Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell

A few comments about the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy have really bothered me.

Sen. Chambliss’ (R-GA) bothering (and just bizarre) thoughts on what repealing DADT would mean

Focus on the Family on why the country doesn’t need this

However, Steve Wernick of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, has the right idea…particularly when he points out that “it cannot be God’s will to give gay men and lesbians less dignity than God has given the rest of us.”

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compassion in haiti

Jim Wallis of Sojourners is a contributor to the Washington Post’s On Faith section and recently posted a response to Pat Robertson’s remarks on Haiti.  His thoughts on the whereabouts of Jesus in Haiti can be found by clicking on the link.

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the older son in luke 15 and the sense of entitlement that comes with it.

I’ve been sitting on a new revelation from the Prodigal Son story for the past couple weeks.  I’ve processed it with a few people to get their opinions and I think I’m ready to type this thing out.

The sense of entitlement is destructive to followers of Jesus.  I find especially invasive among upper and middle-class believers.   It’s this attitude that says “I deserve this because…[I went to college, I worked hard to get where I am, I don't do that, etc...].  I’ve known that this sense of entitlement is detrimental to the advancement of the Kingdom of God here on Earth and to the poor, the hopeless, misunderstood and socially unacceptable in the eyes of the world, but I’ve never been able to put my finger on any scripture that particularly addresses this.

Rembrandt's Return of the Prodigal Son

The story of a Father running out to welcome back his rebellious and estranged son isn’t new to anyone.  Whether you are a believer in Jesus or not, you have most likely heard the story.  Many major religions have their own version of this parable and the story has appeared numerous times in literature, music and art.

When the younger son, who has run squandered his inheritance from his father returns home, he is given a new robe, a ring on his finger, sandals, a fattened calf and a huge party to celebrate his return.  The elder son, who has lived to please his father and always acted accordingly, becomes upset that his younger, undeserving brother is to be celebrated.

Most people in the church have asked if they are the younger son.  Have we gone astray from our Heavenly Father?  Is he chasing after us?  Are we being irresponsible with the things our Father has given us? Furthermore, if you stick around a church long enough, the question will be turned and asked if you may be the older son.  Are you jealous of someone?  Are you pitying yourself when you should be celebrating the return of a prodigal son or daughter?

Courtesy of the San Francisco Chronicle

All good questions but not ones I want to focus on.  My conviction is that the oldest son who stayed home and was obedient to his father in this story exemplifies this sense of entitlement and the younger son, who ran away, is representative of the oppressed.  I think of the offense the older brother felt when his little brother came back and his father threw a party for him and welcomed him home.  The older son believed his little brother didn’t deserve the fattened calf, the ring, the huge party and his father’s overwhelming love.  But the father doesn’t care that he is denying cultural normalcies, he’s just happy his son is back.  And it’s not even just that his son is back, it’s that his son will never be poor again, he will never be hungry again, he now has a roof over his head, etc.  The father says to the oldest son, that “…everything I have is yours (Luke 15:31),” but I would think this promise is for every child in the Kingdom.  As Bill Johnson says sometimes, “It doesn’t matter if you start working at the beginning of the day or the end of the day, you get payed the same (paraphrased).”

I also realize that the Prodigal Son parable and Johnson’s words are about the salvation Jesus offers, but I would say that they are applicable to this scenario as well.  All the Luke 15 stories (The Good Shepherd, The Good Woman and the Good Father) are demonstrations of how the Kingdom of God operates.  And if we are to pray “on earth as it is in Heaven,” then we also ought to be about Kingdom work and carrying out the narratives of Jesus here on Earth.

