I Just Don’t Understand

I just don’t understand.

I don’t understand why people so violently hate the idea of reforming the way health care happens in this country. It’s like they think there is nothing wrong with the system. I recently paid $257 and $66 for the same prescription, three months apart. One was self pay before a new insurance plan kicked in. Something is definitely wrong with that system.

I don’t understand why (some) people on Medicare love it, but insist that the government can’t do anything right, and that any further involvement of the government in health care (or most anything for that matter) would automatically be a disaster.

I don’t understand why people trust government regulations to ensure we have safe bridges, adequate roads, clean water, medicines that are safe and effective, education, the military, safe airplanes, etc., but are so sure that this same “evil” government is out to destroy life as we know it.

I don’t understand why our country is so good at some things and so inept at others.

I don’t understand how blind faith in “the market” is the answer to most every social ill or cultural problem.

I don’t understand the ease with which people think in terms of “us and them.” Often “them” is an ill-defined, vague group of whom the “us” needs to be afraid and oppose. This hampers healthy face to face conversation and makes the truth hard to comprehend.

I don’t understand why many people do not understand that we already have universal health care. People, without formal health coverage, go to the ER because they cannot afford to see a family Dr. and know they will not be turned away. Since they cannot pay, we all pay extra for the services we need to cover their costs. There is no regulation or oversight to reign in these costs so sometimes we get letters from the insurance company saying something like this. “The price you were charged is more expensive than what is reasonable and customary. So we will not cover the full amount.” Then we pay out of pocket over and above co-pays and premiums; definitely something wrong with the system.

I don’t understand why people insist on believing the most insane accusations and conspiracy theories regarding health care reform, or most anyone they stand in opposition to. It only takes a few moments of research to debunk much of what is floating around. Why do people want to believe the unbelievable? For that matter why do such outlandish lies get started in the first place?

I don’t’ understand why people insist on believing that President Obama was born outside of the U.S. in spite of all the evidence to the contrary. Poor Hawaii must feel disrespected every time they release yet another photocopy of the birth certificate.  I also don’t understand why people believed that George W. Bush was somehow involved in the events of 9/11, that President Clinton was involved in killing Vince Foster, or that Roosevelt was involved in the bombing of Pearl Harbor. It’s just seems nuts to me!

I don’t understand why reasonably sane, talented politicians are seduced by power and think they can have affairs, lead double lives, cheat on their families and supporters, and somehow not be found out. Some of the staunchest political supporters of family values have trampled on their marriage vows. People who say they care about those less fortunate treat their families as if they didn’t matter. I just don’t get it.

I don’t understand why bombastic loudmouths (no matter which side they represent) on the radio and TV get by with rude, abusive behaviors and act like grade school bullies; while lying and slandering others. Oh I do understand freedom of speech, but I don’t understand why people listen and feed themselves at such troughs. There has got to be more uplifting ways of informing oneself about what is happening in the world. And respectful conversation, even when you disagree, is actually fun.

I don’t understand people who arrogantly say things like, “This is America: English only.” As one who was fortunate enough to live in another country, I am delighted that I have had the opportunity to stretch and grow as I learned another culture and language. I wish the same blessed experience for everyone in our country, both those who were born here and grew up speaking English, as well as those who immigrate to our country. We can learn so much in the process of learning another language. The world would be a better place if we could all speak a couple of languages. I believe we would reduce our fears of those who are “different” and discover more creative ways of relating.

And finally…

I don’t understand my wife. But that’s another topic altogether which won’t be discussed in my blog. ;~)

Peace.

Deep Thoughts

I like to explore the depth of people from years gone by.  I often read the thoughts of people who lived hundreds or even over a thousand years ago. The difference between the Christian faith many of these people exhibited makes what one sees today in North America seem kind of selfish and superficial.

I find my own mind and heart challenged as I allow those who were giants of faith, in an era that suffered deeply and remained faithful, to speak into my life. So I thought I would share this one I read from Saint John Chrysostom. Saint John lived in the fourth and fifth century. He was a prolific writer, powerful preacher, and lover of God. His thoughts are sometimes so deep that I have to read and re-read them. This piece refers to the “prayer of Jesus.” This ancient prayer of the early Christians goes like this.

