“Let us therefore no longer pass judgment on one another, but resolve instead never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of another.” ~ Romans 14:13
Some of you are familiar with Farmville, the cute, seemingly innocent game on Facebook. Farmville allows you to create your own virtual farm, to plant crops, acquire animals, harvest trees, and help your neighbors with their farms. You earn coins, farm bucks and experience through all of your “hard work” on your farm and your friends’ farms. Innocent enough, right?
My children have been telling me for weeks that they think that Farmville is … well … “a stupid waste of time” (their words, not mine). Frankly, I saw little, if any, harm at all in planting my crops, returning at exactly the right time to harvest them, then planting more. I rather enjoyed growing my homestead, plowing and seeding my fields, and reaping the rewards of my “labor.” And there was no downside. In Farmville, there is never a drought, never a flood, and never a bad crop.
There is only one problem with Farmville…it is addicting.
Some of you psychology students might remember a concept called “operant conditioning,” a learning mechanism using different schedules of reinforcement. Farmville operates on a fixed interval schedule of reinforcement. The player knows that after a particular period of time, they can expect their crops to be ripe and ready to gather. The more you reap, collect, pick and mow, the higher your level becomes. You receive more coins, plant more crops, and wait, again, for the harvest. The game begins to influence your daily schedule, and your work patterns. You become more and more competitive, watching your game rank increase, your coins amass, and your time diminishes. You know you are hooked when you actually buy “farm bucks” on your PayPal account. That’s right, when you spend real money to gain fake value, esteem, and status.
It is estimated that 75 million people play Farmville today. It is fun. There is nothing sinful, pornographic, or hateful in the game. There are worse things that people could do…really, lots worse. In fact this is really not about Farmville at all. It is about leading others into tempting situations when we engage in social behaviors that can be harmful in the extreme: buying lottery tickets, playing keno, or drinking alcohol. Our United Methodist Discipline calls gambling a “menace to society,” abstinence from alcohol and drugs “as a faithful witness to God’s liberating and redeeming love for persons.” These are not just suggestions for stodgy, uptight Christians, but ways to avoid hurting other people through our example. We may be perfectly able to stop after one lottery ticket, or one glass of wine, but our friends may not. To answer Brother Cain in Genesis 4:9, “Yes, you are your brother’s keeper.” So, is abstaining from addictive games a part of our faithful witness?
I have been thinking about these things lately, as I consider the more obvious ways we offend others. The troubling thing about some games is that they are insidious and accepted, like children’s rhymes or mottos that seem innocent enough at the time. When they grow into a monster all their own, an addiction, a racial slur, or an ungodly belief, they harm the other. Paul tells us we are not to judge the other, but we are not to lead others into compromising or addictive situations either. I am also reminded of our baptismal vows, calling us to resist sin in whatever ways or places it finds us. Finally, John Wesley warns us to “do no harm.”
I guess that means the end of Farmville for me…
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Why Haiti? Why Paraiso? Why Lent?
“Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil.”
~Luke 4:1-1
Recently, I was listening to a sermon by an esteemed colleague who had visited Haiti. He said there were two reasons why he went to Haiti. First, he was concerned he might easily forget the devastation of the nation, and second, he wanted to bring back ideas to help the United Methodist Church meet the future needs of the Haitian people. While I believe it will be hard to forget the destruction in Haiti, I am grateful for those who recognize and act on our long term commitment to the poor and oppressed. “The poor will always be among you,” our good Lord reminds us, and calls us to intentionally be among them.
By the time you read this, the season of Lent will be underway, and I will be traveling in the Dominican Republic with a team of eight Volunteers in Mission. We will be visiting a very poor village called “Paraíso,” which means paradise. Despite severe monetary poverty, there are some elements of paradise in Paraíso. There are beautiful, loving children too young to know of their own destitution. There are struggling mothers and fathers living in faithful obedience to God, offering hospitality and protection, as scripture commands, to visitors who have much more than they will ever acquire. There are beautiful views of a dangerous ocean and sweet breezes that cut through the pounding heat. Paradise can be deceiving.
Why do we go to Paraíso? Why did my colleague go to Haiti? We go for the same reason we put together health kits for Haiti, or collect cans of soup for the food pantry, or donate animals to Heifer International. We go because Christ calls us to do more than watch as others suffer, the Spirit compels us to service, and God prevails upon each of us to offer mercy to God’s struggling children.
At the beginning of Lent, we remember Jesus’ first act after his baptism was to go into the desert. There, he opened himself to temptations he would face his entire time on earth: temptations of the body, of the world, and of the spirit. These are the same deceptive temptations we experience. We hunger and thirst in solidarity with the poor, but only for the Lenten season. We consider our own privileges in the power structures of the world, but dismiss them as necessary evil. We face our spiritual pride, even as it is cloaked in scriptural distortion.
