The "government on His shoulder" is not the US government

As 2021 begins, I find myself reflecting on the Sermon on the Mount in the Lectio 365 App (linked below). It struck me that Jesus is blessed.

"Blessed be the name of the Lord now and forever." Psalm 113:2

In the Beatitudes section of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells us who else is blessed. 

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

5 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. (Matthew 5:3-11 NSRV)

Jesus was blessed because he lived the sermon on the mount. He was poor in spirit, he was mourning, he was meek, he hungered and thirsted for righteousness, he was merciful, he was pure in heart, he was a peacemaker, and he was persecuted. We hear about all these behaviors in the stories of the New Testament. In the Beatitudes, he was telling us how we could be blessed as he was blessed from the beginning of time.

He was telling us the core values (behaviors) of His kingdom.

The kingdom that was fore told when Isaiah prophesied, "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6 KJV)

The kingdom that is now and not yet.

But that prophecy is confusing to some ears. Some people hear that scripture sung in Handel's Messiah and think that it is our own elected government on his shoulders. It is reflected in our language when people say, "God has given us this President." or "God is in control of who is elected." or "God decides who leads us."

The United States government is not on his shoulders, nor is any other government in the world.

His own government is on his shoulders.

I want to practice the core values of the Blessed government now. Who wants to practice with me?

Lectio 365

Decolonizing Christianity

If you listen closely to the Indigenous people of the land you will hear the word "decolonization." According to Britannica, decolonization is the "process by which colonies become independent of the colonizing country. Decolonization was gradual and peaceful for some British colonies largely settled by expatriates but violent for others, where native rebellions were energized by nationalism."  I propose that "decolonization" is a requirement to communicate the true Christian message. 

Are we able to communicate the person of Christ without also demanding that our own cultural expectations be met?

Several years ago my family and I attended our denominational district meetings where Native American Pastor Cecilia Spotted Bear lamented from the platform, "Why didn't you speak to us about the Great Spirit? The Great Spirit we would've understood." But instead of finding common experience and listening to the stories of the Indigenous people of Turtle Island, the name that many Native tribes call North America, the Christians of Europe forced their cultural expectations onto them. The settlers and missionaries of early American history preached a "civilized" religion that required the "savages" to learn English, wear European clothing, and other "English ways" in order to follow Christ. It was a violent and cruel takeover.

In the Bible, Paul wrote, "To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some." 1 Corinthians 9:20-22 NIV

Paul recognized the need to speak to future Jesus followers in a language and a cultural context they could understand. Paul presents his message in a way that shows love and respect to his audience. What profound words Paul wrote, "I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some." 1 Corinthians 9:22 NIV

Another example of how decolonization is a requirement to communicate the person of Christ is the story of Peter's dream. "About noon the next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. He became hungry and wanted something to eat; and while it was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw the heaven opened and something like a large sheet coming down, being lowered to the ground by its four corners. In it were all kinds of four-footed creatures and reptiles and birds of the air. Then he heard a voice saying, “Get up, Peter; kill and eat.” But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is profane or unclean.” The voice said to him again, a second time, “What God has made clean, you must not call profane.” This happened three times, and the thing was suddenly taken up to heaven." Acts 10:9-16 NRSV

Peter was challenged to change his thinking about his own Jewish cultural heritage so that Cornelius and the Gentiles would believe and follow Jesus Christ. Peter goes on to say, “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all." Acts 10:35-37 NRSV

In what ways do I need to "decolonize" my faith? Am I expecting others to conform to my way of life before they can believe? Do they have to listen to my music? Do they have to dress in my style? Do they have to follow my rules? 

Do I truly believe that Jesus is "Lord of all?"

May the God of all help me to grow in cultural intelligence and humility so that I may honor all of creation.

More Sources: 

Mark Charles - American indigenous historian/pastor

https://www.ted.com/talks/mark_charles_the_truth_behind_we_the_people_the_three_most_misunderstood_words_in_us_history

African Indigenous theologian

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tY-yZgijw3k&feature=youtu.be

Pastor Cecilia Spotted Bear links

Testimony of Pastor Cecilia Spotted Bear

By the Grace of God, by Cecilia Spotted Bear

Lakota Memorial Nazarene Church Facebook Page (sermons)

From Teen Vogue - What Decolonization Means to Me

Sources:

https://www.britannica.com/topic/decolonization

https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/turtle-island

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%209%3A20-22&version=NIV

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+10&version=NRSV

Amplify Voices: Howard Thurman

 

"Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."

