Tuesday, January 20. 2009
The devil is in the details. Mr Obama’s well crafted and well delivered speech today presented a menu of nice sounding generalities, but few specifics. That is understandable. It remains to be seen what comes next, but I agree with the various commentators who noted the new President is a pragmatist. That has already been noted many times in his selection of nominees for the Cabinet and his circle of Advisers. Pragmatists are those who disavow being controlled by any particular ideology or principles, but who instead go with what ever works. Pragmatism is akin to the view that the ends justifies the means to achieve them. Mr Obama did say we would not sacrifice our values in achieving our goals in matters of foreign policy. Time will tell what he means (Mr Bush had the same objective but, I imagine, he meant something very different). Our new President has our prayers (Scripture commands it). He will need them. And so will the very ambitious and strong minded Mr Biden, Mrs Pelosi and Mr Reid and the Clintons (both of them) standing next to the new President. We have inaugurated all of them today, and many like them, not just Barak Obama.
International Peace and Prosperity for all , freedom and opportunity for all, harmony and “brotherhood” of all are high sounding objectives. But they must be defined. Every one can cheer together such goals, but be very divided by what they mean and how to accomplish them. Our goals as a Nation must be goals that God sets for us and the means of achieving them must be according to His Word.
Psalm 127:1 Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.
There were many prayers during today’s ceremonies, but the Lord’s words remain true-
Luke 6:46 “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I tell you? 47 I will show you what someone is like who comes to me, hears my words, and acts on them. 48 That one is like a man building a house, who dug deeply and laid the foundation on rock; when a flood arose, the river burst against that house but could not shake it, because it had been well built. 49 But the one who hears and does not act is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the river burst against it, immediately it fell, and great was the ruin of that house.”
Tuesday, January 20. 2009
Wow, a speech which was powerful and effective without power point. There were no visuals, no film clips. All the speakers, including the pray-ers and the poetess demonstrated the power of the naked spoken word. As someone who enjoys and believes in preaching, I am thrilled when the power of words and a well delivered speech is demonstrated, especially when we are told they are outmoded and ineffectual means of communicating today. Nonsense! Long live the spoken word. Maybe if preachers would stop using and relying on visuals aids and spend more time perfecting the craft of writing and speaking, they would discover anew the wonder of good preaching in the service of God's Word. We also noted the frequent reference to the importance and necessity of old and tried absolute values and virtues. Yes! And the music, wonderful, uplifting choral music, offering traditional patriotic songs in four-part harmony. No screeching and gyrating like the elebrities do who perform at the Super Bowl half time shows.
Monday, January 19. 2009
I am really feeling out of it tonight, rather disconnected. Almost everyone around us is caught up with excitement over the Inauguration of Mr Obama. Two personal friends left this morning for DC. Excited School kids are being interviewed, all kinds of folks are thrilled about the Event. The newscasts and reporters in all the media are totally immersed in this "historic Moment for America". They can't stop talking about it! You know what I mean. It is the same where you are, too. I am just waiting till it is over and for life to move on. A Liberal Democrat is becoming our next President. I am a conservative Republican. What is there for me to cheer about? I'm not arguing; I am just confessing my confusion and consternation- my personal feelings tonight. On another front, I spent most of the afternoon catching up on what is happening in the Emergent/Emerging Church movement. It is growing everywhere. There are many really attractive websites and some very bright and knowledgeable writers publishing their books and blogs. But they do not write or speak in my language. What they say does not resonate with me. I do not recognize the Faith and the Church I have been a part of all my life in what they are talking about. They have left me in their dust. I'm as disconnected from them as I am from the Inauguration and the people who are in DC tonight. Its not about age, it is about a state of mind and mine tonight is in a daze, stumbling, but seeking a footing and a place to stand tomorrow.
Sunday, January 18. 2009
Monday is Martin Luther King Jr Day. He had a dream for a color-blind society, but supposedly also advocated affirmative action. That is a contradiction to me (kind of "have your cake and eat it to" thing). There can be no doubt that most people who are excited about the Inauguration of Barak Obama as President this week are not color blind. People around here, our local newspapers as well as TV news and magazines and columnists across the Nation everywhere are hailing this event as historic exactly because they all perceive the Mr Obama as Black, the first African American Man in America, with its history of slavery and racism, becoming President and (arguably) the most important and powerful person in the world. Barak Obama is not an African American, he is bi-racial; but he and his family are seen as "Black" or African American. That is what matters to the public. I don't care what he looks like. Almost half of American voters did not vote for him, including me. My vote had absolutely nothing to do with his perceived racial identity. I did not vote for Mr Gore or Mr Clinton either. They are "White"- that is irrelevant. These men are all Liberal Democrats. It is that simple. I voted against their politics and values and agenda. I will watch parts of the Ceremonies because they are important, but I will not be cheering.