Perhaps you still are asking, why go to Paraíso or Haiti? Why fast? Why explore oppression or pride?
The best answer I can offer is this: when we answer God’s call to serve, to suffer, to pray, or study, we invite God’s transformative power to heal us from our own self deception. Jesus was different when he emerged from the desert. My colleague changed in Haiti, and I will come back from Paraíso changed too. Your children will not be the same when they return from ASP or UMARMY. God invites us into the Lenten Season to mold us, to change us and to use us. It is up to us to accept the Lenten invitation.
~Luke 4:1-1
Recently, I was listening to a sermon by an esteemed colleague who had visited Haiti. He said there were two reasons why he went to Haiti. First, he was concerned he might easily forget the devastation of the nation, and second, he wanted to bring back ideas to help the United Methodist Church meet the future needs of the Haitian people. While I believe it will be hard to forget the destruction in Haiti, I am grateful for those who recognize and act on our long term commitment to the poor and oppressed. “The poor will always be among you,” our good Lord reminds us, and calls us to intentionally be among them.
By the time you read this, the season of Lent will be underway, and I will be traveling in the Dominican Republic with a team of eight Volunteers in Mission. We will be visiting a very poor village called “Paraíso,” which means paradise. Despite severe monetary poverty, there are some elements of paradise in Paraíso. There are beautiful, loving children too young to know of their own destitution. There are struggling mothers and fathers living in faithful obedience to God, offering hospitality and protection, as scripture commands, to visitors who have much more than they will ever acquire. There are beautiful views of a dangerous ocean and sweet breezes that cut through the pounding heat. Paradise can be deceiving.
Why do we go to Paraíso? Why did my colleague go to Haiti? We go for the same reason we put together health kits for Haiti, or collect cans of soup for the food pantry, or donate animals to Heifer International. We go because Christ calls us to do more than watch as others suffer, the Spirit compels us to service, and God prevails upon each of us to offer mercy to God’s struggling children.
At the beginning of Lent, we remember Jesus’ first act after his baptism was to go into the desert. There, he opened himself to temptations he would face his entire time on earth: temptations of the body, of the world, and of the spirit. These are the same deceptive temptations we experience. We hunger and thirst in solidarity with the poor, but only for the Lenten season. We consider our own privileges in the power structures of the world, but dismiss them as necessary evil. We face our spiritual pride, even as it is cloaked in scriptural distortion.
Perhaps you still are asking, why go to Paraíso or Haiti? Why fast? Why explore oppression or pride?
The best answer I can offer is this: when we answer God’s call to serve, to suffer, to pray, or study, we invite God’s transformative power to heal us from our own self deception. Jesus was different when he emerged from the desert. My colleague changed in Haiti, and I will come back from Paraíso changed too. Your children will not be the same when they return from ASP or UMARMY. God invites us into the Lenten Season to mold us, to change us and to use us. It is up to us to accept the Lenten invitation.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Super Bowl or Souper Bowl? (aka, glutting or giving?)
“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen
and who feasted sumptuously every day.
And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus,
covered with sores who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man’s table;
even the dogs would come and lick his sores.”
~ Luke 16:19-21
It is almost upon us. The day we have been waiting for since Thanksgiving. It is the second largest feast day in the United States, Super Bowl Sunday. In the United States we will spend over $55 million on our Super Bowl party grocery bill. Ten million hours will be spent preparing chips and dips, chilling drinks, and filling the bowls. Collectively we will consume 4,000 tons of popcorn. If you were to put all of that popcorn on a string, you could circle the earth five and a half times. That will be exceeded by the 14,500 tons of chips of which we will munch a big bunch! If we lay those chips end to end, the trail would be 293,000 miles, or almost one and a half times the distance from the earth to the moon. Eight million pounds of guacamole will be consumed on that day. If you lined up all of those avocados end to end, well, oh, forget it. I think you get the point.
This year, the United Methodist Church has been talking about “Rethinking Church.” I wonder what it would be like to “Rethink Super Bowl Sunday?” What if, instead of sitting around the television watching the game and gorging ourselves, we tried something different? What if we sat around the television, watched the game, and assembled health kits for the people in Haiti? It would certainly help our waistlines! Then we could bring our health kits to church the next Sunday.
What if we rethink Super Bowl Sunday into Souper Bowl Sunday? What if we took ten percent of our share of the $55 million we spend on groceries for our parties, and purchased soup for the local food pantry? What if we asked our guests to bring a donation for the food pantry with them when they came to watch the game? What if we thought about people who won’t be eating on Super Bowl Sunday, or the weeks that follow, and then did something about it? Grace and FUMC are always happy to accept your donations of canned food.
