On the way to a Funeral a tragedy occurred!

The funeral was for a friend. Someone I had met through church and other life events. She had died too soon, as they say, and since her death came during a pandemic, the service was to be held at the graveyard, in the country.

I had a full schedule and was not planning on attending; a fellow pastor was set to officiate. After some conversation, it came to be that I would drive my truck and assist where needed. My fellow clergyman said the truck would be helpful in his being accepted by what he imagined to be a country crowd.

We made plans to leave at a certain time, to make a pit-stop along the way - my fellow pastor said I would understand when I get older, and to arrive early.

We left at our appointed time. We got to talking as I drove down the highway. I missed our turn. I thought about turning around in the median until I noticed a state trooper doing paperwork there. My citified pastor friend suggested I try it, but I resisted the temptation. We had plenty of time.

We made it to my clergyman's designated pit stop. He went on ahead to take care of business. I perused the store. After a few minutes my friend came walking down the aisle and I heard him say, "you're never going to believe it, my zipper broke."

You're right, I couldn't believe it, but there it was, for all to see. The clerk behind the counter, the guy who just walked in, and myself. Bold was my friend to confess his predicament! 

To the clerk behind the counter, he asked in a spirit of desperation, "Ma'am, would you happen to have a safety pin?" 

She looked around quickly, and in under 3 seconds she quipped, "No sir, I do not."

What to do? 

"Get to the truck," was the thought racing through my mind. I've never been in a situation like that before, but I knew by the tone of the clerk's voice, standing in her isle discussing solutions was not an option she or we wanted.

Outside I noticed a nearby grocery store. As my friend found his way to the truck, I jogged to the store. There, two unsuspecting clerks pointed me in the direction of the safety pins. I returned to the truck with a box of them. 

I got in and began to drive. My friend was sweating. Our early arrival was gone with the wind. And if these safety pins didn't work, more of him was going to be on display that anyone wanted. 

One pin, then two. 

Sitting in the seat of a truck is not a great position to solve a problem like a broken zipper. Nearing the grave site, with the situation still very precarious, I pulled off the road. My friend got out, stood up was able to make the necessary adjustments. 

We continued to the cemetery, I parked. My friend said, "walk in front of me." I did for a while and then I went to greet others who had come to mourn our collective loss and support the family. My friend carried his notes in a large black notebook. He carried the notebook as low as his arms would go, in the center of his body. 

Time to begin. 

We took our places. My friend presiding as the officient, and I was by his side holding his extra book. Whatever he was holding in his hands, he held very low, below the belt and at an angle. Watching the whole event the only thing that looked out of place was his really low holding of the books.

Before long the words had been spoken, songs sung, our grief recognized but not resolved, and our faith stirred up. We made our way back to the truck, and back to the city.  The case was closed! 

As I recall the events now, it is dawning on me that the person who would enjoy this story the most, was our dear friend we laid to rest. Tragedy had touched her life, but she found a way to laugh and see the humor of life in all things. In living and in dying, she created good humor. 

Building from Asia

At Tiananmen Square

Towering Cranes were everywhere as we scanned the skies in Beijing, Sozhou, and Shanghai. Overcome with amazement at the scale of the tremendous building boom I pointed it out to my traveling companions, some 30 scholars and spouses, and thus I picked up a new nickname - Towering Crane.

The Cranes and the buildings were not alone in drawing our attention while on our journey in China and Korea. We were there to notice and explore the culture, learn from leaders of a kingdom that is not of this world, and ultimately listen for the voice of the kind Father.

From the culture, we discovered traditional and cosmopolitan (local and global) streams intermingling. We visited market areas in Beijing and Shanghai, experiencing shopping among the marginalized and the cosmopolitan. We ate traditional dishes, including Chairman Mao's favorite, discovering similarities and differences to our own tastes. We made home visits in Korea and were showered with extreme hospitality for the act of visiting.

In the Forbidden City

From leaders we heard about perseverance, especially in prayer. Many of the leaders talked about hindrances and obstacles they have faced. Some leaders lead large organizations and others smaller ones, each has faced unique and significant setbacks. In the face of obstacles a spirit of perseverance,  a shifting of expectations, and finding new solutions arise as the leaders turn in prayer to the kind Father.  

From the Father we continued to hear about his forging Kingdom that does not wither when confronted with worldly might. We heard about his transformation in the hearts of the powerless and powerful as grace and mercy counter injustice and ridicule. We hear his bidding, asking us to commit our knees to prayer, our hands of service to the world, and our hearts to Him alone. 

In the land of towering cranes we encountered towering faith and a work by the Father that is more than amazing.

You can read more about the trip on the Travelogue page. 

Early Morning in Beijing - Notice the smog

The Unbusy Pastor

I recently read the following quote from Eugene Peterson's book, The Contemplative Pastor.  I find that Peterson rattles my cage:
____
Years ago I noticed, as all pastors must, that when a pastor left a neighboring congregation, the congregational life carried on very well, thank you.  A guest preacher was assigned to conduct Sunday worship, and nearby pastors took care of the funerals, weddings, and crisis counseling.  A congregation would go for months, sometimes as long as a year or two, without a regular pastor.  And I thought, All these things I am so busy doing - they aren't being done in that pastorless congregation, and nobody seems to mind. I asked myself, What if I, without leaving, quit doing them right now?  Would anybody mind?  I did, and they don't.
(page 25)

Kinds of Monks (Pastors, Christians, Leaders, etc)

I've started reading The Rule of St. Benedict (a required text for a class on Spiritual Formation). 
The opening chapter describes 4 different kinds of monks.  The description can extend beyond monks, and be applied in many venues. 

