I woke up this morning and spent a little time on Facebook, which seems to be a part of the normal routine. This morning was different though from all the other mornings. Some layout changes had been made to the normal and some things had been added in and people were not happy. It showed. Status after status post displaying people's anger at the new system, the new changes. Soon to follow the many status posts from folks essentially saying "Get over it." Now hours later it seems all of the initial zeal has calmed a bit...from both camps.
I must admit I was pretty zealous about the whole thing in the beginning as well, but for a different reason. For some reason when I read all of the anger and passion over a change to something that seems rather small it awakened a sadness for what we have become. It made me wonder: where is that zeal for other things? We're quick to stand up when a change happens to our social media platform, but slower when it concerns other things. I bet you can think of a slew of them. It was through talking with some of the other church staff that I calmed a bit. They reminded me that there is a lot going on and changing in people's lives and so even when the simple things, that could be stable, are changed it can be too much. Makes sense.
I also can't be quick to point fingers. I don't spend my time doing things and being zealous for things that I probably should be. Actually, I usually waste time on Facebook instead of doing things that I maybe should be doing. I'm well aware of the fact that "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" Romans 3:23. I'm really terrible about standing up for those folks that God tells me I should stand up for. I'm bad at helping the people God points to as needing help. It's not the end of the story though.
Romans 3:24 "and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Jesus Christ." This is what concerns me though. There are a lot of us walking around proclaiming this message, but I'm not entirely convinced we believe it. Mostly because I am confident of the fact that: whenever, however and wherever God changes things it's going to be a lot bigger than making changes to Facebook.
If we get bent out of shape because our Facebook layout changes, how are we going to handle it when God starts messing with things? And here's the thing: I am more than willing to bet God's going to change things to experiment, to be creative and to make things radically different. I hope there will be a purpose and a reasoning, but we probably won't get to see it all or won't realize/see right away. So how will we handle this change? "Pre recent Facebook changes" I thought we could handle them pretty well. "Post Facebook changes" worries me a bit. If we start to be honest with ourselves I don't think we're going to like the changes God makes.
Maybe when God goes to work God won't worry about messing with Facebook. God will be too busy making other things different.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Friday, August 26, 2011
Of Life
A couple of weeks ago I was catching up with a friend through text and when asked "how have things been?" I answered an all too familiar answer to us all. "It's been good, but busy." This time I didn't get away with it though. Her response was "Jon Lys! You always say that!" It caused me to stop and think. That is always my answer to that question. Not that it isn't true, but it tends to lose its effectiveness when it's always the answer. It's like the boy who cried wolf...I'm the boy who cried "busy" so when it is a valid feeling I end up getting carried off by the wolves.
It's like why I haven't blogged in a while. I could easily say "I've been busy" and that would be the end. How lame is that though? The real truth? Friday is typically a terrible day to blog because it's typically my day off. I have actually been trying to do stuff on my day off and so I'm not usually near a computer. Okay, so maybe still a lame excuse. I'm back on it now! That's all that matters.
I had to wonder...did Jesus ever answer with "I've been busy"? Like the time he went back to Nazareth...did he run into one of his mom's friends and they asked "How have you been Jesus?" and he was like "Ah, I've been busy..." My guess is probably not. An answer like that wouldn't have caused his message to not be heard in his hometown. His answer was probably "Here, let me show you." What about the disciples? After Jesus' death and resurrection what if their answer would have been "Ah, I've been busy..."?
I don't know about you, but I am hesitant about answering with "here let me show you." It's like answering "How are you doing?" You say "good" and move on because it's easier that way. I don't know if I want to take the easy road anymore. Granted its probably not a good idea to just gush everything that's been going on to everyone in my life and exactly how I am feeling to every person I interact with, but I need to use some more discretion with my canned answer. The truth is we are all busy. Get over it.
I have quite a few of those moments the past few weeks too. When said in love one of the most powerful things can be simply "Get over it." It's okay to not feel at the top of your game at some points, it's okay to be stressed at some points, it's okay to even be down at some points, but continually being in that state isn't okay. Let me be the first to say "Get over it." And if you feel like you can't just "get over it" I understand that too...but please, please, please get some help to overcome it. I don't believe that we are a people created to mope around wallowing in busyness and bad feelings. Rather I think we are called to be a "Here, let me show you" people.
