praying mantis

Praying mantis on my rear window
buffeted by the wind
hunkers down, holds on
prostrate in the gale
hands never stop praying.

Praying mantis on my rear window
looks at me when car stops
"you gave it your best
I'm still here"
hands never stop praying.

and now for something...silly

because, we all deserve a little silliness...

set apart

I have come to the realization that my vocation is a very lonely place. As friendly as I may be with my parishoners, as much as I may love them, as many experiences as we may share, I will always be "the pastor." I will always be the one who is scrutinized. I will always be the one who gets to receive the hot end of anger when there is no one else give it to.

For the last two years I have had a partner in my ministry. His job was to lead our Hispanic ministry. We had a wonderful relationship, both professionally and personally. The ministry was hugely successful. We had 40 people worshiping in their native Spanish language; we had 25 people in small groups during the week. Momentum was growing; leaders were emerging. The work was good. Last Sunday he and his wife came into my office and resigned with no notice. "After today we will not be back. God is calling us away from the [insert mainline label here] Church."

I was supposed to be off last week. I got a few hours away with my family screaming it out at King's Island on Monday. That was it. I am glad that I got to spend that time with my family, especially my children, before they went back to school on Thursday. I'm realizing that family is what I have on this road; family, friends who don't know me as "Pastor Daniel," and God. Other than that, I am alone. I've heard other pastor friends express the loneliness of this life, but until recently I didn't really understand why.

That may seem incredibly harsh to some, but it's the truth. When you are "set-apart" there are things you just have to do. I had to lead my congregation in lamentation this morning and I had to try to answer questions I had no answer to. I haven't even finished my own grieving, I haven't even had my own questions answered, but today was not for me. Today was for the 140 people who gathered seeking answers to questions, seeking balm for wounded spirits. For some the experience was healthy and gladly received. For others, not so much.

What I did not know was that, for one small group in the church, the rumor mill had already kicked into gear and a "counter-narrative" had already set in among those members. As I stood there trying to help my congregation grieve I had a target on me that I didn't even know about. Some members have been told that I violated confidence, that I knew beforehand that my partner in ministry and his wife were trying to discern God's will and that I outed him to his, and my, supervisory peers--causing the connection to remove him from his leadership role. There is nothing farther from the truth. But for those who had bought into the narrative, I was nothing but a liar.

I spent all week trying to craft something that would help people grieve and heal...and when it was all over I felt beaten up, I felt untrusted, but more than anything I felt alone.

As I sift through the rubble of this event, I feel so very alone. I'm tired of dumping on my wife and kids, but they still listen. I'm tired of dumping on my colleagues, but they still listen, too. I look to the heavens and ask God, "Why this? Why now?" but the only answer is silence in return.
.
I keep hearing this song in my head. A song that says, "I walk a lonely road, the only one that I have ever known...I walk alone, I walk alone" But there's this song that we sang in worship this morning (one of the old, old hymns from our early service) that keeps rolling in my heart to counter the one looping in my head. This one says, "Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way! Wounded and weary, help me I pray! Power, all power, surely is thine! Touch me and heal me, Savior divine!"

roller coasters, redistribution, and sleep deprivation

last week was vacation bible school. we registered 115 children and averaged 82 every night. the energy was incredible; we are calling it a huge success. we managed to collect over 850 school supplies to redistribute to families in the community in the weeks before school starts. we also raised enough money in coins and crumpled dollar bills to buy some live stock for families in poverty in other communities so that they can also practice redistribution. (check out Heifer International if you don't know what i'm talking about).

in the midst of that week i had one church member end up in the hospital with a fractured pelvis (not as a result of vbs) and i had another member's child accidentally o.d. by intentionally abusing other people's prescription drugs. he was clinically dead for about five minutes, resuscitated, and is (thankfully) physically and mentally fine(meaning no brain damage) despite it all. the family is a wreck, though.

