Lenten Thoughts - Your Grief Will Become Joy

What2Say2Day? Today's Lenten passage is from John 16:17-22. I'm only going to copy verses 20-22 and encourage you to read the rest.

Very truly, I tell you, you will weep and mourn, but the world will rejoice; you will have pain, but your pain will turn into joy. When a woman is in labour, she has pain, because her hour has come. But when her child is born, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy of having brought a human being into the world. So you have pain now; but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.

 Wow! What more can I add to this. If you ask any mother what giving birth is like they will tell you this exact same story, albeit in different words. Every human child-birth is painful, sorry, extremely painful. The comedienne Carol Burnett once said that to experience childbirth all one needs to do is grab the lower lip of your mouth and pull it as hard as you can over the top of your head. And yet the joys which come with holding that baby as soon as it is born immediately take that pain away; immediately.

This is what Jesus is talking about to his Disciples in this teaching moment. I say teaching moment because this story is told while the Disciples and Jesus are gathered for what we call The Last Supper. John's version of this supper is the longest and is more of a summary of what Jesus has been trying to teach them during his formal ministry.

This passage particularly speaks of what the Disciples will soon experience as Jesus is taken away, beaten, and put to death; the extreme sorrow of losing someone whom they deeply love. It also has Jesus reminding them that not too much after that loss, however, they will also experience extreme joy as he returns to us alive. Again in this week where we're being asked to focus on Jesus' suffering we see how God has a purpose for the suffering. In this case it's not the suffering itself (actually in every case it's not the suffering itself...hmmm) but rather it's about how we see God at work in the actions following and/or during the suffering.

Sometimes there's nothing we can do to stop the suffering, and it's going to hurt us emotionally when the inevitable results of that suffering happens. What Jesus is reminding us is that if we allow it to the grief we experience will make us stronger in our faith. And when we're finally able to see how God is alive in the pain we're going through the joy we'll experience will be unmatched.

If you don't believe me ask a mother.

Lenten Thoughts - God is Glorified in Suffering

What2Say2Day? Today's Lenten passage is from John 9:1-5

As he walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ Jesus answered, ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.’

This is one of my favorite stories in the Gospels. Well, the Gospel as this story is only found in John. To complete the passage this is when Jesus restores sight to a man born blind by making mud with his spit and rubbing it on his eyes. There are so many metaphors and lessons to be taken from this story I can hardly focus on just one; but I will try.

This week's Lenten Focus is on suffering; not the act of suffering, but why we suffer. (As a reminder one of the purposes of Lent is to to reflect on Jesus' suffering during his last days.)  Often when we're going through an extended difficult time in our lives or when the difficulties pile onto each other we ask, "Why me?"

An honest question, especially if you've done nothing to deserve the terrible things going on in your life. I think about the teen mother who is homeless, without a job, addicted to drugs, and forced to work the streets while her pimp beats her on a nightly basis. All because her parents thought about their position in society more than the welfare of their daughter. Did she make a mistake? Maybe, maybe not; that's not for me to decide. What is for me to decide is how I will continue to show the love of God to her.

It's in the showing of  unconditional love that this young woman may find the strength she needs to get herself out of the life she's in. Imagine then a young woman who is now in a stable relationship, working in a stable job, providing for her young child, and healing the torn relationship between her parents. This is how God can be glorified in the suffering of others and ourselves. Not by allowing the things we consider to be against society's norms separate us, but to instead find a way through the suffering to grow closer to each other and to God.

This Lent look around for opportunities to help others heal. This Lent look for ways to glorify the love of God through your suffering. This Lent remember Jesus' death on the cross and what that means to you.

Lenten Thoughts - Trust In God's Will

What2Say2Day? Today's Lenten thoughts come from Mark 14:35-36

And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. He said, ‘Abba, Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want.’

This passage comes to us from Gethsemane just before Jesus is to be taken away to face the trial of his life. Of course, taken out of context it reads as though Jesus went farther in some kind of action which had him throwing himself  on the ground. In actuality he had just told Peter, James, and John to stay where they were while he moved further up the hill.  

What's also notable in the verses just before today's passage is that Jesus was agitated and distressed. This brings to mind all the times I have been that way as well. Some days I feel as though there is no possible way for me to do the things I need to. I become overwhelmed and in some cases agitated. I feel sorry for those around me because when I get agitated I'm a first class grouch.

