INDEPENDENT’S VIEW OF ASH WEDNESDAY
I am spiritually conservative, functionally liberal, relationally accepting and politically ‘moderate independent’. Saying that may help you understand me. Maybe.
Today I write about a topic not usually associated with Protestant Evangelicals, of which I am one. The subject I write of is Lent. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and starts a forty day season of preparation toward Easter. It comes after the season of Epiphany, which begins January 6th. That day, historically was thought to be a day to remember the Magi visiting the child-Christ, yet it also meant to put our thoughts on the God-Man: Jesus. He was to be called Emmanuel - God with us and so there has been a long season of celebration because of His coming. That season closes on Mardi Gras, which is French for Fat Tuesday. It is the last day of celebration and eating before Lent begins.
You may ask, “What does the topic have to do with politics or being an independent?” Aaah! My dear Indy-friend , that is a great question and I’m glad you asked. Being independent is more than a political point of view. It is a choice everyday to not walk in the societal norm because they make rules that should not apply. It is a rebellion against being compartmentalized and being labeled. As an independent I can cross over to other worlds and grab something that is may be associated with their calendar or practices and adopt it as mine though I am not of their persuasion. In this case it is the thoughts, beliefs, and events of the Catholic, Episcopalian, or Lutheran.
So independent thinkers, come with me on a journey of thought on the subject of Lent and specifically Ash Wednesday. Here are five thoughts as to why Lent is a good idea, as an independent.
1. I can do it too!
2. I’m Fast!
3. Broken isn’t always bad!
4. Ashes to Ashes!
5. Give it some thought!
1. I can do it too!
Lent is for Catholics, Episcopalians, and Lutherans . I’m not one. So I emphasize my independence in doing it. Here is the thing. We all like Mardis Gras and the celebration that comes with it. It exists solely because Lent exists. It is the last day of ‘Yippie’ before we look toward the Cross, Passover, and Easter. (Resurrection day) Hey, if we can run in the freedom of the party (the humanity), we can also run on the road that calls us to focus on what is right. (Divine) I know most who wear the masks, party, gather beads and go crazy are not thinking of anything but the party, but I do know many who on the next morning have hangovers, regrets, and remorse. Today, join me in taking off any masks and come before God in open humility.
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/breaking/84580147.html?cmpid=15585797
2. I’m Fast!
Okay, we all ate well last night (Fat Tuesday). Some drank well -probably from the well. Right?! Okay, Ash Wednesday now calls for us to fast. “Fast!” Yes, you read that right. After all the holiday parties and family gatherings; after the Superbowl feast and the Valentine’s Day chocolate feed; after Fat Tuesday drinks and eats: It couldn’t hurt to cut out a meal. I mean didn’t we all gain 20 pounds over the past two month? Fasting is more than a diet program though. It is about replacement: replacing the things that feed the physical body to focus on spiritual things. It is about taking the time that we use to eat and using that time for inner reflection and soul searching. It is about allowing the toxins in our body to clear out that we may begin afresh in a healthy stance. With the renewed focus, we may find ourselves in a better place to hear God, see God, and be about the things God desires for all people.
http://www.falconblanco.com/health/fasting.htm
3. Broken isn’t always bad!
In the spirit of the Lent season, I have a confession! Although I am an independent, I am dependant. I am also interdependent. I believe that there is truth in the statement, “God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble”, and that the “meek will inherit the earth”. As a child I did not want to get on Santa’s bad list. (I have long since let go of belief in Santa – shock!) Now as an adult, I have no desire to be on God’s bad list. I would much rather be on a grace-receiving list. So humility is in order. Repentance is about turning around and choosing another direction. Remorse is a true inner sorrow for past actions and the ramifications of those actions on one’s self and others. Both of these can be healthy! They take us off of self-focus and self-indulgence and steer us in the right direction. So I am dependent on God. I am also interdependent with many friends, family, and my society. We need each other. I am ready as an independent to stand for your rights, your health and your freedom. And I am also ready to acknowledge that we all could use a strong dose of looking to God. Look with me.
