You can’t Hedge your Faith

Luke 13:31-35 (NIV)

31 At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, “Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you.”

32 He replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘I will keep on driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.’ 33 In any case, I must press on today and tomorrow and the next day—for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem!

34 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. 35 Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’ ”

I want to talk about verse 31: “At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, ‘Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you.’”

I wonder what these Pharisees were thinking. Why were they helping Jesus here? Were they actually being kind or was something else going on? My guess is it was something else.

My daughter Sydney is at Georgia State University and is taking a class in economics. They were discussing investments and one of the strategies was hedging, specifically with hedge funds. She was confused and asked for some help. Now I went straight to Google to make sure I understood.

I tried to give some very bad technical definitions about offsetting risk by not putting all your eggs in one basket or money in one stock. She still looked confused, but suddenly a light went off in my brain, and I said it is sort of like insurance. We buy insurance for stuff like her car and hope we never use it, but we have it just in case; this is a hedge. She seemed to understand…or perhaps she gave up on me and emailed the professor.

But when I consider this passage, I think the Pharisees were hedging their bets—or buying a bit of insurance in Jesus. They didn’t believe, but just in case they were wrong, they figured it would be good for Jesus to owe them a favor for saving his life.

Alas they were betting on both heads and tails – if he’s the Messiah, then they’ve done him a favor and perhaps he will remember them when he takes over, If not then no would have to ever know about their minor betrayal of Herod. They could always  say Jesus and his disciples were lying.”

Obviously, these folks are close enough to Herod to know of his plan but not so convinced about who Jesus is to stick their own necks out in a public way.

In some ways that is where I think most of us are at least some of the time. We’re happy to be Christian, as long as being Christian doesn’t ask us to do anything that might get us in trouble. We are happy to follow Jesus and wear a cross, but to show up and speak up or speak out would be dangerous—at least to what people might think about us.

Jesus seems to see right through the Pharisees and calls them out.

My friend Joe Evans puts it this way:

“Jesus seems to know that they have a foot in each camp and so can go between the two with his message: “Go tell that fox for me,” he says to them, knowing that if they could overhear Herod’s plot to kill him, then they must have been close, though they may not have completely pledged themselves to Herod’s service, leaking this secret plot. They couldn’t just up and follow Jesus; you see, they had kids to feed. They couldn’t make the Empire mad or they might lose their influence, and they couldn’t make the king angry or the might even lose their lives.”

Put in this spot they are stuck—either they are vocally and thus fully with Jesus or their silence means they are not.

It is uncomfortable for us if we put ourselves in the story.

This week I failed. I heard some racist comments from a person with influence over my career and choose to be quiet rather than stand up for truth. I was more concerned about what the fox might think of me than I was about what Christ might think of me.

I lament that decision now and pray for forgiveness.        

And I hope it helps me grow. I hope it helps me allow my faith to be bigger than my fear.

Jesus doesn’t want us to use him as an insurance policy. Like the rich young ruler, we are asked to lay aside whatever is possessing us and follow him.

Sometimes it will be uncomfortable. But if we as a people of faith are unwilling to speak out for truth and justice and mercy and grace and love, then who will?

God doesn’t want you and me to just hedge our bets by showing up just on Sunday; the call is for every day of our life.

Humanity’s Demise – Scattered, Smothered, and Covered

Humanity’s Demise – Now even Scattered, Covered, and Smothered

I have a confession to make. Well it is only a confession for those of you who don’t know me well. I love Waffle House. Eggs scrambled light with cheese, double hash browns scattered well covered with cheese, white toast, and a diet coke. It is the breakfast, lunch or dinner of champions. Available 24-7 it is a perfect analogy and reminder that God’s love and grace is always available.

Actually, the other part I love about the Waffle House is its ambiance. I know ambiance and Waffle House rarely go together in the same sentence, but I love sitting at the counter. Whether or not I was dining with someone or alone I know I can sit at the counter and not only watch but converse with the chef.

The ambiance also allows for conversation with everyone in the place. You can talk with a mechanic or roofer. A lawyer or teacher. An accountant or hairdresser. Newlyweds or retirees. Families. Teens and college students. Black, White, Hispanic, male, female, gay, straight and so much more…everyone loves waffles.

