I locked the church on Sunday morning

I experienced a strange sensation this morning.  At 9:28 a.m. I put the key in the door, made the 1/4 turn clockwise, and heard the click of the door of our church locking.  I had not thought about it before the event, but  the door needed to be locked, the church was going to be empty - but locking a church on Sunday morning just felt wrong.

It's not that we were not worshiping as a church, but we were joining other congregations who we partner with on food, education and advocacy programs for the poor in Albany for worship this morning.  We had a bus load waiting to depart for the trip into the city (all of 6 miles), and many others would drive separately, so all was good, just strange.

As I rode along in the bus I reflected on the irony that this Sunday morning was the only morning our church was locked and closed this week (or actually any day so far this year other than Jan 17th) - I mean even in the blizzards either Dave or I was there working.  So we close our doors on Sunday and have them open all the other days.  Hmmm....

 - A good reminder that church isn't about the time or the place, it is about the people.  God loves for people to gather, to focus on his worth, to pray, to sing, to learn, to listen - these things please God greatly - but not when it is out of rote habit or obligatory ritual.  (We must worship God, not patterns or places)
 - A good reminder that church isn't just Sunday morning.  Everyone who is a Christian is part of the universal Church, and as such we are being the church all week long - wherever we are, whatever we are doing.  Not only is this building open all week, but Delmar Reformed Church is open and active all week in the lives of each person who calls DRC their spiritual home and family.
 - A good reminder of how great worship at church can be.  I didn't want to lock it up and go somewhere else.  We would be gaining by worshiping with others and celebrating the work of the FOCUS ministries, but also missing out on the very special something which happens on Sunday mornings at our church.

As the bus returned us to 386 Delaware Ave, the doors were unlocked again.  They were unlocked to let the teenagers unpack the three minivan they were returning in after an overnight "mid-night run" to help the homeless in New York City.  A night handing out food, clothes, and supplies to the homeless, before sleeping briefly, worshiping, and then coming back to a building which is but a facility to strengthen and support the work of Jesus in this world.

It's okay if it is locked on Sunday mornings from time to time... because Jesus calls us to so much more than one hour a week sitting in a sanctuary.

the empty bucket list...

The classic mental games we play.

If you won a million dollars what would you do? But then again, most of us don't win a million dollars, or know people who have. On the other hand, a closer reality many of us brush up against is, "if you knew you were going to die in a year what would you do?" Watching Nicholson and Freeman living out their "bucket lists" is introspective entertainment, but truly reflecting on how we live our lives in the face of our mortality can be a bit scary. But that's not what I'm writing about... No really, this week in my small group from church we developed a very different question than focusing on death. What about your stuff???

Okay, what would you do if you knew you were going to lose everything you have in three months? In three months your bank accounts would be emptied, your house would be taken, your possessions confiscated, your career derailed, your professional reputation tarnished. There was nothing you could do to prevent it. If you doubled your money, buried gold in a cave, put it in a trust fund, or asked a friend to hold onto it, no matter what you did, the outcome would be the same. In three months you would have nothing to your name... what would you do?

This question came out of discussion Jesus' troubling parable in Luke 16. Troubling because it seems to give a big thumbs up to the dishonest, shrewd, rascal who cheats his employer. There are definitely some cultural things going on which don't blend well with the American mind...but the manager who was going to lose it all was forced to think, what do I do with what I have before I lose it. The "empty bucket list."

What would you do with that you have before it is all gone?

Here are some options I see:

• You could give it all to charity and noble causes knowing you won't have it anyway
• You could just keep on like nothing is different because it is how you want to live (or you're in denial)
• You could drop into a hole, overwhelmed by the impending loss
• You could bless the people you know with what you have while you have it

I'm sure there are options I'm not seeing, but these seem to cover the main options. If you spend it on yourself or just wallow by yourself, in the end all you will have is yourself. You and your memories of how great things once were. It sounds like a lonely and desperate place to be in a time of need. You spend it on yourself; great trips, memories, fun toys knowing it may be your last opportunity... it's an option....

If you give to the faceless masses, you are not much better off. Although the eternal reward factor is part of the equation and a source of hope in adversity... seems like a better option...