So even despite busyness and stress, despite not feeling the greatest, despite making mistakes we handle life with a sense of grace, power, confidence and sheer joy so that when people ask, "How have things been?" we answer with "Here, let me show you." I hope you will join me in not letting the little things take what we have been given because I can honestly say after the last few weeks "I want some more of life."
It's like why I haven't blogged in a while. I could easily say "I've been busy" and that would be the end. How lame is that though? The real truth? Friday is typically a terrible day to blog because it's typically my day off. I have actually been trying to do stuff on my day off and so I'm not usually near a computer. Okay, so maybe still a lame excuse. I'm back on it now! That's all that matters.
I had to wonder...did Jesus ever answer with "I've been busy"? Like the time he went back to Nazareth...did he run into one of his mom's friends and they asked "How have you been Jesus?" and he was like "Ah, I've been busy..." My guess is probably not. An answer like that wouldn't have caused his message to not be heard in his hometown. His answer was probably "Here, let me show you." What about the disciples? After Jesus' death and resurrection what if their answer would have been "Ah, I've been busy..."?
I don't know about you, but I am hesitant about answering with "here let me show you." It's like answering "How are you doing?" You say "good" and move on because it's easier that way. I don't know if I want to take the easy road anymore. Granted its probably not a good idea to just gush everything that's been going on to everyone in my life and exactly how I am feeling to every person I interact with, but I need to use some more discretion with my canned answer. The truth is we are all busy. Get over it.
I have quite a few of those moments the past few weeks too. When said in love one of the most powerful things can be simply "Get over it." It's okay to not feel at the top of your game at some points, it's okay to be stressed at some points, it's okay to even be down at some points, but continually being in that state isn't okay. Let me be the first to say "Get over it." And if you feel like you can't just "get over it" I understand that too...but please, please, please get some help to overcome it. I don't believe that we are a people created to mope around wallowing in busyness and bad feelings. Rather I think we are called to be a "Here, let me show you" people.
So even despite busyness and stress, despite not feeling the greatest, despite making mistakes we handle life with a sense of grace, power, confidence and sheer joy so that when people ask, "How have things been?" we answer with "Here, let me show you." I hope you will join me in not letting the little things take what we have been given because I can honestly say after the last few weeks "I want some more of life."
Friday, July 1, 2011
More: Reflections on Scripture
As I have spent more and more time with scripture, I have had a thought that I'm not sure what to do with. I really don't think it's one of those earth shattering, faith changing revelations...I just think its something we don't often talk about. It seems to me that as massively complex as scripture is we as Christians seem to think that the whole thing always fits the bill in every situation. My thought? I think that much of what we read as believers really only makes sense to us (sometimes).
What got me thinking of this is our church's electronic sign. We have been posting people's favorite scripture on it I guess in an attempt to bring words of comfort, establish an easy way for scripture to be a part of everyone's day to day, highlight members of the congregation (a combination of all of the above...not really sure, it was Pastor John's idea). I see the benefit of it. Not a bad use of a church sign in addition to all the "normal" stuff it could be used for. What really got me thinking was the favorite verse posted from Romans 8:28 "We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose" Not a bad verse. I find some comfort and joy in it. But then again I love God. What about someone who isn't a believer? How would that sound?
If you were going to try and tell somebody about Christianity, try to show them a bit of scripture were would you start? In the Gospel of John which contains thoughts like " Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God"? In one of the letters of Paul? I would hope not Revelation or Leviticus...there is a lot in those books that I don't even understand and I grew up in the faith.
My point is: use caution and common sense when using scripture. Is it a beautiful message? Yes. One of the greatest stories ever told? Absolutely. Can people misunderstand it when its just thrown around, or taken out of context, or not explained? You betcha. Happens to me all the time. Don't misunderstand me...I'm not saying don't share it. We need to share it, but in a way that it won't lose or degrade the beautiful and powerful message.
What got me thinking of this is our church's electronic sign. We have been posting people's favorite scripture on it I guess in an attempt to bring words of comfort, establish an easy way for scripture to be a part of everyone's day to day, highlight members of the congregation (a combination of all of the above...not really sure, it was Pastor John's idea). I see the benefit of it. Not a bad use of a church sign in addition to all the "normal" stuff it could be used for. What really got me thinking was the favorite verse posted from Romans 8:28 "We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose" Not a bad verse. I find some comfort and joy in it. But then again I love God. What about someone who isn't a believer? How would that sound?
