It's probably no surprise that the news wires just came out with a story that consumer confidence is the lowest it has been in 40 years. The speculation is that the consumer...people like you and I...forsee a deep recession. Forget "Joe the Plumber". We have become a nation of "Joe the Panicky" and "Joanna the Worrier." What is most revealing to me, though, is how much of our "confidence" rises and falls on economic reports. Now, I won't take a dive off into the deep end of naivete. I realize that bills have to be paid and that there are certain things in life that are necessary and it in order for me to have those things, I become a consumer. But, it does seem that our sense of well-being, our sense of being at peace, our sense of "everything's going to be all right" is more oriented around Wall Street then it is around the way of Jesus.
I want a soul-confidence that sustains me even when things seem out of control. I want to live with such a confidence that I am fully aware of what is going on around me - in my world and in my community - that I am not shaken to despair and anxiety. Most of all, I want to live with such confidence that I am not continually distracted by the bad news and the negative news. You see, I think that ends up being the biggest detriment to our spiritual life - our distractability. We get so distracted by the reports of how bad the economy is or how bad it's going to get, that we have no more energy to focus on how God is at work or how God is caring for us. My distracted soul ends up focusing more on those things that should not matter and less on the things that do.
In the Bible, the Psalmist writes: "Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident...I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." (Psalm 27:3, 13) For the Psalmist, when the world around him was chaotic, he remained confident. In other words, he made a choice to trust in God even though everything seemed to be going crazy.
What I find to be true for the Psalmist - and then true for me - is that when I choose to trust then I begin to notice God's goodness around me and in my life. I believe this happens because this act of trust in God has a way of focusing my vision. My energies are no longer dissipated by worry and anxiety. Rather, trust in God has a way of focusing me and enabling me to see where God is at work and God's goodness in my life.
Our consumer confidence may be low but our Christian confidence can be high because we can be confident God is still alive. We can be confident that all we need God will provide. We can be confident that God is able to carry us through any adversity we may face. And, we can be confident that God will give us the strength we need. Maybe your consumer confidence will wane...but keep your Christian confidence high...and lifted up...as you look to God.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Gracious Speech and Civil Conversation
My routine is pretty much the same each morning. I feed the cat, make my coffee, pour my bowl of cereal for people 45 and older (Kashi shredded wheat) and I read the paper. One of the first sections I turn to is the Letter to the Editor section. I turn there because I like to read the exchange of ideas. But there are other times (and I hate to admit this) I go to the Letter to the Editor section much like a person goes might go to a NASCAR race - you want to see a good race but every now and then you hope for something exciting like a someone going into a wall or even a ten car wreck. You don't wish for it but when it happens you take it all in.
Sometimes reading those Letters to the Editor is like watching car careening all over the highway and eventually running into each other. Sometimes they bump. Sometimes they scrape. But often times there are verbal head on collisions and the damage is done. Sometimes there are injuries and people are hurt. But, I'm not surprised. Writing Letters to the Editor is often like writing an angry email - you feel pretty courageous in what you have to say because you don't actually have to sit before an actual person and see their actual face and realize they are an actual human being. We can hit "Send" and are opinions and "take on things" is not on it's way.
Don't get me wrong. I am not saying the Letters to the Editor is a bad thing to have. Sometimes you take the bad with the good. For that reason, it's an important part of our democracy. It allows folks to speak their mind and share their thoughts. But, I wish that a certain level of civility and graciousness could be part of the process. Like seasoning one's food with just the right amount of salt or pepper, it would be nice for folks to season their speech with just the right amount of humility, graciousness, and respect.
In one of his Epistles, the Apostle Paul wrote: "Let your speech always be gracious..." (Colossians 4:6) Paul seemed to get it. He seemed to understand that how we talk to people and about people makes a different. How we share our ideas, thoughts, and opinions is just as important as the content of our ideas, thoughts, and opinions. This becomes especially important given the prevalence of negative advertising over the next two weeks. It literally becomes the air we breathe. As we breathe in the negativity, cynicism, and even disrespect, we begin to manifest it in our lives. Paul has a better idea. Season your conversation with a gracious spirit and with gracious words. Not only for the benefit of the person you speaking with but also for the benefit of who you represent. We represent a most gracious God - a God who would never demean or disrespect.