However, if you take what you have and generously pour it into other people's lives. If you build relationships and memories with those you are close to. If you share with friends, not to make friends, but just to love them. Not to bribe them into loving you, but out of your genuine love for them...then in the end you really have something - even if everything is lost.

So, just like our mortality and the mortality of those around us can cause us to think about how we are using our lives. The temporal nature of all that we have can cause us to think about how we use what God entrusts to us. 

• Are we being good managers (stewards)?
• Are we building relationships or impenetrable fortresses?
• Are we investing in true friendships or flimsy facades?
• Are we creating intimacy or careers?

Having stuff. Having wealth. These are fine tools when we use them to create what really lasts.

Kid's don't always know what they want...

Not so fun....

Not too long ago we were going to go out as a family and play in the snow.  It was a beautiful winter day, not too cold, fresh snow, what could go wrong?  Well the challenge was getting out the door - Corban (age 3.5) did not want to go.  The day before it wasn’t ideal, we weren’t prepared, and he had learned the unpleasant fact that if it isn’t done right - winter is cold and uncomfortable.  He didn’t want that again, and he sure he didn’t want to go out.

Now I’m no tiger dad (haven’t actually heard that term yet, but I’m sure it is coming), my kids waste time, get what they want, and we work hard to listen to them and respect them - but acquiescing to the emphatic determination of a three year old wasn’t going to fly in this situation.  We aren’t the type of family to give up after one bad experience - especially when there is ample evidence that playing in the snow is fun.  So, trying to balance my 21st century parenting influences with my old school sensibilities we negotiated.  He would go out, but if it was miserable (after giving it an honest go) a parent would take him in.

Surprise, surprise, surprise - he had a blast.  And then, after about 45 minutes he remembered the deal.  All of a sudden, “I want to go in now!”   So the question arises, do kids always know what they want?  Does being a good parent always mean immediately responding to every desire of your child?  He said, and truly believed he wanted to go in.... what to do?  Because I was pretty sure he didn’t know what would be the most fun.

Drawing from my 21st century arsenal of parenting - time to redirect.  Let’s see if he really wants to go in.  (FYI - if he indeed was ready to go in, we were ready to keep up our end of the deal) I listened, I acknowledged, and then I redirected to a new form of sliding on the ice...indirectly saying - we aren’t going in yet, and also saying, you don’t really know what you want.  Over an hour later, we were all ready to go in.  All happy, all well played, and we now have a boy who has learned that he loves to play outside in the winter.  

Turns out kids didn’t always know what they want - and definitely not what they need.  No disrespect to kids intended, but, once we hear where they are coming from, we have to step back and look at the big picture.  What’s going on, and how can we help them realize their God given potential.  It is awesome being a parent who has the honor and privilege of shaping, guiding, and at times pushing kids into something beyond what they can become on their own.

Yep - Life is Good!

FOR THE RECORD - I’m no parenting guru, don’t think I have all the answers, and I believe that there are many more great way to parent than most people hung up on one ideology can acknowledge.  Love God, love your kids and go for it!

And I guess this goes back to what I said about myself in December - if what I want isn't always the best, how could it be for kids?

fed up with technology...

I found myself saying all sorts of not nice things about computers and technology last month.  It wasn’t that anything all that awful was happening... no crashing mother boards, no hard drive failures, no corrupted data... it just wasn’t easy.   

To do what I wanted to, it all seemed to take five steps and three different programs.  Part of this was brought on by a new server and workstation computer at work.  I had to take the time to set things up... again.  Some of it was helping others do the same, and the challenge of forgotten passwords, and what was that again... oh yeah, passwords which were forgotten.  I started resorting to words like hate.  Isn’t that a bit strong for an inanimate object which was just doing what it was programed to do?  

But then I switched to our new website.  I switched to a new e-mail system to handle all our accounts.  I switched to a new group communication service... (just call me pastor of technology) I was setting myself up for full technological armageddon.  But guess what, all this provided an epiphany.  I am not fed up with technology - I’m just fed up with technology which isn’t easy.  Just when technology reached the point of impossible complexity the geeks of the world delivered - and I must say, just in time.  

