October-December “From the Desk of…” Archives
October 2: When is the Right Time?
October 9: Renew!
October 16: You’re Invited
October 30: Radical…Good or Bad?
November 6: Outskirts of Heaven
November 13: Run the Race
November 27: After the Turkey is Gone
December 4: The Bell Ringer
December 10: A Time to Hope…Not Shudder
December 18: Merry Christmas
For the week of December 18th, 2017
I pray this week’s “from the desk of…” finds you well, and in the presence of loved ones. From my travels around the mission center, I know that there is a whole spectrum of feelings about the holidays. Sure, there are many who are doing well … are surrounded by loved ones … are feeling blessed beyond measure…and love the holidays. But, there are also those who have lost someone recently, or find themselves remembering the anniversary of a significant loss … those who have lost jobs or been without work for an extended period of time … those struggling with addiction … even others who simply don’t care for what they perceive Christmas to have become.
Wherever you are on the spectrum, I hope that you will find at least a moment to think about what Christ’s birth means to you. Perhaps it represents the coming of hope for a better tomorrow. Maybe it is a reminder Christ comes in the most unexpected ways in the most unexpected places. Or just maybe … it will help you connect the ways and times that Christ has been born anew in your heart throughout this last year.
Regardless of our perspective (where we find ourselves on the spectrum) regarding the holiday… we must look beyond the decorations, presents, food, parties, carols, and various other “trimmings” to find the joy which comes only with the hope of the Gospel made real again and again through our encounters with God and God’s creation…human and otherwise.
May your holiday season be filled with the blessings of Christ’s presence, and may your life be equally blessed by his presence in the year ahead. Know that you are loved and cared about … unique and special … gifted and called!
Thank you for your presence in my life, and for the blessing of knowing that we are in this together!
Merry Christmas! (and Blessings),
Blake
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For the week of December 10th, 2017
For years, I have been concerned about the disposable mindset we are encouraged to take on by our consumer driven society. We brush it off, saying things like, “they just don’t make things like they used to,” and we don’t even have to ask why. We have been conditioned to think that it’s OK that companies want to be able to sell us another one in a couple of years (if not every year). We look for faster, more efficient, and more convenient without thought of long term consequence. Here’s the thing…being a follower of Jesus…the one whose birth we hopefully await…comes with a responsibility to consider the big picture of God’s whole creation.
As I was reading different blogs regarding Advent, I ran across the following piece on ministrymatters.com in an article titled “The Most Wasteful Time of the Year.” That’s right…wasteful, not wonderful.” Hmmm…
“Christmas is fast approaching, and so are the mountains of trash Americans produce along with it. Based on EPA figures, it is estimated that Americans generate an extra 25 percent of garbage each year between Thanksgiving and New Year’s in the form of food waste, plastic waste, wrapping paper, ribbon, party supplies and decorations. In an April 22, 2016 Los Angeles Times article, it was reported that Americans produced 254 million tons of waste in 2013 and was the largest trash generator in the world.
We don’t see it
Our constant consumption and throw-away culture has consequences we rarely see because we have no idea where our trash actually goes or what happens to it. But the number of landfills across the country has grown exponentially, and the transport of garbage oversees is a growing industry. The result? The land, water and air are increasingly more polluted as we spend more energy and resources to transport and process trash and recycling. Toxic pollutants are leeched into the soils, waters and air from overflowing, closed or mismanaged landfills. Recycling centers cannot recycle as many items as we think they can. Yet, we continue to use non-recyclables and plastics — everything from straws to packaging and from water bottles to microfibers in clothes.
A change in attitude
Our earth was carefully crafted and has evolved to provide all we need to sustain animal and human life. But far too many humans have taken those resources for granted and abused them, thinking of them as possessions rather than privileges to be shared and cared for by us. Advent was never meant to be a time of rampant consumerism, gluttony and wastefulness. Advent was meant to be a time to simplify, to focus on preparing our homes and hearts for the Savior, to live out our faith by sharing our time and resources with those in need — and to focus our minds and hearts on the God who provides all, including the gift of salvation through the birth of Jesus.
As we go through this holiday season, let us remember the words given to us in Doctrine and Covenants 163:4b…
The earth, lovingly created as an environment for life to flourish, shudders in distress because creation’s natural and living systems are becoming exhausted from carrying the burden of human greed and conflict. Humankind must awaken from its illusion of independence and unrestrained consumption without lasting consequences.
Before throwing it out or replacing it, think about how you might recycle, repurpose, or reuse it! Let’s create a world of Hope together.
