Time and Space

There are a couple of things that we all have available to us: time and space. What we do with those two things depends almost entirely upon the choices we make. We are constrained only by whatever abilities that we have been given.

Time is perhaps the most equally distributed gift that there is. Other than the day of our birth and the day of our death, we all get 24 hours each and every day. What we do with those hours are ultimately our choice.

Most of us submit to an authority of some sort. Children to parents, students to teachers, workers to bosses, spouses to their marriage, etc. As Christians we follow Christ in submitting to God. All these relationships create some order in how we spend our time, but they are choices that we make. There is opportunity for rebellion in all these relationships as well.

Based on where we have chosen to spend our time, we find ourselves in a variety of spaces. Our day of birth again defines where we start, but we start working on our choices pretty quickly. Even as babies we can make our feelings about our personal space pretty clear. As soon as we become mobile, we can change the space we choose to occupy ourselves.

We have at least a whole planet we can get around on fairly easily. Many choose to stay in the country they were born in but may move to different regions. We keep making choices of cities, neighborhoods, buildings, rooms, furnishings, and clothes that define the spaces around us.

Our choices of time and space are based on what we want to do. We can use our time or waste it. Our space may make it easier or more difficult to accomplish what we want. These are our choices.

Look at your schedule, your very own definition of your time and your space. If it is not getting you where you want to be, you need to make some changes. To do that you need to make some choices.
- Think about God's plan for your life
- Think about your current commitments to family and friends
- Think about how work or school is helping you accomplish what you want

Choose wisely. We get another day every day. Usually.

Be Blessed!
Michael

Faith AND Action

If you have spent much time at all in a community of faith, you have probably heard something, sometime about faith and action. This is another one of those times. In the second chapter of James, we are told very explicitly that "faith by itself, if not accompanied by action, is dead." Jesus often explained to his followers the connection of faith and action, especially in the case of new believers making a change, coming forward, asking for healing, doing something different.

We are creatures of habit. It is very easy to get into routines that can last even decades. If they are good habits, then great. But more often the word "bad" seems to be associated with habits. This can be tragic when we let empty or bad habits define our faith. They may technically be actions, but if they don't move us in our faith, they really are not doing us any good.

Last Sunday we celebrated two groups that took some action. One group, our newly confirmed class of congregation members, have just spent months doing something. They have been learning about and trying out new ways to experience their faith. As they spoke their vows, it marked not an end, but a beginning. This group of young people has changed our congregation as they have changed their own understanding of faith.

The other group was our 50-year members. They have literally been a part of this congregation from the beginning. When the groundbreaking for our first building took place, we changed the community of Woodway. These people could have comfortably stayed where they were. But that was not where they were called to stay.

There are times when our faith may wear thin and we struggle with the meaning behind it all. Following through with the actions of our faith can help us through those times. There are times when our actions don't seem to make a difference and we feel like we are wasting our time. Focusing back on our faith, the reason that drives our actions can help us power through when we are not seeing or feeling results.

Being in a community of faith helps with both faith and action. Choose to connect and spend time with people that can help you focus on each of these things. When I feel like my faith is lagging, I have friends that can boost me with a new focus for my thoughts or my action. When I feel like my actions aren't doing enough, I can always find someone that shows me how they are finding connection.

Though faith and actions ultimately come down to the choices we make as individuals, experiencing both in community is how Jesus showed us that it works best. We've got plenty of ways to connect to both faith and action here at Woodway FUMC. Make a commitment to yourself TODAY to more closely follow Christ and to help others to more closely follow Him as well.

Be Blessed!
Michael

What Is Your Faith About?

I've been having some online conversations with a group of atheists on and off over the last few weeks. If you have ever wanted to clearly figure out what your beliefs come down to, have a conversation with someone who does not share your point of view. I try to put quite a bit of effort into understanding my own faith and I think this has been very productive.

Notice I said conversation, not argument. There has been a lot of arguing that has taken place, but that is not the productive part. Getting past the disagreeable parts has been difficult, especially when God is referred to as "your imaginary friend," or "your sky-daddy." When you can find a way to overcome those kind of limitations and get to what your faith is about, it feels like progress.

There are a lot of definitions that have to be agreed upon: faith, evidence, experience, revelation, knowledge, valid, proof, belief, etc. Most of the differences of opinion on the terms come from very different ways of looking at the same concepts.

