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DONE?

I waited patiently for the Lord// He inclined and heard my cry// He brought me up out of the pit// Out of the mire and clay// I will sing, sing a new song// I will sing, sing a new song

“40”, by U2. (Songwriters Adam Clayton, David Evans, Laurence Mullen, Paul David Hewson)

A very dear, dear friend recently checked in to lament the fatigue of Covid and our tribal politics. She was done. Done. The lament of Psalm 13: “How long O Lord?” The psalms are a great tonic any day, but very much so this day. Done.

As the songbook of the Bible, the Psalter is the grammar that forms our faithful speech for worship and prayer which then sets the pattern for how we interact with all of life. Calvin, as he so often does, said it best: “Moreover although The Psalms are replete with all the precepts which serve to frame our life to every part of holiness, piety, and righteousness, yet they will principally teach and train us to bear the cross; and the bearing of the cross is a genuine proof of our obedience, since by doing this, we renounce the guidance of our own affections and submit ourselves entirely to God, leaving him to govern us, and to dispose of our life according to his will, so that the afflictions which are the bitterest and most severe to our nature, become sweet to us, because they proceed from him.” (from John Calvin, “Commentary on Psalms – Volume 1). Indeed.

A couple of years ago, my pastor was preaching through the Psalter, teaching and leading the congregation into a deeper, transformative experience with God’s prayer book. He sought out stories from his flock to bring understanding and tangibility to words that might seem distant and abstract. I was one he asked to reflect upon Psalm 30 and I thought that I would share those comments with you in prayerful hope that if you are also “done,” you may turn to the psalms for the renewal and the hope that lays within.

~

Psalm 30

A psalm. A song for the temple dedication. Of David.

I exalt you, Lord, because you pulled me up; you didn’t let my enemies celebrate over me. Lord, my God, I cried out to you for help, and you healed me. Lord, you brought me up from the grave, brought me back to life from among those going down to the pit.

You who are faithful to the Lord, sing praises to him; give thanks to his holy name! His anger lasts for only a second, but his favor lasts a lifetime. Weeping may stay all night, but by morning, joy!

When I was comfortable, I said, “I will never stumble.”  Because it pleased you, Lord, you made me a strong mountain.

But then you hid your presence. I was terrified. I cried out to you, Lord. I begged my Lord for mercy: “What is to be gained by my spilled blood, by my going down into the pit? Does dust thank you? Does it proclaim your faithfulness? Lord, listen and have mercy on me! Lord, be my helper!”

You changed my mourning into dancing. You took off my funeral clothes         and dressed me up in joy so that my whole being might sing praises to you and never stop. Lord, my God, I will give thanks to you forever.

~

“This morning I can stand here and sincerely proclaim these verses from the 30th psalm:

I exalt you, Lord, because you pulled me up; you didn’t let my enemies celebrate over me. Lord, my God, I cried out to you for help, and you healed me. Lord, you brought me up from the grave, brought me back to life from among those going down to the pit.

That has not always been the case. As a young lad of nine, I remember being mesmerized by the preaching of Rev. Dick Morledge, Senior Pastor of the 1st Presbyterian Church of Bakerstown, Pennsylvania and I found myself thinking – that’s what I want to do: it’s where I want to stand. Roughly ten years later during my junior year at NYU, my father was passing through the city on his way to business in some far eastern destination and we had the chance to grab a steak in the Oak Room Bar at the Plaza Hotel. Our conversation danced around lots of things (I hadn’t been home in almost a year), but at one point he kept saying I belonged in ministry, meaning the pulpit. Instead, in the words of one my favorite modern psalmists, Joni Mitchell, I chose to go chasing after golden Reggie with the apple of temptation and a diamond snake wrapped around my arm.

When I was comfortable, I said, “I will never stumble.” And when you fast forward 20+ years from that dinner, I was indeed standing very comfortably, but not on a strong mountain built by the Lord. It was on a mountain of self-righteousness, greed and pride: a mountain of quicksand.