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/588613/humility_is_the_solid_foundation_of.html
4. Ashes to Ashes!
Okay, there may be a few of you, like me, out there who that don’t like to discuss death. I am not gonna’ get into it, other to say that I will bet you all that I have or ever will have that unless some Divine act occurs, everyone reading this will one day die. We are all in good company. Now when, I die, I have asked my wife to have me cremated. It is a faster process of body deteriorization than putting my body in a box. I have seen enough CSI and forensic shows to know that cremation is for me. When God comes back, he can put all the pieces together. I mean if he can create from dust, and can resurrect those who have been gone for ages, he can handle making my new resurrected body. Can’t He? My point is this though. We are all going to be dust; just a grain of sand on the vast seashore of the universe. Reflecting on this truth puts many things in perspective. The major thought is that life is short and I want to spend it doing better things, being a better husband, father, and friend. I will be a grain of sand, but today I can make a difference on the beach where I live.
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,813446,00.html
5. Give it some thought!
The article I have linked below speaks of three aspects of Lent: sober reflection, self-examination, and spiritual redirection. Nice alliteration! 1. Sober reflection - Sober would be good after Fat Tuesday, and I know some of you are already gearing up for Saint Patrick’s Day, College Basketball Playoffs, or maybe just this Friday to get your drink on. But I think it is important that we follow the words of Paul, in the Bible, when he says, “Do not be drunk with wine, but drunk on the Holy Spirit.” We can’t have true reflection unless we are sober. Sober in the sense of not being inebriated, but also sober in the sense that we are taking a serious look at things. 2. Self-examination – remember your January 1st resolutions? Yeah, how easily we forget. Remember we are all the same people we were last year other than the places we have gone, the people we have met, the books we have read, and the inner changes we have allowed God to do in us. Self-examination implies that I give myself a test. What is my grade? Lent allows me to assess my grade and to make adjustments. 3. Spiritual redirection – This is it --the day to redirect my thoughts from me to God, me to others, me to the world. This is a spiritual thing. I can’t do it on my own because I am a physical person. I must look to God for His help, His hope and His hand. I have ash on my forehead today to remind me to put my thoughts on higher things.
http://www.kencollins.com/question-02.htm
Thoughts and Comments
What are your thoughts and experiences about lent, Mardis Gras, or Ash Wednesday? I would appreciate any and all comments.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Monday, January 4, 2010
You know you're an independent when:
You know you're an independent when:
This blog and post is not about 25 year old guys living in their parent's basement. That is another conversation about independent living and is best left for another day. This is about being an independent thinker. Here is my list of seven signs that reveal an independent. Read on. I would love your comments.
1. You think for yourself.
2. You look at many sides of an issue before you come to a conclusion.
3. You actually read and research issues rather than take people's word for it.
4. You neither hold to nor support any 'party platform' in their entirety.
5. You internally (and sometimes externally) mock those who become aggressive and use person attacks rather than actually know what they are talking about.
6. No matter your background, you are willing to look, listen, and be loving to anyone and everyone, not because they deserve it or because you have to be politically correct, but because it is the right thing to do.
7. You actually read the initiatives in your voter pamphlet rather than just the pro and con position. (You do read the pros and cons, don't you?)
1. You think for yourself.
Self expression after reflection is an art and a responsibility. We are all a product of our backgrounds, be they family, faith, education, culture, and geography. Yet to simply take everything at face value is not only naive, but irresponsible. It also in my opinion is going to be the downfall of our country unless we find some thinkers sometime soon. Here is a great article on thinking for yourself. http://www.ndt-ed.org/TeachingResources/ClassroomTips/Independent_Thinking.htm
2. You look at many sides of an issue before you come to a conclusion.
No matter what any journalist, newscaster, minister, politician, or grocer says - everyone speaks from a bias. It takes an intentional effort to listen to many views before settling on a position. In many cases each person brings an 'aspect' of the whole to the table of discussion. Only a very narrow minded, possibly frightened individual would plow through life without any attempt to listen to other views.