I had entered the overall debate by correcting some errors in the use of scripture, writing "There is a big difference between being a follower of Christ and a literal biblical fundamentalist. The took considerable exchanges to sort out, but has resulted in some actual conversations between a few individuals. One conversation finally came around to what I actually believed or based my individual faith upon. I replied: "Chapters 5, 6, 7 of the gospel of Matthew and Mark 12:28-34 are a good place to begin." When asked if that was all there was to it I followed up with His public teachings in all four gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John) would be the best place to begin. If that doesn't do anything for you, nothing else I can say would matter."

I guess what I have learned in this exchange is that we should not expect someone to come to faith by losing an argument. We must find a way to show in the way we live our lives that our faith makes a difference and should be worth looking at.

Perhaps it is only a desire to follow that begins the real process of faith.

Be Blessed!
Michael

Weekly Grind - You Say You Want A Revolution

Last weekend I went with some friends to see a show called The Beatles - LOVE. The music was incredible and the choreography was overwhelmingly delightful at times. Some in our group were already big Beatles fans and those that see this show usually become bigger fans than they already were. One friend pointed out that whenever Beatles music that hasn't been released before is found, it outsells any new music that is being made today. At this point we're talking about the extras tracks and B side stuff that wasn't "good enough" for release when it was originally made. This from a band that hasn't been together for about 40 years.

At the height of their popularity they made some statements and engaged is some behavior that didn't exactly fall in line with what one might call a life of faith. They were young and the 60's were a time of trying out many new ideas that didn't fit what was considered normal. But one of their most endearing songs, "All You Need Is Love" ends with these lyrics. "And, in the end, the love you take/ Is equal to the love you make." A common theme in their music is for people to come together in spite of differences.

Due to the slow economy, there were some very low-priced travel packages to get to Las Vegas to see the show. While there, we did a lot of people watching. Vegas has done much to earn it's title of "Sin City" but it is also a place where people also earn a living and raise families. I was most intrigued by a group of people from a church that were handing out flyers that while pointing out that "God sees you first as a sinner" there was hope if you would follow their quick set of instructions and join their church. I guess that does fit a town that markets to the possibility of instant wealth.

I do look for strange opportunities for faith. Over the last couple of weeks, I've been having some conversations with a group of atheists about faith. They maintain that the bible is full of contradiction, religious leaders are ignorant and manipulative, and that there is no proof for the existence of any deity. I used to question faith from a very logical point of view so this has been an interesting exchange.

In one of our last sessions, I was exploring the idea of what makes you even look for God. I said, "Whether or not a person even entertains that as a possibility depends on how they look at the question, "Why am I here?," perhaps even more basic would be "Why am I thinking?"
The reply was, "Both questions can be answered, scientifically, without the need for a god. Or, if you choose to continue asking 'why?', you merely have one more step before 'I don't know' than I do. Your god."

I then thanked him for his observation.

Jesus Christ was a revolution.
Be part of that.

Be Blessed!
Michael

Weekly Grind - Faith Theory

I think about faith a lot. I write about faith a lot. I talk about faith a lot.

I talk to a lot of people about faith.

I talk to teenagers and to younger kids.
I talk to adults my age, ones that are older, and ones that are younger.
I talk to people who are sure they understand faith and those that wonder.
I talk to people who have been at it longer than me and shorter.
I talk to people who are in church and those who are out.
I talk to people who love faith and those who do not.
I talk to people who look at faith as a to do list and those who see it their life.

Everyone has their own theory of faith. If that word theory feels iffy to you, don't let it throw you off. All that means is that is that we all have an understanding of our own faith that answers certain questions. The questions are up to you. It could range from "What do I do on Sunday morning?" to "Why am I here on earth?" It could range from "Why am I so blessed?" to "Why doesn't God just stop all the pain and suffering in the world?"

How confident you are in your faith theory will also determine what kind of questions and answers you may listen to from the faith theory that someone else may have. Our questions and answers may be able to exist mixed together, simply side by side, or not work together at all. Lots of things can happen: feelings have gotten hurt, doubts have been erased, congregations have divided, cultures have changed, and wars have been fought. All in the name of faith.