“Lord Jesus Christ, son of God. Have mercy on me a sinner.”

Below is the passage from St. John.

Remembering the name of Jesus rouses the enemy to battle. One who forces himself to pray the prayer of Jesus can find anything by this prayer, both good and evil. First, he can see evil in the recesses of his own heart, and afterwords good. This prayer can stir the snake to action, and this prayer can lay it low. This prayer can expose the sin that is living within us, and this prayer can eradicate it. This prayer can stir up in the heart all the power of the enemy, and this prayer can conquer it and gradually root it out. The name of the Lord Jesus Christ, as it descends into the depths of the heart, will subdue the snake which controls it pastures, and will save and revive the soul. Continue constantly in the name of the Lord Jesus that the heart may swallow the Lord and the Lord the heart, and that these two may be one.

Peace,

Leon

What Kind of Dictator Would You Be: And Other Topics My Kids Bring Up

Driving around with my kids can be a wonderfully mysterious, often hilarious, experience. Getting to hear their insight into life, experiencing their wit and emerging ideas can have you in stitches, or tears, depending on the subject matter.Recently we were out and about grocery shopping when I was startled by this question from my son.

“Dad, if you would be a dictator, what kind of dictator do you think you would you be?”

Well now there’s a question you don’t get every day. In fact, I don’t think I have ever given it a thought! I was not sure how to begin to answer his question, so I did the classic; I have no idea where to go with this one, move and turned it back to him.

“Hmmm. Not sure son. What kind of dictator do you think you would be?”

Unlike me he had obviously given this a good deal of thought, because he immediately responded.

“I would want to be a good dictator so people would like me and stuff. I would try to make everything equal for the people. I would try to show people how to do God stuff, show them right from wrong. And I would avoid death at all costs!”

At first I wondered how avoiding death was a political objective, but after I thought about it for a bit it did make sense. However, I am not sure he’s picked up on the difference between a democratic leader and a dictator, but that is one of the reasons the conversation was so funny. And I guess I had better inform him that eventually death is in the cards for all of us.

On another recent trip, he reminded me to “buckle up.” I thanked him for reminding me. After a brief moment of silence he burst out with.

“You must have AIDS!”

“What?” I asked, shocked and surprised.

“You know. It’s a disease that makes you forget stuff. And you forget stuff all the time so you must have AIDS.”

It was very hard not to burst out laughing. “Do mean Alzheimer’s?” I asked him.

“Oh yeah,” he said. “That’s the one I mean.”

This morning on the way to church with my kids we talked about the economy and the political will to make hard choices. They brought it up and off we went. At one point we stopped the conversation and I was told,

“This is a good conversation and I’m enjoying it so don’t stop talking.”

On the way back we talked about abortion and war, why they exist and what Jesus might want for those situations. After that we discussed homosexuality and the Kingdom of God. Believe me that was a challenging conversation to have with a twelve and fourteen year old.

What a gift my kids are. While they are typical kids, they think deeply about life. Sometimes I expect them to be occupied only with fun thing like sports, cell phones, and music. But I am constantly challenged with their deep thoughts about the nature of life.

Lord have mercy. I need far more wisdom than I have to guide them.

Peace.

Are the Decorations What it is All About

The last few weeks I have been noticing all manner of Christmas decorations. Some are lovely and others are just sad. All are suppose to reflect the “reason for the season” but do they?

Probably my least favorite thing is blow up decorations and we seem to be polluted with them around here. I have seen blow up Santas, blow up globes with carolers in them, a blow up Christmas tree with Santa and a reindeer, blow up snowmen, blow up angels, blow up nut crackers, blow up penguins, blow up polar bears, and the worst of the lot; a blow up manger scene complete with the holy family and a shepherd or two. And this list does not count the many blow up decorations I witnessed laying deflated on the ground. In that state they look even more like what I consider them to be: trash that needs to be picked up!

