Of Revelations and Life

A few days after my latest blogpost I encountered a bit of self-reproach, or was it anxiety. At any rate, it was some further thinking. Unlike most of my tomes (?) which garner considerable responses and some good conversation, this one showed many hits, yet minimal responses. That became reason for this ... reflection. I always instruct myself to write only from my genuine self, and before pressing ‘publish’ the reminder from Shakespeare’s famous line, “to thine own self be true.”[i] I need to be able to live with what has appeared. Within these parameters I allow myself to “say things as I sees em.”😏 This time, had I offended, or even worse in my perfectionist brain, perhaps been unclear in what I was getting at? [One friend, a magazine editor, actually told me so]. It has become clear to me that this was a large subject, very large actually, and somewhat new territory for many. Therefore it's probably appropriate, perhaps even important, to just press on! I am within my parameters and fascinated with topic at hand, enough to dig into it a little more! Also I must say, one of the responders, namely my cheerful learned younger brother, provided some good information plus his ever encouraging perspective, a welcome gift to this old preacher. Hang on folks, there’s a little more on that incendiary topic of Mormonism!

I believe in knowledge. I also believe in wisdom. A humble pursuit of knowledge can be an excellent contribution to wisdom, usually over a bit of time. My brother, whom I cited among the clowns in a recent article, [ii] also contributes to the wisdom column. He does a huge amount of reading, sometimes at night, in his adventurous activist life in Colorado. I will share a few of his quotes as we move along here. 

Mormonism is not the all-inclusive name. Although the referent name in most casual talk, I have become aware that my local Latter Day Saints neighbors cringe a bit if I use that term in conversation. Apparently it’s a colloquialism, almost a slang word. My brother says there is disagreement among LDSers on that, including some denominational alignment/realignment based on use of that term! That is something they have in common with all of Christendom, thousands of mainline and reformed and reorganized denominations all over the world!

Regarding origin, why not quote from my brother. I smile because I know his style will make this piece interesting, possibly even a little entertaining (usually he’s too busy formulating thoughts about subject at hand to bother with capitalization). 😉“they continue to track their origin to sir joseph smith w. unfeigning sincerity.  smith evidently had his first revelation of 1820 in or near palmyra, n.y., where god & jesus christ visited him, w. golden plates. part of this experience (further visions, w. 5 of his friends?) may also have been in fayette, n.y.  anyway, this visit was the 'first vision', as it's often referred to. it began a series of events that would restore jesus's church to the earth.[iii] This information, although not new to me, still comes as a surprise because we have never yet spoken about this! I enjoy his familiarity with so many things. Mormon beginnings are right in there among the Jews, Muslims and Christians. Yes, it's Old Testament plus some additional visioning to a teenaged American boy named Joseph Smith, requiring a move across the ocean and into the middle of the United States. The Bible’s message, of course, is for everyone everywhere, indeed all continents. This is the New Testament's "go ye" mandate of Jesus after he was arisen from the dead (Matthew 28:19-20). To revisualize this as an Old Testament prophecy is premature, and in my mind rather aggressive. But what can be done after a vision has been seen! 😏 Anyway, my brother's email goes on, ...by 1831 joseph led his crew to live temporarily in kirtland, ohio (enroute further west, tho they called it east). i think it was here that hebr. prophet isaiah's vision of ca. 3000 yr ago, was confirmed by the joseph team as proof of god's preordained time to brand utah as the holy land.  here was 'the place' as next leader, brigham young (following joseph's death in 1844) stated it, where salt lake city would serve as the apocalyptic new jerusalem and Utah's Jordan river would serve as the reestablished palestinian jordan river and its flow into the salty waters of sea of galilee.  these and many other geographic construals had to do w. the forging of peace in today's palestine, as necessary prep. for return of messiah.[iv]

Two things happening here. On the one hand, my brother pushes the absurdity button, quite alongside most Bible-believing Christians. The LDS origin, purporting to be back there in the Old Testament, includes a movement of holy writ to another continent. The Isaiah 53 savior promise is one thing; but to present this as a latter-day transference (construal?) of Jesus to a new Palestine in Utah is a presumption akin to rewriting of history (not unknown in some other countries, including present day Russia, Canada and U.S. Just ask the Indigenous)! Both Old and New Testaments warn against adding to or taking away from the scriptures (e.g. Deuteronomy 4:2, Revelation 22:18). That is likely the reason why Bible scholars and even my early Bible school education places the Mormons squarely among the cults! Much further information is available in libraries everywhere for anyone interested to dig into this interesting topic![v]

On the other hand, there is a futuristic ingredient in these revelations which provide a positive intrigue, especially these days as the world contorts itself in warfare of apocalyptic proportion right back there in the near east, the land of the three monotheistic religions, each believing in that one God. Of note is the Latter Day Saints’ reference to forging of peace in today’s Palestine (Utah? Middle East?), as a necessary preparation for the return of Jesus. No matter how one understands that interpretation, the possibility of peace would be a wonderful answer to the prayers of many! Pacifism, however, seems not in their playbook. In fact their trek from New York to Utah reads like script for a wild west movie, especially the arrest and murder of Joseph Smith in Carthage, Illinois. Furthermore, military and/or missionary service are apparent expectations for their young people as they grow up. These family expectations and their rugged entry into the U.S. may explain why peace churches and genuine pacifists are confused about seemingly contradictory teachings and practice. Surface impression is that Latter Day Saints are big players in the U.S. God and country military mindset along with the evangelical right. 

