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While doing the things I should be doning...

Fri, 7 Nov 2008 17:37:21 -0500

While writing an exegetical paper on Isaiah 40:27-31, I came across this jewel from the pen of Brueggemann. It is much in line with the musings of my friend Justin.

“It is easy for people of faith to conclude that the creator God is an irrelevance in a contemporary system that seems to be set in stone. The poet, however, will not permit such a verdict. The very God taken to be obsolete is the one who governs and gives strength, who makes it possible for life to be taken up again without the force of empire. The claim made by the poet is remarkable, against all the evidence of the empire. It must have seemed outrages then, as it does now. But there must have been enough listening and treasuring to conclude that this One who speaks can override the nothingness offered by imperial task masters. It is this incomparable, tireless God who is exhibited in the gosepel assertion “See your God!” (40:9).”--Walter Brueggemann, Isaiah 40-66 (Westminister John Knox Press, 1998), 28.

A Sermon on Mark 4:35-41

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 15:29:34 -0400

Mark 4:35-41 (NRSV)
35On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” 36And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. 37A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. 38But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” 39He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. 40He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” 41And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
What and Who by Eric Sunderland
What and Who. This text that we have before us centers around these two tiny little words. What and Who. “Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?” or in other words, What are you afraid of? Who is this that even the wind and the waves obey him? What and who. As we embark on this journey...this adventure that is preaching, no two words are found to be more fitting to describe what lies before us, than What and Who.
You see like each of us, there are hundreds, thousands of preachers out there, who have been and are trying to figure out What to preach this coming Sunday and to be sure there are many what’s to choose from. There is the what of a failing economy. The what of political and social division, that creates communities more divided red versus blue, have versus have not, than it does communities that are centered around the realities of One broken for all. There is the what of sickness and unaffordable healthcare. There is what of uncertain futures. There is the what of broken relationships that have left the buries on emotions, egos and bodies. There is the what of an unceasing flow of violence as person strikes person. There is what of all that we hold most dear. The what of things that we think people will need to hear.
As we go about this task of preaching, which we all find ourselves being called to one way or another, all of these whats begin to coalesce and collide forming the storm that threatens the very fabric of our material and physical existence. They seem to demand our attention, just as much as they demand the attention of those who will come to hear from us God’s word.These whats are, after all, the whats of life, or at least, life as we most often perceive it. Here we find ourselves not to far removed from where the disciples in our text sit. Surely each of us, at one time or another in our efforts to preach will be battered by the waves of life’s whats and in desperation, or anguish, or frustration, or even righteous indignation we will call out to the Who. We might even, like the disciples, have the gaul built up to ask if he even cares for us...But here in this moment, at this time of desperation, is where for the disciples in the text and us in our lives that it all turns. Here the whats of life twist off into the shockingly unexpected... the always hoped for mischief of God. Here we have encountered, come face to face with, the Who of life.
Who is this that even the wind and the waves obey him? It is here in this line, this open question that we are invited into this text most deeply and most profoundly. It is here where we learn that it is not the What’s of life that we are to preach but the WHO. It is here that we are invited to lay hold of the claim that this text is making on us. It is here that we discover this Who is Jesus of Nazareth, Jesus the Christ. Jesus, Incarnate of God, Emmanuel, the risk of God with us. That is what this Markan narrative wants to work among us. It wants to pry our attention away from the infinite amount of what’s that consume us...the whats that threaten to rob life, true life, from our preaching and ultimately our souls. This text wants to rub our noses in the Who, in the one Who is the Son of God in power and glory, who is the crucified one, the resurrected one. the salvation of us all. Here Mark wants to form us as preachers not of the whats of life but of the Who of life. May this always and ever be the gospel you preach. For if we are to get any hearing with the whats of life it can only be through the Who of life. For in order, to really bring good news to the poor, release to the captives, sight to the blind, peace to the afflicted, is to bring them Jesus, the Son of God, the one to whom even wind and sea are obedient. Amen.

This is for Dave...

Fri, 3 Oct 2008 09:30:49 -0400

Ἐν ἀρχῇ ἦν ὁ λόγος, καὶ ὁ λόγος ἦν πρὸς τὸν θεόν, καὶ θεὸς ἦν ὁ λόγος.

A Sermon

Sat, 27 Sep 2008 23:05:46 -0400

Here is a printed sermon delivered by one of my professors, Luke Powery, at the start of classes last fall. If you enjoy a good word, then I suggest you give it a read. It may not carry the same lively effect on the page as it did in person but I believe it will still inspire you to a deeper faith. So with out further comment, here you go:

www.ptsem.eduhttp://digital.library.ptsem.edu/default.xqy?src=PSB2007283.xml&div=4

The Advent of Class by Eric

Sun, 14 Sep 2008 22:23:52 -0400

Syllabi are being posted to the internet, welcome celebrations are occurring, old connections are reestablished and new ones are forged. Football pads collide on saturdays. Ah, Yes! It must be the being of a new term. But not just any term. It is the Fall Term, Long Term that is. Poised with potential and fierce with hope, it will be out of the gate, round the bend and down the straight-a-way before too long a time has past. But that would be racing off ahead. For now, I will just sit and relish in the moment of the ever eternal present. Perhaps, great things are approaching.