The conversations were rich and typically civil. The topics were as diverse as the people in it. And anytime it got heated a waitress put folks back in line in a hurry. Alas if you planned it right you could pick the correct background music via the jukebox and suddenly it felt like an episode of Friday Night Light’s or Parenthood.

And then last night I realized it may have all changed.

I sat next to my daughter. I had ordered my usual but added bacon – cause sometimes
you just got to live life to the fullest.

I conversed with the cook while he was cooking. I added salt, pepper and the perfect amount of ketchup. I took that first bite and was ready to give a compliment when I saw the chef looking down on his cellular device. I looked over at the waitress who was waiting on a waffle to be done. She was staring at her cellular device and then I began looking around at the rest of the diner.

My daughter was snap chatting – no surprise. Everyone wants to see a picture of her taking a big bite of a waffle with chocolate chips and peanut butter.

A booth with a family. All looking down and not in prayer unless it was a prayer app.

Another table with folks watching Netflix.

A lady on her tablet.

A construction worker texting.

Everyone staring down, and no one engaged with anyone.

Other than the clicking of keys and the sounds of texts going and coming it sounded like a funeral home. Actually quieter.

Looking at this scene I nearly teared up.

Is this now our world?

Are we no longer able to connect with one another unless through a screen?

It is scary when you can no longer connect even over hash browns -scattered, covered and smothered.

I don’t know the answer and I have been guilty myself of doing this, but I wonder about question that was popular a few years ago. WWJD – What would Jesus Do or at least What would Jesus Think?

Jesus was a gourmand which is a person who is fond of good eating. (Yes, I had to look that up)

Think about it – Jesus was often eating a meal, on his way to a meal, preparing a meal for a lot of folks, or talking about eating.

Spending time around the table was a religious experience for Jesus. It was important, and all were invited (which often got him in trouble.)

But unless Jesus was the chef (such as The Last Supper and Feeding 5000) the menu isn’t what was mentioned. What was filing at the table where the conversations. And if Jesus wasn’t sympathetic with Martha for her sister not helping in the kitchen I doubt he would be happy about folks staring down at their glowing screen. I don’t know if Jesus would dump over the table like he did in the Temple, but he might.

I do believe a parable about smart devices making us dumber about the Kingdom of God might appear if Jesus had been subject to cell phones like we are today.

So, I am going to do better myself by putting the phone down when at table. I will still go to the WoHo to work sometimes. But when with others I will try to look into one another’s eyes and hear their words. As such I will know a great deal about their heart and soul.

There are many other hours to be connected to the world with my device. Just not while putting food in my mouth at table.

I am sure I won’t be perfect at this, but I am going to try because I refuse to let my humanity become smothered and covered by a bunch of microchips surrounded by glass and aluminum.
Clay Gunter
7/17/18

Today I took a Walk to Cry

Today I took a Walk to Cry

Today I took a walk just to cry

I cried for the pain I had seen
and for the pain I still felt

I cried because of the injustices
that I cannot make right

I cried for wounds so deep that they will never heal

I cried for scars left on the skin and on the soul

I cried in shame for the lies we share,
the ones we pretend are okay,
and the ones we deceive our self with by believe that none of the agony is
our fault.

I cried for those whose anguish follows them in all they do.

I cried for those whose nightmares cannot be comforted for they are real.

I cried for those who know nothing but terror,

And those who know nothing but brokenness – broken bodies, spirits and heart.

I cried alone…

I openly wept…

I fell to my knees

My shoulders shook.

I wanted to scream
to curse the world
To damn a society who allows such dismay to exist.

But I could only moan and sob.

There on my solitary walk in the woods tears streamed like a flowing river.

As I knew the would when I went on this walk just to cry.

And when I thought I had no more tears to shed I sat on the ground and saw in the distance a single flower.

A speck of yellow in the midst of the browns and grays of fallen pine straw and dead leaves.

And I shed another tear.

It was a tear of thanks for those who refuse to let those who suffer do so alone.

And another tear for the healers
and one for the peacemakers
and the counselors

And for those who comfort those who grieve.

For those whose mighty acts include wiping a brow, giving a sip of cold water to those who thirst, giving a warm embrace, and holding a trembling hand.