Obviously this is further grist for the mill. Also I acknowledge I am not fully informed about topic at hand. Further theology and discipleship conversation is needed - including nurture of relationships! What better way to nurture relationships than to be neighborly in the very communities we live in? My LDS neighbors are at forefront of local service projects. Further, the local LDS Bishop is full participant in some honorable dialogue among members of our Calgary Interfaith Council, which includes Indigenous and Colonial Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus, B’hai, Sikh - apparently some stressful recent meetings for obvious reasons, and yet a positive contribution to municipal political environment in this city.[vi]

I cannot but conclude with a concern, this directed not only to my Mormon friends, but also to fellow Mennonites and many other Christians. As a believer within the Peace Churches tradition, I say, “if the LDS claim their church is prerequisite to peace in Palestine and of Jesus’ return to earth, would it not be appropriate for them to be practising pacifists?"  And this also!  Why is it that Christians of all stripes, including us peace-churchers, especially our executives, the journalists and media experts, are more conversant in sound bites, in Zionist prophecies or military strategies, along with coffee-shop or watering-hole politician critiques, than in the teachings and the suffering love of Jesus the Messiah and Savior? Indeed Jesus has promised his return, the day and the hour we do not know (Acts 1:7). There is no biblical requirement to first be on membership role in the LDS church or any other church for that matter, but there is a mandate for followers of Jesus to be peacemakers in this broken world. Would that all people regardless of rank or church affiliation (or non-affiliation) might act on what they know in their heart. 

In conclusion I repeat the same scripture text as at end of my last post, and one more for anyone who realizes it's time to get on board with the faith pilgrimage. I present them both in the King James Version, the received and preferred version for the Latter Day Saints.

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me (John 14:6).

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me (Revelation 3:20).

 

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[i] Hamlet, Act I, scene 3.

[ii] 2023, November 22, “Redemptive Clowns”, jcfroomthoughts.blogspot.com.

[iii] Peter Sprunger Froese, “email message,” February 17, 2024.

[iv] Ibid.

[v] One fascinating read with comedic storyline is Avi Steinberg, The Lost Book of Mormon: A Journey through the Mythic Lands of Nephi, Zarahemla, & Kansas City, Missouri (New York: Doubleday, 2014). See also a riveting nonfiction by Alex Beam, American Crucifixion (New York: Public Affairs, 2014).

[vi] Sarah Arthurs, “Our Shared Voice During This Time of Conflict,” https://www.calgaryinterfaithcouncil.org, March 5, 2024.

Train Up a Child

“Could we have a little conversation with you?” This was the greeting of two young ladies approaching the people beside me waiting for next Commuter Train. Not at all conversant in English, nor much interested in this forward approach, these people exercised their right to bad manners and just walked away! I was next, perhaps because of a friendlier look on my face.  “Hi could we have a few words with you?” “Certainly,” was my reply; then asked if I might have first question, "Are you Jehovah’s Witnesses?” Along with name tags it was quickly clarified, “No, we're from Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.” “Oh, I have some friends right here in this neighborhood who are LDS.” I could tell by look in their eyes this was a good twist for them. In short order a brief conversation ensued, but short circuited by my C-Train arriving. As I took my seat in the train car I was glad for the positive connect with these well-meaning young people. From this Calgarian they had heard a word of appreciation for ‘their people’ coordinating and doing most of the service projects in our community. It was brief and it was pleasant.

I am becoming increasingly acquainted with the LDS church. Many years ago I ‘studied’ them in Bible School in a class entitled ‘Cults’, and over the years have learned considerably more, either by rumor or by personal relationships. The rumors are usually gossipy and the relationships are stellar! During my years of college and seminary I became engrained in biblical, historical and practical education and that became the focus in my ministry of pastoral leadership among ‘my people’ always aware of 'those people' same as a considerable populace of others who kind of fade into the background while one is tending the local scenes. 😔 As fate would have had it (providence?) due to some health issues, the last twenty years of my working life were spent as a long haul trucker on the highways and byways of Canada and U.S. I testify this was a furthering of friendships and neighborliness among all of those ‘others’ - no holds barred, including an occasional graffiti “Welcome back elder ---” painted on barns beside the I-15 traveling through Utah. My thinker is on and my spirit open, probably reason for my hospitality to the young missionary ladies bothering C-Train passengers here in my city.