Then there are the wire mesh reindeer and Christmas trees. Why do these things exist? Sometimes they are covered in gaudy blinking lights just to make sure they are noticed. I don’t get it. What is attractive about blow up decorations? Why would you place a wire reindeer in your front yard? In my opinion they look cheap and tacky! I fail to see how they convey the depth and mystery of Christmas.

There are probably few decorations that can actually do that, but some just seem to be more tasteful than others. I hope I have not offended any of you by offering my frank opinion. But we seem to have come a long way from what Christmas is about. The following sermon was given by St John Chrysostom at the feast of the Nativity almost 1600 years ago. He really did grasp the depth of God becoming human. Notice the present tense voice he uses. This eternally relevant event took place in history, but is not just something from the past.
Christ is born! Glorify Him!

I behold a new and wondrous mystery! My ears resound to the shepherd’s song, piping no soft melody, but loudly chanting a heavenly hymn! The angels sing! The archangels blend their voices in harmony! The cherubim resound their joyful praise! The seraphim exult His glory!

All join to praise this holy feast, beholding the Godhead here on earth and man in heaven. He who is above now, for our salvation, dwells here below; and we, who were lowly, are exalted by divine mercy. Today Bethlehem resembles heaven, hearing from the stars the singing of angelic voices and, in the place of the sun, witnessing the rising of the Sun of Justice!

Ask now how this was accomplished, for where God wills the order of nature is overturned. For He willed, He has the power. He descended. He saved. All things move in obedience to God.

Today, He Who is born. And He Who Is becomes what He was not. For when He was God, He became man – while not relinquishing the Godhead that is His. And so the kings have come and they have seen the heavenly King that is come upon the earth, did not bring with Him angels, nor archangels, nor thrones, nor dominations, nor powers, nor principalities, but treading a new and solitary path, He has come forth from a spotless womb. Yet He has not forsaken His angels, nor left them deprived of His care, nor because of His incarnation has He ceased being God.

And behold the kings have come that they might serve the Leader of the Hosts of Heaven; Women, so that they might adore Him Who was born of a woman so that He might change the pains of child birth to joy; Virgins, to the Son of the Virgin . . .Infants that they might adore Him Who became a little child, so that out of the mouths of infants He might perfect praise; Children, to the Child Who raised up martyrs through the rage of Herod; Men to Him Who became man that He might heal the miseries of His servants; Shepherds to the Good Shepherd Who has laid down His life for His sheep; Priests, to Him Who has become a High Priest according to the order of Melchisidech; Servants to Him Who took upon Himself the form of a servant that He might bless our stewardship with the reward of freedom; Fishermen to the Fisher of humanity; Publicans, to Him Who from among them named a chosen evangelist; Sinful women to Him Who exposed His feel to the tears of the repentant woman; And that I may embrace them all together, all sinners have come, that they might look upon the lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world!

Since, therefore, all rejoice, I too desire to rejoice! I too wish to share the choral dance, to celebrate the festival! But I take my part, not plucking the harp, nor with music of the pipes nor holding the torch, but holding in my arms the cradle of Christ!

For this is all my hope! This is my life! This is my salvation! This is my pipe, my harp! And bearing it I come, having from its power received the gift of speech, I too, with the angels sing: “Glory to God in the Highest,” and with the shepherds: “and on earth peace to men of good will.”

Advent: Expecting the Expected

Advent is a time when intense expectation fills our hearts with longing for that which already is. God has entered our world. Eternity has come into our realm. Heaven has invaded earth. So we celebrate with great expectation.

This is not the celebration of a calandar day, but rather the celebration of the dawing of a new age for humankind. Christ is coming. That reality is as exciting today as it was almost 2000 years ago. It is like Christ is coming for the first time today. This sense of expectation is captured so well in this song I posted a year ago. I thought I would post it again.

Enjoy

They Baptized Jesse Taylor

It was early on Sunday morning when I woke up with the Johnnie Russell song in my mind The Baptism of Jesse Taylor. Talk about a blast from the past. There it was flowing like a rippling stream across my barely conscious brain. Good grief. I hadn’t even gotten out of bed yet. My eyes weren’t even open. Why that song popped into my head almost before I was conscious is still a mystery. I have no idea when I might have heard it last. And I didn’t even know who wrote or sang it until I washed the cobwebs out of my brain and with a strong cup of coffee and did a Google search.

