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Mar

Abandoned

Categories: Uncategorized
Tags: abandoned, conviction, creative power, evidence, experience, God, Jesus Christ, John 14:6, kept, love, truth, wisdom

I am a guy who likes to keep score. Which probably explains my attraction to nearly every sport under the sun… every sport, that is, except golf.

(Low score wins? Wait, WHAT??? How messed up is that?)

Besides keeping track of those myriad officially sanctioned events, I routinely keep score for all manner of mundane activities around our house. For example, I race Joan to see who can brush their teeth the fastest. I compare this week’s number of Diet Coke cans in the recycling bin to last week’s total. I try to set new land speed records for mowing my lawn, or (as is the case this week) shoveling my driveway. I count to see how many consecutive wadded up paper towels I can shoot into the wastebasket.

However, I realized earlier today there is one area of life for which I absolutely HATE – or violently detest – keeping score. And that is the area of ABANDONED CONVICTIONS. What I mean by “abandoned convictions” is this: those areas of life where I once had a firm, ironclad conviction about what was right and what was wrong, only to find out later that I was COMPLETELY off-base, necessitating the embarrassed abandonment of that conviction.

As I stop and think back on some of those, I am more than a bit mortified to see how many “ACs” (as I call them) are stacked up there at my doorstep. This is the kind of scorekeeping I would love to avoid at all costs.

For example, growing up, I was absolutely convinced that…

… Hilliard, Ohio was the best possible place in the world to live.
… Hilliard, Ohio was the worst possible place in the world to live.
… men were better at everything than women.
… “tag” was a better game than “hide-and-go-seek.”
… liver, olives, Brussel sprouts, and mushrooms were all poisonous and should never – under ANYcircumstances! – be put into one’s mouth. (I’m still not convinced that isn’t true about olives, by the way.)
… math was only invented to make my life miserable.
… people who drank alcohol of any kind – but especially beer – were degenerate miscreants.
… everything I was taught in school was the 100%, bonafide, unvarnished TRUTH.
… that my parents were good, upright, morally flawless people.
- Mind you, mom and dad were/are really incredibly good people, on the whole. But as we all discover at some point, even good people stumble occasionally.

As I matured, these convictions were examined under the twin microscopes of Wisdom and Experience and eventually abandoned. (All, that is, except for the olive conviction). But that did not prevent a new set of convictions from rising up and taking their place.

Some of those new convictions included my heartfelt belief(s) that…

… my country – the good, ol’ USA – is the most morally upright, blemish-free nation on earth.
… being gay is something people choose to do to be outrageous.
… every person would be better off and happier if they were married.
… people espousing staunch religious beliefs are probably doing so to hard truths about the difficulties of life.
… Jesus Christ was a wise moral teacher. Nothing more. Nothing less.
… baseball is the highest form of sport known to humankind.
… discipline and consistency are BORING!
… the important thing in deciding on your life’s work is accurately answering the question, “What seems like a COOL career?”
… all it takes to succeed in life is charm and a winsome smile.

As was the case with the aforementioned childhood convictions, each of these – when studied under the harsh light of Reason and Evidence – also came crashing to earth and incinerated in a smoldering pile, before my eyes.

I could continue this exercise and list all the later-in-life convictions I have held, only to abandon them later under closer scrutiny…

… but I think you get the picture.

As I look back on that track record, printed there in black and white, it makes me look like the biggest flip-flopper in the history of flip-flopping. It almost prompts me to ask questions like, “Dude… if you keep having to abandon your tightly held convictions, why do you bother even HAVING them in the first place?” and, “Is there really any such thing as an Ultimate and Unshakable Truth that withstands every challenge of Evidence, Reason, Wisdom, and Experience?”

The answer to the first question is easy. That’s because we each need convictions. Convictions are the anchors that keep us from blowing away with the next gust of wind. They help us make decisions. Convictions form the guardrails that keep our Car of Life on the road.

The second question sounds tougher, but it really isn’t. The answer – for me – is an emphatic YES! The U.U.T. (Ultimate, Unshakable Truth) is that God (a.k.a., the power that created and continues to sustain all that was, is, and ever will be) is LOVE. And because LOVE is that kind of primal and generative force of the universe, NOTHING – not evil, not greed, not hate, not darkness, not prejudice, not political power, not ANYTHING – will ever ultimately triumph over it.

