Ch- Ch- Ch- Ch- Changes

Transition. It's the word people use when they don't want to freak others out with the word "change." For instance, when your employer says, "We are in the midst of a transition." What he's really saying is, "Everything is about to change. I cannot guarantee a moment's stability, and I'm really not even sure why I am telling you this because I cannot say for certain you'll be around by the time I'm finished this sent--  Oh. Wow. Sorry."

But not all transitions are bad. I generally listen to Country or "Contemporary Christian" (I loathe that classification, BTW) music, but from time to time, I will make a call. It goes something like this, "Hey, I'm going off the grid for a while. Love you. I'll talk to you later." This is Scott's warning that I am no longer answering the phone, the door, the "History Facts" quiz on the back of the cereal box -- nuthin'. But I am OK. Then, I will put on some Jazz, or Dubstep, or Classical or, New Age; I might even throw in some Floyd, or Tool, or Metallica. The transitions in the music are exciting -- like getting more than one song for your buck! You're not sure what's coming next, but the first part was so good, you're safe to assume what is to follow will be just as good, if not better.

I have been studying the Book of Psalms for the past couple of months. So many Psalms begin in anger or disappointment. My psalm for this morning was Psalm 77. He begins troubled, overwhelmed, in anguish; he cries out -- why? how long? have You really turned Your back on us? It is when the writer considers how good things used to be, that he determines to hold on to those things through this period of transition. He decides that, though transitions may be difficult, or unexpected, or completely out of his control, they are not beyond God's control.

The God who composed this life is still on His throne, and based on the first movement, we are safe to assume what is coming next will no doubt, be a masterpiece!

HEY, PHILADELPHIA!!!

Did you know we have a sister city? Yeah, I know! Who knew, right? Well, we do. In fact, we have a few, but it's this little one in Russia that seems to be causing all the flack. It's a cute little town with a population just shy of Philly's. Its name is Nizhny Novgorod, or Nizhny for short.

Now, here is the issue at hand. Mayor Nutter is facing a bit of pressure to cut ties with our dear sister of 20 years because it seems she has banned homosexual literature. Yep. Does it get any worse than that? One of our illustrious former mayors would have probably dropped a bomb on her by now, but that's another story for another day. Anyhoo, certain factions are crusading to dump our disagreeable sister, and I couldn't agree more. Here's my argument:

1) All free thinkers and rubes who have the gall to disagree with popular opinion need to be taught a lesson.

2) Separation of church and state (the current, popular translation - not the one that says the state needs to stay out of the church's business) is obviously the first step in separating sex and state. If Mayor Nutter is called to task and cuts off Sister Russia, there can no longer be any issues amongst folks who wish to see the state recognize gay marriages -- once the state is out, it's out!

3) It's a wonderful thing to have the fifth largest city in America dictate how to run the fifth largest city in Russia. Those poor, ignorant folks in Nizhny need our help! Arrogance is always a good characteristic -- the rest of the world loves Americans for it!

4) Once Nizhny reaches our enlightened status, they can beg to be back in our good graces. Who knows, maybe then they will have surpassed our enlightenment and can tell us how to run our city - sort of like Mother England did with the colonies back in the 1700's.

5) If Philly divorces our little sister over banning certain literature - in its own city - or over any other difference of opinion, that will give a whole new meaning to extortion. You disagree? I want a divorce. You smoke within the confines of your own car? Relinquish your driver's license. You like mind-numbing reality TV? Oh ok, you can stay. But you don't participate in casual Friday? You're fired. You don't speak Russian? You are dead to me (or however they would say that in Nizhny Novgorod). Everyone knows, the best way to woo someone to seeing things your way is to make ridiculous threats. 

6) Lastly, and this is the one I really want you to let hang there a moment...
Philadelphia public schools banned prayer and Bible reading 50 years ago. Who has divorced us?

But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 10:33

Anniversary

"Where were you?" 

There aren't too many of us who, on this day, need an explanation. Some were standing in line at Starbucks, manically checking their watches. Some were breathing a sigh of relief after waving a rowdy brood off on the school bus. Those of us from the night shift were slumbering blissfully. And others? Well, we know.

"But where was God?"

I have been asked that question a few times since 9/11. The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Hurricane Katrina. Moore, OK. Big theology for such a tiny blog. But here's how I see it.

He was on His throne, just where he was when the sun was peeking above the horizon that morning; when birds were trilling and the skies were bathed in color. He was keeping His eye on us, just as He was the day that really nice guy from the towing company helped you change that flat and get you to your sister's wedding in time. He was as generous as the day you bought that house for a steal, or found the $20 when you were low on gas. He was just as sovereign as the day you landed that great job, or got an A+ on your math test, or asked her to marry you (and she said "Yes!"). He had a plan, just as He did the day Hitler committed suicide in that bunker, or Nelson Mandela was born. He was with those who perished that day, just as He was the first time you heard the cry of your perfectly healthy baby boy. And He is with you today, even as you doubt His existence or His power or His love for you...just as He was the day you somehow decided He wasn't. 

So, when all the cool stuff was happening...

"Where were you?"

What Are You Looking For?

That sinking feeling when you realize you have lost your phone. Your keys. Your wallet.  Your kid.  Yep, my ex-husband and I lost our daughter at the beach one time.  I don't think there is a worse place to lose a child.  Add to the usual possibilities -- abduction by any one of hundreds of strangers (God forbid) or a terrified, wandering child -- the possibility of her being swept out to sea and, at the very moment you are standing there wondering what to do next, she is drowning and her tiny voice cannot be heard above the roar of the waves.  Guilt.  "Why were we ever allowed to reproduce?!"  "Why didn't I...?"  Then blame - "Why didn't you...?"  All the while, frantically searching.  Once our Teenie Weenie was found, we hugged her and kissed her, and certainly vowed to be more vigilant, but it really threw some cold, hard sobriety into an otherwise playful day off.

Luke 15 tells three stories of loss.  First, the shepherd who has one hundred sheep.  When one strays, he leaves the others to find it.  "When he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders."

The second is a woman who loses one of ten coins -- perhaps her last ten, perhaps coins of great value.  She frantically works to locate the one that is lost.  When she does, she calls her friends in to rejoice.

The third is a son.  A son who, though he has a will and has decided to wander from home, he has rendered his father a victim of great loss.  His father does not pound the pavements in search of him; he does not put up posters or offer a reward.  But we see his father searching the horizon, longing everyday for his lost son's return.  "And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming."  A great banquet is held to celebrate.

What strikes me here, is the increasing value: one percent of the shepherd's wealth, one tenth of the woman's, half of the father's.  Possessions, to a life.  And yet, the scenarios are the same: loss, search, celebration.  We seem to resolve all loss with the same instinctive behaviors.

Luke 19:10 tells us that Jesus is no different: "For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost."  There are those who are lost.  The Greek here is "apollymi," a word meaning in peril, loss ruin or headed for destruction.  But Jesus brings hope!  He seeks them.  The Greek for seek is "zeteo," and means to strive after -- active and emotional search; one definition even says "to crave or demand."

All this to say, I have been challenged.  Do I resist talking about what Jesus has done for us?  Do I halfheartedly wonder if the opportunity will come up -- maybe somebody who is really nice, who really seems receptive?  Or do I actively seek out those I believe to be in peril, headed for destruction, lost?  Am I looking for opportunities, or simply waiting for them?  Am I believing that God can do anything, or am I weighing the possibilities on a scale that is "much more rational?"  The Bible says, no guilt; no blame.  Just find them.  Oh, and then?  Celebration!