Does God Cry? - Luke 14

Does God Cry?

Tony E Dillon-Hansen

A sermon based upon 

Jeremiah 2:4-13

Psalm 81:1, 10-16 (UMH 803)

Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16

Luke 14:1, 7-14

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah+2&version=NRSV

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+13&version=NRSV

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+14&version=NRSV 

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14)

I would like for you to consider the question, “Does God Cry?” 

Have you had someone in your life that you loved so much and did so much for them (say a friend, a child, a sibling or parent even) that would always seem to find way to “test” your devotion to them?  I am sure that my parents may have felt that about me from time to time, if you want examples. Interestingly, this situation has even happened to me as well. 

When we love someone one like that and continuously get disheartened for our effort, some things happen inside of us. At some point, we start to question why we have to be constantly “tested”, disobeyed, used, abandoned or simply ignored by those people that we have given so much love. We begin to wonder about the nature of the relationship and what inside it does to us. Did we let ourselves get “duped,” or what part of our love earned a willingness to be disgraced?

These are just some of the emotions evoked and shared by God in the passage of Jeremiah. We can see how God is reminding us of the great and wonderful things that has been given to us.  Yet, we continuously want to ignore those good things for something cheaper, less reliable and less God. 

I can think of people going to a store to buy a cheap appliance over and over and wondering why it keeps breaking.  We keep relying upon our money, ways, desires or attachments (much like those cheap appliances) for an illusion of happiness today without remembering or asking for the true grace that requires us to do some things that honor God. We don't have to ask why the illusions break so easily — we can simply come to God.

God is calling to us to share in those good, reliable works that is God, like a fountain of living water instead of tired, unreliable or broken vessels of emptiness (money, idols, etc). God is calling us to do good work.  What is good work — you might ask?

Paul in Hebrews reminds us of a few ways of “good work” by honoring God through: love, hospitality, taking care of outcasts and prisoners, keeping marriage vows, avoiding greed, and be willing to come to Jesus. These are great ways to build a good faithful life.

Instead of expecting instant or empty rewards, we can share in the fulfilling grace of God. 

Further, 

By giving, we truly receive.

By forgiving, we may be pardoned.

By humbling ourselves, we may be exalted (according to Luke in Chapter 14)

By inviting to all, we may be welcomed by Jesus.

If we want to live our faith fully, we must acknowledge that we are blessed to be a part of God’s kingdom, and that God is the source of true fortunes and grace. Again from Luke 14, We are asked to share the gifts and grace that have been given to us with all people in our community— including the outcasts, the poor, the weak, and the different because God’s kingdom is not exclusive to the wealthy fortunate.

So, we must be willing to forgive. We must be willing to remember where true grace happens. Remember how you felt when you felt when you were ignored, but be willing to forgive because God will.

Again, Does God Cry? Where is the Lord?

While we may decide we have had enough of someone’s dishonor to us and maybe even end a relationship over it, we can know that God is longing for us to come home.  God is crying for us to return to the fountain of life.  God wants to share love with us and give us gifts— when we are willing to do our part of the covenant.

We have to do our part, to live our faith, and to give thanks for what we have (even if it feels small). Let us not be careless with what has been given to us.

God is waiting,

God is hopeful.

God is love.

Thanks be to God.

Being The Change (with Some Candy)

Being The Change - with Candy

Tony E Dillon-Hansen

A sermon based upon 

Hosea 1:2-10

Psalm 85

Colossians 2:6-15 (16-19)

Luke 11:1-13

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hosea+1&version=NRSV

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+11&version=NRSV 

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14)

Have you ever thought you had done everything for a project that was asked, and even perhaps went above and beyond the requests to deliver exceptional quality for a customer? Did you get to the customer looking for payment and your customer points out that a task was missed.  The customer won’t show praise for missing an apparently important element.  

Let me give a couple examples of this. 

My parents would catch me on this a bunch when I was younger. (You can tell can’t you?) When we thought we had chores done, there were a couple times when Mom or Dad would review and realize the work was half done or something important not done (say folding the clothes) - Oh, the grief that would ensue.  Dad would remind us of this error in very elegant ways thereafter even when would do great things by saying something like “half-‘done’ work is not done work…” You are going to have to do the work at some point. 

Ever wrote a great paper for a class, but the grammar for the paper made it difficult to read? No matter how good your work was before that, papers from that point would be more seriously scrutinized.  

The bowl of M&M’s

Rock legends, Van Halen had a way of writing contracts for their shows.  A rider in the contracts would spell out that catering by the promoter would remove brown M&Ms from the candy bowls or forfeit the cost of the show. Instead of thinking about this like a punk-rocker request, there was a serious reason for the rider. Van Halen promoters would be getting serious money for setting up these large, heavy rock and roll concert stages and large lighting displays. The idea was that if you had the foresight to seriously read the requirements and deliver the quality of stage for Van Halen, the payout and prestige for this operation would be enormous. Otherwise, the damage could be substantial, as was the case for a couple promoters. 