And THAT is a conviction I will never abandon.

Abundant blessings;

P.S. This might be a fun exercise for you, too. What are YOUR current convictions? Where did they come from? How firm are they? What would have to happen to convince you to abandon them?

Mar

New Old People

By revruss1220 15 Comments

Categories: Uncategorized
Tags: faith, God, Jesus Christ, miracle, new, generous, old, wise, smart, sassy, caring, intelligent, senior

Isn’t life amazing?

This morning I read an article in the Washington Post about an A.I. bot that came up with a detailed promotional strategy (including artwork for a logo, in-depth social media posts, shooting script for a video, and ad copy) for a brand-new product in 30 MINUTES!

30 MINUTES!

Back in my day an assignment like that would have taken a team of real flesh-and-blood people an entire week to complete.

And that story is just a small sample of the daily parade of amazingness we each can bear witness to. From space telescopes revealing new, heretofore unseen parts of the universe, to groundbreaking micro-surgery techniques, to hypersonic weapons of war, to miraculous devices that convert ocean waves into energy. We are literally swimming in an ocean of awesomeness here in A.D. 2023.

But do you know what really fascinates me as I glance around my world today? Today I find I am most astonished at the magical transformation of OLD PEOPLE!

I am not sure how or when this happened. But the facts are undeniable.

Back when I was a young sprout, old people were just… OLD! For starters, they smelled funny. They doddered along with weak, shuffling gaits. They were hard of hearing (“What’s that you say, sonny?? You’ll have to speak up!”). They certainly weren’t “hip” to anything new and cutting edge. They held rigid, outdated views on virtually EVERY topic from politics to religion to morality to professional sports to education to child-rearing.

Back then it seemed that old people (and I am sure I defined “old” as anyone over the age of 35) seemed to stand FOR everything I stood AGAINST.

Here of late, however, old people have undergone some kind of mystical transformation.

I know this because of the volunteer work I do with an organization here in Fort Collins called SAINT. SAINT is an acronym that stands for Senior Adults In Need of Transportation.

The way it works is very simple. I slap a SAINT magnet on the side of my car and go pick up Gladys and take her to her sewing class, or Roscoe to the Senior Center, or Katherine to the grocery store, and then later, bring them each back home.

All free of charge.

Along the way (While listening to driving instructions from my kindly GPS lady) we talk.

And would you believe it? These old people are REALLY INTERESTING! They are SHARP! They are UP TO DATE on issues and events in the world. They have FASCINATING life stories. They are FUNNY! They are KIND (well, except for that one guy who did not stop moaning and complaining from the moment I picked him up to the moment I dropped him off. But that was one guy in – by now – hundreds of SAINT clients I’ve driven).

These old people are ANALYTICAL. They are CREATIVE PROBLEM-SOLVERS! They are GENEROUS. They are fun to be around!

I mean, sure, several of them still shuffle painfully along with the aid of walkers. On more than one occasion I have had to accommodate an oxygen bottle in my car or help them load and unload groceries. And yes, aches, pains, and ailments are always a popular topic of in-car conversation.

The point is, I am fascinated by the exponential rate of transformation that has happened to old people over the last, say, thirty years. Of course, it might be that Fort Collins Colorado has an unusually high-quality crop of senior citizens. But somehow, I just don’t think that is the case.

How did that happen?

Isn’t life amazing?

Abundant blessings;

Mar

Reversing the Poles

By revruss1220 4 Comments

Categories: Uncategorized
Tags: blessings, brothers, cancer, celebration, gratitude, Jesus Christ, John 16:33, new life, snow, spring

I don’t know what your calendar says today, but the heading on my March 22, 2023 box reads: A DAY OF CELEBRATION AND GRATITUDE.

Of course, I am celebrating the first day of spring. Yes, I realize I am a couple of days late with this celebration. I also realize – as I look out my office window here in Fort Collins, Colorado – that it is currently snowing FIERCELY here where I live! But what the heck! It’s still SPRING!

Punxatawney Phil, your six weeks are UP, dude!

I am also celebrating the birthdays of my two youngest brothers, Alan and Eric. Actually, Eric’s birthday was Sunday, and Alan’s was Monday. But once again, let’s not stand on ceremony here. And in case you are curious, they are not twins that popped out on either side of midnight. They were born one year and one day apart.

