Notes from the Pastor…
My college roommate and best-man, Nathan Loudin, is now the pastor of Millwood Baptist Church in Austin, Texas. We have a few denominational and academic differences between us, and it is not surprising that we disagree on the interpretation and application of Biblical teachings. Recently, Nathan and I have taken to reading the same book and corresponding over the theology and Scriptural interpretations of the author. This
dialogue is always under the guise of love and mutual respect, and we find this practice enlightening and challenging. As close friends who disagree, we have two choices:
1) we can ignore our disagreements and regulate our friendship to “safe” discussions; or
2) we can engage and love one another at a deeper and more understanding level.
True, honest dialogue always has this effect. When we gather under the influence of love and mutual respect, discussing important ideas of faith and practice, we are enlightened by others and challenged beyond our comfort. Dialogue is a dangerous task because it pushes against an egocentrism that says,
“I’ve got it all figured out”.
Regardless of the dangers, dialogue is also a rewarding task: we learn, we grow, and we gain a deeper love and understanding for one another.
In Hebrews 10, we hear: “Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another.”
This verse has often been used as a blunt force object attempting to “persuade” Christians to attend church. However, such a usage is a shortsighted understanding. For the first century Church, their meetings together happened more than just on Sunday mornings. Fellowshipping in one another’s homes, around the table, the early Church continually discussed the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) and the teachings of Jesus.
Therefore you are invited to join Disciple Dialogue. If you cannot solidly commit to every Wednesday night, rest assured that each week’s subject is independent; formed in such a way that someone can jump in and out with ease. If you are hesitant because your biblical literacy is subpar, join the club; we are all learners regardless of our ability, or inability, to decline Hebrew verbs.
The Psalmist said, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
Let us dust off the lantern so the light of God’s word may illuminate our life’s journey!
Grace,
Pastor Ryan
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
In Reality
Notes from the Pastor…
“Reality” -n: the state of things as they actually exist, rather than as they may appear or might be imagined. (Oxford English Dictionary)
Country music artist Trace Adkins, in his song Just Fishin’ depicts a moment between him and his daughter, and the Reality of what is truly taking place:
I’m lost in her there holdin’ that pink rod and reel
She’s doin’ almost everything but sittin’ still
Talkin’ ‘bout her ballet shoes and training wheels
And her kittens
And she thinks we’re just fishin’
Trace Adkins’ daughter sees this moment as simple, fun fishing; but clearly, this moment by the riverside, in Reality, is much, much more. It is quality time. It is developing memories of love and care. It is more than just fishin’.
I imagine the twelve disciples, when looking back on the life and ministry of Jesus, discerned that certain moments in Reality proved different than their initial perception. They were not just eating, just walking, and even just fishin’; in Reality, Jesus utilizes such moments at the table, on the path, and at the sea as opportunities to transform his disciples.
So too, this past Saturday, our church hosted its annual Rummage Sale. On the surface we raised $4,500; a celebratory amount, but in Reality we were not just trading our goods. We handed out simple ‘Thank you’ cards, provided gracious smiles and brushed elbows with neighbors; all the while we made connections that
could transform our lives and theirs.
May we see things as they truly are, be transformed, and become agents of transformation.
Grace,
Pastor Ryan
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Prayer for the teachers
Notes from the Pastor…
We are now in the third week of August, marking the “Great Change” in our community. Before long our summer neighbors will return to their full-time homes, and businesses will tally the seasonal revenues; comparing it to former years and planning for the coming lean months. Nonetheless, the great change happens not only in the pace of commerce, but also in the purpose of community.
William Butler Yeats once said, “Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.”
This week, as children and youth return to story times, math quizzes, and study halls the fire of education embraces our community. To paraphrase President John F. Kennedy, education is the means by which our greatest abilities are developed, “because in each of us there is a private hope and dream” which, fulfilled, can become the benefit and strength of community. Thus, educators embark in task of community transformation – instructing and inspiring potential into competence. Throughout this educational season, may we be committed to expressing support and providing prayer.
