Cooking Over the Fire

Last weekend, we had an outdoor cookout at our house, celebrating the end of summer as well as Ethan's birthday (which was actually a month earlier, but we were too busy then).  Several friends were invited, including the two (red & blue shirts) in the picture above.  The boy in the red shirt, who lives down the street, had never cooked outside before.  His excitement over cooking hot dogs was nothing compared to how happy he was when we brought out the marshmallows a little later.

Christians and Muslims

In an article I wrote for my church's newsletter this week, I talked about the importance of interfaith work.  Because of what's happening in this country right now, today's blog post will include much of what I shared in that article.

Before coming to Bixby Knolls Christian Church in the spring of 2008, I had very little experience in interfaith dialogue or programming. However, after arriving here, I discovered that BKCC has a long history with interfaith work. As a result, I soon found myself involved in the Long Beach Religious Leaders Association (LBRLA), the South Coast Interfaith Council (SCIC), and the annual Unity Bike-a-Thon.

Needless to say, I quickly discovered the value and importance of interfaith work. I am now a co-president of LBRLA, a board member of SCIC, and am on the committee that organizes the Bike-a-Thon. Thanks to the ministry that BKCC has shown me, I have found a new calling within my own ministry: a call to interfaith work.

In recent weeks, I’ve realized something: there has never been a more important time for interfaith dialogue and understanding. That may sound like an overstatement, but it’s not. Two-thirds of Americans believe that it is wrong to allow the building of an Islamic community center two blocks from “Ground Zero” in New York, even though America is the land of freedom (including freedom of religion). A church in Florida has declared September 11, 2010 “Burn the Quran” day, and thousands of Americans are in support of that. There is clearly a negative attitude toward Muslims in this country, an attitude that, if left unchecked, threatens the liberties we all cherish.

Let me be clear: Islam is a religion of peace. It is no more violent a religion than Christianity. In fact, it could be argued that Christianity has the more violent history, when one considers the Crusades, the Inquisition, witch hunts, racial lynchings, abortion clinic bombings, and so on. Yes, there are Islamic extremists who advocate terrorism; yes, there are Christian extremists who believe God calls them to kill. But that does not mean that either Islam or Christianity is a religion of violence.

It is, however, an act of violence to burn sacred books, whether they be Qurans or Bibles. Burning books is one of the tactics used by the Nazis in the last century (and soon after they burned books, they started burning people). Burning the Quran or any other sacred text is wrong.

As Americans who cherish liberty and freedom, we must speak against such acts. As followers of Jesus, we must live for peace and understanding. I am thankful for BKCC, through which I have become connected to SCIC and have gained a wider understanding of and appreciation for various faiths.

On Labor Day, I will once again ride in the Interfaith Unity Bike-a-Thon. The purpose of this event is two-fold: 1. to increase peace and understanding through interfaith fellowship; 2. to raise money, both for SCIC as well as for local congregations.

I am currently seeking sponsors to support me. Both SCIC and BKCC (like many other worthy organizations) rely on the voluntary support of members and friends to carry out their ministry. With rising levels of fear, prejudice, and even hate in our country, ministries that promote peace, freedom, and understanding need all the support they can get.

It is my hope that America will show to the world that it truly is the land of freedom, where no one is judged because of their religion, and where no religion is judged because of the actions of a few extremists.  It is time for healing.  It is time for understanding.  It is time for peace.

On a Limb

The other day I was going through some older pictures of mine, pictures that are several years old.  It's not something I do very often, which means some of the pictures I had forgotten about, and seeing them again was almost like seeing them for the first time.  Anyway, this photo in particular stood out, and I can't recall ever posting it on the blog (although it's possible I have and forgot), so I'm sharing it with you today.  It was taken almost three years ago in northern California.  The subject of the photograph is one of the kids we got to know when we lived up there.  I still hear from him every once in awhile.

Positive Energy

I had to do it.  I had to "hide" you on my facebook page.  You're still my "friend," both on facebook and in real life.  After all, we've known each other almost twenty years, and some of the conversations we've had have helped shape the way I think. 

So my decision to "hide" you was made reluctantly.  However, it was a decision I had to make.  By "hiding" you, I no longer have to see your frequent updates, which consistently spread negative energy.  I no longer have to read about (for example) the annoying children you saw at the restaurant, or the rude person who rang up your groceries, or the flight that was delayed only because the airline was intent on ruining your life.

Everyone has a bad day now and then, but I wonder:  do you ever meet children who aren't annoying?  Do you ever have a friendly conversation in the checkout line?  Do you ever give thanks to God that your flight was on time, or even for the fact that a many-ton aircraft full of people is able to get off the ground at all, and arrive safely at its destination?

Don't get me wrong; I do understand that life can be stressful.  However, that just means that it's all that much more important to seek out positive energy, to pay attention to the blessings of life, and to tune out, as much as possible, the negative energy.  This is why I turn off the TV news.  This is why I avoid movies with violence or lots of yelling.  This is why I walk or ride my bike to work along tree-lined streets, rather than commute by freeway.  Freeways are full of negative energy, especially in southern California during rush hour.

As you know, I am a preacher.  I've preached nearly every Sunday for the past thirteen years.  I'm still figuring out what kind of preacher I want to be.  I'm still trying to decide what my "preaching style" is.

One thing I do know, though, is that I want my preaching to be filled with positive energy.  Yes, the gospel calls me to point out the injustice in the world, but there is always good news to share.  Sometimes it's the good news that God shares in the suffering of the people.  Sometimes it's the good news that, as people of faith, we are called to work for justice and an end to suffering.  But always, there is good news.

