The WELL

"My deepest belief is that living as if you are dying sets us free." -Anne Lamott Is it possible that the notion of eternal life has shortened the life of many Christians?  By 'life', I don't mean lifespan, but rather, the actual living and the fullness of life.  Are some Christians settling, rather than pushing, fighting, toward the mark?  This 'mark'  is not an actual destination so much as it is designation.  The called out are not trying to get somewhere but the called out are trying to accomplish something.  If we have lived with 'heaven in our view' only to live more beyond this life, then we have missed the message of the Resurrection.  We must live as though the cross is before us.  If I must suffer the cross, if I must die, I most certainly want to die knowing that my life meant something, not in the sweet bye and bye, but in the life of my neighbor.

Today's lectionary Scriptures share a common thread: Good News! Isaiah 40:21-31, Psalm 147:1-11, 20c, I Corinthians 9:16-23 and Mark 1:29-39. In the New Testament passages, we see Jesus being the Good News through healing and deliverance, but we also see his desire to share the Good News to as many people as possible. The Pauline writer, though a bit weary, shares the same desire. In the Psalm and in Isaiah, there is a 'blessing inventory' given, good news. In the midst   of so much bad news in the world, and even in our own families, it is a blessing to be able to reflect on some of the good stuff. It's wonderful to receive and unexpected phone call that brings good news. FYI: We are called to make some of those phone calls. We gossip, we complain, we chime in on the negative, but we must remember our 'commission' to go and tell folks something Good. When we struggle with finding good and doing good, we need to 'wait for the Lord'. We are not waiting fo...

When you gather the grapes of your vineyard, do not glean what is left; it shall be for the alien, the orphan, and the widow. (Deuteronomy 24:21 NRSV) Here is just one example of 'sharing' in the Bible.  Interestingly enough, the guidelines and qualifications for those who might gather the leftovers are somewhat vague.   Any alien from anywhere, any orphan orphaned for any reason and any widow, no matter how cranky.  They are essentially deserving of this kindness and generosity because they are in need at that moment.  I imagine that some of the aliens took more then their share.  I am sure that some of the orphans were old enough to get jobs.  Some of the widows were probably young gold diggers who married old rich guys who were sickly.  The system just doesn't seem fair.  It would be great if this was an 'everybody does the right thing' kind of world, but it is not.  Honestly, most systems can be abused.  That should not be reason e...

Lately, I have been 'running into' vehicles that have paint on their back window.  Typically, I would expect to see "Go, Texans" or "Way to go, Bobby!" or  "Tigers, all the way to state!"  Instead, the slogan of the day: "Jesus loves this city."  And then there is some random scripture quoted which I am sure does not mention Houston, Texas or even Pearland, Texas, at all.  So what's up with that?  Simple answer: nationalism is once again confused with Christianity by 'well-meaning,' poorly theologized Christians.  I hesitate to call them Christians.  Honestly, they are not even 'wannabes'.  You have to know what the title means to really wanna wear it.  Sadly, many churches do not teach Christianity 101; instead, they skip right to Church Stuff 101.  Big difference.  How about Micah 6:8 or Isaiah 58: 5-7?  Or Mark 7: 1-9 and Luke 19: 41-43.  I John 4:7-9 really says it all.  "God is love."  And love looks li...

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