It's in those times I feel the need to remove myself from everything, just as Jesus did in today's passage; by moving farther away. In my separating from those things which are making me feel stressed I soon begin to relax and accept that the things before me just need to be done. It is in that realization I am able to organize my thoughts and eventually move forward.

That moment is also when I reconnect with God. It would seem that in my over-thinking of all that I have to do I lose my focus on the reasons why I do those things in the first place; for the glory of God. It is where God has put me and the reasons I have been given my gifts from God. I forget to trust in that sometimes, and it's when I do that I notice my actions also separate me from those around me and eventually from myself.

Because my Lenten Journey is to keep and/or make connections with people and God and myself, this lack of trust is not a good thing. I need to trust God more in the knowledge that I'm doing precisely what is intended for me and that the outcome will be what God wants. After all, it's about God and not me - right?

Lenten Thoughts - Mercy for Everyone

What2Say2Day? Today's devotional reading comes from Luke 6:32-36.

 ‘If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

I've read this passage at least 100 times and until now I've never noticed the word "kind". The more I think about it I can see that's what mercy is, another form of kindness. For fun I looked up a few synonyms for kind and I came up with words like gracious, compassionate, and sympathetic. I then started to think when the last time was that I wished I had been more kind to others.

I can honestly say I show kindness to just about everyone I know. So the challenge for me this Lent is to go outside my circle of friends and acquaintances to find others to be kind to. The passage from Luke reminds me that it's not good to just show compassion to those who can return the favor but that I need to show the same type of love to those who are most likely unable to give it back to me.

I also don't want this to be something I do only once or once in a while. Relationships are my primary focus this Lent. I am going to make every effort to start and continue a relationship based solely on wanting to be a friend; even if that friendship will not be returned.

The other day I was feeling tired. Exhaustion was settling in and I didn't see it coming. One of the youth I work with came up to me and sincerely asked me how I was doing. Instead of the normal response of "I'm good, thanks" I could tell by the look in her eye she wanted to honestly know how I was doing. I told her the truth, that I was tired and not feeling so good. She punched my arm and told me I better get some rest because there are a lot of people who need me around.

This is not a student whom I consider to be someone I talk with a lot beyond the hellos of  everyday passage. On that day I was shown kindness by someone outside of my circle of acquaintances. On that day I was a witness to the love of God given to us through the Christ in others. My prayer is to be more like that.

Lenten Thoughts - Forgiveness From Your Heart

What2Say2Day? I'm going to be taking a journey this Lent through a grouping of readings from Creative Communications. They've printed a bookmark that can be used as a daily devotional during this season. Today's reading is From Matthew18:32-35.

'Then his lord summoned him and said to him, “You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?” And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he should pay his entire debt. So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.'

I've always had a difficult time with this parable, especially because of how it ends. Today, though, after praying that I may hear God's voice speak to me I have a different perspective. In verse 21 Peter asks Jesus how many times one should forgive. When Peter suggests 7 times Jesus responds (in what seems to me a frustrated way)by telling Peter he should forgive 77 times. The study bible I'm using makes a note that the number 7 normally suggests a completeness of things. With this in mind I now understand that Jesus is "doubling up" on Peter's suggestion.

Now we jump into the parable that has the master turning over his servant over to be tortured until his debt could be payed. As I said earlier I've always had a difficult time with this one. However, with my newly found understanding of how the number 7 relates to this parable I see that Jesus is telling a story of being honest to ourselves in our forgiveness of others.

The slave in question is shown mercy by his master in the forgiveness of an unusually large debt. When the opportunity for the slave to do the same for someone else he chooses instead to have that person thrown in jail for not paying what was own. The master hears about it and gets very upset, turning the slave over to be tortured until he could pay his debt (which would have taken a long time as that debt was extremely high).

I now understand that the "moral" of this story is that we are forgiven by God through Christ for everything we have ever done, large or small. Therefore we should in turn do the same for others. And this forgiveness should be one that comes from our heart, not be done simply because that's what we're supposed to do. In this way the forgiveness is not just completed (7 times) but is complete (77 times).

Eschatological Egalitarianism

What2Say2Day? Let me first say that seminary is not an easy thing to get through, especially if you were raised to believe the bible says what it says and there's no changing its meaning. You see, in seminary we actually learn the meaning which may or may not be the same as what one has been told to believe.

