Repetition . . . Repetition

Repetition is a most interesting thing - it simultaneously builds and destroys meaning.

It builds meaning when we take words, give them meaning and tell people to repeat them.  We say the pledge of allegiance or we sing the national anthem because it is important for a society to remember that we are American.  As Americans and we have a common goal of "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."  We repeat these things because these ideas slowly leak away when we don't consciously remind ourselves of their importance.

We can find this kind of 'meaning building' in the books we read, music we listen to or movies we watch.  If you are an atheist, you seek out words and lyrics and images that resonate with what you want to be reminded of.  Try it - the next time you hear someone talk about spiritual things or read someone's opinion about God or the Bible - if you wince, it is your conditioning that is pushing through your subconscious.  Those "words that scream for your submission" remind you of the awful meaning behind them.

However, repetition also destroys meaning.  Most of us when we were kids would marvel at how repeating a word over and over leaves you confused.  Say the word "fence" about 50 times and it is peculiar how your brain has a hard time figuring out what you are even saying anymore.  The same is true of a person who has been observing a liturgy for the last 50 years, knows the order of service by heart and yet the whole thing seems bereft of meaning anymore.

Maybe that is why Jesus never wrote a book.  Think of that . . . He never instituted a particular order of worship, organizational chart for the church or 3 step process.  No chants, postures or prayers (although there is the Lord's prayer, but even His was borrowed from Hebrew tradition - perhaps an indication of the simple kinds of things to pray for, not a formula).  Even in one of His more sacred moments - the last supper - Jesus reminded the disciples to take part in it, "as often as you do it . . ."

So how can it simultaneously build AND destroy?  Simple . . . it destroys the original meaning through repetition and it builds a new one in its place.  So what starts out in the beginning of the year as a set time to read the Bible first thing in the morning by June becomes something to cross off the list.  A passage from scripture honoring Mary becomes a spell we utter in times of trouble - similar to rubbing a rabbits' foot or clutching a four-leafed clover.   Maybe your church turns into a social club of people with similar political views.  Whatever it is, we need to be wary of repetition - it sneaks in like a thief and robs us of authenticity.

How do we escape the snare of repetition?  Action.  Live it out.  The Word is created fresh in each new Godly action.




Post Script:  Pop quiz: Tell me where - "words that scream for your submission" comes from . . .

What Children Remind us of . . .

Last week my wife was at the kitchen table putting together a list for groceries that we needed and thought she would ask the kids whether we needed anything at the store.

Do you know what it sounds like when popcorn starts to pop - one pop . . . then two . . . then three in a row . . . ?  That's what it sounded like coming from the next room:

"Candy."

"Donuts."   "Ice Cream!"

"Green beans for Aedan."

She should have known better to ask kids what to get at the store.  A flurry of giggles and random non-nutritious ideas popped furiously through the doorway and then a pause . . .

"Tyler broke my ribcage."

I just laughed inside - so grateful that our lives are punctuated by such random little beasts.  There is so much that they give to us and don't even know it.  That is why it is gratifying to be able to provide for them when they need it most.  Last night Aedan came into our bedroom late at night and looked so nervous. I told him to come over and tell me what the problem was.  It was more like, "Aedan . . . WHAT is the PROBLEM?"  Let's face it, no one likes to be awakened in the middle of the night.

He said, "I'm scared." So I asked him, "scared of what?"
And he said, "I don't know . . ."

It was then I knew that words were not the thing, I pulled him into bed and winged the covers over him and felt his little heart slow down.  All he needed was another person there with him in the middle of his fear.  I was so glad to be there for him - reassurance that someone else was awake and watching over you is a great comfort.

I love how kids remind us that in the midst of our chaotic and sometimes fearful lives, all we need is the subjective and un-provable (but very soothing) presence of our Father.  Someone whose presence we can feel in the middle of the night, when all we need is someone who is awake and watching over us.

The Four Horsemen of Wrong.

 Take a look at these four men . . .

So who are these guys?   Bank heist mastermindst?  Wall Street tycoons?  Environmental activists?  Four men who picked their prescriptive eyewear in the late 1980’s?  - (although that certainly is true, it is not what I am after).  

    They are in fact Bible scholars  - Niels Peter Lemche, Thomas Thompson, Philip Davies and Keith Whitelam.  They are scholars of what has become known as the 'Minimalist' school.  Basically they hold that the Old Testament stories are myths invented by Bible writers.   Since these researchers couldn't find any archeological remains that mention the names of prominent Biblical figures, the Bible must be nothing more than fanciful tales invented by priests and religious types. 

The problem is that they are  . . . sorely mistaken. 

    About 20 years ago, other researchers found inscriptions of the Bible characters like King David and other notable Old Testament personalities from the 9^th century BC.  These are just two examples here of King David mentioned outside the scriptures . . .

    Other examples of extra-Biblical support of the names and places written in the Bible began to be produced.    It has been demonstrated over and over with artifacts, timelines and history that the Old Testament is not a collection of myths, but historically accurate.  In fact this month’s copy of Biblical Archeology Review claims the Minimalist view they hold is dead.  Yes, dead.  Not many science-minded publications make those kinds of definitive claims, so when BAR did, it is worth noticing.

