An Ode to the Bicycle Man

Oh, bicycle man, where are you going?
You look like a CEO from a corner office.
Why aren't you at work?
Or have you found a money tree
that affords you the fancy bike and slick accessories.

Oh, bicycle man, why do you wear white?
No one should or wants to know
that your padded seat makes you sweat.

Oh, bicycle man, are you crazy?
This road has an 18% downgrade.
I will share this road with you
as long as my brakes work.
Now you are turning around
to go up once again.

Oh, bicycle man, why the funny shorts
that seem to highlight the fact that you
are a man with their white stitching?
I do not want to look, but your shorts
scream out like a sunburned obese
European tourist on a nude beach.

A New Adventure: Call to Confession

While on our road trip from Texas to California, my husband, Andrew, and I stopped in Iowa to visit his family and friends from his college days (they are now very much my friends as well).  One of our stops for the Iowa leg of our trip, was the church where Andrew's college roommate is the pastor.  As much as I loved singing from the Country and Western Hymnal, I really appreciated the Call to Confession and Prayer of Confession that they used for their service, and I wanted to share them.

Call to Confession (said by the pastor):
With trembling hearts, knowing that we seldom discern our own errors, we turn ourselves to God.  Now is the acceptable time to come to the One who takes no delight in burnt offerings, but accepts sincere prayers of confession.  Let us repent and believe as we pray.

Prayer of Confession (said by congregation):
O Sovereign God, we confess that our plans for ourselves ignore the needs of many of our sisters and brothers.  We try to shut out the larger world that does not fit our comfortable design.  We are angry when called to account and bitter when circumstances do not work out to our advantage.  We are quick to see the sins of others and slow to recognize our own.  Keep us from throwing stones, O God, and protect us from the missiles others would throw at us. Forgive our preoccupation with minor concerns and lead us to focus on sharing love and forgiveness.  Through Christ.  Amen.

Now I know many would say that a pre-written prayer could never work for confessing our sins to God, because we have to name them specifically in order to repent and receive forgiveness.  I don't know about you, but when I say this prayer out loud it definitely brings to mind the sins of omission and commission, especially in areas that if it were up to me, I would skip right over and keep going in my usual merry sinful way.  So, I would encourage those who have not tried a pre-written prayer of confession, give it a go.  You might be surprised what the Holy Spirit does through it.  Let this be a new adventure for you.

A New Kind of Patriotism

Over the last ten years or so, I have struggled with the 4th of July and celebrating America.  I am sure part of that comes from living overseas for so many years and feeling like a foreign country is now part of my definition of home.  But, I think there is more to it than that.  Since returning the the US, the patriotism I have encountered is a flexing of the biceps, manly grunting, "look at how tough we are" kind of patriotism.  It is a militant, arrogant statement of "we are better than them and thank you, Lord, for recognizing that" kind of patriotism that has left a sour taste in my mouth.

But I struggle because I do appreciate the land of my birth.  I know it is a great privilege to live here.  Also, as an Army brat, I do want to honor those who have made the commitment and sacrifice to serve in our military.  But as a country and a people, I know we have some problems that need to be addressed and still have a lot of learn. 

As my husband and I journeyed west to California, I spent much of the time in awe of the changing landscape from the sweeping green plains, to the majestic mountains, to the desolate deserts.  Along the way, I imagined the hardships and joys of those sojourners from long ago, who traveled without a car and paved highway.  I envisioned Native Americans freely riding wild mustangs across the rolling hills and through ravines.  We listened to a lot of Rich Mullins' songs on our trip as well.  I realized that he loved America, but had the proper perspective of the land that I have been looking for.  He sees the beauty of the land, and celebrates it as God's creation.  He sees the beauty of the people, and celebrates them as God's children. I think he says it best in his song, "Here in America" from A Liturgy, a Legacy, and a Ragamuffin Band:

Saints and children we have gathered here to hear the sacred story
And I'm glad to bring it to you with my best rhyming and rhythm
'Cause I know the thirsty listen and down to the waters come
 
And the Holy King of Israel loves me here in America
 
And if you listen to my songs I hope you hear the water falling
I hope you feel the oceans crashing on the coast of north New England
I wish I could be there just to see them, two summers past I was
 
And the Holy King of Israel loves me here in America
 
And if I were a painter I do not know which I'd paint
The calling of the ancient stars or assembling of the saints
And there's so much beauty around us for just two eyes to see
But everywhere I go I'm looking
 
And once I went to Appalachia for my father he was born there
And I saw the mountains waking with the innocence of children
And my soul is still there with them wrapped in the songs they brought
 
And the Holy King of Israel loves me here in America
 
And I've seen by the highways on a million exit ramps
Those two-legged memorials to the laws of happenstance
Waiting for four-wheeled messiahs to take them home again
But I am home anywhere if You are where I am
 
And if you listen to my songs I hope you hear the water falling
I hope you feel the oceans crashing on the coast of north New England
I wish I could be there just to see them, two summers past I was

And the Holy King of Israel loves me here in America

So, I am seeking to adopt a new kind of patriotism that recognizes God as Creator and Sustainer of this land, but remembers that this is just a temporary home.  I am seeking to be welcoming of those God brings into my path here in this land by reflecting His love.  And I know that the Holy King of Israel loves me here in America and wherever He may take me.