The Word from a Geek

Yesterday I did a first. I utilized services of The Geek Squad, an electronics troubleshooting service provided by one of our big super centers.  “I need you to perform a five-minute miracle on my laptop.” So I greeted the young man somewhat cheerfully, “Help me find a blog which disappeared on me a day ago just as I finished writing, editing, and about to press Publish. It was so good, can’t bear the thought of losing that one.”  With a smile and corona protocol he wiped his working area, I planted my problem before him and he began the obviously routine search and rescue procedure. About three minutes in he indicates that my Blogger, not being web-based, does not contain the history in my computer. Two minutes later he asks if I’m okay with him writing an email to Google on my behalf (thank you, I couldn’t have explained the technics) requesting if they might retrieve from ‘somewhere.’ One minute later the email is sent. Still in confident professional manner, this young man probably noting the disappointment on my face, speaks apologetically, almost like a medical doctor having delivered bad news. Even as I thank him for this service, he sanitizes my device (something I hadn’t done for months so I depart with a cleaner laptop than when I came in). He wishes me well, “Maybe the new blog you write will be even better.”

Hmm, now my thinker kicks in (again). This techy guy actually had some interest in what I was about. Just reading a few before and after titles he probably caught the gist of the one that went away. His comment is not lost on me as I think more about that. The title of the lost blog was “Halal in my Freezer." I had written it complete with some references from the Quran as well as from the Bible. It was about some halal meat gifted to those of us who would willingly receive it from one of the Muslim participants in a neighborhood Zoom scripture study I had joined about fifteen months ago. I know a goodly number of my readers would have enjoyed reading it, and also some would have skipped over it after reading the title because they do not like me getting too fascinated by ‘other religions.'  [Me, I just smile at this. This has always been part and parcel of my Christian faith for as long as I can remember, seeing no contest with my faith in Jesus. This is essential thinking especially for today’s younger generation as we are all in changing neighborhoods and a repopulating world that will be their future].

So who has the Word of God for us these days? Although I am critical of the high tech IT industry profiting from the digital addiction all around, I will not disqualify this employee at the Geek counter who was relational to customers lining up before him with their problems. By doing his job in a pleasant personable manner he may well be a mouthpiece of God on a certain occasion, not necessarily all occasions. At the moment I am reading a novel, this one about the adventures and misadventures of the “Saints” (Latter Day Saints) caravaning westward both to escape persecution in eastern U.S. and on toward their holy land (Utah). This question comes up pointedly from a ten year-old girl quizzing one of their brave young men, “Aunt Sophie said that Brigham Young is God’s mouthpiece. Words flow right out of God’s heart into his mouth.” (Diane Noble, The Veil, 1998). Really? 😔😕  I have a problem with this Mormon presumption and some of my fellow Christians of the fundamentalist persuasion even more problem with it. However, fundamentalists almost similarly believe the Bible has come about by a divine dictation. 2 Timothy 3:16 almost suggests it,  All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. This Timothy passage, however, is not about dictation; but about the inspiration and usefulness of scripture. Interestingly, Muslims also believe their Quran was by divine dictation to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), although what it means for the people requires lots of interpretation from their imams and scholars and resultant ummah variations not at all unlike all the Christian denominations and representative theologians competing for credibility (tenure?) these days.

When I get thinking about that question - Who has the Word of God? - and the possibility of a Word like from a computer technician, I am reminded of Jesus ‘in session’ with all the people, and some children were making some squirmy distractive noises, Jesus said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” And how about the teachings from the elders, much better practiced in Indigenous communities than in our churches. The young, the old, the farmers, the truckers, the geeks, the birds of the air all possible messengers of God. Glad I am to be a simple Mennonite still (Sigh, where two or three are gathered there am I with them ..(Matthew 18:20).

So, thinking still about the closing benediction from that Geek, I cannot but lament the lost blogpost. Maybe there was a divine reason why it needed to get purged! God's communication is certainly more than words or even thoughts. Yup, another verse from the good old Bible. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans (Romans 8:26). I have a South Sudanese friend who regularly reminds me that God communicates with us “in God’s way.”

True, true all of this. I may still ask my son in a day or two, when he is not busy re-sodding his back yard, where that blog may have disappeared to. If he can find it I will be even more surprised at God’s awesome ways! 😂

 

Mennonite Muslim Conversation

Time moves on and on. I have been reading somewhat sentimentally last couple of days.  I could not pass over this article I wrote some years ago - rendered especially meaningful given that our cross-cultural expert, Mrs Donna Entz,director of North Edmonton Ministry, has retired.  Relationships require meeting with one another, and if we do not know one another very well yet, the occasions of meeting need to be quite well planned. I commend this to our corporate memory as our journey continues.