The Apostle Paul has always been my favorite writer. I found his letters full of passion and an understanding of what "church" is supposed to be like. There were problems in my understanding some of the things Paul said because there were a few phrases that didn't go along with his overall message of acceptance without restrictions. So imagine my surprising sense of comfort when it was suggested that not all letters attributed to Paul are actually written by him. There may also be a strong possibility that some of the "authentic" letters may have been edited and/or combinations of letters written by Paul.

Well, that sure does explain a lot, at least to me it did. Suddenly it all made sense. In his article, Let Women Be Silent In The Churches, Robert W. Allison focuses on 2 and a half verses in 1 Corinthians. I ask you to read 14:26-40 and leave out 33b-36. Then read 26-40 again with the previously excluded verses. Which one makes more sense to you?

I'm not going to profess to be a New Testament or a Pauline scholar. All I'm saying is to trust that inner instinct that says, "maybe, just maybe" and to follow your heart, listen to how God is talking to us today through the words of the forefathers of our beliefs and make choices that feel right.

Eschatological Egalitarianism. Paul's theology that in the new world we will all be equal in each other's eyes, just as we are in God's.

Rested And Ready To Go

What2Say2Day? Let me begin with this: I really needed that! I had no idea how tired I was. I was having a difficult time keeping things in order, and those who know my tendencies (nice way to say obsessions) will tell you if I am around disorganization of any kind I have a difficult time functioning. Imagine then if the disorganization is of my own and in a place where there's no way of organizing it - Egads!

Three days to get it all together, sleep, organize (and reorganize) my thoughts, sleep, do some things around the house, sleep, and catch up on school work (did I mention I got to sleep too) did me a world of good. I seriously need to remember to take my Sabbath moments at every opportunity. I remember having a self-made to do list that had this saying at the top, just under the title "To Do" - Do What You Can Today, The Rest Can Wait Until Tomorrow.

On this Shrove Tuesday (aka Mardi Gras) I have decided what my Lenten Journey will consist of: intentional Sabbath moments. I'm going to model my journey after the story of Jesus as told in Mark 1:35-39. In that story Jesus had just  healed Simon's mother-in-law. Word of this healing soon spread throughout the town which brought everyone (yes, according to Mark the whole town came out) to the door of Simon's house. Jesus had no choice but to heal all who were sick.

After a night filled with busy work Jesus went out in the early morning and found some time to spend with God alone in the wilderness. Not soon afterwards, though, His "people" came looking for him and Jesus got busy again. My Lenten Journey will be just like that. I will intentionally take those moments "in the early morning" when things are quiet and spend that time with God. The challenge will be in recognizing when those moments come.

I want to urge you to find some way you'll be able to grow in your relationship with God this Lenten season. Whether through personal sacrifice or by adding something on choose something challenging that will help you reflect on the life, death , and resurrection of Jesus Christ and what it means to you.

I Got Nothing

What2Say2Day? You know, some days are just going to be like today. I honestly have nothing to say. And that's a good thing. I have been too involved in everything and everyone else these past weeks that I now feel as though I have I have time for me. We're heading into a 3-day weekend, of which I plan to have one complete day to do nothing except spend time with my wife. It's been a while since I've connected with the things God has provided for us to enjoy; the beaches, mountains, laughter of children, and calmness of the breezes blowing through the trees. So, I am going to begin my shutdown sequence, keeping only the things necessary for me to function running, and I'm sure I'll have more to say on Tuesday.

Happy Sabbath, everyone!

God Isn't Scary

What2Say2Day? Last night was the first gathering for our Youth Midweek Bible Study. Those who know me will tell you I truly enjoy learning about the bible and its meaning from today's teenagers. They have insights I have forgotten how to use.

As a part of our time together we read Psalm 50 which was described as a "very scary" Psalm. And yes, it is. The Psalm was written so as to scare its listeners into renewing their covenant with God. It was written as a warning that God is here and is ready to do battle. It mentions all-consuming fires that will tear you apart if you don't start following the laws as handed down from Moses. Of course, if you're one of the faithful, don't worry about any of this.

One of the youth made a comment after reading the Psalm that was something like, "I'm glad our church doesn't scare us like this." And there it is, laid out for us in a nutshell, ripe for the picking, so close it could bite us (okay, enough adages).

