Dave Zuchelli's Blog, page 32

Going Vs. Staying

[image error] There’s always been an area of tension in Christianity about where we should serve. Every Christian is called to serve—somehow, in some capacity, somewhere. If we don’t understand that concept, we need to get back to basics.

This area of tension is that of going vs. staying. You can make a good case from Scripture that we should be on the move. We should be going into the world to make disciples. We should be out in some sort of mission field.

The most obvious argument from that viewpoint can be made by pointing to Matthew 20:19 where Jesus gives us the Great Commission to “go” make disciples. We can’t make them by hiding out at home or even in some church building. Going is not always comfortable, but it’s certainly Biblical. I remember the late Keith Green saying we’re all called to go, and we should only stay if God specifically tells us to do so.

Would That Make Sense?

On the other hand, there’s a lot to be said for staying as well. We can’t all go (at least, I don’t think we can). Someone’s got to hold down the fort. Besides, if we all head out into the hinterlands, who’s going to minister to our current neighborhood? A missionary from somewhere else would have to take our place. I’m not sure that would make much sense.

The arguments for staying are encapsulated by sayings such as “bloom where you’re planted” and “brighten the corner where you are.” One making this argument might actually point to the passage where Jesus tells the disciples they will be his witnesses in Jerusalem and Judea (Acts 1:8) as well as the rest of the world. Jerusalem and Judea was home to those folks. So, for them at least, ministry was to begin at home.

Consequently, we’re back where we started. We have the same old tension. Do we go because we’re sent, or do we stay because God put us here? There’s no easy answer except to seek out God’s wisdom and clarity.

Going While Staying

Not to attempt a stab at an easy way out, but I would suggest a third route is opening to us these days (and maybe a fourth). With the spread of the internet, our ministry can be much larger and deeper than it ever was before. We can reach people in places we’ll never be able to go. I understand there’s no substitute for face-to-face, hand-in-hand relationships, but electronic media can go a long way toward plugging the gaps.

[image error]There’s also this. The church as we know it is dying. Old, formerly burgeoning congregations are dwindling. The institutional church is capped by white hair. She is becoming less relevant by the day.

To avert a total demise, God seems to be raising up new, creative ministries to take the place of the old, dying ones. This means we can “go” into God’s new thing while we “stay” in the hood. I can’t wait to see how God puts it all together.

[Dave Zuchelli is a graduate of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and is currently the pastor of Smith Chapel, in Great Falls, VA.]

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Let’s Sharpen Our Pencils

[image error] A friend of mine likes to use the old idiom, “Let’s sharpen our pencils.” Like many idioms, it doesn’t really mean what it’s saying. Literally, it might mean that your pencil is okay for drawing a rough sketch, but it will need to be sharpened when you’re getting into the finer work. This isn’t what my friend is suggesting.

When she uses this phrase, she’s referring to getting down into the details of a business deal to haggle over the figures, benefits, and offers that can sweeten the deal. When the general principle is agreed upon, then it’s time to sharpen our pencils and sort out the nitty-gritty.

I love it when she says this. In fact, I love idioms in general. I often wonder what they would sound like to a visitor from another planet (or another country for that matter). For example, what would someone picture in their mind if I told them I “hot-footed it over to their house?” It paints a graphic picture that has no basis in reality.

“None of these things mean what they say.”

Think about some of the idioms we use every day. “Turn a blind eye.” “It’s raining cats and dogs.” “Hit the nail on the head.” “This is a piece of cake.” “It costs an arm and a leg.” “He thinks you hung the moon.” The list is endless.

None of these things mean what they say. Still, we all know what the speaker intends when he or she utters them. It’s an amazing phenomenon (at least, in my mind it is).

Every language has idioms. Every culture has them. Most of them are peculiar to the language or culture from which they come.[image error] The Bible is no exception. Indeed, one of the barriers to understanding Scripture is the use of the idioms of Biblical times.

A more famous one (which many people have come to understand) is the term from Genesis where it says that Adam “knew” Eve. It sounds quite innocuous. However, it was an idiom referring to the fact that they had sexual relations. Now that’s getting to know someone.

