About Me

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My heart beats for love. I want to be different. I want to be who I am called to be. WORTHY and LOVED!

Sunday, January 25, 2009

sand

i was told this week that sand remembers
the sands of time
hold so much wisdom
if only we wouldn't race against them
and it holds memories
of turtle shaped sandboxes
and days at the beach
and as the sand pours into my hair
holding the memory of its beautiful art
I cannot help but smile
At the freedom

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

I'm proud to go to the "Liberal Heathen Seminary" as some have called Drew. Today, gathered with people shedding tears in the UC, I watched the inauguration. People were weeping because they realize its time for a change. Its time to realign ourselves Biblically. But more then that, they were crying with joy because MLK Jr's dream has taken a huge leap forward.

In contrast, some of my friends had the most vulgar things posted about the inauguration today. I have to wonder how my "Christian" friends can talk about keeping terrorists and foreigners out of the USA (thus seeing Obama as the floodgate of evil as the son of an immigrant) when they read the gospels. The parable of the good Samaritan? It has a point. Maybe we need to re-read it.

And even if people aren't into politics or are so stickily aligned with their political party that they can't rejoice in the transition itself, at least acknowledge that God is working to bring about the equality of the world! Applaud the Lord's work, all children, and rejoice!

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Irony

Does anyone else appreciate the irony of WalMart selling fair trade coffee now?

Friday, January 9, 2009

Guilt

"I'm so addicted to feeling guilty
Like the edge of a cliff, it's about to kill me
All the reasons why You wouldn't want to love me"
Bethany Dillon 'Are You Sure?'

       Christians have the hardest time living in the tension of who they are, thus they pick on of the two extremes: 'I am a sinner' or 'I am a beloved child of God'. 
But we need to learn to balance these two identities. The tricky part as a preacher is asking how we can encourage our congregations to see themselves as.... well what should we be explaining the identity of a Christian as?

Healing

The healing process can go one of two ways:
we can put everything in a garbage bag and throw it away,
 hoping that it won't have consequences for us or anyone else.
Our pain infects other people
as our own wound festers and refuses to heal. 
Or its like composting
sorting out what can be used for good from the situation
setting that aside
tending t0 it
creating something new
and growing something beautiful. 

Which way do you go about healing?

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Gender Inclusion

   Sometimes that which we hate the most becomes the best thing for us. I was so fearful of Gender Inclusive language at the beginning of the semester. I thought it was a dedragration to the scriptures and to God. But the more that I explore the scriptures I see that it is an accurate way to talk about the beauty and transcendent nature of the Holy and Divine Godhead. It is also necessary in the age we live in. This past weekend I have been reminded of how many people are hurt by the image of God as Father, after being abused by their own Father or Father figure. And try as we might, it is hard to see God as loving when using the same vocabulary as that which has destroyed us in the past. 
   I also cannot help but cringe when we so freely throw around words (albeit scriptural) that have hurt so many as well. Even those who talk about making the church relevant use these words with little thought to how they have been used to oppress our brothers and sisters. The Word can be a sword or a plow, and we all too often return it to the sword without even knowing it. 
   However, at the same time, our Churches are uneducated about inclusive language. I referred to God as "he/she" this past weekend at a conservative conference. The results varied, but most were looks of shock and appal. But God is truly limited by our meager vocabulary, and that should be acknowledged, along with the realization comes the responsibility to think about our neighbor in all we say and do, even if it is referring to the Godhead.

Restored Faith and Uncovered Doubts

   This past weekend I've been in State College at a conference I help with every year. As a whole, it is by far the best one we have put together. The focus each year is on God Calling young people to ministry, in whatever form that may take. It truly is a time to just listen to God's voice. And it is so encouraging to see so many people sensing God's call. 
   However, at the same time, listening to bits of conversation, and having conversations, where these same young people know very little about the scriptures and the tradition they come from, scares me. It is a glaring reminder that so many people who enter into ministry speak continually on their experience as the sole way to know God and then mis-read the scriptures to account for their assumptions. What is the future state of the Church if this is how we are to continue?
   As I struggle with others disdain for and misuse of the scriptures, I had an un-related restoration in my faith in humanity.  A man just let me walk out a music store in PA with my NJ address and only a promise to return, with over $5000 worth of flutes to try. Who does that? Someone to trusts others, which is so rare in the world today....

Thursday, January 1, 2009

New Year

   Around this time each year, I usually compile a long list of some of my favorite moments in the past year. When I look back on 2008, that list isn't as long as it usually there. It was a rebuilding year. I graduated, had a plan, and life got in the way. I heard a deep calling from God accompanied by the voice saying "I'm showing you, but its not time yet."  Relationships diminished and relationships grew deeper. And through it all God was there.
   I am constantly telling people that I wouldn't trade in the bad moments for anything, and that still applies to a year dominated by trials, misunderstandings, hurts, arguments, and growth. I know I've grown. I may not be able to articulate how, but it has happened. And I needed to go through this past year to prepare me for where I am today. And honestly, I'm humbled and in awe of God's hand.