Angry Americans

If it seems as if the level of anger in our country is at an all-time high, you are correct in that assumption.  A perfect storm of a national pandemic, racial tension and a contentious political climate has raised the level of angst to an explosive level.  As a person of faith. I struggle daily to remain hopeful and positive.  Like John in his closing thoughts of Revelation I find myself saying, “Come quickly, Jesus.”

A recent report from Pew Research has helped me understand not just the source of the anger but the alarming intensity.  Over 70% of those polled were “angry” about the current state of our country.  Additionally, two-thirds (66%) of those who took the survey were “fearful” about the state of the country.  Probably, the most surprising thing was how universal the feeling of “dread” was across generations.   Anger was strongest among young adults ages 18-29, 76% “very” or “somewhat” angry, but all other generational groups were in the 65%-67% range.  The feeling of “fear” was also consistent across all generational groups, 65%-67%.

The degree of anger is rooted in the fact that the level of “satisfaction” with the direction of our country is at an all-time low. Just 12% of Americans say they are satisfied with the way things are going in this country today – a 19 percentage point decline in national satisfaction since April. Nearly nine-in-ten (87%) now say they are dissatisfied with the way things are going.

While it can be disheartening to live in a culture where negativity seems to run so high, it really underscores the higher calling for those of us who know Jesus.  The history of God’s people is full of examples.  The wanderings in the wilderness, and the Babylonian captivity come to mind.  The New Testament church lived under the constant threat of persecution.  There were plenty of reasons for anger and fear.  Instead, the early disciples were moved all the more to share the message of grace and hope.    

The church was created for such a time as this.  “God gave us not a spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control.”  (2 Timothy 1:7) There should be no room in our lives for anger and fear.  We need to be people of hope and encouragement.

Being a Christian in a World of Gender Options

In the world I grew up in, boys were boys and girls were girls.  I was taught the Biblical principle that there were two sexes and we accepted that.  My first real experience with someone who lived outside those boundaries came during a summer job when I was in college.  I was working in a natural gas testing and research lab on the west side of Detroit.  It was strictly a male world, the only female being a receptionist in the front office.  One particular employee was the target of ongoing teasing and ridicule.   I knew that unlike my other colleagues he was not married but instead lived with his mom even though he was in his mid-forties.  We had a one-hour lunch break and he was the only employee to leave the building during that time.  Rumor was he went home to check on his mom but one day I observed another man dropping him off after the break.  The way they parted shocked me.  I never mentioned it to anyone because, quite frankly, you did not talk about such things.

  

How different is our world today?  Not only has being gay or a lesbian become an acceptable behavior, but now same-sex couples can marry.  A recent article that I read on the dating app Tinder opened my eyes even further.  If you are not familiar with Tinder, it is a popular dating app.  In the contemporary world, it is not just a matter of matching up males and females.  According to the report, those who complete a profile on Tinder can choose up to three of nine options with identifying their sexual orientation.  The choices include: asexual, demisexual, pansexual and questioning.  It seems to me that it gives young folks the option of changing their sexual preference on a daily basis as their needs and mood change.

I recall a time a number of years ago when we had a same-sex couple as next-door neighbors.  During that time, I tried to be a good neighbor.  While we never specifically addressed the issue, she knew I was a Christian and in full-time ministry. That did not stop me from accepting their offer to share a line from their generator when the power was off.  I loaned her my weed-eater when hers stopped functioning in the middle of cutting her lawn. We had many pleasant conversations, the last ending with a word of “thanks for being a good neighbor.” 

During a recent devotional time, I was considering Jesus’ parable on the weeds (Matthew 13).  In the story a farmer plants a field of wheat but while he is sleeping one night his enemy comes and sows’ weeds in the midst of the wheat.  When the weeds begin to appear, the farmer’s servants want to pull up the weeds but the farmer say “no.”  The farmer notes that he will separate them at the time of harvest. 

For me the application is clear.  In this world, wheat and weeds will grow together.  As Christian, we are called to live side-by-side with those who are evil and might be living lifestyles that in our opinion are outside God’s plan.  It only underscores the last thing 

Online Worship is Like Eating A Fine Meal without Taste Buds

Barb and I have settled into a Sunday morning routine.  Being sheltered at home has provided the unique opportunity to join all three of our children for online worship.  At 8:00 AM we watch our son, Peter, lead outdoor worship at First Lutheran in Towson, Maryland.  At 9:30 AM we switch to our home church, Prince of Peace Lutheran in Carrollton, Texas.  Our daughter, Katie, is director of worship at Prince of Peace and usually up front helping lead the singing.  At 10:30 we are able to join the service at Tree of Life Lutheran Church in Garland, Texas where our son, Mark, serves as pastor.

The pandemic has offered me more opportunities for spiritual growth and reflection.  I participate in an online devotion with one of my pastors each morning at 8:00 AM.  In addition to the reading I am doing as research for my latest project, I am revisiting some of my favorite Max Lucado books.  I have also discovered the writings of Robert Farrar Capon.  I am especially enjoying his insights into the Parables. 

