"Imagine" a sermon

I am not accustomed to hearing John Lennon's "Imagine" being played at church, but that is what happened one beautiful Sunday morning. As the song played the famous peace symbol made of flowers from New York City was projected onto the wall. The pastor began his sermon calling Imagine a "secular humanist anthem." It was recently sung in the streets of Paris just after the terrorist attacks; and apparently it is sung annually in Times Square in New York.

Imagine is a beautiful song and I am a fan of John Lennon, but unfortunately this 'secular humanist anthem' is an utopian dream naive to spiritual conditions; not the least of which is the existence of both heaven and hell. The latter was not originally intended for man, it was created for a third of the angels-- led by Lucifer-- who rebelled against God.

The pastor in this sermon explains that a broken world is trying to imagine the biblical idea of Shalom, or, Peace. But the God of the Bible's idea of peace will be to "put the entire world back together again", including nature and all of creation ("let heaven and nature sing, heaven and nature sing").

Pastor Paul went on to talk about the rhetoric going on between the two extremes-- pacifism on the left, patriotic war on the right. He went on to juxtapose this with the two extremes of faith-- "reacting to and separating from the culture, or, complete integration with the world" with no thought of being a 'set-apart' people. Pastor Paul said "it's easy to be exteme, and the rhetoric is damaging." Words are powerful and the Bible says "The power of life and death are in the tongue-- proverbs 18:21."

This sermon that utilized John Lennons masterpiece Imagine as its centerpiece, was part of a larger series of sermons on how people develop their 'worldviews': Here is a list of 'summary questions' to ask: 1) what is the prime reality in the universe. 2) what is our nature as human beings. 3) what is the basis of morality. 4) what is the meaning of human history. And 5) what happens to humans at death." These questions get to the heart of how belief shapes peoples perceptions and so their actions. For Christians, there is a clear delineation in the Bible that "God's thoughts are not our thoughts, and His ways are not our ways-- Isaiah 55:8."

Bob Dylan Quotes

Here's an interesting quote from Bob Dylan in a recent interview: "People's lives today are filled on so many levels with vice and the trappings of it. Ambition, greed and selfishness all have to do with vice. Sooner or later, you have to see through it or you don't survive. We don't see the people that vice destroys. We just see the glamour of it on a daily basis; everywhere we look...we see the destruction of human life and the mockery of it."

I would add a quote from scripture-- “Some men’s sins are clearly evident, preceding them to

judgment, but those of some men follow later—1^st Timothy 5:24.” What does this mean? That some people’s sins aren't seen in this life, but their sins will be revealed when Christ returns.

I like the second part of the verse as it pertains to those of us who are saved—“Likewise, the good works of some are clearly evident, and those that are otherwise cannot be hidden.” My NKJV Bible explains this by saying “Unnoticed good works will become evident, if not in this life then at the judgment seat of Christ.” God is declaring here that those of us whose works aren't given a platform, or are validated or appreciated by men, will still be rewarded in heaven! I point this truth out because I have stepped out in faith many times yet felt nothing came from my efforts. Nothing I could 'see' that is. This is why we walk by faith and not by sight.

Every time I minister the gospel to someone when I sense a spiritual opening; or share a scripture; or simply sing or hum a hymn in the presence of others; or the many thoughts and prayers I have for others in private. All of these are acts of faith. Not only this, but if I am simply working on transforming myself into the likeness of Christ, then this has an effect in the spiritual realm, which in turn affects this world.

This is great news for us who might feel unnoticed or even ignored at church. This all might seem obvious to some, but for me this scripture is a revelation. It's not easy for me to walk and be confident in what i cannot see. But this is part of my salvation that I have to 'work out' as it deals with my faith and belief. I walk through life sometimes feeling I have no role to play. Then when I feel empty I want to take matters into my own hands. This is reacting out of the flesh-- the old fallen nature which Christ defeated on the cross. So the struggle here is will I be obedient to God's Spirit, or react to life's challenges and frustrations out of the old man, who God's has done away with? We can't often trust our thoughts or feelings, when we put our souls before the Spirit. “The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak—Matt. 26:41.” I do the best I can with what I know and God is definitely the one carrying me and doing the 'work'. 

Dylan also quotes from the hymn Stand by Me "In the midst of faults and failures, stand by me. When I do the best I can, and my friends don't understand, thou who knowest all about me, stand by me." I Thank the Lord that when you belong to Him, He does not leave you or forsake you. Through all my failings He continues His work in me! And just because people might not acknowledge my spiritual fruit, or include me in their ministries, doesn't mean that God doesn't see my fruit and acknowledge them. This is good news for someone like me who has struggled with the tension between the flesh and the spirit. I've learned the hard way it's not good to have too many expectations, and to watch for selfish motives. So I trust God to make use of me the way He sees fit, and that our rewards come from God in the next world, not from pleasing men.

The Transcendent Game

It took a long time for the good stuff to happen—Pete Carroll

Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen—Hebrews 11:1

This is the story of a game that for a moment in time was more than just a game. It was a game that became a divine experience felt by people throughout the Pacific Northwest. And during circumstances that appeared bleak, God chose to reveal something about faith, hope, and perseverance. But this went beyond mere metaphor or sports analogy cliché. This was a supernatural spiritual experience with God being directly involved.