Another one in Genesis 5:24 is “God took him away.” Sounds a bit like he’s going on vacation, doesn’t it? It really means that he died. Some vacation…

“Biting the Dust”

Genesis is rife with these babies. Here’s one. “He will wash his garments in wine” (Genesis 49:11). This simply means he’s going to own lots of vineyards.

Sometimes we take these ancient idioms and adopt them for our own. For example, “biting the dust” comes from Psalm 72:9. There, it uses the verb to “lick,” but it’s a short distance from licking to biting. One of the more famous (and oft used) of these is, “like a drop in the bucket” (Isaiah 40:15). A few more include, “I am nothing but skin and bones” (Job 19:20), “put word’s in one’s mouth” (2 Samuel 14:3), and “in the twinkling of an eye” (1 Corinthians 15:52).

All I can say is, “There’s nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9).

[Dave Zuchelli is a graduate of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and is currently the pastor of Smith Chapel, in Great Falls, VA.]

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Where Are We Now? The Pendulum Swingeth!

Do you ever just stop, look around, and wonder where we are? I don’t mean where we are physically. I mean, do you ever ask yourself where we are as a society, as a culture, and (for all you Christians out there) as a church? I ask myself that a lot.[image error]Life can become bewildering at times. That may be true now more than ever. I can’t imagine things being more confusing at any other time in history.

I know people always say that’s true of every age. Every generation thinks things couldn’t get any worse. Yet, things just seem to be absolutely nuts these days.

I suppose much of my perception stems from the fact that we know so much in our era. We have technology that feeds us information 24/7/365. We can travel like no other generation ever could. On top of all that, we seem to have more leisure time than ever before. Consequently, we’re bombarded from all sides with way more than we’d ever want to know or learn.

“A Paralyzing Force”

Too much information is a paralyzing force. At least, it is for my feeble brain. I can’t process everything that enters the portals of my eyes, ears, and brain (not to mention my other sensory organs). Because of that, I’m often held captive by the last thing I heard or saw.

As a result of all this, my thought life often feels like it’s on a pendulum. One day I think things are going to be okay. The next day I can’t imagine ever being able to surface from the quagmire we call life. Coming up for air can be a struggle.

It’s no wonder so many people take their own lives. Coping must seem like an impossible task for myriads of folks. Taking the next step must feel like stumbling off a cliff in the dark.

Take the church, for example. There are days when I feel we’re so irrelevant we could never recover. Sometimes I think we need to get back to first century Christianity. Their vitality and passion was off the charts.

“Join us in our morass.”

[image error]Then the pendulum swings back and I’m jolted into a cycle where I’m attempting to move into the twenty-first century. In those times I think most of our irrelevance is due to the fact that we’ve been stuck in the sixteenth century Reformation period. We’ve been there for so long, we think everyone should join us in our morass.

Sometimes I think I’m trying too hard. Other times I think I’m not doing nearly enough. Most of the time, I just hope I’m right where the Lord wants me to be.

Miriam Webster’s Collegiate Encyclopedia defines a pendulum as “a weight suspended from a pivot so that it can swing freely. Unfortunately, that seems to describe my life to a tee (all too often). I feel like a dead weight being pushed around by everything that’s happening around me.

 Swinging freely is not always a great feeling. Nevertheless, I’m enjoying the ride.

[Dave Zuchelli is a graduate of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and is currently the pastor of Smith Chapel, in Great Falls, VA.]

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Brew Like a Monk

[image error]I just received a brochure from my old seminary. I don’t always pay much attention to these advertisements, but this one caught my eye. I live a bit too far away to take advantage of many of their programs, but I may have to make an exception for this one.

This particular brochure was announcing “a spiritual formation elective.” The names for such elective courses and seminars can be rather innocuous at times. One often sees titles such as “A Walk with Jesus,” or “Conversations with the Spirit of God.” This one seemed like an interesting departure from the “same old, same old.”

