Open Mike

Fun Facts About St. Patrick and Guinness Beer on March 17

Here on St. Patrick's Day, a few fun facts in honor of my great historical mentor (and subject of my doctoral thesis titled "The Transformational Missiological Leadership of St. Patrick").

St. Patrick:  YES there was BEER involved in his mission in the 400's, to tell the Celts the good news of God's love through Jesus Christ.  He does not mention beer in the two short works he left to history, "The Confession" and "Letter to Coroticus," which can be read in one sitting here  https://www.confessio.ie/#

BUT beer is mentioned as part of the mission when it is first described in writing by someone else, a number of years later.  Patrick took with him to Ireland many priests, deacons, bakers, etc as part of a large team. Included in the list is a personal beer brewer for Patrick.  It would have been not just for merriment, but also for something clean to drink in swampy areas with no potable water they might encounter.

[picture of the oldest church in Ireland, traceable to the time of St Patrick: Saul Church]

Guinness Beer: Was not in existence in Patrick's day. But it is an outstanding example of Christian Irish business people, inheriting the faith of St. Patrick, living 'on mission for Christ' through good, profitable work and blessing others purposefully, starting in the 1700's.   I learned this from the book "The Search for God and Guinness: A Biography of the Beer That Changed the World."

I recommend this as a quick, enjoyable, spiritually encouraging read.  From the book jacket:

"It began in Ireland in the mid 1700s. The water in Ireland, indeed throughout Europe, was famously undrinkable, and the gin and whiskey that took its place devastated civil society. It was a disease ridden, starvation-plagued, alcoholic age, and Christians like Arthur Guinness—as well as monks and even evangelical churches—brewed beer that provided a healthier alternative to the poisonous waters and liquors of the times. This is where the Guinness tale began. Now, 250 years and over 150 countries later, Guinness is a global brand, one of the most consumed beverages in the world. The tale that unfolds during those two and a half centuries has power to thrill audiences today: the generational drama, business adventure, industrial and social reforms, deep-felt faith, and the noble beer itself.

For readers who love history, cultural studies, religious debate, and stories of business success. 

What readers will learn with this book...

• The earthy, human, and holy importance of honing a craft over time
• Example of a family seeking to do good in the world as an offering to God
• How unexpected and small things impact the history of humanity
• Inspirational fuel for entrepreneurial dreams"

So tonight, Angie and I will toast St. Patrick with a Guinness. And I will recount again how the study of his spiritual and entrepreneurial leadership has so influenced me and my work.  So, in the words of the common Irish toast - Slainte!  It literally means 'health,' with the feeling of when we say 'cheers!'

 

My 'Spiritual Practices' for Easter 2016

Here they are: Good Friday Worship, Easter Fast & Scripture Meditation, Easter Worship, One More Person Invite, Easter Servanthood, Easter Feast.

In last week's sermon, I stated that the classical spiritual disciplines, or spiritual practices, are the way we actually treasure the beauty of Jesus Christ in our everyday lives, habitually, so that His Word to us and about us forms our identity more powerfully than other forces (like the 'Counterfeit Gods' we studied during Lent).

Since our church began to observe the Lenten season some years ago (40 days of anticipation before Easter), I have learned to be more intentional in my 'practices' of allowing our annual celebration of the resurrection of Jesus to form me, hopefully, just a bit more into the character of Jesus. To me, this historically proven method of preparing for Easter, the most important of all Christian days, is far superior in value for my sanctification than just showing up like its just another 'ordinary-but-amped-up' Sunday.

For example, this year I 'gave up' listening to sports talk radio for the 40 days of Lent.  The point is - fasting from something good, in order to set my heart on something better.  I LOVE sports radio.  But in the runup to the Panthers Superbowl game, it was consuming far too much of my driving and think time.  This unique Lenten fast has provided a wonderful reset button, setting my mind on either the actual real world by listening to news on NPR, or being prayerful to classical music, or renewing myself emotionally by cranking tunes that I love with the sunroof open (until the pollen invasion hit this week).