Anytime the argument that Jesus spent his time with the ‘least of these’ or anytime it’s pointed out that God always hears the cry of the oppressed, the issue of of fairness comes up among the offended.  For example, “Why should I have to pay more taxes so others can live better?  It’s not fair.”  Or the infamous “I worked hard all my life to get to where I am and others could have my success if they …fill in the blank… as well as I did.”  This argument comes out of a misunderstanding of what justice looks like in the Kingdom of God.  We view justice as we see it on Earth.  Our view of justice says that people get what they deserve.  And the people that don’t have what I have must not deserve it because …they haven’t worked as hard as I have, they don’t have the education I have, they don’t come from the family I come from, they squandered their wealth, they blew their chance… you get the idea.  But Jesus’ view of justice is different.  In the Kingdom of God, the one that doesn’t have the good education, the one that blew their chance or the one that didn’t work as hard toward a better life and failed because of it gets everything the Father has.  That’s how justice works with Jesus (plus he loves redemption stories).

I’m convinced that this is a bigger problem amongst believers that any other issue.  More that abortion or gay marriage…health care or spending.  Before any of these issues can be addressed in a Christ-like manor, the issue of entitlement, primarily amongst middle and upper-class believers, must be addressed.

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Transition

Well, I’m done with school.  While that may be enough to qualify oneself for a transitional season, there’s more.  This past Sunday, I stepped out of Young Life after four years.  Both school and YL are things that have played large roles in my life over the past four and a half years of my life.  I’ve actually never been in a season where I have not been in enrolled in school.  I don’t really have a grid for what life after school is like.

Also, today was my final day working over at KGOU.  We had a Christmas luncheon today and that was it for me at the radio station.  When I look at what my time was dedicated to over the past semester, at least in terms of activities, most of it was being taken by those three things.  But all of that is done now.

But as it usually is, the thing thats that are going on in the physical reflect the things going on in the spiritual.  Their’s definitely some doors being opened up in both spiritual and physical places that I haven’t  had before.  Anyways, the thoughts going through my mind are probably what you would expect.  Excitement, anxiety, a bit of fear, peace and some others too.

I’ve had some good prophetic words over me recently that are encouraging and preparing me for the upcoming shift of seasons.  So we’ll see how it goes.  I’ll keep you updated.

I found this brilliant picture of a Haitian sunset by Zoriah, in part due to a friend in Cardiff, Jonathan Morgan.

Sunset in Haiti

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Since everyone else is doing it…

To ESPN, CNN, NBC and to whomever else it would concern,

I also had an affair with Tiger Woods.  I first met him when he invited me out to his beach home in California for a party in July of 2006.  After the party, he took me home and he invited himself inside.  Since that time, we have had an ongoing relationship.  I regret the actions that occurred at his home, my house, the dairy section of Homeland, Blockbuster Video, Starbucks, Barnes and Noble, the Sharper Image store at the mall and feel nothing but remorse for the pain I have caused for both his family and his fans.  Mr. Woods has bought large amounts of jewelry, automobiles, Pei Wei gift cards, Los Angeles Clippers tickets, a sleeping bag and autographed golf balls by Phil Mickelson for me throughout the three and a half years of our relationship.

He continuously has told me that he loves me and sends romantic texts frequently.  He has continually told me that his marriage with Elin was fine.  I feel like a dumb boy for believing it.  However over the past seven months it has become increasingly apparent that not everything is okay.  Again, I regret my actions and am upset this news had to come out this way.

I would appreciate your privacy as my family and close friends deal with this situation in private.  I’m sure you understand the pain and shame my family and I are going through.  Thank you.

Sincerely,

Stephen Pyle

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thoughts before I go to sleep

A few thoughts I wanted to get down before I fall asleep:

Can people who do not believe in the teachings of Jesus carry out his teachings?  In particular, his truths about the oppressed, the chained and the broken?

The reason I ask is that pretty frequently, I have seen an individual who does not know God make a move that looks very much like a move of the Kingdom.  I’ll give an example.  A global organization begins to give aid to an impoverished African country.  This global organization has no ties to Jesus or any other sets of spirituality for that matter.  They develop a relationship with this country and continue to provide aid over a significant amount of time.  Or what about someone like Angelina Jolie?  I know most people are tired of the media painting Jolie as a saint or the next Mother Teresa, but she has some credibility in my mind.  I don’t know what or who she believes in, but she does use her status to place a spotlight on refugees in Africa, Pakistan, Thailand and others.  That’s pretty cool, right?  What about a more local example?  Something simple, like a guy picking up a hungry, poverty-struck man to take him out for a hot meal?  What if that guy helps to enable the poorer man to get a job?  That’s Christ-like.

