So here we are, finally, at Christmas itself. The big event.
For my family, there is no frantic gift unwrapping this morning. In fact this morning, the girls are at Blue Waters Farm feeding horses, and my son just woke up about nine.
Our main Christmas activity was last night. We gathered around the dining room table, turned down the lights, and lit some candles. I turned on Christmas music. Those who wanted made tea and hot chocolate (I had some yummy Chai tea). The wife brought out five copies of the Joy to the World Christmas catalog. I prayed, thanking God for His provision for the year and asking that He guide our decisions that evening so that we would choose what was on His heart. My son then prayed in a similar vein, and the wife concluded.
I have been praying about how much to give this year through the catalog and had arrived at a figure last week, so at this point I told the family how much money each would have to give. Last week I had asked the kids to consider contributing some of their own money if they wanted, and so at this point last night I invited them to add in that amount if they so chose. Calculators appeared on the table, and then we all got quiet as we read through the catalog and decided how to give our money. As we made our decisions, we tallied our choices on our individual worksheets.
As I skimmed through the catalog, I looked for items that tugged at my heart. I also looked for what seemed to be good "values" - ways to give money so that it did the maximum good. I had initially thought that I would give more money locally this year, because of the economy. I did give a good chunk locally, though a lot of that was for what I might call "ministry advancement" and not directly to support the poor. However, I also found myself drawn to give to works overseas, where I know that things are bad no matter what the economy is like. Orphans in Cambodia always have a rough time of it, whether the credit markets in the US are in disarray or not.
I mentioned above that we had five worksheets, even though there are four people in our family. A friend had given us some money, asking us to decide where the money would go. After we had been working on our own sheets for a while, I suggested to the family an idea for a large chunk of our friend's money. Everyone else agreed that my suggestion would fit with that person's desires and heart, someone suggested a similar item for the rest of the money, and so that is how we filled out their worksheet.
After we had finished, we consolidated our worksheets. I then prayed a blessing prayer over our choices - that our money would not only physically bless people, but also spiritually bless them so that they were drawn to God and praised and glorified Him.
And then we were done, our pleasant labor complete. The whole process took about one and a half hours.
Merry Christmas to you, and to all the people that we contributed to.
December 25, 2008
December 21, 2008
A Chorus Line
One of my best friends in high school was Christopher Patrick Mullen. He was then and is now an actor (he is performing in Cinderella at People's Light & Theatre through January 4). Back in high school he was of course very interested in Broadway, and spoke often about shows that he had seen and was interested in.
One of these shows was A Chorus Line. Chris infected another friend of mine, Gerry, with excitement about the show. Gerry bought the original cast album (which you can still find on Amazon, though now you have to buy it as a CD and not as an LP). I remember Gerry excitedly showing me this album just after he got it. Now, my memory gets a little fuzzy here - I'm not sure whether I borrowed the album, or made a cassette recording of it - but I remember listening to this album. A lot. I loved the music, and the songs became pretty familiar to me.
Friday night I saw A Chorus Line with Kathie in Philadelphia at the Forrest Theater, and all the joy of that music came rushing back to me. Of course, I loved the jokes, and the dancing was sparkling, and I enjoyed cheering for our own Jessica Latshaw Copeland as much as possible. But hearing those songs performed live is what gave me goose bumps. Take, for instance, the song One - the curtain call song of the musical, and the big production number of the musical within the musical. It is one of those hokey, over-the-top, woman-on-a-pedestal numbers that thankfully went out of fashion sixty years ago. But there is something about the fantastic melody and grand production that make the eye-rolling lyrics work. I loved it - in fact, I got annoyed that the audience was clapping so much because I wanted to better hear the singing at the end! I have been singing that song (and, for some reason, Hello Twelve, Hello Thirteen, Hello Love) ever since Friday night.
I really enjoyed the show Friday night. The ticket was expensive, but I am glad that I went. Jessica was great, and very funny during her song.
I have to tell on her, though. I caught her, toward the end, shifting her weight on her feet - probably because her shoes were hurting her. And we did hear her voice above the others for about two measures in the first rendition of One. Nothing bad, mind you - most people probably wouldn't have caught it. We were actually glad that we got to hear her really sing, instead of act like she can't sing as she does in her song Sing! (make sense?)
