Author: Jason Morris

Methodist Coloring Book

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Growing up, I was a big fan of The Dead Milkmen. They are a funny little punk rock band. Sometimes, they found a way to poke fun at various groups of people and still make a point. They wrote a song called “Methodist Coloring Book” (see below), which is a hilarious little song about God sending people who color outside the lines to hell. Hilarious! And yet, aren’t Christians known for condemning people to hell over some seemingly minor issues???

Yesterday, as I was listening to Gungor’s “White Man“, I was reminded of how Christians (including myself) have a tendency to reduce the Gospel message into these nice little points of who God is, who God loves, who God hates, and who will get into heaven.

Different Christians will have different points determined by their culture, their past, their values, their political preferences.

And so, we hear Christians say things like:

– God is a ______ man (fill in the blank with your particular racial background)

– God is Father

– God is Mother

– God is neither male nor female

– God loves conservatives

– God hates liberals

– God loves white Americans

– God loves those who love Him/Her/It

– God hates Muslims

– God hates homosexuals

– Drinking is a sin

– Dancing is a sin

– Playing euchre is a sin

– God hates you

– The United States is God’s new chosen nation

– Only people who believe the same things I believe will get into heaven

So, these statements get out there and help create stereotypes and generalizations about Christians and Christianity. Often, these statements turn people away from the Christian faith…rather than draw them nearer. These statements reduce the beauty of the Gospel of grace, mercy, forgiveness, compassion, and love to a list of do’s and don’ts…a list of who is in and who is out…a list of generalizations that are often wrong.

The ones that really get me are when we try to decide who will and will not get into heaven. When we make statements along these lines…we’re really getting out there.  Jesus makes it fairly clear that we shouldn’t be too sure about who is in and who is out. We all might be in for a big surprise come the judgment day! I just hope you don’t color outside the lines!!!

Generally, I find that it’s best to focus on myself and try not to be too harsh on others. I’ve got enough baggage to work through that I simply don’t have the time to decide who is right, who is wrong, and who will get into heaven. At best, all I can do is cling to my faith and do my best to live out the hope I profess.

Jesus had some pretty solid words regarding these types of things…

“Don’t condemn others, and God won’t condemn you. God will be as hard on you as you are on others! He will treat you exactly as you treat them. You can see the speck in your friend’s eye, but you don’t notice the log in your own eye. How can you say, ‘My friend, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you don’t see the log in your own eye? You’re nothing but show-offs! First, take the log out of your own eye. Then you can see how to take the speck out of your friend’s eye.” ~Matthew 7:1-5

“Not everyone who calls me their Lord will get into the kingdom of heaven. Only the ones who obey my Father in heaven will get in. On the day of judgment many will call me their Lord. They will say, ‘We preached in your name, and in your name we forced out demons and worked many miracles.’  But I will tell them, ‘I will have nothing to do with you! Get out of my sight, you evil people!'” ~Matthew 7:21-23

 

Our Journey

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The past year has been an interesting one for the Morris clan.

We’ve experienced some great highs and some painful lows.

Highs would include the birth of our second daughter, Jocelyn…moving to the greater Lafayette area (which we absolutely enjoy)…moving to a new church (which is filled with amazing people…we love this place).

And, then there are the lows. The lows basically center around Emily’s health issues. And, while we are thrilled to be in Lafayette, we do miss our friends and family back in the Muncie area.

We have, at times, solicited prayers from our family, friends, and church. In regards to Emily’s health, we’ve been fairly private. But, the longer the journey, the more open we become.

Basically, it’s two-fold. Prior to moving to Lafayette, Emily was having issues with kidney stones (somewhat ignored in Muncie). She has had three procedures in the past 9-months to rid her of the stones. That seems to be behind her at this point.

At the same time, Emily is in the midst of a long battle for her health. She has been struggling with a very resistant form of c.difficile since April. She has good days. She has bad days. And, the bad days wipe her out.

We have been very fortunate to get connected with an ID specialist in Chicago. He is on the leading edge of treatment and very open to trying just about whatever it takes to get Emily on the path to healing. To find a positive out of having to go to Chicago regularly…the hospital is a block off of the Magnificent Mile. So, we get to do some shopping and eat at some great restaurants on our frequent trips to the city!

We have been very blessed to have high quality health insurance that has tremendously off-set the costs of medications and treatments. For example, one of the medications Emily  is on would be $6,000 without insurance. With insurance, it’s a $15 co-pay. So, though I have been known to rant about the high cost of my insurance (and, frankly, it is a bit ridiculous), I am definitely appreciative to have the benefits. Of course, we’re paying for it one way or another…but it’s nice not to have to pay it all out of pocket upfront!

We have been blessed by an amazing church! The people here have been amazing in offering prayers, meals, support, encouragement, and help throughout this journey. We couldn’t do this without you all! And, the church has been very understanding when I have needed to adjust my schedule to take Emily to Chicago or go home and watch the girls.

We have been blessed by our families, who have been awesome in offering their time and support. We know we can count on them to watch the girls and help out in any manner needed. And, they have all done their fair share of research…attempting to find something that will work for Emily.

So far, the various forms of treatment have not been successful in ridding Emily’s body of the c.diff. Now, with the help of some research by family, we are pursuing some forms of treatment that are still in the process of seeking FDA approval…because there are very few options left.

