What is it about old books that are so hard to throw away?
I have zero space in my office for the various papers, file folders, and other miscellaneous items that come across my desk. They either end up in stacks on the floor or they fall off of my desk because there is no more real estate.
I also have books I have not touched in years, and yet the thought of throwing them away just doesn't sit right with me.
Medically speaking, we're probably bordering on an OCD diagnosis or a mental condition that could land me on the television series, "Hoarding."
Honestly, it's not that bad, but it is time to clean house in my office and purge myself of books that are just dead weight. Even though it's hard, it also feels kind of good to scale back. Who knows? Maybe I will now read some of those books that have made the grade.
The new year is coming. It is time to purge some of the old stuff in our lives that is no longer valuable, or that keeps us from being as productive as we can be. We like to hold on to old things (possessions, memories, attitudes, et. al.) because they have sentimental value, but there comes a time to purge and return to the essentials that we need in life.
Everything else is just dead weight.
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Monday, December 17, 2012
No Life is Beyond Redeeming
Funeral services are an opportunity to proclaim the good news of the Gospel -- that the faithfully departed will be raised at the last day. In my tradition, the service is called, "A Witness to the Resurrection." This both refers to Christ's Resurrection, and to the promise that those who die in Christ will also be raised.
The challenge for pastors is that we do not always know the faith of those who die and those whose lives we celebrate through services of Witness to the Resurrection. Some lived and breathed every day in the life of the local church. We know their deeds and have witnessed firsthand the fruits of that faith. For others, we simply do not know. Yes, they may have been baptized as infants, but then we hear reports of them veering so far off course in life.
Does the Good News of the Resurrection apply to them as well?
Today we celebrate the life of an 18 year old man who was shot and killed in some type of drug exchange. He lived a hard life. He was baptized in the faith and his parents raised him the best they could. What do we make of the good news for his life?
The conclusion that I have come to is that we just don't know! The only thing we can do is proclaim the Good News of the mercy of God, trusting that there is no "hard case" that he cannot redeem. We are not privy to the roll-book in the sky, but can only hope that God is merciful to those he has marked with his covenantal promises in the waters of baptism.
The challenge for pastors is that we do not always know the faith of those who die and those whose lives we celebrate through services of Witness to the Resurrection. Some lived and breathed every day in the life of the local church. We know their deeds and have witnessed firsthand the fruits of that faith. For others, we simply do not know. Yes, they may have been baptized as infants, but then we hear reports of them veering so far off course in life.
Does the Good News of the Resurrection apply to them as well?
Today we celebrate the life of an 18 year old man who was shot and killed in some type of drug exchange. He lived a hard life. He was baptized in the faith and his parents raised him the best they could. What do we make of the good news for his life?
The conclusion that I have come to is that we just don't know! The only thing we can do is proclaim the Good News of the mercy of God, trusting that there is no "hard case" that he cannot redeem. We are not privy to the roll-book in the sky, but can only hope that God is merciful to those he has marked with his covenantal promises in the waters of baptism.
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Culture of Violence and Death is to Blame
Mike Lopresti wrote a thoughtful article in USA Today yesterday reflecting on the shootings at the school in Connecticut. One of his observations, and I could not agree more, is that we have created (and perpetuate) a culture of blood and violence in this country. There is no one reason why these shootings continue to happen, but it is more than gun-control laws. It arises when children (who grow into 22-year-old adults) are saturated with violent video games, violent movies, and violent prime-time television.
It is everywhere.
Now, we are able to make our own choices. No video game or movie forces us to do anything. And yet, it has a desensitizing effect on us. Maimed bodies become "comical" and elicit a chuckle from youth or a high-five, as they congregate around the Play Station or XBox.
Don't believe me? Watch kids play these games sometime and you will know what I am talking about.
We made a decision in our household about 6 months ago to get rid of all violent video games on the kids' XBox. This was painful for the kids, and they still ask me sometimes if we can "go back" to playing these games again.
The answer needs to be no. And in fact, we as a family need to watch less of television programs where the indiscriminate loss of life is a necessary ingredient for our entertainment.
And just as gun-control is not the be-all, end-all, neither are my recommendations. It goes beyond gun control and it goes beyond violent video games and movies.
There is something wrong with the heart of this nation. It is deep-seated and dangerous, and I pray that God can help us to change behaviors, laws, and values that are destroying us.
It is everywhere.
Now, we are able to make our own choices. No video game or movie forces us to do anything. And yet, it has a desensitizing effect on us. Maimed bodies become "comical" and elicit a chuckle from youth or a high-five, as they congregate around the Play Station or XBox.
Don't believe me? Watch kids play these games sometime and you will know what I am talking about.
We made a decision in our household about 6 months ago to get rid of all violent video games on the kids' XBox. This was painful for the kids, and they still ask me sometimes if we can "go back" to playing these games again.
The answer needs to be no. And in fact, we as a family need to watch less of television programs where the indiscriminate loss of life is a necessary ingredient for our entertainment.