But one thing that I really enjoyed was seeing Jessica after the show. You see, we were there the night a large group from the Delaware Dance Company was there. At one point after the show I looked across at Jessica, surrounded by all these girls from the Company. She was smiling and talking with them in her very animated way. And it was just sweet to see the way that she was so gracious and generous with them. She really looked to be in her element speaking with them, as much as she looked to be in her element while she was dancing during the show. I'm glad that she is finding success.
Reminder: A Chorus Line is pretty much R-rated, for language and thematic elements. If you need a flavor of what you will run into, listen to some of the samples of the soundtrack album available at Amazon.
One of these shows was A Chorus Line. Chris infected another friend of mine, Gerry, with excitement about the show. Gerry bought the original cast album (which you can still find on Amazon, though now you have to buy it as a CD and not as an LP). I remember Gerry excitedly showing me this album just after he got it. Now, my memory gets a little fuzzy here - I'm not sure whether I borrowed the album, or made a cassette recording of it - but I remember listening to this album. A lot. I loved the music, and the songs became pretty familiar to me.
Friday night I saw A Chorus Line with Kathie in Philadelphia at the Forrest Theater, and all the joy of that music came rushing back to me. Of course, I loved the jokes, and the dancing was sparkling, and I enjoyed cheering for our own Jessica Latshaw Copeland as much as possible. But hearing those songs performed live is what gave me goose bumps. Take, for instance, the song One - the curtain call song of the musical, and the big production number of the musical within the musical. It is one of those hokey, over-the-top, woman-on-a-pedestal numbers that thankfully went out of fashion sixty years ago. But there is something about the fantastic melody and grand production that make the eye-rolling lyrics work. I loved it - in fact, I got annoyed that the audience was clapping so much because I wanted to better hear the singing at the end! I have been singing that song (and, for some reason, Hello Twelve, Hello Thirteen, Hello Love) ever since Friday night.
I really enjoyed the show Friday night. The ticket was expensive, but I am glad that I went. Jessica was great, and very funny during her song.
I have to tell on her, though. I caught her, toward the end, shifting her weight on her feet - probably because her shoes were hurting her. And we did hear her voice above the others for about two measures in the first rendition of One. Nothing bad, mind you - most people probably wouldn't have caught it. We were actually glad that we got to hear her really sing, instead of act like she can't sing as she does in her song Sing! (make sense?)
But one thing that I really enjoyed was seeing Jessica after the show. You see, we were there the night a large group from the Delaware Dance Company was there. At one point after the show I looked across at Jessica, surrounded by all these girls from the Company. She was smiling and talking with them in her very animated way. And it was just sweet to see the way that she was so gracious and generous with them. She really looked to be in her element speaking with them, as much as she looked to be in her element while she was dancing during the show. I'm glad that she is finding success.
Reminder: A Chorus Line is pretty much R-rated, for language and thematic elements. If you need a flavor of what you will run into, listen to some of the samples of the soundtrack album available at Amazon.
December 17, 2008
No room
Familiar story. Here's your common everyday comprehension question: Why was Jesus (presumably) born in a stable? Answer: Because there wasn't any room in the inn. Simple, right?Luke 2:1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to his own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
OK, so how about this one: Why were Mary and Joseph looking for a room in an inn, anyway? Think about it: they are traveling back to Joseph's ancestral home town. Surely there were still some relatives hanging around the place, willing to take in a couple imminently expecting their first child, right? And if not, all of the relatives that he did know were also traveling to the same place about the same time, to take part in the same census. Surely some of them could have made a little room for them, right? So why were they even going to an inn at all?
Well, as you know, there was this large matter of a suspicious pregnancy. It's likely that their relatives didn't want to have anything to do with this man and his young wife with her strange story of visions and angels. Or maybe, Joseph himself didn't want to make his presence known to them. Maybe he had gotten grief about Mary from relatives in Nazareth, and so he had decided to just not contact his relatives in Bethlehem. Whichever it was, it resulted in him scrambling for some place for his wife as she gave birth to her first born.