How does God do this? He gave us commandments and a covenant. 

The story in Hosea is a condemnation and warning.

Jehu has caused a lot of blood, partially at God’s command (2 Kings), but the Lord means to teach a lesson for some things (the brown M&Ms of the Old Testament). Jehu may have thought he did everything God asked. Perhaps Jehu’s bloodthirstiness is a reason, but Jehu’s continued break of covenant has God concerned. Perhaps Jehu didn't ask for or want God’s forgiveness.

Turn to Hosea, the prophet is instructed to marry a prostitute and to bear children. The first with a name for a very fertile valley in Israel, Jezreel (meaning something along the lines of “God sows”). Lo-ruhamah (meaning “not pitied” - not happy), and then Lo-ammi, (meaning “not my people” - abandonment.) With each “child”, God becomes less patient with the continued break of covenant and is warning that forgiveness has limits - then walks. 

Showing Our Work.

When I was in algebra class, I was instructed to show my work not just the answer. The answer was far less important than how you achieved it. 

When we read Paul’s remarks, Paul again is talking about marks of faith (i.e. circumcision) but he is talking about being the faith instead of showing faith.  Whatever we do to show our religion is not the same as actually living the faith. To truly have love for God and for neighbor, we must be the love. Also we must be respectful of the sacrifices that have come before us that got us to where we are today. All the good work you can do today is because someone provided the opportunity. In this case, Jesus, through mission and crucifixion, liberated us from the hallow hypocrisy of one dimensional religion and politic that devalues and excludes people from community.

Further, if we are to be true of faith and to be followers of Jesus, we have to be mindful of the gifts given, and to be willing to be love. We have to remember from where the gifts have been provided; that God has forgiven us so many times; and that we must also forgive. 

This is what we are reminded in the Lord’s prayer.  

Then, we hear the Gospel lesson about asking for “help” with a persistent nature.  Jesus tells us that when we search, we will find if we are willing to persevere - knock and a door will open eventually.  Jesus doesn't tell us what we will find; what we will see or hear on the other side of the door.  Jesus reminds us that searching does not guarantee instantaneous returns but returns that require more diligence. Again, faith is not about flesh marks, poetic sayings and grand churches, but about how we do things - everyday .  

Patience, persistence and neighborly gifts are important to our faith and life.  How is that possible in today’s world of instantaneous action, 140-character, off-cuff remarks, and empty prayers or gifts? 

If we do not take the time to consider what we do and how that impacts people, our love of neighbor is mere shallow words. If we only read the easy, how are we to understand the elements that are required for us to build a real foundation? Diligent effort and respect will get you results. 

We will miss the brown M&M rider from God when we do not truly consider what we do. This is part of what God is saying to Hosea (and Amos) in the scriptures: that pain and suffering will happen for things like: 

wanton forgetfulness, 

stubborn ignorance,

a slight-of-hand remark about Muslims or immigrants, 

a racist joke, 

trespassing on a neighbors property, 

murder,

that one lie you told to…, 

a greedy deal you sold, 

or disrespecting someone else’s need to be heard. 

Whether you realize the fault, of all of the things you do with good heart, those events when you do something disrespectful will be how you are viewed now, especially if you keep doing them. If you are not attentive of what you do and how it impacts the people and world around you, that disfavor will catch up with you. (Karma) 

Again, Even God has limits.  God gave Israel three strikes (according to Hosea represented by the children and diminishing names) before proverbially throwing hands up and saying you are on your own until you are ready. Yet, the pain of punishment may yield good favors if we persevere to make our path good. Yet, Jesus reminds us that God forgives if we are willing to ask for it. 

How to receive requests

Jesus does however suggest that if people are asking from us, that we should be honorable in our gifts.  If you want things in your life, you must be prepared to give in kind. Any Child of God deserves to be treated with the respect of another. If you deceive a Child of God, how could God trust you?  Again, according to the lesson from the prophets, if you are deceitful and disrespectful, that is how you will be remembered.

What is the snake and scorpion that Jesus refers? Think of the last couple readings we had from Amos.  Deceit, mistreatment of the poor, greed, gluttony, and idolatry are causes for punishment. There are a few politicians that could better realize this.

Jesus reminds us that every deed we do comes with this inherent requirement of fairness and scrutiny from God.  We are to treat our neighbors as good dutiful friends regardless of how they look (e.g. black/Hispanic, LGBTQ, feminine/masculine, rich/poor), what they believe or how they speak.  Jesus and Paul tell us that our actions on a day-to-day basis are more important in representing our faith than empty gestures of marking, boasting or yelling. When your actions are full of compassion and grace, then God will continue to bless you with forgiveness. 

In this world of turmoil and pain, a fellow Stephen minister reminded us of the wise Gandhi who said to be the change you wish to see in the world. 