Things to look forward to:
New and Insightful Paper posts
Quick Writes
Maybe even some dead languages
And of course a story or two

Time For Baking

Fri, 5 Sep 2008 19:54:21 -0400

Today Jessica and I are making apple crisp and getting to know some more of our new neighbors. Food and fun usually go together, so it should be a good time. Hopefully we won’t burn it, though. Our oven does not have the best track record. It sure smells good. More insightful things will be forthcoming. For now, you should all go make at least one new friend. (Hint: Food helps).

peace

Thoughts About Dog Parks by Eric

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 18:17:14 -0400

So Jess and I have developed the regular habit of taking our rambunctious little ball of energy, who happens to respond to the name Cody, to the dog park. I’ve decided that the dog park is an interesting place. You encounter all manner of people and dogs at the park. You get little prissy dogs and really large and powerful ones, too. Mostly, though, it is a place where one and all come to blow off some pent up steam. There’s barking and running, sniffing and rolling. All in all its a good time. Yet, what strikes me as most entertaining of all is the friendly nature of the people you meet there. Now, while, most folks know the name of your dog long before they know your own name, they truly are friendly. There is small talk, shared laughter and excitement over the goings ons of various puppies. There is also a sense of familiarity and neighborliness, as most of the dog park folks are repeat visitors. The reason this is all so striking and note worthy is the simple fact that in the harsh exterior culture of most new jerseyan (sp?) this space of the dog park is sacred. It is one of the few bastions of openness and friendliness. You typically won’t find it at the market or in the department store or on the street corner. But at the dog park, it exists in abundance. Also, Cody really, really, really likes going. Overall, it has been a good summer habit to pick up. Hopefully it will continue. Who knows maybe we’ll make some friends out of the whole ordeal.

The Task of a Minister by Eric

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 23:53:42 -0400

A minister is a leader, a companion, a friend, a counselor and many other things. They are responsible for serving the Body of Christ with love and humility. They spur people on to lives of faithful discipleship and create a shared vision for the life of the community that is grounded in who God is. The lead in worship not in monolithic ways but by inviting others to take an active role in offering praise and service to God. They open eyes, ears and hearts to the works and ways of God. They point to places where God may be active and moving in the community and encourage people to join this work. The equip their congregations through preaching and teaching. They help people find and develop the skills of theological reflection and thinking. They partner with the congregation in seeking to faithfully witness to the God revealed in Jesus Christ. The lead by example and participant actively in the communities in which they live, work and play. They model a balanced life that is live in the rhythm of God’s sabbath rest. They practice spiritual disciplines and invite they congregations to join with them. They offer ways to adapt these and allow people to find meaningful practices that nourish their souls. They offer administrative guidance and leadership. They moderate session meetings. They make visits to members of the Body who are in need and equip others to help identify and meet these needs. They are attentive to the word of God and seek to foster this attentiveness in the lives of their people. They are charged with the responsibility caring for the people of God. They are leaders by and according to the example of Christ. They seek to serve and love the people God gives them. They seek to lead them into lives of full and vibrant witness to the God that is for humanity.

I am Tired by Eric

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 23:25:30 -0400

the title says it all. I have been sick (sinus infection) and I have not had a day off since last Sunday. I am on call tomorrow, which equals another long day. But hopefully sometime toward the end of the week I may be able to put up something of substance. I do have a mid-unit evaluation due for CPE soon. Oh and my CPE pals are amazing, though none of them actually read this. One day they might and that day they will be reminded that they are amazing. The end for now.

Sorry for the Scarcity on Posting

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 17:44:31 -0400

Due to the fact that I am doing CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education) this summer I have not been regularly posting my thoughts. For the most part I am completely drained at the end of the day and the last thing on my mind is putting up a post. This aside, my CPE experience has been a good one thus far. I am learning much about being in a pastoral role, listening to people and developing trust with people. The days have also been emotional roller coasters. Each room presents a different set of issues, concerns and people. Some are dealing with the immanent death of a loved one. In many, cases this is a very new and sudden circumstance. Others are just in for routine stuff. Others are frustrated and impatient with all the waiting and testing that occurs. Others are depressed and lonely. Some are optimistic and hopeful. It is an up and down job. Most of the relationships are forged and gone within the same hour. All of this make for a hard day. Yet there are special moments when I get to be part of people’s most sacred life moments. It is a joy to watch God work in these times. It is also a joy to begin to feel pastoral in these moments as well. So that is all for now. Perhaps more thoughts will follow.