The Epidemic That Will Not Go Away

Suicide was back in the news again in the DFW area last weekend.  Two seventeen year old students from Plano East High School took their own lives within hours of each other.  Classmates say the girls were acquaintances but were not close friends.  There is no reason to suspect a “death pact,” rather it seems to be just a coincidence that they both chose to end their own lives.

My first memory of a teen killing themselves was during my sophomore year in high school.  His family was members of our church.  He was a couple years older than me and I barely knew him but lots of my church friends did.  They talked about it, but my parents barely mentioned it. 

I was especially aware of the threat of teen suicide during my years as a school counselor.  We tried to be proactive.  My colleagues knew the warning signs.  We were quick to intervene in situations where we felt the student was in danger to themselves.  We were quick to get parents involved.  It was never an easy conversation, but in the end they usually expressed gratitude.  To my knowledge we never lost a student to suicide.

So again, let me share the warning signs:

A teen becomes obsessed with death.  It might even be through poetry or art work.

Changes in mood: It could be they act depressed or withdrawn.

They pull away from friends and family.

A drop in grades or lack of interest in school activities.

They engage in risk taking behavior, including drugs and alcohol.

Do not wait for the warning signs.  It is always best to be proactive.  Here are some ways:

Be engaged in the lives of your kids.  Observe them as they interact with friends.

Talk about the issue, especially if there are incidents.  That includes attempts or threats.  Even a comment like, “nobody would miss me if I was gone,” need to be taken seriously.

Keep your kids healthy.  Make sure they see their doctor regularly.  Health also includes making sure they are emotionally and spiritually strong.

Learn to listen.  Sometimes the best way to show you care is to just listen and not give advice.

Never stop saying, “I love you.”

Being a Christian while Being Less Religious

I read another article last week on the spiritual state of America.  The article was published by Pew Research, an organization that I view as having a finger on the pulse of our country.  The reported noted that while fewer people are affiliating with churches, as a county we are becoming more spiritual.  While on the surface it might seem like a contradiction, it is in fact a reality.  To understand that requires looking at the meaning of the two words.

Religion involves being concerned about church things.  One’s behavior gives signs of being religious.  Being religious means a person is exhibiting outward signs.  “She is obviously a religious person because she goes to church every Sunday.”  “He must be very religious because he has a Bible on his desk.”

Spirituality relates to things of the spirit or soul, as opposed to physical or earthly things.  “Her contemplative nature leads me to believe she is more spiritual than most of her friends.”  “He has a spiritual nature that allows him to stay calm and think clearly in spite of the circumstance.”

One of my contentions about most Christian communities is that the members are very good at the outward signs, but fall short when it comes to living lives of discipleship.  I must admit to falling into that trap myself sometimes.  If the pattern is observed over a period of time, we run the risk of being viewed as hypocritical; only giving the outward signs of being religious.   In short that is why so few young folks do not want to associate with the churches we claim to be part of.  In their minds we are; “Long on words but short on action.”

As I think about it, being more spiritual might not be the answer either.  I am part of a worship community that meets every Sunday in the fine arts building at a Lutheran school.  The parking lot is usually full, but only because we share it with the Buddhist Center next store. The people who live and visit there might be perceived as being "spiritual."  I also find it curious that many of the people who gather there on Sunday are young adults.  Many Millennials are spiritual seekers.  The unfortunate thing, from my perspective, is that they are finding their needs met in places other than in Christian worship communities.  

We can take offense at this, but the in actuality we need to being taking it to heart.  Our actions toward the people who are lost and broken will speak volumes to the world.  Our attitude toward the lost and broken allows others to see Jesus in us.  I see that as the only way we might reverse the trend.

In actuality, it might mean being a little less religious and spiritual, and walking more in the steps of Jesus as loving and compassionate disciples.

POWERBALL MANIA

Our nation has been thrown into a frenzy these last few days.  One item, more than any other, has been dominating the news.  I suppose I should be pleased that it is not another mass shooting, or even the presidential campaigns.  It is the Powerball Lottery that has captured much of our attention;“A billion dollar prize.”  I have tried my best to ignore it, but the reality is greed has won out.  The lottery is part of our culture, so it is here to stay.  I cannot help but reflect on the message of St. Paul to Timothy.

“Those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction … and pierced themselves with many pangs”

(1 Timothy 6:9–10).

My anti-lottery sentiment is pretty deeply rooted.  We were living in the Chicago area when the State of Illinois introduced the lottery as a way to boost state income.  My teammate at the time, Pastor Bill Huener, was quick to label it a “poor tax.”  He was not hesitant to talk about his objections and he openly discouraged church members from participating.  His rational was based on the passage above. 