I felt my character being tested during this championship game. The offense had dug an enormous hole for the team by giving up five turnovers to Green Bay. Suddenly a team that had brought so much excitement and unity to our region was losing badly, and in a highly uncharacteristic manner.  I had been to church that morning so I began to think about priorities and what was really important in life.  I told myself the excitement was over and now back to reality. But it was still tough because in a world that is so tainted this Seahawks team offers something different. Not just because they win at their sport but because they are a team made up of players not considered worthy by the system they are in. And these are exactly the types of people God likes to use for His purposes-- But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise…--1 Cor.1:27.

For many of us the Seattle Seahawks are a temporary respite from an unjust world, where it’s hard to find unity or joy. But now their charm, magic, grit and resolve appeared to have left them. But this is where the story takes a peculiar turn and where God chose to intervene in a mere game to show us something of the nearly miraculous.

Both the Seahawks defense and running back Marshawn Lynch played like the warriors they are. It was the offensive side of the ball that dug an enormous hole for this team by giving up five turnovers. In particular the burden of this game was on the quarterback Russell Wilson and receiver Jermaine Kearse because it was those two who were involved in 4 of the 5 turnovers for the Seahawks. So it became fitting that the two would be involved in the very last throw and catch dagger in overtime that would win the game.

This was a highly unlikely outcome according to statisticians, who gave the Seahawks about a 4% chance of winning the game under the circumstances.  And what amazes me is it wasn’t just the belief, faith, hope and tenacity of a few players. The team as a whole had to keep fighting through the adversity despite mounting evidence their season was coming to an end.  

As the game ended I began to feel something transcendent had occurred. Generally as a Christian we are wary not to understand things according to our feelings, but in this instance I was ‘feeling it’ on a profound level. And I knew Russell Wilson and Jermaine Kearse were feeling God’s faithfulness as well. I knew this by the way they were crying uncontrollably after the win; which was uncharacteristic for both of them. Kearse is typically stoic and tough, while Russell is always composed and likes to speak in clichés. But I also knew something extraordinary had occurred by the reaction of so many of the Seahawks players who were speechless not just after the game but the next day as they tried to process and  characterize what had transpired. I began to realize others were experiencing this as well when a Christian friend called me to talk about it afterward; and I got confirmation on the God inspired event from a few more Christians at my school.     

Why was God’s hand on this game? The player whom I’ve come to regard as the philosopher of the Seahawks—Earl Thomas—just a few weeks prior said that God’s hand was on this team. Many of the Seahawks players are people of real faith who regularly use their platform to give glory and praise to God. Jermaine Kearse, who caught the game winner, went to church after the game! While a lot of worldly success (even in ‘team’ sports) is driven by ego and selfishness; the head coach of the Seahawks Pete Carroll said the players learned this year what it truly means to be a team. And this is what the Body of Christ is: individual talents and distinctiveness used for the team. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

This championship win was more than a typical sports metaphor.  God chose to show up for this game and the Seahawks proved they are a team with mature character traits that bring good things for those who believe. And God showed Himself faithful to the faithful by transcending a bad circumstance and using unlikely people to accomplish this amazing, unlikely victory.  This was merely a moment in time; but it was also  a lesson in how to get transformed by a God that deeply loves and cares for us all. And even though It took a long time for the good stuff to happen we have hope and victory because of Him. 

Jesus Was a Sailor

The song Suzanne by Leonard Cohen starts off with a timeless moment between friends becoming sublime. The author creates an oddly romantic, penetrating setting of great personal importance.  Three verses and chorus is all the song needs to create profound mystery. This is a deeply spiritual song and by the end of the first verse the metaphors from a scene with a girl at a houseboat becomes quickly interchangeable with the divine.     

The first double entendre of meaning is the authors’ confession of having no love to give her…but finds out…they had always been lovers. This is biblical in that we have nothing to offer God, yet we find out God foreknew us from the beginning. From the chorus, the line travelling blind is about walking by faith not by sight. Our perfect body is obviously our spirit, being touched by another soul and by the perfect mind of God. By the second verse Jesus is walking thru time and space on earth; but only drowning men could see Him. Cohen’s poetic line is directly from the Olivet discourse (Sermon on the Mount) of Jesus who says-- Blessed are the poor in Spirit [Matt. 5:3]. And Mr. Cohen sings that we become free when we realize our brokenness. But the wisdom of God is missed by many, sinking also into the sea—heroes in the seaweed. But Jesus mission was a solitary one-- on a lonely wooden tower… Forsaken, almost human, He sank beneath your wisdom like a stone.

Suzanne takes you down to her place near the river

You can hear the boats go by

You can spend the night beside her

And you know that she's half crazy

But that's why you want to be there

And she feeds you tea and oranges

That comes all the way from China

And just when you mean to tell her

That you have no love to give her

Then she gets you on her wavelength

And she lets the river answer

That you've always been her lover

And you want to travel with her

And you want to travel blind

And you know that she will trust you

For you've touched her perfect body with your mind.