we also had a parent of one of the children in our summer childcare program gift the church with about 50 cases of cereal. not 50 boxes. 50 cases. so we began the art of redistribution. took about 8 cases to another church that has a summer lunch program for the community--they also redistribute the food given to them to the families that come to eat lunch. took another 8-10 cases to another local church's childcare center. i think she was expecting 8 to 10 boxes because she looked ready to cry when i started off loading 8 to 10 cases of cereal. when this happens i sometimes think that God is saying to us that food is part of what we're supposed to being doing.

but as i was driving around town sharing food and trying to practice the mystery of presence i began to think about church. i'm a visual person, and i love food, so i began to see broken bread scattered around my community; fragments of wafer here, fragments of wafer there; crumbs all across the collage of life.

i never used to get the benediction at the close of worship that goes something like, "our time for worship has ended; our time for being church has just begun." this past week i started to get a glimpse of "church" in my community. we think of church as that one hour a week we spend in song and silence on Sunday--we even label it as the destination ("we've got to go to church on Sunday"). we teach our children that the church is the place, not the people--folded hands, "this is the church"...pointed index fingers, "this is the steeple"...unfold hands, "open the doors and here are the people."

this week church is helping a family grieve the passing of husband/dad/papaw...helping two other families celebrate their coming together in the covenant of marriage. i'm living on a spiritual and emotional roller coaster and so very grateful that God is keeping my cart on the track...even though waking up unexpectedly at 4:00 a.m. this morning has got me wondering how sturdy the glue is today.

and yet my mind still sees broken bread scattered across my community--crumbs of grace dropped all across the collage of life--and i know that church is roller coasters, redistribution, and occasional sleep deprivation, because without these we might forget that God is holding it all together with crumbs of grace, we might actually think it was by our own power that church happens, and--God forbid--church might actually go back to just being a building we socialize in.

too many thoughts for a pithy subject line title

I took J & K to see The Incredible Hulk last night. It was a pretty good flick. I appreciated the nod toward the series that was on TV while I was growing up (with the use of the theme music in the score, images reminiscent of the series' opening credits in the movie's opening credits, a "cameo" by Bill Bixby via another television show, and a cameo by Lou F.) Those parts were well done.

I also enjoyed the pseudo Christological theme of sacrifice of personal wants/dreams/desires for the sake of others...as well as the reminder that absolute power corrupts absolutely...especially when we crave that power for powers' sake alone.

But as I sat through battle sequence after battle sequence after battle sequence...I found myself becoming numb to the horror of exploding buildings and flying bodies (not in the Superman way either) and in my numbness I wondered...when did we make exploding buildings and flying bodies entertainment? Yes, war flicks and cowboy movies have been around for a long, long time, as have television show in the same genres.

But have we gotten so far away from the Eleventh Day of September, when we sat fixed to our televisions watching the towers of Babylon fall, weeping and filled with dread because we didn't know what was coming next? Have we gotten so accustomed to war and the perceived inevitability of violence that we can watch movies filled with sequences of building demolition and not flinch at all?

Sad thing is, I don't know what to do about it personally. I love comics and movies based on comics; I'm looking forward to the release of The Dark Knight in July (it comes out on my birthday) and it's just as full of blown up buildings and perhaps even a deeper level of terror than was the Incredible Hulk...

Like I said in the subject line, there's too many thoughts rolling through my head right now to sum it up in the pithy subject line or even to offer a simple answer. Maybe this was just a form of confession, a way of saying I feel my heart and mind being changed, a hope that we will not become so numb to what's happening around us that we become apethetic and view entertainment as reality.

Oooh, Big Water!

I spent thirteen years of my life on some kind of coast. I had no idea I'd miss the water as much as I do. When we cross Sandusky Bay I get giddy: "Gonna see some Big Water!" (Big Water is what Kathryn called the Ocean when we lived on the North Coast of California. She didn't like Big Water.) Then when we get to Lakeside I just go calm in my soul. I don't know if it's the spirit of Lakeside that makes me calm of if it's the maritime breezes and sloshing sounds of water on the rocks that sets me calm. I doubt it's the onset of Annual Conference that makes me calm...that would make me sick...or something. It must be the water.