“The Work of Christmas”

When the song of the angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flock,
The work of Christmas begins:
To find the lost,
To heal the broken,
To feed the hungry,
To release the prisoner,
To rebuild the nations,
To bring peace among people,
To make music in the heart.

"The movement of the Spirit of God in the hearts of men often calls them to act against the spirit of their times or causes them to anticipate a spirit which is yet in the making. In a moment of dedication, they are given wisdom and courage to dare a deed that challenges and to kindle a hope that inspires." Footprints of a Dream

"Whatever may be the tensions and the stresses of a particular day, there is always lurking close at hand the trailing beauty of forgotten joy or unremembered peace."

"In the stillness of the quiet, if we listen, we can hear the whisper of the heart giving strength to weakness, courage to fear, hope to despair."

"There are two questions that we have to ask ourselves. The first is 'Where am I going?' and the second is 'Who will go with me?'"

"It cannot be denied that too often the weight of the Christian movement has been on the side of the strong and the powerful and against the weak and oppressed-this, despite the gospel."

"And this is the strangest of all paradoxes of the human adventure; we live inside all experience, but we are permitted to bear witness only to the outside. Such is the riddle of life and the story of the passing of our days."

Sources: 

https://www.wisesayings.com/authors/howard-thurman-quotes/#ixzz6jIGb8GfK

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0913408905/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=godspacelig08-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0913408905&linkId=8e39f2e64db9070f5316966eebf4420f

https://www.pbs.org/thisfarbyfaith/people/howard_thurman.html

https://quotes.thefamouspeople.com/howard-thurman-4832.php

More Resources:

(a sermon in his own voice) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3t2AtErMO4Q 

(a video interview part 1)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvJVxsezAwc

(a video interview part 2) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPsZBS-2oeU

(a recording of a short meditation) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUsG4B8VKqQ

The abusive god we love to talk about

One time I made a mistake and my dad took away someone I really care about. I do not know if I will ever see her again. Another time, my dad broke my arm, so that I would learn to be patient. He often puts me in dangerous situations, so that I can learn to trust him more. For example, I have to walk in a dark parking lot after work. But it is the job my dad wants me in, so I have to trust him. He gave me this virus so that I can learn something, but I am still trying to figure out what that is. He forgives me when I do wrong, but he is constantly pointing out what I do wrong and always reminds me about what I did. One time I had a job that I really liked, but my dad made me get fired so that I would have to find another. 

When I write it down, it seems like I have an abusive dad. At least he is in control.

But it isn't really my dad. My actual dad, Rev. Larry Harshman, is not like this at all. All of you who know him know that he is kind, loving, and doesn't have a controlling bone in his body. He has always been a great listener and is quite open minded about new ideas and learning and growing. He is a peacemaker and a bridgebuilder. He is an example of what it means to live like Jesus. 

However, that paragraph is just some of the many ways I have heard people say when they describe the things God is doing in their life. Is their god really that hateful? Abusive? Controlling? If so, I want nothing to do with that god. 

Do we really think God is like that?

Jesus said, 

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” 

John 16:33 NLT 

And we see many more that describe God's love (here are just a few):

1 John 4:16 NRSV

So we have known and believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them.

 Isaiah 54:10 NIV

10 Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the Lord, who has compassion on you.

Romans 8:38-39 NRSV

38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

We need to discover again what the Bible actually says about God, so that are minds, hearts, and our language reflects the God who is love. 

Too often our words reflect what our hearts really desire: power and control. Too often, we have been discipled to a god of power and greed, rather than to the God of love.

May the words we use reflect the amazing, never ending Love of God.

For Further Reading: 

https://www.gotquestions.org/Lords-name-vain.html

https://www.gotquestions.org/false-witness.html

https://www.christianitytoday.com/edstetzer/2008/december/bearing-false-witness.html

I will be reviewing the book, "Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation" by Kristin Kobes Du Mez in a future blog post. 

Amplify Voices: James Baldwin

 “I’ve never written a speech. I can’t read a speech. It’s kind of give-and-take. You have to sense the people you’re talking to. You have to respond to what they hear.”

"Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them."

“Our crown has already been bought and paid for. All we have to do is wear it”

"If the concept of God has any validity or any use, it can only be to make us larger, freer, and more loving. If God cannot do this, then it is time we got rid of Him."

