So, did that title pull you in or what?
It was an interesting early afternoon in the Stephens' household. We got home from eating lunch and buying groceries, and while Mary was putting the groceries away I decided to take out the trash. The one outside of our kitchen was full and I knew that the diaper genie in Henry's nursery also needed changed, so I got them together and brought them out to the dumpster. When I came back in I told Mary that I was going to go up to my office for a little bit. I climbed the steps and then remembered that I had yet to reset the diaper genie, so I walked into the nursery to fix it.
I looked down into the diaper genie and discovered a puddle of pee in the bottom, I sighed and then picked up the diaper genie and went into the bathroom. I grabbed a bundle of paper towels from beneath the sink and proceeded to mop up the pee. I then came to the realization that I probably didn't want to just leave the urine soaked paper towels in the bathroom trash (mainly because it has no bag), so I decided to go downstairs and get a small trash bag for it. I proceeded down the stairs when Mary called out, "Can you get me a new shirt?"
I finished coming down the stairs to find that Henry had peed through his diaper, onesie, pants and finally onto Mary's shirt. Mary had already grabbed a new shirt for Henry so I grabbed his emergency pants from his diaper bag. Mary told me that she would get her own shirt and I proceeded to tell her why I had come down in the first pace. On the bright side it didn't appear that any urine had dripped from the bag on the way down the stairs or out the door. I then went back upstairs to finish cleaning out the diaper genie.
I tell you all of this because it is kind of funny, but also because my biggest worry about having a baby was dealing with pee and poop. I have a rather delicate gag reflex and I worried that I may just throw up on Henry if he pooped. I had never changed a diaper before and was in no way looking forward to doing it over and over and over and over and over again. When I told my mother this fear she replied that when it was your own child it wouldn't matter all that much, that you realize that they need cleaned and they can't do it themselves so you know you have to do it for them.
Upon hearing that advice I thought, "Yeah, right," in a very sarcastic way. But in retrospect I should have thought, "Yeah, right," in a more understanding way. Because it is completely and utterly true, at least in my case. I know that there are people out there that don't feel the same way, people who allow their children to stay in dirty diapers way longer than they should. People who mistreat their children, people who abuse their children. Praise God I am not one of them. When Henry pees and poops and spits-up I have this inner need to protect him, to care for him, to make things better for him. And I know that he can pee and poop and spit-up as much as he needs to and I will be there to clean him and change him and care for him until there is no longer strength in my arms and breath in my lungs.
I wish I could go back and tell my pre-birth self that it would all be okay, that sure poop smells but the smell is never bad enough that you can't overcome it. I would tell this past Kenny that he would be cleaning pee and poop and spit-up off of chairs and ottomans and carpets and blankets and off of shirts and pants and hands of both Henry and himself. I would tell him that nothing is more important that Henry being a happy and healthy baby. I would tell him that as soon as he saw that big smile and bright eyes the smell of poop the dampness and pee and the thought of spit-up would all just fade away and something very primal would take over and he would do what needed to be done to make sure that smile never faded and those eyes continued to shine.
Peace and Love,
Pastor K
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
My prosperity gospel says to gain your life you must lose it
So, this blog has been a long time coming, years in the making really. And it is rather strange that the thing that prompted this particular blog was much more benign than other episodes. You see a friend shared a Facebook status of Joel Osteen's saying roughly 'God is making all of the crooked roads straight for you, that what God promised God will do'. I completely agree with the second part of of the statement; God will in fact fulfill the promises that God makes to you, but the idea that God is making all your future roads straight is down right laughable.
I mean seriously, where do you come up with that idea?
From your life?
Cause I know its not from mine.
From scripture?
Please tell me where.
Not from Jesus who says that the rain falls on the just and the unjust.
Not from any of the people in the Old Testament.
Do you think that David had a straight road? It took him 16 years to get his promised kingdom, and that was after having to kill a giant and run from the current king who once loved him and then tried to kill him.
What about Abraham? It took him 25 years to get the child that God promised and most of God's promises were never fulfilled in Abraham's lifetime, plus there was the whole niece-in law turned into salt, and those times where he claimed that his wife was his sister so he wouldn't be killed, but whatever.
What about Moses? Yeah, God saved him as a baby, but that didn't stop him from having to spend a long time tending sheep before a bush started burning, or having to deal with a monarch with a hard heart, or a grumbling people, or another 40 years in the desert, or never entering the promised land.