But now that it is Easter week, what are my spiritual practices? 

Well, my first one is kind of weird and unique to a church staff.  I walked into our offices on Monday morning, and to each new person or sub-staff meeting I encountered I shouted, 'It's the first day of Easter week - woo hoo - this is what we live for - get your Easter game face on!'  Our staff seemed to like the point I was making, while reserving the right to view my method as cheesy. They joked that I was like the camel in the hump day commercial. I am flattered.

Okay, but my for real Easter Spiritual Practices.  To which I invite you to join me:

Good Friday Worship @ 7 pm:  This year, our LFC-WestLake Church hosts and leads our observance of our Lord's death, with musical meditation on scripture and communion. I will be there, I invite you to join us, or worship at another church. LFC Good Friday Service @ Lincoln Charter School

Easter Fast: We invite the Lake Forest Tribe to fast on Good Friday, as a way of focusing our desire on Christ alone, the author of our salvation.  This year, I will observe the fast from Sundown on Friday (the Good Friday service) until Sundown on Saturday (I will break my fast with communion at the end of our Saturday evening Easter worship service at Lake Forest Church - Huntersville). The Easter Fast prepares my spirit with readiness to worship along with the Holy Spirit on Easter. It utilizes a spiritual practice best exemplified by Jesus, and the Bible teaches that fasting uniquely reorders the desires of our flesh and hones our attuned-ness to God's Holy Spirit in our lives.  I believe fasting should always be accompanied with specific meditations on God's Word.  When I fast, whenever a hunger pang pangs me I turn it into a prayer toward God, in the words of Jesus during two of his recorded fasts:

    "Jesus answered, 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" Matthew 4:4

    "My food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work." John 4:34

Easter Worship: LFC-Huntersville worships this weekend on Saturday 5pm (with communion) and Sunday 9 & 10:30am. I can't wait.  I get to worship Jesus in his resurrection three times!  LFC-W worships Sunday 9 & 10:30am, LFC-D worships Sunday 9:30 & 11am.

One More Person Invite: I've come to believe that Christians best live on purpose when we ALWAYS prefer in friendship One More Person in our life who is currently living outside of the knowledge and experience of God's love through Jesus Christ.  Who is that person in your life and mine, and what Easter service will you invite them to?  Like Christmas Eve, this is 'one of those times' most people are open, even perhaps hoping for, an invitation to a God-environment. Be the answer to that hope.

Easter Servanthood: Part of Holy Week is Jesus washing his disciples' feet, saying he did not come to be served but to serve.  How will you serve your church this Easter? Children's ministry role?  At LFC-Huntersville, the most important way is to Reserve a VIPeeps Pass to park across the street. We seriously need 100 cars across the street at both Sunday services - please relieve our stress ahead of time and sign up NOW and arrive early LFCH Easter Parking VIPeeps

(our LFC-H parking and preschool rooms are just about full - we are working on plans to expand them in the fall, because we believe the Great Commission calls us to always make room for One More Person who's 'given up on church but not on God.')

Easter Feast: Last but not least, consider your Easter lunch, and the invite list, as a resurrection feast! Do so in God's direction, thanking and rejoicing in him, widening the circle around your table to include those whom the Lord brings to mind.

I Buried My Dog Copper Yesterday, the 'Eager Dog'

I want to share with you a good grace in my life: I buried my dog Copper Moses yesterday evening.

Many of you have grieved a beloved pet, some of you see it in coming years. This was hard for me.

My Christmas Eve sermon this year highlighted my constant companion Copper, with a picture and the showing of her bowl as a modern day ‘animal food dish’ (the manger). Five days later I learned that in addition to her advanced age (14.5 years) she had a cancerous tumor filling 25% of her lungs. The boys, Angie and I spent their winter break beginning to say goodbye to one of God’s best gifts to us. I did not tell many people because even I need privacy now and then.

