Twinkies and Christian Values

I admit I log into Facebook rather frequently, it is a well known medical condition after all. However, at the moment, FB is populated with all sorts of posts either lamenting or celebrating the loss of the venerable Twinkie. For those who have just come back to earth, the issue surrounds the fact that Hostess is filing for immediate cessation of all production at it's plants around the country. This means everything from Twinkies, Apple Pies and the cupcakes with the swirlie things on top. this move will affect more than 18,000 workers, who may soon be out of work.Hostess is just one of a growing number of companies who have decided, in the days following the election, to strike back against the results of that election. Rather than pay for health care for all of it's workers, Hostess decided to go out of business. They joined a growing list of conservative business ventures who have decided that rather than pay for health benefits for their employees, they are going to employ draconian avoidance measures to 'save money'. Papa John's Pizza is going to cut back the hours of its employees in order to avoid having full-time workers, since only full-time employees are eligible for coverage under the new law. Additionally, they are considering a surcharge on their products to cover the cost of the heathcare premiums for those full time persons they still have on the payroll. There is one Denny's franchise owner who announced yesterday they are following the same strategy. At the same time, many of these owners proclaim their Christian values. That seems to me to be a contradiction of serious concern. Jesus said to his disciples in the book of Matthew Chapter 25:   ³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ These are the values we as Christians need to follow. To care for the sick, feed the hungry, house the homeless, free the prisoners and clothe the naked. This is a matter of justice. A matter of profit over the health of our brothers and sisters.On the other hand, it will actually do my health wonders if they keep this up, so maybe they should keep going with this. After all, now I won't have those empty calories from the junk food they peddle. My wallet will be fatter from not spending it at Denny's, Circle K and others (Purveyors of Twinkies), and at Papa Johns. And with the money I save, I can donate to those agencies that offer healthcare to the poor, ummm.....Planned Parenthood perhaps?

Clarity

There is always the possibility that at some level, we will encounter an Epiphany. It doesn't have to be a 'eureka moment', but just that gentle nudge which often points to a new way of being, doing, living, or perceiving (an a host of of other adjectives). Today's personal epiphany is clarity. We have just finished an election season that was marked by confusion, ambiguity, and definite lack of clarity. Even now, there are local areas and States where there still is no clarity, since the totality of ballots has yet to be counted. Here in AZ, local and congressional races are uncertain, and we just don't know the outcome yet. And that makes us uncomfortable. We want it to be all settled, to be wrapped up nice and neatly in a little box with a bow on top. Let the circumstances or situation do the wrapping up for us. We see the same thing with our faith. "This is what I believe, that settles it, end of discussion." But faith, as well as life, is not a matter of certainty or clarity, but quite the opposite. Faith is messy. It tugs us in one direction, and challenges us in another, seemingly in contradictory ways. Do we believe that Christ will save us? Yes. OK then, how? Then it gets messy. Is it through faith alone, as in Paul's writings? Is it through works as in the book of James? Is it through engagement in social justice, involvement in church, etc. etc.? Beginning to get the picture about faith? It's messy. However, even in the messiness, we have clarity, clarity that all is not figured out, not wrapped up in a tight little package, and not easily categorized.The joy of faith is the duality of messiness and clarity; the tension between certainty and uncertain messiness.And praise be to God that it is so.

Changes

So much has happened since January. As usual, I have not been able to catch up with my postings here. Is it because I think no one reads this thing? Maybe. But anyway, I spent a week at camp over the 4th, this time as camp nurse. It was a good week. Got behind on my studies, but had fun overall. Today though, is our friend Heather's last day at church before she and her husband head off to Texas. She has taken a Senior Pastor call in Katy, Texas-near Houston. Seems like we have a new place to visit now! Time to get ready for church, see you later!

Anticipation

Well, I have arrived here at Lexington. These next 10 days are going to stretch me, challenge me, and who knows what else. This is certainly going to push my comfort zones and we will see how the days ahead progress. To spend 10 days in an intense exploration and learning about faith, process, church, and more. I will finally get to meet the people I have only until now seen in two dimensions online. I have reading to do tomorrow and then tomorrow night the classes begin. Join me in this journey and we'll see where God takes me.

Time Flies on By

So much has happened since I last checked in to this venue. Yes, I have been in Seminary now since June of 2011. What a ride this has been! It is one of the reasons for not been here posting (other than procrastination). I have been up to my neck in classes, classes, and more classes. Lexington Theological Seminary has transitioned their on-site seminary into an online offering.

You might think "Oh, he's getting a degree from an online church? Is it the church of what is happening now?" Actually this is the hardest thing I have ever undertaken. Think about trying to take a full semester class in just two weeks, with all the depth of theology, nuance, process, and a whole bunch more all rolled up together. It challenges your brain, your patience, your skills and most of all, your sanity. But I still have my sanity, I just don't know where it is at the moment.

Through this journey so far, I have felt close to God, far from God, indifferent towards God, and enamored and enthralled by God. Sometimes over the course of the same five minute span. I have learned how to read and understand Revelation (there is no "S" at the end)and I still struggle with understanding Brueggemann, although I think at times I always will.

Soon I will be traveling to Lexington, KY for 10 days of classes on campus. I will come home after classes with 6 credit hours. 10 days, 8 classes, and the month after coming home is the time to finish papers, create the practical assignments, and wrap-up the coursework. Speaking of which, must get back to reading. May God travel with you all this evening and all evenings.