You might think that coming to a gated resort community for the work of an annual conference of a church that supports the work of a social gospel would be a contradiction--and that I would be all over that contradiction--but Lakeside speaks Sabbath to me, and it speaks Sabbath to my family. (Again, not the work of Annual Conference, but the water, and the breezes, and the fact that I can let my kids be kids and not worry about them, all of that is what speaks Sabbath.)

It's good to be home.

Take me for everything...

I had never heard about this video until I searched for the song this morning.

I was on my way home from youth group on Sunday night, and this song (All the Same) came on the radio. I found myself hearing the voice of God saying some of these words.

Then I came across the video for the song, the "Free Hugs" version anyway, and found out that I'm way behind the power curve on this one because the song came out two years ago.

So, I guess don the Captain Obvious costume (again) and offer this up for your viewing/listening/hearing pleasure:



One comment on youtube says, " this video makes me smile so much I want to cry, it's wonderful how much love is in this video."

My daughter said, "You can tell this guy is a Christian." I don't know if he is or not, but I sure do see Jesus in him.

you DO make a difference

only way I know how to pass this on without spamming people:

What is "IT" ?

I remember Faith No More asking the question "What is it?" The answer? "It's it!" Ah, yes, the circle of busy...

I'm posting this because it's something we all need to hear.

bible in one hand remote in the other?

As I was watching the news this morning I found myself praying over these two situations and wanted to make possibilities for help known.



In Burma the UN says that 2.5 million people have been affected by the cyclone--the dead line river banks (one reported lost count after 107 bodies) and in another area 20 people are living in one tiny house. The government of Myanmar has blocked foreign aid, but UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) is working with Church World Service on relief efforts and has established the following Advance number for the Myanmar emergency: Advance #3019674.


China's government is now saying that 50,000 people may have died in the recent earthquake. Even 76 hours after the quake, survivors are still being found. UMCOR Advance No. 982450 can help with recovery efforts.

Even if you cannot donate, please keep all God's children in your prayers.

4th grade musical

My daughter was in her fourth grade musical tonight. The program was called "Lights! Camera! Action!" and all of the students were dressed as various movie stars. Some of the parts were assigned but Kaat was lucky enough to be able to pick the star she dressed up as.

With a little help from her friends, she settled on Marilyn Monroe.


and in the best "7 year itch" pose that a 10 year old can muster...

man, oh man, I better get my axe because she is gonna break some hearts.

random thought

So I'm playing this game on Facebook that involves picking the correct definition for words--a vocabulary game (I'm seriously a geek...I'm a geek's geek...but cute!)

Anyway, I come across the word "tribune," you know the word so often associated with the phrase "military tribunal" a secret trial that does not involve a jury of peers.

So the definition for tribune that was listed in this vocabulary game--"tribune: n. any champion of the rights and liberties of the people: often used as the name for a newspaper."

Interesting.

Very interesting.

what in the wide world of sports, batman?

Riddle me this:

construction worker who is a Red Sox fan wants to jinx the Yankees' new stadium and so buries a Bo'sox jersey under two feet of concrete. Now the Yanks are digging up that two feet of concrete to remove said jersey and are suing the construction worker. (Read about it here)

Now who the "Biggest Loser"?

Or maybe it's this:

Remember the days when all we had to figure out was what to do with Catholics who wanted to marry a Baptist? Now it's about gang afflilations!

The full article is here, but the short of it looks something like this:

"COMMERCE CITY, Colo. - When Mom wears one set of gang colors and Dad wears another, conflict over how to raise the baby can cause irreconcilable differences.

At least that’s what happened for one Commerce City, Colo. couple."

The world's gone wonky!

re-creation as a spiritual reality

I've been off (on vacation) since Sunday afternoon and I'm off until Monday. It's been hard. It's been my first "real" vacation is a while and the first time in six years the whole family went away for a vacation. Two days ago I said to Jennifer, "It's hard to not talk about church life." "But if you do," she said, "you'll feel like you never got away, and then your time off will be over and you'll wish you had time to not think and talk about church."

I read these words at the Holidome, while I was kicking it at the pool.

"What keeps many of us from growing is not sin but speed.

