Doug's Diablog

Brother from another mother

2010-05-19T21:28:00.000-07:00

My wife sent me this new picture as my profile for my picture. My brother from another mother. I can see the resemblance can you?

you have all you need

2009-07-01T12:17:00.001-07:00

You have all you need. Do you believe that? Or, like many people tell yourself, "If I only had _______" then I could, or then I would ________.

Is that you?

Recently at the Desert Southwest Annual Conference of the UMC, held in Glendale, AZ, we were confronted with that very reality. In his sermon to the Annual Conference, Bishop Gregory Vaughn Palmer, the President of the Council of Bishops of the UMC, the Bishop reminded us that in fact we do have all we need. We have the leadership, we have the facilities, we have the $$$$. Now the money may remain hidden in people's pockets but nonetheless, we still have all we need!

What more do you think you need in order to do what God has asked? Would God ask you to do anything, or call you to a task and not give you the very means to acheive it?

You have all that you need. Do you believe it?

If you're not connected, you're dead!

2009-06-17T09:16:00.000-07:00

Recently, the network was down at the church. Computers couldn't connect to the printer, they couldn't connect to the internet, they couldn't connect to eachother. If you have never experienced this sort of thing, I will tell you it is not only frustrating, but debilitating. The irony of all this was early that day I had heard an editorial piece on NPR about how dependent on technology our culture had become. Little did I know how real the commentators words would become to me that day.

If for a moment you think that this is no big deal, consider this. Can't print, can't email, can't access the church financial or personal contact records. There were moments where we actually were standing, looking at one another wondering, "What do we do?"

I began to reflect on the importance of being connected. Being connected is everything, isn't it? When we are not connected we are dead! It is not only of central importance to who we are in our culture, but we are as people, as Christians.

We are hyper connected! Through our cell phones we can call around the world. No wires, a piece of plastic this size of a deck of cards allows us to call Africa (did that yesterday)! Disconnected yet connected!

On the same NPR station, I heard this AM that in our financial crisis people are having to make choices about their money. Of course, we all are. They are choosing to stay connected. They are choosing HDTV and cell phones over other discretionary items. People want and need to be connected. Communications satellites are being launched to increase and improve our connectivity. The cost for this is in the Billions of dollars. Why to pay so much for connectivity? Because being connected is everything.

How is it the same for us as Christians? Being connected in community, is everything. Created to love and be loved, created differently and distinctive to be radically interdependent upon one another, that is what Paul would say as he calls us a body. Every part needs every other part. Connectivity, it's not an option. If you are not connected, GET ON IT! Without, you're dead.

Who don't I have to love?

2009-03-31T06:05:00.000-07:00

Do you remember your neighbors when you were a kid? I do. I remember every fence I could climb over without worry. I remember who not to bother. I remember what houses I could walk into without knocking. Those days are long gone.

I have been thinking recently about neighbors, and what it means to be a neighbor. Not only a local neighbor, but a global neighbor. Living in Arizona, bordering Mexico, we are daily facing the question of what it means to be a neighbor. I can't help but wonder how are we doing as a neighbor.

The questions about what it means to be a neighbor and be a good neighbor are not new. When Jesus was asked this question, those asking were essentially asking, "Who don't I have to love?" After all, Jesus had commanded "love your neighbor." It's the natural question isn't it. Ok then, if I am to love my neighbor, who exactly are we talking about here? Because if you can identify for me, who is and who is not my neighbor that will give us clarity as to who exactly we have to love. And Jesus, if you will tell us who exactly these neighbors are, that will bring us great relief.

Jesus replied with a story, we call it the story of the Good Samaritan.

If you don't know it the story is about a man, presumably a Jewish man who was traveling on a road and was mugged, robbed, and beaten. As he lay on the side of the road, literally left for dead some people came by. First a priest. Not wanting to be bothered, the priest literally went out of his way, across the road to avoid being near the victimized man.

The second person, a Levite, or a temple assistant, did the same thing.

But then a Samaritan came along. This doesn't appear to be any better news for the dying man. Samaritans and Jews hated each other. This hate was rooted in religious and cultural differences. The Samaritan however surprises us and cares for the man, puts him in his car (okay on the back of his donkey) takes him to a hotel, pays in advance and vows to return and pay for more incurred costs.

In closing the story, Jesus asks, "Which of the three was neighborly?"

That's the story. .. . . . .Jesus says go and do likewise?

This does nothing more than raise more questions for me. . .. I do not have the answers.

But consider.

Who is my neighbor? Who do I have to love and not love?

