Andy Stoker

I am in a constant state of denying the inevitability of my own death. I constantly try to work more, or faster, or stronger, in order to gain some more of life. I believe it comes from a lack of emotion (compassio) in everyday living; it is not for sentimental reasons we should go on living with passion everyday. Jesus “raised persons from the dead.” There are two ways to read Jesus’ raisings: 1) literally: Jesus defied the natural processes of death and brought them back to life, or 2) metaphorically: Jesus defied the psychological, political and cultural processes that kept persons from truly living and brought them to abundant life.

Is this lack of emotionality and denial of death making it hard for families to say good-bye to loved ones at the end of their lives? This morning’s New York Times hosted an article which touched on the implications of ‘end of life decisions’ for families and friends (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/23/health/23life.html). As the bumper stickers state: “Life is short . . .” During this time of Lent, let us together consider our temporality, our lives and even our deaths, so that those around us will meet one who is so in touch with both life and death, the ordinary and the miraculous, the nominal and the phenomenal. Break those psychological, political and cultural processes that keep you from truly living and just may bring you to life abundant.

In our Saturday night connection, we are studying the book Difficult Conversations. Read the rest of this entry »

What do I have to bring to the table of the Lord? Read the rest of this entry »

Christians all over the world have the sign of the cross on their foreheads. This is one day of the Christian year that the visibility of the cross is worn prominently. Read the rest of this entry »

Just something to think about as we enter the Lenten season . . .

A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity happened to me today: I discovered a new hero.

Minnijean Brown stood before a group of confirmation students waving her hands with the precision of a maestro in front of an orchestra. As the symphony went on the cacophony of her-story sung in our ears, the ringing was so loud, so clear and so heart-rendering our bodies could not help but to be moved from the closed and sheltered deafness of ignorance. It was as if Brown knew exactly what I needed to hear to be summoned Gospel-forth out of the depths of the sequestered reaches of my own cultural amnesia.

Minnijean Brown spoke the words I had only imagined saying but never had the courage to say … “There is no better way than the way of non-violent resistance” … “Let not the work be in vain of our continued struggle” … “Do not use God for evil” … “Probably the most important setting to learn the end of hatred than the [Little Rock] Central High School.” Now is the time for change; now is the time for growth; now is the time for something totally unexpected but long overdue: PEACE with no possibility of violence through non-combative means in any way possible. For then, for now and for always.

As we left cold, wet Dallas , we remembered the graciousness of God. For safe travels and better attitudes. Special thank you to the special churches involved : St Luke “Community”, Kessler Park, Aldersgate-Carrollton, and Arapaho United Methodist Churches. The first session of Eyes on the Prize was very enlightening. Central High School in the morning!!!

First century Roman philosopher Seneca wrote: “Expecting is the greatest impediment to living. In anticipation of tomorrow, it loses today.” What will I make every day of 2010? Maybe that should be my resolution this year: to anticipate the NOW. Where is God? What is God doing right now? Where am I? Am I being, in this moment, the most faithful disciple of Jesus Christ I can be?

Bring on the moments of conflict! In conflict, there is resolution. “It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare, it is because we do not dare that things are difficult” (Seneca).

Bring on the instances of maltreatment! In maltreatment, there is healing. ”Whatever one of us blames in another, each one will find in his own heart” (Seneca).

Bring on occasions of injustice! In injustice, there is mercy. ”Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for a kindness” (Seneca).

Bring on occurrences of chaos! In chaos, there is stillness. ”If you wished to be loved, love” (Seneca).

I want to live now. Tomorrow will bring what it brings but today is here. Make 2010 not a year but a series of days of living better. ”Begin at once to live, and count each separate day as a separate life” (Seneca).

This has been one of the most difficult years of my life. Read the rest of this entry »

Do I really need change in my life? What difference, really, would the Messiah make in my life? How would this “Christ” alter history anyway? Read the rest of this entry »