Preschool
Thoughts from Pastor Stan: February 2008

Thursday, February 28, 2008

Fifth Sunday of Lent - Put on the Full Armor of God

LOR is definitely a story of combating evil by putting on the full armor. Even Gandalf puts on an even better new and improved "full armor" (Gandalf the White, not even grey) to combat Sauron.

Life is a battle. If we go out into the battle without our armor and weapons, we may succumb to the "Saurons" of our world.

Or, in theological terms, Is your faith strong enough to get you through the journey of life?

Recently my grandfather passed away. He was 95. Intellectually I know he lived a good life. He was an extremely devout Roman Catholic. Even growing up as an atheist, I learned from him. One of the things he did was to pray with my grandmother that I would become a priest. I had no idea until I was almost 50 (and after over 20 years of ministry).

The point is my grandparents prayed for many people that their faith would be strong enough to keep them on the journey of life.

When my father committed suicide when I was 17, my atheism was not strong enough to get me through those times. I experienced many emotional difficulties. It was not until I turned to God that I regained strength enough to continue the journey. Today, my grandfather's death, as painful as it is (he was my "parent" for the last 20 years), is now seen as a part of life and my faith is strong enough to keep me on the path.

Thought to Ponder Is your faith strong enough to get you through the day (life)?

posted by Pastor Stan at 7:45 AM 0 Comments

Fifth Sunday of Lent - Put on the Full Armor of God

In a recent New York Times article, "Americans Change Faiths at Rising Rate, Report Finds"

http://www.nytimes.com/208/02/25/us/25cnd-religion.html?_1&oref=slogin

reports, "More than a quarter of adult Americans have left the faith of their childhood to join another religion or no religion, according to a new survey of religious affiliation by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life."

Why did they leave?

Was their faith strong enough for the journey?

What is missing in our churches that creates a fecund soil for departure?

I eagerly wait your answers.

posted by Pastor Stan at 7:25 AM 0 Comments

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Fourth Sunday of Lent - Evil

As the fellowship inadvertently/reluctantly enter the mines of Moria, Gandalf says, "We now have but one choice.  We must face the long dark of Moria.  Be on your guard.  There are older and fouler things than Orcs, in the deep places of the world."

There is a sense that there is something one need fear more than Orcs.  They will encounter that which Orcs fear, Balrog.

But is Tolkien trying to say something even more here?  Is there something truly evil "in the deep places of the world."

Is evil from some place, or some one?  Is evil the result of choice?  Or is it evil the result of a force from "the deep places of the world"?





posted by Pastor Stan at 4:38 PM 0 Comments

Forth Sunday of Lent: Evil

Nietzsche asked,  "What is good?"
         His answer, "All that heightens the feeling of power, the will to power, power itself in man."
         He then asked, "What is bad?"
         His answer, "All that proceeds from weakness."

If Nietzsche were a Star Trek character, I imagine him to be a Klingon.

QUESTION:  Do you agree with Nietzsche and his perspective that bad is from weakness, and good is from power?

This Sunday, we will begin with the question, "Does evil exist?"

Several of the philosophers In Cracker Barrel, suggested that "evil is in the eye of the beholder."  One persons act of righteousness, may be perceived by another as an act of evil.
  
In LOR, it is man and man's greed for power that allowed the ring (evil) to exist when man could have decided to destroy the ring. 



posted by Pastor Stan at 3:34 PM 0 Comments

Third Sunday of Lent: Decisions

In the scene where "evil" (Saruman) creates an avalanche that buries the fellowship in snow, Boromir is the first to speak up as he urgently says, "We must get off the mountain!"  His suggestion is to "Make for the gap of Rohan and take the West road..."  

Aragon responds, "The Gap of Rohan takes us too close to Isengard."

Gimili offers a second suggestion:  "We cannot pass over the mountain.  Let us go under it.  Let us go through the mines of Moria."

Gandalf has a non-supportive look to this suggestioin.  And responds, "Let the ringbearer decide."

POINT
There are many places in the LOR that decisions are made.  In this scene the ringbearer must decide.  Frodo will decide with nothing more than being driven by self-preservation to enter the mines.  His decision will "cost" the life of Gandalf.

APPLICATION
In our lives, we are faced with many different types of decisions.  However, very few is their a cost as of the life of another.

During the season of Lent as we self-reflect, it is an opportunity to ask ourselves why we make the decisions that we do.  What drives us?  Are some decisions like that of Frodo, self-preservation driven?)

CHALLENGE
Gandalf to Frodo, "All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us."


posted by Pastor Stan at 3:19 PM 0 Comments

Second Sunday of Lent: Gifts

In the scene at Rivendale, the secret council that has been assemble to determine who will take the ring to Mordor, Mt. Doom, Frodo in the midst of the argument says, "I will take the ring..but I do not know the way.  8 others volunteer to help Frodo with his quest, each bringing their own gifts:

Gandalf, wisdom
Aargaon, sword
Leogas, bow and arrow
Gimili, battle ax
Bormior, ...
even Pipin brings "intellect"


posted by Pastor Stan at 3:16 PM 0 Comments

Sunday, February 10, 2008

1ST SUNDAY OF LENT

February 10, 2008
1st Sunday of Lent

What do we do with the ring?

LORD OF THE RINGS
Unlike Hobbits, humans are extremely vulnerable to the power of the ring.
It will consume them (i.e. Gollum).

Each of us is different. We each have our own "ring" to bear. Each of us will be tempted differently. We each have that "ring" that will consume us.


In Matthew 4, Jesus begins his ministry after his baptism by preparing himself by entering the wilderness to be alone for 40 days. He is "tempted" three times. Each temptation is testing Jesus' use of power. Will he use his power for good or for evil.

During Lent, as we carry our ring, let the ring represent that which is your temptation in your life. As the ring is carried, be aware of the times of temptation. Ask, "why am I tempted?"

As in worship the illustration of my "ring" being the sin of gluttony. The more I wrestle with gluttony, the more I become that food brings comfort, security and is my way of running away from certain problems. For you, what is the "ring" that you bear?

Know Thyself, as we journey together this Lent.

posted by Pastor Stan at 11:36 AM 1 Comments

ASH WEDNESDAY

February 6, 2008
ASH WEDNESDAY

THE CALL TO ADVENTURE
Joseph Campbell reminds us that the mythic journey begins with the hero/heroine being called to the journey.

The season of Lent is a call to adventure when we seriously wrestle with the Lenten scriptures.

LORD OF THE RINGS
Hobbits refuse the call to adventure. They prefer the Ordinary World (status quo). Like some of us, who refuse to take the risk of an adventure/journey. Then when the journey of life has nears completion we regret the risk of the adventure.

Lent is an opportunity to take an inward and spiritual journey. The risk is nominal, unless a deeper understanding of the self seems risky.

So, like Bilbo and Frodo, let's say "yes" to the adventure. Let us receive the responsibility and authority of the ring.

On Ash Wednesday we received our rings. Each Sunday of Lent, those who do not have a ring are invited to come forward during the closing hymn to receive the ring.

posted by Pastor Stan at 11:28 AM 0 Comments