If you wish to see compassion, be compassionate. 

If you wish to see help in the community, be the help.

If you wish to see generosity, be generous with your heart and hugs.

To see love, be the love.

To see laughter, be real laughter.

To see Peace, be the peace.

To see good health, be healthy. 

To see thankfulness, be thankful.

To see forgiveness, be forgiving.

Forgive our debtors and our debts will be forgiven.

Thanks Be to God. 

Preparing the Way - Luke 10

Preparing the Way 

Tony E Dillon Hansen

A sermon based upon Luke 10:1-11, 16-20

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+10&version=NRSV

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14)

There are a couple things that come to mind when we look at the text for Luke 10.  I would like to consider Luke’s text in terms of how we start a mission by picking a place.  I would then like to consider how one conducts themselves in this mission. 

In Mark 6, as I am sure many of you will recall, Jesus instructs the disciples to go out in pairs into towns ahead of them.  In Mark, we witness similar notes of how to conduct themselves with respect to people on the road and in the houses. 

Luke goes further with many more involved in the mission and talks about harvest needs in the towns. Are we talking about the old agrarian needs like my farmer grandfather wanting help on the farm or is there something else being suggested here?  Time to roll up the sleeves and get to work!  The harvest, however, that is implied here is of the people themselves rather than of a grain harvest. 

Great!! —If you know farmers like my grandpa, they could have always used more people for arms full of hay bails, acres of bean walking, long nights of grain harvests, and dusty corn shelling. That is, of course, how I envision my preaching mission.

How to Pick a Place?

When our family goes to look for a place to live, we may be willing to consider some features that appeal to us like location, friendly neighbors, kids in the area, crime potentials, accessibility, or … does this house or neighborhood look Democrat or Republican - Does it look like us?

There is a bit of carpe diem and faith in these passages, given the notion of going into these unknown areas and homes then staying there. Nothing more is provided about how to determine which place to pick.  We are not told to choose based upon whether it is nice and well built, whether it is able to hold people, whether it is tired and small, whether it has guns or looks friendly, or whether it could be a community shelter with roaming collective of immigrants, unemployed, disabled or angry people. You have to pick a place and the first one that accepts is your objective.  Jesus is saying in so many words here, “Have Faith. It will work out.”

How Do We Learn and Grow?

There is where you will learn about those people because they have already decided to welcome you into their midsts (step one of ready for harvest.) These missions are told to bring the message and to embrace the customs of those that welcome them (learn about them and enjoy their hospitality as proper “guests” should.)    

This beckons a story of two Zen Masters: a visitor and a welcoming Master. Upon arrival, the visiting Master begins to talk about the great things his students were doing, and to talk, and to talk, and to talk.  Every time the welcoming Master suggests some idea, the visiting Master is dismissive and keeps talking (oh we have that, we do that and we have something better…) The welcoming Master then invites the visiting Master to tea and begins to pour tea into the cup and continues to pour over the cup’s limit into his lap.  The visiting Master complains that “the cup is full” and asks why the welcoming Master has clearly let this tea run over.  The welcoming Master explains, “like this cup of tea, your mind is full of ideas and opinions where you will not learn anything more until you empty your mind.”  

When the missions present themselves and their message, they are told to learn and to adapt to the new cultures rather than forcing opinions upon others. We know that eating habits are core to cultures and cooperation. Jesus calls the missions to bring the message into communion with their culture and with openness to learn from them what they are willing to share.  Then, we can grow together. We have to prepare our minds to grow with what we encounter. Otherwise, we miss the opportunity to learn valuable lessons, cultures and ideas that may prove useful to us today or in the future.

So, when we return to the choices we have (places or otherwise), that choice will influence what we learn and how we learn.  If we always pick from those with similar appearance, political stripe or culture, how are we to learn and grow with our neighbors that we have, let alone those we have yet to meet?  If we pick the same thing over and over, how do we improve or change? We do not have to agree nor do we need to shed our beliefs. Yet, alongside the missions sent by Jesus, we are tasked to learn the different ways people come to life, to the Way, and to God because each of us has something to share. 

Just trying something different provides us with discovery of tastes, smells, art, challenges and joys that are in lives all around us.  With this, Jesus is telling us how we grow in love of neighbor and God. 

Yet, if these towns do not welcome, the Arabic custom of wiping dust off shoes is how the missions are to behave - Nothing more and nothing less (and not shoe tossing for insults).  For instance, a problem with tossing shoes is you might have to retrieve the shoe, or you walk barefoot until you get new ones!  Maybe, these people have recent grief or simply do not want visitors today, but Jesus says to wipe away and walk away today. Perhaps, there is a more appropriate time for these people, but we cannot make it difficult for future success by providing buyers remorse today.

An interesting concept is that as other towns (and people) become welcoming, so too will the not-so-welcoming towns by witnessing the good results that happen in the welcoming communities: natural alignment. It is the nature of life and society where people want the good things- to experience the good: aka God. Yet, they will experience at their own pace and willingness. That sounds a lot like the United Church of Christ??!!  