(Parenthetically, the true effects of coffee are an illusion for me since I drink decaf due to a genetic heart disease. But it makes for a better story to say “I washed the cobwebs out of my brain with a strong cup of coffee.”)

In any case I found the words of the chorus running through my mind. “They baptized Jesse Taylor in Cedar Creek last Sunday. Jesus gained a soul the devil lost a good right arm.” Then I stopped. And a question began to form in my mind. Why did Jesus get a nebulous, non-corporal soul out of the deal when the devil lost a hard-living, cheating, drinking, fighting, complete with a body human being?

Maybe in my half-awake state I saw something not at all intended in the song, but why did Jesus not also gain a body? If the devil lost a good workman, did Jesus not potentially gain a good workman? Perhaps it is the unconscious view that permeates our religious thinking (even our civil religion) that God is primarily interested in saving souls. Why do we, too often, fail to think of God’s grace as transformation in action. God is not about saving souls. God is about bringing humans into communion with Godness!

I thought back to when I was a kid hearing people who said, “Given the choice between offering a starving man a piece of bread or the bread of life, we should offer them the eternal bread of life so when they die their souls will be saved.” I think that is a false set up and displays a lack of understanding of how our creator cares for the whole person. I remember watching someone pull a 12-14 year old kid out of a line in McDonalds, asking him if he was saved, forcing him to repeat a sinner’s prayer and then asking him where he would go if he died right now. The poor kid evidently get the right answer (to heaven) probably because he was no more saved after the prayer than the cars in the parking lot. But the “evangelist” continued to pressure him until he gave the right answer. Off to the side a group of people were chomping down on their burgers and fries, watching in admiration as their friend led this boy’s soul to Jesus. As soon as the kid said every thing he was supposed to say, the magic formula worked and his soul was saved.

This kind of thinking nuances our words and the way we think about salvation. It moves us to enter a dualistic world where physicality is not considered good, but our souls are that part of us which are really important. It is a denial of the importance of matter But along with Saint Athanasius let me say that I too have been saved by matter. God so loved the created (physical) order that he entered it, and provided a way for us to have even our very bodies be part of the salvation experience; hence the resurrection. Furthermore a human body, albeit a glorified one, sits at the right hand of the Father. Sounds like whole persons are pretty important to God!

I am glad I have not been charged with re-writing the afore-mentioned song. I just can’t get the thing to both rhyme and have sound theological content. Well Johnny Russell was song writer, not a theologian. And now you know why I am not a member of the Grand Old Opry.

Peace,

Leon

No More War…Please

I was weeding through some e-mail files and came across something my son wrote which I had sent to my family. I thought I would share it here with you.

Several years ago my son had to write an argumentative piece for his English class. Unknown to us, he started off writing his passionate plea to end war. This was back when freedom fries were in and weapons of mass destruction were sure to be found at any moment. The mission had been accomplished yet my son’s best friend’s dad was deployed to Iraq for the second time (he is currently on his third tour). The hyper-nationalism that passed for patriotic fervor was frightening to say the least. I once walked into his school around Thanksgiving and there on the walls were reasons the kids submitted to be thankful. One child had written, “I am thankful to be an American, because we are not like those Afghan people.” My heart broke at how small this child’s world seemed to be.

It was into this context that our 8-9 year old son wrote the following. My commentary is in (parentheses).

NO More WAR!!!

BY (sorry I don’t do my kids names on the net) MILLER

I think war should stop.

Here’s why I think that. Bad things are happening to innocent people. Their being killed, badly hurt, and being arrested for things they didn’t do!

Another reason? People are losing their homes. That also means homeless people will most likely DIE because of it, cause they don’t have homes, money to buy food, and NO CLOTHES!

Next is that families are being separated. That’s really bad because they might not remember each other, families might not have the will to live cause families who might never see each other, might not live. (This child knows what it means to not remember his birth mom, and as I stated in the introduction his best friend’s dad was deployed so he saw first hand the pain of families being separated.)