But then you hid your presence. I was terrified. The sands of that mountain began to crumble and wash away with the miscarriage of twins, the death of our daughter Sarah and several more miscarriages. The blessing of Skylar was followed by another miscarriage and then the miscarriage of career judgment and the miscarriage of my soul. I didn’t simply stumble: it was a full-fledged face plant onto the sidewalk of hell. The Lord finally got the attention of this thick headed Swede via the Honorable DeBevoise.

I cried out to you, Lord. I begged my Lord for mercy:“What is to be gained by my spilled blood, by my going down into the pit? I cried out –  turning to the psalms in particular for words in prayer that I could not form. From Psalm 3: “Lord I have so many enemies” to Psalm 13, “How long will you forget me Lord” to Psalm 23 and Psalm 46’s sense of presence and reassurance; to Psalm 64’s call for the destruction of those many enemies. I prayed the psalms of lament and despair – 17, 28, 31, 59, 61, 77, 102 as well as Psalms 25, 86, 119 and 123, asking for guidance and instruction. In Psalms 62, and the psalms of ascents, I prayed for a desire to trust the Lord more. And I prayed for restoration in Psalms 85, 106, 107 and 137. I prayed as our psalmist does this morning: “Lord listen and have mercy on me! Lord be my helper”

And he did – His anger lasts for only a second, but his favor lasts a lifetime. Weeping may stay all night, but by morning, joy! Our Lord God answered those prayers sending Beth and Skylar and I many angels – several saints individually from this church and all of you sitting here this morning, as well as many who are no longer with us. Our chapter of the body of Christ reached out and because it pleased you, Lord, you made me a strong mountain. His sheepdogs – you know those two from Psalm 23  – goodness and mercy – nipped at my heels hard enough to get me to turn around and gave me a second chance to listen to the voice that has been calling me for more than 50 years.

I have been restored and now stand on a strong mountain. I have been restored to community and restored in my soul; called now to seminary and a life of witness to God’s great mercy and power. I was given the chance to taste and see God’s bounty: blessings that money and materiality will never accomplish. They are blessings that are true and available to all that call his name. They are blessings that we share with our community at large when we go out from here and be the light in everything we say, in everything we do and in everything that we are. Love is not a program and it is not a duty: it is the food and drink of resurrection people and as resurrection people, when we share that food with all we meet, great things happen. As someone that has been fed in this way, I can testify as our psalmist does –   You have changed my mourning into dancing; you took off my funeral clothes and dressed me up in joy so that my soul may praise you and not be silent.  O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever. You who are faithful to the Lord sing praises to him and give thanks to his holy name. “

Done. Amen.

“Whenever the Psalter is abandoned, an incomparable treasure is lost for the Christian church. With its recovery will come unexpected power –

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

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Standing on One Foot

I, I’m a new day rising // I’m a brand new sky // To hang the stars upon tonight // I am a little divided// Do I stay or run away// And leave it all behind? // It’s times like these you learn to live again// It’s times like these you give and give again // It’s times like these you learn to love again// It’s times like these time and time again.

Times Like These, Foo Fighters, (songwriters: Nate Mendel, Dave Grohl, Taylor Hawkins, Chris Shiflett), 2002.

Times like these. Indeed. I recently came across some notes from a series of lectures on the Babylonian exile and in them, Edwin Muir’s poem, One Foot in Eden (1956). It had been a while since I last read it and as I did so again, I found it striking many chords.

One foot in Eden still, I stand
And look across the other land.
The world's great day is growing late,
Yet strange these fields that we have planted
So long with crops of love and hate.
Time's handiworks by time are haunted,
And nothing now can separate
The corn and tares compactly grown.
The armorial weed in stillness bound
About the stalk; these are our own.
Evil and good stand thick around
In fields of charity and sin
Where we shall lead our harvest in.