Happy birthday to the “little boys,” as we once affectionately called them. I love and celebrate you both.

But most of all, I am celebrating the fourth anniversary of Joan finishing her surgery and chemotherapy and being officially declared cancer-free. That anniversary was on Saturday, but again… don’t be such a stickler for details, OK?

This particular anniversary is chock full of all kinds of sub-celebrations and occasions of gratitude. And with your permission I would like to name just a few of those…

First, I am deeply grateful that we stood – in 2019 – as the inheritors of decades and decades of medical research that all conspired to enhance cancer detection and treatment techniques. Had this diagnosis happened even 10 years ago, I am not sure our outcome would have been nearly as positive.

I am grateful that Joan did not waste a moment in getting in to see her PCP when early symptoms began appearing. So often we want to shrug it off and ignore things that might be warning signs of a more serious condition… until it really IS a more serious condition.
I am grateful that when this diagnosis first happened, we had immediate access to one of the finest GYN/ONC minds in the Kansas City area, if not in the whole country.

I am so very, very grateful for the generous outpouring of love and support we received from friends, family members, church members, and total strangers once we went public with this heart-rending news. Please do not EVER have the slightest doubt about whether your prayers, phone calls, cards, or conversations make a difference at times like this. They absolutely DO! Thank you for every one of them.

I am also grateful to my parents and those other “faith-forming” influencers in my life who long ago taught me that there are genuine and powerful resources that live out somewhere beyond the realm of the senses… and that I could count on those resources for help anytime things get dark. To be completely honest with you, I am still not sure I understand how or why any of that works.

I just know that it does.

And finally, am extremely grateful to Joan herself. I’m grateful that she kept patiently pulling me along on her cancer journey. Helping me understand what she needed… what kind of spousal interaction was helpful and what kind was just a bit irritating. She never lost patience with me whenever I became a little clueless, or overwhelmed, or self-absorbed during our travels over this unfamiliar terrain.

Today I also realize that there was a time in my life when beholding the reality of snow on March 22 or hearing about the diagnosis of cancer in a person I dearly love would have plunged me into a state of anger and despair. It was a time when, for me, circumstances meant everything and outlook was some kind of ephemeral, whispy bit of smoke.

But today I am most grateful to the spiritual guides in my life who taught me to reverse those two polarities, understanding the truth of Jesus’ words on the last day of his life when he told his disciples, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, NRSVU).

Blessed are you, too, when you take this guidance to heart and learn to live by it.

Hopefully it won’t take you 60+ years.

Abundant blessings;

Mar

“Have a Nice Day!”

By revruss1220 6 Comments

Categories: Uncategorized
Tags: community, excellence, forgive, God, Jesus Christ, love, loving, neighbor, nice, sacifice

It sounds so simple. So basic. So dripping with common sense.

“Be nice.”

I saw this phrase emblazoned on the front of my granddaughter’s T-shirt the other day and immediately replied, “YES! Of course!”

But then I tried actually DOING it.

Not so easy after all, as it turns out.

I discovered that being nice is not the same thing as being a smiling, passive doormat that invites everyone to wipe their muddy feet on. It is not a matter of offering a cheery, “Have a nice day!” when some Crabby Appleton slams the door in your face.

Being nice is probably a kissing cousin to the practice of being loving. And as we all know, being loving is what got Jesus nailed to a cross between two thieves.

“Being nice” means seeing the best in people… even when they go out of their way to hide it. It means understanding that the guy who just spat on your political opinions and called you an idiot might be under a lot of pressure at home right now. It means knowing that the angry gesture you just received from the woman in the lane next to you is not the sum total of her identity. It means realizing that she is probably a deep, complex, multi-faceted person with talents and gifts galore.

Seeing the best in people takes work. It requires patience, insight, and the willingness to dig deeper. When you stop to think about it, making snap, surface judgements about other people is a whole lot easier. Isn’t it?

“Being nice” also means being forgiving. It means refusing to nurture the slights and hurt feelings we carry – usually quite justifiably, I might add! – toward someone else. It means abandoning the need to strike back when struck. It means focusing on the future of the relationship instead of dwelling on its past. It means recognizing one’s own flaws. Forgiving doesn’t mean forgetting. It means being willing to move past the injury into the next chapter.