What about Joseph? He had spectacular dreams given by God and then he was sold into slavery by his brothers, accused of rape by his master's wife, thrown in jail for years, only then did things start to turn around.
Going back to Jesus. His path sure did seem straight didn't it? I mean sure he was beaten and mocked and crucified, but he was the Son of God, of course his life would be difficult.
And Paul, don't get me started on the easy life that guy had after he was struck blind and devoted his life to following God.
You want the truth? I'll tell you the truth. You path is going to be full of curves and difficult and many times you'll think its not worth it. You'll be beaten down by people and circumstances. People will laugh with you one second and laugh at you the next. But you know what? Through it all God has promised to be with you, and that promise is good, that promise is true.
I am often confronted with people who think that everything is going to work out to flowers and money and fame because they follow God, not the case, God doesn't make us 'handsome rich and wise' no matter what we pray. God gives us what we need when we need it, nothing more.
One of my theological/musical heroes Derek Webb says it this way in his song Wedding Dress
If you could love me as a wife
and for my wedding gift, your life
Should that be all I'd ever need
or is there more I'm looking for
and should I read between the lines
and look for blessings in disguise
To make me handsome, rich, and wise
Is that really what you want
I am a whore I do confess
But I put you on just like a wedding dress
and I run down the aisle
and I run down the aisle
I'm a prodigal with no way home
but I put you on just like a ring of gold
and I run down the aisle to you
So could you love this bastard child
Though I don't trust you to provide
With one hand in a pot of gold
and with the other in your side
I am so easily satisfied
by the call of lovers so less wild
That I would take a little cash
Over your very flesh and blood
Because money cannot buy
a husband's jealous eye
When you have knowingly deceived his wife
God gave us Jesus, and life, and breath, and a world to live in. Yet we are continually asking for more and more and more.
And this Jesus, this Jesus that we claim to follow said that birds had nests and foxes had homes but that he had no place to rest his head.
And he said blessed are the poor in spirit, blessed are the meek, blessed are those that mourn. And he said to store your treasures in heaven, not here.
And he said that it was easier for a camel to enter the eye of a needle than for a rich man to get into heaven. Now the 'eye of a needle' was a doorway that was quite a bit smaller than the camel, it forced the camel to get on its knees and crawl in, not an easy thing for a camel to do. So its not impossible for a rich man to get into heaven, just more difficult, but there are those who think God wants to make them wealthy?
Why on earth do you think that God wants to make it harder for you to get into heaven? He sent Jesus just so you could get in!!!
Though it may be hard to believe this time, I do wish you,
Peace and Love,
Pastor K
I mean seriously, where do you come up with that idea?
From your life?
Cause I know its not from mine.
From scripture?
Please tell me where.
Not from Jesus who says that the rain falls on the just and the unjust.
Not from any of the people in the Old Testament.
Do you think that David had a straight road? It took him 16 years to get his promised kingdom, and that was after having to kill a giant and run from the current king who once loved him and then tried to kill him.
What about Abraham? It took him 25 years to get the child that God promised and most of God's promises were never fulfilled in Abraham's lifetime, plus there was the whole niece-in law turned into salt, and those times where he claimed that his wife was his sister so he wouldn't be killed, but whatever.
What about Moses? Yeah, God saved him as a baby, but that didn't stop him from having to spend a long time tending sheep before a bush started burning, or having to deal with a monarch with a hard heart, or a grumbling people, or another 40 years in the desert, or never entering the promised land.
What about Joseph? He had spectacular dreams given by God and then he was sold into slavery by his brothers, accused of rape by his master's wife, thrown in jail for years, only then did things start to turn around.
Going back to Jesus. His path sure did seem straight didn't it? I mean sure he was beaten and mocked and crucified, but he was the Son of God, of course his life would be difficult.
And Paul, don't get me started on the easy life that guy had after he was struck blind and devoted his life to following God.
You want the truth? I'll tell you the truth. You path is going to be full of curves and difficult and many times you'll think its not worth it. You'll be beaten down by people and circumstances. People will laugh with you one second and laugh at you the next. But you know what? Through it all God has promised to be with you, and that promise is good, that promise is true.