A Retrospective

Once we find success, we need not gloat or become boastful.

Once we find success, we must carry on to the next.

Once we find failure, we must carry on to the next.

Learn from your work, be thankful, we must carry on to the next.

That is the essential of the second part of the scripture.  

Even the missions could not believe their own faith had worked for them when they brought back stories of wonderful successes. Jesus gives them a retrospective of the graces given to them while also reminding them to focus upon the enduring work ahead of them.  

Power, faith and a good harvest that get used to force others into submission is a destructive mission to the greater mission.  Wealth, social status, religious ostracism (like against LGBT), terrorism (like Boston or Turkey), burning a Quran or systemic violence (like racism) are ugly versions of this where someone (or some people) used good fortunes via the Word of God to justify prodding anger, sheltering hate or inflicting pain.  

Nothing good becomes of “good” words and works when that is then used to harm any of God’s children (believer, non-believer or different believer).  

Thus, this lesson is not just for ministers, preachers and missionaries (or even good table manners.) This lesson applies to everyday people facing daily challenges and choices on how to take the good and the not-so-good. Do your work well, be open, respect, learn, reflect and prepare for the next.    

For us today, we are called into mission by Jesus to go forth, to share the message and to learn.  This is a mission that was started in Genesis where God commanded to “be fruitful and multiply”  where we have to look at what has been given to us and be willing to make the most of it. 

Jesus tells us to start somewhere and let that be your path. 

Jesus tells us to respect people that we do not know 

Jesus tells us to respect those that need to hear the Truth.  

Jesus tells us to respect those that do not want to hear the Truth today.  

Jesus tells us to empty our cups.

Jesus tells us to open our hearts and minds.

Jesus tells us to enjoy the meal in communion.

Jesus tells us to savor the moments we get. 

Jesus tells us to let the Word and the Way build.

Jesus tells us to be thankful!

This is how Jesus tells us to prepare the Way.

Thanks Be to God.

Not this day

Go ask Alice

is it obvious

downloading and waiting to load

historical hysterical

wary and awkward with none more

wheres the line

the horizon hidden by clouds and darkness

absence

wild resistance but unknown why

a catalyst or a realization of reduction, less options

to walk alone, to walk no where and to sit without purpose

to be used  and to use 

to cry behind an empty smile

to fain excitement for pathetic

disabled, loss of worth, loss of courage

a fiction and hallow words echo in chamber
click, look and amazed

to expose and to be exposed

tired and worn, a crisis

consequence of horror and memory of pain

Bridges burned and smoldering ashes in the field

tight and constricting with no more facades

resignation and resolve

I am the cause and I am the reason and I don't know why

Go ask the rabbit running down the hole again

exposed my fear and my desire 

response of uncertainty and unsure, ambiguous signs

what is the purpose what is the reason what was the cause

life and gods

imagine and perspective traps

thought I could share but not today

thought I could live but not today

thought I could sing but not today

thought I could feel but not today

a path to no where with no one and of no grace

alone, empty cup of coffee and hurtful chest

pills for what

to be involved but the scaffold is falling

logic flow and portion low

I have done what I could and built more with hope

the hope is false and then taken

why wait 

a decision considered, a decision made, a decision a guess really

no more distraction, no more expectation, no more interruption

no more need, no more obstacle, no more worry, no more care

no more

walk away and feel free 

learn and be peace

cry no more and wait no more for you have been released …

be comforted in that yours have found a way gone

an end, a restart for you

a sleep and rest for your work, 

feed your head

I will take your pain with me

Issues of 2016: An Abstract and Framework

Here is a list of what I consider high priority issues for the United States and its future.  I can expand on any of these, but I am releasing this summary edition for vetting and current discussion in the current presidential campaign season.  As a moderate,  there is some conservative and liberal thoughts in the mix, but these 14 points will be how I base my vote going forward.

1. Economic security (Taxes). This has many parts with the first being to put more money in more hands rather than the fewer.  Fairer taxes are a way to level the economics, but even more they help the middle class be strong because taxes can help to divert costs away from struggling families, like education and health care when they are applied correctly. Tax code should be simpler for all.  Taxes should include capital and security investments so that people cannot hide their duties from society so that "CEOs" wind up paying less percentage income tax than their workers. 

Further, the argument against taxing the wealthy more is weak also because the United States is doing major innovation and growth when those parts of society were much more taxed than they are today.  The wealthy are better when the middle class is getting bigger and better because more people can buy things with more “discretionary income”. The wealthy do not have to worry about necessities and costs because they have a discretionary income that the middle and especially lower classes do not have. Yet, when the middle and lower classes can spend money on more than just essentials, the whole society raises standards. In the reverse where money is concentrated to the few or when there is not enough, the economy slows down and people lose jobs. Taxes provide necessary funds for good schools, roads, security and incentives to build/repair infrastructure. When these essentials are not costs to individual family budgets, then those same people can buy other items and they have the education to grow if they so choose. 