And Jesus was a sailor

When he walked upon the water

And he spent a long time watching

From his lonely wooden tower

And when he knew for certain

Only drowning men could see him

He said "All men will be sailors then

Until the sea shall free them"

But he himself was broken

Long before the sky would open

Forsaken, almost human

He sank beneath your wisdom like a stone

And you want to travel with him

And you want to travel blind

And you think maybe you'll trust him

For he's touched your perfect body with his mind.

Now Suzanne takes your hand

And she leads you to the river

She is wearing rags and feathers

From Salvation Army counters

And the sun pours down like honey

On our lady of the harbor

And she shows you where to look

Among the garbage and the flowers

There are heroes in the seaweed

There are children in the morning

They are leaning out for love

And they will lean that way forever

While Suzanne holds the mirror

And you want to travel with her

And you want to travel blind

And you know that you can trust her

For she's touched your perfect body with her mind. 

                                                                                                           --- By Leonard Cohen

Visiting Peaches

I had not seen Peaches since her sister’s wedding in New York over ten years ago; which occurred just prior to the catastrophic event of 9/11-- an event so spiritually significant I dreamed about it while it was happening.


Cousin Peaches and I are close in age and spent our adolescence together. I recall a simple life growing up in the 70's and early 1980's; where we often went swimming and canoeing at a local lake. There was an island in the middle my uncle and I would swim  around, through the deep clean water. I also remember simply playing outdoors, oblivious to the dilapidated surroundings of our neighborhood, ignored by time and circumstance. 

Peaches and I were now in touch again after some long gaps, but with certain people you don't really notice the missing time. They are home for you no matter where or how long apart. It helps immensely that we are both Christians today. She has been important to me for emotional support, especially these last few years. I was nervous to meet her family. She had been married for 20 yrs with four boys as a result. Peaches has been blessed with a full life and has a great gift for encouraging and reaching out to people.  

I flew down to Arizona. After arriving at her house from the airport Peaches asked—with a wry smile—if I still felt nervous about being in her home with family I didn't know? “No not at all” I said, stating the obvious because I was completely at ease in the unfamiliar surroundings. I had never been this far South before and never to a real desert. I marveled at the houses painted in hues of clay red, sun burnt orange and pale yellow; all matching the natural landscape. The natural surroundings were simple and spacious; with cacti, palm trees and desert flower plants, staunchly sitting in beds of rock. The roofs of houses had to have real clay tile in order to withstand the heat of the desert valleys. Fences were mortared brick, lest the sun warp and destroy anything made of wood. 

One morning Peaches husband Roger and I jumped into his truck to follow their kids to school. A whole gang of neighborhood boys with oversize backpacks jumped on their motor-cross bikes. And the smaller the kid, the bigger the back-pack seemed to get! After seeing the kids safely to their school, we continued to the local coffee-shop where we met up with a friend from Rogers’s church. 

The next day, Essiah (her eldest son), Roger and I went to Sedona for some hiking. The area is stunning in its juxtaposition of green hills and red-rock spires. We walked upon the soft clay ground through groves of cypress trees, cacti and aloe plant, criss-crossing a stream upward. Amazingly on one side of us were snow-covered mountains, while the other featured red-rock mesa’s, with strata lines of ancient geological meandering. We climbed to almost 6,000 ft through the soft clay and snow, passing many waterfalls while following the stream. The sky was overcast, the temp in the mid-40’s, and these memories are indelible.


At times my life has been filled with turmoil. Even after my salvation I had doubts and used to wonder why God would continue to have anything to do with me, because I felt weak and inadequate. But I learned that when God begins a work in you, He does not forsake you because He is steadfast and true to His Word and to His covenant. So I realized after being filled of God's Holy-Spirit; we still have to 'work out' our salvation in this world. Though we are 'new creations'--"Behold, old things are passed away. All things are become new." --II Corinthians 5:17-- we still deal with sin of the heart and flesh. Sanctification is both a title and a process.


After my flight back from visiting with cousin Peaches and her family (I came back just before Christmas), the tree lights at home hover in the quiet evening, while I meditate on the peace, joy and wisdom of God, which surpasses all understanding. In solitude that personal relationship is made clear. And reflecting on the fellowship I experienced in Arizona, I am grateful. Peaches suggested I start a blog, and so this first entry is for her. 

Peaches has a nice small garden, shaded strategically between her lemon and orange trees. These trees are very fruitful, yielding more fruit than they know what to do with. Also in the back yard is a fire pit, where we gathered one cold December evening covering ourselves with blankets, hovering around the fire. The kids roasted marshmallows while I played on a guitar, covered with blanket.

On the return flight back home, I gazed upon the dominant mountain ranges of Washington State, where cold glacier lakes and thick forested patches of green broke through winters snowy blanket. The sky darkened as we flew further north, with the sun setting just as we made our approach to Bellingham . At home now, The lights on the Christmas tree hover peacefully between the branches, in the silent night.