A few weeks ago, in a discussion about some of today’s societal trends, I heard from one of the participants about a recent study which indicates today's young people are interested in faith but not the church. The reason, I heard, is because they see no evidence of living faith among their parents or others even if involved in church leadership – no heroes of the faith, if you will. Ouch! This is us. Our actions have been speaking more loudly than our words. Lack of attentiveness to our children because we have been busy with careers and livelihoods, to the extent that we have not tended well  to our carefully planned nests of two or three! Interesting, I grew up in a family of twelve and my parents paid lots of attention to us (There is some opinion among my siblings about that. Apparently this eldest son asked so many questions and had so many opinions that he commanded a little more than his share 😏)! Actually in farm families attention was more than talk. It included chores with ‘jobs’ doled out to each one of us. And we also got play, lots of it, both on our farmyard and at school, but always after the work was done. Even some evening extracurricular was allowed once we were endowed with a driver’s license and in good enough grace to borrow the pickup truck! The reason for this adequate attention was not because of many heart to heart conversations, but because we knew ourselves to be essential in the mode operandi of our farming operation. Maybe it was child labor, but we didn't even know what that was! Each of us was a part of the package.

This was how we baby-boomers grew up, and now growing old. Because of our parents’ post-war diligence, many of us had the good fortune to grow up in large families occupied with purposeful things. Work, play, religion all included as post-war institutions were thriving along with a lifestyle that might be labeled as healthy, along with learning about a colonial God who became increasingly optional as the good life developed. Even as some of us (eg Mennonites, Doukhobors, French Canadian Catholics) still grew up in large families, in urbanizing society the greater need became daycare and after-school supervision while parents were doing the careers. Oh yes, as the good life improved there were also better schools of choice, either Christian or charter. Regardless of tradition or faith allegiances, most career parents by now are ‘driving hockey’ (as the commercial says) with competitions, dance or sport, being the priority weekend activity. 

The irony here is that our children are no longer the workforce, not even around the house. They are now the consumers of extra work for their parents. Parents are now required to be experts in pre-adolescence and adolescent and teenage mood swings, including emergency housing when their young adults have employment problems. Back in Saskatchewan each weekday morning we would run to the road to catch the school bus after doing our allotted farm chores, breakfast wolfed down and lunches packed. Today it remains for parents to deal with whoever did not get up on time, to drive the errant one to school. In my day, if there was a slowpoke, he or she would stay home for the day, help out with extra work, and make sure next morning you got your act together! There are exceptions of course to these generalizations  – some incredible parenting even among today’s good lifers, and also some very shoddy farm management back there! It is within this generational change, however, and even as I acknowledge lots of exceptions, some unique ‘institutional’ observations can be made.

Back to the C-Train missionaries. These two young ladies hailed from the U.S., one from Utah and the other from Arizona, if I remember correctly, duly assigned to ‘intercept’ people in this Canadian city. It is their responsibility as members of the LDS church. These missionary assignments are in locales other than where they grew up, obviously to provide occasion of learning church protocol from supervisors other than parents, and to practise the church 'lines' - rote learning if you will. It is a transition from the home base to places all over the world where these faith communities are located (Recent Conference report indicates 20 new temples worldwide scheduled for construction in 2024). I am fascinated by a faith community which demonstrates both the teaching (didache) and the experience, absolutely essential for Spirit and Body to be in tune. 

My hunch is that Mormonism is an antidote to some of the societal trends described above, which may be why family togetherness is priority in their assemblies and homes. In that environment the high school teenager is being prepared for the important assignment coming after graduation. It comes after baptism and confession of faith (in that order). It reminds me of certain patterns also in our Mennonite communities. Not quite as per ecclesial requirement, but among devout church members there is an understanding that one or two years after graduation would be best spent in a Bible Institute or College – this is usually talked up and supported in families and social groupings of similar mindset, in hopes of course to provide a solid base for further career choices and education thereafter. [Albeit some of these education excursions nowadays are fairly high-end fully funded by well-to-do moms and dads!]

Two scriptures come to mind; similar topic, but with kind of an opposite tug.

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it (Proverbs 22:6 KJV).

But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God (Luke 18:16 KJV).  

[One little aside. I have chosen the King James Version here with a little smile. For reasons not clear to me, the KJV is ‘sacred text’ among all LDS, perhaps because of 'revealed' similarity to Book of Mormon. Another topic! 😉] Back to topic at hand. "Train up a child" in Proverbs we have that proverbial acceptable wisdom similar to sentiments I have noted above. Luke’s New Testament rendition gives us the 'also requirement' - the loving tone of Jesus rebuking his own disciples for shushing the children. His words are eternally heartwarming. Both texts are overwhelmingly true. There is need for training and instructions, and there is need for the mystery of love -  much room for holy pause here.