    Of course this didn’t convert these researchers from their beliefs.  They persist in the idea that these inscriptions are perhaps names of towns or that perhaps the dating on them is not accurate.  BAR scathingly calls this refusal to accept that they were wrong as “paradigm-collapse trauma.”  Ouch. 

    Well, just saying “way to go BAR” for continuing your work in showing us that the Bible (while not God or an idol) is a pretty amazing and historically accurate book.

Job #1 - Summer Vacation

It is May 10th - do you know where your summer is?

Thanks to our diluvian spring which dumped 5 feet of rain on us every Saturday with highs in the 40's we were robbed of Spring.  No gentle bird chirping, no sense of a warm breeze that blew in one day to remind us that winter is leaving.  No, the dial went from winter to summer to Seattle to now which is something like spring but no one has vegetable gardens started.

All this to say that summer is coming.  And I don't mean like, "yay!  summer is coming" I mean you better get serious about your first job as a person who takes their life seriously.

You need to have a plan for summer vacation.

If you are a dad, you need to plan at least one family vacation and one getaway with each of your kids individually.  I know, for some of you this could mean 5 vacations . . . but in this case it looks like this: 1 week of family vacation and then a Friday night to Saturday night with the youngest in June, a Friday to Sunday morning with the middle one in July and maybe a Saturday to Sunday night with the oldest in August.  Get creative.  Go on roadtrips - just literally leave your development and ask your kid "right or left" for the next couple of hours and see where it takes you.  Bring a tent (make it a little less expensive on yourself).  Trust me, they will remember the mini-mart dinners and the pizza you ate for breakfast.

If you are a teen, you need to exploit this time in your life - young and cash-strapped.  Grab a couple of your friends, bum some camping equipment from parents and friends of parents and spend a weekend hiking the Appalachian Trail.  The closest access is up in Lebanon - google it.  If your boss tells you that you can't because you have to work - get perspective.  If you are going to spend the rest of your life serving tables at Masonic Village, then you better worry.  Otherwise, give your boss plenty of notice and get camping.  If that really ticks the boss off and he fires you, don't worry - you only needed money so you could get gas so you could work so you could get money so you could get gas so you could get to work . . .  you get the point: you have the rest of your life to work.  Be young and poor.

If you are a mom with kids - make the small things fun - proclaim every Friday night pizza and movie night.  Make homemade pizza and grab a movie at redbox.  Or on a very hot night, wake the kids up at 10:00pm and take them to the backyard where you have tiki lights, a sprinkler under the trampoline and sparklers going.  Mess with their heads.  They'll think you have gone nuts.  Exactly.

The point is that summer comes up on us so quickly that it becomes August before you know it and you wished that you had done something out-of-routine.  You have to clear your schedule tonight.  Sit down at the kitchen table with paper and pencils and brainstorm some great things to do this summer.  Here are a few:

1.  Pull truck-tire tubes from the recycling bin at a tire place - take them to a big creek and float.
2.  Camp in your backyard with your kids
3.  Go to Hawk Mountain for a day of hiking.
4.  A Day at Ocean City New Jersey (Luray Manor is a nice, simple beach Inn owned by the Vanderpools on 7th Street. Lodging is between $63-$93 per night peak season 609-399-5260).
5.  A Day in New York City (drive to Staten Island and park for a fee, but then ride the S.I. Ferry across to Battery Park in NYC for free - it goes past the Statue of Liberty - very cool).
6.  Rickett's Glen State Park - 22 waterfalls, the longest one is 94 feet - super park!  http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/rickettsglen.aspx
7.  Take a bunch of friends to Philly for the Day and explore South Street and then go to a Phillies Game.
8.  Long's Park for an evening of Ultimate Frisbee and then Ritas.  Repeat every Friday night.
9.  Rent a boat at Raystown Lake.
10.  Take a day trip to Roundtop - they have a ball you can climb inside and roll down a hill.




But you can come up with better ones.  Remember:  Think MEMORIES - not price tag or inconvenience.  Work within a budget, but have fun with the people you love!  If you plan it tonight and get on it - you will breathe a sigh of relief come August . . . because this summer . . . you lived!
 

My experience in the alternate universe of tweendom

There is a philosophy that says that our ultimate fulfillment happens in the absence of stimulation - that we are searching for serenity and calm.  Fishing, watching ballet or meditation are examples of this human need to empty one's self of noise.

Then there is the philosophy that says we seek stimulation as a means to feeling alive and knowing what truth is.  Roller coasters and rock concerts are examples of this way of thinking.  Essentially, the more that you allow your senses to be overloaded, the more you realize the truth is beyond your physical self.

If the latter is the case, then my experience tonight with 5th ,6th ,7th, and 8th graders at LCBC's student ministry outing called "Compassion 365" has made me a Zen master.  Seriously, we're talking Yoda status.