It’s a pretty bizarre thing, as Emily is not the typical c. diff patient. Generally, c. difficile is something the elderly or extremely sick struggle with. And, when someone younger gets c.diff, they usually respond to the medications. But, we all know Emily is special…so of course she throws all of the stereotypes and generalizations out the window.

It’s extremely difficult to watch your spouse suffer, especially when there is very little you can do to offer relief. And, so, I do what I know best…and that’s prayer. Honestly, in the midst of this journey, especially on the tougher days, it can be difficult to offer prayers and praise to God. I’ve had a lot of brutally honest conversations with God. I just don’t understand all of this…and yet, I still find hope in God.

And so, if you are the praying type, we ask that you would join us in prayer for Emily’s healing. Pray that her body will respond to the various treatments. Pray that God will guide Emily and the doctors to something that will work. Pray for rest and relief from pain and suffering.

“Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.” ~ Psalm 43:5

“Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.” ~ Hebrews 10:23

Censorship is Un-American…And, Apparently, So is Common Sense

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When I was in high school and college, I was a big “censorship is un-American” kind of guy. And, to be honest, I’m still that kind of guy. I believe authors, artists, musicians, and the like should be able to express themselves as they see fit.

And, yet, I find my limits being pushed. “Freedom of speech” is generally a good thing…until we come across a message that we do not agree with. Then, we find ourselves up against a brick wall. Is it freedom for all or freedom only for those we like?

No, I’m not talking about the new Cee Lo tune…that thing is funky! Yes, I know it’s wrong for me to like it…but I just can’t help it!

I’m talking about the “Christian group” known as Westboro Baptist Church. They are in the news again. And, every time they receive press, I get angry. Every time I see one of their signs, I find myself becoming furious. I get so irritated because they do so much damage in the name of the Lord.

While many Christian groups are out their trying to love one another and bring about peace and unity, Phelps is creating a great divide between his church and those outside its walls. His message of hatred does damage to Christianity as a whole. It’s not often that one can “hate” someone into the Kingdom of Love.

Most sane people, inside and outside the Church, can see Westboro Baptist Church for what it is…a beyond fundamental institution that does not represent the whole. However, some may see the folks of Westboro and think that they represent the thoughts and beliefs of all who follow Christ. Obviously, this frustrates me.

And, yet, the same freedoms I would proclaim to protect art, literature, film, and music are the same freedoms that grant Fred Phelps and his insane clown posse the right to stand on street corners and preach their hatred. So, if Phelps doesn’t have the freedom to say the crazy things he says, that means you and I don’t have the freedom to say the crazy things we say!

The thing that really seems to be lacking in these United States of America is common sense. Yes, Phelps and his crew are entitled to their own opinions. But, common sense would indicate there is a proper time and place to promote their agenda. And, a soldiers funeral would not be the time and place.

Wouldn’t it be awesome if the Church received media attention because of the extravagant love it portrays in our world? Wouldn’t it be awesome if, instead of being known for its protests and scandals, the Church was known for being a place of grace, mercy, compassion, acceptance, tolerance, and peace?

So, today, I came across some images that demonstrate some creative protests of Phelps’ sign carriers. I think it’s great!

I Can’t Focus…And I Blame You, Ronald McDonald

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Today, I went against my better judgment and had a number one value meal at McDonald’s. I feel somewhat justified in this borderline sinful action because I didn’t pay for it…my mother-in-law did. Yet, I consumed it…

However, all I can think about since consuming the meal is the McD.L.T.

I’m sitting here in the office…trying to focus on putting together a message on forgiveness…and I can’t seem to focus.

All I can think about is the “genius” of the McD.L.T. Sure, it’s long gone. But, it still holds a special place in my childhood memory.

To be honest, I totally preferred the Quarter Pounder with Cheese and the Big Mac. But, the McD.L.T.’s packaging totally won me over. There was one side that kept the hot food hot, and the other side kept the cold food cold. Pure American genius right there! And so, totally sold on the glamour of the packaging, I found myself under the spell of the McD.L.T.

Forget Happy Meals, those were child’s play. I wanted to look sophisticated. I wanted to look mature. I wanted a McD.L.T.

Oh, McD.L.T., how I miss you!

And, let’s be honest, the Big n’ Tasty is just a lame attempt to satisfy the McD.L.T. lover’s cravings. But, it totally fails…as it is neither Big or Tasty.

So, here I sit, totally consumed by a sandwich and its packaging…a sandwich I can no longer truly consume…and it’s stealing my focus…and, you, Ronald McDonald should be blamed. I know you put an addictive chemical in your meat and fries that create an unhealthy craving in my entire being to consume more of your food. And, you’ve even found a way to stir up childhood memories through some kind of sensory manipulation. Well done, sir.

Argh!

Maybe I’m Not Crazy

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So, shortly after posting my blog “Burning the Quran while Protesting a Mosque and Loving My Neighbors”, I received an e-mail with a statement from Bishop Coyner. Here it is:

Religious freedom is our heritage
Both our United Methodist Church and our United States constitution guarantee and advocate for religious freedom. In recent weeks the news of growing religious intolerance in our country has been disheartening. We United Methodists, especially here in the United States, have always strongly affirmed religious freedom for all people – even for people who hold different religious beliefs than our own. In that spirit, I call upon United Methodists here in Indiana to be advocates for religious freedom for all persons, whether they are Muslims, Jews, Christians or persons of other faiths. We who follow Jesus the Christ must also follow his own example of tolerance, peace, and compassion. – Bishop Michael Coyner,
Indiana Conference of The United Methodist Church