Forgiving usually takes work, too. Firstly, forgiving is forged on a foundation of faith. Faith in the redeemability of every person. Faith in the power of healing. Faith in God. Faith in the future. Forgiving means taking these words from 2 Peter to heart: “For this very reason, you must make every effort to support your faith with excellence, and excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with endurance, and endurance with godliness, and godliness with mutual affection, and mutual affection with love. For if these things are yours and are increasing among you, they keep you from being ineffective and unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:5-8, NRSVU).

When you stop to think about it, holding on to anger and grudges is a whole lot easier. Isn’t it?

“Being nice” also means actively pursuing justice. It means doing more than just saying, “Tsk, tsk. Isn’t that a shame,” when we see injustice taking place. It means taking concrete ACTION to correct the injustice. It means standing on the side of the wounded one… even when the odds are overwhelmingly against you. It means cultivating a heart that is willing to endure the pain of breaking, again and again. It means stepping up to the religious standards of the prophet Isaiah when he admonishes us, saying, “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?” (Isaiah 58:6, NRSVU).

When you stop to think about it, “minding my own business” is a whole lot easier. Isn’t it?

No. “Being nice” (or loving, as Jesus might put it) is not for the faint-of-heart. And it is certainly not something I can do under my own steam. It entails a whole lot more than the catchy T-shirt slogan lets on. “Being nice” is the dictionary definition of the “narrow gate,” vs. the “wide road,” and therefore not terribly appealing.

But it IS what we are called to when we are called to follow Christ.

Have a “nice” day!

Abundant blessings;

Mar

Busted Truster

By revruss1220 3 Comments

Categories: Uncategorized
Tags: anchor, belief, faith, God, Jesus Christ, mistrust, Proverbs 3:5-6, skepticism, trust

Who do you trust?

Stop for a minute and really mull that question over.

Because trust is the glue that holds our world together.

For example, I trust that the funny-looking green piece of paper in my wallet can be exchanged for food, gasoline, grass seed, or a movie ticket. I trust that the driver there to my left will apply his brakes when his traffic light turns from green to yellow to red. I trust that the water coming out of my tap is clean and germ-free. I trust that the people flying the plane I just boarded are thoroughly trained and capable of getting me safely from Denver to Kansas City…

… or wherever.

And most of the time, I trust the integrity of the people around me. Sure, there is the occasional scoundrel who takes advantage of my trust. And when I meet that rare scoundrel, I reprimand myself, make note of the lessons to be learned, and move ahead… trusting people once again.

Leaders fall into a slightly different category, trustwise. Skepticism is the toll to be paid for the privilege of standing in front of others, pointing toward the horizon, and beckoning them to follow you. Followership is built on trust and that trust must be earned.

Trust is a funny thing. Most often it is built on past experience. “It happened that way yesterday, so it will probably happen that way again today.” When trust is extended, however, it is always in reference to something in the FUTURE. Trust is the thing helps us make the next right decision or take the next right step.

As you can see, trust has been on my mind a lot lately. One reason is because trust seems to be a commodity that is in increasingly short supply these days. We are blessed (cursed?) to find ourselves living in “interesting” times… times that leave us scrambling to find precedents for the events and experiences we’re encountering.

Institutions keep letting us down. Whether it is the political institutions, the economic, the educational, or the cultural institutions… including the institutional church. Trust in their ability to protect and guide us is at an all-time low.

Leaders keep letting us down. I am not sure this point needs much additional elaboration, but just as a little thought experiment, stop a moment and complete this sentence: “The leader I really trust today is: ___________________.”

Is it any wonder that record numbers of people are succumbing to the “diseases of despair” as they are called: drug addiction and suicide?

Is it any wonder that many of us are drawn magnetically to endless, mind-numbing forms of entertainment? We seem to reach out desperately for anything that will help us avoid thinking too long or too deeply about the state of the world around us.

I know what my answer – as a self-described man of faith – is supposed to be right now. I know that I am called to invite you to trust God. To lean on God’s eternal promises. To point out God’s spotless history of redeeming and rescuing everyone who has leaned on God for help. I am called to quote AT LEAST Joshua 1:5 to you, “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you,” followed perhaps by a quick shot of Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

And yes, I believe everything I wrote in that last paragraph – with my whole heart. I trust God and God’s promises. I have seen the reliability of them in my own life, in the lives of others, as well as in the witness of history and scripture.