I am reminded of a good friend – my cousin actually – recently retired after spending most of his lifetime as an international teacher and latter years as executive director of Mennonite Central Committee Alberta, a worldwide service agency. In a recent blogpost, [i] somewhat unlike his many other posts pontificating about everything else under the sun, he writes about his five-year-old granddaughter Sierra. In a mass observance in their neighboring  Catholic church, and at invitation of the presiding priest, along with many others she was ‘invited’ to deliver her toonie offering up to a box in front of the church. After depositing her coin, she returned to her grandparents, face beaming with sheer joy and pleasure at having done so important a job!

Training up children is indeed a rich combination of learning responsibilities, of participating in family, including family jobs and values. Children need to know the faith claims of their parents. We have reason to think long and hard about that! Training up children also includes the possibility of faith or unfaith coming in strange and wondrous ways. It includes divine possibilities such as the Sierra moments of little children and important things like serving as teenage missionaries on behalf of self? parents? church? or on behalf of Jesus Christ, the one who is available among us all “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).

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[i] Janzen, Abe (2024, February 13). “Keeping the Devil in the Hole,” Some Messy Notes. https://wordpress.com.

Some Further Thinking

It is about a year and a half since I posted a blog the day after the death of our Queen Elizabeth II. The occasion definitely brought out the best in many of us grieving a beloved majesty. I sympathized with the Royal family and our whole British Commonwealth of Nations now needing to face a new chapter, including the immediate appointment of heir to the throne, Prince Charles now become King Charles III. Here are a few paragraphs of that sentiment.

Charles was the princely boy whom my brother and I watched not like a hero, but as one who would be king someday and who lived his life way out there up there somewhere waiting for the day. That's quite a while ago. And while we were apparently growing up and trying to make something of ourselves, in our mind Charles just needed to show up with his sister Anne, looking handsome and well-groomed and only needing to behave royally. Then Charles changed a bit, as we probably also did during the growing up years, Charles definitely becoming a little more interesting at least according to radio reports and newspaper and journal articles (no sidebars, no social media, in fact no computers yet in our possession)! He was fascinating, somewhat of a free thinker quite akin to many others our age with hippyish inclinations during the 1960s. Then Charles entered into marriage including some behaviors which caused much grief to his beautiful wife Diana, also his parents the Queen and the Duke, and obviously feeding eager journalists and paparazzi with many a juicy tale. The slow maturation of life then included Diana’s tragic death, allowing Charles to marry 'the other woman', quietly enduring the pain caused to his two sons and the ill-repute which has dogged him ever since, even among his own family members. Now at age 74 he is King!

How can a person with spotty personal life, spending an almost total lifetime in training, learning protocol, riding in motorcades, reading speeches written by others, step up to a position increasingly questioned not only by those who idolized his mother, but also wondering about the man who would now be king. I do not blame a people questioning the state of British monarchy, and possibly the state of a monarchy period. Is it an outdated expense for all concerned? Needless to say, the wrinkles and worry lines on Charles’ face suggest he may have already spent considerable time thinking about this.

This begs the subject many have reflected on, many have agonized about, and yes many have made a profitable profession of, including psychologists, psychiatrists, theologians, and of course historians who have provided the story line (?) for our kids in elementary and high schools in the many countries of the Commonwealth. How Should we then Live? said Francis Schaeffer a Presbyterian minister a number of years ago in his famous book of that title (Crossway, 1976), even then already noting the mainstreaming of religion blended into everyday western life. Schaeffer’s still troubling question probably is why Father Richard Rohr's books have come to my mind alongside the Prince. Rohr’s contemporary wisdom of a doing–reflecting life cycle strikes a chord seemingly for many, religious and non-religious, for persons of faith in many religions certainly including Catholics and Protestants, and interestingly with advocates and critics in both the evangelical as well as the liberal versions of Christianity.

Thus went the tone of that ‘tome’ which at the time appealed to positive (sympathetic?) interpretation when things happen in royalty. I am almost surprised at my own civility as I went on to reflect on what is the best way for Christians, albeit of many stripes, to pray for, obey and give service to those whom “God has appointed” (Romans 13:1) to rule over us. Although I am a firm believer in the democratic process in selecting governing authorities, I focused on our responsibility to our leaders. That biblical instruct, however, is being strained these latter days, especially as one observes almost a "divine rights of presidents" mentality as another electioneering year foists itself on our neighbors to the south, while in Canada we claim an equal opposite mentality as we crap on our Prime Minister at will! Much prayerful discernment (repentance?) is needed especially among those of us who call ourselves Christian in our western colonializing democracies.

Yesterday I received a ‘forward’ in my inbox, one of many every day. I read most from this particular sender because I enjoy his vantage on almost everything. He is a spiritually and politically wizened friend, and we both know that some topics may well comfort the afflicted, and others may afflict the comfortable. Here goes.

 Not all Children grow up in fortunate Circumstance

When I was a child, my father cheated on my mother and didn’t love her. Later, my parents divorced.