The whole evening was to celebrate that hundreds of tweeners donated enough supplies for families in the Harrisburg area for 365 days.  It was momentous to realize what these young people did.  And what a party was had!  After sending the trailer off with the donated supplies, there was a concert, ice cream sundaes, live "Angry Birds", photo booths and tons of soda.  And then we took them bowling . . . can you picture the mayhem of hundreds of middle schoolers bowling?  I personally witnessed a young man hurl himself through the air at another student in ninja fashion whispering (loudly) "Unicorn Man!"

I checked my league rules . . . I am pretty sure that doesn't have anything to do with bowling.

I saw students order snacks from the snack bar and then walk off having forgotten they placed an order.  Like fish, they are renewing their consciousness every 15 minutes.

My favorite part was on the way home - I had such a fun time getting to know a half dozen 5th graders, but I am used to getting to know individuals on a shared-attention basis.  That doesn't work with tweens. Essentially I held 6 conversations at once.  It was amazing:

One girl was screaming a riddle to me about two people that wound up being shot and I had to figure out how.  At the exact same moment, over the din of 60 other students, road noise and every window being down on the bus, a young man kept tapping me on the back apparently excited to share his own riddle. At exactly the same moment a group of girls decide to sing "Friday" by Rebecca Black.  About one second later (in the midst of the rest of it) I felt something plastic make contact with my left ear and a tinny rendition of some teen pop song began blasting in my head (apparently the girl behind me thought it was the best moment to expose me to her favorite song).

I literally laughed out loud.  I was having an out-of-body experience.  It was uncontrollable.  All of my ideas of philosophy and theology - spirit, substance, energy, sense and nonsense - all being played out in front of me.  No, it was more like I was treading the choppy waves of youthful vigor and was starting to get mouthfuls of water.  What else could I do but laugh?  It was too much and yet I loved it all.

You can't be a control freak and ride one of these busses.  No, that would be Hades for you.  You sort of have to go with it.  And that is what I did.  And in the midst of it, I was blessed to feel the some of the currents of the next generation.  And I was glad to be a part of the student ministry team at LCBC that 'gets it' about students.

And I am not sure, but I definitely want to look into whether the laughter I experienced comes from God.  Sounds right.

The haze of suspicion

There are people that are clamoring for the proof of Osama Bin Laden’s death.  As if producing a photograph of the leader post-mortem is going to silence those who are suspicious of the event.  No way that is going to happen . . .  because radical ideas can linger in the haze of suspicion. 

You could say that the same kind of thinking is alive and well in the mind of the religious.  People who follow Christ have ignored the ‘fact’ that no one has or ever will raise from the dead.  The idea of faith and of Christianity remains in tact by ignoring this obvious conclusion.  To some, the haze is just as thick.

But we can’t forget the very opposite may also be the case.

Perhaps it is because of knowing about the very fickleness of human nature that God is not in the business of cataloging details about the resurrection.  Perhaps it is the profound unerstanding of human nature that led the entire resurrection planning and event to ignore the need for ‘proofs’ because in the end, it isn’t the objective proofs that really establish anything.

In the end it is what we experience as a result of the resurrection that gains the most credibility – the way it influences the trajectory of our lives.  That is the LIVING proof.

Maybe that is why God is not as impressed with crosses that hanging from our neck as he is with a transformed life.  Where we used to be selfish, now we think of others.  Where we used to get even, we now release and where we once celebrated the death and resurrection of the Son of God we allow His new life to be lived through us.  We are . . . born again.

And in the end, isn't that the proper way to celebrate a man’s death?

The gift of 10 years

Osama Bin Laden was given the gift of ten years to process what he did to innocent people and change his ways.  Some people think that was too long.  I am grateful that we have a God who extends that kind of mercy to even the most criminal of us.  What an amazing gift - ten years to repent.

But he squandered it.

I can't imagine what it must have felt like to be him.  How could you live with the shadow of that in your life?  I remember getting in fights with kids in elementary school and wincing as I punched them in the nose.  One kid's name was Joey Oaks.  For some reason we wound up in a fight and I really did a number on him.  My friends and older brother were cheering me on as I pounded on him, but then afterward I really felt bad . . . really bad.

Now magnify that by 10 million.

Imagine being responsible for 9/11.  I know, there was a lot of high-fiving in the upper ranks of the radical Muslim community, but what about the in-between times?  What about the times that Osama looked into the eyes of little children.  Do you think that he didn't see the CNN reports of innocent people dead?  Did he not know that little children were now missing parents?  Did he really give thanks to God that people jumped to their death from eighty and ninety stories up?  Is it possible that he had weak moments in which a part of him felt uneasy or wrong about what he did?  As a human, did he feel the weight of what he just did?

How could you not have dreams about thousands of voices brought to silence in one moment?  How could the psyche bypass the weight of it all?

What about God?  Was He working on Osama as well?  Was there some kind of inner turmoil that was lit by the Almighty?  Did God attempt to reclaim one of His children from the darkness of hate?  Perhaps God allotted almost ten years to this task in hopes of repentance.

Then his time simply ran out.

Make use of the time that you have, friend.