“Brew Like a Monk”

The title is “Brew Like a Monk: Fermentation as Spiritual Practice.” How can you pass up a class like that? It’s certainly not something you see every day. Pre-registration for this baby might go through the roof. One thing’s for sure. I need to beef up the titles of my retreats and seminars. They pale in comparison.

The description of the program reads as follows:

“For centuries, beer has been a means for spiritual growth—from monks embracing the contemplative process of brewing ‘liquid bread’ to the ways it has stimulated meaningful conversations when shared. Fermentation as well provides a rich metaphor for the transformation into which the Spirit invites us. Come explore the connections among beer, monastic practice, and spiritual ‘fermentation.’”

Take awhile to let that description soak in.

I particularly like the reference to beer as “liquid bread.” I guess I may have heard it put that way before, but it’s been awhile. It’s definitely catchy.

I Googled the phrase (isn’t that what we all do these days?) and discovered there’s a gastro pub in Campbell, California with that name. It’s not too far from San Jose in case you happen to get out that way.

There’s also a magazine with that title that publishes “beer news.” I know a few people that would love this mag. It, too, is based in California (where else?), centering in and around the bay area of San Francisco.

“Is Beer Actually Liquid Bread?”

In my research, I ran across an interesting article that asked the literary question, “Is Beer Actually Liquid Bread?” You may want to check it out. I won’t tell you the answer here. It was also published by a California concern.

[image error]There definitely seems to be a pattern emerging. I checked, however, and found that the leader of the seminary program seems to be from Pennsylvania. I guess California doesn’t have the liquid bread thing all locked up after all.

Actually, the history of beer is a long and storied one. Archaeological evidence for it dates back to 3000 BC (or thereabouts). There are many references to it in Scripture, although many of those don’t place its usage in such a good light. I guess that’s understandable considering how we human beings tend to abuse this noble beverage.

If I can find the time (and the money), I just may have to head back to seminary for a few days.

[Dave Zuchelli is a graduate of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and is currently the pastor of Smith Chapel, in Great Falls, VA.]

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The F-Bomb

 [image error]It’s a four-letter word. It begins with the letter “F.” People drop it all the time like it’s harmless (which, of course, it’s not). I’m sick of it!

As you have probably guessed, I’m speaking of food. This habitual word has become the bane of my existence. I just wish I could stop thinking about it. Unfortunately, someone drops that bomb every time I turn around. If they would just stop reminding me of these costly calories, maybe I could make some headway in the wonderful world of dieting.

For much of my life, I was something of a skinny guy. I never had to worry about my waistline, and I certainly didn’t worry about what I ate. It was a beautiful existence.

Things have changed, and I’m not happy about it. There were a couple of times in my life when I gained considerable poundage. My face got chubby, and my overall appearance became a little roly-poly. I was able to deal with those issues in each case and got back down to fighting condition.

“Something weird happened…”

But, something weird happened when I turned sixty-five. I put on weight. In and of itself, this was not overly alarming. What was unusual about this time around was where I put it. My face remained thin, my legs skinny, and my butt is almost non-existent. Every last ounce seems to have been packed onto my midsection. In a phrase, I have a belly to beat the band. I hate it.

Apparently, I don’t hate it enough to lose it though. Every day, I keep stoking the fire. Even when I lose a few pounds, the belly protrudes. It’s just not fair. I’ve got what used to be known as “preacher’s disease,” and I’m not liking it.

I was hoping to find some theological reason for my current condition, but I can’t seem to dredge one up. It seems it’s not particularly Biblical to be overweight. There is one possibility I’m working on that does show some promise.

Eating With Sinners

If you read the Gospels (particularly the Gospel of Luke), you see Jesus eating with almost everyone. He eats with Pharisees, sinners, disciples, tax collectors, and rebellious women. There was something about breaking bread together that fed into (no pun intended) his understanding of community.

My guess is, a good number of those people had less than desirable eating habits. If we’re going to follow in the Lord’s footsteps, we too must eat with all these types of carnivores and pastaterians. I’ve been accused of having a sweet tooth, but it’s merely part of my ministry of consumption.