Sunday, January 18. 2009
We just watched the Cardinals beat the Eagles. Funny how so many people can be cheering wildly and others be deeply upset with the out come and it all meant nothing to me. I just watched. OK, bring on the Steelers and Ravens. Since the Patriots are out, I don't really care about the Super Bowl. But since we have family who live in Maryland, we are rooting with them for Baltimore all the way. And the commercials during the game kept promoting big trucks that can pull big boats. If these really are tough economic times, who has the money for either? A columnist I read today wondered why, with our soldiers making huge personal sacrifices fighting against Terrorists overseas most Americans are just sitting on the sidelines, watching and not making any sacrifices at all to win that war. Most actually want our new President and Government to cut our taxes, put money into our pockets and provide greater services to prevent us from facing any hardships. Maybe I should get into the excitment of the Game and buy that truck!
Saturday, January 10. 2009
Today, I began a new series on my website, Reformedliving.org. Entitled A Pastorate Derailed- painful lessons learned! The first article is about Church Politics. I think it could be very helpful to Pastors and churches everywhere. I offer it with the hope and prayer it will prevent others from becoming derailed as I was.
Saturday, January 10. 2009
The Christian magazine I read and enjoy the most is usually First Things. It is intellectual and challenging while being very conservative and orthodox. It was started by Richard John Neuhaus who passed away this week. He has been a strong voice, speaking Truth to Power in Public Places for more than 35 years, starting out as a liberal Lutheran Pastor in the 60’s and becoming a conservative Roman Catholic Priest in later years. His section of the Monthly is called The Public Square, a survey of Religion, Culture and Public Life. It served as his Blog with personal observations and reviews about many things. I appreciated and admired him. May he rest in peace and may many rise up to continue his work. On a personal note, Fr Neuhaus was 72 and died of cancer. He had another bout with cancer 15 years ago. Another reminder to me to redeem my time. The last page of the current issue (which came to the house the day after he died) concludes with the thoughts he had during what turned out to be his last days. He was ready to pass on as well as to continue. He had much he hoped yet to do. He thanked those who were praying for Him and said he simply wanted God’s will to be done. That, he wrote, was not resignation to dying. God’s will for our lives is good and always the best for us. That is what he wanted. Asked how he would spend his time if he knew it was about over, he replied, “Pray and Plant trees”. A good motto. Think about it.
Wednesday, January 7. 2009
Last night I was fascinated by a documentary on the history of modern fonts- type faces that you find on your computer. There are dozens, but the focus of this special was on the invention of Helvetica some 50 years ago. You know what the Helvetica font is- you see it everywhere. It is by far the most common type face in use every where today (although it is not available on this site. This Verdana is very similar.) Many distain critiquing culture. That is a very serious mistake. Just this simple history alone was unintentionally loaded with Theological and Philosophical meaning. And every trend in developing new ways of doing church can be seen in the trend to develop new fonts. Facinating. For example, young graphic desiners were recorded expressing their boredom with Helvetica type- it is so conventional. It is predictable and contolled and is found every where. Thus it lacks excitment and originality, personality and individuality. Helvetica is so establishment, so "modern" and conventional. It no longer says anything worth listening to. Time to try something new, something for today that will communicate to the youth of today. This was said about type faces, but does it sound familiar about something else? The fonts of yesteryear are no longer relevant for today! I realized that I am "helvetica". I do not use new, cutting edge graphic art or fonts when I type. I believe helvetica communicates most messages best. Although I am sometimes tempted to use dingbats and wingdings. I realize that probably most of us chose our churches and worship styles more out of personality than out of principle. I like my life controlled, organized, orderly and planned. I enjoy quiet and lyrical, harmonious visual and aural beauty. It makes sense that I enjoy Worship that is very Liturgical in a sacred space. It also makes sense that someone who has a different personality may not enjoy the same things I do. I accept that I am "helvetica" and many others are not.
Wednesday, January 7. 2009
I rarely read other Reformed websites any more. There are some very good Reformed scholars writing and worth reading. But when I have tried reading blogs by Reformed writers, I am sorry to say I am turned off by what I perceive as condescension, sarcasm and ridicule directed toward those with whom they disagree. And when I try reading blogs by neocalvinists, I usually find specialized jargon that is often impenetrable. When I read Episcopal blogs I usually find diatribes, rants of one party against those of another- sometimes down right nasty and hateful. That is objectionable to say the least. I pray as I get back into writng here in this new year that God will deliver me from such presumptuous sins and guard my heart and mind so as I might be edifying to my readers and free from personal attacks on those with whom I disagree. Pray for me.
Wednesday, January 7. 2009
I just posted some new essays on my Re/formed living website. Three are related to education: The Antithesis, Two Methods of Learning and Christian Education. The third asks if there is a Christian Culture and Civilization. Answer? Absolutely! I hope you will visit and study them. Thanks!
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