2. Budget Deficits. Economic security requires proper budget management and discipline. The government can also encourage responsible use of money throughout the society by being more diligent of its own budgets. Remove unnecessary expenses from the government.  We do not need to keep funding expensive military engagements, we do not need to fund other country governments (we can help their citizens rather than the politicians), and we need more responsible use of Medicare, Medicaid and social security funds. If we mean to fund social insurance, then we must get better at managing these costs. Curb disability payments and provide incentives for people to get off the government payrolls.  End unnecessary farm and corporate subsidies to let the market reveal the worth of these services instead of the government.  

3. Personal responsibility. Personal responsibility may be more of an issue of culture than politics, but the “bully pulpit” of the White House can help influence this idea in ways that will benefit our future.  We need to reward people that move out of government dependence (including disability, welfare, food stamps) by offering real incentives to leave and stay out of those programs. Limits have to be placed on government dependence in order for it to be a “safety net” rather than a way of life for people. People that are working observe people that do nothing while getting government hand outs while the workers may get barely a thankful smile from a boss. Ignorance of law, or in-fact-laziness, on the part of people in this society should not be rewarded, and those that actually do work should not have to stand idly by while laziness is rewarded. If the United States values good work and ethical behavior, then reward that effort. 

4. Health Care. Health care costs still double every few years while inflation has remained relatively insignificant. Health care is the only industry that has been able to command quadruple increase in rates over inflation without much health care improvement for the masses. People still have to wait for weeks and in lines for a mere couple minutes of doctor time to be pushed back out the door along with “take these pills for the rest of your life (never mind the side effects)” without so much as “thanks for visiting.”  The health care system is getting better thanks to the ACA, but there is much more that can be done to make it more understandable to the public and goal-oriented to reduce the overall cost of health care. 

Further, health care should reward those (patients and providers) that work to minimize the costs via good and preventative lifestyle choices (exercise, proper eating, and non-sedentary living). 

5. Education. Education is critical to the future of the country.  Without proper education for all citizens, we miss out on the opportunity for the next generations to excel beyond us.  Are we so selfish in our interest that we would not leave a legacy of ambition, learning and resourcefulness to the next generations of Americans.  For too long, we have ate our fill of prosperity and forgot how that prosperity came to us.  We have a great nation today because we invested in education and libraries decades ago. We will have even better nation tomorrow if we continue that investment. If we want a better tomorrow, we have to focus public money on newer schools and colleges rather than newer arenas and stadiums. 

6. Military security. Another part of economic security is physical security. Remove the threat of ISIS and all other foreign influences upon American security.  Actually the problem is not ISIS or anyone half a world away. The real problem is our dependency upon the energy and oil supply they are near.  We need to remove our dependency upon oil reserves of the Middle East and then ISIS/Syria/Islamic threats against America will no longer have teeth.  We do not need to be there and other countries are doing fine without ruffling feathers there.  The more we shoot bombs, missiles, and guns at any Arab (or other foreign power), the more the cities of that part of the world will learn the U.S. is not really compassionate but instead “shoot first ask nothing later” policy.  Sometimes all the bully wants is attention, and we have been providing plenty of legitimacy and attention to these. South Korea, China and Japan should handle their neighbor North Korea. Further, if China, North Korea, or other power wishes to do something, they know they can captivate our attention and resources to be directed at supposed “terrorists” while they (the China or other power) go about doing what they really want to do because our attention is not where it is needed. Countries can patrol their own neighborhoods instead of us footing the cost. 

Again, the issue with foreign policy is unnecessary dependency upon unstable energy supply lines which ultimately impacts our economic security.  We can and should spur growth and innovation in the area of technology, energy production, and energy conservation.  If our country can understand how to build systems to send people to the moon, we can learn to harvest the best energy and resources in the solar system (not just Earth). The country that learns this capacity will be above and beyond all others in this globe. We cannot do this task if we stay mired in current energy dependencies and fund the high cost of military engagements. We cannot encourage the youth to look beyond today without an expansive effort to rethink and to soar to new heights (think of the Apollo or space shuttle projects) to captivate imaginative minds to spur science and engineering growth). 

7. Environment. The future of our country also is what we leave to our future generations in our environment.  If we use all of supplies today, we leave nothing for the future except empty promises. The ideals of Theodore Roosevelt have importance to this and the future set of generations to keep the natural beauty of our country as much as possible without the destruction of capital industry. It is a lesson also imparted by the Native Americans to us about what we leave for future generations. We can continue the growth of economy, but we have to be conscious of savings for future use. So the lesson is not just for beauty of national parks but heeding the Native American lessons because environmental protection is also a lesson of personal responsibility to save for the future. If use up everything today, we leave nothing for tomorrow.

