Crazy Love

A comedian got a few laughs by suggesting that love ranks on the “crazy scale” just after insanity and psychosis. I heard it and snickered for a moment before realizing the truth behind it. Love defies logic, unless getting hurt is high on your list of priorities.

The problem is that we love imperfect people and imperfect things that are bound to fail us. But, then, that’s all we have. Things break or get worn out. People forget or get tired. No created thing or being is 100% reliable.

Lucy and John both recognize the lingering pain and inevitable challenges they face. Entering into a relationship, Lucy noted, means accepting the possibility of losing your partner. “If you are lucky enough,” she said, “you will be devastated when they die. Willingly entering that feels gutsy, but what else could you choose?” – When Breath Becomes Air

Football fans know disappointment, too. But, every season we follow the hype and cheer for a team whose season will end in a loss.

There’s a great deal of risk in love. The return isn’t guaranteed. It’s not even probable, if you’re into statistics. So, the comedian makes us laugh, but maybe this isn’t so funny. Love often hurts. It even hurts God Himself, because He loves His imperfect creation.

But, love also heals.

The love of another human lifts spirits, gives hope and inspires peace for a time. The love of God does all of that into eternity. His love never fails, never gives up and never runs out(to quote Jesus Culture), which is absolutely necessary when we keep pouring our love into the other cracked pots of creation. God continues to pour out His healing love into us.

When God tells us to love our neighbor, He isn’t asking us to feel a particular way, but to act. He’s telling us to pour out our love for the sake of that other human, and expect nothing in return. Love doesn’t need gratitude and it doesn’t get compensation. Loving others doesn’t fill your heart and soul. Being loved does.

God does His part, loving us perfectly, unconditionally, and unendingly. It sounds crazy, but it’s true. Today, as you dare to love, may God’s love fill you to overflowing.

When You Have Eaten

When does the “thanks” part come in? Maybe more importantly to consider: When does it stop? When is thanksgiving done?

Many traditions feature a few moments of recognition…naming the tangible and spiritual blessings that come to mind before diving into dinner. At some point, when it’s time to eat, the family looks like they’ve been deprived of food for weeks. Soon enough, the animal that gave his life for a few is no longer recognizable…his turkey-ness is gone.

Look, the turkey starts off running around the farm until he gets his head chopped off and dies. Still a turkey? Oh, yes. Feathers next. Still a turkey? Yep. Guts – gone. Still a turkey. You go to the store to buy, “a turkey.” You cook, “the turkey.” You eat, “the turkey.”

But, after supper, it’s, “the carcass.” His turkey-ness is gone.

And, so often…the “thanks” part of Thanksgiving goes the way of the turkey.

Where does our praise and thanksgiving go after the Thanksgiving Service? Why do our hearts, that feels so full in that moments before feasting, find itself empty again? For other gifts we receive, where does the hand-written or heart-felt thank-you go after the gift has been opened…or eaten? “Thank you” comes easily in that moment we open the gift and first hold that special token of love. It’s just that sometimes, after we’ve received, we forget.

The Biblical book of Deuteronomy 8:10 says, “When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord…”

This serves as a reminder to do the thing we don’t do naturally. The thing we neglect when our bellies are full. It’s an appeal to not only count your blessings as we usually do, but to also recount them – remember them and tell the story of God’s goodness and grace, even after the turkey is long gone.

Happy Thanksgiving! And, remember: Praise God from whom all blessings flow, praise Him all creatures here below. Praise Him above, ye heavenly host. Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Start Stopping Traffic

"A Human Life Is Not an Object"
"Human Trafficking Is Modern Day Slavery"

"This Could Be Your Daughter: Stop Human Trafficking"

With Easter coming in a few short weeks, Christians are ready to celebrate the pinnacle Holy Day of the year: Jesus Christ rising from the dead. I'm looking forward to the big crowd at church and singing the hymns that proclaim the glory of our God!

But, this year I'll be hearing familiar Easter praise in a new light. Human trafficking has come to the forefront of my mind - not because it's in the news in far-off places, but because there are cases in the USA, in Wisconsin, in Door County, in Sturgeon Bay. Phrases like, "No Longer Slaves" and "Redeemed" mean something different when we live in a world where people are physically stolen, sold, bought, and used. 

The Hebrew Passover (March 23 - March 30 this year) commemorates the night when millions of slaves were freed from Egypt and the physical cruelty they endured there. The Christian Easter celebration (April 1 this year) calls Jesus "Redeemer," because He bought us out of slavery to sin, to be free in the Spirit of God.

Christians should be on the front lines of this fight against human trafficking. It's our story. It's our life. It's our Gospel. It's our hope. "Slaves Set Free" is a phrase that should resonate for us, because that's who we are. 

End Human Trafficking (Presentation): Thursday, March 22 at 6:00pm, St. Joseph's Church

Stopping Traffic (Film & Panel Discussion): Monday, April 2 at 6:00pm, Prince of Peace Church

Be part of the solution. Start Stopping Traffic