If we rethink Super Bowl Sunday, we might feel better on the Monday after the game. On the day after the Super Bowl, antacid sales increase to twenty percent and six percent of all working Americans will call in sick. If we rethink Super Bowl Sunday, we might change our post-Bowl aches and pains into the joy that comes when we know we have helped someone else. Make Super Bowl Sunday a day of giving not glutting. Let’s all be winners, regardless of which football team wins the game.
Praying we will all be winners!
Saturday, December 26, 2009
The Twelve Days of Christmas
For the past few years, my family and I have attended the Boston Pops Holiday Concert during the Advent season. One of my favorite pieces is their arrangement of “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” (You can go to the Pops website and download the music on your I-Pod!) This year, a child sitting in front of me asked her mother what the twelve days of Christmas were. Her mother was unsure, as I imagine many people are unclear.
At one time, the Christmas holiday was celebrated as a 12 day season, spanning from December 25 through January 6, Epiphany. This practice was particularly popular in England. The days were filled with secular revelry, but considered idolatrous among the Puritans. In fact, when the Puritans came to the Americas, they outlawed Christmas from 1659 to 1681 in Massachusetts. Christmas did not become a legal holiday until 1856, and what was recovered was Christmas Day, without the other eleven days.
The song, “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” may refer simply to the celebration of the Christmas season, or may have deeper theological meaning. There is no clear evidence that the song was used as a type of Catholic catechism, although we cannot prove otherwise. Either way, here is an explanation of the song’s Christians elements, courtesy of carol.org.uk. Enjoy.
1 True Love refers to God
2 Turtle Doves refer to the Old and New Testaments
3 French Hens refer to Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues
4 Calling Birds refer to the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists
5 Golden Rings refer to the first Five Books of the Old Testament, the "Pentateuch", which gives the history of man's fall from grace.
6 Geese A-laying refer to the six days of creation
7 Swans A-swimming refer to the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments
8 Maids A-milking refer to the eight beatitudes
9 Ladies Dancing refer to the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit
10 Lords A-leaping refer to the ten commandments
11 Pipers Piping refer to the eleven faithful apostles
12 Drummers Drumming refer to the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed
At one time, the Christmas holiday was celebrated as a 12 day season, spanning from December 25 through January 6, Epiphany. This practice was particularly popular in England. The days were filled with secular revelry, but considered idolatrous among the Puritans. In fact, when the Puritans came to the Americas, they outlawed Christmas from 1659 to 1681 in Massachusetts. Christmas did not become a legal holiday until 1856, and what was recovered was Christmas Day, without the other eleven days.
The song, “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” may refer simply to the celebration of the Christmas season, or may have deeper theological meaning. There is no clear evidence that the song was used as a type of Catholic catechism, although we cannot prove otherwise. Either way, here is an explanation of the song’s Christians elements, courtesy of carol.org.uk. Enjoy.
1 True Love refers to God
2 Turtle Doves refer to the Old and New Testaments
3 French Hens refer to Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues
4 Calling Birds refer to the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists
5 Golden Rings refer to the first Five Books of the Old Testament, the "Pentateuch", which gives the history of man's fall from grace.
6 Geese A-laying refer to the six days of creation
7 Swans A-swimming refer to the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments
8 Maids A-milking refer to the eight beatitudes
9 Ladies Dancing refer to the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit
10 Lords A-leaping refer to the ten commandments
11 Pipers Piping refer to the eleven faithful apostles
12 Drummers Drumming refer to the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Christmas Eve
Luke 2:1-20
The Birth of Jesus
2In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3All went to their own towns to be registered. 4Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
The Shepherds and the Angels
8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah,* the Lord. 12This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’ 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host,* praising God and saying,
14‘Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace among those whom he favours!’*
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.’ 16So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
1. This story is so familiar to us that we frequently overlook some striking realities. What does it mean for a woman to be sent to a stable to birth a child? What does it mean to us, that the good Lord of our lives might be born in a feeding trough?
2. How do we find nourishment this Christmas in the life of Christ Jesus? How will we remember Christ throughout the year, as we take the body and blood of Christ in communion, as we are fed from the manger?
Prayer: Precious Lord, keep us near the baby Christ through this season of Christmas and into the New Year. Compel us to search the scripture, to commune with our brothers and sisters in Christ regularly, and to keep us mindful of your love for us and all of creation. AMEN.
The Birth of Jesus
2In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3All went to their own towns to be registered. 4Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
The Shepherds and the Angels
8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah,* the Lord. 12This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’ 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host,* praising God and saying,
14‘Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace among those whom he favours!’*
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.’ 16So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
1. This story is so familiar to us that we frequently overlook some striking realities. What does it mean for a woman to be sent to a stable to birth a child? What does it mean to us, that the good Lord of our lives might be born in a feeding trough?