Still, Jesus is always pictured as being rather bony. While we don’t really know his body type, he did walk everyw[image error]here he went (something I’m not prone to do). He probably was on the slender side. On the other hand, I was really slim at thirty-three too.

I guess the Biblical argument for my belly fat is pretty thin (a condition to which I’d like to return).

[Dave Zuchelli is a graduate of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and is currently the pastor of Smith Chapel, in Great Falls, VA.]

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Urine, Urout

[image error]Maybe I’m a prude, or maybe I’m a bit too modest. Maybe I’m just way too self-conscious. But, there are some things I just can’t bring myself to do.

I just saw a picture of a public urinal that would take a bit of getting used to. When I say public urinal, I mean PUBLIC! All the correct body parts appear to be hidden from view, but there’s no doubt as to what you’re doing as you’re standing in one of these things.

I’ve also noticed that there are a few different variations on this theme. Some of them have you facing away from the public. Others actually have you staring into the eyes of onlookers. I’m not sure, but I think things would get locked up for me at that point. There would be no flow, as it were. It would definitely be a stressful situation. I just hope I never have to use one.

“They come in handy…”

Come to think of it, I’m not all that crazy about public restrooms either. They certainly come in handy for an old guy like me, but many of them leave a bit to be desired as well.

[image error]On the other hand, I’ve been in a few (a very few) that were as nice as my bathroom at home. The problem with those, however, is there is usually a guy at the door waiting for a tip. He usually supplies you with a paper towel and a little cologne. Still, I think I’d rather handle all that on my own.

I guess I’m just a pansy about these things. I’ve traveled abroad enough to know we’ve got it pretty nice in the states. For the most part, public restrooms here are a joy compared with some I’ve seen overseas.

That makes me wonder what it must have been like back in the days of Jesus. I’ve never seen a study done on such things, but it would be an interesting read if one existed. This seems like an important piece of history, and it gives new meaning to the old question—WWJD (what would Jesus do?).

“It’s just a fact of life.”

I’ve heard a few minor discussions here and there concerning the toiletry habits of various cultures. I can’t vouch for the veracity of any of those conversations, but one fact remains. Wherever there are people, there have to be restrooms, outhouses, latrines, or some sorts of waste management systems. I don’t mean to be crude. It’s just a fact of life.

[image error]The Bible doesn’t make many references to these sorts of things, so a lot can’t be learned there. There is the occasional mention of dung piles and such, but not much can be gleaned from that. I did find a fascinating website that deals with such subjects. In case you’re interested, it’s called The Toilet Guru. I have to say, I love that name.

I’m guessing it was from the New Testament period that we got the phrase, “Holy Crap!” I could be wrong, however.

[Dave Zuchelli is a graduate of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and is currently the pastor of Smith Chapel, in Great Falls, VA.]

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Memorial Day Way

 

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Today, as you all know, is Memorial Day. On this day we’ve got parades, a few firecrackers, picnics, cookouts, races, sales, festivals, road closures, concerts, motorcycle rides, family reunions, ball games, and even some memorial services. These are just to name a few.

The real reason for Memorial Day, of course, is to commemorate those brave men and women who died in defense of our nation. It’s a federal holiday, so most everyone is off work and celebrate it one way or another (whether they recognize the real reason for it or not).

Decoration Day

I remember growing up in a time when lots of people referred to it as Decoration Day. That was its original name, and it was tough to let it go. The big tradition was to decorate the graves of the fallen. This practice evolved into tending the graves of all your relatives. It often resulted in a swing by several local cemeteries to be sure that all the deceased kinfolks had flowers or a flag by their tombstones.

Things have changed over the years, but the meaning still holds. I suspect now fewer and fewer folks actually head to a burial ground on this day. Today, we do it through social media by the posting of a picture and a saying.

Because our society is so mobile, excursions to the family plots are far [image error]down our list. There are too many other destination spots available to do that. Consequently, we settle for posting our photographs, artwork, and maxims on social media sites. In a way, that’s rather sad. I miss the old days, but I must say, I embrace much of the new as well.