I would encourage each of us to make sure that we have the answers we need. Be confident with what you know and be ready to explain it to some else who is searching. If someone questions you, be ready to defend it, but also be ready to learn. Part of my faith theory is that God is not afraid of any questions, but He may be concerned with the answers we accept.

Be Blessed!
Michael

Weekly Grind - This Is It

Easter.

This week is it.

There are a lot of things that go on throughout the year of the church, but this week is what everything comes down to. On Easter Sunday we celebrate, and I mean CELEBRATE! Jesus making the difference for us all.

He was a good kid.
He was a good man.
He was a good friend.
He was a good teacher.
He was a good healer.

He was dangerous.
He shook things up.
He inspired change.
He attracted fear.
He attracted hate.

What He did,
What He taught,
All came from love.

Some people got it,
Many did not,
And so each journey continues today.

Even if He wasn't God,
He would be worth following.
But He always was,
And He always is,
And He always will be.

He saved us all,
Whether we want it or not,
Whether we know it or not.

May we all find the strength to move toward Him and what He gave us.

Be Blessed!
Michael

Summer Camp Memories

One of my cousins posted a picture one Faceook of a bunch of us heading to summer camp. I now live just a few miles away from there and wrote in Jan 07 about visiting there again. I found it in my Myspace & Xanga blogs.
<a href="http://ping.fm/Tz1Gv">http://ping.fm/Tz1Gv</a>

Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Weekly Grind - A Good Bike
Category: Religion and Philosophy

When people see me on my motorcycle at this time of year, they often express concern about the temperature. Rest assured, with my riding gear on, I am quite comfortable. Now if it is below forty degrees and I don't put on all my gear, it can be a bit chilly. But I can handle it for a few miles. I am really enjoying my bigger bike. It's got a large fairing to block the wind, big saddlebags to haul whatever I need, and plenty of power to go wherever I want to go. I've taken a couple of short tours around the area and they both got me thinking about my younger days.

I few weeks ago I went out to what used to be Camp Val Verde. I spent some summer weeks there with a youth group as a youngster. We did lots of swimming, crafts, archery, & horseback riding. One of the most interesting things about going back to a childhood place is the new sense of space you get. Most of the time places seem much smaller when you return years down the road. As I rode around the camp I found a treasure. The two-story cabin. I don't think it was used on the weeks I was there. If so, it must have been older kids that were there. There were lots of stories about the fun that happened there. At the end of one week, I tagged along to go jump from the second story loft onto a huge pile of mattresses below. Letting go of that rail was one of those "man-maker moments" along the lines of jumping off a high dive board, or walking through the woods alone. I must have been very young and small because now, as an adult, I could see the drop was only about seven or eight feet. Regardless, it was a big moment from my childhood.

On another sunny day I took a ride to Meridian State Park. I've heard it was very nice and I was in the mood for a little distance. I packed a lunch and grabbed a book, hoping to find a nice place to sit for a while. I wasn't disappointed. There are some tiny cliffs overlooking the small lake there. Warm sun, light breeze, and fragrant cedars made for a pleasant stay. I don't always understand the way memories work, but I got to thinking about one of my first bicycles. I had several hand-me-down bikes once I learned how to ride. Then one Christmas I got my first brand new bicycle, just for me. Shiny purple paint, twenty-inch wheels, big banana seat, high handlebars. This bike took me places. I felt like I could go anywhere on it. One of best memories I have is with some of my older cousins. We set up a ramp at the top of a little hill leading down to my grandpa's barn. We then competed to see who could jump the most old tires laid out flat. I think the record was seven.

Years after I had moved up to a ten-speed road bicycle, I ran across my now old and rusting bike out behind our workshop. The tires were gone, the rims were bent, the replacement seat was ripped open. I had harvested parts for my brother's bike, using anything of value. I had literally ran the wheels off of that bike. It had taken me places I wanted to go, but couldn't keep up. It was what I needed for a time and served me well. I remember thinking, "That was a good bike."

There is a good balance to find between the past and the future. Our faith, like most things in our life, needs to grow and change as time goes by. Our growth from the past can't satisfy our need to keep growing in the present and future. God continues to call us to His plans for our lives. Progressing in our faith will still take leaps of faith and steps out of our comfort zone. But the trip is worth it. So is our God.

Blessings!
Michael