2. How do we find nourishment this Christmas in the life of Christ Jesus? How will we remember Christ throughout the year, as we take the body and blood of Christ in communion, as we are fed from the manger?
Prayer: Precious Lord, keep us near the baby Christ through this season of Christmas and into the New Year. Compel us to search the scripture, to commune with our brothers and sisters in Christ regularly, and to keep us mindful of your love for us and all of creation. AMEN.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Advent 6
Advent 6
“A shoot shall come out from the root of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide by what his ears hear; but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked. Righteousness shall be the belt around his waist, and faithfulness the belt around his loins.” -Isaiah 11: 1-5 (NRSV)
Isaiah, like Jeremiah, anticipates a time when the exiles will return from Babylon. He hears God’s message of consolation for Judah, and declares it to the people.
1. Who is Jesse?
2. What parts of this prophesy came true during Jesus’ earthly ministry? Which parts were more easily seen during his eternal reign?
3. Does this multilayered prophesy make them harder to trust, or build your faith?
Lord, give us faith to know that your words are true and your promises are trustworthy. Make us people with a firm hope in our future, because our hope is in you. AMEN.
“A shoot shall come out from the root of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide by what his ears hear; but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked. Righteousness shall be the belt around his waist, and faithfulness the belt around his loins.” -Isaiah 11: 1-5 (NRSV)
Isaiah, like Jeremiah, anticipates a time when the exiles will return from Babylon. He hears God’s message of consolation for Judah, and declares it to the people.
1. Who is Jesse?
2. What parts of this prophesy came true during Jesus’ earthly ministry? Which parts were more easily seen during his eternal reign?
3. Does this multilayered prophesy make them harder to trust, or build your faith?
Lord, give us faith to know that your words are true and your promises are trustworthy. Make us people with a firm hope in our future, because our hope is in you. AMEN.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Advent 5
“As for you, my flock, thus says the Lord God: I shall judge between sheep and sheep, between rams and goats: is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture, but you must tread down with your feet the rest of the pasture? When you drink of clear water, must you foul the rest with your feet? And must my sheep eat what you have trodden with your feet, and drink what you have fouled with your feet?
Therefore, thus says the Lord God to them: I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep. Because you pushed with flank and shoulder, and butted at all the weak animals with your horns until you scattered them far and wide, I will save my flock, and they shall no longer be ravaged; and I will judge between sheep and sheep.
I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd. And I, the Lord, will be their God, and my servant David shall be prince among them; I, the Lord, have spoken.” -Ezekiel 34: 17-24 (NRSV)
1. Often, we excuse our excess spending during the holidays, and throughout the year, with the logic, “It’s my money, I can do with it what I wish.” What inner fears or rewards drive you to spend more than you can afford or need? How can this passage from Ezekiel help you rethink your spending habits?
2. What kind of message is Ezekiel preaching about stewardship of our earth, our possessions, our wealth, and our time? Do you hear other warnings in Ezekiel’s admonition?
Prayer: Lord, at this Advent season, may you find us to be good stewards of the earth, our belongings, our finances and our time. May we seek to treat one another with gentleness and kindness, as we also seek to be treated with care and respect. Help us, Lord, for we ask these things in your awaited son's name. AMEN.
“As for you, my flock, thus says the Lord God: I shall judge between sheep and sheep, between rams and goats: is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture, but you must tread down with your feet the rest of the pasture? When you drink of clear water, must you foul the rest with your feet? And must my sheep eat what you have trodden with your feet, and drink what you have fouled with your feet?
Therefore, thus says the Lord God to them: I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep. Because you pushed with flank and shoulder, and butted at all the weak animals with your horns until you scattered them far and wide, I will save my flock, and they shall no longer be ravaged; and I will judge between sheep and sheep.
I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd. And I, the Lord, will be their God, and my servant David shall be prince among them; I, the Lord, have spoken.” -Ezekiel 34: 17-24 (NRSV)
1. Often, we excuse our excess spending during the holidays, and throughout the year, with the logic, “It’s my money, I can do with it what I wish.” What inner fears or rewards drive you to spend more than you can afford or need? How can this passage from Ezekiel help you rethink your spending habits?
2. What kind of message is Ezekiel preaching about stewardship of our earth, our possessions, our wealth, and our time? Do you hear other warnings in Ezekiel’s admonition?
Prayer: Lord, at this Advent season, may you find us to be good stewards of the earth, our belongings, our finances and our time. May we seek to treat one another with gentleness and kindness, as we also seek to be treated with care and respect. Help us, Lord, for we ask these things in your awaited son's name. AMEN.
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