My struggle today is how to effectively encourage others toward that same trust. When people struggle to put their trust in what they HAVE seen, how will they decide to trust a God they CAN’T see? Even though we live in an age of skepticism, I believe most people desperately want to find a reliable, trustworthy anchor to tie their lifeboat to. They want to believe there is a foundation that stands firm when everything around it is shaking, cracking, and crumbling. I firmly believe there resides in every human heart a hunger to connect with a Source that loves them, will always be there for them, and will always speak truth to them.

Sadly, for a lot of people, their “truster” has been damaged one time too many and they aren’t going to risk trusting anyone (or anything) ever again.

To even the most downhearted, untrusting, cynical ones among us I want to say, “Trust God completely.” Grip the words of Psalm 30:5 tightly with both hands and remind yourself; “Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning.”

Abundant blessings;

Feb

Plug In!

By revruss1220 5 Comments

Categories: Uncategorized
Tags: battery, energy, fuel, gas, God, Jesus Christ, life, Matthew 11:28-30, power

Today I am pleased to announce that after three years of diligent, post-retirement searching, I’ve finally FOUND MY PURPOSE!

It has been a long, tedious process. I’ve looked high and low. Within and without. I have consulted mystics, tea leaves, and gurus galore.

Finally, at long last, my new Reason for Being has become crystal clear. My search has revealed that my new role in life is RECHARGER.

To clarify, my purpose is recharging if you judge purpose by the amount of time a person spends doing a thing. Because I sure do spend an enormous amount of time recharging the things in my life that need recharging.

Of course, there is my iPhone. Gotta charge it every day.

The FitBit on my wrist can go a little longer than that, but it still needs a regular recharge.

The Bluetooth device I use when I listen to podcasts at the gym doesn’t run on steam power! It also has to be recharged.

When summer rolls around (as I have faith it will. Eventually), I have the lawn mower battery, the string trimmer battery and now the new battery pack for my drill and power saw I have to keep tabs on.

And now, since this past October, I have added a couple more devices to my recharge list. Because of some chronic and long-term lower back issues, I am now the proud owner of a surgically implanted spinal cord stimulator! Thanks, Medtronic!

There is a battery pack inside my left buttock cheek attached to two wires that run up either side of my spine. Their purpose is to short-circuit pain impulses and allow me to do things like go on mission trips, play softball, and pick things up off the floor, all without writhing in pain.

But like all modern miracles, this wonderful device also requires regular recharging.

So far, I am proud to report a minimum of recharging fails in the last year or so. [A fail – by the way – is when your device goes completely dead. Zero power.]

Yes, here in Russell World, recharging is a full-time job. As I gain expertise in the subject, however, I’m beginning to wonder if it might be time to widen my circle of influence a bit.

Maybe – I think, drumming reflective fingers on my chin as I turn the concept over in my mind –maybe it is time to start trying to figure out how to recharge PEOPLE!

Because in case you haven’t noticed, people’s batteries run down, too. Physical stamina is finite. The energy to care ultimately peters out. The mental juices needed to solve sticky interpersonal problems has a definite limit. The power supply that drives creativity needs regular topping up.

The tricky part is that none of those come with the cute little graphic that tells us – at a glance – how much gas we have left in the tank. We go and push and go and push until suddenly it’s all gone. We fall to the floor. We crumple in a heap. We turn to dust…

… until we pop up the next day and do it all over again.

I would dearly love to lend my recharging experience to the depleted ones in our midst. But the truth is, I have never been very good at the task of recharging ME. For too much of my life, I have burned the candle at both ends… eagerly (some would say anxiously) trying to prove my worth to some unseen, critical panel of judges.

I have regularly passed his words on to others. But too seldom have I stopped and seriously listened to Jesus when he sought to assure me, saying, “Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30, NRSVU).

Whoever would have suspected that the best battery charger ever invented walked the earth over 2,000 years ago?

Abundant blessings;

Feb

A Changed Life

By revruss1220 4 Comments

Categories: Uncategorized
Tags: change, God, Guatemala, Jesus Christ, John 3:3, life, new, Nicodemus, perspective, transform

Several years ago, Joan and I took a little vacation trip to Orcas Island.

