Month: December 2009

Recently, I’ve rediscovered a small book by Thomas Merton. Inspiring, challenging, and encouraging all at once; it offers quiet moments of reflection. Recently our small group had a discussion on why the followers of Christ have become more of a “culture” as opposed to a “movement” or “force” in our world. I think he speaks a bit of it here:

“It is unfortunately quite possible that a superficial religiosity, without deep roots and without fruitful relation to the needs of men and of society, may turn out in the end to be an evasion of imperative religious obligations. Our time needs more than devout, Church-going people who avoid serious wrongs (or at least the wrongs that are easily recognized for what they are) but who seldom do anything constructive or positively good. It is not enough to be outwardly respectable. On the contrary, mere external responsibility, without deeper or more positive moral values, brings discredit upon the Christian faith.” – Thomas Merton, “Life and Holiness”

Merton isn’t the only one who has recognized that Holiness is much more than living a life of “avoiding sin”, and does not lead us to a life of a monk, separated from the temptations and toils of the world around us. Even though, ironically, he spent over 20 of his final years in monastic living…he wrote of holiness bringing us into relation with the needs of people around us. His Catholic beliefs led to a portrait of those who chose his path as a great resource for those suffering, in case it’s hard for many of our protestant souls to swallow.

John Wesley & B.T. Roberts, men whose faith has given birth to the movement we find ourselves within, both also believed in a very real and practical holiness that was supernaturally resourced, and experienced within community/relationships. It leads us to a love for others and draws us out of ourselves, and into the lives of those who suffer. It is justice, and righteousness (love and activity toward God’s “making things right”).

May we be members who are active in a movement. People who are caught up in the activity and direction of God’s Kingdom. May we be transformed and empowered by a Spirit who leads us into areas of suffering and presence, and come together regularly to celebrate and lift each other up. Amen.

In President Obama’s acceptance speech for the Nobel prize this week, we see a common illness of the church. He quoted Martin Luther King, in reference to non-violence – “Violence never brings permanent peace. It solves no social problem: it merely creates new and more complicated ones.” He remarked that “I am living testimony to the moral force of non-violence. I know there is nothing weak -nothing passive – nothing naïve – in the creed and lives of Gandhi and King.”

And then directly went on to say “But as a head of state sworn to protect and defend my nation, I cannot be guided by their examples alone…A non-violent movement could not have halted Hitler’s armies. Negotiations cannot convince al Qaeda’s leaders to lay down their arms.”

I don’t want to get bogged down by the argument about pacifism, that’s not the focus of this post. The focus, rather, is that we are led to believe Obama the individual can be separated from Obama the president. Brought into illustration in our lives, it’s to believe that (your name) the person can be separated from (your name) the (your occupation/role in the family/etc.).

“Who we are” must be who we are. Obama believes that violence toward peace is sometimes unfortunately a justified way of stopping violence. Not just Obama the president…but Obama the father, husband, and friend.

The Kingdom of God NEEDS followers of Christ who live differently (Matthew 5-7) not simply in our personal lives (as if they can be separated), but who’s work and social life also flow from and reflect such a transformation of His Spirit. I suppose this is easier said than done, and easily said from a vocation of ministry. To truly follow Christ in many jobs these days may end up with losing your job.

The Kingdom needs more people who will approach their job/school/career/place of service/professional life/etc. with the same values of Christ they’re already swallowing on Sunday mornings and with their families. The values that women aren’t objectified. The values that the “least of these” are ridiculously loved by God. That giving sacrificially is blessed. To genuinely put others before ourselves. To love our enemies, and those who make our work difficult, more than ourselves.

To live ONE identity, “Follower of Christ”, no matter where we find ourselves….may be difficult. You may not get that promotion. Might not get invited to as many drinks. You may not rank well when it comes to being “cut-throat” professionally speaking. But maybe that’s okay…

We grew up getting some pretty short haircuts. Whether it was lice, cheaper to cut ourselves, or the actual facade of a well-behaved boy simply because his hair is shaved tight…it was done.

Nevertheless, when I became a teen, I branched out. Which led to a horribly awkward phase of growing out a pony tail (which never amounted to much more than a rat tail, with gelled up hair to make it seem it was one long mass of well wrapped hair). Sure, I pretended it was cool, had it in dread-locks a couple times, and even had one odd instance of “fish-braid?”.

But as much as I made fun of them for looking like little girls, I envied the long, straight hair of Hanson (mmmbop), and those like them. My long hair was wavy. And not Hasselhoff wavy, more like…well….the kinda hair you’d look at in the morning and would promptly yell “shove off!!” back to you (if it was British).

Take that past, and add it to the fact that I’m very much thinning a nice bald circle toward the back. It’s presence is amplified as the hair around it thickens. All of this, plus simplicity, leads me to a nice short hair cut. One that I’ve never thought worth paying someone to actually do. Until I met John. His shop is located at 2645 N. Oakland St. at the Tru Temp Plaza, Decatur, IL.
John has been cutting hair for over 40 years. 40 YEARS! Take that, you Supercut novice who smells of cigarettes and talks about your boyfriend drama. He cut hair for the Navy quite some time, before opening his own shop right here in Decatur, IL.

One annoying thing about getting your hair cut, is the itchy neck feeling that usually requires a shower afterwards. John uses a buzzer with a vacuum, leaving NO itchy neck. And towards the end? Shaving cream around the edges, and a nice clean finish with a straight razor. He’ll talk weather, sports, economy, or whatever the other elders in the waiting chairs bring up. Bring your kids, too, and John’s got a sucker for each of ’em. No appointment necessary, just walk right on in. If you got one or two in front of you, it’s usually a great time to hear/participate in discussion on what’s going on in the world. You may even find yourself letting the next guy go ahead of ya’!!!