I’m tired of blogging, at least for now.  My time, it appears, would be better spent reading or writing in other venues, so at least temporarily I’m taking a break.  Maybe for a week, maybe for a month, maybe forever.  I’ve got these words running through my head and can’t offer up an argument to refute them, so I’ll stop trying for now:

You’re caught up in the Internet,
you think it’s such a great asset,
but you’re wrong, wrong, wrong.
All that fiber optic gear
still cannot take away the fear
like an island song.

Thanks for the focus check, Jimmy…

It has been almost three months since we’ve had any a-musement around here!!! So here’s my favorite T-mobile commercial of all time…probably because I see this conversation happening around our dinner table in about 7 or 8 more years:

Disclaimer: I have no relation with T-mobile in any way, but they have the best commercials…

Thank God there are some real role models left in the sports world…

I’ve railed against poor role models in sports in the not too recent past, but I saw this story today that gives me real hope. This event will doubtless fail to receive the amount of media attention it should, and those who read about these two ladies will soon likely forget the details of the story…but for what it’s worth, this is one story I shall not fail to ensure my children hear about. Here’s a teaser, but please read the whole story here:

Western Oregon senior Sara Tucholsky had never hit a home run in her career. Central Washington senior Mallory Holtman was already her school’s career leader in them. But when a twist of fate and a torn knee ligament brought them face to face with each other and face to face with the end of their playing days, they combined on a home run trot that celebrated the collective human spirit far more than individual athletic achievement.

These ladies are true champs, truly exhibiting the highest levels of sportsmanship, and truly worthy of the title, “Role Models”– Sara Tucholsky for her determination and Mallory Holtman for her selflessness. Thanks to you both! I wish I had the privilege of participating in your ‘Standing O’

With respect to Reformed and Lutheran differences in understanding, Dr. Gene Veith has made some interesting observations about the significance of Christ’s ascension into heaven.  He writes:

It’s odd that the significance of Christ’s ascension is taken in two opposite ways: The Reformed say that it means Christ is ABSENT, no longer on earth, so that His real presence in the sacrament is impossible. Lutherans say that it means Christ, at the right hand of Power, His human nature assumed into the Holy Trinity, can now be omnipresent, so that He CAN be on every altar.

Much of this tracks directly to Calvin and Zwingli’s philosophical understanding (and presuppositions), which creates marked theological differences between Lutheran and Reformed theology.  Dr. Veith, without a doubt, has succinctly captured the essence of these differences and their consequences in his practical and easily understood words.

This morning (here), Josh has made some keen observations on the differences between Lutheranism and contemporary American Evangelicalism. While he specifically points out the differences as those between Lutheranism and ‘what goes on at a megachurch,’ his points are spot on with respect to the larger world of Evangelicalism as a whole. He discusses the flawed notion that the differences are merely liturgical ones and goes deeper into sacramental nature of Lutheran theology and how it affects EVERYTHING. Read it, mull it over, digest it…it’s definitely worth your time! Thanks, Josh!

Lord Jesus, when you were about to depart into heaven, you lifted your hands in blessing and promised to be with us always.  Even though your word confirms your presence in our lives, we are a sinful people, in need of your forgiveness.  We confess that we have been indifferent and forgotten your blessing.  Instead, we have sought things of this earth.  We have focused on our own loneliness, though you have promised to be with us always.  You have promised to return, yet we have grown impatient and earthbound and fail to set our hearts on things above.  We have not always been a people of anticipation and need a return to joy.

During worship last night, I first made this confession and moved right on without giving it much more thought…but I ended up returning to this prayer for some serious meditation and realized that its words were indeed true!

How often have we forgotten the blessing of Jesus promised continual presence with us, opting to seek instead some perceived material ‘blessing’ as a sign of God’s favor?  What could be more of a true blessing than the very real, true presence of Immanuel in Word, Sacrament, and through union with the Holy Spirit?  Why are we so tempted to trade what is undeniably the best possible blessing for what appeals to our flesh but is really gaudy and fleeting?

How often have we lamented our own loneliness–in the sense of not being able to be with those we love (for whatever reason); despising co-workers; ignoring friends and family; or failing to spend time with God through Word and prayer–while all along failing to remember that Christ has promised never to leave or forsake us?  As believers indwelt by the very Spirit of God, we are never alone, yet we pile up self-pity much faster than we ever store up treasures in heaven.

How often have we focused like lasers on the temporal things (treasures, cares, burdens) of this world and neglected the things of heaven?  We can no more see many of our earthbound cares than we can see our Father’s kingdom, yet these temporary cares come to dominate us to the very core of our beings.  Why?

Lord Jesus, we do need a return to true joy, that joy which only comes from you by remembering that you have promised to be with us always and to one day return bodily in the manner in which you ascended so many years ago.  Make us ever mindful of what is our true joy, true fellowship, and true hope!

Note: It has been over four months since I have posted any poetry, original or otherwise. I hope to get back to this practice, as poetry, no doubt, is good for the soul.

Sea Longing

A thousand miles beyond this sun-steeped wall
Somewhere the waves creep cool along the sand,
The ebbing tide forsakes the listless land
With the old murmur, long and musical;
The windy waves mount up and curve and fall,
And round the rocks the foam blows up like snow –
Tho’ I am inland far, I hear and know.,
For I was born the sea’s eternal thrall.
I would there I were there and over me
The cold insistence of the tide would roll,
Quenching this burning thing men call the soul, –
Then with the ebbing I should drift and be
Less than the smallest shell along the shoal,
Less than the seagulls calling to the sea.

– Sara Teasdale

Ah, is there any doubt what is on my mind today? A few short weeks until vacation finds my feet planted, barefoot, in the warm sand again.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:43-48, ESV)

While writing on Jesus’ words from John 6 about judging by external appearances, Luther writes the following very poignant words describing the contrast between Christian attitudes and those of the the world:

No one views his neighbor with clear eyes except the Christian, whose sight is bright and pure. He looks upon his enemies with the eyes of mercy and compassion, and wishes them no evil. Even when his enemy is wroth and angry with him, he thinks to himself: “This bigwig is a wretched person; he is damned already; why should I wish him further evil? If my enemy continues on that course, he is the devil’s own.” He feels compassion for him and would gladly see him saved. The others behold their neighbor with eyes of hatred, envy, and pride. Thus they look upon us as malefactors. About this the Lord says: “Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment; that is, look fairly at My work and at Me.” (LW 23:240)

Jesus speaks many words about compassion for our enemies, seeing others as God sees them, and loving others in spite of themselves.  None of these passages is easy to live out in the world, at least not for me…and I doubt completely that I am alone here.  As if Jesus words weren’t powerful enough, Luther’s explanation really socked me in my oft compassionless gut.  “This bigwig is a wretches person; he is damned already; why should I wish him further evil?”  Oh how I wish this were my first reaction to folks of this type, but too often my flesh kicks in and I react in a manner belying my confession!  All I can do is cry out those words I so often hear myself say…

Kyrie eleison; Christe eleison; Kyrie eleison.
Κύριε ἐλέησον, Χριστὲ ἐλέησον, Κύριε ἐλέησον.
Lord have mercy; Christ have mercy; Lord have mercy.