I have only one experience at possessing a lottery ticket.  During those days it was not uncommon for gas stations to reward you for your purchase by giving you a free gift.  Sometimes it was glassware, or a box of detergent.  I purchase gas one evening and was presented with a lottery ticket as a way of saying thanks.  In this case, it was “thanks for the guilt.”   I quite frankly was relieved when the numbers did not produce a winner.  

I feel the same way about casino gambling.  I realize that many people consider it to be entertainment, but the reality is most people are gambling in hope of hitting it big.  I have only been to Las Vegas once.  I was speaking at an educator conference, and could not get out of town fast enough.  It all seemed pretty sleazy to me.  I have not been back and probably will not venture across the border to visit one of those fancy casinos in Oklahoma either. 

I have to wonder what kind of a message we are sending to the next generation.  I do not see the future in buying a lottery ticket in hopes of becoming a millionaire.  I certainly do not want my children, grandchildren or other young folks I hold dear to chase false hope.  In my mind we all need to learn to live with a lot less and give away a lot more.  I think that is what Jesus calls us to do, and he backed it up by laying down His life.  Believing in the reality of a risen Savior is much better than any lottery jackpot. 

Remember: The things of this world will either break, wear out or get stolen.  The love of Jesus is forever.  

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy,

and thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, 

where moths and vermin do not destroy and where thieves do not break in a steall.

For where your heart is, there your heart will be also."

Matthew 6:19-21 

Millennials Picks Labor Unions over Religion

Pew Research is widely respected as an organization that has its pulse on American culture.   A report that they release this past week caught my attention.  I can even go as far as saying it is some of the most disturbing research that I have seen in recent years.  On the surface it paints Millennials in a positive light.  Overall they have a more positive perspective on American institutions than do any other generational groups.  It is the one institution that they do not hold in the highest regard that troubles me.

The staff at Pew Research identified eight major institutions, from small businesses and large corporations to banks and the national news media.  The church and religious institutions, along with labor unions, were on the list.  Individuals from the four generational groups Millennials, Generation X, Baby Boomers and The Silent Generation were surveyed.  The surprising thing is that with every case, Millennials held a higher regard for the institutions than any generational group.  The lone exception was the church, where every other generational group held religious institutions in higher esteem.

Overall, church and religious organizations finished somewhere in the middle, a fact disturbing in itself.  Small business, colleges and technology companies got the most positive reviews.  National news media and the entertainment industry were viewed as having the least positive influence.  The sad reality is that today’s young people have a more favorable view of labor unions (57%), than the church (55%).  Members of Generation X (62%) and Baby Boomers (67%) saw religious institutions in a more positive light.  At that, about one third of Americans do not view the church as an institution that has a positive effect on our country. 

I am not surprised by the statistics.  As I have shared in the past; many teens and young adults turned their backs on the church long ago.  Still we face a challenge: What steps to take to reverse the trend?   The challenge comes in changing the perception that the church is self-serving, resistant to change in culture and, worst of all, not very accepting of those who are in need of grace and forgiveness.  Changing the perception on all those issues is a tall order, and I must add I do not see the institutional church all that anxious to change.  National church leaders are often more interested in turf protection than they are being Jesus to the broken and lost.

The sad fact is that most Millennials would rather give money to feed starving children in Africa or provide housing for the homeless, than to support a local church – even if they might attend that church once in a while.  In their minds Apple and Microsoft can be trusted more to make have a positive impact on our culture.

I personally do not see this as an institutional problem, but more a discipleship issue.  To be perfectly honest, most Christians do not come off all that different from the rest of society.  We are called to unconditionally love all those who are lost and broken, and often we are viewed as judgmental rather than loving and forgiving.  The change must begin with me.  We can only change the perception one individual at a time.

Keeping 2016 in Perspective

Our God, our help in ages past,

Our hope for years to come,

Our shelter from the stormy blast,

and our eternal home.

We turned the page on a new year last night.  2016!  I probably need to get use to that. The old adage is "Another Day, Another Dollar."  I like to think the same thing applies as we turn the page on another year.  Time rolls on and God's blessings remain the one constant.

I could not help but ponder the third line of the hymn above last Saturday night, as kept an eye on the weather.  As it was the storm changed directions and the tornadoes touched down south and east of us.  Probably appropriate that the weather was major story in the DFW area to end the year, considering we set an all-time record for rain and flooding in 2015.  It was not just the weather that made news last year.  There was much that was unsettling.  There were more mass shootings and terrorist attacks.  Racial tensions again heightened and there was a new theme: Black Lives Matter.  

As we head into 2016, we anticipate an election year, and I for one do not feel comfortable with any of the front-running candidates.  The economy seems to again be in a state of flux.  We continue to live with the threat of homeland terrorist.  Internationally there continues to be strife in the Middle East and hunger and health are still an issue in Africa and other part of the world.  We can also anticipate a continued shift in the moral climate. Same-sex marriage is legal and Caitlyn Jenner has become a role model for a new generation.  What is to come in 2016?  Could things get even worse?

