Sermon Delivered June 12, 2011: Pentecost!

Ladies and gentlemen, I am here because I heard there would be a fire breaking out in the church. I looked outside and didn’t see any smoke or anything, so I had to assume the fire hadn’t started yet. I’ve been doing some inspections around and haven’t seen any evidence where a fire might start either, so I am assuming someone is trying to start a fire here. My assumptions were confirmed when I read through that little thing y’all call a bulletin here. There’s a prayer in there that talks about kindling a fire. Further, I read a little bit about some folks who were playing with fire in one of those readings in there. Such things aren’t good folks. You all know our county is under a burn ban because of the current drought. Starting a fire now is very, very dangerous. The dry conditions could lead to a massive outbreak that would forever change the scope of our landscape around here. So, I am going to take some time this morning to give you a few lessons in fire safety and discourage you from starting such a fire.

I am sure that your parents taught nearly all of you that you shouldn’t play with fire. Why? Well, everyone knows when you play with fire, you will get burned. Some people get lucky and are burned just slightly with some skin irritation. There’s no lasting damage or change to them. They are fortunate because they can continue to go about their business without anyone noticing anything ever happened to them. Others aren’t quite as lucky. Sometimes they get burned rather badly, and there is severe skin irritation and blisters. You have to carefully manage such burns and care for them until they heal. If you aren’t careful, they can leave scars–evidence that you weren’t careful when dealing with fire. Finally, there are some very unfortunate folks who suffer third degree burns. Their skin is charred to a crisp. Scarring is permanent. They are forever changed by their dealings with fire. You don’t want this to happen. People look at you differently. Some might think you are strange. Others will shake their heads in pity.

Do you need an example? Well, let’s talk a moment about that little story in the bulletin that is marked with the words First Lesson. There was a story in there about some people who were touched by fire. Apparently, these folks were burned pretty badly because they started talking all kinds of gibberish to one another. They couldn’t even talk straight because of their experience with fire. I’m telling you, that’s a major danger sign right there. They ran out into the streets and started telling everyone about their experiences with this fire, and more and more people wanted to experience it too. Can’t you see the danger in playing with that fire so much? Can’t you see the danger in inviting others to reach out and touch this stuff that could burn them? I mean what would happen to them if they were marked for life by a severe burn?

You see, I know a few people who have been barely touched by this fire. They’ve felt the redness on their skin and in their hearts. It makes them very uncomfortable. They start realizing the implications that such fire has for their hearts and for their lives. It scares them. It makes them realize there is a huge change that will happen to them if the fire gets a hold of them. They are not sure they want this to happen. And so even though they’ve experienced this fire, they try to avoid it. They’ll even try to put it out whenever they come near it. They’ll talk badly about the fire and tell their friends and family to avoid it because of how it affects them. Stay free of the fire, they’ll tell you.

And then there are those who have handled the fire a little too much. They’ve been burned by it. They have blisters. In some ways they’ve enjoyed playing with the fire, but they only want to play with it on their terms. They don’t want anyone else to see what they are up to. So they hide the blisters. They cover up the redness. They don’t tell anyone about the fire they’ve seen and heard and touched. They keep coming back for more, but they walk away just as easy because they don’t want the fire to burn too deeply.

Finally, there are those who are consumed by this fire. These folks are scarred and marked permanently. You can see that they’ve played with fire, and their lives have been forever altered. You can see it in the things they do, the activities they are involved, and how they live their lives. They talk about their time spent with the fire; they talk about how it burned them; they talk about how it still affects them to this day. Strangely enough, which is hard for this fireman to understand, is that they have no regrets about being burned by the fire. In fact, they seem to encourage others to approach the fire and get burned themselves. They argue it’s a good thing that affected their lives in ways beyond comprehension. In some ways, I’d like to argue with them about this. But I can’t argue that their lives aren’t changed.

Believe me, I’d like to, but those who have been burned by this fire exhibit some very intriguing qualities. They are always ready to jump in and lend a hand to someone who is in need. I’ve seen a few give the shirt off their backs to help someone who is down on their luck or someone who is suffering from severe grief or depression. I’ve seen these folks dig deep into their pocketbooks to support causes throughout the world and in their communities. I’ve seen these folks walk with an air of humility even though they try to live exemplary lives. I’ve even seen these folks give up buying stuff they wanted to support local charities and such. Can you believe that? Most of them are always ready to stand up for those who don’t have a voice or have little power. They aren’t afraid to stick their necks out and risk it for people most of the society has written off. There really is something different about them. But, when I’ve talked to them about it, they tell me I have to get burned by the fire. I have to become scarred just like they are. I have to go through some pain as the fire touches me and works through me. They say it will make all the difference in the world.