I grew up in a church that preached this way every week, then one day I figured it out; "Why bother, I'm a sinner, all sinners go to hell, and I only have the one shot to turn my life around. Well, guess I better stop trying." I stopped going to church and began a life's journey filled with more trials than maybe I deserved.

God is a God of love. Yes, sometimes the love is harsh, but its never one of hate. Yes, sometimes its a love with punishment, but its never dividing. Yes, sometimes its a love that is straight forward, but never is it meant to be scary.

We need to help our youth, and others who come to us, know that the God we believe in is a God who will unconditionally accept them for who they are. And, while the relationship is developing sometimes God will get mad at you, and sometimes you will get mad at God. But then, show me a relationship that isn't like that.

Full of Emotion

What2Say2Day? Well, I'm not sure how Valentine's Day went for any of you but if what I witnessed yesterday was any indication of the world-at-large, then all I have is a big HMMM.

There seemed to be people living in every emotion known to mankind. I honestly saw everything from couples caught in moments of love-struck giddiness to an argument so charged with anger a small window was smashed by a fist. Love has a way of bringing out the best and the worst in us.

Of course that depends on how we love. Love is meant to be unconditional. This means that we give love freely without the expectation of anything in return. I gave my wife a very simple gift yesterday that comprised of a card and stuffed animal. In return she gave to me a much better present; a hug which connected our souls. I did not expect her to give me anything, nor did I want her to. I gave her a gift because I love her and wanted to show that love.

In turn she wasn't expecting anything for that day so when she did get something she was filled with enough gratitude to show her thankfulness. In her receiving my small token of love she in turn gave that love to me in the form of a hug and sincere thank you. Now, before you say, "yeah, but you gave her a gift, that's why she hugged you", I want to say we hug each other that way everyday. Honest.

Jesus teaches us the only way true love can work; by giving love as freely as we receive it and to do so without expectation of anything in return. The stories we have about Jesus are filled with one-sided love which eventually becomes love that is all inclusive. Evey leper, blind, and demon-possessed person Jesus heals is done so out of compassion and without expectation of anything in return except that they love in the same way.

So, beginning today let's live Jesus' words of loving one another as we love ourselves and see where that takes us. Wow, I'm excited just thinking about a world where love is never expected nor denied.

No, I Won't Go

What2Say2Day? In preparation for tomorrow's Bible study I read 2 Kings 2:1-12 this morning. I was especially moved by Elisha's conviction of not leaving Elijah's side while he traveled his final days to the place where God would take him away. Elisha and Elijah worked closely for about 10 years as they traveled through the wilderness from town to town to teach others about the scriptures and how God is working in their lives.

Elisha was Elijah's closest disciple as (the story has us assuming) he is the one that has been chosen to take Elijah's place when he moves on. Although these two were not related I'm going to take an educated guess and say that the relationship these two had were that of father and son, if not closer. So when Elijah tries to chase Elisha away it's very touching to me that his response is, "As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you".

Elisha says that not once, not twice, but three times. Three times he refuses to leave his mentor, teacher, friend, and "father" alone to face an imminent death by himself. As I sit back and let this passage sink in I realize  that this may be the kind of conviction today's relationships are lacking. Couples are more likely to separate after the first major fight than they are to find ways to make it work.

On this Valentine's Day let's take a closer look at our relationships and ask ourselves, "Am I willing to never leave this person's side, even as they travel through the most difficult times of their lives?" If the answer is anything less than an absolute yes ask yourself this: "What can I do to make it so?"

In Christianity we believe Jesus never leaves our side. We should do the same for others, don't you think?

A Fine Tribute Indeed

What2Say2Day? This past weekend we lost another young and talented soul. She was taken at what seemed to be a time of turn around in her life. She was rehabilitated from years of drug use and making a movie. Why this lady decided to do what she did will always be a mystery to us, but if previous lives taken from us too soon will be an indication we should be able to venture a guess.

I'm not talking about drug use, alcoholism, or depression, but the root reasons as to why she traveled down those paths. How can a woman, raised in a small town by good parents and with a strong  faith towards God go awry? Somewhere along the way she had lost her community would be my guess.

We take a look at those whose lives have had very public, tragic endings and we'll see the same answer. Yes, how they passed will all be different. The reasons they did the things that put them in those situations will be the same. At some point in their lives they felt alone, abandoned by those around them; especially those closest to them. They had forgotten the feel of what it's like to be unconditionally accepted for the person they are.