Who are those so different from us, culturally, religiously, or otherwise to which we have failed to extend mercy and grace?

Head on collision

2009-03-19T07:51:00.000-07:00

It is interesting how live converges sometimes, how conversations, circumstances and events collide. Two such events hit head on yesterday in my life.

My lunch appointment yesterday was a long overdue one. I met with my friend and mentor Dr. Kelly Bender, Sr. Pastor of Paradise Valley UMC. Kelly is someone I respect and have the highest regard for. I always find myself either with hand-written or a mental list of things I want to discuss with Kelly because the time with him is so valuable. Over the past 8 years or so that we have met, we find ourselves often talking about leadership, church polity, and in our meeting yesterday, our culture of affluence. We discussed Walter Bruggeman's contention that consumerism more than a result of marketing strategy. Consumerism is a "demonic spiritual force" that has a hold on our culture, and the question for us does the gospel have the power to help us withstand it. Wow! This was published by Bruggeman and Old Testament scholar 10 years ago.

For dinner my wife and I met with our friends Michael and Christina Bernardino. Michael and Christina are educators in the public school system and they themselves, are enough reason for me to believe in the public schools. I can't say enough good about them. Our conversation, also touched on the culture of affluence and how it impacts our young people. Christina who has taught Spanish at a High School in suburban Phoenix, AZ shared this story with me.
When asked what their favorite holiday was, her Spanish speaking students, many first and second generation Arizonans answered, "Mother's day." Second, they said, "Father's day." Her English speaking American students when asked their favorite holiday responded, "Christmas." Secondly they responded, "Birthday."

Perhaps Bruggeman is right, that consumerism is a demonic spiritual force. As such it would seem his demonic spiritual force has a pretty firm grasp of our young people. What are your thoughts?

Do you really want God to move?

2009-03-12T08:38:00.000-07:00

Was listening the Perry Noble at the unleash conference this AM. He got me thinking.

Do you really want God to move? I mean really? Think about that for a minute. . .

I think most people who pray to God and ask God to "move" don't fully comprehend what that means. Most people are too controlling to really be open to God moving. Take the early church in ACTS. The church went from 120 to over 3,000 the next day. God moved and things spun out of control! Just imagine it. Everything that was in place went out the window that day. Are you ready to throw everything out the window?

Do you really want God to move in your life? In your church?

Are you ready for things to spin out of control? Ask for God to move, and hang on!

Betrayal . . ..

2009-03-10T15:07:00.000-07:00

Betrayal and rejection are such a harsh words . . . they are sharp, they cut and they cut deep.

Fear of betrayal and rejection can keep us from the richness that life offers. "I have been hurt one too many times. Why should I even bother?" "I'll never get it, why should I apply? Are you kidding, I don't think I could take another rejection letter."

Joseph (yes the one with the technicolor dreamcoat; Found in the book of Genesis 37 and following) knew betrayal. he knew the worst kind. His brothers in their jealousy not only conspired to betray him but did so.

Joseph's brothers first cast him into an empty well. They sat down for a celebratory meal looked up to see some tribesman coming. When they decided that throwing him in the pit wasn't good enough they fished him out and sold him to the nomadic tribesman for 20 pieces of silver.

Most of us can't imagine what that kind of betrayal would feel like. Even in the face of it as the story would go on to tell Joseph didn't let betrayal get the best of him.

Joseph did a few things that most of us can learn from.

1. He held fast the vision God gave him

2. He maintained a vital relationship with God.

3. He never compromised his character

4. He maintained a strong sense of empathy

You can read about Joseph in Genesis chapters 37-50 (one of my favorite in the Bible). You can also come hear more about how Joseph faced betrayal this Sunday at Trinity Heights. . . ..

See you Sunday

Some thoughts on small groups. . . .

2009-01-16T09:06:00.000-08:00

Small groups are nothing new. In fact they are very Biblical and very Methodist. However, for many, if not for most in United Methodist circles the notion of a small group in which we do life, mission and ministry together is new if not totally foreign. Sure we have heard about small groups more and more in the last 10 years, but really what is it all about? I confess it has been since graduation from seminary that I have become more and more aware of the small group movement in the church. With every passing day I see how important they are.

As you pray about becoming a part of a small group here at THUMC consider the following:

1.) The church was first and foremost a gathering of small groups. Acts 2:42-47 It was in Acts where the people gathered in homes, met in the temple courts, they ate together, worshipped, were committed to the Apostle's teachings and to prayer. It is when we gather together, study together, eat together and pray that true life change happens.