Also there are people who are forced to be in the war. That should not happen because those people want to stay with their families, they know what could happen to them, and would not be able to relax. (Here he is referring to anxiety at the possibility of death. It has taken almost 10 years for him to relax when I go on a trip. He is concerned that I might die.)

And that is why I think war should stop. And don’t you agree. Now do you see what happens to people when war strikes? I hope so. Please change, then we’ll all come together.

I think war should stop,

When this assignment came home I was almost in tears as I read it. What longing for peace in our world. What a simple, tender expression of loving relationships. What wisdom and insight into how something as big as war, as an abstraction, boils down to death, the disruption of families, the loss of stability, or the lack of food. Living in the midst of a community where people speak of helping to send “them” to meet Allah, I would have loved to see his teacher’s face when she read this simple, yet profound cry to stop the insanity.

I pray that whomever we get as our next president can do something to move us in the right direction as far as our current/future engagement in war is concerned. If not for my generation, then let’s think of our children. Let’s give them a world where peace and justice can take root and bring about positive change. As my son put it. “Please Change, then we’ll all come together.”

In the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom one finds this simple, profound prayer. “For the peace of the whole world; for the good estate of the holy churches of God, and for the union of all men, let us pray to the Lord.

May it be so.

Peace,

Leon

 

You Would Think They’ed Use Coffee

The last couple of days have been a lot of fun for me. My wife and I have been at Coffee Fest, a massive collection of like-minded individuals all of whom have something to offer the coffee industry. There are roasters, like myself, there are people who sell green coffee, there are people who help you set up shops, others who sell bags, still others who offer games, wi-fi, coffee tables, coffee machinery; literally hundreds of displays of anything you can imagine having to do with coffee.

Of course everyone is handing out samples, so at the end of the day I return to the room with bulging bags and an aching back. For coffee aficionados (or nerds) this place is nearing heaven. Yesterday I took in three seminars in addition to watching a latte-art competition, met someone from Reading who wants samples to see if I should become her roaster, networked with more people than I can remember, taste-tested pastries, smoothies, chocolate, and coffees of a multitude of varieties, lost my wife, found her again (she was not nearly so fascinated by it all and wondered off to a museum), and finally collapsed into bed around 8 PM. It has been a wonderful two days.

This afternoon Sue and I will return home to the kids, the dog and cat. Today is also the major NASCAR event, the running of the Daytona 500. I always find it silly that they advertise so much alcohol on cars that go 200 mph. The very thought of drinking and driving is just…WRONG! Yet here these guys go driving in circles at speeds that can make a car go airborne advertising mass produced, not very good tasting beer (ala Bud and Miller), and hard liquor that could be used as paint thinner.

You would think they could use coffee instead.

Filled with antioxidants, coffee is literally a health drink. It comes from the coffee cherry, so it is like drinking fruit juice. Studies suggest that numerous diseases and cancers are guarded against when we drink coffee. Some might say that caffeine is not good for you, but I think we should rename it as a vitamin. Not only that, when you are driving at 200 mph in close quarters with others, which would you want in your system: alcohol, a depressant that blurs your senses, or Coffee which offers the benefit of a sharper and focus and more energy? Just some random thoughts on coffee and racing

That’s all from D.C. for now.

Peace,

Leon

How to Make the World a Better Place

 

 I am sure many could say similar things to what I am about to say. But I thought I would say it once as a suggestion to help make the world a better place.

Tribe.  My family. My clan. Whatever one might call this reality it is amazing to have an extended family to which I belong. Oh they aren’t the perfect family by any means, but they are mine and I belong! Siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews, we all belong to one another. My five siblings and all our offspring who could make it decided to get together and share the love.

So we all gathered to celebrate each other from December 28 to December 30. Since we were at my niece’s house, we slept on chairs, floors, air mattresses, and there were even real beds for the more fortunate (read older) ones. We were about fifty souls.

Two nephews announced upcoming weddings. One dared to bring along his fiancé. If she still wants to marry him after all the joyful chaos I’d say she is a keeper! My sister –the oldest- came from Virginia, one brother came from Germany, another from South Carolina; still another from Ohio, another one from Virginia, and I drove from Pennsylvania.