We may not belong to the inner circles of the people who have left us much too soon, but we can help those around us in our everyday lives. All we need to do is look at the Michael in the cubicle next to us, the Amy who sits next to us on the bus, or the Whitney that eats lunch by herself and offer them a smile, a friendly hello, or an ear for five minutes to let them know they are loved. We have the power to help others simply by being their friend.

What a world this would be if people knew without a doubt that at least one person cared.

Oh No, Not THE Truth Again!

What2Say2Day? Okay, I'm kind of riled this morning having just read a string of Facebook proclamations about what the TRUTH about the WORD is. Of course the proclaimer made many references to verses in the bible, picking and choosing what was appropriate to support his argument. In the process, however, he had forgotten to mention there were other things in the bible which aren't followed, but that's okay, he wasn't talking about stoning sinners or boiling kids in milk or wearing only cloth woven of a single thread (please don't take away my rayon shirts).

In the string of arguments, though, was a single comment stating that it's no wonder Christian churches are on the decline. It's the hurt and un-welcomed, un-accepting rhetoric which makes today's Christian churches a place not to spend a Sunday morning with family. I wouldn't want my children exposed to teachings about hate and division, would you?

I find it almost comical that all of the arguments about such things as homosexuality or women in the church or people of color all come from Old Testament verses or words written by Paul or in the book of Revelation. And the people arguing these things call themselves Christians. A very good friend of mine who just so happens to be an ordained gay minister once gave me a book titled "What Jesus Says About Gays". It was a thin book, no more than 150 pages, and each page was blank.

Follow the teachings of Christ. Welcome all people...scratch that...Welcome all creation with the love of God and not the rules of man.

Once You Get Past The Shock

What2Say2Day? I read a story on msnbc news yesterday which sent my normally emotionally balanced senses into a spin (follow this link if you want to read it - http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/46306931). The story involved a 19 year old girl who was sentenced to life with parole for killing her 9 year old neighbor a few years ago. She tells of her murder in a diary, calling it "ahmazing" and saying she just wanted to see what it felt like to kill someone. She also writes in her diary that after the murder she was shaky and nervous, which was followed by her writing "Kay, I gotta go to church now...lol." The report says she actually went to a youth dance at her church after strangling and stabbing that little girl. 

This story sent me into a shock, as I'm sure most of you are. I kept saying to myself, "Why? What would cause a 15 year old to do such a thing?" I spoke to a fellow worker at my church who had read the story, and he was just as puzzled as I was. We shared this story with other church staff and I sensed a feel of, "What do we do?" in the room.

Later that night, as the thoughts of this story kept circling through my soul, I had the opportunity to share with a few Young Adults from our church. We talked for a good hour or so about how this story made us feel, and what could lead to someone doing something like this just because they wanted to know how it felt. We all agreed that the story was shocking if not a little disturbing. We could see how living in a community, or a non-community, where nobody takes the time to make and develop relationships can be harmful.

We also agreed that we all know someone like this. Not to this extent, but someone who is on the edges, an outcast, someone who is isolated for whatever reasons from everyone else. Which is where we made the decision to be more Christ-like in our own ways and reach out to these people by listening more, being more aware of the people we come into contact with, and if allowed dig deeper into the relationships to understand what is going on in their lives.

Yes, stories like this happen more often than we would like. The question for us is do we perpetuate them by remaining in a state of shock and do nothing or do we find a way to find God within the stories. Let me end with today's entry with a question posed by one of our Young Adults - As Christ who would you visit first, the family of the 9 year old, or the family of the 19 year old?

Choose one and visit. Then go visit the other.

You Know That Place, Between This Or That

What2Say2Day? Every so often we find ourselves at a crossroads in life. A time when a decision we make will affect our lives in an unknown way. I'm not talking about what to have for dinner or whether we should get the burger or the salad, I'm talking about decisions which will affect you, your family, your friends, and your lifestyle - or not.

I was talking with a friend last night about this subject. He has been in the same relationship for almost 10 years and just came to the realization he doesn't love her and most likely never did. He said he has been feeling this way, off and on, for about a year and a half and now has the absolute conviction he doesn't share the same feelings in the relationship she does.

They are not married but do share property. She has a son from a previous marriage that he spends a lot of time with. He appreciates the times they spend together and how she takes care of him. He also enjoys doing small things for her to make her happy; the occasional gift for no reason, a surprise date night when her son isn't home. But he doesn't think he loves her.