Most of us are like Johnny. We are going as fast as we can, living life at dizzying speed, and God is nowhere to be found. We're not rejecting God; we just don't have time for [God]. We've lost [God] in the blurred landscape as we rush to church. We don't struggle with the Bible, but with the clock. It's not that we're too decadent; we're too busy...Most of us don't come come at night staggering drunk. Instead we come home staggering tired, worn out, exhausted, and drained because we live too fast.

Speed is not neutral. Fast living used to mean a life of debauchery; now it just means fast, but the consequences are even more serious. Speeding through life endangers our relationships and our souls...
Jesus came to give us rest.

We know we're ready for God to work in our lives when we're tired. When our lives begin to weigh us down, God is present in the heaviness. It turns out that it's weariness that's next to godliness, because when our souls are tired, we are able to hear his voice...

The ugly truth, however, is that many of us do not know how to rest!
Actually we do know how to rest; we simply refuse to rest. Rest is a decision we make rest is choosing to do nothing when we have too much to do, slowing down when we feel pressure to go faster, stopping instead of starting. Rest is listening to our weariness and responding to our tiredness, not to what is making us tired. Rest is what happens when we say one simple word: "no!" Rest is the ultimate humiliation because in order to rest, we must admit we are not necessary, that the world can get along without us, that God's work does not depend on us (emphasis mine). Once we understand how unnecessary we are, only then might we find the right reasons to be with Jesus instead of working for him. Only then might we have the courage to take a nap with Jesus." (Messy Spirituality by Michael Yaconelli pages 124-127)

Unfortunately, I think pastors are the worst at slowing down, are the worst at stopping, are the worst at just saying "NO!"

So I'm going to go back to my Star Trek T.O.S. DVD's and my not thinking about church (even though I've become even more convinced that a sermon series on the Top 10 would be a good idea simply so that I can preach on Sabbath.)

for the record

I just wanted to go on record (speaking into the microphone for anyone who wants to hear) by saying:

I do not think the church has any other obligation than to protect those who come to us for assistance--whatever that may mean. I am in ministry with all kinds of people throughout any given week--and because they love God with all of their being and because they live into loving their neighbors as they would be loved themselves, I don’t ask for immigration papers or documentation of legal status or anything like that.

I recently responded to a discussion thread on myspace as follows (the comment to which I was responding was a question about how the church can provide legal clinics to illegal immigrants, and use the term justice in connection with it):

I’m always hesitant to just throw around texts in a "proof-text" kind of way...but...

Exodus 22:21 -- "Do not mistreat an alien or oppress him, for you were aliens in Egypt."

Exodus 23:9 -- "Do not oppress an alien; you yourselves know how it feels to be aliens, because you were aliens in Egypt."

Leviticus 19:33-34 -- "When an alien lives in your land, do not mistreat him. The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt. I am the Lord your God."

Deuteronomy 10:18 -- "He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing."

Deuteronomy 24:17-22 -- "Do not deprive the alien or the fatherless of justice, or take the cloak of the widow as a pledge. Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you from there. That is why I command you to do this. When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the alien, the fatherless and the widow, so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. When you beat the olives from your trees, do not go over the branches a second time. Leave what remains for the alien, the fatherless and the widow. When you harvest the grapes in your vineyard, do not go over the vines again. Leave what remains for the alien, the fatherless and the widow. Remember that you were slaves in Egypt. That is why I command you to do this."

Deuteronomy 26:12-13 -- "When you have finished setting aside a tenth of all your produce in the third year, the year of the tithe, you shall give it to the Levite, the alien, the fatherless and the widow, so that they may eat in your towns and be satisfied. Then say to the Lord your God: "I have removed from my house the sacred portion and have given it to the Levite, the alien, the fatherless and the widow, according to all you commanded. I have not turned aside from your commands nor have I forgotten any of them."

Deuteronomy 27:19 -- "Cursed is the man who withholds justice from the alien, the fatherless, or the widow."

Isaiah 58:6-7 -- "is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bods of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and when not to hide yourself from your own kin?

