Getting Rid of Frodo’s Ring

Posted on December 29, 2009 by Robert Franklin

[picapp align=”left” wrap=”true” link=”term=rings&iid=5275780″ src=”1/d/9/c/Ring_of_light_f389.jpg?adImageId=8716256&imageId=5275780″ width=”234″ height=”183″ /]In the film version of JRR Tolkien’s epic Lord of the Rings, the main character, Frodo, tries to rid himself of the “ring of power” on a couple occasions.  While Frodo’s motives appear pure according to the narrative, it is the desire to remove the weight of possession that drives Frodo to freely offer the ring to those he esteems.

Tolkien was firmly against allegorizing his tale, but as far as I know Tolkien never forbade similes (forgive me professor).

It is nearing year’s end and I join the masses frantically trying to figure out how to manage the promise of 2010.  My life is no less complicated than most and far more labyrinthine than many.  I accept that and certainly bear no complaint about this reality.  What is troublesome to me at present is the church. 

How can I, as a “professional clergyman” facilitate Jesus’ followers being Jesus’ followers in 2010?  I know full well how many hurt, are overwhelmed at work, have broken families, are addicted to varied and sundry substances and sins, or just don’t wish to bothered by anything greater than general encouragements not to be “bad.” 

I know that the culturally accepted structure of a church building and set times for worship programming are not unrighteous in themselves, but I also know that what I spend keeping my house limits what I can give to support others who are in dire circumstances.  Where is the line between my comfort and the call to actually, practically, and consistently do what Jesus clearly commands?  How do I engage in the struggle against debt to this world and the desire to make investments in eternity?

It is like Frodo’s ring.  I am unqualified and unmistakably unworthy to carry it.  The longer I have it the heavier it gets.  Yes the path before me is indeed straight, but the accomplishment of the quest seems so far to be serpentine.   

I was at lunch with my friends yesterday and someone brought up the uproarious case of Rev. Tim Jones. Yes, friends, the parishioners were told that if they were genuinely poor that it was ok to steal the basics from large chain grocery stores.  My very first thought was “Why wouldn’t he church sell what it had to feed the poor in the parish if the local economy was so desperate?”  Didn’t Jesus tell the rich man to go sell all he had, give it to the poor and come follow him?  Does the church really need buildings and programs and assets to exist?  My next thought was “How am I really any different from that ignorant Englishman?”

Don’t get me wrong, the war for self-justification immediately ensued. O, how I tire of the battles.  It would be so much easier to “get rid of the ring” and let the whole idea be someone else’s problem.

Not an option.

“Now I [Jesus] am coming to you [The Father]. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with my joy. I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong to this world any more than I do. Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth.

“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.

“I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began!” (John 17:13-24, NLT)

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New Year? Really?

Posted on December 28, 2009 by Robert Franklin

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One of my favorite things about the human race is its capacity for optimism.  We weave all sort of things into the nest of our lives in order to provide us some comfort and encouragement for facing the unknown of life yet experienced.  The expectation of the new year is one example of the irrepressible urge to find a “bright side.”

Isn’t it fascinating we find ourselves talking about an imaginary division of time as if the movement of one moment to another made any tangible difference at all?  The new year is somehow imbued with magical powers.  We can leave the troubles of the year previous behind.  We may purpose to do something better in the year to come.  We may make a significant change in our vocation or education. 

All because of a drop of the crystal ball.

We know in our hearts, however, the debt of the past year will haunt us in the year to come.  We know the broken parts of our lives will still need repair in the year to come.  We know while the year to come may contain days of great joy, it also may bring great disappointments or even days of disaster.

Yet we resolve to press on.  Ever asked why?  This week my friends at Main Street will continue to work our way through the gospel accounts of the life, work and teaching of Jesus Christ.  We will carefully consider the practical ways Jesus kept focused on the important areas of life, keeping his priority obedience to God, God’s kingdom and service to others. Knowing full well his end would be in death on the cross, bearing the sin-weight we created, Jesus resolved to complete the course. Because Jesus did finish, we also may resolve to follow.

“Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:5-8, NASB95)

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Polar Nonsense

Posted on December 23, 2009 by Robert Franklin

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Believe in what your heart is saying
Hear the melody that’s playing
There’s no time to waste
There’s so much to celebrate
Believe in what you feel inside
And give your dreams the wings to fly
You have everything you need
If you just believe

—Glen Ballard & Alan Sivestri

Is this really true or is it the kind to tripe Americans have dredged up to somehow make the Christmas holiday somewhat meaningful?  I propose that we rename Christmas “Dream Day.”  After all that is what Christmas is all about isn’t it?  Children dream about the toys and goodies under the lighted trees.  Adults dream about someone loving them enough to actually be sacrificially thoughtful.  Our elders dream about their families coming and fussing over them and making them important for at least a day.  