A prayer for teachers [by the United Church of Christ]:
God of Love, thank you for every teacher who notices a child’s special gift. Thank you for teachers who are listeners and gentle guides. Thank you for teachers who expect much and love enough to demand more. Thank you for the special teacher each one of us remembers.
God of Mercy, sustain teachers who give everything they have and feel abandoned when society expects too much. Strengthen teachers who assume the blame for so many problems beyond their control. Help exhausted teachers rest God of Strength, encourage teachers to care and inspire them to nourish. Motivate teachers to keep on learning for the fun of it and to make learning fun for children.
We wonder at teachers who know how to quiet a class of five-year-olds or help fourth grade girls be empathetic. We admire teachers who enjoy middle school writers, or teach physics or math or civics. We cannot even imagine how to help every single student achieve Adequate Yearly Progress. Bless the people who are expected to accomplish these miracles and who know how to comfort children when miracles don’t happen.
God of Justice, help our nation find a way to steward our vast wealth to support teachers in their special calling, wherever they teach and whatever the race or religion or gender or wealth of the children.
We pray these things in the name of our great teacher, Jesus Christ. Amen
Grace,
Pastor Ryan
We are now in the third week of August, marking the “Great Change” in our community. Before long our summer neighbors will return to their full-time homes, and businesses will tally the seasonal revenues; comparing it to former years and planning for the coming lean months. Nonetheless, the great change happens not only in the pace of commerce, but also in the purpose of community.
William Butler Yeats once said, “Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.”
This week, as children and youth return to story times, math quizzes, and study halls the fire of education embraces our community. To paraphrase President John F. Kennedy, education is the means by which our greatest abilities are developed, “because in each of us there is a private hope and dream” which, fulfilled, can become the benefit and strength of community. Thus, educators embark in task of community transformation – instructing and inspiring potential into competence. Throughout this educational season, may we be committed to expressing support and providing prayer.
A prayer for teachers [by the United Church of Christ]:
God of Love, thank you for every teacher who notices a child’s special gift. Thank you for teachers who are listeners and gentle guides. Thank you for teachers who expect much and love enough to demand more. Thank you for the special teacher each one of us remembers.
God of Mercy, sustain teachers who give everything they have and feel abandoned when society expects too much. Strengthen teachers who assume the blame for so many problems beyond their control. Help exhausted teachers rest God of Strength, encourage teachers to care and inspire them to nourish. Motivate teachers to keep on learning for the fun of it and to make learning fun for children.
We wonder at teachers who know how to quiet a class of five-year-olds or help fourth grade girls be empathetic. We admire teachers who enjoy middle school writers, or teach physics or math or civics. We cannot even imagine how to help every single student achieve Adequate Yearly Progress. Bless the people who are expected to accomplish these miracles and who know how to comfort children when miracles don’t happen.
God of Justice, help our nation find a way to steward our vast wealth to support teachers in their special calling, wherever they teach and whatever the race or religion or gender or wealth of the children.
We pray these things in the name of our great teacher, Jesus Christ. Amen
Grace,
Pastor Ryan
Saturday, August 6, 2011
US Downgrade - A Blessing from God?
On Friday, Standard & Poor’s downgraded the United States government credit rating from AAA rating to AA+. This judgement sent shock-waves though both political parties with a variety of reactions, and with most choosing to blame their neighbors across the isle.
What I find most interesting is not the animistic habits of politics; rather the reaction of the Church. As far as I know, no single denomination of Christianity has taken an official stance on the debt crisis, and now the government downgrade. Nonetheless, editorials, blogs, and social media provide avenues for some say this is God’s judgement on the liberalization of America; while others attempt to pray our way out of the “crisis” (Gov. Rick Perry and the AFA prayer meeting in Houston). Both of these follow a false narrative that says God’s blessing is wrapped up in our wealth and/or reputation as a nation.
With our new rating, the US government joins Spain, Saudi Arabia, and Taiwan (among others) with the second to highest rating possible, and we would be so short sighted to forget that the S&P did not begin rating sovereign nations until 1911. I would imagine that the US government rating during the Civil War would have been much lower than AA+. While the effects of this downgrade will be widespread, and devastating to some, it will not change the mission of the Church.
