the chapters and verses are helpful for navigating and addressing issues but let's always remember that they are not inspired) David says, "O Lord you have searched me and know me".  Affirming that God already knows all is a good place to start.  He affirms God's love and grace.  Is he on his way to prove or ask something?  Honestly do we not all, at times, do that?  Then in verse 19 he says,"If only you would slay the wicked oh God.  Away from me you blood thirsty men.  They speak of you with evil intent, your adversaries misuse your name.  Do I not hate those who hate you oh Lord and abhor those who rise up against you?  I have nothing but hatred for them, I count them my enemies!"  

Projecting God's response, what nerve for me to do so, I confess the arrogance but to make a point here goes:  Really David you count them as your enemies.  Interesting as I have no enemies?

It sounds like David is asking God for an "Atta boy, David.  Let's kill off all our enemies then there will be peace in our land!  Sounds good.  It is all wrong!

Hatred even if it has a good focus is wrong as it feeds on the venom that it says it hates.  In the end we die!  We loose our effectiveness to make difference.

Notice what God whispers into David's heart in the next verse.  Was it, "Love your enemies".  An affirmation that you have  a point David, they do have evil intent, they do misuse my name is followed by a, "you too David".  You are misusing my name and you have evil intent. Wo! Really? Yes.

David got what we often miss in this passage.  Being right does not make you right.  Hating anything does not make that thing stop or go away.  Rather it fuels it and strengthens its venom.

I can hear David saying.  O My God.  It is me that is the problem not them.  Counting them as my enemies does not put me on the side of God unless it is to love them as God loves them.  Love is what transforms even if it is abused, misused, and refused.

Verses 23-24: "Search me O God and know my heart test me and know my anxious thoughts See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting." 

The everlasting way is the way of love and transformation not the way of hatred and perpetuation.

So let me apply.  I do not hate when people take things out of context.  I hate when I do.  I commit to trying to be faithful to the context.  The context and content of Chad's book is to challenge us to "love our enemies".  Their is no such thing as righteous hatred unless you are righteous.  None of us is!  Chad is right on when he implies that idealization and idolization create a pathway for hatred.

Jesus' idea was and is, "love your enemies".  It is the pathway to peace.  Love is the greatest of the things that last forever for it transforms everything and everyone in its path.

"Lead us in the everlasting way of love and peace"  Amen

The NBA, its players and fans, have united as one to say: We Are One on the issue of maturity of character and mutual respectfulness of all regardless of anything.

The "We Are One" chants in the NBA were spurned by the racial slurs of Mr. Donald Sterling.  The Los Angeles Clippers which he formerly owned launched a web site http://www.nba.com/clippers/one It has become a rally point for the NBA.  It affirms that all people regardless of anything have the right of mutual respect and anything short of that is unacceptable. The NBA commissioner, Mr. Adam Silver banned Mr. Sterling from the NBA and any association with the NBA for life.  This decisive action and clear directive to stand as one with all players and owners on the issue of no racial discrimination and universal inclusion is a challenge to all of us.

My hope is that churches might follow this trend and clearly declare that "We Are One" even though we may disagree on many issues, "We are One" when it comes to embracing maturity of character and mutual respectfulness.

Jesus prayed that we might be one.  It may be time that we, act as one.  Even if only on this one issue.

Maybe Churches could start a chant:  "WE Are One"!  We do not have to sell T-Shirts like the NBA is but we do need to take seriously the challenge to stand as one and be counted!  Congratulations to the NBA for doing so.

Regardless of who wins the NBA Finals this year, the Clippers have challenged all of us to affirm our "Oneness" which is our greatest "Affirmative Action"!   Congratulations to the leadership of the NBA, the Clipper organization, and for all who join the "We Are One" focus.  They took a negative experience and have turned it into a "Rally to Live As One".  In the final analysis of what really is important, winning, the "WE ARE ONE" focus, makes us all champions. Everyone wins when we are one and live as one.  John Lenin sang of it.  Jesus spoke to it.  It is on us to live into it!

We Are One!

I was, along with many, saddened and angered at the lack of attention the abduction of 300 teenage school girls girls in Nigeria has received.  It happened on April 14th and even with all the social media and techs available we are only hearing about it now.  Rev Alexis Fuller-Wright a UCC pastor in Maine has called us to action. I join with the UCC and others in calling for special prayers on Mother's day as the hearts of all of us grieve this atrocity! Old South Church in Boston has located the names of many of the missing girls.  God knows them all by name and our prayers will go up for them all.