All of the above are examples of fighting for the oppressed, feeding the hungry and trying to eliminate poverty.  They are acts of love and kindness; they bring about hope and peace.

I’m not arguing that non-believers are working to bring salvation to people. But I am believing that they, whether they know it (or like it) or not, are being an active part in making all things new.  Yes, there has to be the love of the Lord involved.  Yes, salvation needs to come.  But shouldn’t we be glad that the those who don’t even know Jesus or the teachings of Jesus are actually following through on his call to humanity?

I think we (body of believers in Jesus) should be willing to partner with those who are Isaiah 61-ing it regardless of their awareness.  I want to be quick to point out the good stuff that’s going on around me, whether a church is doing it or not.  We ought to be for justice, peace, love and hope at all times.

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Austin City Limits

I had a good time this weekend at the Austin City Limits Music Festival.  It’s a three day festival that lasted from Oct. 2-4.  Austin Tolin hosted us.  Despite being in Texas, I really enjoy the city of Austin.  The first day of the festival was awesome – perfect, cool weather.  It rained all day Saturday which made for a cool dynamic to the festival.  The third day was mud though.  Everywhere I went Sunday, mud was up to my ankles.  It was pretty gross; everyone was covered in mud.  By Sunday, I was certainly ready to come home though.

Some of the highlights of the festival were Phoenix, Kings of Leon, Ghostland Observatory, The Dead Weather, Passion Pit, Bon Iver, Grizzly Bear and Mute Math.

Grizzly Bear, courtesy of stereogum.com

Phoenix, courtesy of pastemagazine.com

jaunted.com

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John 4

The past couple weeks have been a couple weird ones.  I don’t really know if I would say they have been good or bad – just weird.

I have noticed that I have been running out of energy very quickly.  In a lot of ways too.  I have had a hard time waking up in the morning.  Just the other day I skipped my first class simply because I was too tired.  I have longed to go to bed earlier as well too.  It’s not due to a lack of sleep either – I’m getting plenty of sleep.

This happens spiritually as well.  Over the past couple weeks, if I haven’t spent time with the Lord by about noon, I begin to shut down.  When I get too busy and don’t sit with Him, I get exhausted.  Frustration and hopelessness set in.  Before I know it, it is mid-afternoon and I am becoming short with people, frustrated, sleepy and I do not fill close to Jesus.

The only true way to experience refreshment and energy is going to God.

I have tried taking naps.  Sometimes that seems like an easier alternative than putting in the effort to being with God.  There are other methods I try sometimes in efforts to get energy and feel refreshed.  But the truth, as I’ve been experiencing more and more (both physically and spiritually) the past week, is that true refreshment, a real filling, comes from Jesus.  I’ve been drinking other things than the living water of Christ.  Even literally, I’ve been downing coffee or Coke rather than go sit with God in my room, thinking that it will be a quick and easier alternative.

Being with God is the best way to find refreshment.  Jesus promises us rest and peace when we are with Him.  He says that when we drink his living water we won’t need anything else.  I am trying to learn to trust that promise.  If I haven’t spent time with Him by mid-afternoon, the troubles of the day really begin to eat at me.  I begin to think of things in heavy ways.  Even if it’s lying in my room, just asking for God to come, it’s worth it.  It transforms my day.  He makes the heavy things light.  He makes the hard things okay.  And their is no substitute or shortcut.

I love it when God opens up new revelation on his words.  I don’t know if I’ve ever experienced what this verse means.  I guess I had head knowledge, but it never hit my heart until now.

By the way, who saw this play at the U.S. Open:

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The thing I secretly want to talk about…

Health Care!