At a more everyday level, I am often amazed at the number of folks I hear that speak about others with a low-level contempt. They may not slander but I have heard folks refer to others as an "idiot" or a "moron" or even a "jerk." If they can't come up with a suitable name, they may engage in the kind of gossip which seems harmless but only serves to reinforce or judgmental spirit within our soul. What makes this even more heartbreaking is that I often hear this from folks who claim to be followers of Jesus. For some reason, we often save our most biting contempt for those we are closest to - family, neighbors, even church friends.
In their book Gracious Christianity, authors Douglas Jacobson and Arther Sawatsky write:
"We have a gracious gospel. The good news that Jesus proclaimed is that God is graciously disposed toward us. God loves us, and, indeed, God loves everyone and every good thing in this wonderful world in which we live. We are expected to do the same. The gospel invites us to mimic God's own graciousness in our lives. It calls us to become so enveloped in God's graciouness that we become conduits of God's grace and love for others. Graciousness is a nonnegotiable dimension of Christian faith. It goes to the very core of the gospel. It is what makes the gospel good news."
We are invited to do more then just believe in the good news. We are invited to share it, live it, and even reflect it in how we speak to one another. The scriptures invites us to let our speech always be gracious. Not sometimes. Not when I like the person. Not when it's convenient or I am in a good mood. But always. There might not be much you and I can do to save the negative political ads at this point. But, there is certainly alot we can do in being gracious to each person we meet, each person we talk to, each person we talk about. Let graciousness prevail. Let it rule your heart. Let it season your speech.
How hard is it for you to remain gracious when sharing your ideas?
How do you graciously respond to an ungracious person?
Where do you see God at work in your speech?
Sometimes reading those Letters to the Editor is like watching car careening all over the highway and eventually running into each other. Sometimes they bump. Sometimes they scrape. But often times there are verbal head on collisions and the damage is done. Sometimes there are injuries and people are hurt. But, I'm not surprised. Writing Letters to the Editor is often like writing an angry email - you feel pretty courageous in what you have to say because you don't actually have to sit before an actual person and see their actual face and realize they are an actual human being. We can hit "Send" and are opinions and "take on things" is not on it's way.
Don't get me wrong. I am not saying the Letters to the Editor is a bad thing to have. Sometimes you take the bad with the good. For that reason, it's an important part of our democracy. It allows folks to speak their mind and share their thoughts. But, I wish that a certain level of civility and graciousness could be part of the process. Like seasoning one's food with just the right amount of salt or pepper, it would be nice for folks to season their speech with just the right amount of humility, graciousness, and respect.
In one of his Epistles, the Apostle Paul wrote: "Let your speech always be gracious..." (Colossians 4:6) Paul seemed to get it. He seemed to understand that how we talk to people and about people makes a different. How we share our ideas, thoughts, and opinions is just as important as the content of our ideas, thoughts, and opinions. This becomes especially important given the prevalence of negative advertising over the next two weeks. It literally becomes the air we breathe. As we breathe in the negativity, cynicism, and even disrespect, we begin to manifest it in our lives. Paul has a better idea. Season your conversation with a gracious spirit and with gracious words. Not only for the benefit of the person you speaking with but also for the benefit of who you represent. We represent a most gracious God - a God who would never demean or disrespect.
At a more everyday level, I am often amazed at the number of folks I hear that speak about others with a low-level contempt. They may not slander but I have heard folks refer to others as an "idiot" or a "moron" or even a "jerk." If they can't come up with a suitable name, they may engage in the kind of gossip which seems harmless but only serves to reinforce or judgmental spirit within our soul. What makes this even more heartbreaking is that I often hear this from folks who claim to be followers of Jesus. For some reason, we often save our most biting contempt for those we are closest to - family, neighbors, even church friends.