I wept in joy for those who stare evil in the face and proclaim your hate will not defeat my love.

For those who will not give up on the beloved community.

I cried for those who place semicolons where the world sees a period.

For those who make wholes in the darkness bringing light where there seemed to only be misery.

My souls anguish turned to grateful thanksgiving for those who rush towards the pain.

For those whose compassion heals shattered lives.

For those who don’t give up on the wounded and brokenhearted.

My heart was filled with awe for those who use the power of love to heal the world.

And finally, I was able to stand.

Cleansed and renewed by these waters; now able to raise my head high.

With new energy and joy, able to face life with faith, hope and love.

Clay Gunter

5/13/2018

Cooking Scrambled Eggs

Cooking Scrambled Eggs

I can see him still in his worn and faded overalls
Slowly cracking each egg
Placing them one by one in the bowl
Each slowly whisked together
A pinch of salt
A touch of pepper
A bit of milk
Deliberately mixed and then added to the pan
Its heat is so very low
And the stirring continues
So very gradually they cook
This old gentleman, with the little grey hair he has left, works at this job like every job I’ve ever seen him do
– unhurried
With a content smile
Consistency in his approach
His labor untroubled
The cooking finally completed even in that ultra-low heat
And alas they are delicious
Light and fluffy
Masterfully seasoned before they are ever plated
They melt in your mouth
They bring joy
Quite frankly are perfect

The eggs I cook are scrambled…
But often have a bit of shell included
Cooked in a hot pan
They are done quickly
There is little wait before you can eat
But they are dry
You better add seasoning before you taste
and alas
They bring little joy
The job is done…the meal prepared but…
Like most of my life they are done in a rush
and without a smile…
hurried along as “What’s Next” seems to be ever looming

The aged retired millworker, church sexton and lifelong farmer (and master breakfast maker) seems to know so much more about line than this man I am
– with my fancy certificates and degrees
Maybe the secret he whispers in his slow South Carolina drawl is to take it slow.
Be deliberate.
Perhaps the old man’s lesson to me – that I have never learned – is that the pleasure of life is found in the journey and not in crossing off “to do’s”

AND by choosing to really do the job right
…unhurried…
consistent…
with a slow, deliberate and gentle shuffle full of grace and not a flustered and panting sprint to be done

Only in living in the moment will joy indeed be realized
Hope appreciated
And life, love, and beauty fully savored

It’s a simple lesson that sadly I’ve been in too big a hurry to learn

My breakfast is done but not enjoyed
and my life is lived but not experienced
A life not well lived but hurried along as tasks are finished and a living accomplished
but the love of life lost…

Perhaps someday I will master this…
Unfortunately, there is no time to do it today…
Or is there?

Clay Gunter
August 2nd and 3rd, 2014 updated/completed 4/26/18

(In loving memory of Harold Foster – “Mr. Foster”)

Why I am No Longer Trying to be Happy – Seven Thoughts on Contentment

“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:11-13 New International Version (NIV)

Why I am No Longer Trying to be Happy.

Seven Thoughts on Contentment

When asked about what they really want for their lives, many people will respond that they want to be happy.  And for a long time I would probably answer that question the same way.  However, I have discovered that while it sounds like a great answer, seeking happiness has some real problems.  Happiness is often subject to a variety of exterior factors.  This often makes happiness quite fleeting.

The dictionary defines happy as “delighted, please or glad, as over a particular thing.”  The problem is once that particular thing is gone, the happiness often disappears with it.  This leads to the emotional roller coasters on which most of us live our lives.  We continually move between ecstasy and agony.  While I recognize that some of this is unavoidable, I have come to realize that the issue is our attempt to seek this fleeting idea of being happy.  I am now no longer seeking happiness, but instead, I am trying to gain contentment.  Unlike happiness, contentment is defined as the state of being satisfied and having a mind at ease.

Contentment is not easy; in fact, it is often quite a struggle.  Happiness can appear out of nowhere.  Even people who consider themselves unlucky eventually have something good come along that makes them feel happy.  And most of us have those things come along quite regularly.  While the old adage might remind us that the sun does not shine on the same dog’s butt every day, it also reminds us that eventually the sun shines on everyone, no matter what we do or do not do.