2.) Small groups are more than book learning. We have been good at Sunday School and Bible Studies where we come and consume data. Small groups are where we learn more importantly the great commandments of Jesus. It is where we truly begin to love God and neighbor more deeply.

3.) Small groups are mission outposts. Small groups are places where people with a common heartbeat, work together to be salt and light in a hurting world. Think about the possibilities here. If every group in the church were to work together for mission. WE would increase our work exponentially. Missions is not a committee it is something we all do.

These are just some ramblings. . . if you want to talk more about small groups you can reach me at doug@thumc.com

You are God's masterpiece!!!

2009-01-16T09:00:00.000-08:00

Recently my 10 year old came to me and asked me about her name. Her name is Kallie, short for Kalenda.

She was learning about names and wondered about her own name, what it meant and what were the implications. She came to concerned because somewhere on the internet she looked up her name and found that it meant "Art." Actually I found that it means beautiful or lovely. I have to confess I didn't know what it meant when we named her, but she has grown into her name quite well.

Her concern came as she processed what her name implied for her. She had been learning about naming and that in Jewish culture your name is reflective of your character. The last thing she wanted to be was a piece of art, a statue, or a motionless thing hanging on a wall. I held back my laughter! It makes me chuckle still, but really she was pretty upset.

I paused and told her, but you are Art. That was the last thing she wanted to hear. But you are I insisted. "Do you know what art is?" I asked her. It is an expression of the creators heart! We have art in our home from people in our church and as I look at it I see the hearts of those fine people. As I look at my daughter, I see a piece of the heart of our creator.

I have to wonder, are not each of us, God's masterpiece? A work of art! Beautiful, lovely, an expression of the creator's heart?

Control what's in you . . .

2009-01-14T08:42:00.000-08:00

Yesterday as I was doing some of my daily reading I was caused to stop and reflect more than usual. Here is what I read from John Maxwell's, Daily Reader.

". . . one of the greatest coaches who ever lived said, Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do. . . .

As you move forward on the success journey, you need to remember what happens in you is more important than what happens to you. You can control your attitudes as you travel on the journey, but you have no control over the actions of others. You can control what you put on your calendar, but you cannot control today's circumstances. Unfortunately the majority of the fear and stress that people experience in life is from things that they can do nothing about. Don't let that happen to you"

John Maxwell

I suppose this so clearly spoke to me because I am guilty. I am guilty of letting the world get the best of me. I too often allow events, circumstances, other people's actions, the list goes on. . . cause me to be angry, stressed or unhappy.

I believe we have a choice how we respond. We have a choice to respond in a way that is of God, or a way that is not. We can choose to be victims or we can be over-comers. We can be build up with words or tear down those around us with words. What will it be? If Christ is alive in you, let his light shine, no matter what might come your way today. Be a blessing and let the one who is alive in you be what the world sees today.

Peace-

Turbulent Economic Times

2008-12-18T05:54:00.000-08:00

Haggai 1:5-6

5 Now this is what the LORD Almighty says: "Give careful thought to your ways. 6 You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it."

Consider that this passage was written 2500 years ago. . . . . Clearly the prophet is telling us to plan accordingly. The Hebrew people never planned on being in exile. They never planned on rebuilding the temple. They never planned on what amounted to a major economic meltdown. Next time lets have a little foresight people, the prophet says!

But vs 6 raises more questions. Is the writer speaking to the fact that times are tough, simply telling us that people are struggling to make ends meet? Is the writer writing suggesting that even when we have enough, we are never satisfied? Is the writer writing to indicate that riches cannot satisfy the longing of the soul. Be it one or all of the above the writer seems to be reaching through the pages to tell us our situation is nothing new.

Fear Everywhere

2008-12-12T12:23:00.000-08:00

"Be courageous. I have seen many depressions in business. Always America has emerged from these stronger and more prosperous. Be brave as your fathers before you. Have faith! Go forward!"

Thomas Edison

Fear seems to be prevailing these days. I blame the media. I don't condemn them, they are doing their job. Oh no, I don't mean they are doing their job, effectively reporting the news. I think they are doing their job selling stories. And drama sells! Have you heard the inflammatory language that I have heard? Have you witnessed the contradictory statements that the media constructs so as to create Drama. One day the "recession is soon to be over" the average recession lasts only 18 months and well we are already 12 months in. The next day reporters report that it could be 2013 before we are out of this. Its called tension. I don't know about you, but I have enough in my life without someone or something construing some.

