LOST (and found): Together

Ever go to Six Flags?  Disney World?  Grand Canyon?

Did you go by yourself?  Probably not.  It isn't that you can't enjoy those things by yourself (and let's be honest, sometimes you do need to get away) but the memorable moments in life are always better with friends and family.

So what do you do when you want to watch your favorite show (LOST) with twenty six friends?

Why not teach a class on it?

That is the joy I'm getting to experience right now at Birmingham-Southern College.  It's just an interim class (one month) but it is a joy that I am relishing.  One of the fun aspects of the class is that watching all of LOST was not a requirement for the course.  This has... complicated... the holistic approach that LOST needs but has allowed for me to re-experience seeing it with new eyes again.

Jack Shepherd (names are important) reminds his beach-buddies that we either can either live together or die alone.  While LOST is not really a matter of life and death, the wisdom of this proclamation also speaks to value of each and every person.  Each and every story.  Each and every struggle.

When I share my favorite things with others they cease being mine and become ours.  Let Regina Spektor say it for us:

No, this is how it works
You peer inside yourself
You take the things you like
And try to love the things you took
And then you take that love you made
And stick it into some
Someone else's heart
Pumping someone else's blood
And walking arm in arm
You hope it don't get harmed
But even if it does
You'll just do it all again

We like to think of life, salvation, and maybe even death as something that affects one person at a time.  This is an unfortunate fallacy of our society.  We are in this together and I'd bet we'll find a way to live together.

Don't have time.

"I don't have time" - this isn't a truth; it is a justification when I don't care enough.

So now that I'm posting to my blog again I'm reminded of how great it is to take time to be with family.  There are so many places in life where I just don't have time... have you said it before too?

I have.

But when I say "I don't have time," more often than not it isn't that I'm caught in circumstances I can't control.  More often than not - I'm simply deciding my priorities.

Who hasn't shrugged at that person and need and said to ourselves and God - hey, I can't control what I'm going through.

Hogwash.  (that's the word I'd use while preaching so I don't say a dirty word)

The truth is that  there is more than enough time.  We make our own time.  Those things that matter most to us - football, movies, music, alcohol.  Always time for those things, right?  Always money to be found for one more fix.

That is one great thing about the holidays - we don't have time.  And yet, we spend time with our loved ones and realize how much we needed this.  We are forced, in a way.  Perhaps the birth of this Christ child forces us to take time?

At least, that is what I'm experiencing.  I need my family.  They make me who I am.  I might slip into being the middle son but it is totally worth it.  I sure don't enjoy Christmas because I need more stuff.  In fact, my favorite gift this year was a donation to angel tree in our honor.

What has been the greatest gift you've received this Christmas?  Mine has been time.  Time I don't have.  But time I won't trade.

Further up, further in.

It has been over two months since I've posted last. Life has moved fast but I'm suddenly aware that a new year is beginning. To be honest, I have not been able to manage my time well. Transitioning into a new job, enjoying my family, and keeping up with other responsibilities seem like great reasons to not care for my blog. However! However.... I miss you. I miss reflecting and sharing and being able to speak my thoughts. Truth is there are many thoughts, many events, and many issues that I have been involved with in 2011 that I have not shared about online. But 2012 is coming. It isn't a new years resolution - it is a commitment to reflection and finding the Holy Spirit in hindsight. Looking forward to the journey, again.

Chapel Sermon, November 7th 2011

It's almost the holiday season!!  Have you started looking for deals?  Thinking of what you want in that stocking?  Giving good gifts can be a challenge.  Listen to this sermon to hear a bit about that.