Here are a great tips on how to see other views: http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTED_07.htm
3. You actually read and research issues rather than take people's word for it.
In the LA times there was a terrific article on the lost art of reading by David L. Ulin. http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/arts/la-ca-reading9-2009aug09,0,4905017.story.
It speaks of the need to slow down and contemplate which reading offers. And though he juxtapositions reading literature against blogs and tweets, he drives home my point for the read to read, research, and reflect on issues. The act of reading does wonders for each of us as individuals. How much more important is it to study issues that shape and change society. John Ralston Saul said, "The better the citizenry as a whole are educated, the wider and more sensible public participation, debate and social mobility will be...Highly sophisticated Élites are the easiest and least original thing a society can produce. The most difficult and the most valuable is a well-educated populace."
4. You neither hold to nor support any 'party platform' in their entirety.
"You will eat everything on your plate!" I heard this early on in my life. After I rebelled and sat at the table for hours in a power struggle, my mom budged and wisely moved to the position of at least try everything once. Sagely advice. No one can simply love everything that is brought before you. You might hold to a majority of a parties views, but to buy in completely because you disagree, or more strongly, despise the "other" party is foolish and probably dangerous to our countries future. Come on, you know you are more independent than you let on. Let it out! Be free! Run towards the light! Can't we all find away to break the two party thievery that has become our American political landscape?
This site gives a fair pro and con assessment of the two party system. You know how I feel. http://www.idebate.org/debatabase/topic_details.php?topicID=231
5. You internally (and sometimes externally) mock those who become aggressive and use person attacks rather than actually know what they are talking about.
This is my biggest pet peeve! We saw this when Clinton was in office and when Bush Jr. as well. In fact when it comes to politics, it's easy to condemn a person in office and anyone who actually voted for a person out of frustration rather than see positives and negatives. For the Republicans and many religious right, Clinton could not have done anything correct because he had affairs, and had some shady campaign finance tricks. For the Democrats and liberal lefties, the mention of G. W. is pure profanity and elicits tirades that go beyond reason. Sure the man got some things wrong like WMD's, but didn't everyone? And he didn't come through on immigration, nor would he listen to any other position on anything, which is a recipe for error, but he is not the anti-Christ people. It would be great to have a conversation with lefties and righties without them showing their ignorance by simply going red in the face, shutting off their minds, and puking all over me. "Can't we all just get along?" -"Jerks!"
Take a peak at this: I can't believe I'm linking the Huffington Post but this stuff ticks me off, and for the record, I was not a McCain guy. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/donna-fish/erratic-and-angry-politic_b_132644.html
6. No matter your background, you are willing to look, listen, and be loving to anyone and everyone, not because they deserve it or because you have to be politically correct, but because it is the right thing to do.
Martin Luther King Jr. said that the most segregated hour of the week was Sunday at 11:00 AM and the most segregated school was Sunday School. He was right. Even forty plus years later this is true. The complacency of the Church and leaders of churches must shift if they truly want to resemble the Christ they say is their 'Master'. One might look at the Book of Revelation to see the nature of the people around the throne. "...a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the lamb." You better get used to the idea of other races and nationalities worshipping with you - sounds like you may be doing for a while. I recently read an article in Time Magazine from Dec. 29th, 2009 that addresses this issue and the steps some are taking to change it. Bill Hybels should be applauded. http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1950943,00.html
And what of Arabs, Muslims, Hindus, Jews, Buddhists, Christians, Catholics, Protestants, liberals, conservatives, Republicans, Democrats, gays, lesbians, etc.? You add to the list. Love is not an option! Look! Listen! Love! You don't have to agree, but you do have to care.