To top it off, we buy in. We buy in. . . .and even more so too many are panicking. This may be the first recession that you may be living through, and who knows maybe it will be a depression. But it won't be the last. We can be fearful, and panic or we can be courageous and have faith. We must learn from our situation and know that the light of God will prevail, regardless of how dark things may be.

Manipulation of religion

2008-12-12T10:09:00.001-08:00

I love this guy---meets with pastors today. Declares his innocence? Interesting.

This one of my pet peeves, the manipulation of religion by those in politics! When it works for me, when I need religion, I draw religion close. Have you noticed how government at all levels does that?

On the other hand, when it becomes uncomfortable or inconvenient, government burns religion at the stake! I wonder how God feels about this. . .

For more read, "A Culture of Disbelief" Stephen Carter

Give it away

2008-12-01T08:51:00.001-08:00

When was the last time you enjoyed something so much that you gave it away? It could be anything.

Recently someone said to me, "I love my church." "What do you love about your church?" I replied.

"Everything!" Was her reply.

Being I am one of the pastors at the church, I couldn't help but to try and pat myself on the back. Sprained my elbow in the effort. I suppose that is what one gets when patting one's self on the back. Anyhow. . . .

But I wondered how much do you really love this church. Can you contain your joy? Do you love it enough to give it away?

I do believe that too often that joy often comes with amnesia. That bliss is often myopic.

We forget the pain, the struggle, the loneliness that we knew before we found wholeness. We forget too often, not always the struggle of life pre-joy. Remembering is what we do. By remembering we not only celebrate the joy of today, but are grateful for what we have now and have learned from the past.

In remembering and what was, we are reminded that what we have is so blessed that we cannot contain it ourselves, but we must give it away.

2008-12-01T04:26:00.000-08:00

I have to agree with Len Sweet when he said, "Writing is like passing a kidney stone. . . " I do however find myself drawn to it. No, not passing a kidney stone but writing.

Thanksgiving was great. I do find my thanksgiving perspective has shifted post-Tanzania. Having traveled there this past summer to do work at the faithworks (www.faithworks4us.org) orphanage, to do teacher training and a medical clinic, I see our life situation here in America much differently.

We complain about a healthcare system that is broken, and yes I believe that it is broken but it is nothing compared to healthcare in developing nations. We complain about the cost of an ambulance ride, that although it may not have been entirely necessary or perhaps it may have saved our lives, nonetheless, we complain about the cost and once we are well, complain about the fights we had with the insurance company. For our brothers and sisters in Tanzania an ambulance ride might consist of a wheelbarrow or on the handlebars of a bicycle. And by the way, what is health insurance. No cash, no health care services rendered.

We complain about our education system, and I agree there are improvements that could be made. While in Tanzania we did a teacher training for Christian educators. Although we were clear about this with the leadership of the churches there, the word seeped out and many government school teachers came too (government schools are public schools). We had 62 people come to be trained in the teacher training. They came from all across the countryside. Some walked 3 hours each morning to get there. That means they walked three hours home too.

We complain about our schools and pull our children in and out of schools without a thought. Charter schools, public schools, alternative educational programs, magnet schools, vocational training schools, we are so fortunate with so many choices. Our brothers and sisters in Tanzania have choices too, but there is a difference. There are not nearly enough teachers to begin with. There has been a widespread AIDS epidemic that has impacted the working force. 970000 AIDS orphans in Tanzania. There are not just orphans, there are fewer teachers, fewer workers. Oh, and with fewer workers, children are forced to work. This means that many children don't make it to school. Fewer than 10% of all children will make it secondary school (high school) at all. There is much more about the education system that I could share, but I tell you I am thankful for the teachers that I call friends, that teach my children at a good school, Thomas elementary in Flagstaff, AZ.

We complain about the foster care system in our nation. We have an estimated 600000 kids in foster care in the U.S. compared to 900000 AIDS orphans in Tanzania. We have much work to do in this area. But we, as we do, criticize those who are working diligently as advocates for children in this nation. We have no one to criticize but ourselves. The children are ours! I do think that this is one area we have fallen down. We could do better. Our brothers and sisters in Tanzania told me a story about how they feel about their children.

Years ago when a twin was born they would kill one. Now I don't know how long ago this was, but however long ago it was too recent for me. One of the twins would be killed because for a poor family (most families) it would be too much of a burden. Somewhere along the line, this changed and what they realized is that each child, every child, might just be the next president, the next great leader, the next needed teacher. They don't have a foreign adoption policy in Tanzania. They do all they can to care for their children. To the last extended family member, they will care for their children because each child is valued. We have much to learn from our brothers and sisters.

We have much to be thankful for.