My mother died in a car accident, and my brother and I had to live in my grandma’s old house.

Grandma’s sister was an alcoholic.

The whole family lived on my grandma’s savings.

Grandma died recently.

My Uncle Andy is barely keeping himself out of jail from day to day.

My brother left home, and won’t talk to us anymore.

Dad, now 73, had to go out to work to support the family, and eventually he is going to want me to do the same thing.

Yours sincerely,

Prince William

Obviously written by another other than the prince, possibly a critic or a friend, this is still continuing fodder for the academics and journalists. It also raises a self-critique in me. I’m not sure that civility is the most compassionate or best response to some of the governing and leadership structures flaunted not only in BCN, but many nations in today's warring world. Children are being victimized.

"A Lifetime in Waiting" was title of that earlier blog. Seems to me now that it is not only thinking but very much our thinking AND our doing which must be part and parcel of whatever we are waiting for.

The Spirit and the Survey

Yesterday morning I heard a grown man cry. This alone is not particularly significant to me, myself one of the male species also given to occasional tears. This time however, it was loud and troubled in a public place. A homeless man woke up in a corner of our local McDonalds and either remembered all the troubles of the night before or else simply did not like looks of the new day. He cried loud, beat his hands on his head and a  windowsill; it was for anyone to hear! My heart went out to him. Although my circumstances so very different than this man, something in me recognized his deep calling to my deep. I walked over and began massaging his neck and then his shoulders and down his back. He quietened down, received it like a grateful child even with a little smile … and then woke up enough to greet me with the line I am quite familiar with, “Do you have some spare change?” or something of like that, not much diction at all.

I did not stay for further encounter, already aware of two employees coming our way, probably to ‘excuse’ him out the door. I gave them a sympathizing smile – no need to stick my nose into their job protocol - and both smiled back. Each of us seemed to sympathize with the wobegones of this poor guy.

I cannot but relate this to a Christian magazine, latest issue which I read a little later yesterday. [i] Several articles seem quite on topic with the McDonalds morning wakeup. This is a quality publication showing spiritual sensitivity as well as openness to widespread deeper issues obviously included in life within and beyond the Christian faith. It is definitely NOT a boring churchy read! An editorial “Survey says …” by the publisher reports results of a recent reader survey, recognizing a societal trend towards digital. Without lamenting this fact, it goes on to announce some adjustments which will be made in order to continue good communication. Then there is the feature article, “To thine own self be true?” a thoughtful commentary on the type of spirituality which we are now ‘growing’ in our young people. "Instagram, Jesus and the quest for the ‘authentic self’" is the subtitle.[ii] Kyle Penner, pastor of a Mennonite Church, describes “identity in Jesus” as something that requires awareness and relationship with those not part of church culture, “it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). Faith in Jesus is more than finding a comfortable spot in the church. The deep sadness of the homeless and the deep sadness among wealthy neighbors is a part of the work of the church and not necessarily addressed in comfortable worship chairs or pews, as Pierre Berton once said many years ago.[iii]

To me this resonates also with a call for ceasefire in Gaza. Church members especially of a peace church cannot be duped by corporate and political powerbrokers. It is especially important for us to let the message be clear. Our calling is to be messengers of peace in this broken world, regardless of institutional or personal risks. That is what was lived by none other than our savior Jesus whom we claim to follow, “Then he said to them all, “If any wish to come after me, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God" (Matthew 5:9).

Voila, this latest edition provides another volley precisely on topic. Ed Olfert, a retired pastor and longtime prison visitor, writes a regular column, this time about his friend Greg, incarcerated for 30 years and now on parole for the remainder of his days. Olfert describes this character friend speaking in his rough style about an academic Christian topic he just came across in his reading, “I wonder how much time this [fancy writer] has spent feeding hungry folks, visiting in prisons, sitting with people who are sick. Do they just sit at home making up theology, deciding what God wants?” [iv]😏 Olfert, obviously enjoying his weathered friend, says, "I giggled at his indignation." What a fine statement about where we find the guidance and the source for our Christian activities.

Now I’m smiling. I remember similar incidents telling stories (theology) with many friends during my years of long-haul trucking. Profound insights and hilarity often came in the same sentence! I was ready for this little blog piece to be somewhat gloomy, given the sadness at beginning, but it is not. Now I cannot but smile. Fact is, there is encouragement here. Our thinking and our holy assemblies are to help us worship God, and on this date at beginning of January, Epiphany no less, the magi came from the East to do that very thing, worship the newborn King. That newborn is available still as the truth and the life (John 14:6) and we so need to worship him no matter what direction we come from.

If I meet the crying guy again, I will tell him about the jailbird guy. On second thought, perhaps not; if they do not know one another they at least know about each other! 😇 The mystery of this holy faith journey, including sadness and joy, always shows up in those surprising places, just outside the doors of the church.