Blessings,
Blake
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For the week of December 4th, 2017
We’ve all seen them…and avoided them! They come out during the holiday season and run interference at our most popular stores. Last week, after arriving at the grocery store near my home, I sat in the car and watched for a little bit. I wanted to see how people respond to the Salvation Army bell ringer. My interest was peaked specifically because this was not the average bell ringer…you know the ones that stand by the bucket ringing their bell and looking at people as if they hated being there just as much as the passersby hated them being there…
Janice (not pictured above, and name changed to protect the enthusiastic) sang, danced, and greeted every guest with a sincere “MERRY CHRISTMAS!” Though it was hard to avoid making eye contact with her, the number of people who managed to do so was astounding. It’s interesting how many women had apparently lost something in their purse right before they got to the door and entered while looking for the missing item(s)…or the number of people who found something in the upper right corner of the door frame so captivating that they had to stare…in the direction opposite of Janice.
In spite of the rejection, Janice didn’t give up. Her smile never cracked. Her singing and dancing continued on cue (not to be confused with “on key”… LOL). She would not be dissuaded from her task. She was determined to bring joy into the lives of others.
A few days ago, in the midst of a bit of a frustrating day, I stopped at a different store (several miles from the first) only to find a dancing, singing, joy-filled bell ringer awaiting my entry. Yes…it was Janice and the only thing that had changed was her location. I stopped to talk to her, and asked her why she had changed locations, and though she never answered that question (perhaps she was too joyful for the clientele of the first store), she seemed amazed that someone had recognized her…and even more so that someone took the time to speak to her. But I wanted her to know that her enthusiastic presence was just what I needed that day. She thanked me, gave me a hug, and wished me an extra special Merry Christmas.
The point of me telling this story is that I was reminded in the moment how the simple act of “noticing” the presence of a person may mean more to them (and us) than we can ever imagine. Let’s face it, there are lots of “nameless” and/or “faceless” people in our communities…people who have been made to feel that they don’t matter or that they are not as good as others…and they don’t all ring bells at Christmas. They live in our neighborhoods, go to school with our children, work in our offices, and sit beside us in our pews.
This week, I challenge you to think about the “bell ringers” in your life. Who is it that causes you to search in your bag or stare at the door frame when entering a store? Maybe they dance a little crazy or sing off key. Perhaps they stand by their bucket waiting for you to toss in your loose change. But, more importantly, maybe they are a glimpse of Emanuel… “God with us”…sent by God to see if we’ll notice.
Blessings,
Blake
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For the week of November 27th, 2017
Perhaps it was just in my home, but I remember a day when Christmas decorations and music didn’t surface until after the turkey was gone. These days, we can hardly wait (and some don’t) until the first of November. It’s almost as if Thanksgiving has become a day to give thanks for being done with Christmas shopping and having the lights put up before the first frost. Not that those things aren’t worthy of thanks, but I wonder if we’re missing the point.
I guess it wouldn’t seem so bad if our reason for rushing Christmas was because we couldn’t wait for Jesus to come so that we could thank him in person. But let’s face it…the rush to Christmas has little (if anything) to do with our longing for Jesus’ presence in our life, and a lot to do with the longing of retailers for us to purchase presents to go under our tree.
Every celebration requires preparation…right? Sure, we can “pull off” a spontaneous dinner plan when guests show up on our door unexpectedly. But, for an all-out celebration, we need time to get ready so that when the event comes, we can participate fully and appreciate that which is being celebrated… a wedding, an anniversary, a birthday, a graduation…and, yes, the birth of Jesus.
In my mind, there’s no better way to enter into Christmas preparation than by taking time to stop and give thanks for all that was, and is, and is to come. Maybe it’s not just by chance that eating turkey slows us down. Surely, it has to be for some other reason than because we simply ate too much and need a nap!
Here’s a question for you…What do you and your family do after the turkey is gone? In our family, we play games…tell stories…laugh…enjoy each other’s presence…nap a little…and, if the weather is nice, take a walk together (we have to make a little space for leftovers!). Maybe you did all of these things and more…maybe you rushed through the meal and headed off for Black Friday deals…or maybe you just bypassed Thanksgiving altogether. However you experienced Thanksgiving, there’s still time to do a little prep work “after the turkey is gone.”
Over the next couple of weeks, I invite you to do the following…
When you have finished your “turkey” (a.k.a. breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner), and before you have cleared the table or thrown out the fast food bags…take a few minutes to prepare yourself to receive the blessings of Christmas by giving thanks for all the blessings you already have. And, while your at it…remember to say a prayer for those who didn’t have “turkey” in the first place.
The gift of Jesus’ presence will be better by far than any “presents” you get from (or give to) anyone else!