Yet still from Eden springs the root
As clean as on the starting day.
Time takes the foliage and the fruit
And burns the archetypal leaf
To shapes of terror and of grief
Scattered along the winter way.
But famished field and blackened tree
Bear flowers in Eden never known.
Blossoms of grief and charity
Bloom in these darkened fields alone.
What had Eden ever to say
Of hope and faith and pity and love
Until was buried all its day
And memory found its treasure trove?
Strange blessings never in Paradise
Fall from these beclouded skies.  

One Foot in Eden, Edwin Muir, 1956

I have written many times about the darkness that envelopes our lives – racism, violence, feckless politicians, ravaging unemployment and rising food insecurities paint a picture of bleakness and despair that we may be hard stretched to find a comparative experience.

And equally hard stretched to deal with.

It’s what makes me appreciate the story of the Babylonian exile all the more. You can get a good idea of it’s devastation in the book of Lamentations where you will read some of the most brutal and compelling writing about human pain and suffering that emerged from the ashes and ruins of Jerusalem. The psalms are no slouch in this department either.  Daughter Babylon, you destroyer, a blessing on the one who pays you back the very deed you did to us! A blessing on the one who seizes your children and smashes them against the rock! (Psalm137.8-9). That is deep anger born of a cavernous despair.

Israel’s story became especially poignant as I read through the horrors of the darkness and despair of the exile only to see hope and faith spring out of the ashes of destruction. If there was ever a time for Israel to not hope, it had to be then. Yet, the exiles did return and laid the foundation for a new temple and renewed life. The flowers of hope and faith, like the fire poppies that spring up after a wild fire, blossomed in dark valleys and burned fields.

As I witness a world that seems to be falling apart in madness with each passing day of violence and ever growing fear mongering, I am reminded by these horrors that we, like Israel, are in exile still, angry and isolated.

But yet, hope blossoms.

From Muir – “One foot in Eden still, I stand // And look across the other land. The world’s great day is growing late // Yet strange these fields that we have planted// So long with crops of love and hate // Time’s handiworks by time are haunted, // And nothing now can separate // The corn and tares compactly grown.”

Crops of love and hate tightly interwoven. Joy and tears coexisting. We have glimpses of how things ought to be only to have to struggle with the way things are. It’s no wonder that our feet stumble and slip.

But like our returning exiles, we too have seen the foundation of the new temple laid. Unlike the exiles though, our foundation is built in, on, and with material against which the gates of hell cannot prevail – Jesus Christ. Muir speaks to our hope in Christ, of the now but not yet: “But famished field and blackened tree //Bear flowers in Eden never known.// Blossoms of grief and charity // Bloom in these darkened fields alone.// What had Eden ever to say // Of hope and faith and pity and love // Until was buried all its day// And memory found its treasure trove? // Strange blessings never in Paradise// Fall from these beclouded skies.”

As Easter people, we stand with one foot in Eden: the dawning kingdom of God. We are filled with enduring hope for the return of the greatest gift that ever was. We stand and blossom, fed and supported by our faith in that hope. Strange blessings? Perhaps. But blessings that call for singing a new song.

I waited patiently for the Lord // He inclined and heard my cry// He brought me up out of the pit // Out of the mire and clay// I will sing, sing a new song // I will sing, sing a new song // How long to sing this song // How long to sing this song // How long, how long, how long // How long, to sing this song// He set my feet upon a rock // And made my footsteps firm // Many will see // Many will see and fear // I will sing, sing a new song // I will sing, sing a new song.

40, U2 (songwriters: Adam Clayton, David Evans, Laurence Mullen, Paul David Hewson), 1983
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Cataracts

I can see clearly now the rain is gone// I can see all obstacles in my way// Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind// It’s gonna be a bright (bright)// Bright (bright) sunshiny day

Johnny Nash, 1971

I recently had posted something about holy happenings that generated some discussion about my understanding of the location of God. Somehow, the conversation shifted to Israel’s understanding and whether I was challenged by its ancient perspective. In a word, no. For the ancient Israelites, the symbols of altar, tabernacle and temple functioned for them as images of God’s house and that God dwelled with his people there. As a Christian, I believe that their understanding of a living God, active in creation and dwelling with us was fully confirmed in Jesus Christ because all the fullness of God was pleased to live in him (Colossians 1.19).