7. You actually read the initiatives in your voter pamphlet rather than just the pro and con position.
I live in Washington State. It is a wonderful place to come from. We have a West Coast mindset and so are pretty easy going as a rule. The state votes Democrat even though more than half the state (geographically speaking) votes Republican. Seattle, Tacoma and the Metro region carries the vote due to populace.
Recently, our state voted in favor of domestic partnerships. I have always felt that all citizens should have equal rights. I am a pro marriage guy who is in favor of civil unions. The term domestic partner does not put me off. I was disturbed by the language throughout the pamphlet that gave the entire reading of the new law. It stated repeatedly that anywhere is stated marriage one could replace the term with domestic partners, and that terms like husband and wife could not be seen as gender specific. It burned me up. They could have written a law that gave all rights to all people without revising the meaning of marriage. Let me tell you - my marriage is made up of a man (me) and a woman (my wife) and there is no gender ambiguity at all.
But I know that many did not read that. Many who are pro domestic partnership and civil unions just jumped on it and voted for it without reading it. And so a bad law with good intent is passed. To the right I say, civil rights are for all. To the left I say, pro marriage is not anti-gay. Stop the hate and stop the lies.
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2009-10/Pdf/Bills/Senate%20Passed%20Legislature/5688-S2.PL.pdf
This blog and post is not about 25 year old guys living in their parent's basement. That is another conversation about independent living and is best left for another day. This is about being an independent thinker. Here is my list of seven signs that reveal an independent. Read on. I would love your comments.
1. You think for yourself.
2. You look at many sides of an issue before you come to a conclusion.
3. You actually read and research issues rather than take people's word for it.
4. You neither hold to nor support any 'party platform' in their entirety.
5. You internally (and sometimes externally) mock those who become aggressive and use person attacks rather than actually know what they are talking about.
6. No matter your background, you are willing to look, listen, and be loving to anyone and everyone, not because they deserve it or because you have to be politically correct, but because it is the right thing to do.
7. You actually read the initiatives in your voter pamphlet rather than just the pro and con position. (You do read the pros and cons, don't you?)
1. You think for yourself.
Self expression after reflection is an art and a responsibility. We are all a product of our backgrounds, be they family, faith, education, culture, and geography. Yet to simply take everything at face value is not only naive, but irresponsible. It also in my opinion is going to be the downfall of our country unless we find some thinkers sometime soon. Here is a great article on thinking for yourself. http://www.ndt-ed.org/TeachingResources/ClassroomTips/Independent_Thinking.htm
2. You look at many sides of an issue before you come to a conclusion.
No matter what any journalist, newscaster, minister, politician, or grocer says - everyone speaks from a bias. It takes an intentional effort to listen to many views before settling on a position. In many cases each person brings an 'aspect' of the whole to the table of discussion. Only a very narrow minded, possibly frightened individual would plow through life without any attempt to listen to other views.
Here are a great tips on how to see other views: http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTED_07.htm
3. You actually read and research issues rather than take people's word for it.
In the LA times there was a terrific article on the lost art of reading by David L. Ulin. http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/arts/la-ca-reading9-2009aug09,0,4905017.story.
It speaks of the need to slow down and contemplate which reading offers. And though he juxtapositions reading literature against blogs and tweets, he drives home my point for the read to read, research, and reflect on issues. The act of reading does wonders for each of us as individuals. How much more important is it to study issues that shape and change society. John Ralston Saul said, "The better the citizenry as a whole are educated, the wider and more sensible public participation, debate and social mobility will be...Highly sophisticated Élites are the easiest and least original thing a society can produce. The most difficult and the most valuable is a well-educated populace."