Blessings,
Blake
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For the week of November 13th, 2017
This week, my family faced the loss of a family member. Stories were told…memories were shared…laughter rang out…and tears were shed. As I reminisced and prepared the words I would share during the funeral, I was reminded of the unique way in which each of us lives out our calling and makes a difference, for good or for bad, in the world.
Our society most often recognizes the accomplishments of those who go through life making their presence known by outward acts that draw attention or trigger a response. Few are the public acknowledgements of those in our midst who quietly “run the race” of life affecting others by their character…their consistency…their integrity…and their example. My father-in-law was more of the quiet ones.
A recurring theme in the stories that poured forth from those who knew and loved him was one of complete immersion. From his hobbies, to his family, to his faith, my father-in-law was “all in.” He didn’t do things half way. He had the right equipment, he surrounded himself with the right people, he read everything he could on the subject at hand, and he committed himself to fullest measure.
Soon after his passing, the first scripture that came to mind for many of the family was from 2 Timothy 4, verses 7 and 8:
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now
on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous
judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for
his appearing.”
It’s not that his only goal was to achieve a crown in heaven…that was more of a bonus. I don’t believe he did what he did so that he could receive the accolades of others. His crown (and assurance) came with the knowledge that his life, and the lives of those around him, were better because he had done his best. It’s not that he was perfect at everything, but he did approach it with the goal of perfection. He believed that “if it’s not worth giving a 100% effort, it’s not worth doing.”
There are so many things that can get in the way of our accomplishing the things which God has gifted each of us to do, and so many excuses we could make NOT to give God 100% of ourselves. There are so many things we could use to convince ourselves that we have nothing to offer…that we are not capable or worthy…that it’s ok to settle…
OR… we can acknowledge that as children of God…we have all that we need to do all that God is calling us to do. People like my father-in-law are added to the “cloud of witnesses” of which the author of Hebrews speaks in chapter 12, when encouraging the church:
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay
aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance
the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.”
Perhaps you’re not a runner, and the thought of running a race does not appeal to you. If that’s the case, consider walking the race…just don’t miss it on account of your fear. You never know whose life you might affect positively just because you tried!
Blessings,
Blake
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For the week of November 6th, 2017
I had full intentions to write about something completely different this week. And then…as I ate breakfast and caught up on a recorded episode of The Voice, I was deeply moved by the words of a song written by Craig Campbell and performed by one of the contestants.
Now it is no secret that I am from the south. If you listen carefully (very carefully) you might hear an occasional slip of southern accent when I preach or pray… or any other time I open my mouth. Needless to say, I incur a significant amount of teasing because of that. But the truth is…it’s worth it; and, when I hear songs like “Outskirts of Heaven,” I am reconnected with cherished memories of a time when things were (at least for me) carefree… when kids could roam their neighborhood unsupervised…when walking barefoot down a dirt road, laughing and joking with friends without thought of passing time or looming obligation was as normal as saying bedtime prayers…when neighbors sat together on their front porches well into the evening because what was happening in someone else’s life really mattered.
Here are the lyrics to the chorus:
Lord when I die I wanna live
On the outskirts of Heaven
Where there’s dirt roads for miles
Hay in the fields and fish in the river
Where there’s dogwood trees and honey bees
And blue skies and green grass forever
Lord when I die, I wanna live on the outskirts of Heaven”
The good news is that we don’t have to wait until we die to “live on the outskirts”…we can live there now. This is actually the kind of “heaven” I would prefer. (Here and now…everyone is welcome…shoes optional…grassy, dogwood shaded spots in which to hang out…dirt roads and long, winding, fish-filled rivers…and don’t forget blue skies forever). Let’s face it, streets of gold are like carpets of red…you can only walk on them Sundays between the hours of 10 and noon…no drinks allowed…and, you can forget about pizza parties and potlucks where dropped food might leave a stain.
The first time I returned home after having moved to Independence to be a youth minister, a member of my home congregation asked me if I was ready to come home. I reminded her (jokingly) that I had moved to Zion…what more could I ask. She said, “that might be true, but you had to leave Paradise to get there.”
The way I see it, what happens in the church on Sunday morning may be Zion or heaven (if we’re lucky), but what God is doing on the “outskirts” just might be paradise. I don’t believe God ever intended for us to trade rules for relationships, carpet for community, or pews for paradise!
Have a great week!
