Dog Days

Here we are in August, closing in on these “dog days of summer”.  We all know the hot, muggy weather we can experience in this part of the world.  So what, exactly, are the “dog days”, and why do we call them such?

 

According to “Wikipedia”:

“The phrase Dog Days or “the dog days of summer“, refers to the hottest, most sultry days of summer. They are a phenomenon of the northern hemisphere that usually falls between early July and early September but the actual dates vary greatly from region to region, depending on latitude and climate. Dog Days can also define a time period or event that is very hot or stagnant, or marked by dull lack of progress.

The term “Dog Days” was used by the Greeks…as well as the ancient Romans…after Sirius (the “Dog Star”), the brightest star in the heavens besides the Sun.

Popularly believed to be an evil time “when the seas boiled, wine turned sour, dogs grew mad, and all creatures became languid, causing to man burning fevers, hysterics, and phrensies” – Brady’s Clavis Calendarium, 1813.

…The ancients sacrificed a brown dog at the beginning of the Dog Days to appease the rage of Sirius, believing that that star was the cause of the hot, sultry weather.”

Hmmm.   Hot, stagnant, and a dull lack of progress accompanied by ancient astrology and canine sacrifice.  And I thought it was just bloody hot!  Our summer months roll along and will soon give way to fall.  The busy-ness of autumnal motion is familiar to all; school days return, activities commence, and the turning of seasons readies us for winter’s onslaught.  Maybe we need some dog days to rest and renew.  Yet reflecting on my personal calendar, and knowing I’m not alone, these dog days have nothing to do with stagnation or dull lack of progress.  We’re plenty busy now, sometimes to the point of “burning fevers, hysterics, and phrensies”.

 

Even so, if we come across the occasion to rest and renew, it is a welcomed gift.  Such it is with our lives of faith, devotion and discipleship.  Rest and renewal are critical to our well-being.  This doesn’t mean, (and we’re all guilty at times), that we put God on a shelf until the vacation’s over and Labor Day arrives.  It’s the perfect time to reconnect with the spiritual core of our selves.  Jesus always awaits with open arms to welcome, forgive, and make us whole.  Every day. 

 

So when your dogs are barkin’ these days, by all means rest.  But know that the Lord who loves you as much as life itself calls your soul to fresh newness.  Found nowhere else in all creation, it’s just what we need.

Renewal

There is much conversation these days about the renewal of the church.  Certainly for all the good that comes from the church’s existence, there is a great blessing for the world.  At our best, the church comes through in time of crisis, as well as comfort and direction for those wondering about life’s purpose.  Yet something is missing from Christian congregations across this country.  We’ve been about much good, but our sins and shortcomings regularly overshadow a positive presence.

Some generations perceive the church as irrelevant, they don’t need it, and they can live good and fruitful lives without a church connection.  Sadly, I’d have to say in many ways they’re right.  For we in the church it is extremely easy to position the blame on those who are missing, but is that true or even helpful in the conversation?  Lately we at Olivet are engaging in the conversation in order to reinvent and renew our community and make meaningful connections.  It’s not easy; sometimes we have to hear things about us that we’d rather not hear or admit.  Jesus, it seems, was about this very thing; confronting the leaders to make fundamental and significant change.  Not just for the sake of change, either.  Jesus went straight for the heart both of the believer and the religious institution.  His intent was to change, transform and renew for the sake of the world.

I’m hoping we can all listen with care and compassion.  Not, (this may sound weird or even, dare I say, heretical), for building up the church, but for the sake of those whose lives may be gracefully impacted by Jesus’ love.  What do you think?  I’d love to hear more comments and ideas.

Peace,

Kris Gorden

Gifts

We recently dove into a Spiritual Gifts Inventory during a Sunday morning worship.  I’m not sure what people expected before taking the inventory, other than many were confused at what such a thing is and how it would be used.  Would this be another relatively useless “time and talent” sheet we’re so fond of in organized churches?  Maybe it would be something cleverly used to get me to sign up for something, like a committee.  (Good God!  Who needs another committee meeting!)

Using an inventory in worship seemed like a risky thing to do.  Yet if we asked people to come to designated times, my guess is three or four people out of 4000 would have shown up.  Besides, to discover, claim and offer our gifts is a powerful act of worship, is it not?  Admittedly, my expectations were kind of low.  Even though we would work through the inventory and score it collectively in the service, how many people would actually do it and turn it in?  100-150 was my best guess.  What a surprise to receive over 350 with more still coming in!  Some were pleasantly surprised at their results, while most remark they feel affirmed in their giftedness.

 God grants a powerful lot of gifts to each.  It’s too common, however, for us to be humble, not brag or flaunt our gifts lest we be seen as braggarts or egotists.  This is a sad development for church communities across the nation.   My hope and prayer is that this first step in claiming our gifts will blossom into a field of ripe service for the kingdom.  It doesn’t argue theology, get caught up in the “who’s saved, who’s lost” debate, or get bogged down in meetings to discuss what we should meet about.  All indications are that a plunge into spiritual gifts becomes the gritty work of sharing a love that transforms and cares for the world.  Here’s to unwrapping the gifts.

Pushing for Peace

This week recognizes one of the 20th century’s greatest leaders, one who could inspire hearts to change and feet to action.  Monday commemorates Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and celebrations and memorials will happen across the country.  Yet for so many, Monday is only another day off school, when banks and government offices are closed.  We can only pray the message of Dr. King and others who work for peace and equality will not be easily forgotten or ignored.

 Our world, this fabulous rock God gave us to tend, carries a myriad of talented people.  We have the capacity to confront most of our world dilemmas, if only we have the will.  Peace, equality, food and shelter for all are within our grasp, but it is going to take love, effort and tremendous hard work.  It’s time for the followers of Jesus to take the lead.

 I recently made a comment at our congregation’s annual meeting that for the church to be relevant to the world we must remain focused on the main thing, and keep our work and witness centered on the issues that change the world.  The average person sipping coffee shop latte’s could care less about our theological quarrels, one church claiming its right-ness while telling us who’s wrong, or the endless stream of Christians who give us the low-down who’s saved and which poor suckers will be damned to hell.  Not that I’m not concerned about such things, we simply can’t be consumed by these matters.  Not when wars rage out of control, hunger is ashamedly rampant, preventable disease is high and equality remains far off.

 Still, there is much hope.  Jesus spoke regularly about the kingdom of God on earth.  We who have faith in this One, who trust in his promises above all else, who hold these words of life can lead the way.  All we need is the will.