I could certainly share all my thoughts on the current health care reform bill that Congress is reviewing, however that would take entirely too long.  You most likely don’t want to hear all my thoughts on health care reform and I don’t think I could organize my thoughts enough to effectively put them in words.  I do enjoy discussing H.R. 3200 (yep, I linked to it twice – look through it) and I do tend to lean towards the liberal standpoint.  However, I could lean left for different reasons that most.

So rather than write out all of my thoughts, I am going to use the thoughts of some other, more educated, brilliant minds.  These are some of the links have shaped my thoughts on the issue:

David Gushee’s use of applying scripture to health care reform – If you read one, read this one.  I put this one first because I love Mr. Gushee’s thoughts.  Read through some of the comments at the bottom.  There is some good points that should not be overlooked, but all in all, I really like Gushee’s thought process.  He really lays out how the federal government can play its part in the Kingdom of God.

Newsweek picks out morals, truths and a bit of a biased opinion - To be honest, there are a few things that Sharon Begley writes that I disagree with.  Furthermore, the article is extremely biased.  That said, Begley does call out the Obama administration for not stepping up and putting a stop to the spread of fear-based lies.  She also points out a few interesting paradoxes.  She has a sassy tone, but if you can get through the article without getting frustrated, it’s a good read.

I am a Brian McClaren junkie – I read what he writes.  He is one of very few “famed” names that I take what they say as truth.  So it makes sense that I would look for his opinion.

Politifact.com – I can’t tell you what a good tool this is.  Thanks to the St. Petersburg times for creating and operating this thing.  These guys are thorough; they check everything.  I linked to the health care section, but the site has it all.  It covers quite a bit so check it out.

The actual reform bill – H.R. 3200.  Obviously, I don’t expect you to read the whole thing, but here it is.

Just as a disclaimer, my full opinions are not in the links posted.  In fact, I disagree with a few things.  If you have any other suggested readings, let me know – I’d love to read it.

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Jon

Well, my best friend is moving to Kazakhstan Sunday.  It’s not permanent, but it is nine months.  So he is gone for the foreseeable future.

Jon has been in my life since my junior year of high school.  In the beginnings of our friendship, the two of us, along with Ryan O’Meilia would play ping pong for two to three hours a day.  We went to Costa Rica together.  We even combined our acts in the Perfect Man competition at Jenks High School to give the best haircut the school has ever seen.  We toilet papered our high school together.  We worked at Shepherds Fold Ranch together.  We have been pulled over a combined 30 times by the police, once at the same time (though driving separate cars) and we dominated the xanga realm together. We failed at building a raft together, we both majored in psychology, we have laid around and watched countless hours of terrible television.  Just last week, the two of us and Robert Gillock even visited IHOP together.

a pretty tart strawberry and a cabob

After high school, he went to Evangel University to play football and run track.  Although we didn’t get to walk directly together, we sacrificed time and convenience to stay close.  I’ve gotten to see Jon rise up and commit himself and lead the group of guys he lives with.  I’ve seen kids flock to him at Shepherds Fold – they want to be him.  I love worshipping with him.  He yells, he cries and he battles for the Presence.  Jon is a warrior.  If you have had the opportunity to worship with him, you know he is like a general leading his people into the House of the Lord.  I’d follow him anywhere.

I think the best part about hanging out with Jon is that other problems, even huge problems, seem relatively small when hanging out with him.  He’s not a worrier and he doesn’t dwell on heavy or dark things.  He can make quick decisions and go with them.  I know God respects someone who can hear his voice and act swiftly and thats what Jon does.

So when Jon graduated, and was asked to go to Kazakhstan, he didn’t stall.  He said yes.  And the Lord blessed it.  I’m excited to see when he does over there.

So I’m praying that God blesses Jon in every way.  Give him courage when he needs it.  Bless him with disciples to pour into; give him friends to pour his heart out to.  I hope he finds community to live with and do life with.  I pray for safety, physical and spiritual safety.  Bless him with more of You.  Give him more of yourself, more of your intimacy.  I’m excited to see the things he does in Kazakhstan.  I hope we get to do life together again soon.

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