In their book Gracious Christianity, authors Douglas Jacobson and Arther Sawatsky write:
"We have a gracious gospel. The good news that Jesus proclaimed is that God is graciously disposed toward us. God loves us, and, indeed, God loves everyone and every good thing in this wonderful world in which we live. We are expected to do the same. The gospel invites us to mimic God's own graciousness in our lives. It calls us to become so enveloped in God's graciouness that we become conduits of God's grace and love for others. Graciousness is a nonnegotiable dimension of Christian faith. It goes to the very core of the gospel. It is what makes the gospel good news."
We are invited to do more then just believe in the good news. We are invited to share it, live it, and even reflect it in how we speak to one another. The scriptures invites us to let our speech always be gracious. Not sometimes. Not when I like the person. Not when it's convenient or I am in a good mood. But always. There might not be much you and I can do to save the negative political ads at this point. But, there is certainly alot we can do in being gracious to each person we meet, each person we talk to, each person we talk about. Let graciousness prevail. Let it rule your heart. Let it season your speech.
How hard is it for you to remain gracious when sharing your ideas?
How do you graciously respond to an ungracious person?
Where do you see God at work in your speech?
Monday, October 13, 2008
Metaphors of the Week
Last week was a wild ride on the Wall Street Express...and it might not be over. In the meantime, I have been reading, searching, and reflecting so I could make sense of it all. At one level, I don't want to panic. Life happens in cycles and we have seen some of these cycles before. At another level, I want to be very prudent and aware of what is going on. Not only does my retirement and college funds depend on me being aware but so does my soul. I want to process this spiritually and see what this whole experience can teach me. wanted the. Better yet, what can it teach us as followers of Jesus and Christians seeking first the Kingdom of God.
In that process, what has been helpful for me is to connect up with other metaphors that other writers and observers have been using to describe the recent economic crisis. Mark Sayers, culture watcher and author of the book The Trouble with Paris: Following Jesus in a World of Plastic Promises, uses these words to describe the current economic crisis: "To put it in layman’s terms the global economy has been acting like a teenage girl who had stolen her parents credit card and was buying everything in sight at the mall; it was fun for a while but it was always going to end in tears...Greed became the norm, we got so used to it that we barely noticed that everyone's ride had been pimped. A culture of insanity set in as no one was happy anymore with being healthy and free, we all wanted the lifestyles of the rich and famous." Sayers goes on to add these words:
"But now reality has crashed the hyperreal party. We are seeing the consequences of our culture’s credit card lifestyle. So now I pray, because this will hurt a lot of people, most of all it will hurt those at the bottom of the economic pile. Yet I also have hope, hope that sanity will return, that people will begin to question our culture’s hyperreal paper tigers. That people will see that there is another unseen reality that exists in our world. A reality that does not revolve around stocks, currencies and computer screens. A reality that is marked by shalom, righteousness and justice. A reality that is breaking out in our world, that we will see if we just can take our eyes off the dollar signs."
Another author, United Methodist pastor Adam Hamilton, describes the recent economic condition in this way:
"In many ways this economic crisis is like a serious heart attack requiring quadruple bypass surgery. The patient (America) has eaten too much of the wrong things, refused to practice self-discipline or to exercise. She could have predicted the attack basedon her lifestyle. And, though doctors had warned her of the likelihood of an attack, she chose to ignore their warnings. Following a lengthy surgyer, and after a period of recovery, the patient will feel so much better. But there is still the matter of changing her lifestyle. If she goes back to eating fatty foods, far too many calories, and never exercising, she will be back on the operating table, or perhaps worse, within a few years. This is where America finds herself."
These are both pretty stark metaphors but they both point to an overindulgence in stuff and now we are suffering severe economic indigestion. This, of course, is no laughing matter. Many have lost millions of dollars in their retirement funds and college funds have taken a hit. Also, folks live under the fear of being laid off or not having enough to pay for gas or groceries. We need to be praying as well as being sensitive to the needs of others. For us as Quakers, this is an excellent time to live out our core value of simplicity as well as community and caring for others. Life is not all about what we own or possess. Life is about community and caring for one another.
What's your take on the present economy? As of today, the stock market was up..but how long will that last? Moreso, can my faith sustain me and hold me solid as through this wild ride?