That being said, I share the awareness of the psalmist’s regarding the presence of God everywhere: He loves righteousness and justice; the Lord’s faithful love fills the whole earth (Psalm 33.5); But your loyal love, Lord, extends to the skies; your faithfulness reaches the clouds. Your righteousness is like the strongest mountains; your justice is like the deepest sea. Lord, you save both humans and animals. (Psalm 36.5-6); Lord, the world is full of your faithful love! Teach me your statutes! (Psalm 119.6).

And when I stop to remove the cataracts, I find that I locate God in a myriad of places, not the least of which is in the lives of my wife, daughter and I. We are where we are, and who we are, as family and individuals because of God’s direction and blessings owing to the work of the Holy Spirit that has manifested itself in the help, support and love from Christian, Jew and Muslim alike, as we struggled through incredibly dark, dangerous times.

I find God’s presence in the laughter and song of the children of our nursery school and in the love and care that the small group of teachers and aides shower upon them. I may be “Mr. Keith’ to the little ones, but each and every one of them are God moments for me.

I witnessed God’s presence around the table of older men that met (pre Covid-19) regularly every Saturday morning to share coffee, lots of ‘fish’ stories and most importantly, his Word. I have observed the work of the Spirit in several of their lives; a transformation taking them deeper into their faith and scriptural understanding. I find God’s presence in the work of our food pantry and its many volunteers that assist 100 families a month as they struggle with food insecurities.

But the most breathtaking, awesome, overwhelming evidence of God’s presence is what I witness in my daughter’s testimony. Skylar recently unearthed the Anne Frank of her generation in a young woman that perished in the Columbine High School massacre. The woman’s story triggered reactions from my daughter that demonstrate the presence and deep love of God; an awareness that is challenging her, but so very, very importantly, showing her God’s work and presence in her life.

All of these are instances of the sacred for me: that is, where the material and the spiritual have, and do, intersect. As I said, once you remove the cataracts…

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Sad Songs Say So Much

Guess there are times when we all need to share a little pain // And ironin’ out the rough spot Is the hardest part when memories remain // And it’s times like these when we all need to hear the radio // ‘Cause from the lips of some old singer // We can share the troubles we already know// Turn ’em on, turn ’em on // Turn on those sad songs // When all hope is gone (ah…) // Why don’t you tune in and turn them on? // They reach into your room, oh // Just feel their gentle touch // when all hope is gone // Sad songs say so much

“Sad Songs” Elton John and Bernie Taupin, 1984

But….all hope is not gone. I want to talk about something that I believe is overlooked, misunderstood, and sorely needed, perhaps no more so than in the age of Covid-19. We are hurting; one in three people are reporting anxiety issues; many are angry and all of us uncertain. As one person reported, it’s like being on an endless car ride with a drunk at the wheel.

I want to talk about lament.

Lament. It’s more than just venting. Lament is prayer, a passionate expression of grief or sorrow and it is something too many of us, the church included, find difficult to do. We have this silly notion that we cannot bring such expressions of anger, the desire for sweet revenge, and despair into our conversations with God: that we must somehow rid ourselves of such imperfections before God will be interested in hearing from us. Or that worship must always be upbeat, nothing but praise and joy- no ‘Debby downers’ allowed. And oh, then there is the unspoken true American religion of optimism and denial. Big boys don’t cry, so suck it up buttercup and get along with life. In the futile idealism that doesn’t match up with reality, we flat out refuse to acknowledge the darkness and evil realities of life in a way that honestly demonstrates our dependency on the Lord until we are wearied beyond belief. We cannot honestly face our anger and grief: we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us (1 John 1.8).

