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Sweet like apples and honey

For a number of years I have spiritually followed the Jewish calendar as a marker for my soul. It might be because the Jewish calendar has been used for almost six thousand years or perhaps because it's lunar-based. Either way, it works for me to determine spiritual times and seasons in my life, and that's good enough.

This Rosh Hashanah (new year) marks the year 5772. For me, it's a time of spiritual renewal. So during the past couple of days I've been asking God to renew my spirit, heal my soul, and awaken fresh vision for this new spiritual year.

Yisrael means one who struggles with God. Jacob's name was changed to Israel after he wrestled with the angel. Some people believe that anyone who struggles with God is a part of symbolic, spiritual Israel. I don't know how all that works but I do know that I struggle with faith, with doubt, and the God of my understanding. "Israel" is alive in my spirit.

I like the approach of struggling with God because it gives me permission to not have all the answers. It also gives me hope that out of my struggling will come a new name, new influence, new authority, and fresh vision for my life. It will probably come with a limp too. That's the beauty of it. My limp reminds me I had a spiritual encounter and can never be the same.

I encourage you this weekend to embrace the new season. Leave behind the past. Let go of  expectations of what you think should have been.  Let go of the should've, could've, would'ves. In short, stop should-ing on yourself.

Wrestle with your God, and go deeper. Take a risk. Step out in faith. Dare to believe for greater things.

It's a new year. New hopes. New beginnings. New dreams. New vision. Clarity. Sweet like apples and honey.

To my Jewish friends and to all those who wrestle with their God, L'Shanah Tova, Tikatevu! Happy New Year and may all our names be inscribed in the Book of Life! Amen.

More from the MLK Memorial

 

Make a career of humanity...

I had to share this photo . I was pleasantly surprised to see it at the MLK Memorial today in DC. I've added a few other of my favorite quotes as well.

Honoring the Imago Dei in the "Other"

Yesterday I came across some comments in my Facebook feed by my friend John Dyben. John and I were ordained on the same day in 1997. We currently work together at The Hanley Center. Aside from all that, he's always been a loyal spiritual friend and confidant. 

John was responding to the latest suicide of a young person who was bullied in this country. I'm re-posting his comments with permission:

John Dyben

“I hardly think that bullying is a real issue in schools. There’s no reason to have a special bill for, let’s say, three percent of the population.”

- Robert Newman. California Christian Coalition

"What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.”

- Jesus Christ

Sorry Mr. Newman, but when the teachings of Christ are clearly in opposition to the words of those who claim to be His followers, Christ wins.

 

I guess I shouldn't be amazed that some religious folks do not stand up for the minority, the rejected, or the outcast, but I still am at times.

There is so much vitriol, division, fear, and intolerance in our nation. I wonder when we will be able to truly love and accept each other. If we can't do that, will it ever be possible to have peaceful discourse with or about the "other"?

Dr. King said,  "Make a career out of humanity. Commit yourself to the noble struggle for equal rights. You will make a greater person of yourself, a greater nation of your country and a finer world to live in."

We are each created in the image of God, the mysterious Imago Dei. When I honor another person, I honor the image of God in that person and myself. When I denigrate another person, I denigrate myself. When I deny equal rights for all, I forfeit my own rights.

It is time for all people--including people of faith--to drop the judgmental rhetoric and labels and rigid adherence to moral codes that divide.

It's time for people of faith to live in the loving, compassionate Spirit of God, to honor the image of God in each human being, and to set a higher bar of love, understanding, acceptance, and peaceful discourse in the world today. 

I'm standing together with John to re-affirm the spiritual principles that make for a great people and a great nation. Will you?

 

 

One Soldier's Experience with DADT Repeal

Yesterday afternoon when I saw this video on YouTube there were a little over 60,000 views. This morning there are more than 1.2 million. The honesty, love, humility, and humanity of this phone conversation is inspiring.

 

20 Years Later

Twenty years ago my parents had just completed a season where they discovered the religious structure they had belonged to for many, many years know longer worked for them. The institution had become untenable and intransigent. After much contemplation and prayer, they left it, along with some friends Robert and Pam, and they never looked back.

In my opinion that was one of the most courageous and best decisions they ever made.  I was finishing my last year in college so I wasn't there for all of it. I know, however, that it was a painful yet exciting time for them as amazing, new things were being birthed.

Some people said they couldn't do it. 

Some people said they were being divisive.

Some people said they were in sin.

Some people said they were making a huge mistake.

Some people said they were fools.

I'm sure a few others were glad just to see them go.

But guess what? Those people were wrong. Dead wrong. 

The congregation they birthed with a small remnant of folks today is an amazing organization that has helped birth and influence ministries and outreaches around the world. It's a place where people come for deeper healing and restoration in their lives. It's a place where people can come no matter their station in life and be loved and accepted. It's a place where the Spirit has free reign to do what she wants in the lives of the people there.

It's not a perfect place. (That's because there are lots of imperfect people there.) But it's a place that endeavors to love God and love it's neighbor because that's just a better way of life.

What do I learn from this 20 years later?

Be grateful for where you are even if you don't quite understand it. It's part of larger, grander, more glorious gift that is evolving in your life for your benefit and the benefit of many others you may never know.

Surround yourself with positive folks. Let the "nay-sayers" go find another place to be negative. You don't need them, and they keep you from fulfilling your primary purpose anyway.

Listen to the dream in your heart even when other's don't understand it. It's not their dream; it's yours to fulfill.

So stay in faith everyday. Fill your heart with hope. Always be grateful. Life is worth living to the fullest. Go live it!

I can't wait to see what the next 20 bring.

Now this is what I call enjoying the journey!

After today's last post I needed some levity. This video makes me very happy, and I hope we all have this kind of love and fun when we reach our 70's and 80's!