I should of watched it in seminary. It should of been required reading and viewing. If I had a PhD I’d teach it at a seminary as part of a required theology of ministry class for pastors prior to going into the pastorate and I’d teach it to seasoned pastors as well. At the suggestion of a friend, who saw the parallel in my own ministry and call and the themes found in the movie, I recently watched Lilies of the Field.
In William Barrett’s book, “Lilies of the Field,” made into a big screen movie in 1963 with Sidney Poitier as the lead actor has so much to offer the church today as the church struggles with its call as the body of Christ in the world. The movie cost about a quarter of a million dollars and Poitier would win the Academy Award for Best Actor and would be the first African American to win the award in the US.
I have to watch again in order to pick it apart. I might even watch clips and blog about the clips. I will seriously think about it.
Our friend Jenny had this picture on one of her web sites. Hard to believe its been almost 7 years since we’ve lived in Jersey and that I graduated from seminary.
Recently went to an LA Chamber Orchestra/Chris Thile concert with some folks and got turned on to some Aaron Copland. While I was doing some youtube surfing looking for some Copland music, I came across this little clip. A simple reminder to be grateful to God for what God has done for us and given to us. Enjoy.
Attentive Grace comes to mind when I think of the overall theme of the movie, “The Blind Side.” Seeing the potential in someone is something that many are capable of doing. Yet there are many who are afraid to practice this kind of love for fear of what could happen. ”Big Mike” and Lee Anne Tuohy actually intersect in the movie when the Tuohy family as they’re driving home from a school function, sees Michael Oher walking in the rain, wearing only a shirt and shorts. Lee Anne steps out of the ordinary in her life of success and blessings and asks Michael about his situation and whether or not he had a place to stay. She does the unthinkable and the Oher family brings Michael home and he sleeps on their couch and would eventually become part of the Tuohy family as the movie unfolds.
The movie reminded me of a dear friend in my life that both my wife and I love very much. Clark resembled for me what it means to be attentive to the grace of God in the world. Clark and his wife when I was around 18 years old offered to house me in their home. The reason Clark wanted to do this was that I needed a place to live and I needed to find some structure and stability in my life. Clark wanted me to consider furthering my education by attending the local community college which was a 10-15 minute walk from his home. He and his wife went out of their way to make it possible for me to attend, they fed me, and saw to it that I got to church when I needed to get to church. Clark was aware of my home life growing up and although couldn’t really relate to the situation I had come from, understood his designated role in my life as a follower of Jesus. Clark and his wife Margie were what the larger church should be when it comes to loving the people of God where the church resides in its context and where it is placed by God in the world.
Leigh Anne Tuohy saw the injustice of a young man who needed more than just a break. She saw a child of the king who needed grace and at one point in the movie recognizes what Michael was doing for her and how he was a blessing to her. How do we bring both worlds together that are found in the movie and that by all means exist in our churches? Being attentive to God’s grace means learning how to watch and listen. Listen for where the needs exist. Be aware of the injustices that with God’s help can be corrected and most of all being responsive to those moments in your life where you are called upon to be a blessing to someone else even if there are risks?
We finally saw the movie, “The Blind Side,” this past weekend. I have lots to say and little time to formulate. Although I never went on to become a start athlete, I will say that I resonate with the movie because if it weren’t for a few folks in my life as a youth who practiced what it meant to be the family of God, I would not be where I’m at today in my life as a follower of Jesus, husband, father, and pastor. Promise to blog some in a couple of days.
Leading up to Easter we’re beginning a series of sermons on prayer and the Lord’s Prayer out of Luke 11:1-13. This comes out of a desire for our church to become more of a praying church that prays for one another and for its neighborhood. I told the church this past Sunday that this is a project that, “doesn’t cost us a single dime.” What I’m hoping is that folks will start becoming open to the idea that when we pray, our prayers are a means of worshiping God and for being in conversation with God. Often our prayers are like a game of tug of war with God, “If you do this for me Lord, I’ll do this for you.” How do we move to a place of truly talking with God and allowing ourselves to come to God with an openness that brings to him our needs and our desires like a child goes to a parent when they need or want something?
Luke 11
1 One day he was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said, “Master, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples.” 2-4So he said, “When you pray, say,
Father,
Reveal who you are.
Set the world right.
Keep us alive with three square meals.
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.”
5-6Then he said, “Imagine what would happen if you went to a friend in the middle of the night and said, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread. An old friend traveling through just showed up, and I don’t have a thing on hand.’
7“The friend answers from his bed, ‘Don’t bother me. The door’s locked; my children are all down for the night; I can’t get up to give you anything.’
8“But let me tell you, even if he won’t get up because he’s a friend, if you stand your ground, knocking and waking all the neighbors, he’ll finally get up and get you whatever you need.
9“Here’s what I’m saying:
Ask and you’ll get;
Seek and you’ll find;
Knock and the door will open.
10-13“Don’t bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This is not a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we’re in. If your little boy asks for a serving of fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate? If your little girl asks for an egg, do you trick her with a spider? As bad as you are, you wouldn’t think of such a thing—you’re at least decent to your own children. And don’t you think the Father who conceived you in love will give the Holy Spirit when you ask him?”