Lament is healthy and it is one of the most theologically sound practices you can undertake to express the pain, sorrow and grief caused by the suffering in your life. Lament allows you to hallow your anguish in prayer, both communally and privately. Lament is our divine invitation to talk to and with God, about our pain. We are blessed to have a God that weeps with us and in God’s own tears, works to heal and restore us – think Lazarus. Lament has an important purpose and that is trust. We know that our sovereign God has the power to deliver: the tomb is empty.

And here’s the beautiful thing. We have been handed a road map for lament from God for exactly that purpose: the Bible. The Bible is filled with these songs of sorrow: the book of Lamentations weeps over the destruction of Jerusalem; Job reminds us that there are more pains and unanswered questions in heaven and earth than we can grasp; Jesus lamented in the final hours of his life. And then we have the Psalms, likely the single best prayer guide ever printed.

Formulated as human speech, the psalms are God’s words put directly into our mouths to give back to God.  

The Hebrew title for the Psalter is Tehillîm – the Book of Praises, seemingly a contradiction as lament makes up the bulk of the book. That is a point worth pondering and praying on. Lament calls for opening yourself up to God with honest speech and when you do, you begin to break the logjam, allowing your tears to drench your bed and make way for the joy and praise that comes from experiencing God’s healing presence.

Lament: it is protest, it is petition, and it is praise. It is gift.

Protest. Turn to God. How long will you forget me, Lord? Forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long will I be left to my own wits, agony filling my heart? Daily? How long will my enemy keep defeating me? (Psalm 13.1-2). Humbly and honestly, identify the pain, the anger, the questions, and frustrations welling up inside.

Petition. Knock and state your case. Wallowing in sorrow leads to despair or denial. To seek God’s help with your pain is an act of hope and faith in God’s promises. Look at me! Answer me, Lord my God! Restore sight to my eyes! Otherwise, I’ll sleep the sleep of death, and my enemy will say, “I won!” My foes will rejoice over my downfall (Psalm 13.3-4).

Praise: The heart of the act of trust that lament is and where all roads lead: But I have trusted in your faithful love. My heart will rejoice in your salvation.Yes, I will sing to the Lord because he has been good to me (Psalm 13.5-6). This is language that renews our faithful commitment to trust in God as we journey through a broken world.

Many folks have found themselves and their circumstances in these prayers, myself included. What I discovered was that I found myself through them: an understanding of who I am, what I need and most importantly, I discovered the language to say it all to God. One of my favorite Irish poets caught this well:

Whenever God shines his light on me // Opens up my eyes so I can see // When I look up in the darkest night // And I know everything’s going to be alright // In deep confusion, in great despair// When I reach out for him he is there // When I am lonely as I can be // And I know that God shines his light on me. “Whenever God Shines His Light,” Van Morrison, 1989.

The lament psalms – more than a third of the psalter – they are praise in a minor key – the sad songs that say so much.

Note: There are many more than the following, but I offer a few suggestions to get started: Psalm 6, 11, 12, 13, 22, 23, 39, 40, 44, 46, 54, 62, 73, 88, 102, 109, 121, 137, 143.

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Christian Assumptions

Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land. Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other. Faithfulness will spring up from the ground, and righteousness will look down from the sky. The Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase.

Psalm 85.9-12

We all know what assume means…the old saw about making an ass out of u and me. There are many times we experience the truth of that as it really means to act on something as if it were fact when indeed it isn’t. But the flip side may be equally true and one that does not have such embedded cynicism. Yes, there are times when we must assume that something is true and allow that assumption to guide our actions. As a Christian, I believe that the Bible provides us with many things on which we can make assumptions; good, healthy, life giving assumptions that shape our walk today and tomorrow.

Assume God is working in your life right now.

God has created a unique plan for each one of our lives. By the power of the Spirit, God works in a particular fashion in particular people for God’s particular purposes. Bless the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! He has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing that comes from heaven… God destined us to be his adopted children through Jesus Christ because of his love. This was according to his goodwill and plan and to honor his glorious grace that he has given to us freely through the Son whom he loves…We have also received an inheritance in Christ. We were destined by the plan of God, who accomplishes everything according to his design. Ephesians 1.3, 5-6, 11

Assume the Lord has great things in store for you.