8. Immigration. Immigration is keeping America strong and vibrant. Immigration provides people to this country from around this world where we (internally) have not increased our own population numbers via births.  Let our generation teach the immigrants of why America is so prestigious so that they can also teach the future immigrants.  Allow our borders to be open for lawful and abiding people.  For those that have escaped to America in refuge, let us not refuse them but be compassionate to them. For those that attempt to harm America while traveling under the guise of refuge, let them find the hospitality of our prisons. For those that have come here without regard to law, they have to be penalized for their lawlessness and excused only if they pay the penalties. Such lawlessness cannot be awarded with the sanctity of American citizenship without recognition of the awful work which they, the ‘illegal immigrants’, have circumvented. Others have had to pay and to endure to become Americans and amnesty is not fair to those people Illegal immigrants may become citizens when and if they pay the penalty of circumventing the law.

9. Religion. Remove religious fundamentalism from politics. Understand religion has an important part in public and private life, but government should not tell us what religion to believe, how to believe or if we should. An essential tenet of the 1st amendment is the right of citizens be free of government required or taught religion. This is also a bit of basic respect for each other’s individual thoughts and right to think because we come from different backgrounds. Remember that religion may provide good qualities in people, and it may also be used as an excuse for bad behavior or outright disrespect.  

10. Libertarian. Remove government from the lives of people as much as possible. Government is not the answer to democracy because government is only an arbiter and referee (e.g. the courts, fire, public needs, civil equity). Civil service can be respectful and further the good of public needs, but let us consider whether government should be engaged in some services that private firms (NGO or capital firms might do better). Government, by itself, does not create or build but instead provides the rules, standards, and enforcement for people to work and play in the marketplace/field fairly. Government of the Republic should not be in business of managing aspects of people’s lives, pensions or companies, and government cannot do business without unduly interfering with that fairness principle and this may include some current public welfare services. 

11. Worker rights. Both public and private work have their share of workers with poor ethics or just plain selfishness. Civil service may be viewed as a calling but like any other business or group, no calling can be an entitlement that is immune from scrutiny. Churches, government agencies, nonprofits, hospitals and such have to reveal their donors so that their organization purpose is clear.  Employment, via labor union agreements, must ensure that quality is a product of the labor as a continuous improvement effort otherwise the tax money is literally being wasted on disservices.  

Companies are not the only ones that can have an opinion because workers also have rights to express and organize. No company and no government can take those rights away. Workers have the right to organize and to help influence public discourse just like companies have the right to manage their needs. As part of personal responsibility, workers that organize should not be automatically given exception or preference to hire, promotion or even employee retention. Nostalgia for precedence (“the way we do things around here”) is not conducive to adaptability, to making needed changes or even to recognizing a need for change. When people understand the consequences of their actions or inertia, they then can also understand the reward of providing real value. 

12. Campaign season. Shorten the campaign season into a few months. We spend billions on television, radio, print and Internet for lost cause campaigns. Why couldn't some of that money be spent on public works instead public campaigning. By the time November has come around, the American public has been over inundated for over two years in empty promises with many current legislators not doing their paid jobs. 

13. Marijuana . Finally, guns and weed need to have proper respect in public.  I have written on this topic before. Marijuana is not as big of a threat to America any more than gambling and alcohol.  If our society means to accept the costs and problems of alcohol, tobacco and gambling, then rejection of these other intoxicants are hypocritical. Current legal intoxicants combined take a huge amounts of money, health and security away from people with an interest to encourage more by legal companies. Why wouldn’t we allow for people to find intoxication via smoking a joint or companies to make money selling these?

14. Guns. People have the right to build, to own and to carry a gun, and those that choose to do this also carry the responsibility of that choice.  We also know that more weapons available means more access and more ways to kill regardless of the responsibility taken. People without regard to public good can gain access to weapons just as easy as a “law-abiding” person interested in protecting the home. As long as criminals can gain access to these weapons, “law-abiding” people and law officers should also have access to protect themselves. Yet, there is personal responsibility of having or building a weapon (whether for ill or protection) and people have to realize the awful cost of taking the life from someone is part of that responsibility.  We know that mentally impacted people and felons should be limited access to the weapons, but who decides who is aware enough of that responsibility and when. Background checks can slow the flow of weapons, but people can and will circumvent the system if they want to gain or to sell a weapon without regard to any formal check.   

As a martial artist, one never reveals a weapon they are not prepared to use with deadly force. People that do not understand the awful task and responsibility of carrying deadly weapons should not carry them. Brazen display can expect brazen attitudes against such since display of weapons has and always will be a threatening affront to personal and public security. The reaction is to raise the stakes until, and including when, people end up dead. We return and devolve into “old-west” where civility is only at the grace of gun-totting hips, and people waving guns can expect to be targets of guns. Can people have conversations without resorting to violent action or the need for a gun? This can be impacted by our leadership being quick to guns (via the military) or if they are interested in civil conversation. 