“I’m stirred by the reproductions…”

Some of the creative pix we see these days on sites like Instagram, Facebook, and Linked-In are rather amazing. A lot of the axioms are just as inspired and poignant. If I can’t get to my Dad’s gravesite, at least I can do it in spirit as I’m stirred by the reproductions I see online.

If you’re in the same boat as I, jump on your computer for a couple moments. Pull up the images and iconic mottos. There are some good ones and some that will burn into your psyche. Here are a few I just ran across:

“Memorial Day: Celebrate, Honor, Remember.” “All gave some… Some gave all.” “Land of the Free because of the Brave.” “They hover as a cloud of witnesses above this Nation.” “To those who courageously gave their lives… And those who bravely fight today.” And then there is the simple but powerful, “We will not forget.”

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For me, today will revolve around weddings. I will be performing one in a few short hours and will then be meeting with another couple who want me to do the same for them. It’s not my typical Memorial Day, but at least I’ll be in joyful service to someone.

So for now, I look at the pictures and read the words…and I remember…

[Dave Zuchelli is a graduate of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and is currently the pastor of Smith Chapel, in Great Falls, VA.]

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Here Comes the Bride

[image error]Like many of you, most days I find myself surfing the web for one thing or another. A couple days ago I was doing just that when I stumbled across a video that drew my interest. The video was about a bride, a groom, and a wedding.

Normally, I may not have given it a second look, but I recognized the bride’s name. I immediately realized I had performed her wedding (I’m so quick witted and all). So, I clicked on it to see if I had been made a star (I’m still looking for my fifteen minutes of fame).

As it turns out, I only made a cameo appearance in the video. Despite the fact that the bride was the center of attention (instead of the preacher), I not only found the video to be well done, it sincerely moved me.

“It struck me deeply…”

I think one of the reasons it struck me so deeply is that it stands in stark contrast to so much of what we see around us on a daily basis. The songs used as a soundtrack were worth the viewing (and listening) alone. But coupled with the footage of the bride’s preparation, the couples’ messages to each other, the ceremony, and the following celebration, the entire production was splendid.

I had performed this wedding a little over a year ago. Since then, I have officiated at almost twenty wedding ceremonies. Still, I remembered this one clearly (which is not always the case). It stood out in my mind because the venue was an open field in the country. The guys wore jeans and vests (and I got to wear jeans and my cowboy boots). Gotta love me a ceremony like that! I don’t mind putting on a tux, but I’m a ridge runner at heart.

The video took me back to that day in a rush of emotions. A year ago, my thoughts were to provide a simple but meaningful ceremony. The short film gave me a perspective I was not privy to on that day. I seldom get a real glimpse into the things, people, and circumstances that go into a day like that. My role is a small one. I pop in, do my thing, and I’m gone. That made the video even more exceptional for me.

“…a breath of fresh air.”

That video made my day. Actually, I think it may have made my week. I guess I’m just an old softie, but it was a highlight for me. I get a little tired of seeing the nastiness of social media and the way people verbally destroy each other. This video was a breath of fresh air.

As I read the Gospels, the bottom line for Jesus seemed to be one of love. Love God, and love your neighbor. We don’t seem to be very good at that in our society. I urge you to take a few minutes out and enjoy a small celebration of life the way it should be lived. Watch An American Honey Weds.

[Dave Zuchelli is a graduate of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and is currently the pastor of Smith Chapel, in Great Falls, VA.]

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French Fries at the Wailing Wall

[image error]I just saw the news that our president was in Jerusalem. The item I viewed told about the security necessary to keep the visit safe. During the news piece, they showed footage of the Wailing Wall (also known as the Western Wall). It reminded me of my own trip to Israel.

Going to Israel was one of the high points of my life. As we like to say, I’d go back in a heartbeat. There were so many emotional moments along the way; I couldn’t recount them all for you. Interestingly enough, the Wailing Wall wasn’t one of them.

I was at the Wall, and I prayed there. I even got my picture taken with my hand on the wall, bowing in prayer. As interesting and historical as it is, it still wasn’t one of the highlights of my trip.

“There are many ignoramuses like me.”