Mother's Day is set aside to pray for the holding of children in our arms as stewards of God's gift of life and earth.  May we join together to do so and may our uniting as one, cause the release of all these innocent girls

Cardinal John Onalyskanb the archbishop of Abuja highlights "we are terribly ashamed" of the lack of media coverage of this hostility.

He reported today that 53 have escaped which leaves more than 247 still in captivity being sold for as little as $12.00 each.

The God of the Universe who gives life to all and who calls on all of us to respect treasure and protect the least among us calls on all of us to pray and demonstrate outrage at the act and also at the silent complicity of the world.

Thankfully until Now!!!

"Let the little children come unto me for of such is the kingdom of God"

Recently I felt I was not at the top of my game as a therapist and pastor.  I had some critical and judgmental parts attacking me.

I recalled feeling the compassion for someone who had in a community setting declared that he was not at the top of his game.  I commented to him and the community at the time, several months ago, that to be able to be humble and admit that you are not always at the top of your game is maybe being in the game if not truly at the "top of your game".

The interesting thing is that I did not recall this for me, wish I had.  I recalled this for a client who was feeling equally badly and she helped me to recall it for me.

Jesus taught that as we are serving we are served.

Namaste

It has been a while since I posted for many reasons that are not important.

I choose to post today as I learned of a sadly all too typical religious war that is a spiritual outrage.
I heard this second hand so the information may not be accurate but the outrage and call to action is the heart of the matter.

It seems that owners of a Bakery in Oregon was asked to do a wedding cake for a same sex couple.  They refused as they could not in good conscience contribute to their life of sin or their desecrating the sacred moment of marriage.  They declared war!

The same sex community declared war back. Boycotts are successful in winning a war but not in settling a dispute.  The bakery went out of business.  A pastor on the other side of the country used this story to say, "they are coming for us".  War is not the way to peace, to proving who is right, or to settle any outrage.

As I listened to this story I had a different reaction.  Instead of outrage promoting more of the same, what if we took notice of Jesus and how he responded to the woman at the well or how Ghandhi responded to people, or how in our day the Dalai Lama and many others promote hearts of peace and acts of love and kindness.

We would do two things simultaneously:  
1) We would get some funding to reopen the bakery and set the owners back into their livelihood for the sake of their family and life not because they were right but because it is right to do acts of kindness from a peace core.

2) We would also offer one free cake for every same sex couple who were offended by the prejudice of the bakery's owner and operator, and a free wedding cake to the next same sex couple who requests it.  We would not be stating what is right or wrong but we would be doing what is right:  to act with loving kindness from a peace core!

I wonder what would happen to these two parts of the community if both parts supported both actions.

This may be true "Affirming Action".  Taking two wrongs and making them into something right does not make either right or wrong.  It is, however, right and a sacred responsibility of those who want to know and live out the God of love and peace!

Peace be with you!

Gets, in many settings, a "and also with you" response.

I served communion in a church service recently.  I began with those words and then they came back.  Automatic and genuine feelings filled the space.  Sacred space is like that.  A place for love and peace.  Then I asked then why is is that there is so little peace in the church worldwide and why so much disagreement on the celebration of communion.   I commented that while this is a table of love and peace that calls us to humility, honor, and unity it has been used to divide, demolish, destroy or at least devastate the message of love, grace and peace that is at the heart of the gospel.

The heat of religious arguments about when, how often, why, and what is done in the communion service and who is allowed to participate have created gate keepers, custodians, and managers. The heat has taken over the heart out of the table.  The one, who began this observance and encouraged us to remember him when we do this, lived a life of humility, honor towards all people.  In the heat of the moment Jesus heart was the most open and loving.  We are to be mirror representatives of the essence of the table not the custodians or guardians of the table.

The part of us that wants to be right and make others wrong or at least not as good as us, is at the core of the problem.  It is not about who is right on any particular religious ideology or venue.  It is about being right in our hearts toward all.  Jesus invited the betrayer, the denier, the timid, the poor, the rich and all to the table regardless of anything.

The communion table is to be a mirror into which we see ourselves and a window by which we look at the world.

"Do this remembering Me"  Live in love and peace toward all regardless of anything.

It has been a while since I posted.

We all get dry times.  As the snow was falling in the spring air I thought how mother nature and father time sometimes are not in step.  But whatever is seems to fall in place in time.

These are the times of spiritual renewal when we think of Jesus walking purposefully and courageously into Jerusalem knowing what he was to face in the week to come.  The compassion and courage that drove his life as he rode into Jerusalem on a donkey regardless of what was happening around him.  He was in the drivers seat.

The message is clear:  humility is the "glory laud and honor" of Palm Sunday and true spirituality.

The God of time and nature is "at" our side inviting us to live as he lived.