I am often confronted with people who think that everything is going to work out to flowers and money and fame because they follow God, not the case, God doesn't make us 'handsome rich and wise' no matter what we pray. God gives us what we need when we need it, nothing more.
One of my theological/musical heroes Derek Webb says it this way in his song Wedding Dress
If you could love me as a wife
and for my wedding gift, your life
Should that be all I'd ever need
or is there more I'm looking for
and should I read between the lines
and look for blessings in disguise
To make me handsome, rich, and wise
Is that really what you want
I am a whore I do confess
But I put you on just like a wedding dress
and I run down the aisle
and I run down the aisle
I'm a prodigal with no way home
but I put you on just like a ring of gold
and I run down the aisle to you
So could you love this bastard child
Though I don't trust you to provide
With one hand in a pot of gold
and with the other in your side
I am so easily satisfied
by the call of lovers so less wild
That I would take a little cash
Over your very flesh and blood
Because money cannot buy
a husband's jealous eye
When you have knowingly deceived his wife
God gave us Jesus, and life, and breath, and a world to live in. Yet we are continually asking for more and more and more.
And this Jesus, this Jesus that we claim to follow said that birds had nests and foxes had homes but that he had no place to rest his head.
And he said blessed are the poor in spirit, blessed are the meek, blessed are those that mourn. And he said to store your treasures in heaven, not here.
And he said that it was easier for a camel to enter the eye of a needle than for a rich man to get into heaven. Now the 'eye of a needle' was a doorway that was quite a bit smaller than the camel, it forced the camel to get on its knees and crawl in, not an easy thing for a camel to do. So its not impossible for a rich man to get into heaven, just more difficult, but there are those who think God wants to make them wealthy?
Why on earth do you think that God wants to make it harder for you to get into heaven? He sent Jesus just so you could get in!!!
Though it may be hard to believe this time, I do wish you,
Peace and Love,
Pastor K
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Compassion Unleashed
So, I heard a story today that created a burning inside me. A friend told me about a pastor who was giving a sermon about compassion, and he stated some people who deserved compassion and then suggested that homosexuals do not deserve compassion because they choose to be homosexual. And though he did not go there, if you keep spreading that out anyone who chooses to sin would then not deserve compassion.
Now, no matter what your view on homosexuality or any other sin let me tell you right now that Christians are meant to show compassion to every person who breathes air. Jesus did not come as a baby, live and teach and die so that we could not be compassionate to people.
Jesus stood in front of [well actually he bent over and drew in the sand] a woman accused of adultery and told her accusers that the one who was sin-free could throw the first stone. Jesus hung out with tax collectors and spoke with Samaritans the ancient world equivalent of homosexuals and terrorists. Jesus said that whatever you have done unto the least of these you have done unto him. Jesus said that it is not the healthy that need a doctor but the sick. Jesus said do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Jesus said love you neighbor, and your enemy. Jesus said, Jesus said, Jesus said.
Nothing makes me angrier than men and women who are bound by Jesus' teachings and instead preach hate and division. I don't care if you have a seminary degree or you turn tricks on the street corner, you are my brother and my sister and I will treat you as such, that is what Jesus commands, and that is what I believe.
If I am honest I am not perfect at this. I sometimes say things I shouldn't when someone in front of my doesn't use their turn signal. I tend to judge parents who stand on a skinny ledge holding their newborn. I have my fair share of anger and resentment, but I have never and I will never stand behind a pulpit and say that Jesus does not love anyone. Jesus is better than me and better than you, Jesus died to show how much he loved us. I send up a prayer of forgiveness for myself and any minister or follower that have spread hate instead of love, that have spread division instead of unity, that have spread fear instead of understanding.
Father forgive us all because too often we still do not know what we do.
Peace and Love,
Pastor K
Now, no matter what your view on homosexuality or any other sin let me tell you right now that Christians are meant to show compassion to every person who breathes air. Jesus did not come as a baby, live and teach and die so that we could not be compassionate to people.
Jesus stood in front of [well actually he bent over and drew in the sand] a woman accused of adultery and told her accusers that the one who was sin-free could throw the first stone. Jesus hung out with tax collectors and spoke with Samaritans the ancient world equivalent of homosexuals and terrorists. Jesus said that whatever you have done unto the least of these you have done unto him. Jesus said that it is not the healthy that need a doctor but the sick. Jesus said do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Jesus said love you neighbor, and your enemy. Jesus said, Jesus said, Jesus said.