You can now have your phone, e-mail, web, music, movies, and games all in one device - and it doesn’t require a 200 page manual to operate.  (just a monthly contract I’m not willing to pay for - but wi-fi is my friend).  I can set up an completely new website in days, not months.  It can be edited by multiple staff members, and none of us have to deal with code, pixels, or ftp...(unless I want to release my inner geek from time to time).  The geeks of the world have learned the art of hiding their geekiness.  Hip, cool, simple and easy to get along with on the exterior - amazingly powerful, complex and fully nerdy on the inside.  It is a great recipe to avoid getting abused by the world; whether you are a smartphone, power-nerd or a computer.   

I’m ready once again to enjoy a friendly and fruitful relationship with technology.

NOTICE: This e-mail in no way endorses, condones or encourages negative feelings or action is toward geeks who are geeks through and through. In case you missed the fall - bullying is bad.

What was on your Christmas list?

What a privilege!  Sharing with hundreds people on Christmas Eve - trying to help all the activity of Christmas connect spiritually with people on the night before Christmas.  The fun thing for me is that it didn’t end on Christmas Eve, God was still sharing with me the next day.  Letme’splain...

First, you need know (if you don't) that I'm a pastor, and on Christmas Eve our church has 3 services. And you need at least a thumbnail of my evening message:

• Making Christmas lists - there are things we want which you can’t go out and buy, there are some things which society can’t give you.  That is what Christmas is about, God giving what the world can’t give.
• There is a biblical promise that God will give you want’s on your Christmas list.  Here’s the biblical phrasing “God will give you the desires of your heart.”  But there is some “fine print.”

Trust in the LORD and do good; Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.   Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart.   Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, and He will do it.  Psalm 37:3-5

• It’s part of a package deal, and as we trust, cultivate, delight (worship), and commit our list gets better, and we are more ready to receive what God can entrust to us.... if you want to hear the whole message (about 20 minutes long) be my guest....DRC Media Player

But here’s the deal, I admit that my dad and I have tool issues.  And as a result, if I put a tool on my list, my dad can’t help but to buy it.  But this year I didn’t put any tools on my list (actually, I didn’t really make a list - sorry family).  Those who wanted to give me presents did a great job.  But then I was blown away by the present from my parents.  In a little box was a slip of paper with a picture of a generator on it.  Yep, a generator - now maybe that isn’t top on your list, but for someone looking to build a cabin in the woods it is perfect!  I really wanted a generator, but I knew it was more than I could reasonably ask for or expect.  And I hadn’t even asked for one...

My parents are not God, they are great people, but like all of us, perfection has yet to be attained.  But what a follow up to my thought of the reality that the closer we get to God, the more we receive the desires of our heart.   My relationship with my parents is close, close enough that they know what I’m into, what I want (could really use) even without me specifically asking.  

If this is true of earthly imperfect parents, how much more so of our heavenly Father?  It doesn’t mean I get everything I want, when I want it - refer back to “God is not Santa Claus”  but the more we trust, cultivate, delight and commit - the closer we are to God, the more we receive the desires of our heart.  This is something the world cannot give. Indeed, a Merry Christmas!

I can't even sleep like I want...

I am 39 years old, and I can’t sleep like I want to.  My young boys can sleep in any position they choose, from sprawl to a ball, front, back or sideways.  They wake up in the the morning, and they are good to go.  Upon returning from Israel, it was confirmed, this is no longer true for me.  Let me explain, and then share my life corollary.

For some time my neck and upper back have been funky.  When it would get too bad I would go and get straightened out by our great chiropractor.  He would ask about my sleep positions - back: good, side with enough pillow: good, stomach: bad.  I didn’t sleep on my stomach, I slept on my side with an additional ¼ turn (i.e., a pillow under one arm and shoulder).

Well, for my two weeks in Israel it was a twin bed every night (and no beautiful wife, but that is unrelated to the matters at hand).  At 6’4” I don’t fit well on twin beds, and there was absolutely no room for a side+1/4-turn sprawl.  So it was back or side, and ya know what - my neck was better.  Now maybe it was a miraculous Holy Land healing - but I have a hunch God wasn’t working overtime on this one.  Once I was back in a queen sized bed (with a beautiful wife) the pains started again.  So as not to start any spurious rumors, my wife is not a pain in the neck.