Jesus:
"In everything do to others as you would have them do to you, for this is the law and the prophets." (Matt. 7:12)
"’You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and the first commandment. And a second is like it. ’You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." (Matt. 22:37-40)
"Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world...I was a stranger and you welcomed me...when was it we saw you a stranger and welcomed you?...truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these...you did it to me...you that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels...I was a stranger and you did not welcome me...Lord, when was it we did not take care of you?...Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’" (Matt. 25:31ff)

Likely you will return with quotes from Paul (Romans 13) or Peter’s Epistles which state something along the lines of "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities; for there is no authority except from God, and those authorities that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists authority resists what God has appointed." (Romans 13:1-2) so I’ll just quote if for you and say that there are more references to caring for the stranger and the alien in Scripture than there are for being subject to the rules of governing authorities (the same authorities that crucified Christ and so many other early Christians at that!). The general tenor of Scripture (a good--nay, very good--Wesleyan concept) speaks to caring for the stranger in our midst and seeking justice for the alien, the widow, and the orphan as God’s Law and that, my friend, weighs more importantly in my heart than any laws of our nation.

Galatians 3:28 -- (Paul’s description of a church that wrestled with racial/national divisions) "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

Colossians 3:11 -- (again, on the same issue of national/racial divisions) "Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all."

I realize that may not have been the most charitable way to respond to a thread, and were I given another chance at it...I’m not sure I respond much differently. Rebukes are a good part of the Christian tradition when it comes to sticking up for the outcast and the downtrodden, so maybe I’m just playing into that particular tradition.

However, I’m coming to the realization that silence isn’t helpful on some topics, espeically when it means that others may be hurting.

I’m also getting weary of people who want to put allegiance to nation before their allegiance to God. As some of my friends say, "Angel made a jailbreak said go & walk this land and be in awe...you must obey God rather than man if you’re in awe." (Thanks to the Psalters for that one.)

The last office of humanity

I read the following article this morning. It's from last month's Sojourner's Magazine.

At the Hour of Our Death

It's worth your time...

Cool People Care

Just wanted to pass this on; it's really powerful--the linked vido is embedded below as well as another one for your viewing pleasure:

5 minutes of caring from "Cool People Care.org"

Eating Disorder Awareness

by Sam Davidson | Monday, February 25, 2008

Eating disorders - which include everything from anorexia and bulimia to overeating and binge eating - affect over 11 million people (women and men). This is the week to raise awareness about it, with the theme "Be comfortable in your genes. Wear jeans that fit the TRUE you." Eating disorders often have very little to do with food and much to do with coping and control. Find events you can attend near you. Assist someone in getting the help they need, and seek out help if you need it. For a bit of inspiration, check out this informative and powerful video.

pondering the winter storm

We got hit with another "Winter Blast '08" this week (two snow days worth of winter weather for the local school systems)--snow, ice, sleet, freezing rain, sleet, ice, snow, etc, etc, etc.

Today was the first day that I really "got out" in more than just a run to the market or over to the church kind of way.

I was struck once again by the beauty of the ice and snow covered trees and brush. I found myself pondering the beauty of dangerous things. When I see ice accumulating on the trees outside of my front window I know better than to travel; it's dangerous. And yet, in spite of the danger, I find myself thrilling at how beautiful it all is.

I was reading from Thomas Merton's journals the other day and he writes:
Today was the prophetic day, the first of the real shining spring: not that there was not warm weather last week, not that there will not be cold weather again. But this was the day of the year when spring became truly credible.
The morning got more and more brilliant and I could feel the brilliancy of it getting into my own blood. Living so close to the cold, you feel the spring. And this is man's (sic) mission! The earth cannot feel all this. We must. But living away from the earth and the trees, we fail them. We are absent from the wedding feast.

Thrilling at the first day of "real shing spring" or at the danger of ice accumulations that have been dusted with snow like confectioner's sugar, I have to agree and steal the words of Fr. Merton: It's our job to feel the brilliancy of it all, to thrill at the beauty. To miss that, to forget that, to be so busy that we don't care about that, is to miss out on the wedding feast.

change in perspective

Michelangelo's Pieta.

