"Because Hezbollah has positioned itself as the "David" in this war, every day that the killing continues burnishes its reputation within the Arab world. Every day that more of the Lebanese infrastructure is turned to dust, Beirut's fragile democracy becomes weaker, both in its ability to function and in the eyes of its people.

The impact is not limited to Lebanon or Israel. Every day America gives the green light to further Israeli violence, our already tattered reputation sinks even lower. The reluctance of our closest allies in the Middle East even to receive Secretary Rice this week in their capitals attests to this fact.

It is time for the United States to step forward with the authority and balance that this moment requires." So wrote former Secretary of State Warren Christopher on the current crisis in the Mid-East. The following link, A Time to Act, will take you to the complete article in the Washington Post, printed on Friday, July 28th.

In a recent "Christian Century" article on the holy land, Shaul Magid a religious studies teacher and a Jew, commented on the Zionist movement and Jewish sovereignty over the holy land. He wrote, "In recent years, certain Jewish and Christian communities have proclaimed that exclusive Jewidsh sovereighnty over the holy land is a thrological right and necessity, a condition for the unfolding of the messianic era." He then points to previous theological understandings, posited by Martin Buber, that might offer a more plausible proposal for sharing the land. He wrote, "Buber argues that Zionism is, or can be, a unique national movement precisely because it is not based on national rights or a myth of origins, but on dwelling in a land that belongs to no one people precisely because it belongs to God. Israel's mission as caretaker is to make that land a place that mirrors its owner, thereby making those who dwell on it a people who reflect the divine." "Christian Century, July 25, 2006, p.24. Is not the source of most of the tension among Jews and Arabs stemmed from a dark theology of the land? Maybe they should read some Wendell Barry to get a richer perspective on the stewardship of the land.

Links

Today more than ever, the home is the primary place of faith development. It can and must become for families, a place of unity and solitude, a shelter and a source of strength. Parents must provide this for their kids' health and faith. It is the only place of refuge from the chaos we call 21st century North American culture. Lutheran writer, Marva Dawn, has two books that all sould read. "Keeping the Sabbath Wholly" and "Reaching out without dumbing Down". These books are edgy when it comes to anti-culture, but intelligent and thought provoking. I dare say, possibly life changing! At any rate, one of my callings is to equip families to live in safety and health under the loing rule of Jesus. I will provide resources for basic use in the home in order to instill faith, peace, joy, hope, and health---what the Jews call Shalom. A total wholeness that is Spiritual and physical.

For some initial faith in the home stuff, click on my "daily discipleship" link on the right.

discipleship at Zion

“If you put these instructions before the brothers and sisters you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished on the words of faith and of the sound teaching that you have followed.” 1 Timothy 4:6.
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 3:14-15

Disciples are called out to follow the Lord Jesus. God’s Word makes believers and disciples. They are trained and equipped in the works of ministry to which the church is called; to baptize and teach, to share the good news, to worship, pray, and study; to serve all people according to their needs, and to strive for justice and peace in all the earth.

Discipleship is a lifelong faith journey that begins with Holy Baptism and ends when God welcomes His people into the Kingdom of heaven. The journey is both personal and communal. The church is the collective body of pilgrims, making the journey of discipleship together.

So how do we make disciples? How do we invite people into relationship with Jesus, train them to follow Him, and free them to serve in His name?
I have given a lot of thought to our current ministry model. I think we can improve some things and be more effective in forming disciples. Here is my vision for Sunday morning learning beginning in September. Using a lectionary-based curriculum called “Seasons of the Spirit” we invite people of all ages to join us from 9:15 to 10:15 am. Every week, we gather in large group (all ages) in the sanctuary at 9:15 for an opening celebration. Pastor will lead it. The week’s lesson/theme will be introduced with prayer, song, and occasional skit. Then we break out into respective classes until 10:05. I envision four or five classes: pre-K, school-age (maybe two groups?), teens, and adults. We close with a summary and a blessing in the fellowship hall at 10:05. One of the gifts of using this material is that it ties us together through the lectionary readings, while also tying us to worship. Everyone will be studying the same stories throughout the year with developmentally appropriate material. And, the material can be used in a rotation workshop model for kids! A goal for 2006-2007 should be to increase participation on Sunday morning. Another goal may be to better equip people for ministry in daily life.

True Humility

"True humility doesn't consist of thinking ill of yourself but of not thinking of yourself much differently from the way you'd be apt to think of anybody else."-Frederick Buechner, "Listening to Your Life", p. 197.

For you

Welcome. Everyday I intend to share some thoughts for reflection that might somehow provide growth in your walk of faith. Please feel free to comment/dialogue with me on these things.

Baptisms

Yesterday my son, Luke, and four other children were baptized at Zion. Pastor Dave Fisher, assistant to our Bishop baptized my son. I did not ask him to do so because I am a heretic who believes that if I baptized my own son it wouldn't take effect or something. I asked him to do so, so that I could be his father and not his pastor.
I thought the celebration was wonderful yesterday. What did you think? Baptizing four kids is always awesome. I took the opporunity to preach on the power and grace of infant baptism. I tried to bring out the significance of the moment. I used the story of "The Lion King" as illustration of the two fold effect of baptism: to make one a child of God and to give that child a divine purpose and mission in the world. Since we were both baptizing and recognizing the affirmation of faith of four teens it was appropriate to utilize a story that sugggested both identity and mission as two sides of the baptismal coin. Often I think Lutherans have focused attention on the identity side of the coin, but have failed to deliver an inspiring sense of baptismal mission. I hope we teach both in our words and actions here.
Oh, and watch "The Lion King". The part where Simba sees his father reflected in the water and Rafiki says, "He lives in you," will give you chills. At the beginning of the movie the infant Simba is anointed with some kind of oil and dust. I immediately saw the connection between the anointing at Baptism and Ash Wednesday. WOW. Anyway, the themes of identity and mission found in the movie are outstanding. Not to mention the fact that it is one of Disney's best animated features. See it again I say!