Forced discipline was required to sleep only on my back or side.  I had to take away my beloved extra pillow, and push through a few restless nights.  I wanted to go back to the comfort of side+1/4-turn sprawl, for I knew that in a few moments I could be sound asleep, but what I wanted and what I needed were not the same thing.  And so, as I laid there awake, desiring comfort but going for well being, I thought:  Isn’t this true beyond my pain in the neck...

We are led to believe that we can figure it out for ourselves, just by relying on what feels right.  We are led to believe that our intuition can be trusted to take us to the right place.  We know what we need, and what is going to be best for us - right?  It doesn’t appear so.  The obesity epidemic of America speaks against this.  The highest rate of incarceration in the developed world speaks against this.  The dramatic increase in the use of anti-depressants and psychoactive drugs speaks against this.  Left to our own devices, we feel good in the moment, but are left bent out of shape in the long run.

So as I pursue God, I work hard not to create God in my image, but rely on the most trustworthy resource I have found, the Bible.  But even in that, it is clear I need the help and guidance of others who have more wisdom, and the corrective nature of true friends.  When I parent my children, I must use sources beyond their desires, beyond my best intentions, seeking what will guide them to be the men of God which I believe will be in their best interest.  When I make financial decision... when I choose my diet... when I decide how to sleep - I can’t even sleep how I want to...unless I want to be bent out of shape.  Thus my joy that God has reached into this world, revealed divine wisdom, and not left us to our own devices.  The joy of Christmas!

God is like Santa Claus for adults

God is like Santa Claus for adults

I don't watch Glee, but my nieces do, so I have seen it from time to time to stay in the loop (and be entertained). Two months ago there was one I just had to watch, “Grilled Cheesus.” The face of Jesus appeared on grilled cheese – and another main plot line was that Kurt's (a central character) father had a major heart attack and was comatose in the hospital. God, Jesus, high school students, teachers, life & death, atheism, all with the cast breaking into song throughout – gotta love it.

Well, I'm sure some didn't because while the Christians portrayed in the show came across as great people, Christianity as a larger abstract idea took a beating at the hands of wonderful one-line zingers delivered by atheists. And the one-liners were allowed to stand unanswered... but hey, it's TV.

Now that it's December, I'm reminded of one of them.

Kurt says, “I think God is kind of like Santa Claus for adults.”

I'm now realizing why it was it wasn't answered. Not that it can't be answered, but any one pithy statement will sound either defensive, naive, like blind faith, too strong or too weak... but I don't have to be limited to one line.

Yep, for many people God is kind of like Santa Claus – and that's a problem. The God for some people has about as much in common with the creator of all, as Santa Claus has with a 4^th century Greek Christian bishop from Myra in Lycia (coast of present day Turkey if you're wondering). Oh, his name was Nicholas, and he was famous for his generosity to the poor. He was a Christian man who put his faith into action. Of note, he kept girls out of sex-trade by providing dowries so they could marry. No red suit, no cookie belly, no toys to children of white middle class neighborhoods... okay, I'm starting to kill the holiday buzz – I really like the fun of Santa Claus, and he still fills stockings in the Gieser household...

Santa Claus is as far from Bishop Nicholas of Myra, as many people's god is from the infinite eternal God. (okay, the two Nicks are actually a lot closer). So unfortunately, for many, God is kind of like Santa Claus for adults...and then when the right present isn't delivered they feel like the curtain has been pulled back. The modern day Santa is just what we want him to be, and for many God is as well... and this doesn't cut it when the dark valley comes, when all the pieces don't fit together, when we need a God who is bigger than it all. The God revealed in the Bible, is big enough, complex enough, strong enough, true enough, revealed enough – for any adult, in any situation, in any time.

Enjoy Christmas, have fun with Santa, and know that Jesus came to allow us to better understand and connect with the God of all. As Pastor Dave Corlett said, “the inconceivable God was conceived by a virgin in Bethlehem.”