"Most people are not naturally reflective any more than they are naturally malicious, and the white man prefers to keep the black man at a certain human remove because it is easier for him thus to preserve his simplicity and avoid being called to account for crimes committed by his forefathers, or his neighbors."

"I imagine one of the reasons people cling to their hates so stubbornly is because they sense, once hate is gone, they will be forced to deal with pain."

"Neither love nor terror makes one blind: indifference makes one blind."

"Love him and let him love you. Do you think anything else under heaven really matters?"

"There are so many ways of being despicable it quite makes one’s head spin. But the way to be really despicable is to be contemptuous of other people’s pain."

Sources:

https://www.goalcast.com/2018/06/14/15-james-baldwin-quotes/

https://www.oprahmag.com/life/g32842156/james-baldwin-quotes/

https://www.brainyquote.com/authors/james-baldwin-quotes

https://everydaypower.com/james-baldwin-quotes/

http://notable-quotes.com/b/baldwin_james.html

More resources on James Baldwin:

Library of Congress - James Baldwin Reading from his works

Audio recordings from the BBC

Full video of 1965 debate of James Baldwin and William F. Buckley

NPR book list and audio book reports

When we can't see the miracles

I didn't know I had experienced a miracle until the day my surgeon looked into my eyes and asked, "How in the world did you find out about this? You are too young for regular screening"

My firstborn just turned 20. Right after giving birth to him, I was having the usual difficulties with recovery. Exhaustion, pain, bleeding. Except some blood kept coming. I was so angry at the nurse who answered the phone that day. "This is standard protocol," she said. I said, "I do not need to see a GI. Just give me some meds." But she must have been listening to the Holy Spirit that day.

I was 26. The GI was surprised at what he found. Pre-canerous polyps. 

I really wasn't good at the every 3 year schedule. I mean, I had 3 more babies in 7 years. It was busy and hectic and happy. We had private insurance limitations. But I still managed to fit in an occassional colonoscopy. And another, and another. 

Until 2015, when the GI looked at me and told me I needed to have my colon removed. "The numbers are just too high." His bedside announcement came with no warning. He knew he surprised us by the dumbfounded stares he received back.

What happened to "If you get colonoscopies every 3 years, you will never get colon cancer?"

I went into denial: I am not sick. I feel great. I don't have cancer. Maybe I won't ever. I have a wonderful life. Let's just forget this ever happened.

I have been told by doctors that it takes roughly 10 years for an adenoma to grow into cancer. I should be dead or at least really, really sick right now. But that nurse that I vilified in my thoughts and words that day 20 years ago saved my life.

I do not know why miracles happen to some people. I do know that it isn't possible for God to heal people sometimes. (Read the book, "God Can't" by Theologian Dr. Thomas Jay Oord for a deeper explanation).

For my miracle I am thankful.

The Perfect Church. Oxymoron or Paradox?

How would you describe the church? 

For some, adjectives like angry, hateful, judgmental, two-faced, and legalistic come to mind. As a pastor's kid, these words are a part of my childhood memories. Even as an adult, I have had experiences that these adjectives would accurately describe.

What are your adjectives for church?

How would Jesus describe it? The answer comes to us in Revelation 21 (NRSV)

9 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues came to me and talked with me, saying, "Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb's wife."

If the church is the bride of Christ then the next verses describe her:

10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, 11 having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal. 12 Also she had a great and high wall with twelve gates, and twelve angels at the gates, and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: 13 three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west. 14 Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lab. 15 And he who talked with me had a gold reed to measure the city, its gates, and its wall. 16 The city is laid out as a square; its length is as great as its breadth. And he measured the city with the reed; twelve thousand furlongs. Its length, breadth, and height are equal. 17 Then he measured its wall; one hundred and forty-four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of an angel. 18 The construction of its wall was of jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass. 19 The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones; the first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third Chalcedony, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. 21 The twelve gates were twelve pearls; each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass. 22 But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light. 24 And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it. 25 Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there). 26 And they shall bring the glory and honor of the nations into it.

What a heavenly description. 

Until recently I thought this city, the New Jerusalem, was heaven. We even sang a hymn by that title. A city of the future! 

But no.

This sparkling image of the perfect "city where they need no sun" is the church. It is illuminated by the glory of God and Jesus is its light.

I wonder if Jesus had this beautiful church-city-community built on generations of faithful grace and truth in his mind when he said, "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hid." Matthew 5:14 (NRSV). 

Jesus sees what we are becoming - a beautiful community that reflects his glory and his light.

The "perfect church." What a hopeful paradox.