Does that make sense to you? It absolutely floors me. I can’t believe that getting burned like that while intentionally playing with fire is a good thing. And here’s one other thing that blows my mind.

Sometimes a group of these people get together and they work to make this fire happen. They do all sorts of interesting things to promote this fire and see that it starts burning once again. They become passionate about it. They become worked to a point where they want the thing to erupt and consume entire communities.

Could you imagine that? Could you imagine an entire community touched and burned by such a thing? Could you imagine a whole community of people who carry the scars of being burned? Could you imagine an entire community of folks who do things differently, have a different idea of what is important in life, and who encourage others to become like them? Could you imagine a group of people who give of their time, of their ability, and of their money freely without worry so that a difference can be made?

I can’t conceive of such a thing. I mean, that might upset the whole way the world works. It might mean a totally new way of doing things and making things happen. It would be very, very dangerous to let such a thing happen. That’s why I am here to put out any fire that might get started. We can’t have that kind of change. We can’t have that kind of community. We can’t have that kind of church. Can we? Amen.

In Defense of Weiner

Bet that title caught your attention.

Now, before you read any further, please know this is no apologetic for Weiner's actions.  What he did was despicable.  There were two major betrayals that he committed: the betrayal of the sanctity of marriage and the betrayal of the public trust when he lied about his actions. 

Does he deserve to be criticized?  Yep.

Does he deserve to be raked over the coals?  Yep.

Does he deserve to lose his job over the escapade?  I can only say that if I were ever caught doing such a thing, I'd be removed from my position quickly and would not be allowed back until I received major amounts of counseling.

But does he deserve to have his head served on a platter?  Figuratively crucified for his actions?

I've got a problem with that.  I don't believe so.  His actions demand consequences, but I also believe we should be ready to forgive in a heartbeat. 

Why would I say such a thing about a man who did something like he did?

First, my faith.  Second, my gender.  My faith says, "Forgive."  My gender says, "I understand."

Let's start with the second and then work our way toward faith.

You see, I understand much of why Weiner did what he did when he involved himself with those women over the internet.  If you are a heterosexual man, the female form captures  your attention immediately and with regularity.  For some reason, God decided that we should be stimulated visually, and He also made the female form highly, highly attractive to us.

And yes, I know exactly what Jesus says in Matthew five: ²⁷“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’²⁸But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart."

Guilty as charged.  Don't know of a single heterosexual man who's escaped this one.  Those of us who take this comment seriously carry no small weight of angst about it knowing we sin almost on a daily basis.  (Thank God for His grace, or there wouldn't be a single man in heaven.)

And honest to goodness, we can't help it.  Our eyes wander.  We are attracted to curves, to bosoms, to derrieres, to curvaceous lips.  Now, ladies, please don't misunderstand me here, especially those of you who are married to us.  Just because we are attracted to another woman's looks doesn't mean we want to leave you for her.  We are still attracted to you.  We still love you.  Honestly, I believe that if we had a switch we could turn that would make us only have eyes for you, we'd throw the switch and then super glue, duct tape, weld, and wire it in place.  We hate disappointing  you when our eyes wander.  We really don't want to hurt you, and if we could turn it off, I believe most of us would.

But we can't.  It's wired into us.  Many of us struggle with self control.

And if you think us pastors have it easy...try officiating at a wedding where the bride and the bridesmaids are all wearing low cut dresses, and most of them are proud of the assets they have been given.  Try standing two or three steps above said bride and bridesmaids in front of a whole room of people who are staring at you when you are officiating.  The senior pastor I served with gave me a helpful word of advice when I was first starting out.  He showed me a notebook he always officiated at wedding with. 

"It helps when the dresses are low cut," he said.

I understand and carry my notebook to every wedding.

We live in a sexually charged culture.  Young ladies are encouraged to push the envelope when it comes to fashion.  Celebrity wardrobe malfunctions make the headlines on television and internet news sites.  Porn is readily available without filter on any computer hooked to the net. Guys and gals face temptation every single day.

And for some, their self control breaks.  They give in. 

They/we/I know it's wrong.  They/we/I would like to stop.  But it's doggone hard.  Especially when you are fighting thousands of years of evolution.