In that process, what has been helpful for me is to connect up with other metaphors that other writers and observers have been using to describe the recent economic crisis. Mark Sayers, culture watcher and author of the book The Trouble with Paris: Following Jesus in a World of Plastic Promises, uses these words to describe the current economic crisis: "To put it in layman’s terms the global economy has been acting like a teenage girl who had stolen her parents credit card and was buying everything in sight at the mall; it was fun for a while but it was always going to end in tears...Greed became the norm, we got so used to it that we barely noticed that everyone's ride had been pimped. A culture of insanity set in as no one was happy anymore with being healthy and free, we all wanted the lifestyles of the rich and famous." Sayers goes on to add these words:
"But now reality has crashed the hyperreal party. We are seeing the consequences of our culture’s credit card lifestyle. So now I pray, because this will hurt a lot of people, most of all it will hurt those at the bottom of the economic pile. Yet I also have hope, hope that sanity will return, that people will begin to question our culture’s hyperreal paper tigers. That people will see that there is another unseen reality that exists in our world. A reality that does not revolve around stocks, currencies and computer screens. A reality that is marked by shalom, righteousness and justice. A reality that is breaking out in our world, that we will see if we just can take our eyes off the dollar signs."
Another author, United Methodist pastor Adam Hamilton, describes the recent economic condition in this way:
"In many ways this economic crisis is like a serious heart attack requiring quadruple bypass surgery. The patient (America) has eaten too much of the wrong things, refused to practice self-discipline or to exercise. She could have predicted the attack basedon her lifestyle. And, though doctors had warned her of the likelihood of an attack, she chose to ignore their warnings. Following a lengthy surgyer, and after a period of recovery, the patient will feel so much better. But there is still the matter of changing her lifestyle. If she goes back to eating fatty foods, far too many calories, and never exercising, she will be back on the operating table, or perhaps worse, within a few years. This is where America finds herself."
These are both pretty stark metaphors but they both point to an overindulgence in stuff and now we are suffering severe economic indigestion. This, of course, is no laughing matter. Many have lost millions of dollars in their retirement funds and college funds have taken a hit. Also, folks live under the fear of being laid off or not having enough to pay for gas or groceries. We need to be praying as well as being sensitive to the needs of others. For us as Quakers, this is an excellent time to live out our core value of simplicity as well as community and caring for others. Life is not all about what we own or possess. Life is about community and caring for one another.
What's your take on the present economy? As of today, the stock market was up..but how long will that last? Moreso, can my faith sustain me and hold me solid as through this wild ride?
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
United We Stress
Most of us have heard the phrase, "United We Stand." Well, according to a report from CNN we're not "standing" things as well as we should. Here is what a report from CNN, dated October 7, had to say: "As many as 80 percent of Americans are stressed about their personal finances and the economy, according to the annual survey conducted by the American Psychological Association." The report goes on to add that "...Nearly 7,000 Americans responded to the survey between April and September this year. Within five months, anxiety about the economy had jumped from 66 percent to 80 percent. The poll was conducted before the passage of the $700 billion bailout bill last week and Monday's stock market tumble on to add..." Suffice it to say, we are a stressed out nation. And the toll is beginning to show. Just in the last couple of days the news wires have carried reports of tragic stories where famliy members have either been hurt or killed due to a stressed out family member driven to the brink either due to the fact they were having extreme financial problems or they were having trouble finding work.
At times like this, it feels as if I would just be doling out pithy answers and easy phrases if I were to say, "Just trust God." But, as those who seek to follow in the way of Jesus and live the abundant life Jesus promised, we discover that Jesus lived a life that seemed to lack one thing in particular - stress. Certainly Jesus may not have had the bills and issues we have today, but he did live in the same world and battle with his own stressors. What seems different with Jesus is that he lived in such intimate communion with God that he truly believed that God would provide for his every need. For that reason, Jesus chose - that's right, I wrote "chose" - Jesus chose not to worry. He knew that worry would not accomplish anything and would, instead, siphon off all the energy he would need to minister and serve on God's behalf. Jesus truly lived an unhurred, un-worried life. I'm not sure life was any easier. I think he just chose to focus his heart elsewhere. He chose to focus on the loving care of God and the fact that God truly cares about his well being. In the same way, God truly cares about our well being. We may not fully know how God will take care of us and how God will provide - but we can trust that God will provide for our needs.