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[i] Tobi Thiessen, "Survey says...", Canadian Mennonite, Dec 15, 2023, p.2. Apologies! This is a magazine! I erroneously used "newspaper" when I first clicked 'Publish' because of the newsprint it is printed on (environment and economy). Type of paper is one of the reconsiderations after the recent survey.

[ii] Kyle Penner, "To thine own self be true?" Ibid, p.8.

[iii] Pierre Berton, The Comfortable Pew (Toronto: McClelland and Stewart, 1965).

[iv] Ed Olfert, "The gift of Greg", op. cit. p.13.

When Life Gives You Lemons

Make lemonade! That is the oft-quoted answer to this well-known query. It is a useful life  perspective, one of those handy little sayings that can arrest a pity party that needs to stop, like right now. Useful and also trite; it is kind of simplistic.

Why would we think or talk about lemonade when there are starving children all over the world, when the Middle East, the place of origin of belief in one God is now scene of the ugliest warfare imaginable, not unlike the inhumanity of the holocaust in World War II. In fact, lemons, to my limited perspective are a considerably useful ingredient in many recipes for delicious food. Nothing undesirable about lemons, except that they provide a bit of the rigorous bite – mostly just beyond our sugar preference!

It is the time of year to think about this. The season of Advent, church year B just begun (November 30, 2023 to November 28, 2024) brings on the latest version of how to wait, celebrate, or whatever as Christmas day closes in on us. "All is calm. All is bright" - except that nothing is calm, and nothing is bright (other than the latest energy efficient colour-changing LED lights on display everywhere). It is that 'wonderful' time of the year which according to psychologists and sociologists also creates considerable clash for many. I remember with bizarre clarity the pressures I felt during my years of service as pastor in several churches. Christmas required especial attentiveness, especially as people would want something interesting and new, even while longing for re-enactment of something old - sentimental memories back there somewhere, which is why non-church goers show up in church at least once a year! The challenge for preachers is to be friendly and welcoming and try to ignore the nagging thought “where were you the other 364 days of this year?” It is a cyclical reality that persons in leadership need to deal with.

And then there is a curve ball being thrown at the whole world this year – actually the last several coronavirus years. A new way of thinking has entered in, stronger opinions and greater fearfulness. I posit that present fearfulness may be an uneasy hunch that we are dealing with a little more than lemons, and perhaps some long-held seasonal points of view may need adjustment.

Lest I now wade into some socio-religio-political (a new word I just created) hot potatoes like Social Activism, Zionism, Progressivism, Evangelicalism or rightist and leftist politics, this time I wish to stay only with lemons and lemonade! Making lemonade is something to do. It is a positive creativity which can be accomplished even by the ones who do not like to think - not much thought required to stir up a pitcher of the good stuff. On the other hand, you make lemonade only after you have decided to do it, and as suggested in the pithy query, a lemonade project commences after deciding what not to do! When making lemonade you are not making home-brew in a backyard distillery. You are not moping in a corner or lying in bed playing video games on your device. No, it is a positive activity. To me this is important, probably because I still hear my dad’s words (R.I.P. dear dad), “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop.” This lemonade thing is useful but probably needs a slightly wider base. Two ingredients needed in order for the ‘doing’ to be of good purpose.

Firstly, what is it we are keeping busy at? A little self-examination is in order for all, whether we are spiritually or secularly inclined, peaceful or restless in our inner being (an inclination bestowed by DNA, see Psalm 139:13). Self exam is a common theme, obvious almost wherever you read in the Bible: “Examine yourselves ... test yourselves” so we read in 2 Corinthians 13:15. "Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification (Romans 14:19). “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3). And most interestingly also from one who was known for impulsive actions and quick responses to everything he encountered, even Apostle Peter says, “So then, dear friends … make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace” (2 Peter 3:14). More important than what we do is how we do it. In fact, even our talking, bad behaviour, our swearing and carrying on is addressed in terms of where it comes from, e.g. “the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart" (Matthew 15:18). Recently I heard a sermon [i] from an elder brother in our church telling us of the young virgin Mary’s time of waiting, likely a very personal experience for her. At this point our elderly preacher asked the teenagers to raise their hands 😊 and then implored all of us to think of this personally, i.e. how are we personally waiting for God's guidance in our life? Young, old, or in between, there was extraordinary attentiveness to this sermon! 

A "world contorting itself in endless strife, cynicism and despair,” as I said in my last blogpost [ii] is because we are loathe to examine ourselves. Busy-ness is still our go to, something to do while we avoid the personal. Within our busy-ness we intrude on one another, not at all bothering to see where the other is coming from. Apparently, that is still the main reason for road rage, for young people of immigrants gathering in gangs, for international resentments in a repopulating world. We are inconveniencing one another even while we are lonely. 😏

Secondly, prayer. My heart is compelled to conclude with this. Nothing new here. It is as old as eternity, as old as anyone just learning to pray, or well experienced, or perhaps recently discovered how to be in touch with “the Wholly Other, the One Above, the I AM, God, Allah, Creator.” I have had a recent discovery (reminder?) of prayer. In my lifetime there have been periods of fervent and grateful prayers, as well as periods of deep disappointment especially during SAD depression stretches when it seemed as though prayers could not even get organized in my head, let alone make it through the ceiling of wherever I was laboring (outdoors always better, yes). My recent learning here is simply the adequacy and importance of prayer. 