If you were going to try and tell somebody about Christianity, try to show them a bit of scripture were would you start? In the Gospel of John which contains thoughts like " Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God"? In one of the letters of Paul? I would hope not Revelation or Leviticus...there is a lot in those books that I don't even understand and I grew up in the faith.
My point is: use caution and common sense when using scripture. Is it a beautiful message? Yes. One of the greatest stories ever told? Absolutely. Can people misunderstand it when its just thrown around, or taken out of context, or not explained? You betcha. Happens to me all the time. Don't misunderstand me...I'm not saying don't share it. We need to share it, but in a way that it won't lose or degrade the beautiful and powerful message.
Friday, June 17, 2011
More: Perspectives, Part 2
Where do we go from here? Last time I presented three rather "all or nothing" viewpoints. As we all well know life isn't like that. Here are some of my reflections:
I believe that we have common ground in the ethical implications of our faith. In this area, for some things, there is right and wrong, black and white. Take for instance, murder. I really don't want to live in a world where it's okay to just kill someone when you feel like it. Not cool. In this instance there is a right and wrong way to handle things. I bet you can also think of some right and wrongs. Now as you are probably aware there are some things in this area that are more grey. You will have people on both sides saying it is black and white though in all reality, it's grey. It is in theses instances that people bring in faith which makes it a whole new ball game.
What's important to remember about faith is the highly symbolic language that it employs and it is, in the end, another perspective. Recently I traveled to Florida for vacation and as we were traveling around I looked and reflected on what churches looked like on the outside. I'm a church nerd. Whenever I travel I look at church buildings. It's my thing. What I have noticed though is that from the outside I really don't feel anything. I don't see a church and go "Yes! I am glad Christianity is alive and well!" It's different for the folks who go to that church. They are probably like me when I see my church. There is a certain amount of affection and fondness that I feel whenever I just see the building. Here's the thing: it's not about the building, but the people inside. The memories with those folks, both good and bad, that give you those feelings. The bad memories are why some people cringe at the thought of Christianity. Faith is emotional, rational, and spiritual. From the inside its the most important thing in the world. From the outside, it may not look the same.
It's important to us, but everyone may not share that sentiment. We are emotionally invested, we've thought through it, it speaks to us on a deeper level. Here's a broken metaphor that might be useful: It's like your family. I know not everyone has the greatest relationship with all of their family, but there is probably at least one person in your family that you are close to. When you look at a picture of them you feel something different then what your friend feels when you show them. Not a big deal until they say something bad. Then it's on like Donkey Kong. Faith is similar. Say something bad about my God and it's no holding back. Even though my friend or anyone else might just have been mistaken, confused, or it may have just been a misunderstanding.
When we get into the territory of faith then we are getting into just that: faith. I believe what I can testify to and what I have experienced. Someone else is doing the same thing. It's the reason faith spreads to all corners of the globe. It's people connecting their stories and experiences and testifying to a continuing tapestry of stories that points to God working in the world. Notice I said points to and not proves. Here's where human sinfulness gets us into all sorts of pickles. We have this want to be right, to know the truth, to prove things. Faith is a big and complex thing...but as far as I know it doesn't conform to what others might seek as "truth" and "proof." Its also paired with a healthy amount of doubt too. As a human I am wrong about a lot of things...faith might be included on that list. I guess I'll find out if I was right, wrong or otherwise one day. I also think though that faith goes way beyond and way deeper than right or wrong, correct or incorrect because it is connected to our experience. How can I tell someone else with any authority (all be it outside of ethical issues) that they are living their life correctly or incorrectly?
Without going deeper down the crazy rabbit hole I'll end with these few thoughts. My hope is that some of this has made sense. Maybe it has made you question more. Maybe you don't agree with me and that's perfectly fine because personally, I think we could always use more perspectives. I think to truly judge someone is to rob them of their opinions and beliefs by treating them as less than human. That because of what they believe they can't even belong to the same species. I definitely think that we need more conversations. Not just mindless prattle but deep, vulnerable conversations. To give up thinking we own the world and have claim on the absolute truth and talk about our insecurities and our hurts. To welcome everyone to the table and love them. I may not always like your thoughts or opinions, but I can and will love you.