Social Media for the Church

After a discussion question was posted in a ministry course, I felt it worth an effort to post some useful tips for ministers and church leaders to consider with respect to social media.  My professional background is heavy technology as a software engineer and I have been instrumental in helping to bring government, public and private organizations into the realm of social media and cloud technologies.

I did a brief look at several material posted online to "help" and persuade people to start doing social media for their respective churches. Most of these gave ideas for invoking types of social media in church communications and reasons why you should "be on social media" as a church. I found this to be dangerous notion without a serous and vetted plan as well as an understanding of what social media can do and what one should plan when invoking social media and cloud technologies. I will update with more information but wanted to get this started.  

First, I am reposting the post that sparked this particular posting/subject.

DQ:  After reading the various denominational guidelines for the use of social media, discuss how social media can limit your privacy as a pastoral minister. Make three recommendations for the use of social media by pastoral ministers.

As someone who works in technology and has helped major companies develop social media strategies, this question speaks to my expertise. Social media as an extension of the Internet (and in general as communication strategies) is an opportunity to reach out to people with a message and to influence a following. Social media comes with instant notification and projection of the messages (either to further the projection or in response to such).

1) Carefully Manage personal interactions – One issue with social media is how one is being portrayed online and the first part of that issue is up to the minister to portray a positive image online, as if anything that is said by the minister can be used for or against the minister. Thus, rational and careful use of wording, postings, likes, and associations can help to minimize potential embarrassments via social media. A simple understanding of personal impact to social media is to realize that once something is posted, forever will it be. Thus, anything that is posted online has to be considered as appropriate imagery of the minister or of that person’s work, preferably in a positive light. Gossip, hearsay, or confidences shared should be forbidden from a church’s or minister’s social media content.

Question of what about material posted prior to “maturity” as to what should be course of action for such things as “youthful” or otherwise unwise indiscretions that could find themselves in present conversations. A minister will need to be prepared to explain and if there is actual change from such previous immaturity. Of current life engagements, ministers will need to be conscious of actions displayed online where something like visual alcohol consumption may not look good for a church that has a dry campus or hosts 12-step meetings.

2) Use social media to learn about what people are saying about your church. Another is to be mindful of what people are saying about their congregation or church actions. Whether your church or organization active in social media, someone, somewhere, is already discussing stuff about you and the question is whether you want to be a part of the conversation or to help to influence that discussion. Using some of the social media strategies employed be many different organizations can be useful for understanding underlying feelings with respect to the church, pastor, staff or religion as a whole. Using hashtag references can help one monitor and guide specific conversations. Doing web queries for people discussing the church can be useful to finding out some general opinions. Social media can also be used as an extension of outreach from the church (provided the outreach is given some direction on how to use that communication and when a clergy (or other source) might be needed).

Caveat to point 2) Finding out what people are saying to the social media crowd may also reveal negative opinions being expressed. The question for ministers is how to use that information in constructive ways rather than to use it for purposes of condemnation or isolation of the person(s).

3) Use social media (cloud) to provide technology needs for the church while minimizing costs. Social media applications can be used to minimize the cost of technology and to allow more people to participate in or to coordinate groups for the church work. Dropbox, Google Groups/Drive, Facebook groups, and podcasts are just a few of the apps that can be used to organize information and groups within and for the church. Anything that is used with express purpose of expanding the church mission would need to be considered for conflicts of interests, participant expectations, privacy, governance, and scope of use for the application as it pertains to the church group. For example, our Chancel choir uses Facebook group to disseminate information about rehearsals as well as link to other groups that are performing similar pieces(e.g. YouTube recordings). Those bits of information are from the music director and the list is not used for any other purpose. No groups using social media, cloud or remote technology should be allowed to use the lists or church groups to distribute non-church related info (e.g. politics, sales, etc) and the leaders of these groups should be expected to adhere to this.

 ...  A question was then raised as to whether there are materials that I would recommend for church leaders as a text for implementing social media.  I posted this response.

I have strategy book (while for business may be broadly interpreted for non-profit and churches) ::
Baer, J and Naslund A. (2011). The Now Revolution: 7 Shifts to Make Your Business Faster, Smarter and More Social. Wiley:Hoboken, NJ

There are plenty of people that give advice and say to use Facebook and all, but to really maximize the technology use, one can go beyond the casual likes, postings and friending as part of social media. Let me look through my resources to find more of what you might be wanting.

There are a couple things to keep in mind and I would be happy to give guidance as well.

What is your communication strategy ?
how does social media channels fit in this and how does/would it tie back to your website, church groups and worship?
What are the policies of the church regarding technology use, dissemination, social media, whistle-blowing? (Consider the readings from [below] if you dont have one.)
What are your needs, that may or may not be solved by technology??

Below is a listing of on-line resources for social media use.