I asked what love was supposed to look like to him. He thought for what seemed minutes until he answered, "Like what I have with her, I guess." I then asked him what love should feel like to him. He thought even longer about that question and couldn't come up with an answer.

"Do you think of her when you're not with her?" "Yes."
"Do you call her when you feel yourself wanting to be with her?" "Yes."
"Does being in her presence make you happy?" "Yes"
"Do you ever fight?" "No."
"Do you share things with her you don't share with anyone else?" "Yes"
"Do you find yourself wanting to be with others?"    "No."
"Would you give your life for hers?"                "Yes."

That last question almost made him cry. As soon as that conversation was over he got on the phone and walked around the corner. About a minute later he came back, still on the phone, and quietly said, "I love you too."

A POV From Someone Else

What2Say2Day? Once again someone says it better than I could.

http://act.ucc.org/site/MessageViewer?em_id=40661.0&dlv_id=51901


Write Your Own Ending

Excerpt from Mark 16: 9 – 18 

"Now when he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons."

Reflection by Anthony B. Robinson

You may not be able to find today's reading in the regular part of your Bible. Chances are good that it is hidden in the footnotes in very small print with a line that says, "Not part of the best manuscripts, probably added later." Mark, scholars tell us, really ends at 16: 8 with the words, "They said nothing to anyone for they were afraid." That doesn't so much end as it breaks off.  But then someone came along and added on. Wanted to pretty it up.

Not everyone likes that. Apparently some Bible translators don't like it because they bury these verses in the footnotes. I used to not much care for this "added ending" either. "No," I said, "it ends here. Deal with it." (I had been to seminary!) But then it occurred to me that maybe later people adding other endings could have a message. Maybe it is up to each of us to add or write our own ending, or at least a next chapter, in the story. Jesus is raised from the dead, now it's our turn, your turn and mine. With grace alive, it's your turn to write your own ending, your own next chapter, whoever you are and wherever you are.

Prayer
Bind me into your story of resurrection Lord, and free me to write my own part of your story of love and wonder. Amen.

Let Nothing Stop You

What2Say2Day? On Friday I was privileged to witness the fruition of a project taken on by one of the youth I work with at school. Let me state right from the beginning this young man has what we political-correctly call special abilities. At the beginning of the year he firmly stated that his year-end project would be conducting the high school band as they play an arrangement of his making. (For those not familiar with the year-end projects many Hawaii high schools do it involves a research paper, a final product of some kind that relates to the research, and a presentation of the project to a board of educators.)

His adult mentors called it lofty, and were upfront with him in saying there would be many obstacles along the way, but if this is what he wanted they would fully support him as much as it was in their power to do so. And obstacles there were. Firstly we had to pick a research question. When asked why he wanted to do this project and what community impact would be made by it he firmly stated that he understood music has emotional effects on people, and he wanted his music to have the same.

Next on the list of obstacles was finding a mentor who could work with his abilities and knew music enough to guide him through making an arrangement. This proved difficult as those who were willing to work with his abilities didn't know enough about music and those who knew music couldn't work with his abilities. Nevertheless every avenue was exhausted until a mentor was found.

Then came the endless days of research, arranging, writing his paper, arranging, making sure he didn't fall behind in his other classes (which, by the way, include physics and trigonometry) and arranging. Then, this past Friday, despite all obstacles both physical and emotional, he stood before the band as all eyes focused on him, some in admiration, and conducted a musical piece of his own arrangement.

If his end goal was to bring awareness that music causes emotion in people then I have to say he passed with an A+. Congratulations, young man, for never quitting on yourself and for allowing others to guide you along the way.

A New Way - Part B

What2Say2Day? Yesterday we explored the postmodern child and discovered they live in a world where words and actions influence them in such a way that they have developed, or are developing, an ethic of creating "rules" which govern their lives in such a way as to ensure they are happy; never mind everyone else. The postmodern culture of "whats-in-it-for-me" and "why should I bother if it's not about me" is creating a community, or non-community, of individuals.

So, as educators what can we do? As a true educator I came up with an acronym to help us out. Just keep it REAL.

R - Relational. Even in a society of individuals humans crave relationship. These relationships need to be based on honesty, trust and integrity. If we are to be a part of the child's society we must first be their friend. I'm talking about a true friend; one who supports as well as one who let's them know when things are not right.

