From SIN to Texas!

I am back! The title though catchy also explains my blog absence. SIN is not, in this case, a statement on my spiritual status, though as a good Lutheran I affirm that I am simultaneously saint and sinner.
In this case though, SIN describes my physical status -- SIN is the international code for Changi Airport in Singapore. I was in Singapore and Malaysia for a vacation. Fascinating experience. I will share a few more reflections about the religious situations shortly. Right now, I am recovering from some 30 hours in transit and a 13 hour time change to be back in Texas. When I catch up with myself, I will have more about the transition from SIN to Texas!

Confirmation Class -- The Last Summer Friday

Collin and Robert joined me for a Summer Confirmation class session today. We squeezed in a bit more of the Old Testament before they get re-absorbed into the school routine on Monday morning. Our small class is a joy as we think about Scripture, ask about God, learn some tradition, and share life. May God bless our sessions as well after school starts! Thanks, guys.

Atomic Testing Museum -- Las Vegas, Nevada

At the Atomic Testing Museum in Las Vegas, Nevada (several blocks East of Las Vegas' more famous attractions), one is introduced to the background and marvelous science of the hundreds of atomic tests performed in the Nevada desert North of Las Vegas from the 1950's until 1992. The quiet of the museum contrasted starkly with the noise and glitz of the Vegas Strip. I have visited the museums of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, Alamogordo and Los Alamos in New Mexico, and Washington state's Tri-Cities previously to learn about the development of the American nuclear weapons ... and their use.
As a child of the nuclear era (yes, I learned to kneel in the school hall and cover my neck in case of a nuclear attack), I am enthralled by the spirit of the developers (scientists and others), the technological breakthroughs, and the scope of planning and development necessary. But I am also appalled by the threat in those gleaming products.
As a Christian, I wonder why God allowed humans to discover the secrets or even the prior question, why God allowed the possiblity of nuclear destruction even to exist?
As a human, I am hopeful, but confused, by the comment of one scientist's comments recorded at the Las Vegas museum, who stated that the nuclear testing proved that we could never use the weapons but he also recognized the value in having them -- Not to be used, but certainly to be possessed. Can we humans really handle that much power? Are recent efforts to reduce nuclear weapons really adequate? And, of course, what about the terrorists? Will we become the victims of our own weapons' development?

"The Passion of the Christ" - Final Summer Film

Last night, a biblical number of persons gathered for a viewing of "The Passion of the Christ" at First United Lutheran Church. It was our final Summer film.
Seven of us watched the graphic account of those last hours of Jesus life on earth. Seven of us watched through the closing that hinted at the power of the Easter resurrection and the new world possible. The movie itself almost drenches the viewer in blood and suffering. We asked whether all that was necessary. Apparently it was necessary for Jesus to suffer, die, and be buried. Is it enough for us to affirm that in our statement of beliefs every Sunday or do we need Hollywood to portray it graphically? The audience was mixed in opinion, but thankful that Christ went through the Passion and introduced the Resurrection!

"The Hurt Locker" -- The challenge of Iraq

Once more a movie review -- The Hurt Locker. This is an excellent film, small budget but so engaging. Oscar-worthy comes to mind.
It follows a crew of bomb disposal folks working in Iraq (actually filmed in Jordan). It deals with so many things: the countdown of tour, mixed relations with Iraqis, difficulty of urban warfare, boredom of soldiers, personalities of soldiers, and, most of all, the tension and detail of dealing with IEDs (improvised explosive devices).
The cast is amazing (with some interesting cameos) -- excellent actors all in this film. I felt like I was there with them -- even more engaging than the old BBC "Danger UXB" series. Also, it is relatively without political overtones, so it allows the viewer to engage with the soldiers apart from political persuasion.

Go see it.

Pray for the soldiers. Pray for the people of Iraq. Pray for an end to IEDs.

Bruno Schlachtenhaufen Rest in God's Peace

This month's The Lutheran magazine brings notice of the passing of the Rev. Bruno Schlachtenhaufen.
Among his other services to the Lord and his neighbors, he directed the Seminary Appeal for the old American Lutheran Church during the years I attended Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. I remember his name because I had the responsibility to announce his presence on campus with an invitation for any interested persons to meet with him. I had this announcement duty during the Chapel time when hundreds gathered for worship. I sweated out the pronunciation of his name -- not wanting to sound silly in front of the crowds, nor to hurt Bruno Schlachtenhaufen's feelings. When it came time for announcements, all the consonants and vowels rolled out beautifully. (I was even complimented by several persons afterward for my precise pronunciation.) Ever after, when I needed a great pastor's name to throw out for illustration, I fell back on Bruno Schlachtenhaufen.
Now, I read that he has passed on to his promised place with God. I think I may still use his name as it is tough to beat it, but I shall also momentarily reflect every time on the transitory nature of this world -- its duties, worries, calls to service, concern about possessions, praises for actions, and opportunities for service. And I shall remember the divine promise given to Bruno Schlachtenhaufen, fulfilled now in his passing. Requiescat in pace.