But I'm still trying.  I'm working hard for several reasons.  I don't want to disappoint my wife and ruin the great relationship I have with her.  I want to provide an example for my daughters showing them a man can have self control, and hopefully they will find a husband who does as well.  I want to prove that us guys aren't all jerks who only care about the size of a woman's bosom or if she can fit into a size 1. 

And when temptation strikes, I remind myself what I stand to lose if I should fall.

In some ways, I feel sorry for Rep. Weiner.  He's fallen.  He now faces the consequences of his actions.  I hope they teach him a lesson.  I hope he learns from his experience and can rebuild the trust with his wife and with the public.

I don't know that many are ready to forgive him just yet.

But I know God forgives.

And I hope we eventually can as well.

I Hate Snakes

¹⁴The Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, cursed are you among all animals and among all wild creatures; upon your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. ¹⁵I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.”  --Genesis 3: 14-15

I understand this sentiment all too well.  I hate snakes.  It probably stems from an incident when I was roughly 2 1/2 or three years old.  We lived in a trailer house, and every morning, I'd trudge outside and pick up the paper.  At this age, I considered it fun. 

One morning, I opened the door and proceeded to walk toward the steps.  I looked toward the ground, and there was a snake!  I have no earthly idea what kind of snake it was.  I just know that the darn thing looked right at me, opened its mouth and hissed.  I screamed bloody murder and ran back inside the house.  My mom shot at it a couple of times with a .22, but I don't think she hit it.  She did finish it off with a hoe.

Don't know if it was the shock of seeing the snake, it hissing at me, or what, but the image is deeply embedded in my brain, and I believe it serves as the root core of why I vehemently dislike snakes.

Fast forward 35+ years to yesterday.

I worked in my garden harvesting my corn crop.  After finishing, I needed to water my cucumbers, squash, and watermelon.  I headed to the spigot on the west side of the church building.  I was just about to reach down and grab the water hose when I heard a hissing sound.  I looked into an old armadillo hole and saw a black snake trying to swallow a toad.  Looking carefully, I saw the snake's head and fangs protruding on each side.  It was a water moccasin!  Venomous!  Not the kind of snake I want hanging around with my kids and pets playing outside on a regular basis.

Now, I know what scripture says in the 16th chapter of the book of Mark:

^17"And these signs will accompany those who believe: by using my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; ¹⁸they will pick up snakes in their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”  Mark 16: 17-18

I also know that this text probably was added later after the original author finished his work (you'd be able to tell it too if you read the Greek.)  I do know there are those who believe this to be inspired scripture, and these idiot, asinine, crazy people actually handle poisonous snakes during worship.

My faith is not that strong. 

I immediately left the vicinity and headed for my shop to appropriate a hoe.

Have you ever tried digging a snake out of a hole where he is entrenched?  Not an easy task.  Cottonmouths are notoriously strong.  They are also pretty aggressive, and my saving grace was this one was trying to swallow a meal.  He was more in retreat mode, so I had an edge.  However, despite my efforts, I still couldn't get the thing out.  It was time for stronger measures.

I like the Second Amendment to the Constitution, and I personally believe it guarantees individual American citizens the right to bear arms.  When facing a poisonous snake in a hole, that right to bear arms comes into play handily, and I exercised it.  My kids watched from their bedroom window where they could see the scene play out.

The first two would have done the job, I found out later.  But I fired two more for insurance measures.

After dragging the snake out, I used my hoe for insurance. 

Now, just for safe measures, I went back and read my letter of call.  It has nothing in there about protecting the church from deadly serpents, but I think I'm going to go back and write it in.  One day, I'm going to retire, and the next person in line will need to know what he/she is getting into. 

Apparently, in order to be a country preacher, you've got to be a snake killer as well.

p.s.  Hung the dang thing on the fence belly up.  It better rain now!

I Thought it was Funny

Yesterday I was asked to bless the meal at a wedding I presided at.  Immediately following the blessing, I had to jet to a graduation party to bless the meal there and rub elbows with a number of my members.

The DJ handed me the mike, and I proceeded:

Folks, I have good news and bad news for you this afternoon.  The good news is I have another commitment this afternoon.  I need to get to a graduation party immediately after this prayer, and everyone knows the party really gets started after the reverend leaves.

But now, the bad news.  I've already managed to have a beer, so the prayer is going to last at least 20 minutes!

(It only lasted two, for those who  might be interested.)

On Cutting Education

I'm a pretty conservative guy when it comes to the spending of my money.  You can't be raised German and be a part of a family who struggled financially for a while without that rubbing off on you as well.

That being said, there are still a few places where I splurge when it comes to spending.  One of those is for my kids' education.

