Sneeches Sitting around God’s Table

Posted on March 2, 2012 by Lucille

Source: google.com via Lucille on Pinterest

Recently I read The Jesus Creed by Scot McKnight.

When asked by an expert in the law where to begin with spiritual formation, McKnight explains that Jesus answered by giving the Jesus Creed. But Jesus amends the sacred creed of Judaism found in Deuteronomy 6:4-9, the Shema, and he adds Leviticus 19:18:

Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one, Love the Lord God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is not greater command.

In essence, Jesus adds to the Love-God-Shema and makes it the Love-God-and-Others-Shema.

One of the central images Jesus used to depict loving others was a table. While Jesus wanted the table to create an inclusive society, many people used it to divide societies. For example, consider the ways Jews proved their dedication to Torah (religious law): They ate only with those who were pure, and ate only what was kosher.

Can you imagine the looks on the devout Jews’ faces when they learned he snacked with sinners? I can imagine their fear and anger.

Jesus turned the Jews’ world upside down by telling the parable of the Good Samaritan:

Your neighbor is everyone you despise.

Jesus was creating a new society. Not one that was exclusive, but one that was inclusive.

McKnight says, “What Jesus wants his table customs to reveal is that the table is an open door for others to enter and not a thick wall between people.”

As I pondered this, a Dr. Seuss story came to mind:

One day a Samaritan entered the church I attend. He was honest about the reason he was coming — to gather facts for a news story.

Years later he told me something surprising about that visit. He said he had been extremely nervous to attend the Bible study for three reasons:

First, he was gay. Second, he was a reporter. Third, in an effort to fit in, he brought a Bible but it was a Catholic one that includes several additional books to the Protestant one. He felt lost and out of sorts.

He later told me, “You leaned over and shared your Bible with me.”

I don’t remember. He can’t forget.

Though my friendship with him certainly bothers people in my church, what they think doesn’t matter. I’ve had front row seats watching someone sit down at the table, even though he’s been told he’s not welcome.

I’ve seen love enlarge his heart. And his kindness enlarge my heart.

This man has been one of my biggest encouragers as I wrote my book (to be published March 2013 with Abingdon Press). He is kind and gentle, and one of the safe people in my world.

I am happy to dine with him, and we are both honored to have our knees pulled up together at God’s big dinner party.

How I wish I had hundreds of other stories like this to share. Unfortunately I haven’t always treated people as if the table was set for them. I’ve been guilty of rejecting people because they smell, talk too much, or because they have too many problems.

Jesus, lover of the Star-bellied Sneeches,

Jesus, lover of those with no stars upon thars,

Thank you for loving us. Help us to love others whose bellies are different from ours.

Jenny Blake – author of Life After College

Posted on February 27, 2012 by Lucille

I love the Internet because I’m always bumping (virtually) into really cool people. People who have great attitudes, wild dreams, and fun storytelling ablilities. Recently I wrote to Jenny Blake because I liked her book and her initiative. She worked at Google but she had a dream to move to NYC and teach yoga. Well she made her dream come true and that inspired me.

In response to my email, Jenny took a few moments to help me with a business idea. She even offered to introduce me — via email — to the person at the company where she referred me. Now I’m working on a new project.

I love that. It’s so easy to go the extra step, and yet it makes a gigiantic difference.

Today, think about one person you can help. Who can you introduce them to? What gift can you give another that they can’t repay? I guarantee the return you get will be more than what you give.

Here’s a video of Jenny. You can follow her blog at www.LifeAfterCollege.org

Three Surprising Keys to Happiness

Posted on January 9, 2012 by Lucille

Sometimes happiness research gets a bad rap. Christians may worry happiness isn’t a serious subject or something they should pursue. But what type of witness is it for Christians to walk around with a sourpuss face telling people to “count it all joy.” Research shows that happy people work and think better, live longer, and have much better health.

Until a decade ago psychology focused on what makes people sad, anxious, and addicted. But more and more research is starting to focus on what makes people feel good. Yesterday I went to a friend’s church to hear Dr. Henry Cloud talk about happiness and his book The Law of Happiness.

Dr. Cloud’s book combines the latest scientific research and compares it to what the Bible says about these things. Yesterday he talked about three things that happiness researchers have studied and found (which also agrees with the Bible) makes people feel better:

Giving - Not to those who are using your money to continue using drugs or alcohol, or failing to grow up, but to those who really need and benefit from your gift. Brain scans show that the same parts of the brain light up when you are giving as when you’re eating or having sex.
Emotionally connecting with others from a place of vulnerability - Dr. Cloud talked about the economic crisis and how stress has changed the brain circuitry of top financial advisors and employers. By having them work in groups, talk about their stress and feelings, and connecting vulnerably with others, their stress levels lessened.
Goals – Random beepers asked people what they were doing and how happy they were. People weren’t happiest during leisure (e.g. lying on a beach); they were happiest when challenged in an activity where they had passion. In the place where they lost all sense of time. I’ve talked about “flow” on this blog many times but people are happiest when they doing something they are good at, but also something in which they are challenged.

What do you think makes people happy?

p.s. I write about all this research in my book about self care (Abingdon Press, 2013)