Prayer is of course not a litany of pleadings; it begins with prayerfulness, that self-exam referred to above. Perhaps the best way to illustrate and conclude here is with memory of a hospital visit I made many years ago. I shall never forget. Rev. Yordy was on his death bed, and he was warm and welcoming as I came beside his bed that day. He was eager to share something with me and his two sons. It was a portion of scripture, the first few verses of Psalm 131.

1 My heart is not proud, Lord,
    my eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters
    or things too wonderful for me.
2 But I have calmed and quieted myself,
    I am like a weaned child with its mother; 

like a weaned child I am content.

The following day he passed away. In his many years of pastoral ministry he never avoided tough issues, he preached faithfully and sometimes prophetically if need be, definitely a man of faith in action. From the vantage of today's world stressors, I smile as I remember the peace filled ending of his days. Seems to me we have here a good perspective from one of the residents in that "cloud of witnesses" up above (Hebrews 12:1). A little self-examination and a little kneeling is good posture, not only for me but good lemonade for all of us.

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[i] Erwin Strempler (2023), "Mary’s Magnificat,” unpublished sermon, Foothills Mennonite Church, Calgary, AB.

[ii] “Redemptive Clowns,” jcfroomthoughts.blogspot.com, Nov. 22, 2023.

Redemptive Clowns

John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River (Matthew 3:4-6).

There’s a new image in my head. Fresh and new, straight out of the Bible, I also know how it will be perceived in the readers’ mind. My younger friends – including my children – may click onto something else quickly because already it has the look of a sermon. 😉 My oldster friends may be smiling indulgently, “What is Froese thinking about now?” Indeed, Froese has been thinking - hesitating - for quite a few days, finally deciding it must be shared. I cannot but speak of what I've been learning recently (adapt from Acts 4:20)! I once heard a little saying, "Fear of the reader can make for boring articles, just like fear of an audience can make for boring speeches." John the Baptist seems not to have been troubled by any of this.  

Steven Charleston is author of a book providing much timely food for thought, one chapter entitled “The Clown.” [i] What is so funny about John the Baptist? so begins the chapter. "Not a lot," answers the author, and then into description of this character making waves everywhere. “Not even the Virgin Mary rates such a fashion report." [ii] We have here a clown who makes no effort to entertain and a hippy with full detail of his duds. During my years of preaching, I openly and easily claimed ‘J the B’ as my favorite character in the Bible, not only because of his no-holds barred style (You brood of vipers! Matt 3:7), but also his absolute humble devotion to the one coming after him. Interesting man this anointed precursor of Jesus. I have enjoyed him forever and now fascinated to learn a few more things about him.

But a clown? I am now reading this Vision Quests book for the third time; something I just don’t ever do as a matter of principle (so many more books to read). Very intriguing, this biblical character presented as a clown! Especially in these last several years as the world seems to be unraveling – irresponsible politicians surprisingly tolerated as though that’s all we expect of them. "I remember when ..." is a common expression among my peers. 😏 Apparently, age has a way of skewing memory of history and anticipation of next years, "… when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will ... lead you where you do not want to go” (John 21:18). Somebody else seems to be in charge now.

Enter a clown. Enter John the Baptist, at least as per Dr. Charleston, member of the Choctow Nation and an Episcopalian Bishop. He describes John the Baptist-type eccentrics as regulars in Indigenous faith communities. He acknowledges that non-Natives may find this disrespectful and offensive. He explains, “from the theology of the Native Covenant, it is perfectly accurate because a “clown” in Native American tradition has a different meaning than it carries in European-based cultures. In that culture they are not just buffoons to make us laugh … but spiritual teachers whose job is to make us think.” [iii]

A clown. Perhaps this is why I am now reading Charleston again. My response is likely in character for us European Caucasian types, and even moreso for my Mennonite no-nonsense orderly version of that type. From within this vantage, I confess we are as much a part of the world’s problems as the Israelis and Hamas or the Russians and Ukrainians. Is there a right and a wrong side? Apocalyptic explanations are everywhere and fully as self-righteous as the many battles of the Old Testament, usually with emotive overtones if you do not agree. Among all of this political and interpersonal heat, here is the biblical account. Jesus, the one who us Christians claim as Messiah, came to be baptized by this character John, who protested saying “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” (Matthew 3:14) but Jesus confidently knew what was needed. When John complied, after baptizing Jesus the heavens opened up, and a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased” (3:17). John the Baptist did that which was required of him. While I still have some resistance to a holy anointed person characterized as a clown, the large large purpose of this one preparing the way of the Lord, spoken of already in Isaiah and fully referenced in the New Testament gospels, [iv] cannot be ignored. Charleston is not being clownish; he is making a point.