All of creation is groaning and suffering labor pains and, as the bumper sticker says, ‘stinky tuff happens.’ But with the resurrection, a cosmic shockwave has occurred. Death has been the tyrant, but in Christ, something new has happened: the good news of the created order being restored and all of us along with it. We cannot fathom God’s time or timing, but it is never too early or too late: It is always the right time. Have patience because endurance produces character and character produces hope: Then he looked up at his disciples and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. “Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. “Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.” Luke 6.20-12

Assume people love you.

Hah, you might be tempted to cry! I was born at night, but not last night! It’s easy to be cynical but, “I say unto you,” look upon everyone as made in the image. Expect good things from others. Be kind, honest, forgiving, and loving your neighbor as yourself. The people you meet could be new friends and not adversaries. I was hungry and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me.I was naked and you gave me clothes to wear. I was sick and you took care of me. I was in prison and you visited me.’ “Then those who are righteous will reply to him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you a drink?When did we see you as a stranger and welcome you, or naked and give you clothes to wear? When did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’“Then the king will reply to them, ‘I assure you that when you have done it for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you have done it for me.’ Matthew 25.35-40

Assume your ideas come from the indwelling of Christ through whom you can do anything.

You can’t prove it, but you can believe it. Stop procrastinating – move forward with your inklings and discover the potential Christ has birthed within you. Take chances, go out on a limb. Be all you can be. Embrace kingdom work. Therefore, my beloved, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15.58). You are never more alive than when you run risks for the Lord of lords. Stop wasting time and energy on negativity and negative assumptions. It does nothing but fill you with hate, envy, anger, and disappointment. It is sad and depressing for you and everyone around you. The Bible proclaims a living God of steadfast love and faithfulness, of righteousness and peace, a God that will give you what is good. Believe this and give God a chance in your life and your outlook on life. God loves you. God gave his only Son for you. Cherish that love and assume that you are a special, beloved child of the King of kings and you will come to assume you are a fortunate, blessed person in God’s world.

See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. 1 John 3.1

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Holy Happenings

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Psalm 114

1When Israel went out from Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange language, 2Judah became God’s sanctuary, Israel his dominion. 3The sea looked and fled; Jordan turned back. 4The mountains skipped like rams, the hills like lambs. 5Why is it, O sea, that you flee? O Jordan, that you turn back? 6O mountains, that you skip like rams? O hills, like lambs? 7Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob, 8who turns the rock into a pool of water, the flint into a spring of water. (NRSV)

God holds nothing back when God wants to do something significant for us. No mountain, no barrier, no human can get in the way of God’s plans for you, just as nothing was able to get in the way of delivering God’s people from Egypt.

I call them holy happenings. God involves people in their unfolding, but God is in control and cannot be stopped. God can do it anytime, anywhere and in any place: from safe passage through the Red Sea, to the resurrection of Jesus, the conversion of Paul and the visions of John.  Holy happenings are beyond human comprehension, definition, and explanation.

Recognizing holy happenings requires a sense of awe and wonder, and the eyesight of faith.  Real power is unseen. The real power of a home depends on love and respect, not the size of the house. The real power of electricity is in the current, not the cable. So it is with God.

The power of God is not experienced face-to-face, but through God’s many manifestations in the world. Accept the mystery; don’t let fear or doubt settle in your mind and get in the way. God produces holy happenings to reassure us of God’s presence, power and love, not to terrify us. Remember, Scripture shows that peace always comes out of confusion.

Holy happenings change history. Holy happenings change the world. A holy happening could change your life, so look around. There are holy happenings in your life right now: family gathered around the dinner table; staycations and more time at home being a neighbor with those you might have never met otherwise; being free to teach your child how to ride a bike; learning to bake bread; savoring the scent of honeysuckle on a summer morning; doing the evening dishes with your spouse. Look around, inhale the beauty of God’s good creation: you have the time. The mountains and hills could be skipping like rams and lambs.