A Pastor's letter to President Bush, Part 2
In this multi-part series, we're making a couple of risk-free assumptions. We're assuming:
• I've emerged from my sabbatical and am working again as the pastor of a Christian church.
• President George W. Bush has chosen me as his pastor.
• Mr. Bush values my counsel so deeply that it informs his decision-making processes.
The last one, of course, is the kicker -- in other words, what I say potentially has the power to change both his actions and perceptions. With that in mind...
Mr. President, through your confession of "Jesus as Lord," you have embarked on a life-long journey of growth and change. Some people call it discipleship, others call it sanctification. Here at our church, we describe this as practicing the habits Jesus practiced, valuing the things he valued, and making the choices that conform us to His character. To help you get started, I've customized a four-week course.
Week One:
Memorize this: we believe what we do, not what we say. Your words are still important, but no matter how eloquent and heartfelt, or contrived and stumbling, they will never reflect your character and purposes with the unerring precision of your actions. What you do and don't do -- the choices you make, the actions you take, the things you leave undone -- tell me who you are. The homework for this is: While you're in Crawford or Camp David this week, make a list of the things you've done and not done as President. Then open your New Testament and read Chapter 4 of the book of Ephesians. When we meet together next week, be prepared to compare and contrast your actions and decisions with the instructions for Christian living found in Ephesians 4.
Week Two:
Other people see truths about us that we might not know or are trying to hide. Confronted with the cognitive dissonance and psychological tension of hearing that others see us differently than we see ourselves, our strongest temptation will be to dismiss, downgrade or even demonize the other viewpoint. But consider this: I don't hear your thoughts, I see your actions -- and as we just learned, your beliefs are communicated through your actions. It's possible that my outsider's view of you may bring a new truth to your understanding of yourself. The more clearly and accurately you see yourself, the better able you are to make choices that reflect Jesus' values. Your homework for this unit is: First, choose six people outside your current administration -- mostly non-Republicans -- to give you feedback. Examples of ideal respondents would be former Fed chair Alan Greenspan, newsman Ted Koppel, and Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Ask the six people to describe to you how they experience you -- what they think of your character and beliefs, whether or not they trust you, and why or why not. Listen carefully and explore what they think and feel about you. Accurately record the information and bring it to our next meeting. Also, read Luke Chapter 4 this week.
Week Three:
Current reality -- we can't reach our goals unless we understand our current reality. One of the main reasons people don't reach their goals is that they are confused or deluded about their starting point. Also, we can't change course until we know the difference between where we are and where we want to be. What is your current reality, Mr. President? This week's lesson builds on last week's lesson, since other peoples' observations help us understand what is true about us. Your homework for this week is three-fold. First, read all of your campaign speeches from 1999 and 2000 and pull out the statements that describe what you promised to do and how you promised to behave as President. Next, turn these statements into a bulleted list and then compare and contrast them with your actions over the past 7 years, PLUS the feedback you received during Week Two. Here are two examples you can use in your finished homework: While campaigning, you promised to "be a uniter, not a divider." What is Ted Koppel's candid opinion about that? Do other people believe you have presided over the most partisan (divided) period in modern politics? Example Two: You promised an administration full of integrity. What does it mean that people in your administration have lied and have broken laws? Third, read and meditate on Matthew Chapter 5.
Week Four:
The fruits of the Spirit. One of the bedrock principles of the life of Jesus is that what is true inside shows on the outside. Others will know we are Christians by the love we show, not by us saying we're Christians. This week's lesson is to examine Galatians Chapter 5, particularly the fruits of the Spirit, and compare and contrast with the fruits of your Presidency. Please write an essay about your responses -- and your adminstrations actions -- regarding the following things, and compare and contrast your actions with the fruits of the Spirit: The Iraq War, Katrina Aftermath, Campaign Trail rhetoric, Global Warming, the collision between Science and Ideology in your administration, and your torture policies.
I look forward to our meetings, Mr. President, and am convinced that as you pursue discipleship in Christ courageously and diligently, you will wind up being the kind of President you promised to be.
A Pastor's letter to President Bush, Part 1
Hello, Mr. President.
I haven't seen you much since the Supreme Court ratified your first term.
The Presidency is a fairly consuming office, I know, and there is a lot of brush to clear in Crawford. I was just wondering how you're doing on your dual goals of growing as a disciple of Jesus Christ and leading this nation as a uniter, not a divider.