When it comes to the world around me I can pass it off as it is what it is.  But I can also say the same thing about God: He is who he is.  The years role on and our God remains the one constant.  I might age and my life situation might change, but my God remains the same.  I mess up: He forgives.  I continue to live under God's grace, and in the end that is all that matter.   

In our complex and changing world, it is our responsibility to live each day confidently and boldly. That should always be our testimony and witness. Complaining about the way things are will not win us friends among the younger generation.  I also think it is offensive to God.  Remember Jesus' words, "In this world you will have trouble.  Take heart!  I have overcome the wold."  (John 16:33)  The way we convey our hope and faith through our actions will always speak louder than our words.

Our God, our help in ages past,

our hope for years to come;

be thou our guide while troubles last,

and our eternal home.

The Christmas Gospel According to John

During the Christmas season we expect to hear the Luke 2 account of our Savior’s birth.  During the season of Epiphany we hear the story of the visit of the Magi as told by Matthew.  Both Gospel also contain narratives on the announcement of the Jesus’ birth; Matthew tells the story from Joseph’s perspective and the more detailed account of Mary’s story is found in Luke.  But, there is another Christmas gospel.   It is found in John 1.  While Matthew and Luke provide the details of the event, John provides insight into the meaning of Jesus’ birth.  While Matthew traces Jesus lineage back to Abraham and Luke connects the story to Old Testament prophesy, John goes one better and connect Jesus birth with the beginning of the world at creation.

“In the beginning was the Word.” (John 1:1).  The fact that the “Word” is capitalized causes us to assume it is a proper noun, meaning Jesus is the “Word.”  John links Jesus, “The Word,” to creation.  That means that all three persons of The Trinity were present at the beginning of the world.  God the Father was the creator who called things into existence, and the Spirit was present “hovering over the waters” but what role did Jesus play in creation?  Translated into Greek, “The Word” is Logos.  In this context term “The Logos” appears twice in the scriptures, at creation and at the birth of Jesus.

In the beginning “the earth was formless and empty.” (Genesis 1:2).  It was encompassed in darkness.  I would propose that Jesus' role was to enter into that chaos and bring a sense of peace.   I believe that is the message John is delivering at the beginning of his gospel.  In John 1:14 he writes, “The Word (“The Logos”) became flesh and lived a while among us.”  Jesus brought the same sense of peace to the first century world as he brings today.  The word “Peace” is often associated with the Christmas season.  Even the secular world uses the word “Peace” at Christmas time, but those of us who get the message realize that the only “true peace” can be found in “The Logos.” 

My prayer for you this Christmas is that you may experience the “peace” of the Christ Child in an even deeper way.  I also pray that “The Logos” may bring peace to the chaos that is your world.  I further pray that through you people may see the peace of the Christ Child.  Our world may seem to have lost it way and be in a state of chaos, but the Prince of Peace has come to restore order and remove the darkness that covers the earth.  You are his instrument to accomplish that.  My God grant that through the power of His Spirit, this Christmas and in 2016.

IT IS CHRISTMAS AND THE MILLENNIALS ARE COMING

Christmas is a time when a lot of individuals find their way home.  For many families that means welcoming home Millennials.  Some those might be college students.  Others are young adults who live in distant cities.  Parents are not the only ones who wait in expectation for the return of young people.  Pastors and others on the church staff are anticipating the return of so many familiar faces.  I recall my days in church youth ministry.  The Christmas Eve services were among my favorite times.  In addition to hearing the story of our Savior’s birth and singing the familiar carols, I anticipated seeing so many of the kids I had bonded with in youth group. 

Welcoming home some Millennials can be a difficult experience.   Some have made decisions that they know run counter to their parent’s desires.  Those choices also might run counter to what they were taught in Sunday school and youth group.  There is also the unfortunate possibility many of them have wandered from the faith.  Others still consider themselves to be spiritual but have turned a deaf ear to the message of traditional Christianity.

It easy to view holiday visits as a time to confront the issues that might divide us.  Beware, sometimes it is better to just celebrate Christmas with them and let our actions deliver the message.  Here are some other things to keep mind.

Many Millennials like traditions.  That might especially be the case when it comes to Christmas rituals.  For those planning Christmas worship that means making sure you tell the Christmas Story from Luke 2, and sing Silent Night, preferably by candlelight.  For parents that means being careful not to make too many changes in the way the home is decorated or in the menu.

Christmas is not the time to confront them about past mistakes or poor choices.  Remember, Jesus provides the ultimate example of unconditional love.  Our Savior was very good at loving people where they were at and gently guiding them to where He wanted them to be. 

Make Christ the center of your Christmas.  The way you convey the “Christmas peace” through you actions might be the most powerful message they witness.

May the peace of the Christ Child dwell in your family and in your home during this Christmas season.