Mother Teresa once said that she would never attend an anti-war rally, but that if you were to have a peace rally, be sure to invite her.  That's the kind of message I need to hear.  That's the type of positive energy I need more of, if I am to avoid becoming a bitter man.  So please forgive me for "hiding" your updates on my facebook page.

In the meantime (and I say this with all sincerity):  Have a nice day.

Old Barn

Not really an old barn; actually, another picture from Disneyland.  My wife liked this one, so I'm posting it on my blog.

For new readers of the blog, welcome! A little orientation: I usually post photos on Tuesdays, and essays on Thursdays. Thanks for stopping by!

El Dorado Nature Center

After living in the Long Beach area for over two years, I finally made it to El Dorado Nature Center last week. Because I take frequent hikes in the San Gabriel and Santa Monica Mountains, and am used to wilderness areas, I wasn't expecting much in the way of wilderness at El Dorado. After all, it's located here in a city of half a million people, next to the freeway, surrounded on all sides by urban development.

So I was surprised to find several miles of nature trails through a natural area that is almost wild.  It's not perfect; one can never completely avoid the sounds of the 605 freeway; and what were all those colored pipes I saw sticking up throughout the preserve: sprinklers? 

However, the traffic noise is muted, and never loud enough to interfere with hearing the songs of the many birds in the park. 

There are several options for hikers:  a one-mile trail, a two-mile trail, and a 1/4 mile trail.  The 1/4 mile trail is paved with a handrail, making it accessible to people with various disabilities.  On the day I was there, the morning sky was overcast, which kept the temperature nice and cool.  The turtles were not out yet as I crossed the bridge that led from the visitor center to the trails. 

Despite my initial reservations and the distant sounds of the freeway, a walk through the nature center succeeded in taking me out of the city.  Unlike the constant roar that I would experience at Disneyland the following day, a stroll here truly is calm and peaceful.  As I continue to read through the biography of John Muir, I understand his belief that all people have a instinctive draw to nature, which is good for one's soul. And after spending 3 hours driving round trip to Altadena yesterday for a meeting, stuck in terrible traffic both ways, I realize just how dehumanizing modern life can be.  In nature, I find that humanity is restored.   After a couple of hours walking (and sitting) in nature, I feel rejuvenated -- which, I must say, was not how I felt after a fun but exhausting day at Disneyland. 

Before I left, I found a bench near one of the ponds, where I sat and watched what was going on.  Hidden in a shrub in front of me, a heron moved in slow motion next to the water, then stood perfectly still.  A couple of dragonflies hovered around, including one that was the color of fire.  Small groups of people walked back and forth on the trail.  A few of them noticed the dragonflies, but none of them noticed the heron.  Apparently, at least one of the dragonflies (not the fire-red one) didn't notice the heron either.  In an instant, that dragonfly became the heron's lunch.

When it was time to leave, I crossed the bridge back to civilization, and noticed that the turtles were now visible, sunbathing in the emerging sunlight.  As soon as I left the nature center and passed into the parking lot (where I could see the traffic lights at Spring Avenue), I felt a longing to turn around and retreat back into nature.

Before the River Caught on Fire

In exchange for a day of community service, my family received some free tickets to Disneyland, which we used last weekend.  One thing I've noticed about Disneyland is that it's LOUD, which makes this picture (in which all appears calm and quiet) quite deceiving....  Not long after I took this photo, a giant dragon appeared and lit the river on fire.

Hiroshima, 65 Years Later

Tomorrow marks the 65th anniversary of the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima. Well over 100,00 people lost their lives, with many more sickened by the radiation. A few days later, a second bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, with similar results.

I remember the day in fifth grade when I first understood the destructive capabilities humans possess. Up until that point, I had thought that it was a joke. Literally. I had watched "Marvin the Martian" cartoons, in which Marvin threatens to destroy the earth, and found them hilarious. But on that day, I found out that the ability to destroy the earth was fact, not fiction. I was terrified.

Suddenly, Marving the Martian cartoons didn't seem so funny.

65 years after the bombing of Hiroshima, there are still debates regarding whether it was necessary. President Truman told the American people, who weren't quite comfortable with their nation's new nuclear strategy, that it saved the lives of thousands of U.S. servicemen. In subsequent speeches, the number of saved lives grew until it reached one million. That number seemed to satisfy the Americans that the attack was, indeed, worth it. However, at that point in the war, Japan was already weakened, and negotiations for surrender were already under way. At the time General Eisenhower estimated that dropping the atomic bomb on Hiroshima would save 40,000 U.S. lives, not one million.

Whether it was worth it or not, we have ever since lived in a nuclear age. As a kid I learned "duck and cover" drills, which were ridiculous attempts to convince us that we could survive a nuclear attack (although they ended up being good drills for what to do in an earthquake). And whenever I stop and think about it for too long, the terror I felt in fifth grade returns, for we still live in a world that is under the threat of destruction by nuclear attack.

This year, for the first time, a top U.S. official is attending the memorial service in Hiroshima. This is a good thing. But more still needs to be done. It still seems to me that it's only a matter of time before another nuclear weapon is used against innocent people, and I'm afraid that it's more likely than not that I will witness this in my lifetime.  I can only imagine what our Creator thinks of all this.

Below is a video I saw via a link at Brian McLaren's blog. Check it out.

Communion