In case you are not familiar with it, Orcas Island is located squarely in the middle of the Straits of Juan de Fuca in the Puget Sound area of the state of Washington. It is a beautiful place where you’ll find trees, mountains, waterways, charming shops, quirky, creative restaurants, and friendly, engaging people.

It’s so quaint it’s practically Canadian.

We stayed in a spacious room at a local bed and breakfast. Our room featured a wrap-around balcony where we could sit out, drink coffee, and contemplate the miracle of God’s creative genius.

During our time there, we shared this bucolic place with two other couples. As you do at B&Bs, we crossed paths with those couples at the breakfast table. After exchanging introductions, we began swapping notes about our favorite parts of the whole Orcas Island experience.

One couple – I don’t remember their names, but let’s call them Fred and Ethel, just for fun – absolutely RAVED about their experiences with tandem ocean kayaking around the island. No, Fred and Ethel did not RENT a kayak from a local outfitter. They OWNED their own.

At one point Fred explained their enchantment with ocean kayaking by saying, “You know… we came up here about five years ago and rented a tandem ocean kayak. And it CHANGED OUR LIVES.”

Joan and I smiled, nodded politely, and shared our experiences about one of the local hikes. But when we got back to our room, I’m sad to admit that we got a little catty. We stopped, looked at one another and said,“Really? Tandem ocean kayaking changed your LIFE? Really??”

Since that time – thanks to Fred and Ethel – I have tried to be especially cognizant of the things I describe as “life-changing.” For me, the bar must be set a bit higher than finding a cool new hobby. For example…

Falling in love? Life changing.
Becoming a parent? Yes. Also, life changing.
Accepting Jesus Christ as the Lord and Savior of my life? Absolutely life changing!
Tucking in to a transcendently delicious peach cobbler? Splendid, yes. But not life changing.

In order to say a thing was life changing, something profound and elemental about WHO I AM must shapeshift from THIS to THAT. According to my concise rulebook, a person needs to be able to paint a vivid “Before” and “After” picture of their entire identity and self-understanding before they may use this weighty, loaded phrase.

And it is with this background in mind that I dare to proclaim to you that my first trip to Guatemala was truly life changing.

It was a trip I took with 11 other seminary students in 2003. It was called an Immersion Trip because the purpose of the trip was to immerse ourselves in the baptismal waters of the stories of the people of Guatemala. From their bloody history of the 36-year-long civil war, to their long litany of exploitation by the American government, to the rich, proud indigenous Mayan culture, to the crushing poverty of 90% of the population, to their endlessly buoyant spirits…

… that trip met all the criteria to justify the label “life changing.”

I went down as one person and returned as someone else entirely. And oddly enough, something very similar happens every time I return there.

Joan and I just got back from spending a week on a humanitarian mission to Guatemala. It was a week that gave us new eyes. New hearts. New minds. And certainly, new backs and hands because of the work we did there.

Along the way, I discovered another quirky quality about life change; that is, its impermanence.

How often does it happen that we are catapulted out of our familiar orbit, only to fall prey – once again – to the gravitational pull of old habits, old mindsets, old routines, and old beliefs?

All of which brings me to the subject of Ash Wednesday and the season of Lent. Lent is a time set aside in the church calendar to stop… take stock… turn around… and to recalibrate.

Lent is not just about giving up chocolate or alcohol. It is about being ritually reminded to look at the entirety of our lives and to dare to ask, “Why do I think that?” “Why do I DO that?” “Why am I attracted to that?” “Why does that occupy such an important place in my life,” and “Does it really deserve that place of prominence?”

Yes. Change is hard. They say that babies in wet diapers are the only ones who actually like change.

But it’s kind of like what Jesus told the priest, Nicodemus during their famous midnight meeting: “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” (John 3:3, NRSVU).

Happy Lent, and abundant blessings;

Feb

Straining Forward

By revruss1220 8 Comments

Categories: Uncategorized
Tags: awe, blessing, creation, Dogs, God, granted, Jesus Christ, Lamentations 3, miracle, open, Patrick, reminders, Rosie, splendor, wonder

Look at these dogs. It is safe to say – with absolutely zero bias whatsoever – that you are looking at a picture of The Best Dogs in the World.

This picture shows Rosie (on the left, with the red leash) and Patrick, the Soft-Coated Wheaten Terriers.