I've seen pictures of it what seems like a million times--I've even seen it up close and in person. But last night I went to a website for compline (boy does THAT sound wierd) and I came across this:



How utterly, ineffably, beautiful. It's amazing what a change in perspective will do.

Maybe it was love that made him do it...

blogging as a spiritual discipline

I spent the last day and a half at a mandatory retreat (which tells you how truly retreatish it was) for probationary members of my church's annual conference. As much as I really wasn't wanting to go, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the topic for this year was spiritual formation.

Which means that my favorite topic came up--journaling...

The following is from my journaling exercize at the event --

I cringe every time the spiritual discipline of journaling comes up. I can and will short-term journal (i.e. mission trips, retreats, etc.), but as far as getting a book journal and sitting down and writing goes--well, I just can't/don't/won't do it. I've tried. I've tried again. I've tried trying again, again. But, truthfully, it's just not my thing.

However comma, I do blog. And I blog somewhat regularly (as you readers know) on my God-thoughts and church-thoughts and even on random-thought thoughts.

So maybe I journal without knowing it. Maybe calling it something besideds "journaling" is what allows me to journal.

I may end up being late in getting back, but I want to write down the meditation on Sacrament from this a.m. (in fact, as I was leaving the chapel I thought, "I should write a blog about this.")

Just a description; not an analysis:

The Sacrament in the tabernacle sits on the back wall of the chapel. Behind it is a mosaic of a tree and a fountain all springing from the tabernacle that holds the Blessed Sacrament. The tree and the fountain are one. The Tree of Life ad the Fountain of Living Water/River of Life.

I wonder--did the tabernacle get put there because of the mosaic? Or did the mosaic/does the mosaic represent what the tabernacle attempts to contain but cannot hold in?

Protestants should meditate on the Sacrament more frequently.

...the old man is snoring

It's pouring down rain right now (and in the back of my mind I'm aware of the fact that my car window may still be stuck in the down position...but I can't get too worried about it because I can't control it)--it's pouring down rain right now and I'm reminded of all the times I walked that long walk from the University Annex to Founder's Hall at Humboldt State University (it's a long, long walk) in the pouring down rain.

People would always run up the hill--it's a long, long run--and still arrive at Founder's Hall soaked to the bone with the added bonus of being very out of breath. I'd normally just walk because there's no sense in being soaked AND out of breath--besides there aren't degrees of soaked, you either are or you aren't.

Anyway, the downpour and the running/walking in the rain sets a great tone for the beginning of my personal walk through Lent. I've tried to come up with what I'm going to do (i.e. give up, take up, etc) for the season--and to be honest I still don't know. I think I'm going to take it one day at a time. Seeking God in the ordinary, everday moments of this year's Lent.

If I take it one day at a time--I'll be more in the moment and more able to accept the hospitality of others; more in the moment and more able to give of myself to those who might be in need; more in the moment, which is exactly where God wants me to be.

Either way, at the end of these forty days, God's grace will still be abundant, I'll still be able to celebrate and live Resurrection, and I'll still be in need of forgiveness, so why plan ahead? Why run through all those disciplines, finishing the course and being all out of breath, and miss the fact that God is right in front of me right now, wanting to take a slow walk in the rain of grace (Reign of Grace)?

Maybe it's best to just be in the now.

Caring is Col!

A friend of mine recently posted a link to this site, and mentioned the idea of "doing" for Lent this year rather than simply "abstaining."

It must be a movement of the Spirit, because I mentioned that to the youth at church a week ago. The site above (coolpeoplecare.com) send out five minute "action oriented devotionals" every day that try to help us live into the Kingdom today.

Seems like a cool way to participate in Lent this year.

and the dimmest bulb award goes to...

When you see a headline like this:

Driver drops bid to sue family of boy he killed

you have to wonder how this one got past quality control.

From CNN.com --

HARO, Spain (CNN) -- A Spanish businessman withdrew a controversial lawsuit Wednesday against the family of a teenage boy he struck and killed while driving a luxury car.

