Constructive Criticism

Successful and mature individuals are more than happy to receive constructive criticism… at least that’s what I’ve been told. Now, don’t get me wrong I have had and continue to receive criticism that I learn from but I must admit that it always stings a bit! This is not because I think I am perfect and can do no wrong, in fact, I think it is the opposite… my ego is just fragile enough that it is discombobulated with the slightest of nudges from anyone trying to straighten me up. Yes, I know that is pathetic but I don’t think I’m the only one on board the S. S. Pity Me. So, if you can relate to this maybe we can learn a valuable lesson from King David that will give us perspective on how to receive criticism.
One of the lowest points of David’s life is when he had to flee Jerusalem because his son Absalom conspired against him and gained the hearts of the people (2 Samuel 15:13ff.). David leaves the palace exiting, if you will, by the back door slipping out of Jerusalem via the Mount of Olives. Defeated, mournful and now a fugitive David descends down the northeastern slope of the mount. David and his entourage as they are about to enter Bahurim are met by a relative of Saul named Shimei who curses David and his troops while pelting them with stones. Abishai one of David’s captains offers to cut off Shemei’s head to silence his arrogant taunting. Shemei was shouting that David was a man of blood, a scoundrel who stole Saul’s kingdom and now God had avenged Saul with Absalom’s reign. David surprises everyone by telling them to leave him alone and suggesting that maybe God may have told Shimei to curse David! I think there is more to this than a defeated attitude confessing I deserve whatever comes my way… I think David has a perspective on criticism that we should emulate.
First, David is willing to accept that criticism can and may often be generated from God. That is, Shemei is just a conduit for God’s message and thus we must always listen to hear if we can determine the voice of God in the noise of life. Second, David’s humility illustrates the place from which we best receive the benefits of criticism. And lastly, David is really motivated by a greater goal and thus is willing to tolerate the pain of shame and yes, rocks, to get to reach a greater goal. Ironically this takes place in Bahurim which in Hebrew means, “Valiant or brave.” It really does take an act of bravery to accept criticism from ignorance and misplaced zeal.
Maybe, the postscript to this story is just as valuable… Shimei ends up serving David and lives in Jerusalem under the protection of the King but meets his demise at the hand of Solomon when he once again in his arrogance defies the King’s will. Critics don’t often outlive their criticism… “Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord (Romans 12:19).” -DAN

Hop

Spring has sprung and Hollywood has met the challenge with its Easter offering of the misfit tales of Fred O’Hare, an unmotivated misfit, who runs into (literally) E.B. the heir to be the Easter Bunny who has escaped Easter Island to find fame and fortune. You can tell by the characters names and location that the movie is Easter basket full of puns and Easter/bunny innuendos. Hold me back if you will from launching into some lofty diatribe that laments the commercialization and secularization of the sacred. I mean I get that bunnies are cute and who doesn’t like a basket full of candy? But what does this all have to do with a national day that recognizes the resurrection of Jesus the Christ? The history of Easter is well publicized and recently because of its connection with the pagan Saxon goddess Eastre (Ostara), many churches have opted to refer to it as Resurrection Sunday. What seems more satisfying (and biblical) is that every Sunday is a Resurrection celebration.
Now about bunnies as symbols… we have to turn to the German settlers of Pennsylvania who brought with them traditions of Oschter Haws, a hare who laid colored eggs for children to find. The connection to this tradition and the mythology of the goddess Ostara who turned her bird into a hare probably has some historic influence. However, no one can say definitively where we got the oddity of a rabbit laying eggs. Suffice it to say that eggs, rabbits, pagan fertility goddesses and the like find their common ground in the reawakening of the earth at spring time. Such a celebration reminds us that after winter’s chilling barren hold there follows rebirth, new life and resurrection. So I guess there is some “Hop” to this tale but I would like to be assured that beyond sugary treats and a hop down the bunny trail that the message of a new living hope might prevail. Peter (the apostle not the cottontail) writes, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade –kept in heaven for you (1 Peter 1:3, 4).”
I must admit that my favorite bunny though is from the movie “Harvey.” This 1950 movie with Jimmy Stewart is a tale about an eccentric middle aged man named Elwood P. Dawd, who has a 6 foot plus invisible friend named Harvey who happens to be a rabbit. Elwood’s sister decides to have Elwood committed but through a comedy of errors ends up committing herself to an asylum. The story culminates in getting things straightened out and a finale where Elwood is about to be given an injection that will forever banish Harvey from his memory. A taxi cab driver reveals to the sister that others who had received the shot turned surly and she decides she rather have the amiable but misguided brother who sees a six foot rabbit. Likewise, I guess I rather put up with the Easter nonsense of “Hop” if it keeps people looking to new life and the ultimate power of resurrection experienced not in rabbit lore but in the truth of the gospel… the good news of the resurrection of Jesus the Christ from the dead! -DAN

The Book of X-Ray

My daughter reported on Facebook that my grandson Padyen had just quoted to her the first five books of the Bible… “Genesis, X-ray, Dennis, Numbers and Deuteronomy.” A good friend of the family responded with tongue in cheek that their favorite book was X-ray. One would assume because of its revealing content and radiant vocabulary. I personally like the book of Dennis… especially the chapter where Mr. Wilson catches him red handed… literally red handed when he got into Mr. Wilson’s red paint. All kidding aside, the two things that I take away from this family lore are: 1) I’m thrilled that my grandson is learning the books of the Bible and 2) These books that he is learning the names of are ancient voices of witness that bear the stamp of inspiration but are reflective of the messenger.
It is that last point that I hope someday that Payden will delight in as he begins to discover not only the names of the books of the Bible but finds himself in the stories of faith. I recently heard someone speak of the first time they found a contradiction in the Bible (they were puzzled by Matthew saying there were two men at the tombs when Mark and Luke said there was only one, Matt.8:28-34; Mark 5:1-20; Luke 8:26-39). They finally decided that Matthew was telling it from his perspective and the other two were more interested in the man of the tombs who Jesus cast out the legion of demons. There are four gospels not because they were trying to correct or fill in one another’s stories but because there is an infinite amount of ways to tell the one story! And often it is a matter of seeing it from a different perspective (hence Matthew focuses on parables especially of the kingdom while John many years later gives us the intimate conversations between Jesus and disciples).
A couple of Sundays ago while the youth group from Gresham were conducting services Greg Woods suggested that people ask his wife Dottie about how she broke my collar bone. For some reason that resonated with me in a way I had never entertained before. You see, that’s always been “my” story and suddenly I realized that Dorothy had her version of the same story as well (probably not as painful as my version but an interesting side of the tale as well). Now I’ve said all this to simply say this… my prayer for Payden is that as he grows in knowledge of the Scripture and develops his faith that the story of the Bible becomes “his” story! I know that one of the greatest joys of my life is finding myself alongside Elijah running ahead of the chariots of Ahab and besting a bear with David on the hills of Palestine. I muse myself with poking Peter in the ribs as we joke about how some of the things Paul says are hard to be understood and I achingly weep at the foot of the cross with John and Mary and others. And time and time again I am convicted of my sins and amazed at the magnitude of grace as I listen to the ancient voices of faith tell their stories! -DAN