Nothing makes me angrier than men and women who are bound by Jesus' teachings and instead preach hate and division. I don't care if you have a seminary degree or you turn tricks on the street corner, you are my brother and my sister and I will treat you as such, that is what Jesus commands, and that is what I believe.
If I am honest I am not perfect at this. I sometimes say things I shouldn't when someone in front of my doesn't use their turn signal. I tend to judge parents who stand on a skinny ledge holding their newborn. I have my fair share of anger and resentment, but I have never and I will never stand behind a pulpit and say that Jesus does not love anyone. Jesus is better than me and better than you, Jesus died to show how much he loved us. I send up a prayer of forgiveness for myself and any minister or follower that have spread hate instead of love, that have spread division instead of unity, that have spread fear instead of understanding.
Father forgive us all because too often we still do not know what we do.
Peace and Love,
Pastor K
Saturday, April 6, 2013
Just Checking In
So, it has been a little over a week since I last posted, a week since I accomplished my Lenten task of 40 blogs in 40+ days. It has been good to not feel the pressure to write a blog almost every day, but I have missed it a little, the sense of knowing I have something that I need to accomplish, the sense of completion. I don't really know how much I am going to write tonight, but I was checking NCAA scores and updating a playlist on my iPod so I figured I might as well type a few things.
I was supposed to be just getting out of a concert right about now, but I got an email this afternoon saying that Derek Webb had lost his voice and hence the concert was canceled. Supposedly he is going to be rescheduling, hopefully it will be on a day where I can still go. Interestingly enough this is the second straight time Derek was going to be performing in Anderson and he ended up canceling. Last time he did cancel the entire Square Tour that he was going to do in support of his CTRL album, so there are different circumstances this time around. I understand the problem of losing your voice quite well because a little over a year ago I lost mine on the way home from church on Sunday and thought I was going to have to find someone to preach for me the next week, in the end I started to get my voice back on Thursday and had it pretty much back to normal by Sunday.
I had a difficult time trying to figure out what to preach about tomorrow. I finished my previous series last Sunday (Easter) and didn't know where I wanted to go, I still don't in general so tomorrow's sermon is a one off focusing on Luke 24:13-35 where two disciples (not apostles) encounter Jesus on the road to Emmaus. I have been reading a book on parables by John Dominic Crossan and in his intro he mentions the passage. I was telling Mary about what he had to say and she suggested that I could preach on it, this was after she had made about 3 other suggestions that I thought about but never felt any passion about. This time I felt a little bit of passion so hopefully it will translate well tomorrow. It could possibly just crash and burn, but I kind of live in that possibility every Sunday since I started preaching, and definitely since I started preaching from an outline.
I suppose that's about it for tonight. Hope this finds you doing well, I'll pray for you, please pray for me.
Peace and Love,
Pastor K
I was supposed to be just getting out of a concert right about now, but I got an email this afternoon saying that Derek Webb had lost his voice and hence the concert was canceled. Supposedly he is going to be rescheduling, hopefully it will be on a day where I can still go. Interestingly enough this is the second straight time Derek was going to be performing in Anderson and he ended up canceling. Last time he did cancel the entire Square Tour that he was going to do in support of his CTRL album, so there are different circumstances this time around. I understand the problem of losing your voice quite well because a little over a year ago I lost mine on the way home from church on Sunday and thought I was going to have to find someone to preach for me the next week, in the end I started to get my voice back on Thursday and had it pretty much back to normal by Sunday.
I had a difficult time trying to figure out what to preach about tomorrow. I finished my previous series last Sunday (Easter) and didn't know where I wanted to go, I still don't in general so tomorrow's sermon is a one off focusing on Luke 24:13-35 where two disciples (not apostles) encounter Jesus on the road to Emmaus. I have been reading a book on parables by John Dominic Crossan and in his intro he mentions the passage. I was telling Mary about what he had to say and she suggested that I could preach on it, this was after she had made about 3 other suggestions that I thought about but never felt any passion about. This time I felt a little bit of passion so hopefully it will translate well tomorrow. It could possibly just crash and burn, but I kind of live in that possibility every Sunday since I started preaching, and definitely since I started preaching from an outline.
I suppose that's about it for tonight. Hope this finds you doing well, I'll pray for you, please pray for me.
Peace and Love,
Pastor K
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)