As our children approached schooling age, my wife and I decided they would each get at least one year of pre-school before heading into kindergarten.  In this day's educational society, it's almost a requirement for kids to do well in school that they get such instruction.

We took our time and looked around at several places before deciding on their pre-school, and we've had no regrets.  They've done well, and my eldest did exceptionally well in kindergarten after having her preschool classes. 

My wife and I have also "splurged" when it comes to the school our children attend.  We're basically on the dividing line between two districts, and we chose to keep them with their friends and group that they have gone to preschool with even though it costs me a yearly transfer fee to keep them in the Bellville School District.  We feel they would get quality education either way, but their comfort level as they learn is important as well. 

Why am I sharing all these details?

Well, it has to do with the future, both of my kids and for the future of education in the state of Texas. 

How are the two related?

Well, my wife and I splurge on our kids' education because we know it is one of the greatest things that will help them become productive citizens in the future.  Education leads to a healthier, happier lifestyle.  It empowers kids to reach their potential and contribute to society in general.  We know these facts, and we know that for the sake of our children's future, we need to invest now.  We also know there is no cutting corners.  It's too important.  Therefore, if our budget gets tightened, we will cut all over the place before touching our kids' education.  If things were to get tight, the cable t.v. will be reduced to almost nothing, there will be absolutely no eating out, extraneous groceries will be axed, and we will tap into savings if we have to.  Again, it's too important.

Unfortunately, the state of Texas--at least the governing body of said state--doesn't seem to share our opinion of the matter.  In the budget crunches that have hit nearly every state, education seems to be a target.  The state of Texas is planning to cut four billion dollars from the educational system, and while this may help the state's bottom line in the near term, I believe it may have disastrous results in the future.

How so?

Well, let's begin with how I personally build any items.  Do I look for the cheapest materials and cut corners to save a buck?  Not a chance.  I know that spending up front for quality now leads to cost savings down the line.  For instance, I recently invested in a new ceiling fan for my rent house.  The old fan (which came with the house when I bought it) had a short in the light kit.  There was no replacement kit for this fan.   What did I choose to replace this fan with?  A model which had replacement parts and kits.  Why?  If something happens, I've got options.  Did the fan cost me more?  Yep.  Will it be worth it?  I'm sure it will if something happens.   And I'll save a lot of money in the future if something happens.

But it takes that investment to prepare for the eventualities.

What corners are being cut by the state decreasing the education budget by four billion?

Teacher pay.  Not good.  The best and the brightest will be lured away by other opportunities where they can make more.

Athletic and art programs.  Not good on either count.  Both programs teach excellent life skills to kids that will be used throughout life.

Classroom size increases.  Again, not good.  Smaller classes produce better quality education.  That's almost indisputable.

For the life of me, I can't explain why the state hasn't looked at getting rid of the standardized tests it requires schools to give.  The most recent stuff I could find showed the state paying almost $100 million on the text and materials and classes to boost test scores.  How many teachers' jobs would that save?

And something I haven't run across yet: will administrators feel the budget tightening as well?  Will they be given pay cuts and forced furloughs?  After all, what's good for the goose...

I believe if we are concerned with the future of our state and its ability to compete in a global economy, we need to invest in those who will help our state become major players.  Our teachers and students will produce the creative minds necessary to do this.  Cutting corners now will damage this. 

My recommendation: cut other places in the budget to bare bones, cut TAKS, STAAR, or whatever other standardized tests the state spends money on, and invest in our future by keeping those four billion dollars where they belong: educating our kids.

Only This Much

My middle child is a sensitive little girl.

She's one of those kids who when she is in trouble, you only have to look at her, and she starts crying.

Last night, she knew she was in trouble.

She hit her big sister without provocation.
Her big sister told on her, and she went and hid.

Of course, I found her.

Immediately, she began crying...sobbing...real tears and everything.

"Daddy, are you mad at me?" she asked, chin quivering.

"Yes, honey, Daddy is mad at you."

More tears.  Heavier crying.

"Come hear, hon," I said.  "Look, when Daddy gets mad at you, he's mad for this long (holds up two fingers less than an inch apart.  And do you know how long Daddy loves you?"

Crying stops.  Inquisitive eyes.  Shaking head.

"Daddy loves you this much!"  (Stretches arms as far out as they can go.)

Big smile.

"Kaylee, Daddy will get mad at you, but no matter how mad I get, I will always love you."

Monster hug.  No more tears. 