Now, here is an interesting twist. When Jesus was born, an angel appeared announcing that the Savior had been born, and then a whole company of angels appeared at the announcement, praising God. Pretty impressive, huh? That would make a believer of you, huh?
Wouldn't it have been so just if the angels had appeared to Joseph's family? "Hey, go down and see the son of the man whom you rejected! He really is the Annointed One! Go offer them a room, or at least make a meal for them!" But of course, that didn't happen. The angels appeared to poor shepherds, men who didn't have much in the way of influence in the community but who had great metaphorical relationship to the Messiah.
But, as low on the economic scale as they were, many people believed and were amazed at their testimony. It is likely that Joseph's relatives eventually came around to see the child of which this remarkable story was told. Maybe, evenually, they thawed out a bit. Maybe, even, the house that Matthew 2:11 says they were staying in was that of a relative.
I mention all this because it is so easy to lose sight of all the messiness of Jesus's birth (not like that) in the sanitized version of the story that we are familiar with. The matter of Mary's pregnancy likely caused great passionate responses in Joseph's family. It might have caused such an uproar that they were planning to stay in Bethlehem and away from Nazareth permanently (remember that they may have been there for as long as two years) until they were warned off to Egypt. I'm amazed at God's humility, as he allowed all of this drama to accompany the birth of His Son in order that Jesus could be made perfect through His suffering (Hebrews 2:10).
November 20, 2008
What is an adult?
I have a great son. Sometimes, though, I want to convey information to him (some might say "lecture him") on subject areas that he may find uncomfortable to discuss face to face. Accordingly, I sometimes send him emails on this information. This has the advantage of avoiding what he might consider embarrassing conversations. It also avoids any ambiguity on what exactly it was that I said.
The below essay is mostly taken from one recent email.
What is an adult?
A child is ruled by their passions and their appetites. They want, and they try to get what they want. For a child, there is no judgment or filtering between desire and action. A child says, "I want it, so I will try to get it."
An adult, on the other hand, manages and mediates their desires and appetites. They may feel the same wants as the child, but they evaluate them against long term goals and values, and then act based on a decision, not merely in response to their desires.
Because a child cannot or does not manage themselves, a child is managed by other people. An adult manages themselves. You can probably see that by this definition, some who are physically and legally adults still act like children, and that there are physical children who can act like adults, at least in some areas.
Some children see adulthood as a way to be freed of the constraint of management, but this is just an illusion. If their parents are not managing them, and they are not managing themselves, then they are being manipulated by someone or something else. There are many people who thought that they were following a way of freedom once they hit their 20s, only to find years later that they had been enslaved by their appetites and, ultimately, to sin and the Enemy.
Another aspect of adulthood is that an adult embraces their self-management responsibilities. They take responsibility for themselves and their actions, even when something unexpected happens. They "own" the results of their self-management, even when they fail.
For example, suppose that a person makes a commitment to arrive somewhere at a certain time. Then they misjudge how heavy traffic is, and they get there late. A childish response is to blame the traffic and say "it wasn't my fault." An adult may explain that traffic was heavier than expected, but they also admit that they failed in their commitment and they take responsibility for making it right.
A classic example of this is when people say that they "fell" into sexual impropriety, arguing that the inappropriate actions "just happened" or that they got "swept away" by great desire that they didn't expect. The truth is that they should know that once they hit puberty that there will always be a sexual awareness that responds to the sexual attractiveness of other people. It is in a way nonspecific (though it may feel differently) and it is often not respectful of circumstances or of prior commitments. They thus need to manage this sexual awareness, and make decisions on how to respond to attraction based on long term goals and values.
By this I mean not just that they need to reserve sex for their present or future spouse. There are other ways in which people need to manage their sexuality. For example, people need to ensure that they don't lead others on through excessive flirting, giving them the impression that there is an exclusive commitment to that person that isn't really there. On the receiving end, people also need to guard their hearts from the flirtations of others so that they do not emotionally commit themselves to someone that they do not have an intention of committing to in marriage.