And just as gun-control is not the be-all, end-all, neither are my recommendations. It goes beyond gun control and it goes beyond violent video games and movies.
There is something wrong with the heart of this nation. It is deep-seated and dangerous, and I pray that God can help us to change behaviors, laws, and values that are destroying us.
Friday, December 14, 2012
Christmas Season Brings Joy and Pain
The Christmas season brings much joy to the world: gift exchanges, office parties, time with family, moving worship services, cookies, wassel, sentimental movies, the list goes on. But there is also a lot of pressure that comes with the Christmas season.
There is pressure to purchase gifts for all of the special people in our lives. And for those among us with tight financial budgets, this can make for an exceedingly stressful month. Not only do we have to make sure our children or grandchildren have their socks blown off by mounds of Christmas presents, but we also feel the pinch to purchase gifts for neighbors, nieces, cousins, co-workers, and friends.
There is the pressure to experience warm and special family moments around the family fireplace. For those among us who have experienced divorce or the death of a spouse or child, the Christmas season can be painful. The empty chair at the table is a constant reminder of painful loss, and the hearth of the fireplace seems to yield nothing but cold and ashes.
There is the pressure to be at every holiday event (family parties, office parties, church worship services) on top of an already-full family calendar.
I am not trying to be a Debbie Downer or anything. I love Christmas. As a pastor, however, I am aware that the pastoral care needs in my congregation increase around this time of year. More of the pain in people's lives rises to the surface; feelings and emotions that were buried throughout the first 11 months of the year find their way to the surface.
Whether or not we are a pastor, we can all be on the lookout for friends, co-workers, family members, and neighbors that may be having a difficult time with the holidays. This is not an attempt to add another burden to the pressures we already experience, but to encourage us to keep one eye open for those among us who appear to be imploding.
There is pressure to purchase gifts for all of the special people in our lives. And for those among us with tight financial budgets, this can make for an exceedingly stressful month. Not only do we have to make sure our children or grandchildren have their socks blown off by mounds of Christmas presents, but we also feel the pinch to purchase gifts for neighbors, nieces, cousins, co-workers, and friends.
There is the pressure to experience warm and special family moments around the family fireplace. For those among us who have experienced divorce or the death of a spouse or child, the Christmas season can be painful. The empty chair at the table is a constant reminder of painful loss, and the hearth of the fireplace seems to yield nothing but cold and ashes.
There is the pressure to be at every holiday event (family parties, office parties, church worship services) on top of an already-full family calendar.
I am not trying to be a Debbie Downer or anything. I love Christmas. As a pastor, however, I am aware that the pastoral care needs in my congregation increase around this time of year. More of the pain in people's lives rises to the surface; feelings and emotions that were buried throughout the first 11 months of the year find their way to the surface.
Whether or not we are a pastor, we can all be on the lookout for friends, co-workers, family members, and neighbors that may be having a difficult time with the holidays. This is not an attempt to add another burden to the pressures we already experience, but to encourage us to keep one eye open for those among us who appear to be imploding.
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Why Youth Sports Has Value
There are times when youth sports gets to be too much ... way too much. Parents go overboard. The youth athletes go overboard. Grandparents go overboard. Everybody goes overboard!
Today, families don't even blink when a weekend sports tournament or event means that Sunday morning worship service and Sunday School will be missed. We don't think twice about plunking down several thousand dollars on sports equipment and registration fees, or out-of-state tournaments. And we give our hearts and minds away to the dream of becoming a star athlete and perhaps earning a college scholarship. For many of us, it literally is becoming a form of idol worship.
Having said this, I still think there is value in youth sports. For all of my griping and complaining, the bottom line is that my children are involved in competitive swimming. This means weekend swim meets and before- and after-school practices. It means complete dedication for the whole family! We try our best to keep the sport from becoming an idol, but it takes work, especially in this competitive sports culture in North Texas.
So why does our family even bother with youth sports in the first place? Yes, I have dreams that perhaps one of my kids (or more) will earn a college scholarship. Yes, I have dreams that they will advance to a high school state swim meet. But more importantly, I like that my kids are learning the value of hard work and mental toughness.
Swimming is teaching my children to work toward their "personal best" at all times, and that to reach their personal best, it will take commitment and lots of hours in the pool. They may never win first place. They may never come close to a state meet or the opportunity to swim competitively in college. But they will learn the value of hard work, and the gratification that comes from committing yourself to a goal. They will also experience all of the wonderful benefits that come from regular physical exercise.
And most importantly, they will learn that swimming is only one part of who they are!
Today, families don't even blink when a weekend sports tournament or event means that Sunday morning worship service and Sunday School will be missed. We don't think twice about plunking down several thousand dollars on sports equipment and registration fees, or out-of-state tournaments. And we give our hearts and minds away to the dream of becoming a star athlete and perhaps earning a college scholarship. For many of us, it literally is becoming a form of idol worship.