However, contentment is different from this – it relies on no one but you.

As I have begun to recognize and struggle with this truth, I have discovered several rules that are helping me in my efforts to achieve contentment.  I hope by sharing them, they may help you to find a life of satisfaction where your mind is truly at these.

Please note that while I am phrasing these statements in terms of “you,” that these questions are the ones I ask myself daily.

  1. You are responsible for your own joy. No one can create your joyful life but you.  It is not up to your spouse or parents or siblings or friends or colleagues or boss or spiritual adviser.  It is up to you.  If you want a joy-filled life then it is up to you. Henri Nouwen reminds us that, “joy does not simply happen to us.  We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day.”

What will be those things that bring you joy, again is up to you. Everyone finds joy in different area. Some find that joy in doing triathlons – that is not me. Others find it in gardening or music or cooking or in many other ways! The possibilities are limitless, and while I cannot even start to guess what your joys will be, I can offer one thing that I have always found to bring joy. This is the joy found in service to others. If you are not sure where to start in finding your own joy, start by simply giving of yourself. I assure you that it will bring joy.

And finding joy is the starting point for creating a life of contentment.

  1. You are responsible for your own growth. Your growth personally, professionally, and spiritually is up to you and your efforts. If you want to improve at your work, you need to find those professional development activities that will help you grow. If you want to be better at your hobby, then you need to practice and push yourself. Want to get closer to God? Then you must set aside time from prayer and scripture and worship.

As human beings, we are at our best when we are striving and growing. It is why we are explorers. It is why we are inventors. Contentment of the heart and soul means we are never content with where we are. Alas, we either grow or die.

  1. You are responsible for your own health and wellness. Exercise, proper nutrition, getting the sleep you need, brushing and flossing, getting checkups, taking prescribed medications, and taking time to engage in mindfulness are all up to you. Certainly there are supports available for all of these things both from others and even apps on your phone! However, at the end of the day it is up to you.

While an app can remind you to brush your teeth, doing so is up to you. Scheduling workouts is great but showing up and doing them requires your effort. Support groups and counseling require you to both show up and follow through with the advice.

The choice about all of this is yours and mine. In John’s Gospel, Jesus asked the paralyzed man if he wanted be well. I often imagine that question is one God is asking me. Do I really want to be well – if so I know what to do – the question is do I really want to do these things. Do I really want to be healthy enough to find contentment?

  1. You are responsible for how you see the world.

Are you grateful or are you bitter?

Do you see the glass as half full or half empty?

How you view life is up to you.

If you want to find the bad, it is always available.

I must admit this is probably the area I struggle with the most. I struggle with finding possibilities in the midst of problems. Yet I recognize this is a key area for my own growth.

Now I am not saying to go out and buy a set of rose-colored glasses. But finding the potential in times of troubles is what contentment is all about. Making choices to find hope is essential to a full life.

  1. You are responsible for creating your own vision. Too many people go around from day to day with no direction – no vision. Scripture reminds us that where there is no vision the people perish.

To find contentment you must find a vision, set goals, and create a plan. Your vision may change over time and it can be very simple. In fact, the speaker and author John Gordon encourages an individual’s visions to be just One Word. Whatever your vision is, make it easy to remember and worthy of your effort.

Having a vision will be a powerful step towards a contented life.

  1. You are responsible for being part of a culture that provides affirmation.

Business leaders often remind the managers they work with that “culture eats strategy for breakfast.” Without a culture that provides positive energy, your strategies will always struggle. A life of contentment will be difficult, if not impossible, to obtain.

You must find those people who help you to be your best. Those people will also bring you joy. They will help you see a hopeful future. It is as your parents said – choose your friends wisely.

Sadly, this will sometimes mean moving on from those who are hurtful and not helpful.

And sometimes it may be hard to find those who are on similar paths.

Nevertheless, just as a bad apple can spoil the bushel, one negative relationship can prove to be a disease on your soul.

  1. You are responsible for discovering your whys.

The whys are the big questions of your life. Often you will need to ask them again and again in order to find the bottom line real and truthful answer.

It is essential to keep asking why as you make decisions. If the answers fit your vision, help you grow, and bring you joy, then you are on the right track to helping find your state of contentment. If it does not, then odds are you need to do something else.