Karl Barth said, “The Church is a place of fruitful and hopeful repentance.” With the downgrade the Church’s repentance may take place in a less elaborate sanctuary, or maybe it will take place in a line at the unemployment office. So what? Christ still plays in ten thousand places (to barrow a phrase from Eugene Peterson), and I suspect the Church is fulfilling its mission of fruitful and hopeful repentance in Spain, Saudi Arabia, and Taiwan. Are we to think we are more or less blessed than Argentina or Ghana with their B and B+ ratings respectfully?
Who knows, maybe our prayers have been answered; maybe the US government downgrade is a blessing from God.
What I find most interesting is not the animistic habits of politics; rather the reaction of the Church. As far as I know, no single denomination of Christianity has taken an official stance on the debt crisis, and now the government downgrade. Nonetheless, editorials, blogs, and social media provide avenues for some say this is God’s judgement on the liberalization of America; while others attempt to pray our way out of the “crisis” (Gov. Rick Perry and the AFA prayer meeting in Houston). Both of these follow a false narrative that says God’s blessing is wrapped up in our wealth and/or reputation as a nation.
With our new rating, the US government joins Spain, Saudi Arabia, and Taiwan (among others) with the second to highest rating possible, and we would be so short sighted to forget that the S&P did not begin rating sovereign nations until 1911. I would imagine that the US government rating during the Civil War would have been much lower than AA+. While the effects of this downgrade will be widespread, and devastating to some, it will not change the mission of the Church.
Karl Barth said, “The Church is a place of fruitful and hopeful repentance.” With the downgrade the Church’s repentance may take place in a less elaborate sanctuary, or maybe it will take place in a line at the unemployment office. So what? Christ still plays in ten thousand places (to barrow a phrase from Eugene Peterson), and I suspect the Church is fulfilling its mission of fruitful and hopeful repentance in Spain, Saudi Arabia, and Taiwan. Are we to think we are more or less blessed than Argentina or Ghana with their B and B+ ratings respectfully?
Who knows, maybe our prayers have been answered; maybe the US government downgrade is a blessing from God.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Letter to the Editor - Non-Edited
I recently sent a Letter to the Editor of one of our local newspapers. After a delay in publication, I found my letter published, but published in an edited form. Below is my full, non-edited letter. Please note the vast differences: http://ruidosofreepress.com/view/full_story/14916390/article-All-residents-deserve-respect?instance=letters_main_opinion
To the Editor,
In the editorial on Tuesday, June 28th, 2011, residents of Ruidoso were urged to contact police or crime stoppers if they “spot homeless encampments.” I support this action for the sake of public safety and potential non-adherence to fire restrictions. However, nowhere in the editorial were residents informed as to the illegal nature of these “homeless encampments”; furthermore, readers were left to assume that all homeless people are a threat to our community. While the cause of the June 16 Swallow Fire was not released at the time of publication, the tone of the editorial lead readers to presume guilt to a homeless person. Additionally, other unproved speculations were cited resulting in dehumanizing language.
The village deems these people a “real problem”, and fervently removes “brush and other cover that the homeless use to hide from public view.” In fact, this exercise was referred to by Ruidoso Police Lt. Ray Merritt as a game of “Whack-A-Mole”. If our homeless neighbors are “seasonal residents of Ruidoso” as the title of the editorial suggest, then I am of the opinion that we should treat them with hospitality. Certainly we should conclude that referring any of our residents as “moles” is inappropriate. Our homeless neighbors are people; some choose their transient lifestyle; others are forced into it for a variety of economic and/or mental health reasons.
Regardless of why they are homeless, these are human beings. Thus, until any resident is guilty of a crime, our police and civic officials should treat them with respect and understanding. Our village’s passive-aggressive policy of the removal of brush is inhumane and possibly unjust.
May Ruidoso be known for its hospitality to all its residents and not for its discrimination between homeowner, renters, visitors, and transients.
Ryan Arnold,
fellow resident.
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