Lately, her periodic struggles to breathe and other problems peaked, and her Vet and I decided it’s time.

Mid-day Tuesday my compassionate Veterinary Doctor sat in the floor cradling Copper along with me, and she went to final sleep. And entered whatever intermediate rest is reserved for ‘soulish’ creatures – that word the Bible uses for mammals at the dawn of creation. She is now resting before the restoration of ‘all things.’ I know not what her lot will be on that Great Day, but I know she is covered by the biblical phrase ‘all things.’

Before the end, I was ministered to by Lake Forest Church. The veterinary assistant was a twenty-something young woman who grew up at LFC. She paid special attention to Copper when she was boarded or tended over the past year. So she scheduled herself to help the doctor this day for this task. She asked for time alone with me and Copper, and said ‘would you like for us to pray?’ I nodded yes, and began to pray in grief-cracked voice. Alyssa stopped me – ‘no, you often pray for others, this is my time to minister to you, I was taught well,’ and she prayed the most dear prayer – for me, our family, for Copper, and glorifying God for all of his good gifts.

The cardboard coffin was loaded into my car, and I made a beeline for the place Copper and I shared together, alone, most often – Windy Ridge. My parents 1890’s Virginia farmhouse on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Where I go monthly for sermon writing, prayer and reflection. My car did not smell good as I drove northward, subtracting from any romantic notions I had.

I selected a spot along one of our favorite walks for her burial site and started to dig. Deep, wide and long was the cardboard coffin, so the task was appropriately arduous. Nor did I want wild animals to dig her up. The weather was deep fog with occasional rain, matching my gray mood. Perfect. I could not tell when the fogging of my glasses was from external moisture or my grateful tears.

At seven in the evening I laid her to rest in the dark, placed her leash and a few other tokens in with her, and covered Copper’s body over with the soil of our traversing. Then the rain began in earnest and continued all night. Perfect. Thank you Lord.

Even the Lead Pastor, Moderator and normal Lake Norman dude has need to do this once in a great while – I cancelled everything for the next two days. Some life moments are too great to just move on in normalcy. I needed to just be, and to reflect, in honor of the completion of this great gift I had been given.

Last night (and into today), I sat by the fire and found comfort in the following ways:

Psalms 145-150.  These are pure praises to God, such as ‘everything you have made pleases you…comprehending your blessings we sing for joy upon our beds…all you have made praise you.”   I listened to these six Psalms read aloud on my Bible app.  Wow.  My thankfulness to God for Copper Moses is set in an even grander landscape.  I am thankful for the good gift of Copper for almost 15 years.  God is good, and sovereign.  Life is so good, I am okay with God’s decrees, which include endings.

Writing down favorite memories of Copper.

Reading, almost memorizing the poem “The Eager Dog” by Wendell Berry.  An American intellectual, agrarian, some say hippie, and Christian.  He gives intellectual backup to movements today to live and eat and work ‘close to the land,’ etc.  He is a creation-affirming man, poet and Christian.  Here is one of his poems, written on a Sunday, that I read and re-read today. It fits me and Copper, especially our blest times at Windy Ridge:

“The eager dog” lies strange and still

Who roamed the woods with me;

Then while I stood or climbed the hill

Or sat under a tree,

 

Awaiting what more time might say,

He thrashed in undergrowth,

Pursuing what he scared away,

Made ruckus for us both.

 

He’s dead; I go more quiet now, 

Stillness added to me

By time and sorrow, mortal law,

By loss of company

 

That his new absence has made new.

Though it must come by doom,

This quiet comes by kindness too,

And brings me nearer home,

 

For as I walk the wooded land

The morning of God’s mercy,

Beyond the work of mortal hand, 

Seen by more than I see,

 

The quiet deer look up and wait,

Held still in quick of grace.

And I wait, stop footstep and thought.

We stand here face to face.”

