Musings in the Mud

Blue and green.

I see a lot of it working on a Christmas tree farm. In fact with hundreds of acres of pine trees it's nearly all I can see. The deep vault of Pennsylvania sky bends in to touch the mountains, and the countless conifers around me rise to meet it. Lately however, the sky has been dark and overcast, shutting the valley in like the lid on a coffin.

The Scariest Thing Jesus Ever Said

It's no question that Jesus said a lot of inflammatory, shocking things during his earthly ministry. He said that no one can follow him who does not hate his father, mother, brother, and his own life. He said those who follow him will suffer in agony for their devotion. He said the man who looks back is not fit for the holy kingdom. Yet there is one particular thing Jesus said that is more frightening than anything else.

Breathing Worship

I have found myself on occasion falling into something of a poor habit in my approach to worship.  The habit begins with a thought.  It is not, as things go, a terribly profane thought.  It is not even a very big one.  Until recently I hadn't noticed its presence.  Yet I am learning that - harmless as it seems - it may be the rash that tells of a deeper infection; the spot which harbors secret cancer.  Although I have not put it into words before, it more or less sounds like this:

A Letter to Dad

Dear Dad,

How are you?  I hope things are going well.  It’s been a while since I’ve written you, I know. Sorry if the delay had you worried. Work has kept me so busy lately that more important things have been neglected.  Between teaching classes at the university, trying to raise three teenagers, and taking care of Mom in her old age... well, you know how it is.  Kelly tells me I’m lucky we didn’t have a fourth child, or else I’d turn into a Santa Clause dad: only around for the holidays, and then just for the cookies and milk!  Did you ever find being a father this difficult?

Checkers

The man’s fingers trembled as he held the cold cylinder to his temple. It had to be now. There was nothing left, here, at the end. Beads of sweat skittered down his forehead. His breath came shallow and rapid. Funny, how all the times he’d considered the unspeakable, he’d thought it would be easier; emotionless. Despair had drained away his feelings in the preceding months, yet now, in the end, they returned. Every suppressed fear, every joy denied the chance to bloom; they exploded in his head like a series of bombs. It hardly mattered. He had no other options, no escape. When you reached the end of your rope, all you had left was to hang. His finger tightened.

Reclaiming the Wonder

Two old friends met who hadn't seen one another since high school graduation. One had left to study science and the other had gone to study theology. The theologian asked his friend, "What did you learn in university?" The scientist replied, "I learned that God is dead. What about you?" And the theologian said "I learned how to kill him."

Does God Play Keep Away?

Over the past few weeks I've been talking with friends about unmet expectations.  One is dealing with regret for never developing deep and intimate friendships while at college.  Another can't understand why her talents continue to go unrecognized in interviews.  And many, many friends are facing the harsh reality of unrequited love.

Worship from a Cynic's Heart

A hip hop church service is a one of a kind experience.   The vibrant energy, already standard to ethnically black churches, was through the roof here.  Blaring synths and pulsing backbeats were enough to spike your heart rate.  And man! How everybody danced!  Like it was for the ancient Israelites, worship services in The House are a full body expression (you might even say a full body workout!).

And I must say I loved every minute of it.