The Blacksmith

The Blacksmith

Hammer falls

to strike hot steel

gold-hot sparks fly

and red metal anneals

High heat and pressure

and fire and strain

hard metal shaped

blows rain again and again

Merciless hammer

of iron and oak

beat into new shape

on stroke after stroke

Sword and shovel

nail and screw

the same burning forge

shapes me and shapes you

Trials and losses

struggles and pain

mold us to much more

through striving and strain

Give thanks to the hammer

the anvil, the flame

we grow that much stronger

our beatings no shame

Each sharp blade or strong tool

proud of its purpose and role

began its new life

in the flames of the coal

When now you question

if troubles are vain

remember today’s hurt

will tomorrow be gain.

The blacksmith that forms us

seems cruel in his art

but his loving intention

sets him apart

For the steel stays weak

if no fire and no folding

and we are no better

without his careful molding.

Translations

It’s not polite to talk about religion or politics.  You might offend someone.

Poppycock!

I don’t believe you can actually understand someone unless you discuss ideas and beliefs. 

I love discussion.  I enjoy bandying about ideas and considering the merits of various systems of thought.  Philosophy is fun.  Theology is entertaining.  Politics are engaging.   We don’t have to be rude; discussion can be gracious while still challenging.

OK.  I’ve probably already lost you.   “What a weirdo,” you are thinking. 

You just might be right.

Because I grew up without religion, I was an agnostic through high school and college.  I have a lot of respect for someone who admits they don’t know, and even more for the person who doesn’t give up at that point, but keeps on searching.  I have significantly less respect for someone who holds a belief system that they’ve never put any real thought into and won’t even discuss.  This goes for Christians too.  I have met many who grew up with Christianity but have never considered it deeply and have never put any thought into their own beliefs.   I truly believe that an unexamined life is not worth living and an untested faith is probably a weak one.  Truth can stand up to questions and it is OK to admit you don’t have all the answers.

Over the years, speaking with people about religion, I’ve noticed that there are some Conversation-Killers that people use when they don’t want to talk about the subject or, as is often the case, they want to talk about their ideas but don’t want any conflicting ideas.  These Conversation-Killers are short statements that are flippantly tossed out by the person in hopes that they’ll sound deep and intellectual without actually having to engage in any real dialogue.  Conversation-Killer statements sound like one thing, but they actually mean something else. 

I have taken the time to provide translate some of the most common that I have run into and, in some cases, actually said myself in the past (sigh).  Please know that some of this is tongue-in-cheek, but there are also deeper truths behind each of them.  My intention is not to be deliberately mocking if you say these things, but to challenge you to real thought and deeper discussion. 

TRANSLATIONS – When someone says the following statement, here is what they are really saying:

“I’m not religious, but I’m a spiritual person.”   Translation:  I want to feel like I am religious without ever actually sacrificing or committing to anything specific.

“I don’t believe in organized religion.”   Translation: I don’t want to wake up early on Sunday or actually have to connect with other people who might have questions that I can’t answer or might challenge me to growth.

“I believe all religions lead to heaven.”   Translation:  I don’t really know anything about the various religions, I’m just trying not to offend anyone.

“I don’t believe in two thousand year old superstitions.”   Translation: I believe in my own set of modern superstitions.

“I’m too rational for religion.”   Translation:  I’m so caught up in my own superior beliefs and personal egotism that I can’t conceive of anything I haven’t personally experienced.

“You can’t prove God scientifically.”   Translation: I don’t really understand how the scientific process works and so mistakenly believe that most things in the world are scientifically verifiable.

“There is no evidence that Jesus ever existed.”   Translation: I’ve never looked at the evidence, and I don’t understand how the evidentiary process works or how we know about historical figures.  Therefore, I can just choose who I choose to believe existed and who didn’t based on my comfort level.

“Religion is something that weak people need to get through life, but not me.”  Translation: I have my own unprovable rationalizations for things I can’t explain and that gets me through my weak times and don’t want to think too hard about it. 

“Religion is the cause of everything that is wrong in the world.” 
Translation:  Hey, I can explain away the shortcomings of mankind by blaming everything on human belief systems.  Wait a minute…That’s a belief system too.  Oh crap.

“I’m an atheist.”  Translation:  A religious person or people (probably Christian) hurt me, so I choose to accuse others of having unprovable belief systems while I stand firm on my own unprovable, belief system*.  I probably still live my life with mostly Judeo-Christian values, but don’t believe in God (except for that niggling feeling in the back of my brain).   *yes Atheism is a belief system.

“I just think love is the answer.”  Translation: I like touchy –feely emotional explanations that sound cool but require nothing from me personally.