Blessings,
Blake
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For the week of October 30th, 2017
“Radical” has never been just a word in a Scrabble game. It has had both good and bad connotations, and actions it has been used to describe have had both good and bad ends. Like many words, the meaning of the word has changed over time. Webster dictionary records the original meaning of radical as: “of, relating to, or pertaining to a root (also basic, fundamental). Google dictionary defines it as “pertaining to or affecting the fundamental nature of something; far-reaching or thorough.” Somewhere along the line, it came to be associated with the exact opposite of its original meaning… “departing sharply from the usual or ordinary.” So, is it good or bad to be a “radical?”
I guess that depends on how you choose to use the term. By definition (both old and new), Jesus was a radical. Though his actions were intended to depart sharply from what had become the acceptable interpretation of God’s law, they were also intended to get back to basics…to focus on the fundamentals of kingdom living. Consequently, his “radical” behavior was not seen in a positive light by his opponents in the religious establishment. The point is… the act of working toward extreme change is not bad in and of itself. What matters is the end goal of said “radical” behaviors.
These days, the word radical has become more often associated with terrorist attacks and other negative events happening in our society. Individuals and groups seem to be finding new ways to use radical actions for evil and destruction. With the events this week in New York City, we are reminded of the power of language. I don’t know of any place where it’s a good thing to be “radical” or “radicalized.”
I find myself wondering if it has to be that way, or are those who walk in the light strong enough to change the perception of a word that was good when it described the bearer of that light…Jesus. What if we, as the body of Christ, got radicalized and started to exhibit radical grace…radical forgiveness…radical hospitality…radical love…
I don’t know if it’s time to “take back” radical as a word intended for good, or if we simply need to find a new word. What I do know is that regular everyday grace, forgiveness, hospitality and love has not been enough to change the world (It certainly doesn’t get the same press coverage as radical terrorism).
So…what do you say…let’s get radical…Jesus style!!
Blessings,
Blake
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For the week of October 16th, 2017
Everyone (well…almost everyone) likes getting an invitation to a party. Add in free food and drink, and it’s a sure thing that those invited will accept the invitation. Or will they? Actually, it seems that more often than not these days, people are hesitant to commit. Whether it’s for fear that a better offer might come along…or, not knowing how they’ll feel in the moment, they might simply want to have the option to stay home and enjoy some “down” time. It’s even possible that they may feel that what they are being offered isn’t worth the effort.
If you’re the party planner, the host, or the guest of honor, you might find it a bit disappointing when others don’t seem to share your excitement for the occasion…especially if you’ve gone to great lengths to make everything just right. Such was perhaps the case for the king in parable of the wedding banquet found in the 22nd chapter of the Gospel of Matthew (last week’s lectionary scripture). Hopefully you’ve never been so distraught by someone’s refusal of your invitation that you resorted to murder and fire-starting!
In the parable, the king (God), is so determined to have someone join him for the prepared banquet that he tells his servants to go and get anyone…good or bad…ANYONE… who would accept the invitation. You see, he knew that he had something to share with the people that they couldn’t get just anywhere. The food and drink that he offered (mercy, grace, compassion, kindness, etc.) was not available on the streets or in the local convenient store. His “banquet” was available from only one source…Him. But, many invitees didn’t accept the invitation, and of those who did, at least one didn’t appear to appreciate that to which he had been given access…he wasn’t “wearing the wedding robe.”
Of course, the king’s anger had nothing to do with what the guest was wearing. God loves us just the way we are…wedding robe or not! But, there is a difference between loving us “just the way we are” when we are offered the gift, and knowing “what we can become” once we have accepted the invitation and received the gift.
I don’t know about you, but I think sometimes my hesitation to accept the invitation to God’s banquet is due to the fact that, because I am so blessed already, I don’t think I really have need for anything more. (OK…OK…If that were the case, I wouldn’t always be wanting more.) It’s more likely that my hesitation is due to the fear of what might happen if I accept the invitation and become vulnerable to divine grace…allowing the possibility of true transformation. Sound familiar?
“When your willingness to live in sacred community as Christ’s new creation exceeds your natural fear of spiritual and relational transformation,
you will become who you are called to be. The rise of Zion the beautiful, the peaceful reign of Christ, awaits your whole-hearted response to
the call to make and steadfastly hold to God’s covenant of peace in Jesus Christ.” – Doctrine and Covenants 164:9b
Well…I’m not the only one that’s been invited! What’s holding you back?
Blessings,
Blake
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For the week of October 9th, 2017
This past weekend, I had the opportunity to join other ministers from across the United States for our annual field meetings. The very presence of the word “meetings” in the event title doesn’t foster a sense of renewal… or the promise of renewal for that matter. And yet, our time together was very renewing! As I made the four-hour trip back home at the end of the weekend, I found myself reflecting on how that was even possible.