4. You neither hold to nor support any 'party platform' in their entirety.
"You will eat everything on your plate!" I heard this early on in my life. After I rebelled and sat at the table for hours in a power struggle, my mom budged and wisely moved to the position of at least try everything once. Sagely advice. No one can simply love everything that is brought before you. You might hold to a majority of a parties views, but to buy in completely because you disagree, or more strongly, despise the "other" party is foolish and probably dangerous to our countries future. Come on, you know you are more independent than you let on. Let it out! Be free! Run towards the light! Can't we all find away to break the two party thievery that has become our American political landscape?
This site gives a fair pro and con assessment of the two party system. You know how I feel. http://www.idebate.org/debatabase/topic_details.php?topicID=231
5. You internally (and sometimes externally) mock those who become aggressive and use person attacks rather than actually know what they are talking about.
This is my biggest pet peeve! We saw this when Clinton was in office and when Bush Jr. as well. In fact when it comes to politics, it's easy to condemn a person in office and anyone who actually voted for a person out of frustration rather than see positives and negatives. For the Republicans and many religious right, Clinton could not have done anything correct because he had affairs, and had some shady campaign finance tricks. For the Democrats and liberal lefties, the mention of G. W. is pure profanity and elicits tirades that go beyond reason. Sure the man got some things wrong like WMD's, but didn't everyone? And he didn't come through on immigration, nor would he listen to any other position on anything, which is a recipe for error, but he is not the anti-Christ people. It would be great to have a conversation with lefties and righties without them showing their ignorance by simply going red in the face, shutting off their minds, and puking all over me. "Can't we all just get along?" -"Jerks!"
Take a peak at this: I can't believe I'm linking the Huffington Post but this stuff ticks me off, and for the record, I was not a McCain guy. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/donna-fish/erratic-and-angry-politic_b_132644.html
6. No matter your background, you are willing to look, listen, and be loving to anyone and everyone, not because they deserve it or because you have to be politically correct, but because it is the right thing to do.
Martin Luther King Jr. said that the most segregated hour of the week was Sunday at 11:00 AM and the most segregated school was Sunday School. He was right. Even forty plus years later this is true. The complacency of the Church and leaders of churches must shift if they truly want to resemble the Christ they say is their 'Master'. One might look at the Book of Revelation to see the nature of the people around the throne. "...a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the lamb." You better get used to the idea of other races and nationalities worshipping with you - sounds like you may be doing for a while. I recently read an article in Time Magazine from Dec. 29th, 2009 that addresses this issue and the steps some are taking to change it. Bill Hybels should be applauded. http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1950943,00.html
And what of Arabs, Muslims, Hindus, Jews, Buddhists, Christians, Catholics, Protestants, liberals, conservatives, Republicans, Democrats, gays, lesbians, etc.? You add to the list. Love is not an option! Look! Listen! Love! You don't have to agree, but you do have to care.
7. You actually read the initiatives in your voter pamphlet rather than just the pro and con position.
I live in Washington State. It is a wonderful place to come from. We have a West Coast mindset and so are pretty easy going as a rule. The state votes Democrat even though more than half the state (geographically speaking) votes Republican. Seattle, Tacoma and the Metro region carries the vote due to populace.
Recently, our state voted in favor of domestic partnerships. I have always felt that all citizens should have equal rights. I am a pro marriage guy who is in favor of civil unions. The term domestic partner does not put me off. I was disturbed by the language throughout the pamphlet that gave the entire reading of the new law. It stated repeatedly that anywhere is stated marriage one could replace the term with domestic partners, and that terms like husband and wife could not be seen as gender specific. It burned me up. They could have written a law that gave all rights to all people without revising the meaning of marriage. Let me tell you - my marriage is made up of a man (me) and a woman (my wife) and there is no gender ambiguity at all.
But I know that many did not read that. Many who are pro domestic partnership and civil unions just jumped on it and voted for it without reading it. And so a bad law with good intent is passed. To the right I say, civil rights are for all. To the left I say, pro marriage is not anti-gay. Stop the hate and stop the lies.
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2009-10/Pdf/Bills/Senate%20Passed%20Legislature/5688-S2.PL.pdf
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