I believe that we have common ground in the ethical implications of our faith. In this area, for some things, there is right and wrong, black and white. Take for instance, murder. I really don't want to live in a world where it's okay to just kill someone when you feel like it. Not cool. In this instance there is a right and wrong way to handle things. I bet you can also think of some right and wrongs. Now as you are probably aware there are some things in this area that are more grey. You will have people on both sides saying it is black and white though in all reality, it's grey. It is in theses instances that people bring in faith which makes it a whole new ball game.
What's important to remember about faith is the highly symbolic language that it employs and it is, in the end, another perspective. Recently I traveled to Florida for vacation and as we were traveling around I looked and reflected on what churches looked like on the outside. I'm a church nerd. Whenever I travel I look at church buildings. It's my thing. What I have noticed though is that from the outside I really don't feel anything. I don't see a church and go "Yes! I am glad Christianity is alive and well!" It's different for the folks who go to that church. They are probably like me when I see my church. There is a certain amount of affection and fondness that I feel whenever I just see the building. Here's the thing: it's not about the building, but the people inside. The memories with those folks, both good and bad, that give you those feelings. The bad memories are why some people cringe at the thought of Christianity. Faith is emotional, rational, and spiritual. From the inside its the most important thing in the world. From the outside, it may not look the same.
It's important to us, but everyone may not share that sentiment. We are emotionally invested, we've thought through it, it speaks to us on a deeper level. Here's a broken metaphor that might be useful: It's like your family. I know not everyone has the greatest relationship with all of their family, but there is probably at least one person in your family that you are close to. When you look at a picture of them you feel something different then what your friend feels when you show them. Not a big deal until they say something bad. Then it's on like Donkey Kong. Faith is similar. Say something bad about my God and it's no holding back. Even though my friend or anyone else might just have been mistaken, confused, or it may have just been a misunderstanding.
When we get into the territory of faith then we are getting into just that: faith. I believe what I can testify to and what I have experienced. Someone else is doing the same thing. It's the reason faith spreads to all corners of the globe. It's people connecting their stories and experiences and testifying to a continuing tapestry of stories that points to God working in the world. Notice I said points to and not proves. Here's where human sinfulness gets us into all sorts of pickles. We have this want to be right, to know the truth, to prove things. Faith is a big and complex thing...but as far as I know it doesn't conform to what others might seek as "truth" and "proof." Its also paired with a healthy amount of doubt too. As a human I am wrong about a lot of things...faith might be included on that list. I guess I'll find out if I was right, wrong or otherwise one day. I also think though that faith goes way beyond and way deeper than right or wrong, correct or incorrect because it is connected to our experience. How can I tell someone else with any authority (all be it outside of ethical issues) that they are living their life correctly or incorrectly?
Without going deeper down the crazy rabbit hole I'll end with these few thoughts. My hope is that some of this has made sense. Maybe it has made you question more. Maybe you don't agree with me and that's perfectly fine because personally, I think we could always use more perspectives. I think to truly judge someone is to rob them of their opinions and beliefs by treating them as less than human. That because of what they believe they can't even belong to the same species. I definitely think that we need more conversations. Not just mindless prattle but deep, vulnerable conversations. To give up thinking we own the world and have claim on the absolute truth and talk about our insecurities and our hurts. To welcome everyone to the table and love them. I may not always like your thoughts or opinions, but I can and will love you.
Friday, June 3, 2011
More: Perspectives, Part 1
What I perceive to be one of the greatest challenges of our age is living in a pluralistic society. We have greater technologies than those who lived before us and with that we are keenly aware of our fellow earth-dwellers. Daily we see and hear a variety of opinions, beliefs and cultures. This raises lots of questions. What do we do? How does this impact our beliefs? Do we need to reconcile some things? Give up on some beliefs? Who is right? Is one idea more correct than another? What if we're wrong (or incorrect)?
What does it mean to judge someone?
Some think the best course of action is to look down on the differences. If you're not like us then you're wrong. "If you're not for us then you're against us" Anything different may erode and compromise what we have. Really?
Are we not all human? Do we not all want the same things? Safety for ourselves and our family? To feel loved? Are we really that different?