Something you said -- twice -- during a recent press conference has reminded me to ask you about that trauma counseling we discussed in September of 2001. In referring to al-Qaida terrorists, you said "They are a threat to your children, David," to NBC's David Gregory, following it up by saying: "It's a danger to your children, Jim," to Mr. Rutenberg of the New York Times.
We all need help dealing with trauma, and the American people as a whole need help placing attacks in context and not letting terror build and grow. As our leader, it's important for you to guide people with courage rather than harangue them with fear. Indeed, I remember you saying you wanted to use the terrorist attack as an opportunity for healing and unity, that you wanted to strengthen America and her liberties.
Yet, as I observe your actions, Mr. President, it seems to me that you used 9-11 as an excuse to go to war and as a bogeyman to scare people into weakening America and her liberties. The New Testament says that the indwelling Christ does NOT give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind. Why are you leading this nation with fear, rather than love, strength or sanity? Again, I recommend counseling with someone trained to help you parse traumatic events.
As you may remember from my earlier letters, I am dismayed by the harsh partisan words and actions of your administration. The outpouring of a Spirit-filled life and mind is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Yet these are not the qualities displayed in words or actions by you or your administration. Have you decided to be discipled by Mr. Rove and Mr. Cheney, sir, rather than Jesus?
Mr. President, the road of discipleship under Jesus can be difficult, I know. Many of the pathways are counter-intuitive, and all of us have wandered astray, each in our own way. I pray, Mr. President, that you will not harden your heart, but that you will invite the Spirit of the Living God to fall fresh on you and awaken a new desire in you to live and act like Jesus.
You like stories, sir, and in fact that was one of the things you have always liked about Jesus -- he spoke truth in parables, or stories, to better connect with his listeners. I'd like to borrow this format and tell you a true story about a Texan who used to pray for you.
A certain woman from Texas never voted for you, but she prayed for you. She had been brought up in the sort of evangelical congregation that prays for national and world leaders, whether you agree with them or not. So she prayed for you faithfully. And she took Corinthians to heart, where it says love hopes the best, believes the best. She practiced believing the best about your motives, even when she was moved to doubt you.
During the immediate aftermath of September 11th, 2001, she hoped that in the crucible of the terrible tragedy, your character would be formed by your reliance upon Jesus. She hoped you would set aside political agendas and work with all Americans to help America grieve in trust and safety. She hoped your identity as a man and leader in Christ would flourish, that you would speak with truthfulness and act with integrity.
Now, when your voice breaks into the news on her radio, she switches stations. When you hold a televised press conference, she leaves the TV off and waits to read the transcript later. She believes you have lied to us and betrayed us. She feels this sense of your betrayal so strongly that she's unwilling to listen to your voice. She tried, year after year, to believe the best, but learned that the only safe thing to do was fear the worst from you. Whether she is correct or not is irrelevant -- this is her experience of you, and therefore it is her truth.
It is on behalf of the Texan who used to pray for you, that I write to you today. Mr. President, what if she's right? Are you enough of an honest leader, and humble Christian, to listen to people like her, and consider they may be speaking truth to you?
I don't know if it is too late to repair the breach of trust the Texan feels, but I do know it is not to late to change course in your life, your relationship with Jesus, and your presidency. The two questions are: Do you have the courage? Are you willing to change? You have always struck me as a man of discipline, Mr. Bush. Exercise and sobriety being two of your more public displays of self-discipline. If you are willing to change, and have the courage to change -- I know you will have the self-discipline to see it through.
I'll write again next week. Remember, book that appointment with a counselor.
bambi's puppy love
This photo graced our morning paper, with the following caption:
Dear lick: A mountain feist named Candy kisses Kelsey, a fawn born to a deer kept by a family in Durango, Iowa.
The mountain feist is a member of the extended yet still rare family of pre-Revolutionary War "cur" or hounding dogs of which Bryn is a member. Bryn's breed -- the Catahoula Leopard Hound -- is also known as the Catahoula Cur, and is traced back to the brindled hunting and herding dogs who landed in the 1400s and 1500s with Nordic and Spanish explorers. The Feist breed pictured above is mentioned historically by George Washington and others, including Lincoln. Curs were vital to pioneer families, hunting wild boar and other game, herding domestic stock, and protecting the family. Puppies were a prized gift, often carried in baskets or in the arms of children as pioneers headed west from the east coast and the thirteen original colonies.
