Inner Journey

I think the liturgical season of Lent, which begins with Ash Wednesday, is one that bears spiritual fruit for individuals and communities. Except, that the fruit comes much later, and perhaps not so much in the midst of the season itself. Take this image for example. The artist is Karen Eckmeier, of "Quilted Lizard" (linked to the title of this entry).

The piece lacks vegatation, really any sign of organic growth. The colors signify to me a dry place. But there is motion, which the title affirms. There is a path, a journey, which is the metaphor I often use when describing this season to people in my congregation. Yesterday I decided to count the stones in the path. Low and behold, there are forty stones if I got it right. The Lenten journey is forty days.

Salute Jamtland

Grandpa came from Sweden. His childhood was spent in the territory called Jamtland, which is a place of curiosity. I would like to some day visit that area. From what I've heard and read, Jamtland was a particular part of Scandinavia which had been in dispute. For a time, both Norway and Sweden claimed Jamtland. The residents still hold an independence parade, rather in jest, but it still makes a point. What an interesting history. Grandpa died before he could tell me any stories about his childhood. Yet, I have a copy of his stories from early in life, which he dictated to his wife Lucille. The stories are in her handwriting. What a treasure.

By the way, I was in McCall Idaho a few weeks ago, and met a Swedish family. They had just moved to Idaho from Sweden and were looking for a new opportunity, and so decided Idaho was the place! I told them where my grandfather was born, and one of the family members said, "Oh they're crazy up there."

Speaking of Faith

From my perspective, radio will never go out of style. There is so much pleasure and benefit from this medium. One can think casually about what is being heard, while watching and thinking about another thing (like blogging, wood carving, and cooking).

This program is called "Speaking of Faith." It has a gentle and deep way of speaking about ideas, faith experience, and mystery. I've been fed by the program regularly. I'm a pastor, and I've become much more aware over the years of my need to participate in sabbath, be a listener, confess my sin, be held by the Spirit of Christ and the community of faith. Yes, I am one who "feeds" others to the best of my ability (the Spirit of Christ is really the actor here), but the human reality of who I am is also a factor. My energy is not boundless. I am not resolute. I am a broken person speaking with broken speech to broken people.

I encourage you to check out this radio program. I just download it to my iTunes. It's a free podcast. High quality and thoughtful. We could use as much thoughtfulness as possible.

Exploitative Economy v. Local Economy

Reading out of my first Wendell Berry book, "The Art of the Commonplace." It's a collection of essays on various topics, but is quite "hard hitting" when he comments about the dominant culture of this modern nation and other "developed" countries. The basic assessment is that through creative energy, those in power have utilized inventions that provide convenience, to exploit people they consider "below" themselves in status. Modern conveniences have separated those who rely on them from the earth, which had for thousands of years proven to be enough sustenance for individuals and their households. Now over-consumption has begun to threaten the existence of earth herself, if not at least humanity. This man marvels at raw creation (nature) and is repulsed over machines and an economy in which we have persuaded ourselves that these modern conveniences are "necessary."

Raise Your Spirit Higher

"Wenyukela" (Raise Your Spirit Higher), Ladysmith Black Mambazo

I have this album, and this is the title track.  Most of these tracks are great, even the out-of-left-field "Fak' Ibhande" (Don't Drink and Drive): "Brothers and sisters, don't drink and drive... we still need you..."

Most of the tracks are Christian spirituality.  And perhaps it's with this commonality (I'm a Lutheran pastor) that I find joy and kinship with this S. African a cappella group.  I think they have mature relationship with the earth.  What I mean by "earth" is land, even soil.

Jim Wallis, of the commentary magazine and ministry Sojourners, has recently said what has come to be obvious to me (once he said it), that American Christians have more in common with Christians from around the world than we likely have with our next door neighbor.  In this world crisis of fearfulness and bloodshed, non-geographic communities are showing distinction.

Is this a faith-response to the fundamentalist cells we know exist in all corners of the world?  Are there "peace cells?"

hi family

i'm curious about family members from my grandmother's generation. i've not kept up good contact with most of my dad's cousins, and so I decided finally, at the age of 36, that I would start writing letters. tonight i wrote to Elaine and to Arlyne. I asked them to tell me something about their parents. the link associated with this posting shows many family members and their relation to one another. much of the information has been concealed for those who are still living.