Some think the best course is to simply ignore the differences. If we don't look at the differences or respond to them then it doesn't matter. We are all fundamentally the same, right?
True...but we are different. We have different thoughts, different opinions, believe differently and come from a different background. It's what makes you, you and me, me. To simply ignore the differences means we run the risk of ignoring the person entirely. Ignoring yet another beautiful soul.
Some think the best course is to bring in and incorporate all aspects of other's beliefs, opinions and cultures. We can somehow reconcile it all. This would be the best way to be in harmonious balance with one another. Sameness will help bring peace. Will it though?
Can you hold all of those thoughts and opinions? Can we reconcile it all? If we are all the same wouldn't that be...boring? Do we all have to be the same, think the same, talk the same, believe the same to live together in peace?
Now don't get me wrong. I'm not a purist. I enjoy listening to what others believe and think. I think that we can learn a lot from one another. I love other people and respect them. I see the value in other's perspectives and beliefs, but I also value my perspectives and beliefs.
Jesus' sacrifice on the cross so that we might be close to God. God's infinite, unrelenting love for us. A God who wants to be close to us. A God who chose to live among us, teach us, and suffer like we do. A God who gives so much that it is great news. We have a unique perspective and belief.
I don't want to lose that, do you?
More next time...
What does it mean to judge someone?
Some think the best course of action is to look down on the differences. If you're not like us then you're wrong. "If you're not for us then you're against us" Anything different may erode and compromise what we have. Really?
Are we not all human? Do we not all want the same things? Safety for ourselves and our family? To feel loved? Are we really that different?
Some think the best course is to simply ignore the differences. If we don't look at the differences or respond to them then it doesn't matter. We are all fundamentally the same, right?
True...but we are different. We have different thoughts, different opinions, believe differently and come from a different background. It's what makes you, you and me, me. To simply ignore the differences means we run the risk of ignoring the person entirely. Ignoring yet another beautiful soul.
Some think the best course is to bring in and incorporate all aspects of other's beliefs, opinions and cultures. We can somehow reconcile it all. This would be the best way to be in harmonious balance with one another. Sameness will help bring peace. Will it though?
Can you hold all of those thoughts and opinions? Can we reconcile it all? If we are all the same wouldn't that be...boring? Do we all have to be the same, think the same, talk the same, believe the same to live together in peace?
Now don't get me wrong. I'm not a purist. I enjoy listening to what others believe and think. I think that we can learn a lot from one another. I love other people and respect them. I see the value in other's perspectives and beliefs, but I also value my perspectives and beliefs.
Jesus' sacrifice on the cross so that we might be close to God. God's infinite, unrelenting love for us. A God who wants to be close to us. A God who chose to live among us, teach us, and suffer like we do. A God who gives so much that it is great news. We have a unique perspective and belief.
I don't want to lose that, do you?
More next time...
Friday, May 27, 2011
What is More?
I'm certain of at least one thing that defines our human condition: the search for more. This search manifests itself in different ways. For some it is found in more possessions. For others it is more knowledge. For many the search has manifest itself in faith. We who are believers are confident that in God there is more. More grace, more love, more forgiveness, more acceptance, more welcome...more. Out of the gifts that we have been given there also comes a call for more. To be more, to give more, to love more, to serve more...more.
So what is more?
More is a journey. Looking for ways and means to answer the call with the gifts we have been given. A journey that I want to continue to travel. More may be the musings of a shepherd, the rantings of a weary traveler, the cry from a heart that's pained, the vision of a prophet, or the struggles from someone who's looking for more.
Through it all my hope is that this will all lead to more:
More words of grace amongst all the other words spoken
More going to places where many refuse to go
More struggling with what we've been given
More reflecting and thinking
More conversation and insight
More
Will you journey with me?
So what is more?
More is a journey. Looking for ways and means to answer the call with the gifts we have been given. A journey that I want to continue to travel. More may be the musings of a shepherd, the rantings of a weary traveler, the cry from a heart that's pained, the vision of a prophet, or the struggles from someone who's looking for more.
Through it all my hope is that this will all lead to more:
More words of grace amongst all the other words spoken
More going to places where many refuse to go
More struggling with what we've been given
More reflecting and thinking
More conversation and insight
More
Will you journey with me?
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