As we live in trust, what else can we do to reduce our stress in these uniquely tough times.
Get Plenty of Rest
That might seem like an oxymoron because when you are stressed, it's hard to sleep. But making sure we are getting the rest we need helps us during stressful times.
Get Some Silence...Take A Spiritual Timeout
Allow yourself to take some time to create a space where you can just sit, take deep breaths, and wait on God. As the Psalmist says, "Be still and know that I am God." Rest in God's presence.
Watch Your Emotional Gauge
Realize that sometimes we get emotionally worn out and we don't even realize it. When we are emotionally worn out, we need to do those things that rejuvenate us emotionally - reading a good book, listening to good music, stepping outside and enjoying the Fall colors, taking a nap. Whatever works for you, take time to fill your emotional tank.
Financially...Dont' Panic...But Be Prudent
These truly are unique times economically. We should not panic by doing things like taking all our money out of the banks or burying our retirement in the bank yard. But, we can be prudent and realize that maybe some purchases have to be put off for awhile until the economy settles down. This is a time to focus on the things we need...not as much the things we want.
Maintain a Strong Relational Network
At times like this, our friends can be a source of strength and support. Having a network of people we can go to when we are down, scared, or nervous will get us through.
We are a stressed nation but it doesnt have to divide us...or divide our souls. Trust God. Take care of yourself. And realize that each day is a new day, a gift from God, it is the day the Lord has made!
At times like this, it feels as if I would just be doling out pithy answers and easy phrases if I were to say, "Just trust God." But, as those who seek to follow in the way of Jesus and live the abundant life Jesus promised, we discover that Jesus lived a life that seemed to lack one thing in particular - stress. Certainly Jesus may not have had the bills and issues we have today, but he did live in the same world and battle with his own stressors. What seems different with Jesus is that he lived in such intimate communion with God that he truly believed that God would provide for his every need. For that reason, Jesus chose - that's right, I wrote "chose" - Jesus chose not to worry. He knew that worry would not accomplish anything and would, instead, siphon off all the energy he would need to minister and serve on God's behalf. Jesus truly lived an unhurred, un-worried life. I'm not sure life was any easier. I think he just chose to focus his heart elsewhere. He chose to focus on the loving care of God and the fact that God truly cares about his well being. In the same way, God truly cares about our well being. We may not fully know how God will take care of us and how God will provide - but we can trust that God will provide for our needs.
As we live in trust, what else can we do to reduce our stress in these uniquely tough times.
Get Plenty of Rest
That might seem like an oxymoron because when you are stressed, it's hard to sleep. But making sure we are getting the rest we need helps us during stressful times.
Get Some Silence...Take A Spiritual Timeout
Allow yourself to take some time to create a space where you can just sit, take deep breaths, and wait on God. As the Psalmist says, "Be still and know that I am God." Rest in God's presence.
Watch Your Emotional Gauge
Realize that sometimes we get emotionally worn out and we don't even realize it. When we are emotionally worn out, we need to do those things that rejuvenate us emotionally - reading a good book, listening to good music, stepping outside and enjoying the Fall colors, taking a nap. Whatever works for you, take time to fill your emotional tank.
Financially...Dont' Panic...But Be Prudent
These truly are unique times economically. We should not panic by doing things like taking all our money out of the banks or burying our retirement in the bank yard. But, we can be prudent and realize that maybe some purchases have to be put off for awhile until the economy settles down. This is a time to focus on the things we need...not as much the things we want.
Maintain a Strong Relational Network
At times like this, our friends can be a source of strength and support. Having a network of people we can go to when we are down, scared, or nervous will get us through.
We are a stressed nation but it doesnt have to divide us...or divide our souls. Trust God. Take care of yourself. And realize that each day is a new day, a gift from God, it is the day the Lord has made!
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