1) Cenobites - those who belong to a monestary and serve under the rule of an Abbott
2) Anchorites or Hermits - they have come through the testing, they have passed beyond the first fervor.  Thanks to the help and guidance of many, they are now trained to fight against the devil, . . . they are ready with God's help to grapple single-handed with the vices of body and mind.
3) Sarabaites - they have no experience to guide them, no rule to try them, their character is soft as lead.  They are loyal to the world and pen themselves up in their own sheepfold, not the Lord's.  Their law is what they like to do, whatever strikes their fancy.  Anything they believe in and choose, they call holy; anything they dislike, they consider forbidden.  (Benedict calls them "the most detestable kind of monks.")
4) Gyrovagues - they spend their entire lives drifting from region to region, always on the move, never settling down.  They are slaves to their own wills and gross appetites.  They are worse than the sarabaites.

Little in your own eyes

I Samuel 15.17 - "Though you are little in your own eyes." (Samuel speaking to Saul)

This summer I've been preaching through the life of Samuel.  Along the way Samuel begins to interact with Saul. Saul will become the first acclaimed king of the growing nation of Israel.  Ask most people today about the Kings of Israel and they'll talk about David, Solomon, some of the others who were good or rascals, but few will remember Saul.

Saul was the first, chosen by God when the people made a request for a King.  He is introduced to the world as one who is head and shoulders taller than the rest of Israel, a mighty man.  Yet, Saul is little in his own eyes.  He doesn't believe in his own mind that he's much of anything.  Because he believes this way about himself, he leads a pensive and petulant life as king.

Saul expresses this thought at his first meeting with Samuel.  In 9.21 he says, "I am only a Benjamite, from the least of the tribes of Israel and my family is the humblest of the tribes."  He emphasizes the size, from the least tribes, from the humblest family.  Though he is physically taller than most, he describes himself as small, as insignificant.  In reality, he isn't.  When David is drawn from the field he is literally insignificant, so insignificant that his father won't bring him before Samuel until Samuel insists that he be brought in.

Saul has other places in his heart and mind where there are things that build a case, a wrong case to be sure, that he is a personality that is less than what he ought to be.

In chapter 9 he gets in trouble with Samuel because he initiates a sacrifice without the presence of Samuel.  While he has been commissioned to be King, he wasn't given the task of sacrifice or leading the people in worship.  A football analogy is this, he's been hired as the coach, but not the general manager.  Because he's not both, he begins to sense that he's incapable, incapable in spiritual matters.

The prelude to his sacrifice was the leaving of soldiers.  They had gathered for preparation for war but with Samuel long in coming they began to seep away.  Saul couldn't keep them focused, he lacked personal magnetism to keep the army intact.  When you are tapped to be a leader and find a deficiency in magnetism, what are you to resort to?  Most likely either resignation or force.  But deep down, there's despair.  Saul, I believe, broods on despair.  He'd love to resign.  But can't.  Before long he'll be utilizing the tools of force.

In chapter 13 Saul's army is described as being about 600 in number and having only a sword and spear for his son and himself.  Furthermore, the technology to create weapons is not found in Israel.  Their enemies have it, but aren't willing to share.

Then there's a story of the army in a stand off with the Philistines.  Jonathan, Saul's son gets tired of sitting around and says to his shield bearer, let's go on a reconnaissance mission.  Their action puts fear into the Philistines and they begin to flee.  Saul should be happy, but this action by Jonathan reveals a lack of courage on his part.  Instead of cheering the victory, he become demanding, wanting satisfaction.

From lack of courage flows a tongue that speaks to early, which will demand things of God at a very quick pace, and finally there is the revelation that in his heart he lacks complete obedience and trust in God.

Saul's list of shortcomings can be stacked up like this.  He lacked:
1)Appropriate family and tribal credentials
2) Appropriate Spiritual resources
3) a strength of character that would draw people to himself
4) Real resources; people, armor, technology
5) Courage
6)Timing and a wise tongue
7) Complete Obedience to God

Most of the outside observers seldom saw these deficiencies in Saul.    They saw one as Samuel did, who was tall, mighty and handsome.  They saw one who went off to battle, won and inspired others to write songs enshrining his victories .  They saw one who prophesied, because God had given him His Holy Spirit.  They saw a man on a mission, who had the backing of the people, the support of the oppressed whom he liberated, and the helpful resources of the sages personified in Samuel.

Saul and those around him saw two very different people, two very different tracks.  What he saw wasn't the fullness of reality, nor did the people around him see with crystal clarity.  However, they saw more clearly what could be if Saul would walk with the Lord, look at life through graced eyes.

As I reflect on Saul's life, on how he perceives himself and how others see him, I have to confess that in my darker days, I follow his lead.  I'm bent toward tallying up my weaknesses, listing my foibles.

Samuel's word to him in chapter 15 are meant to sting Saul, like cold water to one who is asleep.  Wake up.  His words sting me.  Instead of  the list of weaknesses, the challenge is to begin developing a list of God's grace, of God's mercy, of God's grace, so that the people and things to whom I owe a responsibility may be well served, so that they may in fact receive the gifts of the Good Shepherd.