You might think I am in a good place spiritually right now.  I am surviving the pandemic and managing to stay healthy, but something is missing.  The emptiness that I am feeling comes from the lack of fellowship with other believers.  Seeing their names in the chat box during worship is not the same thing as being with them on Sunday morning.  I miss the handshakes and hugs.  Probably even more, I long for the intimacy that is found within the family of God.  We share struggles, support each other in times of crisis and pray together.

 

In some ways, online worship is a little like enjoying a fine meal with no taste buds.  You know the food is good, but can only imagine what it actually tastes like. 

Evidently, I am not alone in my feelings.  A recent report from the Barna Group reveals that one third of Christians are not worshiping during this pandemic.  If worshipping online is the only option, they are opting out.  The trend is even more dramatic among Millennial Christians.  A shocking 50% of Millennials who were attending worship regularly prior to COVID-19 have not participated in online worship.  So they are watching religious podcast and reading devotional books, but many have simply put the practice of their faith on hold.

If it is a challenge for me, I know that it is double for pastors, church educators and others who lead.  How do you create a feeling of fellowship among believers at a time when we are forced to social distance?  Somehow, I know the answer lies not in me but in turning to the Holy Spirit.  I can only cry, “Come Quickly.”

Stupid Young Adult Tricks

It was my last night on campus at the end of my freshman year in college.  I had two exams still to go.  I had my notes for my Biology final in front of me.  The final was important.  I was barely maintaining a C in the class.  My studying was interrupted by a knock on the door.  Two of my dorm friends enter the room grinning from ear to ear.  They were inviting me to an off-campus party.  The offer to spend one last night celebrating with friends.  We could not have alcohol on campus.  The opportunity to share a case of beer with friends was too tempting. 

Reflecting back, it was just another example of the poor choices I made during my high school and college years.  Somehow, I survived although my C in biology slipped to a D.  Funny, I struggle now to remember the names of the two friends.  As I recall they did not survive the cut and didn’t make it back for their sophomore year. 

I have thought about some of the sins of my youth in recent days as images of young people celebrating The Independence Day Holiday have been featured on the news.  There was even a report of a fraternity party where they placed bets on who would be the first person to contract the virus.  The images of young people partying shoulder to shoulder, beverages in hand, on beaches were indeed disturbing.  No mask and definitely no social distancing.

The unfortunate reality is we should not be surprised.  Young people are not wired to always make wise choices.  The pre-frontal cortex, the portion of the brain where decisions are made, is not fully developed until the mid-twenties.  When you add in the fact that early on we got mixed messages about the effect of the virus on young people, it is easy to understand why they might not get it.

 

So, it is incumbent on those of us who are older to focus on two things.  First off, we need to take care of ourselves.  As much as I do not like having to be sheltered at home, I know it is what I need to do.  Secondly, we need to be examples of faith and hope at this time.  Granted, most of our communication these days is limited but still what we share with our friends, whether it be via phone, zoom or social media, needs to reflect the hope we have in Jesus.  The world, perhaps even some young folks, is watching.

National DCE Day

Yesterday was National DCE Day.  The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod observes the day each year as a way of recognizing the ministries of Directors of Christian Education.  DCE’s are commissioned ministers within the LCMS. 

I sorta came into DCE ministry through the side door.  I like to joke that I flunked student teaching, but the truth is God put me exactly where I needed to be.  Along with my wife, Barb, I graduated from Concordia-River Forest in 1969.  There were over twenty calls for DCE's and only two were graduating from the program.  The fact that I had a minor in youth ministry made me a likely candidate. 

In many ways I was one of the round pegs they put into a square hole; lots of gaps around the edge.  I served four congregations as a parish DCE and then spent two years on staff with the Texas District.  I finished out my full-time ministry as school counselor at Lutheran High School of Dallas.  In retirement, I am a writer/consultant equipping others for ministry in this challenging time.  I am now, and always have been, proud to say I am a DCE!

I have had great mentors, starting with Dr. Stephen Schmidt who headed the youth ministry program at Concordia.  Along the way I had fellow DCE’s who came along side me.  During my Northern Illinois days Larry Brandt, Jack Giles and Mark Diefenthaler come to mind.  Since moving to Texas in 1988 I have also been surrounded by a great support system.  Ron Scherch, Doug Widger, Serena Pace and especially Dave Rahberg come to mind.  On a district level I valued the ministry of Rev. Bill Ameiss, Dr. Keith Loomans and Paul Krentz.

 

I have been blessed. 

Seeing the Blessings of COVID-19

Music has always been a big part of my world, which explains why Alexa has become such a blessing.  The Amazon Alexa was a Christmas gift from our oldest son Peter and his family.   His intent was that it be a link when they moved from Texas to the east coast.  Indeed, it has.  It is not uncommon to hear Alexa beep and then to see his image appear on the screen.  Most of the time he is just checking in. 

Little did I know when I plugged in my Alexa that it would become the soundtrack of my life.  I can program the music to fit my mood.  Alexa play Johnny Mathis and similar artist… Alexa play Journey and similar artist….  Alexa play Trisha Yearwood and similar artist…  When I am writing or doing research my preference is soft Christian contemporary music; Kari Jobe, Nichole Nordeman or Laura Story.  It is one particular song that has become a godsend as I navigate this strange new world that I am living in.  The song is Blessings by Laura Story.