The whole religious overtone is completely unnecessary.  We can be nice and give gifts because we have decided that it is mutually beneficial to support our economy (and each other) by expressing extravagance at least one season a year.  Without “Dream Day” were would the retail establishment in the United States be, after all?  We really don’t need all that baby Jesus stuff. Santa is so much better, his followers actually make stuff to divert or entertain me and they didn’t write any boring books!

BUT

What if my heart is saying, “I’m broke”?

What if the melody that’s playing is “Taps”?

What if my life is full of wasted time looking for a job?

What if I am lonely and can’t find anyone with whom to celebrate?

What if what I feel inside is like constant nausea?

What if my dreams lay shattered on the floorboards of my existence?

What if I need food, clothing or shelter?

What if I just don’t believe anymore?

Am I kicked off the Polar Express or should I just stay on the ride into some fantasy land I know for certain never existed?

The holiday I celebrate this season says to the burdened, the weary, the naked, the homeless, the hurting, the suffering, the disappointed, the sick, the empty, the unbeliever,

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.“ (Matthew 11:28, ESV)

and

“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.“ (Matthew 25:35-36, ESV)

and

“By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.“ (1 John 3:16-18, ESV)

This is the true mission of Christmas, if we will just believe.

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How are you? (I don’t really care…)

Posted on December 22, 2009 by Robert Franklin

It occurred to me this Christmas season that we have lost our cultural capacity to bless each other.  The last two holiday seasons saw us argue about whether or not it was ok in our present sophisticated, pluralistic society to say “Merry Christmas” in public.  The news media reported the conclusion: we may say “Merry Christmas” in public if it is a reply to a well-wisher.  Those who protested the removal of the word Christmas from the holiday season greeting options felt somehow vindicated, many were quite smug about their “victory.”

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I had the privilege of securing a marriage to one of the most pleasant people on the planet.  People like to be around my wife; she makes most people feel at ease.  As we shopped together Michelle would cheerfully say, “Merry Christmas” in public to retailers and other people with whom we came into conversation.  Only a few easily replied, “Merry Christmas.”  Some choked the words out, others responded “Happy Holidays,” the majority stood silent and looked stunned.  How dare she in such innocent voice utter such bombastic language?

Our culture has not “believed” in Christmas in decades, but once upon a time not so very long ago it was culturally desirable at least to bless each other.  It was considered preferable to speak kindly, especially in the retail setting, whenever a person had the opportunity.  “Merry Christmas,” “Happy Easter,” “Happy St. Patrick’s Day,” even “Happy Hanukkah” were fine greetings to exchange if the date warranted it.  People used to say, “How are you?” and actually expect a reply as opposed to just brushing past without allowing a response.  When I was young we at least pretended to care about each other.  Not so anymore, I am afraid.

I came across a beautiful greeting recently and thought it worth sharing during this season of either “blessing silence” or empty exchange of pleasantries.

How truly I love you! We’re the best of friends, and I pray for good fortune in everything you do, and for your good health—that your everyday affairs prosper, as well as your soul! (3 John 1-2, The Message)

When’s the last time someone said something like that to you?  Those who belong to Jesus should oft be saying and praying (and meaning) such things.

Posted in Bible Study, Current Events, Devotional | 4 Comments

I disappeared and am back for this?!

Posted on December 21, 2009 by Robert Franklin

A precious few are waiting for the next BababaBobalog post.  I have been absent for about a month due to picking up a second job helping my lovely wife, Michelle, and her partner open up a restaurant in Augusta, Kentucky…more on that another time.

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The unfortunate thing is my planning is notoriously poor.  I write nothing for weeks and then my first post in forever is about circumcision.  Whose bright idea was that?  After all this is Christmas, surely I could write some syrupy anecdote about a holiday event.  No, that would be too easy, too safe, too “normal” so I calendared circumcision.  One of these days I am going to get the sack!

I cannot take all the blame.  The writers of the gospels should share in some of this indignity.  After all what did they leave us with? 

We have the announcement of the birth of the Savior of the world, very appropriate.  A few scenes during the days leading up to the blessed Advent, fair enough. A skimpy birth narrative, with which we have done much. A visit to the Temple for the circumcision rite and blessings from Anna and Simeon, ok if you are into religion. A visit from the magi, then the flight to Egypt and return to Nazareth, exciting but not much in the way of narrative.  The Messiah is twelve the next we hear of him (one Temple scene), then nothing until he is an adult. 

Slim pickings, if you ask me.   In lieu of the historical scarcity, the recorded events of Jesus’ early life must be all the more important.  From my point of view, the question is begged, “why record the circumcision at all?”.  The answer is discovered in connecting Jesus to the redemptive work of God throughout the ages; a connection that takes the inquirer all the way back to Genesis and the call to Abram to “get up and go.”

My friends at Main Street and I will be considering the connection (by circumcision) this weekend.

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I Have a Friend Who is Spending Her Christmas…

Posted on December 11, 2009 by Robert Franklin

Doing something about this…

What do you think?

Posted in Current Events | 4 Comments