I took this picture as we were headed out on our Saturday walk through the neighborhood.

As fond as I am of these lovable furballs, what I most hope you notice about this picture is not them, but rather their LEASHES. Do you see how tightly pulled they are? Do you get a sense of the way I am nearly being pulled off my feet as they are straining forward, eager to take the next step on this magical journey?

By the looks of it, you might think they had just landed in some new, exotic location, full of heretofore unseen sights, unsmelled smells, and pristine adventures, all eagerly waiting to be trod upon by their eight excited paws.

But no. If you thought that, you would be mistaken.

This is just our normal, daily walking route through the neighborhood. On a sidewalk, past trees and bushes and houses they have seen hundreds of times before.

And yet, despite the utterly quotidian nature of this jaunt, can you see how they are bursting with enthusiasm?

I think Rosie and Patrick are trying to teach me something here. Something, that is, besides the importance of keeping a firm grip on their leashes.

I think they are trying to teach me that life is meant to be an adventure.

I think they are trying to teach me that regardless of how familiar I am with any place or person, that there is always more to be discovered.

I think they are trying to teach – and remind me – of the gravity of the sin of taking any moment for granted… assuming that I have nothing new to discover.

I think they want to teach me to be humble in the face of the ever-unfolding wonder of God’s creative genius and to try and train myself to live life on tiptoe, anticipating awe around every corner.

I think they want me to remember this verse from the book of Lamentations where we are reminded: “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are newevery morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23, NRSVU).

So many important lessons to be learned from these furry theologians.

Either that or they just saw a bunny hop across the street.

Abundant blessings;

Jan

How Pure?

By revruss1220 3 Comments

Categories: Uncategorized
Tags: Jexus, one thing, pure, purity, results

Do you like seeing results?

I sure do.

In fact, so enamored am I of seeing a tangible result that I often tailor my thoughts, words, and deeds to that exact end.

And frankly, that’s a problem.

To clarify; recent reading and contemplation have led me to view my “results orientation” mindset as a problem for me and the spiritual life to which I aspire.

I began this trip into The Upside Down during church on Sunday. The Gospel lesson for the day was the Beatitudes… found right there in Matthew 5:1-12.

Pretty familiar stuff, right? Heard it a thousand times. Can almost recite it from memory. Glaze over just the teeniest bit when the pastor begins reading, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

For some reason, however, I was really tuning in yesterday. I had asked the Spirit to help me hear this seminal passage in a fresh, pertinent way… a way that might open my ears to something I really needed to hear. I have often heard people talk about the Beatitudes as the most important sermon Jesus ever preached. And so, if that is the case, why would I give it anything less than my full, undivided attention?

As a result of that prayer and attentiveness, the portion that God chose to smack me upside the head with was, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” (Matthew 5:8, NRSV).

“Pure in heart?” What does that mean, exactly?

This question then became the springboard that catapulted me off on my reflections about my proclivity toward result seeking.

In the stillness of the sanctuary, I came to realize that most of my energies have been spent trying to make something happen. As a lad, I did chores in order to earn an allowance. I did my homework in order to stay out of my parent’s doghouse.

Later on, I went to college in order to gain employability. I married and had children in order to perpetuate the species. I got a job in order to continue eating and sleeping and being sheltered. I exercised in order to stay healthy.

Soon, I saw that “pursuit of results” had begun leaking over into my spiritual life, too. I recognized that I read the Bible in order to gain wisdom and insight. I prayed in order to solve problems, or to achieve peace of mind. I followed Jesus in order to receive a roadmap for my life.

My whole life, in a sense, seemed like one giant transaction. A case of, “I give you THIS, and in exchange, you give me THAT.”

It was an orientation that seemed to be the exact OPPOSITE of what Jesus had in mind with the phrase, “pure in heart.”

If we look at the example of the life he lived here on earth, we soon recognize Jesus as the ultimate practitioner of “purity of heart.” There was no, “in order to…” attached to the things he said and did. No, “…so that X will happen” condition that went along with his words and actions.

Jesus did not aim to start a religious movement or denomination. His goal was not to overthrow Israel’s Roman overlords. He was not trying to grow his followership or profile. He was not endeavoring to usher in a new world order.

Jesus loved God purely for the sake of loving God. He loved people purely for the sake of loving people.