I’m not exactly sure why that is, but I’m pretty sure my headgear was part of the problem. Since the Western Wall is considered a holy site, everyone is required to cover his or her head. There were days on my trip that I wore a ball cap. On this day, however, I went without any head covering.

The Israeli’s are well aware that there are many ignoramuses like me who show up unprepared. In order to avoid any problems, they mete out free head coverings for anyone who doesn’t have one. This is where my Wall problem occurred.

Do you remember the old-fashioned, cardboard, French fry plates? You still see them around once in awhile; but these days, they’ve gone to a smaller, more streamlined version in most cases. When I was a kid, French Fries always came in the old, larger models (primarily because they gave you a lot of fries in those days).

Anyway, the head coverings we baldies received that day were similar to those old French fry plates. In fact, I think they were leftovers from the 1950s. I kept looking around for a hot dog stand, but I didn’t spot any. I was pretty sure my head would be greasy when I was finished praying. A little salt was expected as well.

A bobby pin was in order.

As it turns out, my hair was none the worse for wear when all was said and done. This, however, was not the worst of it. Picture yourself putting a French fry holder on your head.[image error]

Putting it there was not a big deal. Even I can handle the logistics of placing a cardboard hat (sic) on my head. The real trick, however, was keeping it there. At least the women could reach into their purses and pull out a bobby pin to hold theirs in place. I, on the other hand, was out of luck.

I spent the rest of my time at the Wall holding on to my hat (literally). I don’t remember what I prayed about that day (probably about ten seconds). All I can remember is, I was really hungry for French fries when I was finished.

[Dave Zuchelli is a graduate of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and is currently the pastor of Smith Chapel, in Great Falls, VA.]

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The Judas Question: Part II

[image error]My last blog (The Judas Question) dealt with the issue of Judas Iscariot and his betrayal of Jesus. I postulated that Judas might not have made up his mind to turn Jesus over to the authorities until the moment he was sent out from the Seder meal that fateful night (John 13:18-30). We’ll never know for sure (at least, not in this lifetime), but there’s no question Judas is one of the tragic figures in history.

I ended the blog by saying, “Maybe he really meant it when he asked Jesus, ‘Is it I, Master?’ I sometimes painfully wonder if I could have done the same.” I felt like I should follow up on those words lest they be misconstrued.

The Cesspool of manipulation

It’s not that I think I’m such a bad guy. It’s that, somewhere along the way, I realized I can be very manipulative if I’m not careful. I’ve caught myself manipulating situations, facts, and even people without even thinking about it. The goal is always to get things to turn out in my favor. I suspect I’m not alone in that cesspool.

I’ve worked hard to mend my ways over the years, but I still catch myself doing it from time to time. I sometimes wonder if it’s engrained in me. Maybe it’s a part of my fallen human nature. Wherever that problem stems from, I have to consciously deal with it.

That leads me back to Judas. I think one of the reasons Judas betrayed Jesus was to manipulate the situation (and Jesus). I’m guessing he wanted Jesus to step up, publically announce his role as Messiah, and deliver Israel from the hated Romans. Since Jesus didn’t seem to be moving very quickly in that direction, Judas may have felt a little push from him might be in order. If that was the case, he was being manipulative.

A Common Malady?

It’s a common malady, especially in our day. We’re quick to arrange and rearrange things to get the results we want. There are instances where that’s okay—even desirable. But when we’re dealing with the lives of others…not so much.

[image error]This may have been exactly where Judas found himself. He manipulated Jesus into a position where Jesus would either take control or die. It may have never occurred to Judas that Jesus would be so passive in such a situation. After all, he had seen the Lord raise the dead, heal the blind, and walk on water. Why would he stand by and allow his life to be cruelly and unjustly taken from him?

We now know why, and so does Judas. It’s little wonder that Judas took his own life shortly after Jesus lost his. He couldn’t live with what he had done. If only he had stuck around a couple more days.

My final line from last week pointed to the fact that I may have done the same thing of which Judas was guilty. I may have been my manipulative self. God help me. God help us all.

[Dave Zuchelli is a graduate of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and is currently the pastor of Smith Chapel, in Great Falls, VA.]

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