Author: Wick

So the level of cuteness occurring within the confines of my home continues to rise on a daily basis. I’m pretty sure we could begin selling it in packages, and never even get close to scraping the surface. Unfortunately, child labor laws being what they are….we’ll probably never quite take full advantage of it.

But for our friends and family, it’s a pretty sweet deal. Just to share a few from our oldest, Addie (simply because she’s the most verbal = easiest to describe. Sophie and Ruby are equally cute in their own ways, but one consists of mostly half-words that would be tough to spell, and the other seems to generate enough cuteness simply by giggling):

– Addie is fully aware of the “waiting for Christmas” concept this year. She sees Christmas lights everywhere we drive, which makes for cheap entertainment as we “hunt” for them. To quote Addie, “oooh, they surprised me!!!?”

– She notices Nativity scenes wherever they can be found these days. The most famous is the one in our home. Even though it’s some schmancy Italian collectible what-not, it is obviously meant to be a toy nativity set, duh. It’s not odd to hear the exclamation “Daddy, can I play with Jesus!??” at any point in the day. Although it was rich in irony to hear her say, “daddy,, I saw a WHITE Jesus?” when we drove past one of those white shadow cutouts of a nativity recently. She was a bit confused.

– Addie has the magical “big sister” connection with both of her younger siblings. With Sophie, it comes in moments where Sophie obviously wants to copy her older sister in whatever she does. She’ll line right up feet to feet, and watch her every move and word….and attempt to replicate them when possible. With Ruby, it comes in the ability to make her laugh even when mommy and daddy can’t do it. Just a smile, and a bit of peek-a-boo, and our 6 month old is wrapped around her finger.

– Having our daughters at the age where Addie, and Sophie a little, can participate in “Advent” discussions each night as possible. Lighting the candles, and eating a small chocolate. Each week has an emphasis for each night, which we keep at an age-appropriate level: Hope (oh boy), Peace (ahhhh…), Joy (whoo hoo!), and Love (awwww)…and finally, Jesus.

– Having contests where we begin the sentence with “I love you more than….” and fill it in with whatever comes to mind. Today, Addie loves me more than Christmas Lights, Princess hair, and groceries. 🙂

Maybe I’m still just riding the “thankful” wave from Thanksgiving…but I’m loving this stuff. 🙂

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…