• Guidelines for Clergy Use of Online Social Networking (The Orthodox Church in America) http://oca.org/holy-synod/statements/holy-synod/guidelines-for-clergy-use-of-online-social-networking
• Guidance on use of social media for clergy (The Anglican Diocese of Hereford) http://www.hereford.anglican.org/churchgoers/communications_for_parishes/guidance_on_use_of_social_media_for_clergy.aspx
• Covenant Clergy and Social Media http://www.covchurch.org/resources/files/2012/02/Covenant-Clergy-and-Social-Media-Final.pdf
• Guidelines for the Responsible Use of Social Media for Virginia Conference Clergy and Religious Professionals (United Methodist) http://www.vaumc.org/ncfilerepository/MinServices/SocialMediaGuidelines.pdf

Changing Devotions and Perspectives: The Calling?

Changing Devotions and Perspectives II

Tony Dillon-Hansen

May 2014

As life progresses, we encounter ideas and perspectives that shape our current being.  The question of what is God calling me to do today is a mystery in a couple ways. There is a question about the existence of God or the premise of the deity’s personal interest in my path.  If there is such, what does that “calling” request of me? Finding Des Moines’ Plymouth Congregational Church on that path may yield clues to that request.

Through martial arts, study of Asian philosophies, and experience of Catholic teachings, I grew in strength with a sense of compassion for all people. Yet, the experience of being bullied, understanding religious hypocrisy and losing a child has wounded my once naïve compassionate sense of the world into a deeply questioning position of worth and purpose. There was little place for justifying the worth of religion. There is a question of the existence of a being that is directing the efforts and pathways in this world on any sort of macro or micro level. I will not pretend to witness God other than life exists with no explanation given, and I would hope that being has much more important things to attend than my lonely, trivial requests.

Perhaps, the entity has no interest in lording over people’s behavior (that would explain the ugly historical atrocities committed in the name of God or even without invoking such), and nature exists just simply as a manifestation of events. Parents and teachers of all stripes can easily attest to this where the point of lessons is to learn how to be autonomous. That we are here, today, in this environment, and one’s “ego in this bag of skin and bones” is a realization of something, and that people display that idea with virtual autonomy over own actions. Nature has many opportunities to learn about action and consequence, and proponents of chaos theory might suggest that “nature” is always ready to teach new lessons. That much is clear.

For all that has been boasted about God and religion, right, wrong, proper or foolish action ultimately requires one to do something, even if that something is nothing. The existence of God is very real to some people and to consider the absence of such, or of Lording qualities, would negate personal existence. So I would not know if God is calling me to do anything, but the position of where I am and where I have been has set me on a path that will yet change. The question is what was learned in the time and what can be imparted to others if anything.

There is a reason that I had to endure some things because as the Tao and the Buddha might suggest, one cannot possibly know good without knowing bad (and thus begins the 4 Noble Truths.) I can only hope that my path brings me towards better things and better places.  Experiences have helped to identify a proper course, and of course, chaos is always waiting to challenge that idea. With respect to chaos, a good fighter will tell you that strategy, flexibility and skillfulness are more useful than brute force attacks.  

With these ideas and if there is a calling, I became an ordained minister because a part of me still believes in compassion and honesty within human nature.  If there is a calling in the path, that is still a mystery to me. Yet, I found a great convergence of good teachings at Plymouth Congregational Church. 

I met with cynicism the first time that I heard the words, “No matter who you are; No matter where you are on life’s journey; you are welcome here.” As I heard subsequent sermons and discussions within and around the Church, there are people with critical thinking skills and people duly interested in expressing the compassion of humanity rather than hypocritical dogma and corrupt rhetoric. I can have reverence for the works and traditions of Church once again. That brought me home.

With Plymouth Church, I realized, for myself, that the purpose of church is to be a part of something that is larger than oneself, and I found more ways here to serve the community since many other organizations also meet at Plymouth. This place welcomes diversity and the purpose is clearly conveyed in order “to grow in love of God and neighbor.”  Church can be a place where people go to understand more about life and to do good work for your neighbors and community.  Thus, partially due to the tradition established in my youth, I actively serve in this Church because this Church expands its work into areas of the community that are in need of compassion (e.g. prisons, homeless, GLBT, and more), and they do not ask for a test when you walk in the door. This is close to what were my youthful ideas of the Church and the teachings of Jesus.

I still question the integrity of organized religion and God. I cannot un-live my experiences that caused questions and non-acceptance of my own senses, but maybe, I am not supposed to un-live them. My faith in people has been somewhat renewed by those involved with Interfaith Alliance and Plymouth Church. The mind has become quieter, acceptance of oneself is better, and possibilities are more positive. There is still more for me to do, and in what capacity that will be is what I have to find. That is the universal truth for everyone.  If there is a calling, it will take me somewhere better than I was and to go there with good people. If there is a calling, it has brought me here to this moment for a reason, and that is only a start of the next journey.