May 15, 2013

 Mennonite Muslim Conversation

The article is to be brief, just a page sharing my impressions of the May 11 Saturday morning Muslim – Mennonite conversation. However, five days later this memorable event has not ceased to churn out ever new impressions. In the interest of brevity therefore, I will merely list some of the first impressions, and then be happy to expand or continue conversation on any of these items – in whatever other forum might be desirable.

My first impression was one of relief.  I entered the assembly room at Edmonton First Mennonite along with approximately 70 others – full house. Even among greetings and hugs there was a beautiful variety of colors and garb and languages.

2. Secondly, thanks to some coaching from Loren & Donna Entz, and some strategic ushering, we were spared the ‘swarming urge’ (sitting with your buddies), meaning that each table contained a nice mix of Mennonites and Muslims.

3. I was fascinated to note the influence of the presence of Imam Dr. Usama Al-Atar.  For example, after I was introduced to one of my table mates, my new friend noticed the esteemed presence at another table nearby. He promptly walked over to respectfully greet the leader - one hand upon his heart – and then back to continue cordial conversation at our table.  Obviously he could not even think of casual table chat without first taking care of protocol.  Deference to leaders or elders, I’m afraid, has gone missing for many years in our circles.

4. What a difference a good MC makes.  Miriam Gross did us proud in her cheerful, articulate and very well detailed presence at the microphone.

5.  Something about the message.  In his presentation, the Amim Dr. Usama was incredibly gracious, but the content of his presentation on Compassion also contained some pointed and instructive words, probably meant as a teaching for his people the Muslims as well as us Christians.  Who of us has heard a sermon recently about teaching manners to our children?  Amen. Preach it brother!

6.   I also recognized and finally came to appreciate a communication/ministry strategy which had already been operative in two previous days.  Jonathan Bornman had made extensive use of books written and materials prepared by his mentor Dr. David Shenk who was not present. Suddenly I got it! This was not laziness or lack of preparation on Jonathan’s part, but actually evidence of careful preparation - very important in learning to understand and communicate with traditions with high regard for elders! This practice is foreign to us in our egocentric ambitious academic and business environments, even though our Bible provides a good corrective. Jesus had disciples. The Apostle Paul worked with Silas, Barnabas, John Mark, Timothy, etc.

There is much more, but with these early impressions I rest my case.  I am now reading David Shenk’s, Journeys of the Muslim Nation and the Christian Church (Herald Press, 2003).  Anybody interested in forming a study group?

When a Church Gets Trashed

So I've been writing stridently, as I am wont to.  Apparently the one about "Where have all the Churches Gone" (July 29) was a hit - at least many of you said so. Thank you for the kind responses. The next post about church fundraising going to Go-Fund-Me's obviously is not a hit, at least not by the silence and the considerably smaller number of responses. I know I know, there are those who generally agree with my take on things, and also those who do not. I feel that sizzle from some of you! Thanks all for indulging me. 😐  Upon rereading this latest post, however, I've got to say I still agree exactly with what I wrote, also still quite akin to my high-octane lifestyle critique of May 10 ("Good-Lifers," also now available in spoken word, just for those of you who don't like to read). I am grateful to say, however, that now I can add a further vantage which had been slipping away.

It is the vantage of grace. Yes, you have read about that too - sometimes as closing clinchers to drive home the point - especially to all of us anxious workaholics! This time, however, it is what I would call situational grace - right before my eyes and straight to the depths of my soul. It's an occasion provided for me simply by reading. The latest issue of our Canadian Mennonite has a front page article, "Former Mennonite church building Vandalized" (July 19, p.16). I am surprised at my emotional response to this article. Firstly the indignation at boredom, those "undisciplined kids" who know not what to do with their time. I'm reminded of one of my dad's sayings, "An idle mind is the devil's workshop." Secondly, regarding my assertion in the July 29 post that buildings are not the church. I fully believe that still, but here find myself moved at the noble ongoing presence of an old clapboard building, the Horse Lake Church, closed down and still standing with unlocked doors, even a piano available for a lonely sentimental musician to come and play, some benches to pray, and a guest book. What a gift! That building obviously was a genuine presence in a rural community probably also containing a Catholic, several ecumenical, and a few evangelical or non-denominational churches, all of these on Indigenous land, Treaty 6. This empty church was true to itself and probably true to the neighborhood.