The Bible: In the Beginning ...

The Bible: In the Beginning ...
This was indeed indeed "In the Beginning" of our Summer "Reel Religion" film festival at First United. About a dozen folks showed up on Wednesday at 7:00pm to watch John Huston's interestingly conservative treatment of the subject (the first 22 chapters or so of Genesis). Perhaps the "Free Popcorn" was the big draw, but I think we all enjoyed the Hollywood-scale treatment of this very religious subject matter. It was interesting to do a little research and discover that the film was not a great money-maker at its release. In fact, many consider it to be the last of the Biblical Epics that Hollywood churned out from the late 1940's through 1966. I think the mid to late 1960's really challenged everything that went before. Even the Adam character (Michael Parks) followed this movie with his 1969 TV series "Then Came Bronson" where he played a restless youth trying to discover himself as he motorcycled on the highways of America. Maybe as the country reevaluated everything, the Bible seemed archaic. Here over 40 years later I think the film holds up as a faithful retelling of the early chapters of Genesis, though Huston is a bit goofy as Noah in my opinion. Catch it on DVD if you were not there on Wednesday!
(Next Wednesday, July 29, "The Nativity" from 2007! And there is more Free Popcorn!)

My Sister's Keeper

This tear-jerker, My Sister's Keeper, is out right now in wide release. Actually not bad for its type of movie. (Though I would prefer Star Trek again if I was going to repeat a movie.) What I noticed in this movie about young life, young death, a family's coping, questions of afterlife, and organ donation issues was a lack of reference to traditional faith. Only after one character's death do we see a pastor in the rain at a funeral. Prior to that, the family is on their own; no church friends are mentioned; no chaplain or pastor visits in the hospital; and the characters speak abstractly about the soul and wonder about what comes after this life. Are we that post-church today? Is there no one to speak about the faith, about the promises related to the afterlife? Are children growing up with no real concept of something, some certain hope after death? I pray that the church (that is, all the people of God) find a way to share our faith message because Hollywood rarely even gives us a nod nowadays. And we cannot simply be left for the last ceremony or be left out in the rain.

Arts Festival Accomplished!

We survived! No, we thrived!
The Midsummer Arts Festival came and went and we were inspired! Thanks to all the musicians. As one audience member commented: "How do they keep all that in their heads?" Well, they didn't. The music flew from head to finger to instrument and voice. Amazing music! I forget sometimes what a marvelous space we have for music -- the sound just rolls through the building and envelops a listener. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful -- what more can be said?
The audience enjoyed adding their voices through the Folk Songs, and they must have enjoyed them because when the lead-choir offered to skip one, the audience cried out to sing that one too. Next year, we need more sing-along time.
The ongoing Fine Arts dealt beautifully with the theme of "Despair to Hope" -- thanks go out to those who lent the pictures and graphics on display. And we had some tasty treats to sample as the beauty was appreciated.
The Vespers service was moving for those who spoke German and those of us who can keep up with some German. I think even the English-only speakers were captured by the beauty of the Abendgebet (Evensong / Evening Prayer). And then the Order of St. John fed us royally with delicious grilled Brats (and what was in those beer cups?)
We survived! We thrived! Or hearts were raised at Midsummer!

Getting Ready for the Half-Christmas Celebration!

When our children were younger, we held half-birthday celebrations for them, especially since my son's birthday was in July and otherwise he would miss marking the occasion at school. I have some misgivings about that now, since they still do not want to give the practice up and they are both in their twenties! But I digress. This coming Sunday, First United Lutheran Church is repeating a kind of half-Christmas Celebration -- a MidSummer Arts Festival close to the Nativity of St John the Baptist Day (June 24). On the 28th of June, we shall bring out the Arts indeed in celebration of John the Baptist as well as being half a year towards Christmas. We have pianists from child prodigies in the SMU Youth program to Cliburn Competition finalists. We have singers -- a South African and folks leading traditional German folk songs. Then we will offer a German Vespers service. The evening concludes with a Beer and Brats fest!
Christmas is a great time of the year. We hope to make half-Christmas a joyful, fun, and worshipful time as well.