My encouragement to you is to work toward managing yourself as much as you can, while accepting our instruction and guidance while you still have the chance. This can be a frustrating time, when you are between our management of you and your management of yourself. It may happen that at times you manage yourself well, and we "steal" this victory from you by giving you advice that you are already aware of. It may happen that at other times that we restrict you in areas that you feel that you can manage. Against these frustrations, be assured that your goal and our goal is the same: for you to be a functioning adult. Our timetables may look different sometimes, but we both want the same thing. Let's be careful to preserve our relationship during this sticky "in-between" time so that we will keep it long-term.
With great affection,
Dad
The below essay is mostly taken from one recent email.
What is an adult?
A child is ruled by their passions and their appetites. They want, and they try to get what they want. For a child, there is no judgment or filtering between desire and action. A child says, "I want it, so I will try to get it."
An adult, on the other hand, manages and mediates their desires and appetites. They may feel the same wants as the child, but they evaluate them against long term goals and values, and then act based on a decision, not merely in response to their desires.
Because a child cannot or does not manage themselves, a child is managed by other people. An adult manages themselves. You can probably see that by this definition, some who are physically and legally adults still act like children, and that there are physical children who can act like adults, at least in some areas.
Some children see adulthood as a way to be freed of the constraint of management, but this is just an illusion. If their parents are not managing them, and they are not managing themselves, then they are being manipulated by someone or something else. There are many people who thought that they were following a way of freedom once they hit their 20s, only to find years later that they had been enslaved by their appetites and, ultimately, to sin and the Enemy.
Another aspect of adulthood is that an adult embraces their self-management responsibilities. They take responsibility for themselves and their actions, even when something unexpected happens. They "own" the results of their self-management, even when they fail.
For example, suppose that a person makes a commitment to arrive somewhere at a certain time. Then they misjudge how heavy traffic is, and they get there late. A childish response is to blame the traffic and say "it wasn't my fault." An adult may explain that traffic was heavier than expected, but they also admit that they failed in their commitment and they take responsibility for making it right.
A classic example of this is when people say that they "fell" into sexual impropriety, arguing that the inappropriate actions "just happened" or that they got "swept away" by great desire that they didn't expect. The truth is that they should know that once they hit puberty that there will always be a sexual awareness that responds to the sexual attractiveness of other people. It is in a way nonspecific (though it may feel differently) and it is often not respectful of circumstances or of prior commitments. They thus need to manage this sexual awareness, and make decisions on how to respond to attraction based on long term goals and values.
By this I mean not just that they need to reserve sex for their present or future spouse. There are other ways in which people need to manage their sexuality. For example, people need to ensure that they don't lead others on through excessive flirting, giving them the impression that there is an exclusive commitment to that person that isn't really there. On the receiving end, people also need to guard their hearts from the flirtations of others so that they do not emotionally commit themselves to someone that they do not have an intention of committing to in marriage.
My encouragement to you is to work toward managing yourself as much as you can, while accepting our instruction and guidance while you still have the chance. This can be a frustrating time, when you are between our management of you and your management of yourself. It may happen that at times you manage yourself well, and we "steal" this victory from you by giving you advice that you are already aware of. It may happen that at other times that we restrict you in areas that you feel that you can manage. Against these frustrations, be assured that your goal and our goal is the same: for you to be a functioning adult. Our timetables may look different sometimes, but we both want the same thing. Let's be careful to preserve our relationship during this sticky "in-between" time so that we will keep it long-term.
With great affection,
Dad
November 9, 2008
The Persecuted Church
Today is the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church.
I have a vision of a woman. She is in a cell. The cell is about 4' by 6', made of block walls. The walls are smooth and painted white. The long walls are plain and unadorned. On one short wall, very high up, is a window. The window is small and covered by a grate, but it lets in some air, light, and, occasionally, rain. On the opposite wall is a steel door. There is a slot in the door near the floor for food to be passed through, and a slot higher up for observation. The woman is afraid of the door. The door does not represent freedom for the woman. The door represents pain, sorrow, and degradation. When she leaves through the door is also when she is most aware of the suffering of her fellow prisoners. She does not like when that door opens.
The floor of the cell is wet, and dirty. Besides the woman, the cell contains a mattress along one wall, a bucket in the corner, and a porcelain bowl from her last meal. The woman is kneeling on the mattress. The sun is shining through the window onto her. Though the air is crisp, her clothes are thin, summer-weight.