Now here is the clincher, my reason for some good gut laughter. The daughter of the current owners of that church building has begun a "fundraiser through Facebook." 😕 Oh my, in that latest blog I ranted and raved with righteous indignation at these modernish fundraisers with new names cropping up regularly in those stupid social-media pages! Well here is one, a totally spirit-led christian response to a misdemeanor among them. This is modern and it is good! With this fundraiser a community has opportunity for reparations to damage likely inflicted by the children of some of them! I visualize the vandals themselves with opportunity to donate - perhaps even involved in some putty-scraping windows repair! Thy will be done, O Lord.

²⁵ Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. That's a long standing message in my Bible (Galatians 5:25). I am humbled to be reminded of God's grace right here. Also, I remain still strident enough to say that Go-Fund-Me's will never replace the joy and the dignity of regular participation in personal stewardship which always blesses the community of believers. I'm guessing that's how that church was built 111 years ago. 

Gone to Go Fund Me Everyone

"Where Have All the Churches Gone?" Something about my last post will not let go of my thinker.  It’s become an earworm for days now, keeping company with the ringing in my ears which has been there forever.  “Where have all the Flowers Gone,” is the Beatles’ lyrics which brought on that title, and now their graveyard answer keeps worming in – both the tune and the further thoughts.

I’ve been writing considerably about lifestyle of late. And, as promised when I first got into blogging, the writing is in strident style, with some occasional edge to it. I have reached the stage in life where I ‘says it as I sees it’ rather than make too much effort at apple polishing. So even as the Beatles’ answer “Gone to Graveyards Everyone” joins the ringing in my ears, my committee meetings and my conversations continue. Nope, not quite a recluse just yet! Still there are things to think about and things to do! 😇

How does one envision, plan, communicate, and fundraise for church work? It used to be that once the gathered sisters and brothers were agreed on certain program items along with annual budget implications we would set ourselves to the task. Sometimes toward year’s end a quick overview and reminder from the treasurer would hasten some of the slackers and voila, good news, budget met no problem, cheerful givers even (2 Corinthians 9:7).  I wish I could say that is how we still do things. It is not. These days we are devoid of clean annual packages like that. At best the package comes in two-week increments. Corona has moved us even further down a pattern we were already into. Media provides us with almost daily official variations (variants?) of news feed regulations seemingly to help us be safe with or safe from one another, and this often complicated by social media commentary.  And then to add a little spice, some within the faith communities have added their own righteous interpretations, providing both embarrassment and/or inspiration for everyone.

The shorter the time increments, the greater the uncertainty, the greater the vulnerability to the ‘lesser motives’ of individualism.  In the epistle of James we are cautioned about our own desire, “being lured and enticed by it; ¹⁵ then, when that desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin (1:14,15). These days we are in danger of losing the long range vantage of God’s love and care for all of creation and all of us created beings. Survival and profiteering is still in! At the risk of sounding like a grumpy old fashioned retired preacher I cannot but point out the danger of cowtowing to the latest ‘effective’ methods of doing things. My recent experience has been that even among fellow church members, while meeting persons from other cultures new ministry possibilities come along, and are met with caution, with careful scrutiny and even avoidance - even suggestion that perhaps we try some initial fundraising via Go-Fund-Me.  Hmm, my inner spirit cannot go there! Might we also consider investing in the new opportunities for relationships and ministry coming our way? Even if social media fundraising might work I still find it questionable and opportunistic, closely akin to the scams and bitcoin indulgences that hit the junk box on my iPhone.

I understand. It’s the new thing. Most of the publicity in our web-based church communiques have the same new tone. I just completed registering for a conference Webinar (free of charge). I had not even completed the several id spaces and a donate button was looking me in the face. I do not mind donating to this worthy cause, but why do I need to feel guilty before I have even filled in the … registration form?  Recent fundraisers for tried and true causes like our reputable Mennonite world relief organization, for our Canadian church conference, or for our provincial church camp have appeared as golf tournaments, hike-a-thons, trivial pursuits, family feuds, etc. etc. Interestingly (and probably fortunately) missionaries’ communique letters are still in vogue, and yes, also providing the monthly donation buttons almost exactly like the political party I support. 

Gone to Graveyards? Gone to Go-Fund-Me’s? My hope and my trust is still in resurrection, in miracle giving if you will. Our efforts, our most effective strategies are merely  strategies if they not be the work of the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58). Even the Beatles, those famous precocious Liverpool boys, had another line in that song, "When will they ever learn?"

Luke 6:38 "give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.”