“All religions say the same things.  It’s all about the Golden Rule.”  Translation:  I have never really read anything from the various religions and don’t know what the word ‘contradiction’ means. 

“Religion is society’s way of controlling people.”  Translation:  I don’t want someone or some book to suggest that I’m not already a perfect person and might need to change or grow.

“I believe that your religion is true for you and mine is true for me.”  Translation:  Contradiction, what’s a contradiction?  If everyone is right, then no one is wrong and nobody has to feel bad.  I just don’t want to consider that I might be wrong and don’t want to hurt you by suggesting that you might be wrong.  Except, I just did suggest that you are wrong.

“Christians are narrow-minded and judgmental.”  Translation: I am narrow-minded and judgmental because I can’t even consider the possibility that someone else might be right.  I also am unable to see the ironic narrow-minded judgment in my own statement.

“I prefer to be open-minded.”   Translation: I prefer to be empty-minded and can’t compare and analyze ideas that might require me to reject something.  If I actually thought about it, I might have to commit to something and that might be difficult.

“Christians are intolerant.”  Translation: I’m intolerant and can’t handle ideas that conflict with mine.

“There are too many religions in the world to know if one is right.”   Translation: Thinking is hard for me and I just don’t want to do it. 

OK, that was probably offensive for some people and I’ll probably get a few nasty messages about what Christians really mean.  The funny thing is, I’ll probably agree to some extent because, as I said earlier, I’ve met lots of people who grew up in church and have never really considered their beliefs on a deeper level.  I don't like bumper-sticker answers from Christians either, such as "Christians aren't perfect, just forgiven" or "You just have to believe."  These are Conversation-Killers too. 

If someone is offended by an idea that differs from theirs that is politely shared, that is their problem.  No need to be a jerk to them, but let's be honest here: they aren't alone in this world.  This world has a rich tapestry of ideas, good and bad, and you just can't pretend that you live in a bubble where no one else's values, morals, ideas, or beliefs can touch you.  If you offend someone by polite sharing of an idea, that's their problem.  If you offend them by being an overbearing jerk about it, that's your problem.

Really, I just want to encourage you to discuss ideas.  Religion and politics are perfectly acceptable conversation topics, just keep it on a conversational level.  I think that is what scares most people, that the conversation will turn unfriendly.  I’ll be honest, there are some people that I don’t bother discussing these topics with, because they just can’t handle it without getting irrational and angry.  But, if you can handle it, I really want to know your story.  But don’t be surprised if I have questions for you.  I want to understand what you believe and why.  I also want you to understand what I believe and why.  This ultimately brings us closer to understanding each other.  Besides, discussing the weather is dull.

So, go ahead, ask me some questions.  I’ve got a few for you. 

Let’s talk.

P.S. – I’ve never actually used the word ‘Poppycock’ in conversation, but it’s kind of a fun word.   

Bad Boys

“Bad Boys, Bad Boys, whatcha gonna do? Whatcha gonna do when they come for you?” These are the theme song lyrics to the TV Show Cops. Each week, this Reality Series show has camera men ride along with local police and law enforcement departments around the nation. The cameraman follows along as officers pull over suspects, raid houses, and pull sting operations. There’s no commentator, no follow-up, and no explanation, only the here and now.

A typical scene goes something like this: We meet Officer Johnson and he explains to us how long he has been a cop and why he became one. Then, he receives a garbled radio call in his squad car. The camera, seated next to him records everything. Officer Johnson tells us that this area of town is known for its drug problems and that there currently is a suspect outside fighting with someone else. The camera looks forward as we race through the streets with lights and sirens blaring. We roll up to the scene and several questionable looking people race up to the car and tell the officer, (in the most ignorant sounding accent you can imagine) “Them there boys is a fightin.” Officer Johnson gets out and both suspects run. The camera shakes all over the place as the cameraman tries to keep up with Officer Johnson and the running suspect, crossing through people’s back yards and over streets. When the camera finally catches up, all of the action is done. Officer Johnson has his knee on the suspects head and is handcuffing the man. He announces out of breath, “The other one got away, but this guy dropped his drugs.” The suspect is then taken off to the car and we get out-of-breath analysis from three or four other cops involved in the chase. The camera then cuts to the next scene.

I don’t watch television at home, but when I get a chance, I love to catch a glimpse of this show. I know it’s probably a terrible show and not worth watching, but for some reason, I cannot turn it off. I have tried to figure out why this is. Perhaps there is a secret satisfaction of seeing someone else get their come-uppance. Or, maybe it’s the carnal side of me that likes to see a little blood and action. It could possibly be human nature to laugh at other people’s folly. Despite some rude references about West Virginia by friends of mine, I don’t think it is because I’ll see my hillbilly relatives on there.