I called this convocation together because I wanted to see everyone again at this special time of the year. We no longer exchange gifts since there are too many generations to keep track of. Instead we exchange recipes and try to outdo each other preparing meals. We laugh, tease, read stories to the kids, play games, romp in the woods, look back on our lives, look at pictures, and catch up on what each one is doing.

One nephew has started a franchise for wood pellet stoves. Another is trying to break into the music scene in Nashville (he really has some great music! I bet he makes it.). One nephew wears a cochlear implant. A niece just had a baby at 39…she is brave! One brother is writing books. We range from ministers and counselors to an attorney; from construction workers and wood craftsman to students. It is such a beautiful cross-section of humanity that the world can’t help but be richer because this family exists!

What do we talk about? Pick a topic. There is nothing off limits as we boldly go where reasonable people fear to go: Politics, religion (an unbelievable span from conservative Mennonite to…?), philosophy, mechanics, books we have read, construction, emotional upheavals, good choices, bad choices, disagreements, child rearing, electronic addictions, recipes, who did what to whom as a kid, dysfunctional relationships, and history. These topics, and much, much more, all came up at some point during the few precious hours we spent together. And while there were deep disagreements, there was not one bit of strife.

Late into the night we sat and listened to the chaos as children cried out with exuberance or in pain. We sang songs that we liked, and some that we didn’t. The noise grew like a freight train bearing down on a crossing. Finally after we had once again said good morning to each other (it was well past midnight) the little kiddies were placed in their beds (or spots on the floors as the case may be) we older ones began to act like our bodies were begging us to act and fell into exhausted stupors in our own spots. And then the snoring began. Even though I was in a room alone with my wife and kids, the snores of one of my clan reverberated through the walls. I felt so fortunate not to be in the same part of the house as whoever it was!

What a happy way to know that you fit into the world. This strange, jumbled clan is mine and I am theirs. This rich heritage is shared across generations of relatives and friends alike. This is the family, of whom my father was known to say, “There are two kinds of people in the world; Millers and those who wish they were.” He was just joking, but you know what? We really do share a great deal of loving fun together.

If only the world could share this sense of connectedness, this sense of context; this understanding that we are unique as individuals, yet blended together as a family –the good, the bad, the ugly- we all belong. Wouldn’t the world be a better place if people felt secure in the knowledge that they are loved and accepted…with their differences? There would be no need to fight and hate.

On the way home my eleven year-old begged us to either have more kids or adopt at least one more. His reason? “What kind of family gathering will it be with only two kids in the family?” He gets it! He too wants to have a tribe to which he belongs. But since adding more to our immediate family won’t be happening, I’ll try to make sure he understands that like his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather before him, he belongs to this clan that already exists. Family gatherings include our immediate family and so many others.

My family. My tribe. What an amazing Christmas gift.

Peace,

 
Leon

The IRS can’t get my birthday right

So today is the day I turn 52 years old. Hmmm. I don’t really feel much different. Perhaps a bit more tired than usual, but that has to do with me having a cold.

All my life I have looked to 1955 as my year of origin. Then about 5-6 years ago I received a notice from our friends at the IRS informing me that I am actually one year younger than I thought. They say I was born in 1956. Well. The birth certificate says 1955, my passport says the same. I have celebrated 52 times so I think we will try to stick with the family version and not attempt to unravel whatever mistake the IRS has in its system.  I might be the undoing of the whole institution if I got that ball rolling.

As a kid I always hated having my birthday so near Christmas. We never really celebrated my party. Rather our family just counted me in with the Christmas festivities. That seems like a huge deal when you are 10. I don’t really think about that much anymore.

Having Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy ( a genetic heart malfunction) does limit my physical activities. In a way I feel like I have passed my prime. But deep within me there is a spark glowing; represented by these kinds of questions. “How can this year be the most productive year of my life?” “How can this decade of my life add more value to God’s wonderful world?” “What new challenges should I engage?” “What needs to change in me to make me more accessible to accomplish God’s dreams for me?”

So join me on my quest. If you have ideas share them with me. I look forward to growth, shared with friends, old and new alike.

Peace,

Leon