"#1 God will never give you more than you can handle..."

Really?  This deserves a full scale 'eye roll.'

You hear the sub-text, right?  Underneath this 'too easy to roll off the tongue' phrase is the implication that if you are falling apart, can't cope right at this moment, are thinking about tearing your hair out,or possibly taking your own life,  then your faith is defective....not enough.....too weak....add your own phrase.

Even young people understand the weight of 'too much.'  Even young people look at others and wonder how they continue to remain upright and moving forward with all the baggage they are being asked to pull along with them.

As you age, you become more and more aware of the imbalance of the universe.  Some folks are asked to carry weights that you shutter to imagine.....like the family whose 19 year old committed suicide only to have the father killed in an auto accident 4 days later and the granddfather die of natural causes to round out the week.  3 funerals in one week.  That isn't too much?

Furthermore, this implies that seeking help: from a doctor, a counselor, a pastor, a friend is a sign of weakness (the greatest sin in American culture).  Is that really the message that we, sinners all, who fall at the feet of a benevolent God seeking mercy, want to spread?

Of course not.  There are times, however, when we have no idea what to say to that friend or co-worker whose life is out of control.  So here are a few suggestions

 "I can't imagine how hard it is."

"I will pray for you each day."

"Is there anything I can do to make today easier?"

"I would be frightened about the future and angry."

Then pray for them every day.  Touch base regularly, not expecting updates or long conversations, just to let them know you continue to think about them.  Invite them out to lunch.  Walk with them knowing you will have to walk in darkness and with fear.

Don't take the easy road out.  Don't spread around platitudes and meaningless phrases.  Don't chicken out.  Stand with them as they face their cross, and know that Jesus will be standing next to you both.

#4 The unchurched are............"

Boy do I hate that term "unchurched."  At least my Lutheran brothers and sisters are less prone to use the other terms "unbelievers" or "backsliders" in this attempt to quantify faith.  When we use a word like 'unchurched' we imply that there is a cosmic obligation to speak about the faith the way that those inside the church do.   We announce that the church is the litmus test of the presence of faith.

Jesus never, never, never, never called his disciples to 'church' the people.  Jesus did not come to 'church' the world.  Jesus was not interested in whether you had taken membership classes. He works with disciples of 'little faith' throughout the entire gospel of Matthew.

Jesus wanted to know if you could see the injustice that this world sanctifies and wanted to do something about it.  Jesus wanted to know if you could recognize a blessing when it fell into your hands, and then make use of it for the sake of others.  Jesus wanted to know if your heart was filled with compassion or critique, because that is the kind of kingdom Jesus was establishing: a place of justice, mercy, compassion and blessing.

These are not strictly Christian or church concepts.  But these are the concepts at the center of Jesus' desire for this creation.  Certainly Jesus spoke of judgment, yet in these terms:  when God's kingdom is all in all, those who have chosen injustice over justice will find themselves outside the gate.  It was their choice from the beginning and they have condemned themselves.

We are not called to seek the unchurched....or label them or call them names.  We are to do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with our God. (Micah 6.8)  When we are busy doing that, we can talk with others who are on the same journey about the God who has shown us the way and called us to action.

We can invite them to know this God whom we know.  Sort of how Jesus did it.

4 really dumb things Christians have been caught saying..........

So, I read this article about the dumbest, most annoying things that the Church has been caught saying and how they are really irritating, aggravating, almost infuriating to many....especially the under 30 crowd.

It was a good article.  I also gave we Lutherans a star for not being guilty of all the sins described.  We have our own particular ways of sinning, but not these.  However, these are an insight into how we are heard by the world we are called to love and serve, and just might help us interact more effectively.

Here's the list:  (kind of like David Letterman's nightly 10 Ten List....only we have only 4 for now)

#4  "The unchurched, (insert: unbelievers as another option) are....."

#3  "God is in control....has a plan....works in mysterious ways..."

#2   "The Bible clearly says........."

#1 "God will never give you more than you can handle"

Have you ever heard some one say just that?  Has there ever been a time that you were the recipient of such 'wisdom' and it was not only useless to you, it actually made you angry at the speaker?  Have you found yourself using these exact same words.....meaning well, but stumbling all over yourself?

Keep an eye on the blog because I'm going to look at each one in turn.  Maybe we will find a way to talk with others about this faith which we hold dear.....because our Lord Jesus holds us dear and calls us beloved.