Bryn has seen a couple of deer. Sometimes from the car on a country road, twice out hiking.
In the wild, she grew preternaturally still, sniffed the air, focused and "pointed."
The first time we grabbed her collar and the deer crashed off into the brush.
The second time we all just waited, deer and dog looking at each other. We went our way, Bambi went his.
Cattle, Bryn herds.
Horses, she shares space with, staying out of kicking range.
Dogs, she plays with or fights.
Gophers and squirrels, she hunts.
Deer, she observes.
Us, she protects, particularly when children are with us.
Sociologists of all stripes posit that sentient beings carry ancestral memories in our genes. Watching Bryn react to different mammals, I can believe it.
Now if I can just figure out the whole dragon thing.
the pink martini hookup
Richard and I did something waaay out of our "box" last week --
We went out with another couple we met on the internet.
Sound creepy?
Actually, it was great -- but a warning, kids, don't try this at home!
I was in charge of getting tickets for one of the kick-off concerts for "Summer in the City," where the SF Symphony accompanies jazz and other groups. The start of this summer's season was a Fri-Sat night double-header of our favorite group Pink Martini. (www.pinkmartini.com) They went on sale two months ago and - doh! - I kept forgetting to order tickets.
When I finally hopped on the symphony website, both concerts were sold out. Double doh!
So what's a girl to do, where is she to turn?
Craigslist, baby!
Several people were advertising tickets, but pretty expensive ones. So I wrote a post -- help save our marriage -- wife forgot to buy tickets -- husband threatening to withold garlic -- et cetera.
I was contacted by three people within about an hour. First two were all: drive to San Jose and pay extra for my tickets, chica.
But the third response said:
Marriage still need saving?
Newlyweds ready to help.
Sister and bro-in-law had to cancel, and we have two extra tickets, if you don't mind sitting next to us.
Let me know, and stay together!
Carrie
Doesn't that sound nice? And safe? We thought so.
I contacted Carrie and we agreed we'd all four meet at Absinthe, around the corner from the symphony hall, an hour prior to the show.
Nice young couple, married less than a year.
I told her this was the first time we'd ever met up with people via the internet, and she said,
"I can't tell you how relieved we were to see you -- you both look really normal."
A shame that looks are so deceiving.
notes from the grove 7-8-07
A couple of weeks ago we went to the opening of the Stern Grove concert season.
Outdoors in a natural canyon-based ampitheatre in San Francisco -- happy times.
We went with the Rudds, dog, children, lots of picnic goodies. The gopher from Caddyshack kept popping up in front of Bryn, hungry for the nasturtiums. A moment of bliss -- My head was on the dog, the baby Killian was on my belly, husband and friends nearby, some champagne being popped while the band played on. Then Killian wanted his mom, and Bryn wanted the gopher. But still, being left with Richard, Rudds, champagne outdoors... not so bad.
At one point, Judah (3-yr-old) said, "Mommy, what's that?"
Sniffing, Mommy said, "That's marijuana, honey."
Then we realized Judah was pointing to the gopher.
We went back yesterday to hear the symphony play. Arrived early and nabbed a great spot. Watching people in silly shoes sliding up and down the hills (sometimes almost into us) reminded me of a youth trip I sponsored about ten years ago. Behind the wheel of the newest church van, armed with the church credit card, two cell phones (thanks, Harry C) and tons of brio, I set off for the Jesus Go Fest with a dozen very cool teenagers.
Picture Woodstock with praise and worship music, in the red clay of East Texas. We pitched our tents, we set up our stoves, and we went off to the increasingly slushly mosh pit in front of the stage. Throughout Friday night and Saturday, the rains came. Saturday morning, we stood on a hill in slickers, taking bets and cheering while Volvo station wagons tried to get up and down the slippery red roads. I can hear us now, "Turn, turn, now floor it! GO!" And then the Volvo and its dispirited occupants would slide back down to the bottom. Really, it was cruel.
I thought of that wet red hill at Stern yesterday, as chick after chick tried climbing in 5-inch stilleto heels, while guy after guy lost their flip flops. Thousands of people weathering sun and fog, steep hills and gophers, pot and holes. This is my paean to the indomitable human will -- outdoor concerts in the summertime.