Most of us can think of people who act somewhat contrary, embarrassing parents and neighbors, usually one or two in almost every small town that I can think of during my growing up years. Not necessarily criminals or troublemakers, but often did not quite fit in (Uhtbundts in the Low German language). Almost every family has what used to be called (inappropriately) a black sheep, or at least one who does not quite toe the line, a bit of mystery to siblings and parents. Some of these may actually be over achievers. I have a brother who was out of step with his siblings. He was positive, not given to teenage shenanigans and never in trouble with teachers or parents. He became a legendary softball pitcher well known in all the small towns and even the big city nearby. He pitched to a back catcher also skilled and very competitive, not at all given to Peter's kind-hearted naivety. He signaled the curve balls, burners, change-ups, etc. to the tune of many no hitter games. The crowds would laugh and roar their approval. My brother would pitch exactly as signaled by Cliff - and feel kind of badly for the batters he had just struck out! 😀 Now in his 70’s this brother of mine is still out-of-step with many. A passionate anti-military pacifist living in Colorado with his wife and other like-minded activists in radical simplicity, often appearing in local media not because he craves it, but it makes interesting news clips. Just like when he was a teenaged star athlete, people cannot but pay attention to a personality like this!

Autism comes to mind as another example. My wife and I have a daughter finally diagnosed in her thirties -   Aspergers high functioning, after years of bullying by teachers and/or fellow students in elementary and junior high. Now in middle age she is finally claiming all her God-gifted abilities. Thank you, God! 

Additionally to uhtbundts, there are also many ways to ‘discover’ or ‘receive’ the gift of faith. There are those who once lived a life of absolute debauchery and sin, only to be smitten by a sudden experience from God to the extent that everybody around is now paying attention. The story of Nicky Cruz, [v] a gangster-become-preacher in New York City has become a best-seller book and a blockbuster movie. The Apostle Paul’s discovery of Jesus could be described similarly. He got knocked off his horse on the road to Damascus (Acts 9). Timothy, one of the other Apostles, learned his faith at the knee of his grandmother (2 Timothy 1).

So, with the world contorting itself in endless strife, cynicism and despair, many of us seniors (the postwar baby boomers who created the good life) and millennials and gen xes and zes (children and grandchildren - those now benefiting from the good life). We seemingly know only good life solutions and that’s how we analyze and talk of all the crap going on. I see provinces liberal or conservative, states democrat or republican. I see professional sports teams regularly firing coaches just to provide winning numbers for small-brained fans. Among all of this there are disillusioned faith seekers shopping around for a perfect church or club, often self-righteously demanding good logical clean credible opinionated resolution to world problems (avoiding their own complicity), along with budget implications of course! Then we read articles, analyses and reports in Christian media using updated language like “imagine” and “live into,” a new faith lingo carefully edited with inclusive language complete with correct pronouns.

Clowns! We probably need some. Not the kind we hire for birthday or office parties to make us laugh. No, we need un-characters similar to the ones that show up at Indigenous Round Dances (Spirit Dances), the ones who act out and even offer some fresh ridiculous ideas on problem solving, like give-aways and sitting with elders to process vision quests. Good reminder from Charleston that John and Jesus both lived the give-away life to the point of sacrifice. “John lost his life as a sacred clown because he brought the chaos of hope into the place of power…. Jesus lost his life because he loved without exclusion.” [vi] 

Personal reminder to me that our neighborhoods can and must include increasing awareness that we are settlers and indigenous. And neighborliness includes a little more than evaluating the tidiness or messiness of each other's yards! [vii] The possibilities are before us. It can happen as result of unreserved commitment to the One who received baptism from the anointed clown. The invite is here, Indigenous and/or Settler to come follow Jesus, even if in some new unconventional ways perhaps not dreamed of before.

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10).

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[i] Chapter 5 in Steven Charleston, The Four Vision Quests of Jesus (New York: Morehouse Publishing, 2015).

[ii] Ibid, p.78.

[iii] Ibid, p.80. Two sacred clown groupings, the koshares of the Southwest and heyokas of the Plains. See pp. 81-82 for examples of their goings-on.

[iv] Isaiah 40:3; Matthew 3:3; Mark 1:1-3; Luke 3:4.

[v] David Wilkerson, The Cross and the Switchblade (New York: Berkley, 1986). 

[vi] Charleston, op. cit. p.90. 

[vii] "Strangers to Neighbors" very appropriately (providentially?) happens to be the Calgary Interfaith Council theme for this year 2023. It is being recognized as very appropriate given current events in this city as well as world-wide.