Having said this, I still think there is value in youth sports. For all of my griping and complaining, the bottom line is that my children are involved in competitive swimming. This means weekend swim meets and before- and after-school practices. It means complete dedication for the whole family! We try our best to keep the sport from becoming an idol, but it takes work, especially in this competitive sports culture in North Texas.
So why does our family even bother with youth sports in the first place? Yes, I have dreams that perhaps one of my kids (or more) will earn a college scholarship. Yes, I have dreams that they will advance to a high school state swim meet. But more importantly, I like that my kids are learning the value of hard work and mental toughness.
Swimming is teaching my children to work toward their "personal best" at all times, and that to reach their personal best, it will take commitment and lots of hours in the pool. They may never win first place. They may never come close to a state meet or the opportunity to swim competitively in college. But they will learn the value of hard work, and the gratification that comes from committing yourself to a goal. They will also experience all of the wonderful benefits that come from regular physical exercise.
And most importantly, they will learn that swimming is only one part of who they are!
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Worship is Costly
As I was reading Matthew 26 this morning, it hit me that worship is costly.
A woman brings something of great worth to the home of Simon the leper for the sole purpose of anointing The Christ (The Anointed One). She offers the Lord something of costly value as an expression of worship.
In other words, worship costs us something!
You and I may not have material riches to lavish upon the Lord. We may not have an alabastar jar of expensive ointment. However, we all have the precious commodity of time!
Some might say that worship is a real waste of time. Rather than worship on a Sunday morning, we could be doing other things like working, playing, or competing (for families with children in select-team sports). This passage demonstrates that setting aside daily and weekly time for worship -- worship in which we bring ourselves to full attention before the Lord -- is a form of costly worship.
And when we bring this gift of costly worship before the Lord, he is well-pleased.
In other words, worship costs us something!
You and I may not have material riches to lavish upon the Lord. We may not have an alabastar jar of expensive ointment. However, we all have the precious commodity of time!
Some might say that worship is a real waste of time. Rather than worship on a Sunday morning, we could be doing other things like working, playing, or competing (for families with children in select-team sports). This passage demonstrates that setting aside daily and weekly time for worship -- worship in which we bring ourselves to full attention before the Lord -- is a form of costly worship.
And when we bring this gift of costly worship before the Lord, he is well-pleased.
Monday, December 10, 2012
The Five Dollar Challenge
I am a cheapskate. For the longest time, I have not kept cash in my wallet because I know that I will spend it and "fritter it away."
We run a tight ship in the Keffer household. Every dollar counts. But over time, this stingy habit of mine is catching up with me spiritually. I have let too many opportunities to give pass me by, and this takes a toll on a person after a while.
Inspired by the book Advent Conspiracy, I have decided to keep five $1 bills in my pocket/wallet for the sole purpose of giving them away. Instead of walking past the Salvation Army bell ringer and trying to sneak past him unnoticed, I am setting aside resources to give away. I am now prepared to meet the bell ringer head on with a financial contribution. Every time I have a chance to give toward some other-centered cause, I want to be prepared to give.
One dollar is not a whole lot of money, I know, but it is the discipline of giving that I want to start in my life. I have been stingy with God's blessings for too long. I need to be more like a waterfall that allows God's blessings to pass through me, rather than a stagnant pond that has no outlet.
This is inspired by the book, The Advent Conspiracy (McKinley, Seay, and Holder). It is time to move from being simply a consumer of God's grace to a conspirator of God's grace.
Join with me in this challenge!
Here is the challenge that I and others in my congregation are taking this week. We will have a new challenge next Sunday.
We run a tight ship in the Keffer household. Every dollar counts. But over time, this stingy habit of mine is catching up with me spiritually. I have let too many opportunities to give pass me by, and this takes a toll on a person after a while.
Inspired by the book Advent Conspiracy, I have decided to keep five $1 bills in my pocket/wallet for the sole purpose of giving them away. Instead of walking past the Salvation Army bell ringer and trying to sneak past him unnoticed, I am setting aside resources to give away. I am now prepared to meet the bell ringer head on with a financial contribution. Every time I have a chance to give toward some other-centered cause, I want to be prepared to give.
One dollar is not a whole lot of money, I know, but it is the discipline of giving that I want to start in my life. I have been stingy with God's blessings for too long. I need to be more like a waterfall that allows God's blessings to pass through me, rather than a stagnant pond that has no outlet.
This is inspired by the book, The Advent Conspiracy (McKinley, Seay, and Holder). It is time to move from being simply a consumer of God's grace to a conspirator of God's grace.
Join with me in this challenge!
Here is the challenge that I and others in my congregation are taking this week. We will have a new challenge next Sunday.
Advent
Conspiracy
Thank you for taking the $5 Dollar
Challenge. This week, please keep five
$1 bills in your pocket and give them away, as God leads. Practice the art of
giving and move consumer to conspirator of God’s grace.
Prayer: “God, you gave it all for me in
your son, Jesus Christ. May each dollar that I give away this week teach me how
to be a better giver. May every dollar be a blessing to you and those who
receive it. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
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