Happy Friday
Our thinking about God should always be done in the shadow of the cross.
Quiet #38: Sheri and I spent part of last week in Michigan. Our trip started at the Ford Presidential Library in Grand Rapids. Having visited the libraries for Eisenhower, Kennedy, Nixon, Reagan and Clinton, we know the president (and his advocates) control the narrative – e.g., there is little at Nixon’s library about Watergate or at Clinton’s about Monica – you show up knowing this. Ford had his issues (not very exciting, lots of vetoes, the pardon of Nixon) but you come away really liking him. His understated library gives off a low-key, honest, stabilizing vibe. It’s hard to say much about Ford without it seeming like it’s a comment on Trump. But the Ford Library reminds you of what quiet and calming leadership looks like.
My Dad / Union City: After the Ford Museum we went to Union City to accept an honor for my late father. Union City – a small Michigan village located not far from Battle Creek (next to Hodunk and Cold Water if that helps) – is where my Dad grew up. If he ever talked about being on an undefeated, untied high school football team, I missed it. But when he was a sophomore their high school football and basketball teams had perfect seasons. I had not been in Union City for fifty years. I wanted to get back while some people who remembered him could show me around. It was great, and made better by the fact that two of my cousins – who I had not seen in fifty years – were there in honor of their Dad (my Uncle) who was on the same team.
Worth Pondering: Jesus disappointed his family, his friends, the disciples, the crowds and the religious leaders. It wasn’t that he was selfish. He simply knew who he was, who God was and what mattered.
This Week’s Sign of the Apocalypse: A study was done on the effects of talk radio. For three months, those on the left listened to radio hosts on the right, while those on the right listened to those on the left. The result? Those on the left moved a bit further to the left, and those on the right moved a lot further to the right.
If You Need to Laugh: When the stresses of life and ministry overwhelm me, I pray and go for a long run. (Note: “long” used to refer to distance. Now it refers to the time it takes me to run a not so long distance). That is usually enough. When it’s not, I look for something that will help me laugh. The next time you’re looking for something along those lines, click here.
Fake News: I recently read that twenty percent of news stories are “fake.” That seems high. Indeed, if you avoid the tabloids, Alex Jones and The Onion, that seems really high. Which made me think: the claim that twenty percent of news is fake news, is fake news. Which led me to think, maybe twenty percent isn’t high.
Self Awareness: An awareness of yourself is critical for a healthy, growing relationship with God – so says everyone:
- How can you draw near to God when you are far from your own self. Augustine, 400 AD
- No one can know God who does not first know himself. Meister Eckhart, 13th century
- Almost all problems in the spiritual life stem from a lack of self-knowledge. St. Teresa of Avila
- Our wisdom consists almost entirely of two parts: the knowledge of God and of ourselves. But as these are connected together with many ties, it is not easy to determine which of the two precedes and gives birth to the other. John Calvin
Other Quotes Worth ReQuoting:
- Sick families don’t have friends, they have secrets. Jack Deere
- It is not the strength of our faith, but the object that actually saves us. Tim Keller
Text Don’t Call: In 2012, we sent 14.7 trillion text messages. Last year that number grew to 28.2 trillion. If you care to read about this – i.e., learn why texting is still cool whereas email is not!– click here.
Prayer Requests: We kick off the fall series – What If: Conversations for a Better World – this weekend. I’m excited. Our organizational work around launching a second-generation Hispanic service is ongoing.
Closing Prayer: Pardon us, O Lord, pardon us. We beg to shift the blame for our sins, we make excuses. But no one can hide himself from the light of your truth, which both enlightens those who turn to it, and exposes those who turn away. Even our blood and our bones are visible to you, who created us out of dust. How foolish are we to think that we can rule our own lives, satisfying our own desires, without thought of you. How stupid we are to imagine that we can keep our sins hidden. But although we may deceive other people, we cannot deceive you. And since you see into our hearts, we cannot deceive ourselves, for your light reveals to us our own spiritual corruption. Let us, therefore, fall down before you, weeping with tears of shame. May your judgments give new shape to our souls. May your power mould our hearts to reflect your love. May your grace infuse our minds, so that our thoughts reflect your will. Amen (William of Saint Thierry 1065 – 1148)