Tomas Delgado had filed a suit asking the dead boy's parents to pay him €20,000 ($29,400) on the grounds that the collision that killed their teenage son also damaged his Audi A-8.

News of the case sparked outrage in Spain and generated deep sympathy for the parents of 17-year-old Enaitz Iriondo Trinidad. He was riding his bicycle home to a campground when Delgado's car hit and killed him in August 2004.

Hundreds of people descended on a courthouse in northern Spain in a show of support for the boy's parents Wednesday. They broke into applause when word came that Delgado had dropped the suit.

The businessman had insisted in a recent television interview that he was a victim, too. He was not present for a court hearing Wednesday. His lawyer told the court that Delgado felt that the extensive publicity amounted to a public lynching.

Follow the link for the rest of the article.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/01/30/spain.luxury.car/index.html?eref=rss_topstories

work of the people

I have been a "member" (both highly active and not so active) of a religous order dedicated to sacramental and liturgical scholarship, education and practice.

I came back to the Christian faith through the Eastern Orthodox Church where the liturgy in worship is the work of the people--the entire Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom is sung by the people gathered for worship, not just the opening hymn, a gradual or sequence hymn and then a closing hymn with the responsive psalter stuck in for good measure--the entire liturgy is sung by the people.

I write this to challenge my brothers and sisters of the Order to move beyond the protection of Word and Table as "liturgical scholarship" and get back to the roots of worship--a life transforming encounter with the living God that moves us into the world to live what we beleive. If sacramental and liturgical scholarship, education and practice means "accept word and table or leave" then I will leave.

Our own tradition speaks to worship as follows:

"It is not necessary that rites and ceremonies should in all places be the same, or exactly alike; for they have been always different, and may be changed according to the diversity of countries, times, and men's (sic) manners...Every particular church may ordain, change, or abolish rites and ceremonies, so that all things may be done to edification."

and

"We believe the order of public worship need not be the same in all places but may be modified by the church according to to circumstanes and the needs of men (sic). It should be in a language and form understood by the people, consistent with the Holy Scriptures to the edification of all, and in accorance with the order and Discipline of the Church."

Let me point out the word that sticks in my spirit--edification.

edification -- n. Intellectual, moral, or spiritual improvement; enlightenment.

So if worship is--by our tradition's historical statements--for the intellectual, moral, or spiritual improvement or enlightenment of all people, if worship CAN BE CHANGED(and some might read should) for the edification of the locally gathered community of faith (not to mention the local community searching for faith) we cannot allow ourselves to protect a specific order of worship for the sake of unity of uniformity.

We can't do it because it is killing the church.

We can't do it because it no longer speaks to all people in a meaningful way that leads to an encounter with the living Christ. I'm not saying we must abolish Word and Table altogether, but we cannot protect it from alteration, we cannot protect it from contemporization, we cannot place it on the altar and worship it as if the liturgy itself were God.

My liturgical scholarship--which is anything but extensive--leads me to believe that the liturgy must be by and for the people, so that the people meet God and carry that encounter into the world. If the liturgy isn't the work of the people then it's not liturgy by the very definition of the word.

But more than just clinging to definitions, I cling to the desire to see people of faith living their act of worship every day of their lives. That is the most meaningful liturgy ever.

I'll send my stuff back if you're ready to excommunicate me. But the heart of my liturgy are the words "make this be for us the body and blood that we may be for the world by the body of Christ redeemed by his blood." Those words are etched into my very soul--but I don't need to say it word for word to let God do the work that God will do. Nor do I have to follow the suggested order of worship printed inside of my hymnal.

All I have to do, all I want to do, is let the people entrusted to my care meet with God who is love, love God who is love, be transformed by God who is love, and leave the worship gathering wanting to share that living encounter with the God who is love.

I think I've gotten the bulk of it out--but I don't think this "manifesto" will ever be complete. I still beleive that liturgy is important, but it has to be meaningful and relevant. I still believe that sacraments are God's gifts to us for the sake of inner transformation, and they should be part of every worship gathering. But I refuse to believe that what reached and was relevant to "normal people" 50 or 60 years ago will reach and be relevant to "normal people" today.

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