Contentment is like sitting on a quiet beach and watching the sunrise or rocking a newborn who has curled up in your arms. It is a feeling that you wish would never end.

This is what I encourage you to seek. It will bring peace to your life and allow you to face both good times and bad times with grace and hope and joy.

A Prayer about Medical Care

O Lord for those of us who complain about having to wait in rooms with heating and air, cushioned chairs, and big screen TV’s in order to see highly qualified doctors. While forgetting about the millions who will never see a physician. Forgive us.
 
We dread mammograms, colonoscopies, physicals and fasting blood work while the idea of preventative care is unknown to so many. And fasting overnight is not a choice but a condition of one’s life. O Lord forgive us.
 
We grumble about nurses waking us up in the night as they make their rounds to provide care while so many lie alone each night dying.
 
We object to orders to rest and heal and take our medication while so many will never heal from injuries to their bodies and wounds to their souls.
 
We whine about co-pays and deductibles while so many die each day from diseases that are curable if you only have the money.
 
O God have mercy on us.
 
Help us to be grateful for all the gifts we have been given.
 
Allow us opportunities to help those in need of care.
 
Give us the courage to advocate for those who have been forgotten
– for those whose pain we would rather not see.
– who cries we would rather not hear.
 
And as we remember the amazing grace we have be given – may we seek to share that grace in both our words and actions – so that your world might become one where all of your children are given the compassion that was demonstrated to us by your son Jesus Christ – in whose holy name we pray.
 
Clay Gunter
June 28, 2017

A Prayer for the End of the Day

As the sun falls on another day and the stars emerge from the darkness, Lord hear our prayer.

We have worked and we have tried.
We have sought and we have struggled.
We have won and lost.
We have seen victory.
And we have failed.
We have felt joy and sorrow.
We have laughed and we have cried.
And we have needed your grace.

So as we close the day.
We give thanks. We offer gratitude.
And we pray for you forgiveness.

Gives us now rest that we may wake to the beauty of anther day of your creation. May we wake to do your work in hopes that your will may be done.
Amen.

Clay Gunter
June 20, 2017

Year End Reflection Time

One of the things teachers ask students to do is to reflect on their learning. Sometimes that reflection happens at the end of a project or a unit of study or the course but teachers know that reflection is a key part of the learning cycle.

It often looks like this in real life: pre-assessment…set goals for learning…instruction and practice…assessment of learning… and reflection.

Now this process is not just one found in education. It is found in lots of places but with different terms like debriefing, project review, grading of product implementation, evaluation of programs, examination of business goals…or a number of other terms, but in the end, all of these are forms of reflection.

In fact, the Harvard Business Review recently shared research showing the power of reflection in the business world. At the conclusion of this study one researcher noted, “When we stop, reflect, and think about learning, we feel a greater sense of self-efficacy. We’re more motivated and we perform better afterward.” (http://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/reflecting-on-work-improves-job-performance)

According to my paraphrased Webster’s definition, reflection is serious thought about a topic, event or project that is written down or otherwise recorded/documented.

As important as reflection is, teachers may be the ones who practice it the most poorly. That is usually because they do not do it. Teachers are either feeling the pressure to move on to the next thing, or they are so tired by the end of the school year, that their only plan is a series of long naps alternating with “umbrella” drinks on a beach.

However, before both of these well-deserved things take place, I would strongly encourage all educators—teachers, counselors, and administrators—to spend some time in reflection. Doing so will allow you to grow and be even better in your work.

Additionally, if I could be so bold, I would like to suggest a few questions that you might use in this process. While the questions are important, the actual process and time spent on it is the key. In addition, you do need to write the answers down…though complete sentences are not required.

Ten Reflection Questions

1. Three great moments from the last school year were…
2. Three moments that were disappointing from the last school year were…
3. Three ways I grew in my job were…
4. Three areas that could be improved are…
5. A funny story I never want to forget from last year is…
6. A few activities that went really well last year are…
7. How I am I better now than I was a year ago? How can I build on this?
8. How have my ideas about my work changed over the last year?
9. What do I need help with to be better at or continue to grow at my craft?
10. What person(s) made a positive impact on me in my last year of work? Have I thanked them?