But with all that purity of heart going on, isn’t it ironic that today we also recognize Jesus as the ultimate “producer of results” in the history of the world? His life drew the dividing line between BC and AD. His teachings transformed – and continue to transform – lives (mine included) all over the world. His example has inspired countless works of art and literature. He is more alive today than he was 2,023 years ago.

And so I conclude today with a prayer for a purer heart, a more trusting spirit, and a greater sense of gratitude.

Abundant blessings;

Jan

Holy Plugging

By revruss1220 4 Comments

Categories: Uncategorized
Tags: persistence, vision, work

In the summer of 2000, Joan and I set out to drive from Kansas City to Seattle. The point of our trip was to see family in the Pacific Northwest, but also to enjoy a few of America’s quintessential tourist sites along the way.

Our agenda included (naturally) Wall Drug in Wall, South Dakota, the Corn Palace in Mitchell, SD, but also a couple of lesser-known places along the way called “Mount Rushmore” and “Yellowstone National Park,” in case you’re familiar with those.

Each was awe-inspiring… either because of its sheer natural beauty, or because of the wonder of human creativity and persistence. To wander beside those multi-hued hot springs at Yellowstone, or to marvel at the mammoth carvings of the four presidential heads at Rushmore are experiences I would recommend for inclusion on YOUR bucket list.

Besides all the expected “ooo’s” and “ahhh’s”, however, there was one sight that took both of us completely by surprise. It was the Crazy Horse Memorial, located just 17 miles west of Mount Rushmore. Envisioned in 1931 by Henry Standing Bear – a Lakota Sioux chief – and finally begun in 1948, the Crazy Horse Memorial will be a massive granite likeness of one of the greatest Sioux chiefs of all time.

I say, “will be” because this memorial is far from completed. As you can see from this photo (taken in 2020) currently you can just make out Crazy Horse’s face and extended left arm, pointing out to the west. The story of this memorial is a story of fits and starts… a lack of support or funding… a low to non-existent profile… and differing artistic visions for what the completed project will look like.

Joan and I were both initially impressed by the historical importance of this project. Yes, the four presidents depicted on Mount Rushmore (on land, incidentally, forcibly taken from native tribes) are important American figures. But it also seems vitally important to remember and celebrate the life of a leader of the original inhabitants of this place.

As I stood and reflected on the carving before me, I was also struck by the eloquence of its testimony to the value of persistence. How amazing, I thought, to continue pouring every bit of one’s life energy and resources into a project… even when few share your passion or vision for it. What does it take to keep working, day after day, knowing the task at hand will outlast all your years on earth? How do you keep showing up when all signs seem to suggest you should stop and move along to something else? Something smaller, more achievable, with greater popular support?

Persistence is a quality I struggle with personally. I can’t count the number of books I have started writing, only to lose heart and focus after a few thousand words. I am not sure if this is because my original vision isn’t compelling enough, or my plan for completion isn’t well enough laid out, or if my attention span is just too darned short.

Whatever the case, this characteristic of mine really bothers me. And it is certainly not consistent with who God is and how God works. The Bible is littered with stories of people who – despite the odds and obstacles that stood in their way – persisted. Think Joseph languishing for years in the Pharaoh’s dungeon. Think Jacob fleeing into the wilderness to escape the wrath of his angry brother. Think Moses hiding out in the desert with Jethro or meandering with the Israelites for 40 years… and then not even able to cross the Jordan with them into the Promised Land. Think multiple military defeats and periods of exile for the entire nation of Israel.

And on and and on…

The world dupes us (some of us, that is) into believing that all results can come quickly, with a minimum level of muss and fuss. Dream it, snap your fingers, and VIOLA! There it is. And while that might describe a Google search, or an Amazon purchase (“WHAT?? I have to wait TWO DAYS for that?? OUTRAGEOUS!!”), it doesn’t describe reality.

“Just plugging away” sounds crass and unexciting. Dull. Boring. Quotidian.

But on those rare occasions when I have actually done it, I’ve discovered there is also something holy in just plugging away. There is a point – like my marathon-running brother describes it – when you “hit the wall.” You expend your own resources. You run out of gas and have no idea where the energy for that next step will come from.

And THAT is when Someone Else often steps in and takes over.

Abundant blessings;

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