I truly respect police officers and the job that they do, putting their very lives on the line so that my family can sleep safely at night. But, I can’t help but think that my interest in this show has nothing to do with these heroic men and women; I think it has more to do with a perverted sense of justice in my own heart.

There, but for the grace of God, go I. I have done things in my life that would have meant that a fine gentleman in blue would have taken me before a guy in long black robes with a hammer to have a discussion about immediate future as a guest of the state. I did not get caught at the time and grew out of such behavior – yet, I realize that I could very well have been in front of that camera on cops.

I also realize, in my journey towards God that there is much that I have to atone for. I know the blackness of my own heart, my selfishness, greed, lust, pride, envy, hate, and much more. I know that I deserve punishment, but am very thankful that Jesus provides me with grace and mercy.

Yet… There is still that carnal side of me that gleefully watches someone else get busted.

I know who the real bad boy is.

I’m very glad that God doesn’t have a TV show like Cops where he busts sinners.

On that thought... Just promise me that if you do ever see God’s Cops show some day and there is a chubby bearded guy running from the camera, turn the television off. It’s a terrible show and not worth watching.

The Lesson of the Sextant

Do you feel lost in life, adrift in seas of trouble?

Sailors have long depended on a tool called the sextant to help them know where they are and where they need to go.

Don't know what a sextant is? In this day of GPS systems, navigational computers in cars, accurate maps available on the internet, and air travel; most people never learn what one is.

Hundreds of years ago, sailors who wanted to go from one place to another had to have a way to find their way back home. Maps weren’t especially dependable, and there weren’t any of the other tools that we depend on today. So, they depended on an instrument called a sextant. The sextant is an instrument that lets you take a measurement of a star such as Polaris or of the sun in relation to the horizon. By knowing where these heavenly bodies are in relation to the horizon near your home port lets you know how far north or south of this point you are. Thus, you can know your latitude. As you travel further away from home, you can always look to the heavens and take a measurement. Then, you merely sail back towards your own latitude and then make a turn right or left to get back home.

In life, you will stray far from where you started. Yet no matter how far you go, you can always find your way if you but focus on heaven for guidance. When you have drifted far on the seas of life, buffeted by the storms of trouble; when you feel that you are most lost with no land in site, no rock to stand on; stop and take a bearing from the one constant – God. In Him, you will find the direction that you need to go. To find your way on earth, look to heaven.

Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe.

Psalm 61:1-3

"Men know that the sea is dangerous and the storms are terrible, but they have never found these dangers sufficient enough reason for remaining ashore"

I wrote this devotional in 2003 as an encouragement for a friend as she was off to school at the Merchant Marine Academy. She traveled some troubled seas herself and is now back in landlocked Phoenix, but will likely travel again. I just stumbled upon my original and thought I'd post it. Dedicated to Liana W.

Am I Evil?

Am I Evil?

There is a paradox of humanity. Humans are capable of the most incredibly touching acts of goodness and at the same time exhibit the most appalling acts of evil.

A friend of mine recently began blogging, and in his first article, he addresses this paradox of human goodness and evil. (See it here: http://chandler-eric.blogspot.com/2009/08/reflections-on-sunday-morning.html.) As he observes in his blog, humankind is capable of the most amazing acts of beauty and altruism while at the same time being capable extreme acts of cruelty and evil. How can this be?

I too pondered this question and this was ultimately one of the main contributing factors in my choice of religion. (I'll go into the other contributing factors another time.) I searched and studied the religions and philosophies of the world trying to find an answer to the disparity of goodness and evil. Most of the systems that I encountered seemed to describe humans as ultimately good creatures that occasionally did evil.

That just didn’t jive with what I have observed in reality. Let’s be honest with ourselves here. I cannot see into your heart and soul as you cannot see into mine. But we can observe the actions of others and we can see into our own selves.

I know the evil that I am capable of. I am a pastor, a person who has chosen to give his life in service to God and to other people. Yet, through personal inventory and much introspection, I know what is in my own heart. It pains me to say this, but the truth is, there is evil within me: hate to the point of murder, lust to the point of rape, greed to the point of theft, envy to the point of destruction and much, much worse. It is not that I have done these things, only that I know that if conditions had been different in my life, there are times when I might have acted on these evil inclinations.

I believe that each of us has this within us although few would be so brazen to admit it. Calvinists call this depth of evil in all people: ‘Total Depravity.’ I am not Calvinist, but I do believe in almost total depravity.

