Trying to be Christian

I found this today while looking at an “old” sermon – it shows where I am -- STILL:

Many years ago when Bryant Gumble still hosted the Today Show, he interviewed Maya Angelou. He asked her if there was anything else she wanted to accomplish with her life.

"Oh, my Lord, yes,” she answered. “I want to become a better writer. I'm very serious about it. It's what I am. It's how I describe myself to myself, and [I want to be] a better human being. I'm trying to be a Christian, which is no small matter. I mean it. I'm always amazed ... when [people] walk up to me and say, 'I'm a Christian.' I always think, 'Already? You've already got it? My goodness.'"

I remember distinctly that obscure moment in morning television because I could resonate so much with what she said. Speaking for myself, I’ve often felt that in claiming to be a Christian I was claiming more about myself than I should. The name of Christ was given to me in my baptism at the-not-quite-ready-for-prime-time-age of 4-months. A gift of grace, indeed.

Living up to that name, however, is another story. My so-called “Christian life” has had more ups and downs than the stock market. So I prefer to say that I’m trying to be a Christian and some days I’m more trying than others; some days I’m closer to being a Christian than others! I’ve also thought about saying I was a “becoming” Christian, but I’m not always very “becoming” either.

Taxes

Let me be clear at the outset -- I don't want to pay anymore tax than required; I believe there are many inequities in our tax system (I read somewhere that Warren Buffet's secretary pays a higher rate of taxes than he does); I hate it when I learn of tax money being wasted or squandered; I think the IRS often oversteps its bounds in dealing with people who are, or seem to be, delinquent in paying their taxes.

I have to wonder, however, why Americans whine so much about paying too many taxes. If we're so overtaxed, why do Americans continue to have such a high standard of living? Why do so many people have so much discretionary income left over for pricey things (just read that profits for Royal Caribbean Cruise line are up 55%). I like to dine in nice restaurants and it never ceases to amaze me how many other people do as well. The wait is sometimes long. Granted, a LOT of people are hurting financially and a lot of businesses as well, but then there is how the other half lives -- probably the same half that complains about taxes.

I remember reading a book while in seminary (but I don't remember the title; cut me some slack, it was over 40 years ago!) that likened taxation to a form of stewardship, that is paying a portion of what God has already given us to support the common good. Call me naive, but that still makes sense to me.

All of this is preface to sharing a quote by Tony Judt found in the October 19, 2010 issue of Christian Century:

"Why are we so sure that some planning, or progressive taxation, or the collective ownership of public goods, are intolerable restrictions on liberty; whereas close-circuit television cameras, state bailouts for investment banks 'too big to fail,' tapped telephones, and expensive foreign wars are acceptable burdens for a free people to bear?"

Why, indeed! I'm glad when April 15 comes around that I have taxes to pay. The alternative (either no system for the common good, or having no income on which to be taxed) is not a pleasant thought. The only tea parties I ever liked were in the attic of our house when our children were small.

UGH!

There was no school today for students but not so for teachers and staff. Therefore my wife and I did some child care for the day. I took my three grandsons to the pool. They were hanging around the steps into the pool when an older gentleman (surely older than me) started down the steps. "I'm just going to sneak by the kids," he said. I replied, "Don't 'sneak,' hold your head up high as you enter." "Not easy for a conservative to do," he pouted, "but it looks like next year will be different."

Give me a break! What's wrong with the people of this country? Is politics the only thing they breathe and eat? God help us all. God help us to have a sense of humor, whatever our politics. God help us to take ourselves a little less seriously.

Maturity

My wife and I attended our 50th year High School Reunion last Saturday. Fortunately, we were both in the same class so neither one of us will have to go to another one. We also went to our 20th but don't remember having a good time. This time, for whatever reason, we enjoyed ourselves. I told one of our classmates who was on the organizing committee. "I didn't like our 20th," I said, "but tonight is very different." He replied, "That's because when you're only 20 years out of high school, you have to impress everybody with all your accomplishments. When you get to your 50th, those accomplishments don't count for much. You are much freer to be yourself."

His comment made a lot of sense to me. "Free to be yourself." That's a good definition of what it means to be a mature person.

Campaign Ads

I'm currently on a 3500 mile jaunt around the eastern half of the U.S. I've seen many campaign ads on TV while passing time in a hotel room. No matter where you go in this fair land of ours, the ads are all negative. UGH! No wonder we seem to be so messed up (using nice language, that is).

Anger

The cover story on this week's edition of Newsweek suggests that the only politicians who gain attention and response from the people are those who show anger. There is no shortage of politicians who show anger these days. The President is criticized from all directions for not expressing anger. Apparently careful, reflective thought is not in vogue. What has our nation come to? The Bible says that if we are angry, we should not sin and we should not let the sun go down on our anger (Ephesians 4:26), but the anger expressed in today's politics never ends at the end of the day. You hear the same thing from the same people day after day.

Yes, Jesus did show anger on occasion (driving the money changers out of the temple, for example), but it was not his primary emotion. If he were running for office today, he no doubt would not be elected. He just wasn't angry enough! He would, however, have more than 100% chance of being crucified.

David M. Bailey

Since I've shared a couple of resources lately, let me share a most powerful one. David M. Bailey was a folk singer and son of Presbyterian missionary and Biblical scholar, Kenneth Bailey. He fought a malignant brain tumor for over 13 years -- long beyond the time that doctors originally gave him. He died on October 2 after several weeks in hospice care. The way he fought was a wonderful witness to the power of "faith and hope and love." I've read many of his poems and have some of his music on my iPod. If you want to listen to music that is both deep and uplifting, I encourage you to check out davidmbailey.com.

Another Great Resource

"30 Good Minutes" is another great resource that I stumbled onto a while ago. Here's a brief description taken from the web site: 30goodminutes.org:

Our mission is to enrich spiritual life by communicating stories and ideas that engage people of many faiths, and to foster compassion, reconciliation and peace.

We know it's an unusual name. It dates to 1908, when our founders were looking for something to call the weekly ecumenical service they sponsored in Chicago's Orchestra Hall. It was in Chicago, it was on a Sunday Evening and they didn't want it to sound "churchy," so they called it a Club. But there were no memberships or dues. Everyone was included—all you had to do was show up!

Today, the Chicago Sunday Evening Club produces 30 Good Minutes, a television broadcast and web site that features some of the leading voices in religion, as well as the stories of everyday people whose lives reflect the rich tapestry of religious life in America.

30 Good Minutes is an award-winning weekly broadcast on WTTW Channel 11 (PBS Chicago) and in syndication in other U.S. cities. It features many of America’s great religious thinkers, selected from a broad range of denominations and faith traditions. The program explores topics of faith through short meditations (sermons), documentaries, interviews and commentaries.

In a day when religion gets a lot of bad raps (some deservedly so), here's a program that helps to bring some sanity into the discussion. The web site has all the programs cross-referenced by speaker, Biblical text, or topic. Check it out!