The woman's hands are clasped. Her head is bowed. She has been praying. It has been some days since they last opened the door, and she thinks it likely that they will come for her today. She stops her quiet prayer. She throws up her hands and begins to sing to God. She worships him, thanking him for his gift of eternal life and for the sacrifice of Jesus. She recommits her heart to him, declaring that she relies on his mercy and believes in his justice.
She continues to sing, as she hears the sound of booted feet walking in the hall.
Today is the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church, and I am so humbled and honored to be counted a brother to those who are imprisoned, beaten, harassed, shunned and otherwise injured and yet who continue to praise God in such circumstances. This praise is especially sweet and significant to God, given as it is in great faith and, sometimes, at much personal cost. And I feel for those who fail in these times, who fall away or who don't stand up for the faith and who feel ashamed of their failure. We owe such brothers and sisters a debt of love and of prayer.
I have a vision of a woman. She is in a cell. The cell is about 4' by 6', made of block walls. The walls are smooth and painted white. The long walls are plain and unadorned. On one short wall, very high up, is a window. The window is small and covered by a grate, but it lets in some air, light, and, occasionally, rain. On the opposite wall is a steel door. There is a slot in the door near the floor for food to be passed through, and a slot higher up for observation. The woman is afraid of the door. The door does not represent freedom for the woman. The door represents pain, sorrow, and degradation. When she leaves through the door is also when she is most aware of the suffering of her fellow prisoners. She does not like when that door opens.
The floor of the cell is wet, and dirty. Besides the woman, the cell contains a mattress along one wall, a bucket in the corner, and a porcelain bowl from her last meal. The woman is kneeling on the mattress. The sun is shining through the window onto her. Though the air is crisp, her clothes are thin, summer-weight.
The woman's hands are clasped. Her head is bowed. She has been praying. It has been some days since they last opened the door, and she thinks it likely that they will come for her today. She stops her quiet prayer. She throws up her hands and begins to sing to God. She worships him, thanking him for his gift of eternal life and for the sacrifice of Jesus. She recommits her heart to him, declaring that she relies on his mercy and believes in his justice.
She continues to sing, as she hears the sound of booted feet walking in the hall.
Today is the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church, and I am so humbled and honored to be counted a brother to those who are imprisoned, beaten, harassed, shunned and otherwise injured and yet who continue to praise God in such circumstances. This praise is especially sweet and significant to God, given as it is in great faith and, sometimes, at much personal cost. And I feel for those who fail in these times, who fall away or who don't stand up for the faith and who feel ashamed of their failure. We owe such brothers and sisters a debt of love and of prayer.
November 7, 2008
Happy Birthday, John
Today my son turns 17.
- I remember working on my computer, and my wife of five months coming up to me and quietly leaning her head against me. I asked her what was wrong, and she asked, "What if we're pregnant?" And even though I was just as scared of being a parent as she was, the Spirit quickened this answer to me: "That would be great!" He also gave me this gem in the ensuing conversation: "Our baby won't be scary, because he won't be a stranger. He'll be part of us."
- I remember driving to the birth center, praying furiously for my laboring wife in the back seat. Suddenly, I felt that we should call our baby John. Later, after his birth, I asked my wife what she thought we should call him, barely holding back the knowledge that I had the right answer. She said - almost apologetically, like she was forcing something onto me - "Well, I think his name is John."
- I remember following the only route that I knew to the birth center, and finding a tractor trailer jack-knifed across the road. As I pulled up to the scene, a police officer stepped up to wave me off. I rolled down my window and said, "Officer, how do I get to the birth center? My wife is having a baby!" How classic is that?
- After he was born, I remember looking at that tiny little body, and seeing that he was perfect. When he was born, there was not a blemish on his skin; aside from some bruising around his eyes, he had this perfect white smoothness.
- And he was strong! His one-minute APGAR score was a 10, which I think the midwives downgraded to a 9 just because they felt that no baby should get a score of 10.
- I remember having to dress a baby for the first time in my life at the birth center, under the gaze of the midwife. It seemed to take forever. I was so afraid of hurting him! I think that the midwife eventually took pity on me and helped out.