An Open Letter to All Texans

Readers of this blog know my hesitancy to engage too much in the political process.  A pastor generally needs to be rather neutral regarding such things realizing he/she will have members on either side of a particular debate.  However, I feel as though I must enter the fray as many of my church family and friends are deeply affected by the actions of Centerpoint Energy out of Houston.  If you have a soft spot for standing up for the "little guy", I invite you to read the following, post it to your own blogs, send it to your local news papers, and forward it to all of your family and friends.  Your assistance is most welcome.

A few short years ago, the state of Texas tried to implement what was called "the largest land grab in Texas history." More than a few Texans stood opposed to the Trans-Texas Corridor and the attempt to take land that folks worked hard to buy or had been passed down from generation to generation. Because of their efforts, public outcry raised to a fever pitch, and the idea was finally scrapped. The "little guys" showed their moxie, overcame log odds, and defeated something that all but looked like a juggernaut.

Such a thing is built deep within the DNA of Texans. Our state has a history of people who celebrate their independence and are willing to stand against those who would try to rob them of their rights or their property. The people of Gonzales shouted, "Come and take it!" as they fired their cannon and stood against those who would have removed it. The defenders of the Alamo held their ground against overwhelming odds–finally succumbing, but buying precious time with their blood. Houston’s army defeated a greater force by playing it smart and using the element of surprise. These actions were all in response to a dictator who tried to overwhelm the spirit of independence which pervaded the early Texans and Tejanos. Those early folks weren’t going to stand for it, and their passion continues to influence Texans to this day.

Once again, a group of Texans is uniting to oppose such forces which are seeking to take land and livelihood. Centerpoint Energy has proposed running high voltage power lines through Fayette, Austin, and Waller Counties to provide electricity to the city of Houston. They are seeking right of way through hard working Texans’ land and using considerable influence to have it done.

Now, no one disputes the growing need that urban centers have for electricity. Neither would anyone dispute allowing customers to pay lower prices for energy. Both of these things are presumptively going to happen should these lines be run. The first will definitely happen. The second...well, the evidence isn’t exactly hard and fast.

Yet, it is upon this evidence that Centerpoint is making its case. Let’s say, just for the sake of argument, their numbers are indeed sound, at least in saving some folks some cash. Is that savings worth the price the folks of Fayette, Austin, and Waller Counties have to pay in giving up their land and livelihood? One could argue it might should they receive a reduction in their energy costs. However, these lines will give hardly anyone in these counties this benefit. All the benefit will go to Cenerpoint customers only. In effect, Centerpoint is telling those whose land they are taking, "We’re going to take your land, pay you what we consider "fair value", and you will get no benefit." Would anyone in their right mind agree to such a proposal? Is it any wonder why the folks in these counties are up in arms over this issue?

One then wonders why Centerpoint wants to run through these counties instead of using already existing right of ways to accomplish their task. Doesn’t the state already have enough land to handle such matters? Why do they keep wanting more from the "little guys?" The argument put forth by Centerpoint is: going down those right of ways is not cost effective for us.

O.K.  Let's play that game a little bit?  Most people who invest in various items, be it homes, cars, what have you must judge the cost effectiveness of their purchases as well.  If these folks cannot afford their investment or it is not cost effective for them, they don't do it, they put it on their wish list for another time, or they seek alternative methods for paying for it.  Here is one thing such folks do not do: take others' property to make their desire more affordable.  In the individual world that's called stealing.  It is neither fair, just, or right in any sort of moral sense or otherwise.

Yet, is this not what Centerpoint is trying to do with these landowners?  Take something that doesn't belong to them to fulfill a desire of their company to provide electricity for its customers to perhaps save them a few pennies on the dollar?  Oh, and might we go ahead and ask how much Centerpoint is going to profit from this move as well?  Corporations do not undertake such massive projects to break even. 

So again we see a large entity trying to take from individual land owners their property to fulfill their desires and their pocketbooks without any benefit what-so-ever for those land owners.  Did such folks forget the lessons of the Trans-Texas Corridor?  Texans do not stand for such injustices committed to their people.

Therefore, just as Travis wrote his famous appeal for assistance to the rest of his fellow Texans, the people of Austin, Fayette, and Waller Counties appeal to their fellow Texans for assistance in standing against this injustice. Please make your voices known to your legislators and tell them, "Enough is enough." Centerpoint looks like a juggernaut to many; however, they cannot overcome something that is deeply embedded in Texans: their sense of justice, independence, and willingness to fight for what is right. With the aid of fellow Texans, those things will surely carry the day.