Let me just quickly acknowledge how blessed I am to have had the privilege of being able to find renewal in a weekend of meetings and a quiet car ride, while so many in our country and in our world (fighting fires, living without electricity as well as adequate food and clean water, existing in war-torn communities, etc.) need more than renewal! We should never take our blessings for granted!!
So…back to what made renewal possible…
There were three primary things to which I attribute the renewing atmosphere in the midst of meetings where tough issues are on the agenda…
First was the creation of “sacred space” where those in attendance were free to speak the truth in love* without fear of recrimination…where everyone genuinely cares about the others and desires to hear their story. This can only happen when a foundation of trust has been established…when relationships matter more than any issue…when people share their position or opinion with respect and those positions and opinions are received with equal respect…and when there is no doubt as to the inestimable worth of everyone (those at the “table” and those represented by the issue(s) on the table.)
Second was the sense of community which comes from having a shared goal. In our case, the ultimate goal was to seek understanding for the path forward to full participation in Christ’s mission. If we were to achieve our shared goal, we needed to understand the rules, the players, the possible pitfalls, the inevitable consequences, the blessings of success, and as best as we can…the will of God. Different meetings would seek different goals, but the need for understanding is always present.
Third was the allowance for time to “play” together. Granted, we don’t always have time to incorporate play in our meeting time. (It’s a luxury when you’re in a retreat setting with nowhere to go.) What we can do, however, is be intentional about incorporating play in our life together. It is often through play (or other informal settings) that we truly get to know one another. We laugh…we tell stories…and we share in ways that give glimpses into who we really are…for better or for worse. (NOTE: in worst cases, refer to “inestimable worth” comment above!)
Since we will inevitably find ourselves in a meeting sometime in the near future, and because as a church called to be a prophetic people we will most definitely continue to face difficult issues…perhaps we can find comfort in knowing that renewal for the journey ahead is always possible if we “love the Lord [our] God with all [our] heart, and with all [our] soul, and with all [our] mind, and with all [our] strength….and love [our] neighbor as [our self].’
* if I speak…but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal…” 1 Cor. 13:1 NRSV
Blessings,
Blake
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For the week of October 2nd, 2017
Before moving to the Chicago Mission Center, I had the opportunity to work exploring new expressions of the church in Lakewood, OH (a suburb of Cleveland). As a part of that ministry, I engaged in a variety of community efforts and organizations in an effort to get to know the needs of the community and it’s lower income populations. One of my regularly scheduled activities was to volunteer at the local food pantry.
When I first began working there, I noticed hesitation on the part of the pantry director. I watched as she engaged with all of the other volunteers, but no matter what I did, I just couldn’t find a way to connect. Then, one day, she came in from a meeting, and asked me to join her in her office. It was pretty clear that she was not happy. I couldn’t imagine what I had done to set her off, but I thought my pantry volunteer days were numbered. After closing the door, the source of her anger was made clear…and it had nothing to do with me personally, and everything to do with the “people” I represented. She had just come from a meeting of community leaders and pastors at which she had shared the pantry’s desperate need for financial and personnel (volunteer) support.
What she got was a number of offers to pray for the pantry and for the people we served. Some pastors even offered to come to the pantry and pray with the people. She had called me to the office to try and help her understand why so often it seems to be that a Christian’s first response was to pray rather than to fulfill an immediate need in the lives of people by getting involved. She admitted that she had been suspicious when I came there to volunteer, because no other minister had ever been willing to do anything but pray. She wanted to know when would be the right time to be the hands and feet of Jesus rather than asking him to send a blessing.
I have been reminded of the suspicion the pantry director showed toward me as I have heard time and again over the last several weeks, when in the midst of tragedy after tragedy…politicians (and even some ministers) have said. “now is not the time.” It would seem that these days when we don’t want to talk about something…when we don’t want to address the “elephant in the room,” all we need to do is label the desire to have tough conversations as “politicizing the issue.” We have not hesitated to have prayer vigils and moments of silence … all of which are certainly appropriate, while at the same time…not nearly enough.
Prayer alone will not feed those who are starving, protect those who are abused, keep homes and businesses from being destroyed in hurricanes, stop groups from propagating acts and messages of hate toward others, reduce gun violence (and other forms of violence), lower the suicide rate among teens disowned by their families, or insure the availability of adequate healthcare for all. These things will take a diverse community of people willing to set aside personal biases, have hard conversations, and seek solutions that respect the worth of all persons.
Unfortunately, due to the nature of our society, many of the solutions will require political actions. Perhaps if we could “humanize” the issues instead of “politicizing” them, we would see that these are life and death issues, and now IS the right time to get to work. If not now … when?
Blessings,
Blake
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