(This Day: Collected and New Sabbath Poems, Wendell Berry)

 

Your friend in Christ, and fellow griever of losses (human and creaturely) in this fallen world,

Mike Moses (next week I will post 3 more reflections occasioned by Copper's death)

Kicking Down Counterfeit gods: Ash Wednesday (5:30 & 6:30) & Lent

The aftermath of the Superbowl has strangely caused me to crave our Ash Wednesday worship with anticipation.  Extra pounds from overindulgence and extra despondence over 'our' loss cause me to reflect, half in jest and half seriously - how am I doing enjoying the good gifts of God in this life, without overattaching to them and giving them god-like power over me?  Our Ash Wednesday worship services kick off our Lenten sermon series: Counterfeit gods.

Sometimes I say that Lake Forest aspires to be an ancient-future church. Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday, and I'm preparing to lead two meditative and hauntingly musical (new this year!) services of communion and the imposition of ashes on our Huntersville campus (5:30 & 6:30, lasting about 35 minutes, childcare available at 5:30; LFC-Davidson will hold worship at 7pm).  One way I define ancient-future church is:

1. We are future oriented in mission - changing forms and methods of worship in order to speak the gospel effectively in today's language of ever-changing culture (technology, idiom, arts, servanthood through a toy store, musical styles at our campuses that reflect today's musical language of the soul). 

2.We practice humility by being ancient in doctrine faithful to the most ancient Christian creeds, as well as through time-proven spiritual practices like Lent and Advent, taking our grateful place in acknowledged succession from 2,000 years of faithful followers of Jesus.

Join the Lake Forest tribe in practicing Lent this year - allow fasting, almsgiving and prayer to be a way the LORD re-tills the soil of your heart with humility, repentance, and room for Christ alone to dwell and rule in his infinite love.

For Lent this year, we are encouraging people to:

*Worship on Ash Wednesday (thirty minutes services at 5:30 & 6:30 @ LFC-Huntersville, shared with our Anglican friends, Church of the Good Shepherd; 7pm LFC Davidson, shared with Davidson Presbyterian Church)

*choose a Lenten fast for 40 days, giving whatever money is saved to assist the poor Pope Francis' advice on Lenten fasting

*fast absolutely from Good Friday evening until Easter morning

*celebrate in Easter worship by 1)inviting an unchurched friend, 2)naming and celebrating Easter lunch as a resurrection feast

*BONUS: our sermon series for Lent is based upon Tim Keller's book, "Counterfeit gods." Feel free to purchase one and join me in using it for your daily devotions this season.

Here's a succinct, kinetic guide to the purpose and practice of Lent:

 

Taste with Complete Satisfaction the Sweetness of God

For my friends continuing the pre Easter fast today, Saturday: I pray joy for you, for keener spiritual insight into parts of your life, and perhaps a sublime glimpse of God in your inner vision.  Here are few more teachings on fasting from some early church Fathers.

"To eat and drink with thanksgiving to God all that is served up or prepared for one is not in any way opposed to the rule of knowledge.  For 'everything is very good' (Genesis 1:31).  But voluntarily to abstain from what is agreeable and abundant is a sign of great discernment and higher knowledge.  We do not readily despise the delights of this life if we do not taste with complete satisfaction the sweetness of God." - Diadochus of Photike

"Abba Pambo asked Abba Anthony, 'What ought I to do?' The old man told him, 'Do not put any trust in your righteousness, do not worry about the past, keep a tight rein on your tongue and your belly.'". - Sayings of the Desert Fathers

"If you fast, but fail to keep watch over your mouth so as to refrain from evil speaking and angry words, from lying and perjury; if you slander your neighbor, even if the words come from the mouth of one who is fasting, your fast will be of no avail and will be labor lost.". -Athanasius of Alexandria

"What is the use of keeping a fast for forty days without considering the meaning of it?... So, let us imitate as far as possible Christ's fasting by our practice of the virtues, in order that grace may come upon us through the twofold fasting of body and spirit.". - Maximus of Turin