E - Experiential. I first heard this word in my Christian Education class (Thank you Dr. Brokenleg for everything your teachings have opened my heart to). Today's child is bombarded with multimedia. Their senses are being attacked from every angle by everything. We need to be in this world as well. Show and Tell is back; actually it's more like tell and show, then tell again. Today's child wants to know what we're doing and why we're doing it before they actually do it. Then, after it's been done, they want to talk about their experiences.

A - Applicable. Remember, if whatever you're doing doesn't seem to have an impact, immediate or future, on their lives they just won't care about it. Show them how it applies. Math is more than numbers, it's problem solving...English is more than reading and writing, it's effective communication...History is more than obscure names doing obscure things in obscure places a million years ago, it's how decisions we make in this world make us who we are today and into the future.

L - Likeable. It has to be fun! Play games, make them laugh, tell them personal stories, get them involved, validate their words and actions, just have fun.

For those of us who want to go the extra steps I want to add 2 more letters to our acronym. REALLY.

L - Love! Care about our children. They need to be loved. Not only are our children living in a postmodern culture, so are the adults. Nothing hurts a child more than when their parents take them to all their activities only to complain about not having enough time to do things for themselves.Spend time with our children, get involved in their lives, talk with them and listen to them.

Y - Yahweh. This one honestly incorporates all of the above. Be the Christ others are looking for. That's all I got to say about that.

There it is, all laid out for us and ready to go, right. None of this is easy, it takes a willingness on our part to change for others. That idea is counter cultural in a postmodern world. Maybe that's what we need, though; counterculturism (I think I just invented a word).

A New Way

What2Say2Day? This morning I'm trying something new; posting my thoughts via a wireless device. I'm mostly doing this because I needed a ride to work today and had to leave my house an hour earlier than usual. As I sit here and type with my thumbs I'm amused at how easy this actually is.

Yesterday I was looking for a book I wanted to re-read to help give me ideas for a new ministry. In the process I came across another book about how Children's Ministry is being affected by the postmodern culture in which we live. The book included lessons for Sunday School, different ways to involve parents, and ideas on community service and gatherings.

The book also gave a brief description on what Children in the postmodern era are like. The author stated that these children are growing up in a society where the rules are being defined by personal beliefs and experiences rather than societal teachings. The children in today's culture are being taught through instantaneous information  on the internet, ad campaigns, and reality tv that they are allowed, in fact encouraged, to make their own decisions based on what will personally be best for them.

In other words, the rules that maintain a community and a society are no longer valid. "What's best for me is what's best" seems to be the mantra our children are learning.

So, what do we do, or how do we teach our children on a culture which promotes this. Let's save that for tomorrow.

Oh What A Beautiful Morning, Oh What a Beautiful Day

What2Say2Day? I just have to know...Who broke into song reading that title? The answer to that may just show your age and how in touch you are with the age groups around you.

The other day while tutoring some kids after school one of them started coughing and complaining about the vog (look back a few blogs to learn about what vog is). Another one of the students then asked what vog was, and a reply came from several others that it's blown in from the volcano. As I thought "close enough" I broke into song...Sing along if you can:

I don't know, I don't know, I don't know where I'm a gonna go when the volcano blows (da da da da da)
I don't know!
I don't know, I don't know.....

I must have been surrounded by a dozen of our wonderful youth, each looking at me as though I was a weirdo. "What?!" was my only response, "that's a song, you know, by Jimmy Buffett." This proclamation was swiftly followed by deeper, more thoughtful looks of weirdness.

A conversation ensued, accompanied by validations from YouTube, about who Jimmy Buffett was and how his music spans all generations. We talked at length about how music influences our understandings of self and community. We analyzed how Jimmy's music went straight to that place which calls out for a life of peace with no responsibilities.

Ok, I did all the validating, and talking, and analyzing. Then I listened. They told me of their music and how it influenced their ideas of self and community. They analyzed songs which spoke of a life where we all get along and enjoy the presence of one another. They even validated their point with YouTube and a large sing-along.

I could only smile as I looked around at our youth, enjoying each other, in a room where nobody judged them, or put restrictions of pressured expectations on them. We were in a place filled with love, acceptance, and joy. And the background music was gangsta rap.

Thank you, God, for that day!