There is an excellent book called, The Ordinary German in the Holocaust. Though somewhat dry as a historical study, this book disassembles the myth that only a few Germans were actually involved in the death of so many. It shows how impossible the task would have been without the tacit involvement of thousands if not millions of Germans of all walks of life. Thus, the ongoing Holocaust could not have been hidden from the general population. This is not limited to Germans, as if it were only they who have this penchant for evil.

Observe genocides in Rwanda, in the former Yugoslavia, Cambodia, Iraq and Sudan.

Observe the mob violence that has occurred in riots worldwide from Watts, Detroit, Iran, France, Zimbabwe, or Los Angeles.

Observe violent government crackdowns in Poland, China, or the former Soviet purges.

Observe the gulags, concentration camps, and the killing fields.

Observe the terrorism of 9/11, suicide bombers and beheadings in the Middle East, of the IRA, and of the various European factions of the 70s.

It is easy to blame these appalling acts on a few, but in all cases, if you add in those who support the evil-doers, those who are too scared or apathetic to stand up against it, and those who benefit from it; the numbers show that evil is not as limited as we’d like to believe. It also shows us that ordinary people are quite capable of being indescribably brutal towards others.

If you are honest with yourself, you have to say, “There but for the grace of God go I” because each of us contains this seed of evil that could bear fruit under the right circumstances.

Now, at this dark point, I must part ways with the Calvinist. This is where the almost comes in.

Humans are also capable of incredible acts of altruism. Watch the news and you will hear stories of people running into burning buildings to save others. Glance at Readers Digest and you can read about a group of frat boys who risked their lives to save a woman whose car was stuck on the train tracks with a freight train bearing down on them. Listen to the radio and you will hear of someone making donations to help the family of a soldier who was horribly injured. Even in our down economy, people are giving to churches, to shelters, and to the needy. Others are volunteering their time to build houses for the poor, dig clean-water wells in developing nations, and taking medicine to those who need it.

This goodness is the spark of the Almighty within us. In Genesis 1, it says that mankind was created in God’s image. God is good and He created within us the capacity for love, and thus the power to do incredible good.

As I said before, Christianity was the only place that I have found that adequately addressed these dipolar extremes. God created humanity in His image and humanity chose to sin, turning away from God towards evil. In this, we see our capability for both ultimate good and terrible evil.

The answer to the question, ‘Am I evil?’ is both Yes and No.

Each of us has the seed of evil and seed of good within us.

Each of us must ask ourselves, "Which will I choose today?"

Camp Songs and Theodicy

Jesus loves me, this I know. For the Bible tells me so.

Little ones to Him belong, they are weak but He is strong.

The perennial church camp song, sung by kids for so many generations.

We sang this at Kids Camp this last week and it started me thinking.

In youth and childrens ministry, I have seen all kinds of horrible things that have been done to kids and heard even more second hand stories. Physical abuse, mental abuse, sexual abuse. Kids who have watched their parent’s marriage torn apart and are drawn into the fighting. Children of drug and alcohol abusers who had to learn all too young how to take care of themselves. Children who have to help their siblings hide from a stepfather’s unwanted attention. Children abandoned by parents. Children drugged into oblivion so they don’t act up.

I faced some of these very situations this last week.

My heart aches each time I look into the face of a sweet child and see adult-like pain.

If the line from the song, “Little ones to Him belong, they are weak but He is strong,” then how can He let this happen?

This is an old question that has long been batted around by believers and non-believers alike. In fact, there is even a term for it: Theodicy. But, the reality of holding a child in pain brings it home in a way that academic arguments never can.

God allows us to live in sin as part of our ability to choose Him. That makes sense. If He fully protected us against our own sin, then we can never fully choose Him in love. I get that. I understand the difference between a computer programmed to say, “Rodger is awesome” versus my daughter giving me a hug and saying, “Daddy, I love you.”

Recognizing that God allows us to suffer the consequences of our own sin doesn’t make it hurt any less to realize that He also allows us to suffer the consequences of other people’s sin.

And that brings us to the child in pain.

Jesus says, “It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin.”

He also said, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”

Therein lays the answer. God’s solution to the problem of these children’s pain comes from us. For now, we are the ones to welcome them in His name. Facing this in ministry, my only comfort comes from the fact that there are loving Christians in the world who take Christ’s love for little children as a personal call. They are His hands as they put their arms around a weeping child. They are His hands as they call CPS to help break a child free from an abusive situation. They are His hands as they adopt a child or take them in foster care.

Jesus loves me, this I know. For loving Christians show me so.

Little ones to Him belong, they are weak but through Him his servants are strong.