- I remember our time of resting at the birth center being over far too quickly. They kicked us out and told us to go home! The morning was bright and sunny, but very cold. I was afraid that this fragile baby would get frostbitten in the ten feet between the building and my car.
- I remember driving home trying to grasp the concept that I was now a father and that we had a baby.
- I remember getting back to our apartment, and seeing some construction workers. I wanted to yell over to them, "Look! Look at my son! Isn't he wonderful!" I thought that this is how evangelism ought to feel - just an overwhelming joy that you have to share.
Thank you, Father, for the gift of my son. Here's to my guy, all big and tall now. Happy Birthday, John!
November 5, 2008
The elections
I am glad that this round of elections is finally over. I got so used to ignoring the campaign that it seemed like the actual election really snuck up on me. But now it is done. Congratulations, President-Elect Obama!
I'm not surprised that Obama won. Maybe this is the height of regional arrogance, but I run in fairly conservative circles, and so when I began hearing many people talk about their support of Obama or of their reluctant or embarrassed support of the GOP candidate, I felt that it was likely that Obama was getting a lot of support in similar communities. I thought that it didn't bode well for the GOP when usually staunch supporters expressed shame from and weariness of the current administration, and were unexcited by the centrist McCain.
Now, however, we can leave campaigning behind and leave the elected officials to fight out what kind of government they will have. Will it be marked by bipartisan cooperation to do the right things, or will it be marked by obstinate showboating parading as principles? Will there be goodwill and generosity toward our new President, or will other elected officials flaunt their power by undercutting his efforts?
Fortunately, we do not have to wait on such things. We do not have to depend on government to improve things and set things right. People are not made righteous by good laws, nor do they prosper through government programs. Yes, these things can made a big difference in the things of this world - but we are not of this world, and I am not speaking of worldly righteousness nor of worldly prosperity. We are a chosen people, citizens of the kingdom, whose King works no matter who sits in the White House.
I urge you to do two things. First, pray for our elected officials. Pray that they would hear the voice of God, and follow his wisdom. Pray especially for our President-Elect. I fear for his physical safety in this dark world. I fear also that he would be frustrated by people who want to see him fail through bigotry or other mean desires. Whether you agree with his goals and philosophies or not, the country does not need an ineffective President at a time like this.
Secondly, don't wait for the President-Elect or the new Congress to make things right. They can help with some things, yes. But remember that your Father in heaven values you, knows your needs, and hears your prayers. He wants to bless you, and through you, to bless others. Focus on his government, not on the world's government.
I'm not surprised that Obama won. Maybe this is the height of regional arrogance, but I run in fairly conservative circles, and so when I began hearing many people talk about their support of Obama or of their reluctant or embarrassed support of the GOP candidate, I felt that it was likely that Obama was getting a lot of support in similar communities. I thought that it didn't bode well for the GOP when usually staunch supporters expressed shame from and weariness of the current administration, and were unexcited by the centrist McCain.
Now, however, we can leave campaigning behind and leave the elected officials to fight out what kind of government they will have. Will it be marked by bipartisan cooperation to do the right things, or will it be marked by obstinate showboating parading as principles? Will there be goodwill and generosity toward our new President, or will other elected officials flaunt their power by undercutting his efforts?
Fortunately, we do not have to wait on such things. We do not have to depend on government to improve things and set things right. People are not made righteous by good laws, nor do they prosper through government programs. Yes, these things can made a big difference in the things of this world - but we are not of this world, and I am not speaking of worldly righteousness nor of worldly prosperity. We are a chosen people, citizens of the kingdom, whose King works no matter who sits in the White House.
I urge you to do two things. First, pray for our elected officials. Pray that they would hear the voice of God, and follow his wisdom. Pray especially for our President-Elect. I fear for his physical safety in this dark world. I fear also that he would be frustrated by people who want to see him fail through bigotry or other mean desires. Whether you agree with his goals and philosophies or not, the country does not need an ineffective President at a time like this.
Secondly, don't wait for the President-Elect or the new Congress to make things right. They can help with some things, yes. But remember that your Father in heaven values you, knows your needs, and hears your prayers. He wants to bless you, and through you, to bless others. Focus on his government, not on the world's government.
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