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!

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

The Women's Bathroom

Today I was reminded of the beauty and the solidarity 
of the women's bathroom
Time and time again.
For it is where our sisterhood can be fully expressed
in tears
in laughter
in the passing of feminine products under the stall.
It is in the bathroom that
stories are shared
hugs convey hope and understanding
and we can speak openly about life and love and hurt and loss.
Welcome to the women's bathroom
where my sisters and I go to find just a few minutes of peace
and a simple smile can make the world look a little brighter. 

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Ableism

  This week has been rough emotionally. In preparation for this weeks classes I felt that the readings were beating me up, speaking of things that are often mis-understood and make them seem simple to people.
   In my book for Pastoral Formation, it was written that people suffer from depression because they are either too materialistic or because they are possessed by demons. In my Religion and the Social Process readings, depression was attributed to poor social skills and a lack of relationship (even after all of the readings had said not to blame those who suffer for their aliments).
   But as I reflect on how horrific this week felt, I had to laugh at God's humor and grace. Wed. I went to see the Vagina Monologues with two friends, and I realized that at the heart of this play is the message to claim who you are and not to be ashamed. What a prophetic message that we need to hear in society! And this was the exact message I was trying to share in my Ableism focused precept on Tuesday when I was asked, 'If you (the question was only directed to me) could snap your fingers and make all disabilities disappear?' I said no. That it is a choice, and certain things that others would claim are "disabilities" have made me a much more whole person, then those who are "normal". We shouldn't evaluate ourselves through the lens of who society wants us to be, but rather through reclaiming who we are and reconciling that with who we want to be.
   Then Thursday, in chapel, Bishop Peggy Johnson came and shared with us about her disability and how God has used her to minister. She made the point that those who others think need to be healed, are often agents of healing. Claim who you are, and let God use you. A friend who was in my precept, just sat her hand on my shoulder. Here was this amazing woman and servant of God who was giving a message that she said few realized. It was exactly what I was saying on Tuesday. Those cannot be coincident or my words at all. 

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Altar/ Alter

   In Pastoral Formation we had a discussion about Dr. Elkins work on altering and altaring. Both of these things MUST happen in order for what we call worship to really be worship. But what does that mean? It means that we must present ourselves as sacrifices and there must be change exhibited. Thoughts? Do you think this regularly happens in the Church?

Saturday, February 14, 2009

What if?

  The question was recently posed in my New Testament class - what if Paul's message is be who you are, not be like "us"? The question was specifically talking about the book of Galatians, but I feel that it could be posed to all of Paul's letter. The more I read Paul, I see a tension between Paul wanting people to maintain their own culture and identity and to become like him. I have a hard time reconciling that, and tend not to side with how the Church at large has tended to view Paul.
  Paul has been used as a dominating force to back up the great commission which has historically been interpreted to mean - go and make disciples that look like us. Colonialism. Somehow the church's message that we don't all have to be the same has gotten lost amongst our actions that lead to cookie cutter Christians.
   And what would that look like today? Currently in my religion and the social process class we are struggling (specifically in precept) with what it means to be a Christian in America, the country of pluralism. Should we see the beauty in other cultural practices or stick with what we are comfortable with (which often translates into what we know)? I tend to be more on the accepting side of the argument, but it is interesting to see my classmates deep passions and their application of that passion. 
   What is wrong with letting heritage influence the face of Christianity in different cultures? What is the benefit to making everyone look the same?
   It has also been interesting to notice how Paul has been used and abused in other ways. For example, I have one classmate who is hell-bent on the fact that Paul throws away the law. Oh how Dr. Paige would cringe. But that is what this particular person has been taught by their pastor and they read the text through that lens. It doesn't matter if that is what the text says or not, its what he strongly believes.
  Is there any way to redeem Paul from the bondage we have put him in?

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Modeling Christ

 Yesterday I was very distressed at the after school tutoring program that I participate in every week. The kids were given case studies with some uncomfortable situations and asked what their reactions would be. Everything from yelling to throwing people out of their homes resulted and the woman speaking on the topics praised them for their responses.... in the church. Really? What happened to modeling the love of Christ by thinking about others needs instead of just acting in our own interest? If we don't model this, who will?

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Learning about myself

   Apparently I am an expert at covering up my insecurities for those who don't know me well. People are always shocked when I tell them that I am uncomfortable around new people and shy in casual settings. A prime example is that it has taken me a whole semester to interact with some of the people in my building, and other people have just discovered that I actually live here. But because I take so much time to blossom, it means when I open up, I really am comfortable. I just wander sometimes what I am sacrificing for that comfort. 

Monday, February 2, 2009

#2

I have certain mantra's that I am known for. Some describe life and others describe people. This is my explanation of my two chief people mantras.

The first is, "you know what is in people's hearts by what comes out of their mouth". Really. Try this sometime. You can tell what is currently first in people's lives by listening to them talk. What is mentioned the most? Is a certain person or thing mentioned in a different way? Chances are that is what they are fixated on in the moment.  (Further question, is God usually whom people mention the most?)

#2 - This one is a bit less firm and has developed out of a pet peeve. "You can tell what people care about by the choices they make". As a addendum, the choices that people make consistently.

Yesterday was the Superbowl. For the last several years, the churches that I have attended have shifted their worship schedule to accommodate this game. It is as if they are assuming that given the choice, people would rather watch a game then worship. And for some people this may be true, but not all. An institution shouldn't make choices for a person, for each person needs to be able to make their own, especially when it comes to matters of faith. Because let's be honest, faith is always going to force us to make decisions. And from those decisions you can tell what people care about.