WELL, I WOKE UP SUNDAY MORNING . . .

. . . and started trying to figure out what I would do for the day.

BTW, Linda got me thinking about this, because of her post about Sundays. (I believe in giving credit where credit is due.)

There is a pattern for my Sunday mornings. Or, more specifically, my Sunday morning questions. 1. What time is it when I wake up? 2. How I feel? 3. Where will I worship?

That might seem pretty plain and simple, yet it isn't entirely simple.

That's because there are so many variables.

Let's think of the first two questions, for example. Is it 6:00, 8:00, or 10:00? And am I feeling well, tired, sick, or hurting?

All of those factors have an effect on my decisions. If I wake up at 6:00, I'll likely go back to bed. If I'm really tired, sick and/or sore, I'll likely go back to bed.

For a half dozen years, waking up sore and/or sick, and tired was a fairly regular morning pattern, and not just on Sundays. Only recently have things begun to change for me on a regular basis. And the change is delightful, as I said last month.

(Of course, I knew back then this change wasn't going to be a simple ride; sometimes I still end up in the old mode. As I did, yesterday.)

If I wake up at 8:00 or 9:00, and I'm feeling well, I have breakfast, get dressed, and head out for worship.

Where I worship is, perhaps, not an easy choice.

I've been growing my faith for about 50 years, more or less. And the point I have reached is, well, a bit different. Especially for a guy who is a pastor in Canada's largest Protestant church (denomination). 

Cut to the chase. Did Christ die for our sins? No. Jesus died because he was opposed to the value system of his time (which was similar to our time in important ways). Or, more specifically, the keepers of that value system opposed him. Regardless, as W. Edward Demings observed, "Put a good person in a bad system, and system wins, no contest." That's pretty simple.

Nowadays, I feel that the bit about "Christ died for our sins" only works in a world where animal sacrifices are normal, and well understood. We quit doing animal sacrifices a long time ago. So the model, the image, doesn't make sense for a lot people today, particularly North Americans. Even me. If it doesn't make sense for me, if it doesn't help me, why should I keep using it? If it doesn't make sense to others, or help them, why should I keep using it?

Meaning I'm seeking a new understanding of Jesus. That means trying to see his life/ministry in a 20th or 21st century context. I want something which will provide some creativity and usefulness in my every-day living. What's good on Sunday has to be good on Monday, and vice-versa.

But I'm getting ahead of myself.

Anyhow, I said my thinking is kinda different, in terms of who/what Jesus was/is. I'm looking for a new model. Something that's simple, easy to explain.

So, if I'm going to worship, I want to find a place where I feel hopeful — a place where I am accepted, a place that will help me reflect on life and "grow my soul." A place that isn't focused on what was part of my past. And there are some; I've located a couple. One is even a bit Celtic.

I feel this is getting a bit long. So I'll quit while I'm ahead, and come back to this in a week's time.

BUT in the meantime, here's an important thought. What you believe is what you believe. Because you have been working on your beliefs too, maybe for a long time. What I believe is what I believe. If you've got questions or comments, I would love to hear them. People learn by sharing ideas.