“‘Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops

What if Your healing comes through tears

What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You’re near

What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise.”

The pandemic has rocked my world and altered my life in a way I could never imagine.  Every time I take a personality inventory it confirms the fact that I am an introvert.  As such you would think I would find the opportunity to shelter at home a boon.  I have more time to read, to write and do research.  But… I do need people in my life.  Granted, I can call people on my cell phone or even zoom conference with them, but there is no intimacy in that.  I long for a hug.  I want to see people face to face and laugh and cry with them.  The reality of the current situation is that is not going to happen until we can find a cure for COVID-19.  I can ask God to take this away but the reality is His is response seems to be “In my time, my son.”

That’s where the song comes in.  The song has been around for years.  Laura Story won a Grammy for Blessings in 2012.  I know I had heard the song countless times, but in my current context I was drawn to it.  It caused me to do some research and, in the process, I found the history behind the song.  Blessings was created out of circumstance.  Shortly after her marriage, her husband, Martin Elvington, was diagnosed with a brain tumor.  While Martin recovered, it has been a journey and he continues to struggle with the effects.  In the process Laura Story admits she has asked God, “Why don’t you just fix it.”  It was her sister who put things into perspective with the words, “You know, I think the detour is actually the road."

It has forced me to put a different spin on my current situation.  Perhaps this pandemic is a sign of God’s love and mercy.  I need to dwell in that.  Maybe this is God’s way of slowing me down and actually drawing me closer to Him.  Instead of praying for a solution, perhaps I need to be focusing on the peace and hope that I have in Jesus.  The things of this world are fleeting, but His love for me is eternal.

God’s Reality Check

“The words from the Lord to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant.  Moses my servant is dead.  Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel.”

Joshua 1:1a-2

What a dose of reality!  Moses is dead… You are in charge.  I have to wonder what went through Joshua’s mind as he considered the task ahead.  “Mr. Second Fiddle” was now the leader of the band.  His assignment was to lead a million plus people into a strange new world.  Sure, God called it “The Promise Land” but the truth was no one knew what to expect.  God used words like “flowing with milk and honey” but he also included the reality that it was currently occupied by the Canaanites, the Hittites and other folks who were not going to be real cooperative when it came to allowing foreigners to move in. 

There was also the baggage that this wandering tribe carried with them.  They carried the memories of four hundred years of living comfortably in Egypt.  Granted, they were forced to live under the rules and demands of Pharaoh but still their needs were met.  They had even grown to accept the reality of living in tents as they camped out in the wilderness for forty years.  Again, they had become accustomed to the certainty of manna in the morning and quail in the evening.  Crossing the Jordan River and entering a strange new world was scary.  They were warned that there were battles ahead and they were a wandering tribe, not a mighty army. 

And Joshua was called to be their leader…

I have thought about Joshua a lot in the last few weeks.  Like others, I have been wandering in the wilderness that is the reality sheltering at home during a pandemic.  We were only a few weeks into the COVID-19 crisis when my Uncle Don died from the virus.  That was a blow to me because since the death of my dad, Uncle Don was the oldest surviving male in the family.  Uncle Don was a World War II veteran who never married. He lived in the same neighborhood on the east side of Detroit.  It was like having a second dad.  For the last sixteen years he was the patriarch I looked to for wisdom and encouragement.  Granted, he lived over a thousand miles away, but just knowing he was a phone call away gave me some security.  I cherished the times we were together.  I never grew tired to listening to his stories and hearing of his experiences.

Like Joshua, I had a certain sense of fear when I heard the words, “Uncle Don is dead.” There is a certain burden that comes with being the oldest surviving male in a family.  While we are spread far and wide across this great country, we are still a close-knit clan.  I am the oldest of four siblings.  God has blessed Barb and I with three children and four grandchildren.  I sense that they look to me both for wisdom but also a listening ear.  It is a responsibility I take seriously.

I most certainly feel that weight as we venture into the “new world” that will be post COVID-19.  I cherish the memories of the past.  I carry the remembrances of the years of being in ministry, while also raising a family.  In retirement I have sense the need to pass the heritage of faith and values to those around me.  Perhaps I became too comfortable in that role.  Whatever security I felt was rocked on the second weekend in March,  That is when, for the first time, I was forced to shelter at home and worship online, separated from the church family I hold dear.  It was too weeks later, with my Uncle’s passing, that I felt the full weight of the situation.

There is more to Joshua’s story.  With the reality of his new world came a command; “Be strong and courageous…”  These were not words of encouragement or reassurance.  This was a mandate.  To move forward you will need this.  The future requires that you be strong and courageous.  Facing the new “post pandemic world” will require faith and courage as well.  All things of the past are behind us.  Going back to the comforts of Egypt was not an option for the Children of Israel.  Going back to the way it was before March 14 is not a possibility for me either.

The only assurance that I have is that same God who accompanied me in the past is with me now.  I continue to live under the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ.