An Invitation

I invite you to offer this prayer as we walk into the new year.

Lord, help me faithfully to journey along my road,
holding my rightful place in the great procession of humanity;
Help me above all to recognize you and to help you
in all my pilgrim brothers and sisters.

(Michel Quoist as quoted in Prayers and Thoughts from World Religions)

Her Kind Of Courage

What's happening?!
For Christmas I received a nice # of C.D.'s. Sweet music.
I found Joy a beautiful piece of art work for above our bed.
Art and music...good stuff.
I've almost finished reading one of the Harry Potter books. I needed a break from the darkness of dealing with my papa. The book has helped lighten things up. Good writing and imagination.
Speaking about my folks, my brothers and I think we have found a nice room in the Warren nursing home. So, someone from the home is coming to do an assessment of my parents next week. Please say a prayer for next week.
Saw a good movie today...Charlie Wilson's War.
O God, I forgot, Ms. Bhutto was murdered today. Damn't. Forgive us God.
Too much darkness. Oh Jesus keep us working with you to build God's kingdom.
Give me her kind of courage.
His Kingdom come...His Will be done. Nothing else matters.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

MERRY CHRISTMAS! AND MAY CHRIST WALK WITH US AND LEAD US INTO THE NEW YEAR.

going to ft wayne now to see the parents.
again, it seems we are very near placing them into the home.
please pray....thank you...love you.

The Honoring of a Life

I went to the funeral of a pastor today, and his name was David Tripp.
A life time friend described David as a Methodist, Liturgist, and Ecumenical.
David's wife Diane looked weary. God bless her with your love.
The worship was beautiful.
The music was excellent.
The witnessing about David's life was meaningful
from different kinds and ages of people.
The sense of community was almost overwhelming to me , and I was bathed in Spirit
as the congregation came forward for Holy Communion.
It seems that Rev. Tripp was able to combine
the work of a scholar with the work of a servant.
One gentleman shared that he and David met for lunch once a week for two years,
and that he saw in David's life, more than any other, the life of Jesus.
May it be so.

Just Me

In the silence
with a heart slightly solemn
yet deeply knowing how truly blessed I am.

I am only meant to be me.
No one else and nothing more.
Husband, father, son, pastor, poet, human being.

And oh yes, a child of God
and a follower of the ways
of an ever present rabbi named Jeshua.

New Pill

Ok, here's the latest.
Dad's doctor called in a new med today that might be able to help papa deal with the intensified Alzheimers. He is supposed to take this pill every afternoon. He has, at times, fought taking his pills. So Jay is taking this new pill over today to start. If this works, it may help us all hold on for a while. Please pray that he takes his afternoon meds...these magic pills of science...and God's goodness. Thank you!

A Little Help From My Friends

We need your thoughts and prayers.
It may finally be time to place my parents in the nursing home.
Many people have provided much care to keep my parents in their home,
but things are starting to get bad.
I can't even imagine how hard it's going to be for my folks and us to get this done,
but, on the other hand as my papa would say, I must also "assume a Yes."
So, please pray hard for all of us (the care team)as we think and talk this through.
I will keep you updated....and will be asking for more prayers!
You are part of "the Yes."

Blessed Be the Wounds That Bind

David had knee surgery three days ago, and he has been mending in our home. Today David and I tried to change his dressing which needed it very badly when something very strange happened. We discovered that his incision had opened up quite a bit. We tried to tape it back up but quickly realized we were way over our head. So, we drove back to Lafayette where Dr. Hagin could stitch up the wound. My boy, who is actually a grown man attending the University of Chicago, was quite scared and needed help from his papa. (I was kind of freaking out too!)As we drove to Lafayette we had a wonderful conversation about his classes and all sorts of good stuff, and on the way home, we were thankful for everything working out and for our relationship. David's wound coming apart led to our binding together.

I find that in my life my own woundedness leads to a binding together with the One who shines glorious Light into my soul, and then I am invited by that same One to share that light with others...another connection created. By the way, I'm not necessarily celebrating being wounded! I'm all for folks finding healing and new beginnings, and that's for sure. I just see that mysterious and beautiful connections happen in the midst of people experiencing brokeness.

I love you God. Thank you for it all... including the things that come apart and how those same things can bind us together with each other and with You.

Life and Light

Ice storm today. Stayed home and decorated the Christmas tree. Fun.
Sitting by a fire now while Joy Ellen studies anatomy. Colts game soon.
Been reading McLaren's new book called Everything Must Change. It's about the suicide machine we have created which threatens the existence of earth and how the Jesus Way might show us another way to live and love and survive on this planet.
Things have been a little dark for me over the last month. But that fits with Advent, and I have understood in my mind, heart, and gut what the holy words mean when they say...that the Light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.
May it be so with you, your loved ones, and this world.
The fire is still burning in the dark fireplace and it's full of life and light.
But I've got to stir it up and put new wood on every once in a while.

Agape

My dad has been my mentor in life and ministry. He is still teaching me even today.
Donald Fredrick is 85 years old, and he has ahlzhiemers which mostly means at this point in time that he has almost no short term memory. (Something we take for granted.) Most of the time when we are with him, he has a joyous, loving, and positive personality. But when night time comes, things change. I think it is due to what is described as "Sundowners" which people with dementia experience when the sun goes down...and it is especially bad when they are in an unfamiliar setting. They get disorientated, agitated, and fixated on certain things.Dad calls me almost every night and accuses us of stealing their car. He often does it with anger, and then he says that he does not want us to come and see them anymore. He forgets the next day that he has made any phone call, is fine during the day, and then calls that night once again.
The reality is that neither of my parents can drive anymore, even though they at times dispute this, and that they have given us permission to buy their car from them which we have done. But they, neither of them, are able to remember this. We can't take the car back to them because then they want to drive it. Oh well, I don't want to bother you with all the details and options we have to think through. That is not the reason I'm writing this.
Why I'm writing this is to share what the Lord is teaching us through it. He is teaching us about agape love which is loving unconditionally. It is about learning to love people whether they deserve it or not and especially when they don't. It is how God loves us. It is how Jesus loved those who were murdering him on the cross. It is how his followers are called to love. It is how I am called to love my precious papa. I ain't saying it's easy or has been something I was able to do right away. I have struggled and yelled at him a couple of times. But I am starting to get it and learn my lesson.
I suppose it falls into the category of forgiveness, and we are called to live this way in the kingdom, in our families, and for the sake of the kind of world God desires and dreams of.

Jesus by Marcus Borg

I finally finished Borg's book on Jesus! Besides not having the time to read as much as I would like, I have to take my time when I read Borg. I find that I re-read sections in order to fully understand Borg's message, and sometimes I find that Borg's writing causes me to really think about my faith and my relationship to Jesus. So I read section, re-read it, and think about it. That takes some time!

Anyway.... I don't always agree with Borg but there is a lot I am in agreement with him. Sometimes I find it amusing. Several times in the book he writes of the literal vs. metaphorical interpretion of the Bible, then says, "But who cares! Let's talk about what the Bible is trying to teach us!" Christians really need to get beyond trying to "prove" the Bible and start living it; get beyond doctrine and start practicing the Jesus Way.

The best chapter of the book is the epilogue. Borg describes the current state of Christianity perfectly. Without criticizing, he has a good grasp of conservative evangelical Christianity and the emerging Christian conversation. It's obvious Borg prefers the latter, and he lays any blame for the current state of what the public perceives as Christianity at the feet of the current crop of self-appointed evangelical Christian "leaders" who dominate the public forum. Christianity has lost its way, Borg says, due in a large part to the unholy alliance with politics.

My Sunday school class is reading Isaiah. Last Sunday we read the first chapter. Isaiah is laying out the charges against the Jewish people. He says that God is not interested in their sacrifices, rituals and offerings as prescribed by the Law. Even though Isaiah compares the Jewish people to Sodom and Gommorah, it's not sexual sin that has led them astray, but their lack of social justice. In verses 16 and 17, Isaiah lays out the charges.

16 Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight! Stop doing wrong, 17 learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow. (NIV)

That sums up how Borg interprets the message of Jesus throughout the book, and it is a call to all Christians to assess their faith and begin living the Jesus Way.

True Self

***I hate the Iraq war but the soldiers are heroes to me.
***I find it so cool that someone's life can be going freaking crazy, but their soul stays good. Not all the time but lots of the time. It's a God thing.
***I am really enjoying and looking forward to Christmas as a beautiful time, but when I was pastoring there were so many things I had to be a part of that it got way too busy, crowded, and overwhelming. All the things were individually good and important but put together, way, way too much. Now my soul feels spacious enough to embrace and receive Christ in a simple manner. Somehow big churches need to simplify or give people, as well as the pastor, permission to not be involved in everything. I don't know, I may be wrong.
***I went to one of my churches tonight who has six people part of the community. They minister to each other and the help each other be inspired to carry on as people of God. I affirmed them as well as challenged them. BUT THEY ARE A CHURCH! I HEAR SO MUCH NEGATIVE STUFF ABOUT SMALL CHURCHES. WHAT ABOUT JESUS AND THE 12?!
***The Republican debate is on tonight. We're watching a movie instead.
***Life is so beautiful, rich, and deep I almost can't bear it.
***I desire to be my true self and walk the path meant for me.

August Rush

Last night, I went en familia to see August Rush, the movie about a child music prodigy trying to find his parents. August is able to hear musical rhythms in everyday sounds, like noisy plumbing, the wind rustling in the grass, street noises in the city. As an orphan, he has never been musically trained, but when he runs away to find his parents, he learns to play guitar, piano, and write music, attends Julliard, writes a symphony, and is scheduled to conduct the New York Philharmonic - all within six months.

One week ago, I watched a Rob Bell video with our base group about getting in tune with the everyday rhythm of God, and that video was in my mind as I watched the movie. August says that the music he hears in his head is like someone calling out to him. Wizard (a street musician who later tries to manipulate August) tells August that music is everywhere but not everyone is listening, and that music binds us all together. I thought about the kingdom of God, how it is everywhere, and how as Rob Bell says we must strive to find God's rhythm in our lives.

Later in the movie August finds sanctuary in an inner-city church which underscored the spirituality of the movie. If you get a chance to see this movie you should.

Light and Love

We had two wonderful Thanksgiving gatherings.
Joy's family gathered at our home on Thursday,
and my family gathered at Nolt's Amish restaurant on Friday.
And as my dad says, when it works, family is a good thing.
For us, it's working.
Tonight, Shalom Community is gathering for our thanksgiving meal and conversation.
Another kind of family.
It was so wonderful having David and Rachel home this week.
Our grown up kids sharing life and love together.
The light is beautiful this evening. It's almost dusk.
My soul is well....and life is good
yet I realize that it is only because of the Light of God and the love of people
that this is true.
OK, off for a walk with Joy and Jamie.
It's late now and I'm watching the show on vh1 about Bob Dylan.
Our gathering tonight was rich and good with our deep spirited friends.

Shalom Community

Shalom Community, an Emergent Cohort, will gather this Saturday night the 24th at 5:30 at the LaSuer home in Marion (711 W. Buckingham)for a simple thanksgiving meal and a time of deep spirited conversation. All welcome!

Home

Home sweet home,
even though my skin is worse than before I left
and yet I am hope-full.
And back with the love of my life.
Thanksgiving is next week
and looking forward so much to being with family.
I had a moment of true panic the other day as I considered the end of my life
and in my fear I cried out the question whether The Jesus Way
had any damn relevance to the pounding of my heart and the fear of the unknown.
I immediately heard a clear, strong voice which said,
"Now is the only moment, and love is the only choice!"

The Ministry of Mayo

Leaving for Mayo Clinic Thursday am to hopefully be hospitalized for a few days.
I've been going since I was 18 years old. It is a remarkable place and people.
It is where I, and countless others from around the country and the world,
find healing and hope.
It was founded by doc Mayo, a nun, and the doc's two boys.
I pray that you will continue to receive healing and hope, and that together,
we might offer the same to the broken around us.
And remember what often seems to be small endeavors or beginnings, can in the end,
have a major impact of love and beauty for people and the world.

The Jesus Way - My Theology For Today

THE JESUS WAY
The Ways Jesus Lived and Taught That Can Guide Our Lives


Jesus Way 1: Transformation and Ongoing Relationship with God and Christ

Jesus fully embraced the first of the commandments which is to love God with all our heart, mind, and strength. Jesus kept his relationship with God strong and alive. He would go out early in the morning to the desert and pray. Some Biblical ways of this being expressed are: Jesus said he was the Vine and we are the branches; being born again; having eyes to see and ears to hear; receiving resurrection power; the stories in Luke 15 of being lost and then found. Some practical ways to be transformed include: praying in many different ways; meeting God in the scriptures; being grateful and experiencing the wonder of life; living in the presence of God; worship; reading.


Jesus Way 2: Doing God’s Will With Our Lives

The Lord’s Prayer says,”Your will be done, Your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.” I think doing God’s will is about matching up our particular gifts and passions with the desires and will of God. And Jesus said again and again that the desire of God is to bring about God’s kingdom, or God’s dream, for people’s lives and the world. The “micro” part of doing God’s will is doing our daily tasks as God would have us to do them. The “macro” part is to live out God’s intention for our lives ,or as a friend of mine says, our gift(s) to the world. Jesus said, “Whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister.”(Matthew 12:50) Sometimes we are called to put God’s will before our own. Jesus said in the garden before going to the cross, ”Not my will but Yours be done.” {Share quotes from Shawchuck/Job book p. 344,355}


Jesus Way 3: The Way of Faith

This is trusting in the goodness, love, and power of God in the midst of the stress and craziness of life. Jesus said if you keep the main thing the main thing, doing the will of God, that God will take care of the stuff we stress out so much about. He was getting at this reality of trusting God when he taught us to pray, “Give us the bread we need for today.” This trust involves believing-even relaxing a little- and knowing that God will make a way for us to live our lives. For example, I trust that God will help me care for my parents, continue in good relationship with our children, do my job, and walk into his future for me. Sometimes though we lose this faith and trust for a while and need to be honest with God about that and also trust others to carry us to the God who wishes to love us. A prayer my wife Joy and I would pray is, “I believe in that which is infinite – that which is Yes! I believe. Help my unbelief.” A text to look at is Matthew 6:25-34.


Jesus Way 4: Offering Healing To The Broken and Outcasts

Jesus seems to have spent very much time and energy bringing God’s healing presence to the sick and suffering. We can do this through prayer, presence, listening, music, joy and laughter, respect, touch, medicine, and much more. Healing can also involve peace-making between those who are estranged. It can also involve bringing healing to all of God’s creation. Jesus Christ said, “Go to the lost and confused right here in the neighborhood. Tell them that the kingdom is here. Bring health to the sick. Raise the dead. Touch the untouchables. Kick out the demons. You have been treated generously, so live generously. (Matthew 10:5-8 The Message)


Jesus Way 5: Being a Servant

Jesus spoke a lot about being servants – not to seek power and prestige but to seek to serve and do our part with God to make a difference. St. Francis used to pray, “Who are You my dearest Lord, and who am I but Your useless servant.” Examples of servanthood include getting your spouse a cup of coffee, picking up something that someone dropped, and helping others get done what they are trying to get done. Jesus said, “You’ve observed how godless rulers throw their weight around, how quickly a little power goes to their heads. It’s not going to be that way with you. Whoever wants to become great must become a servant. Whoever wants to become first among you, must be your slave. That is what the Son of Man has done. He came to serve and then to give away his life in exchange for the many who are held hostage. (Matthew 20:28)


Jesus Way 6: Being in a Community of Love, Support, and Mission

Jesus had a tight knit small group in which learning, living together, and preparation and accountability for their mission to the world happened. We need to be a part of groups of people where we find and give love, fellowship, inspiration, challenge, and power to be who we’re called to be. Jesus said, “If you have gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care – then do me a favor. Agree with each other, love each other, be deep spirited friends. Put yourself aside and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand. (Philippians 2:1-4 The Message)


Jesus Way 7: Forgiveness and Reconciliation

This was a major message and reality of the life of Jesus. He told us to forgive one another again and again. He told us we were to forgive our enemies. And as he was being crucified on a cross, he cried out to God, “Forgive them Father because they don’t understand.” He cries this prayer out for us as well. His most famous story about forgiveness is the one where the papa forgives the boy who has screwed things up, but the elder brother has a hard time doing the same thing. Forgiving is difficult. Yet God can help us through the process. And when possible, reconciliation with the one who has offended needs to happen. (Look at Matthew 5:43-48 The Message)


Jesus Way 8: Confronting That Which Is Wrong

Jesus taught that people need to confront the darkness in their own lives as well as dark things in the world like religious people who had lost the way of God and love, and people putting things like wealth and empire before God. As Jesus followers we need to know when to change our ways and when to confront the ways of the world that go against God’s kingdom or dream for the world. In Matthew 4, Jesus was led by the Spirit to be tested by the Devil. In that place Jesus had to choose the right and good voice amidst the wrong voices. And in Matthew 25, Jesus told a story of final judgement based on whether people fed the hungry, clothed the naked, visited those in prison, cared for the sick, and gave a room to the homeless.


Jesus Way 9: Teaching or Passing On The Story of God, Jesus, and The Way

Jesus loved to teach. He told stories about God, the relationship between God and people, and the way of love. He taught in the synagogue, on the mountain, in the marketplace, and by the sea. Jesus could also look at the ordinary things of life like bread, yeast, a seed, and a farmer in a field and use them to talk about the ways of God. We can pass on The Jesus Way though stories, including our own, and by how we live our lives. A teaching we can look at is the sermon on the mountain in Matthew 5-7. Amazing.

Walking The Way

Grace to cope and plenty of moments of beauty.
The pure joy of where one's passion and the needs of others meet.
The times when we can relax and lean into the Goodness that cares when we hurt.
Picking up the paper for the man who dropped it.
Sitting in a room helping estranged people connect in a meaningful manner.
Looking forward to shalom community.
Telling The Story.
Reconciling.
Saying no to the wrong.
Telling you I love you.
I love you.

The Church and Paganism

I'm reading an interesting book right now, The DaVinci Hoax, written by Carl Olson and Sandra Miesel, two Catholics as a response to The DaVinci Code. What I find most interesting are the apologetics concerning the relationship between the pagan Roman religions and Christianity prior to the council at Nicea. I, along with other Protestant Christians I assume, have believed that the rituals of the Catholic Church seemed strange, at best, and I assumed that the accusations (again, coming from fellow Christians) that those rituals were adopted from paganism, and therefore maybe not quite Christian and possibly syncretic.

Well, shame on me for accepting those accusations. This book is a very good apologetic work, well researched and written. The authors address the texts which Dan Brown borrowed from very heavily. (I think he's been sued by one of those authors for quoting verbatim from their text without attribution or restitution.) The authors ding Marcus Borg on one point, seemingly because of his prior relationship with the Jesus Seminar. (I'm still not clear on why they are so reviled among conservative Christians.)

I'm learning a lot about the political and religious environment in which the early Christians lived during the first three centuries following the resurrection. While I don't agree with their assessment of Borg (I think Borg has since distanced himself from the Jesus Seminar, and the quote that appears in the book doesn't fully explain Borg's position on the historical Jesus), the book is worth reading especially if you've read The DaVinci Code.

Freefalling

Watching a movie with Joy tonight.
Ate ribs for supper.
It's 8:30pm.
Jennifer Aniston is in this movie. She was in my dream the other night.
I just ate an excellent oatmeal raisin cookie.
God is both great and beautiful. God is teaching me to be a peacemaker, and I'm flying by the seat of my pants. Jesus says those kind of people are blessed and kin to God. Here's an important word...communication!
The leaves have turned the most beautiful colors this year.
I'm hoping to go to England this summer.
St. Francis met a leper face to face, didn't turn away but instead embraced him. From then on he desired to always embrace Lady Poverty.
In all my sermons, I've said only two things. God loves you...and love those around you - especially the broken of the world.

Monday 's Musings

Watching the Colts game tonight, oh yeah! I got no boys to watch it with any more but Joy is sitting in here for awhile (Bless her heart) and Jamie dog is wearing his blue coat. Yea! The Colts just scored. My gosh this team is amazing.

Well, I'm happy tonight, but it's mostly because God has brought me through some tough crap lately. The Lord has recently led Joy and I through some very dark, choppy waters with my mom and dad. And the Divine continues to teach me how to find physical healing in the midst of being intensely wounded. As Bishop White says, God is good all the time, and all the time, God is good! Amen?

Here's something that seems weird to me about the church. It's one thing for a church to feel pride in who God is making them to be as a community of Jesus followers, but it's another to be giddy over their greatness. There's something about that kind of spirit that just doesn't feel like the spirit of Jesus to me. When Jesus was led into the desert by the Spirit to meet with the devil, it was the temptation of greatness that was offered to Jesus. He chose instead to walk the path of furthering the kingdom powerfully and quietly like a seed turning into a tree providing rest for the birds.

Shalom to you this week my friends. May God grant us grace to further the kingdom powerfully and quietly.

What is Church ?

I came across this today and thought it was a little cute and thought it would bring a few snickers to you guys. Have a great day / weekend.

MakingPeace

So much conflict...in my churches...and now my papa and me, usually so happy together, yelled at each other tonight.
Yet Jeshua himself called us to be peacemakers, and to do that,
one must enter into the fray and into the fight.
I've just started McLaren's book Everything Must Change. He is asking us to enter into the troubles of this world with the ways of Jesus and a little bit of hope.
And into the middle of my moments of strife
comes the divine like a grandmother rocking, singing to, and quieting the hurting child.
Look up to the cross, can you see and hear?
He feels his enemies pain and whispers, papa forgive them, they don't understand.
So let us go forth fellow followers of The Way
straight into the storms crying peace, be still.

Saturday Shalom

Just walked by the river on a this cool fall day
and now watching Mrs. Doubtfire. Fun.
I'm pretty damn tired from a week's worth of work
but it's work that is good and offers opportunities for creativity and teaching.
Going to the movies tonight. Oh yeah!

My heart, or the center of my being, is good, beautiful, and alive like the ocean.
My mind keeps searching for deepest meanings and thirsts for knowledge that inspires.
Courage is needed by us all to keep on keeping on to be who we're called to be. Amen?

Mrs. Doubtfire's fake rubber breasts just caught fire from the stove. Laugh out loud funny - again!

So friends and dear ones, I pray a blessing upon you today.
May your heart be filled with the ocean of God's love and life,
May your mind be restless for that which waits to be discovered,
and may your gut be girded with courage and power to carry on.
(and may you be careful around the stove!)

Love,

me

PS Just got back from the movie Michael Clayton. Excellent.

The Fab 5

Hi! I'm home from a two day meeting with the Bishop and other DS's. Went very well.
Home tonight with my sweetie and little beast watching NCIS and Queer Eye. Relaxing.
These Queer Eye guys are great. In their own ways, they bring transformation, and they do it with joy, kindness, and fun.
I think that's the business of humankind...to keep receiving and bringing transformation...and doing it with joy.
So here's to getting rid of the junk, new beginnings, and enjoying the journey.

Shalom Community

Shalom Community(an Emergent Cohort) will be meeting at the LaSuer home in Marion (711 W. Buckingham Dr.)Friday night October 5th at 5:30. Come for food, fellowship, and a continued conversation about Marcus Borg's Heart of Christianity.

Everything Must Change

If you are up for some deep reading and want to gain more insight about Brian; his new book will do that for you. I am about 2/3 of the way through it - not the easiest read at times. But, so far it is a good book and it gives you alot to chew on. it just came out. Chapter 10 did a fairly good job on trying to lay out some of the differences between orthodox and emergent. He also gave some good insight into reading the text through 1st century eyes.

Things going on in Indy

I've received an e-mail from Sarah Notton who is very involved in the emergent cohort in Indianapolis. There are several events happening there over the next two months.

A conversation with Will and Lisa Samson, authors of Justice in the Burbs
(I've read their book; it's good.)
Saturday, October 6, 2007, 7:00 PM at Earth House Coffee & Books 237 N. East Street, Indianapolis
More info and RSVP: http://indieallies.meetup.com/7/calendar/6353745/

Cobalt Season in concert
Friday, October 19, 2007, 8:00 PM at Earth House Coffee & Books
Cobalt Season sing songs that express both a struggle and hope for what it means to follow Jesus.You can listen to some of their tracks at http://myspace.com/cobaltseason. Cost is $10. More info and RSVP: http://indieallies.meetup.com/7/calendar/6180440/.

An evening with Doug Pagitt
Thursday, October 25, 2007, 7:00 PM at Earth House Coffee & Books
Doug Pagitt is the author of Church Re-Imagined, Preaching Re-Imagined, and contributions to An Emergent Manifesto of Hope and Body Prayer. http://indieallies.meetup.com/7/calendar/6353994/

Coming in November
Rob Bell: The Gods Aren't Angry Tour
Friday, November 30, 2007 at the Murat Egyptian Room. Tickets are $17 from Ticketmaster.

Spirit & Place Festival, "Living Generously"
http://www.spiritandplace.org/Home.aspx November 2-18, various venues, lots of different events.

Jesus, God and miracles

Still reading Borg's book on Jesus. I like Borg's discussion of the social forces in the time of Jesus and the early Christians. Understanding the relationship between the Romans, the Pharisees and the Jewish peasant class makes me understand why Jesus said much of what he did.

When I read Borg, there is always a few things I don't agree with him. One is his discounting of the story of Jesus walking on the water, changing water to wine, and multiplying the fishes and loaves. Borg agrees that Jesus probably healed the sick and performed exorcisms. He believes that because healing and exorcisms are things others have done before and since Jesus. But Borg says the other miracles are just too fantastic to believe. They sound made up. Borg hedges a little by putting these Biblical accounts and others into a "suspense account," meaning, he suspends judgement because the account cannot be proven or disproven. I think Borg is, at times, just a little to skeptical of the Bible for my taste.

I'm a little less than half way through the book so I'll comment more later. It takes me a while to finish a book!

Did Jesus really walk on water?

An instructor at Southwestern Community College in Iowa was fired from his job because he didn't agree with his students that the Bible is literally true, or factual. A student walked out of his Western civilization class when he said he wouldn't agree with her that the story of the Garden of Eden was historically true. Several other students were upset, claiming that the instructor was degrading their religious beliefs by claiming their beliefs to be false. Parents called the college and threatened to sue. A college vice-president fired the instructor. The vice-president claimed that the instructor was supposed to teach history, not religion. The instructor claimed that it was impossible to study Western civilization without including religious topics. The class had previously discussed Gilgamesh without any problem.

I've finally begun reading Borg's book on Jesus. Early on he points out the futility of arguing about whether or not the universe was created in six days, or Adam and Eve were real people, or Jesus really walked on water. Focus on superficial facts simply gets in the way of the deeper, transforming truths contained in those accounts.

Why is it so important to certain Christians that the Bible is a factual, historical record? It was never, ever intended to be so for the early Christians. I think it is because modern Christians approach Scripture with a modern mind shaped by scientific reasoning. I think that's funny because the same people argue against scientific reasoning that seems to disprove Biblical accounts. They refuse to consider that if one account in the Bible isn't factual, it doesn't automatically negate everything else contained in the text. That is another artifact of modern thinking.

The Bible wasn't written to give us a factual account of the history of the Jewish people, the life of Christ, and the actions of the early Christians. That is not its purpose. It was written to TEACH us something. The writings were preserved so future generations would know what the early Hebrews believed about God, and what the early Christians believed about Jesus. Let's focus on the truth, and not the facts.

Giving Ones Life

I am watching The War by Ken Burns this week. Amazing. I can hardly fathom the numbers of how many people were killed in WW II. Many, many millions! Ghandi seemed to believe that we could have stopped the AXIS power in another manner, and I pray we might learn that way. But so many humans did only what they knew to do and fought, suffered, and gave their lives to stop men like Hitler. It was our parents, grandparents, and neighbors who took up the struggle.

This story, their stories, do nothing but inspire me. Words like discipline, sacrifice, courage, duty, purpose, and desiring to make the world a better place...come into mind...and hopefully my life.

I know that in the kingdom of God there should be no war. But allowing millions of Jews, Gays, and those who were considered "less than human" to be hurt or exterminated cannot be tolerated. I do not stand in judgement of the Germans and Japanese for we Americans have done the same thing.

I have hope that you and I, the generation at hand, might also know what kingdom purposes we are called to give our time, energy, passion and lives for.

Good day everyone!

Let us go forth this day to bring and to Be the good news of God's kingdom to the world!

Here's a prayer from a Celtic Prayer Book.

O Christ of the least and the homeless
O Christ of the lost and betrayed
Come close to me this day that I may come close to you.
As you watched me with care at my soul's shaping, look on me now with grace.
As you blessed me with light at the sun's rising, shine on me now with love.

Praying

I cried out again and again to God for my loved one, and she is doing so much better physically.

I cried out to Jesus to be right in the middle of my suffering, and the risen rabbi told me to get my butt home and start caring for myself. It was a good idea.

I asked the Lord's guidance to help me figure out how to handle our Blazer car which sits broken in Chicago. The God of love whispered to me the name of my old friend Kirby who has helped me figure things out.

I've prayed over time for just one person to believe in my dream and work hand in hand with me in creating a new way for Christ followers to be connected. Someone has now stepped forward. (And to be honest it's kind of freaking me out.)

Prayer!
Mystery!
Trust!
Power!
God's will!
Listening!
Radical obedience!
Thankfulness!

War Prayer

O Lord our Father, our young patriots, idols of our hearts, go forth to battle-be Thou near them! With them, in spirit, we also go forth from the sweet peace of our beloved firesides to smite the foe! Lord our God, help us tear their soldiers to bloody shreds with our shells; help us to cover their smiling fields with the pale forms of their patriot dead; help to drown the thunder of the guns with the shrieks of their wounded, writhing in pain; help us to lay waste their humble homes with a hurricane of fire; help us to wring the hearts of their unoffending widows[and leave them and] their little children to wander unfriended the wastes of their desolated land in rags and hunger and thirst, sports of the sun flames of summer and the icy winds of winter, broken in spirit, worn with travail, imploring Thee for the refuge of the grave and denied it - for our sakes who adore Thee, Lord, blast their hopes, blight their lives, protract their bitter pilgrimage, make heavy their steps, water their way with tears, stain the white snow with the blood of their wounded feet! We ask it, in the spirit of Love, of Him who is the Source of Love, and Who is the ever-faithful refuge and friend of all that are sore beset and seek His aid with humble and contrite hearts. Amen.

Mark Twain

The Brace Update

Friends, I wanted to thank-you for praying for Bethany and our family. Bethany received her brace on Wednesday ( 3 days ago ). She is doing great in in. She has been able to wear it about 14 hours a day at the tightest level and w/o any complaining. I have included two pics of her modeling her brace. Thanks again.

Still Wondering

Tonight I wonder what I'll do with my life? Maybe it's because I'm tired. But maybe it's a question I'll always be asking one time or another. I wonder what I should do with my life? Anyone else wonder about the same thing?

Sex Offenders

I'm reading a great book called An Emergent Manifesto of Hope. It is about a number of Emergent churches/ministries and what they're about. One of the stories is about someone who does addictions ministry in the jail. He talks about Jesus' Great Reversal...you know "the first will be last and the last will be first"...that kind of thing. The author states that he is learning about God from the addicts and other inmates. And that the greatest teachers he encounters are the sex offenders! They are the ones who need and are striving for God's grace, love, and help more than anyone. He says that anyplace Jesus talks about tax collectors in the Bible that you should insert sex offenders and then you will understand the impact Jesus had on the people who were listening. I pray that we might continue to minister to who were called to minister to not only because it's the Jesus thing to do, but because it will be those people who will more clearly teach us the ways of God. May it be so.

Shalom Community

Shalom Community(an Emergent gathering) is happening this Saturday night the 15th at the LaSuer home in Marion starting at 5:30. We'd love to have you with us. If you have any questions, call Craig at 765-661-6727.

Peace.

Life@Work

I just finished reading John Maxwell's book Life@Work. Maxwell writes about what has been called workplace or marketplace ministry. This idea has been around for a few years prior to Maxwell's book (published in 2005) and written about by folks like Os Hillman. The idea is that we spend most of our waking hours at work. It is an area where we should be "salt and light." However, too often we hesitate to blend our work life with our faith life.

Maxwell looks at four areas: Skill, Calling, Serving and Character. Essentially, he shows through Scripture that our workplace skill is enhanced by God, that we can be "called to the workplace," that serving others is what Jesus models for us all, and that by modeling character we can influence the character of the workplace.

For me the most interesting section was about calling. I know others who struggle with this, and wonder what God's call is for their life, and what his plan is for them. Maxwell outlines different types of calling and provides guidelines to help readers understand whether or not they are following God's call.

Maxwell also challenges the church to help equip Christians for workplace ministry. He calls for a paradigm shift from a "traditional church" to a "work-life" church that is outward focused rather than inward focused.

I've enjoyed several of Maxwell's books on leadership development. He often uses the lives of Biblical characters as well as stories about real people to illustrate his points. I recommend this book for those who are seeking how to make a difference in their workplace.

The Spirit of Fred

Ok, so I painted the shed we have out back, and if you know how un-handy this LaSuer is, you know that's a pretty big deal. Ever since we moved here about a year ago, I've had my eye on that shed. We have a nice back yard, but that shed sits in a prominent place and needed painted bad. So I watched and pondered and finally began this summer. I basically finished tonight, and it looks sweet! I put on three different colors...most of it is a nice green, the trim is a soft tan, and then I painted one board on the outside of the door a dark brown.

But I enjoyed doing this so much. I think it's basically because my trade is in ideas and relationships. And whereas I enjoy that reality, it was good to use my hands and different skills to do this project. Maybe we all need to keep trying things that are outside our usual way of being. Just like my wife Joy Ellen. She is considering going back to school to get another Masters degree and to do that she has to take the GRE. So here she is studying math problems of all things. But that too is a good thing.

Yet I think the most cool thing about it all is something that happened that was very unexpected and quite mysterious. My grandfather, my dad's dad, was a man by the name of Fred. I never met him because he took his life before I was born...most likely because of the depression days. But my dad has told me so much about him that I feel like I know him, and I especially feel like his fiery independence and belief in and respect for the common man have somehow influenced my life. But here's the thing. Fred was a painter. That's how he made his living. And while I painted this shed, I began to feel a closeness to my grandpa...like he was there with me. Wow. And I talked to him a little bit. And I felt him helping me out. I truly believe that the spirit of Fred was with me as I painted. Perhaps he's been with me before. The letter of Hebrews says something about being surrounded by a cloud of witnesses so that we can run the race before us...painting sheds, living life, and furthering the kingdom.

A Little Help From My Friends

Two people who are very dear to me need physical healing and wholeness. Would you please pray for them.

Thank you.

Sound Doctrine?!

I want us all to have sound doctrine.
Except I can't remember what it is.
Oh yeah, how about...love and be loved by God.
How about ....keep seeking to follow the wild and crazy rabbi
wherever he leads and however he desires us to further the Rule of Love.
Perhaps it is resting and trusting in the amazing, beautiful
grace, protection, and abundant life of the Life Giver.
Is this doctrine? I don't know. It is that to which I give my life.
Maybe too it's demonstrated in the horse who serves the farmer for the work to be done.
And it just might be the music sung by the chorus bringing healing to the weary soul.
It is the chance to teach - oh how I cherish teaching The Way!
It is being light to the world just as the sun warms, makes the earth beautiful, and gives life.
I'm watching you closely to make sure you don't believe something I don't approve of.
Just kidding! Instead always know that forgiveness, reconciliation, mercy, and oh yeah, the very underrated gift of something called Mystery, are celebrated in the kingdom of God.
I guess that to me these things are....sound doctrine.

Prayer Request

Hello friends. I hope that you do not mind that I am posting a prayer request here. My little one (Bethany) needs some prayers. Her spirits are very high; so I am not worried about that. However she has scolosis and it is severe - 41%.

However, we have her up at the Cleveland Clinic and they are doing a fantastic job. We have gone through the x-rays, the test and have been fitted for a cast. It will be a cast from the pelvis to the arm pits. She will have to wear it for 16-20 hours a day - most likely for the next 8 +/- years.

We have been hit with a lot in the last few months.

I was in my patient room in Methodist Hospital at Mayo Clinic last January.
I was in a state of hopelessness, and hope is the most precious of treasures.
At that moment I had no faith. I didn't belief God could make a difference.
Then Michelle Cobb called to see how I was and prayed with me. And boy did she pray.
She cried out to God really expecting God to do a good work with my body and situation.
God did. My situation slowly began to change and hope entered my heart like water filling a dry hole.

A follower of Jesus trusts that God is both powerful and good. The only thing we should be concerned about is the business of the kingdom while allowing God to take care of our wounds and our worries. But I'm here to testify that once in a while our faith and trust can take a hike. In those times we need a friend to carry us to the feet of the Father. Here's a version of the prayer Jesus taught.

Eternal Spirit, Earth-maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver, Source of all that is
and that shall be. Father and Mother of us all, Loving God, in whom is heaven:
The hallowing of your name echo through the universe! The way of your justice
be followed by peoples of the world! Your heavenly will be done by all created beings! Your commonwealth of peace and freedom sustain our hope and come on earth.
With the bread we need for today, feed us. In the hurts we absorb from one another,
forgive us. In times of temptation and test, strengthen us. From trials too great
to endure, spare us. From the grip of all that is evil, free us. For you reign
in the glory of the power that is love, now and forever. Amen.

Chesterton Quote

I just wanted to share this great quote from G.K. Chesterton:

Christianity has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found
difficult and not tried.

It Is Good

Joy Ellen and I went to see my mom and dad yesterday. My mama had a touch of the flu or something. So when we got there, they were both back in their bedroom each laying in their own bed. I started kidding around with mom right away. Joy and laughter seem to go a long way with them these days. Then I laid down in the bed next to mom for a little bit...sweet moment.

Papa and I then went to the grocery store together. I can't tell you what a wonderful feeling it is to make sure the olds have food in the house. It rocks! By the time we got home, mom was up and dressed and Joy had cleaned the house. Usually when we come it is enough to get mom up and going.

Then we went for a long drive to Bluffton and ate in an elegant little restaurant called The Ritten House. I chose it because my little mama has always been an elegant lady. We had a nice meal, but I get sort of anxious in that setting because dad's talking can wear you down a little because of his alzhiemers.

But on the way home there was a great sunset on my dad's side of the car. He was absolutely amazed by the beauty in the sky. It was like the one and only sunset he had ever seen in his life. He is a thankful man and sees life through eyes of wonder.

Joy and I go once a week, and like the Creator said at the end of each day, it is good! This year has taught Joy and I that Jesus' words are true that, as we do our part, God's power and love is sufficient for the mission at hand.

Bible

If you're coming to Shalom Community Friday night at the LaSuer's, please bring a Bible. And keep in mind these words which I saw on a bumper sticker the other day,"If it ain't King James, it ain't a Bible!"

Interview With God

Yesterday, the wife, I and the three kids went down to the library and relaxed for a few hours before I headed back to church for council meeting. I am reading various books and materials lately; that cross all over the board. I came across this in a book from unknown authors and it "resonated with me". I placed this on my personal blog as well. May it sing to your heart; like it did mine.

"Come in," God said. "So, you would like to interview me?" "If you have the time," I said. God smiled and said: "My time is eternity and is enough to do everything. What questions do you have in mind to ask me?"

"What surprises you most about humankind?"

God answered: "That they get bored of being children, are in a rush to grow up, and then long to be children again. That they lose their health to make money and then lose their money to restore their health. That by thinking anxiously about the future, they forget the present, such as they live neither for the present nor the future. That they live as if they will never die and they die as if they never lived .... "

God's hand took mine and we were silent for awhile, and then I asked ...

"As a parent, what are some of the life's lesson you want your children to learn?"

God replied with a smile:

"To learn that they cannot make anyone love them. What they can do is to let themselves be loved. To learn that what is most valuable is not what they have in their lives, but who they have in their lives. To learn that it is not good to compare themselves to others. All will be judged individually on their own merits, not as a group on a comparison basis! To learn that a rich person is not the one who has the most, but it is the one who needs the least. To learn that it only takes a few seconds to pen up profound wounds in persons we love, and that it takes many years to heal them. To learn to forgive by practicing forgiveness.

To learn that there are persons that love them dearly, but simply do not know how to express or show their feelings. To learn that money can buy everything but happiness. To learn that two people can look at the same thing and see it completely different. To learn that a true friend is someone who knows everything about them .. and likes them anyway. To learn that it is not always enough that they be forgive by others, but that they have to forgive themselves."

I sat there for awhile and enjoyed the moment.

Shalom Community

Shalom Community is meeting this Friday night at 5:30 at the LaSuer home in Marion. We hope you can come! We'll start with a meal. Let us know if you can come, and if you can, if you can bring some food for the table. Joy is planning to make spaghetti with fresh garden tomato sauce.

Peace!

The Way

The Way of Jesus

* One who loves and is in relationship with God.
I love you God of the Universe. You are Light and Peace and Power. You make the beauty of sunrises and sunsets happen consistently on the horizon as well as in our inner being.

* One who seeks to do God's will and further the rule of God's love in people's lives and on this planet.
Once a week, Joysie and I go to Ft. Wayne to see my parents. Today we took them to the Botanical Gardens, went out to eat, and bought groceries. Sometimes it ain't easy but it always feels right and good.

* Those who trust that God loves and cares for us, has Power to give us and those we love, and desires us not to freak out so much. (even though we humans can freak out good!) He said quite often, "Where's your faith dudes!"

* Folks who are servants.
Herb would park further from the church doors than anyone so that others could park closer.

* Healers.
Pray-ers. Listeners. Nurses. Touch-ers.

* Those who are in a God community on a mission.
Lutherans, Baptists, Folks in AA, teachers, Jews in the synagogue, Monks............

* People who forgive and are merciful.
When possible this forgiveness, which in some cases can take years, should lead to reconciliation. He taught us this as he was dying.

* Those who confront that which is wrong or not part of His rule of love.
Christ, MLK, Ghandi, Lincoln, and maybe us in little ways now and again.

* We teach(mostly through story) and demonstrate(through the story of our lives) the Way of Jesus and the Way of the Kingdom.
Once there was a man who had two sons......
In a galaxy far, far away...
Today in the botanical gardens....

To this Way, I can give my life.
Amen.

Hopes and Prayers This Evening

Tonight I pray for Becca. I lift her to the healing of God and the doctors.
I pray for my friend Steve who desperately seeks to do God's will
and it is so damn hard. Make a way for him Lord.
I consider my two wonderful children who go back to school and send them off to grow in knowledge and wisdom and good relationships. (Such a fun card Trev that you sent to David.)
I sing a song of love and power out to the churches I know that desire to have unity and health and new beginnings. May it be so sweet Spirit.
I am so thankful tonight for life , all of it, so absolutely amazing...
sight, sound, dinner with the the family, this movie I'm watching, the air that I breathe and the lungs I use to get it done, purpose, dreams at night and visions of a better tomorrow.
And thoughts for the world tonight.
Your will be done. Your kingdom come.
I told someone I was sorry today. That was a good thing.
I love you all. I truly do.
Abundant blessings be upon you and given through you.

heresy

A definition of heresy is "It's not that something isn't true, it's just not THAT true." Here's some things that fit this definition of heresy for me tonight.
1. The church is what it's all about.
Well, I love the church and it is indeed a source of inspiration in many beautiful ways, but there is also your job, family, continued learning, poetry, compassion, and tonight's meteor shower.
2. Suffering is bad.
Well, it is a drag, but so many good things come out of it like the caring of others, hope and trust in God, and the joy of coming out on the other side.
3. Death is something I'm scared of.
Well, for sure that has been the case for a long time, but as I recently read an amazing "near death" account it has opened up at least a little bit of an understanding of just how the adventure of "living" might continue after this particular earth existence. I shall continue to explore and ponder.
4.That so and so will always be the same and never change.
Yeah, that does indeed happen, but I also choose to believe in the existence of the possible transformation in people and institutions. That God and the universe can line up just right with our hope-full-ness and rattle someone or something into a new creation.
5. Brian McLaren is the answer to the world's problems.
Uh, I don't think so, but he has been my mentor for quite awhile(along with Marcus Borg) and he's coming to Goshen IN something like May 9th and 10th and I would like some of us to read his newest book, go to the event together, eat and drink and take walks, and see what kingdom action comes out of it.
6. The hokey pokey is what it's all about.
OK,this one's true.

2 Intriguing Books

Just a heads up and maybe a late heads up on some books that I am reading / have finished up this week. I am reading 2+ books a week now - I am kinda in a "groove". Anyways, here are the books:

Mark Driscoll: Confession of a Reformission Rev: Hard Lessons From An Emerging Missional Church.

I may disagree with some of his theology and may not approve of his in-your-face-approach HOWEVER, it is a very good book on his life and how he and the church has grown. Two of the things that I enjoyed about the book is his authentic approach and the reflection questions at the end of each chapter. I think churches across the board need to be examining themselves and asking those questions.

They Like Jesus But Not The Church by Dan Kimball.

It is a phrase that I am hearing alot lately and Dan took the topic and produced it into a book. I first heard the phrase in 1991 by some inner-city kids that I was playing some b-ball with.

Anyways, I think he does the book great justice and divides the book up into the why / what / how.

These are two books that I would recommend for reading. HOWEVER, you may want to throw Mark's book out the window (or worse) a few times because of his different interpretation than most stances here ( from a theology standpoint )

shalom

So, Shalom Community gathered in our home last night. Dianne, Dan, Joy, Craig, Kevin, Jennifer, Pahdmae, Dave, Linda, Greg, and Becca. It was good. We shared a meal, talked in twos about what is most important to us in the faith at this time, discussed Marcus Borg's different definitions of faith, told stories, and prayed.

Oh God how I love you and your people. Life is all a miracle. Even the tough stuff draws us closer to you and who we are all meant to be. So on this Sabbath morning I praise and honor you, and I tell you that I love you and all the manifestations you take in the people, creation, and existence that surrounds and envelopes us.

I love you all, and I pray peace and power to you and those you love.

Back home.
Oregon is sweet.
Rented a mustang convertible and drove to the coast where it was both cool and windy.
Saw a whale from a distance and harbor seals as well.
Drove up a long, kind of scary, single lane road into the mountains
and walked a beautiful trail.
Saw a dear old friend and went to to a museum seeing bodies preserved by Plastination.
Went to a place called The Living Room Theater where we watched
a wonderful independent film called Broken English and were served a meal.
Almost finished the book Middlesex which is very excellent.
Was with my sweetie the whole time.
Back home. Re-created. Ready to get back to the mission.
OK, just came back downstairs to tell you I finished Middlesex. So good.
Next book is Thousand Splendid Suns....sequel to Kite Runner.
Also reading Jesus by Borg....excellent.
Goodnight!

Shalom Church

The next meeting of Shalom Church, an Emergent Cohort, will meet at the LaSuer home in Marion Saturday August 4th at 5:30pm. We'll start with a meal and then be working together through a workbook by Marcus Borg based on his book The Heart of Christianity. If you haven't read the book, it's amazing.
Love to have you come to the gathering.

So, we're heading out for a week and again disconnecting from the computer, cell phone, and the work world. I pray, that like Jesus, you will have a mystical and wonderful connection to the One, a passion to do his bidding, and a relaxation and trust to stop worrying about the stuff.

Peace.

Skin Story

17 years old. Because of a skin disorder, I had been scratching and wounding my skin for all of those years. The skin was very damaged now, seeping some kind of substance, and not healing. I had zero self worth. I wasn't studying. I had produced a child that we put up for adoption. I was fast on my way to many years of full addiction. I am sitting in a large food pantry with the lights off. And I am sitting in front of a freezer because it generated heat from the bottom of the appliance. I sat in front of heaters a lot because my fragile skin often left me cold. This place was my sanctuary. Alone, hiding from people and life, and staying warm.

I'm now 53. Many years have passed and many horrors, wonderful healing blessings, and adventures have taken place with my skin. And now, for the first time in my life, I consider my skin a friend and not an enemy. And when it becomes agitated, absolutely nothing like it was in the past, I treat the miraculous substance that covers my body with love, respect, patience, and understanding.

Such is the Kingdom of God.

A Calling

I stood in the Native American sacred winter woods on the top of a hill looking over the trees.
I was deep breathing by taking long breaths in through my nostrils, holding my breath,
and then using my fingers to evenly direct the air back out.
I also chanted OM over the trees, toward the sky, and out to heaven.
I practiced Kundalini Yoga and centers of power began to open within.
My Beagle dog Spanky ran, howled, and chased after rabbits.
Over the winter months I heard a small gentle voice whisper life changing words.
The voice said,"God is the most important thing there is, and you are supposed to serve him full time."
They name this a calling.
Once again I hear and feel the wind blow through the trees and through my body.
Once again I sing over the creation.
And once again the ancient and present voice whispers life changing words.
Again, a calling.
(By the way, my present sweetie 13 year old dog can't even sense the rabbits are around.)

Pure Sabbath

Today has been pure sabbath, and I really needed it. I've been working hard lately,
and on my day off, Joy and I spent the day helping my mom after she had a fall.
So, this morning I preached at one of my churches in a town called Converse, and then
all day today I enjoyed a time of rest, tv, and re-creation.
I think I watched parts of about 6 movies all afternoon...flipping back and forth with the remote. You know there are lots of groovy movies on Sundays.
I watched Along Came Polly, Rocky, US Marshal, Pretty Woman, Happy Gilmore...
When Joy walked into the room and saw that I was watching Rocky for the 100th time, she asked me if I was saying the lines along with the movie. But I'm telling you, that Rocky Balboa still inspires me!
I enjoyed a bath and then took a walk with Joy and Jamie
along a path called The Cardinal Greenway.
We just finished pizza with tomatoes on it and are watching shows again.
Pure sabbath. The Jews sure had a good idea, and I'm all for it!
Alright, time to go upstairs and read....then sleep.
Amen.

Within God

Hi everyone!
When we were in Michigan last week, we experienced
one particularly amazing sunset over Lake Michigan.
Let's see...it was a cool evening...the lake was a baby blue...
the sunset colors were astonishing...there were children playing on the beach.
At that moment I felt like I was experiencing heaven on earth,
and even though I desire to believe in a heaven after our days on earth,
nobody can convince me that it could be more beautiful than that evening in Michigan.
Within God we live and move and have our being.

OK, here's what I want on my tombstone. (But not for awhile.)

"I am a real, honest, freethinking
follower of the Jesus Way
who loves his family
and life itself."

I could give my life to this. (At least right now!)
What do you want to be remembered for? What would be on your tombstone?

We are on vacation! And I have not taken my computer!!

Peace. Later.

You know, I was thinking tonight that
I really want to do my part to transform people's lives
and change the world.
I want to make a difference.
I want to believe that God and I can do just that.
I don't want to "shit" around with my existence.
Lots of people have done their part to change my life
and I figure it's my turn.
Plus, I want to make this world a better place.
I want to do my part to transform people's lives
and change this world.

The Dream

Jesus teaches his disciples about God's Dream for this world. That Dream is about:

Seeking God's will
Forgiveness
Being transformed
Servanthood
Offering healing and wholeness
Loving God and neighbor as self
Confronting competing dreams that are dark
Feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the prisoners
Being in community to make the Dream come true.

Help us today God to be a Jesus follower for the sake of your Dream.

Somebody's son.

Here's something I think about a lot.
I'm no longer interested in who makes it to heaven or who doesn't based on what people believe or what they don't. I trust God will take care of those things. And being a Jesus follower is so very much more than an intellectual ascent to a set of doctrines. It is about living each and every day of our lives as Jesus would have us do such.

But what I do care about in regard to the afterlife involves an 11 year old boy who was recently dragged from his family's tent by a bear and killed. Is there justice for him? Will he experience some kind of continuing life? Or is that it? I pray that that is not it. I pray that it is not true that it is just the way it is that some folks live a long and good life and some just die young due to random chance, and then there is nothing beyond for them. I hope that God makes it right in the end for that boy and for so very many more. This is what I hope an emerging Jesus follower might care about.

Still

still here....and surviving.
so much, so much
sin and brokenness in our world.
behold the lamb of God
who takes away the sin of the world and seeks to make that world whole.
repentance, justice, forgiveness, reconciliation.
new beginnings.
forget not to be thankful
and keep seeing the beauty.
and this is who we are
both the old kind of Christian
as well as a new kind of Christian.

CD Stores

OK, this doesn't really belong here, but so what.

I've been thinking about my favorite CD stores. The kind I like to visit are independently owned, have a large amount of used CDs and support the local music scene. When I travel, my goal is to find the local used CD stores. Here are the ones I like:

Lafayette - JL Records. Comparable to indie CD stores in large cities like Chicago or Indy. It really is amazing that such a place exists in Lafayette.

Chicago - There are several small shops along Clark St., north of the Hard Rock. They all have vinyl too.

Indy - There's a funky little shop called Vibes right across the road from the entrance to Castleton Square mall. A great collection of used blues CDs.

New Orleans - Louisiana Music Factory is in the French Quarter and is an awesome place! Lots of blues, zydeco and local bands. Right across the street from the House of Blues.

Of course, I only get to go to these places when I'm traveling alone. My family is not too keen on browsing for CDs when we're on vacation. I can't understand why.

Head Shoulders Knees and Toes

So, this very spooky thing happened today!!! I have been dealing with an intense crisis situation in one of my churches for about two months now and it is all unfolding and exploding this week. And in the middle of things today, I was feeling the powerful presence of the Lord. All of a sudden Trevor IM's me these silly words,"Head shoulders knees and toes, knees and toes." So, I tell Joy what the silly boy just sent me, and she informs me that at that very moment, she is working on some kind of classroom project and the words she was working with were "heads shoulders knees and toes, knees and toes." So, Trevor, Joy and I absolutely freak out, and Trev and I begin to try to figure out what it is we just experienced.

I still don't know what it meant, but I believe beyond a shadow of a doubt that God was seeking to say something in a loud and clear voice. Something for me...perhaps something for you...some kind of message like
"I am here."
"You are not alone."
"My power is made perfect in weakness."
"There is an underlying force, harmony, and unity at hand."
"Behold, the rule of God's love is near."
"There is something to learn."
"Keep singing."

Stuff

So hey, what's happening?
Hope all is well with you.
I had a day off today!
Found a good book, ate a hamburger outside with Joy, did some chores,
and I'm watching the movie Saved.(fun and good)
Tonight we drive to Lafayette to hear David and Josh's band.
The day is beautiful...Joy , Jamie and I took a walk.
Looking forward to vacation.
I pray for those I know who are hurting....please bless them Papa.
What I've learned lately is to take tough situations one step at a time....follow the process.... trust the team...and to let God be God.
Remember to be a real and honest follower of Jeshua...
the radical rabbi in love with the kingdom.
Peace. Out.

Today

This morning I have only one prayer and belief for my life.

God, may I love you today,
and may I love my neighbors... especially the wounded ones.
And may I live like Jesus today.

That's it. Amen.

Prayer Request

Please pray for the Christ United Methodist Church family. They are going through a very difficult time as a congregation, and individual members are hurting physically and emotionally.

Lord our Father, may your Spirit rest upon Christ Church, named after your Son and our Redeemer. Heal the wounds and show us your grace and mercy, that we may show grace and mercy to others. Show us how to be a part of the kingdom of God and transform the kingdom of men, not be conformed to it. Jesus, show us your path to love and righteousness. Deliver us from the temptation to follow the ways of this world. Only by your power, Father, may we be the temples of the Holy Spirit that we long to be. Show us Your will, Father. May we walk in your Spirit today and always. Amen.

Re-Connecting

I have finished one year as a District Superintendent. Whew!
The last event of this year was Annual Conference which just finished today.
It was a great event offering community and many stories of UM Churches
making a difference in peoples' lives and the world. But the best moment of all was when my papa came to the conference. Dad hadn't been there for 10 to 15 years, and he wanted to come so badly. So Joy contacted one of his oldest and dearest friends from Nashville TN, and he came to do the good deed. When dad walked into the room full of retired DS's, they cheered and got up to come and hug him. I cried. It was the right thing to make happen.

God has a way of re-connecting the disconnected...including you and me. There are times when we feel so alone. We are with others yet feel isolated, different, and estranged. Sometimes we just desire to run away, and indeed at times that is exactly what we do. But then there are the moments when God brings us back to community. God lets us know that we really do fit in with those around us, and that we need the people as much as the people need us.

God finds creative, powerful, and beautiful ways to reconnect us with family, the church family, and the human family in general. And at times, he uses ordinary folks like you and me to get it done. God does this reconnecting again and again and again throughout our lives, our world, and the Story we find ourselves in.

Jesus, thank you for reconnecting us with community and for the honor of joining you in doing such for others. Amen.

Good morning Lord. May there be Peace.

Good morning Lord.
Thank you for the beauty of this day, the beauty of this life, and the life of knowing you.
Good morning Lord.
Thank you for the beauty of this day, the beauty of this life, and the life of knowing you.
Good morning Lord.
Thank you for the beauty of this day, the beauty of this life, and the life of knowing you.

May there be Peace... in our souls... in our world...with those we know that suffer. There is Peace in the Kingdom of God. Even in the storm on the sea, Jesus slept, and then spoke a word to settle things down. May it be so.

God, I pray that today I will love you
and that I will love my neighbors, especially the wounded ones.
May I live like you today Jesus ...healing, serving,
and both teaching and demonstrating the good news of the Rule of God's Love.
Shalom to you my friends who I love.
May we enjoy the beauty of the day.
Pray today for Stacey.

Who We Are...and Are Not

The ways of Jesus.....vs. mans' inhumanity to man.
The way of Jesus.....vs. not giving a damn.
Jesus people dedicated to all of humanity...vs. just "our tribe."
The disciples of Jeshua...who make the invisible but present God visible.
Jesus followers in community...going to those who are alone.
People with Jesus hearts....which break for broken humanity.
People both proclaiming and living out with Jesus the good news of God's Kingdom.
Not accepting the sometimes stupidity of Christianity
accepting only Christ and his love for the world.

Shalom Church
This Saturday night at 5:00 at the LaSuers
An emergent gathering featuring food, fellowship, and friends.

The Parable of the Weeds

I've been thinking about Jesus' parable of the weeds planted in the field of wheat. It's often seen as a parable about final judgement. It's one of the few parables where Jesus explains its meaning to his disciples. But he doesn't really explain the meaning, he just points out what the images represents and He does indeed talk about a final judgement when "all causes of sin and all evildoers" will be thrown into a "furnace of fire."

But I don't want to talk about that! What interests me is the conversation between the servants and the Master. The servants offer to pull up the weeds. (Jesus later explains that the weeds are the "sons of the evil one.") But the Master says to the servants (I paraphrase), "No, don't pull them up. You might do more damage than good. I'll have my harvesters take care of that later. You don't have to worry about it."

Sometimes, too often, I see Christians trying to "pull up the weeds" themselves instead of letting God take care of it in His time and method. When we try to amend constitutions or pass laws to "pull up weeds" are we not assuming the role of the One who sowed the field, the One who has His own way dealing with the weeds? What "weeds" are you trying to pull up? How much damage will you do to the wheat in the process?

We Pray

I know that I struggle to keep on keeping on to do my work well
and I struggle to be the kind of human being I need to be
but I know others who are struggling so very much more...those who are more than struggling because they are suffering. I pray today for those who are suffering. I pray for Stacey Greathouse. She has to be free of infection in her body before they can get her on the meds that will save her life. I ask you to pray right now for Stacey, Jeff, and their children......

And together, for Stacey and others we know who are suffering, we pray...

Our Father in heaven, praise be to you.
Your Kingdom come, your Will be done
Come healing and loving Lord Jesus!
May the Light of God be greater than the darkness.
and the Hope of God greater than the despair.
Give us this day our daily bread and daily needs.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive the sins of others.
Lead us in the right paths and deliver us from evil and darkness.
For yours is the Kingdom and Power and Glory forever.
Amen.

I am so tired,
and I am neck deep in extreme crisis.
But I know that God is with me
because She(in honor of Mother's Day)makes her Presence known.
I love you,
and I pray that the God of the universe
bless you
sustain you
make Jesus to live, serve, and shine through you
and grant you peace.
And the whispering voice says
Be still and know that I am God...
Be still and know that I am...
Be still and know...
Be still...
Be...

Light at the End ...

of the tunnel.

I heard this song on the radio and I "youtubed" it. Thanks Third Day and Teagan.



It is what keeps us "holding on".

Mankind Prayer

Over the past 5 weeks, I have been reading quite abit. I guess that will happen when you are constantly in the doctors office, emergency rooms and hospitals. This prayer was in one of the prayer books that I read and it spoke to me:

So close in thought I wish to be
With someone who can hear
My heart's sad cry, its silent weep,
Caused from deep despair, I fear
For life is often so hard to take,
It deals such a painful blow,
Then no one is there with whom to share,
no one wants to know.
For everyone has their problems too,
Enough gloom and despair of their own.
They have no time for me to share
My thoughts I so want known.
I pray the day will quickly come,
The day when I will see
The person who will always listen,
And with all their heart love me

One of the reasons that it spoke to me is the following: Whether or not someone is in the chair next to me, I know that Jesus is there and I can rest in his arms and let my cries fall on His shoulder.

The Gospel of Inclusion

Over 25 years ago, when I was first starting ministry, I used to watch on tv and enjoy a pastor named Carlton Pearson. He was very dynamic and in the worship services of his church the musician Carmen would perform. Well, I was watching the morning news this week and Bishop Pearson was being interviewed about a life changing conversion experience he had recently. He was watching tv and seeing people from Ruwanda walking along looking sad, hungry, and defeated. Carlton knew that they were Muslim and he said to the Lord something like, "So they go through this kind of life and then you send them to hell!?" He heard the Lord say,"Is that what you think I do?" That began a process of Carlton's conversion. He's written a book called The Gospel of Inclusion which I've ordered but it is apparently about Bishop Carlton's new understanding that Jesus has died for the world, that the world has been saved, that all people will go to heaven, and that we are to help folks get out of the hell they are experiencing here and now in this life. Consequently, Carlton lost favor with and rejected by his colleagues and his church went from thousands to a small group. He was alone and finally invited by a church in San Francisco which included many gays and lesbians(I wonder if it was Glide Memorial UMC) and there he was welcomed, had his feet washed, and felt he truly experienced God. He has now started a new church proclaiming and seeking to live this gospel of inclusion.

I invite you to google his name, go to his web page, order his book, and see what you "think."

An Evening Prayer From The Book Of Worship

As you have made this day, O God,
you also make the night.
Give light for our comfort.
Come upon us with quietness and still our souls
that we may listen for the whisper of your Spirit
and be sensitive to your nearness in our dreams.
Empower us to rise again in new life to proclaim your praise,
and show Christ to the world.

Sabbath

Ok, dear friends, I am beginning to become burned out. I love being a missionary for the Kingdom, but today I stop. I pull out an old wonderful book that blessed my life, Trev's, Herb's, and others called SABBATH by Wayne Muller. You indeed experience and embrace more sabbath in your life and heart as you read it. I invite you to get hold of a copy and let it bless you. This morning I share from the book.

As a butterfly lost in a flower,
As a bird settled on a tree,
As a child fondling mother's breast,
For sixty-seven years of this world,
I have played with God.
(Sasaki Roshi)

Today, I intend to play with God.

Shalom Church Revisited

The Shalom Church gathering has been moved to this Saturday at 5:00 instead of Sunday. You can do that stuff when there's basically 7 people involved. And there is for sure always room for another! Jesus said, "Whenever seven or so crazy people are at the LaSuer's, I'll be there too."

Shalom Church

Shalom Church, a gathering of emerging Jesus followers, will meet this Sunday night May 6th at 5:50 at the LaSuer home...711 W. Buckingham in Marion 46952. We will share a light meal, conversation, connection to God and one another. All folks are welcome!

A Morning Prayer

Good morning new and sunshine day!
Thanks Papa for the gift of life!
I offer this morning prayer from the Book of Worship
from me and my friends.
Eternal God, hallowed be your name.
Early in the morning before we begin our work, we praise your glory.
Renew our bodies as fresh as the morning flowers.
Open our inner eyes, as the sun cast new light upon the darkness.
Deliver us from all captivity.
Like the birds of the sky, give us wings of freedom to begin a new journey.
As a mighty stream running continuously, restore justice and freedom day by day.
We thank you for the gift of this morning,
and a new day to work with you. Amen.
(Masao Takenaka - Japan)

Dear Rachel

Dear Rachel,

I'm more happy tonight and less grumpy than earlier this evening. Three things happened to help.
First, you staring me down and telling me to treasure the little time we had together tonight was a good thing. You're a tough and very adult young lady.
Secondly, I read somethng about inner peace, and I realized that I was tired and in need of such peace as I've recently been dealing with many wounded people.
Thirdly, a group of us did some good work tonight beginning to lay some groundwork to create ministry for Hispanic people in our area.

Anyway babe, I'm happy tonight and I love you with all my heart.

Peace,

Daddy

Like a Bloom Ready to Burst

Jesus said,"I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God...for I was sent for this purpose." (Luke 4:43,44) Wow! That's an amazing scripture. Jesus' main message in Matthew, Mark, and Luke was that the kingdom of God is at hand ready to burst forth like a bloom in spring. Disciples of Jesus are experiencing, teaching, and advancing this kingdom of God by:

1) Experiencing the kingdom and being transformed...developing eyes to see and ears to hear the kingdom...loving God who loves us...giving our lives to Jesus and his ways.

2) Being servants.

3) Offering healing to the broken and going to the outcasts.

4) Doing kingdom things quietly without making a big deal out of it.

5) Forgiving those who hurt us just as God forgives us.

6) Doing God's will. (radical obedience)

7) Rejecting and confronting false kingdoms.

8) Using our God given talents and resources to further the kingdom.

9) Living in community.

I desire to give my life and help others give their lives to this Kingdom, Way, Reason for Being, Rule of God's Love, Story, Revolution, Conversation, and That which the life of Jesus was about and which he gave his life for.

Cry Out!

I cry out to God in the night.
Where is the justice in the death of the young students in VA?
Where is the justice when young children die for whatever reason in the world?
I say to God
there better be some sort of justice for them.
There better be a place...a way... that their life can continue on for them.
I hear no response back.
But it seems that there should be some kind of provision for them
in this thing called the kingdom that Jeshua cared so very much about.
But all I can do right now is cry out.

Midwest Emergent Gathering

A special message from Mike Clawson, Chicago emergent cohort coordinator:

A church of 10,000 people that meets in a mall...
A small urban community that meets in an art gallery...
An African-American church on the south-side of Chicago...
Web communities that connect tens of thousands of people...

What do all of these have in common? They are all emerging faith communities discovering what it means to be missional in their own unique context. AND they will all be represented at the first Midwest Emergent Gathering, July 20-21 in the suburbs of Chicago, IL. Come learn from Tony Jones, Denise Van Eck, Spencer Burke, Nanette Sawyer, Doug Pagitt, and Alise Barrymore & James King and many other missional practitioners from a wide diversity of backgrounds as we learn together about "Creating Missional Communities."

Contribute to the conversation as we discuss, network, and learn in community together via fast-paced mainstage sessions, interactive workshops, and unstructured times for dialogue with old or new friends. Whether mainline or evangelical, emerging or traditional, high church or de-churched, you will find inspiration and ideas to help you and your faith community become more effective agents for the mission of God in this hurting world.

If you and others from your cohort would like to attend, the cost is only $40/person before June 1st and $60 after that.Also, if any of you would like to be involved with helping us make this conference happen, please let me know at emergentmidwest@gmail.com, as we'll need plenty of volunteers during the event and before.

Click Here to Register for the Midwest Emergent Gathering!

Mike Clawson
up/rooted (Chicagoland Emergent Cohort) co-coordinator
www.up-rooted.com

A Heretic's Guide to Eternity

Just finished Spencer Burke's A Heretic's Guide to Eternity. Burke identifies with "heretics" such as Galileo and Copernicus, who challenged long-held beliefs of the church in the area of science. The book is also sprinkled with historical and graphic glimpses of how the "church" has dealth with heretics.

Burke comes down pretty hard on what he calls "institutional" religion without balancing that with the good that many, many local churches are doing. But his point is well taken. As a whole, the Christian faith has become both unfocused in their vision for the world and too focused on itself. Burke argues that God's grace is too large to be confined in the walls of a church, and that grace is an "opt-out" rather than an "opt-in" proposition. Burke also comes so close to universalism that he uses the term to describe his beliefs, but he hedges a little. He also uses the term "spirituality" as a way to differentiate between "church-going Christian" and "non-church-going Christian." He doesn't explain his use of these terms very well - certainly not as well as N.T. Wright uses the term "spirituality" in his new book, Simply Christian. (I'll say more about that book in another post.)

I don't disagree with Burke overall, I just think he hammers too much on the "bricks and mortar" churches. He virtually "gives up" on "institutional religion" and accuses churches of being barrier to individual spiritual growth and excluding people from God's grace, rather than extending God's grace to everyone. I think this is a result of Burke's background in the evangelical church, where exclusion and election are common themes.

One interesting part of the book is the periodic invitation to log onto Burke's website and discuss a specific topic. Very interesting way of tying paper to the web, and a great way to continue the dialogue.

I do recommend that you read this book (especially you, Craig!).

Receive it!

It was a dark day today.We remembered and relived that Jesus died on the cross today.

And also today, the LaSuer family had some hard and challenging stuff go down.

But then in the afternoon we received an Easter card from New Hope Church

that said they were remembering us and offering us an Easter blessing

of gladness and abundant blessing upon Joy and me and all our family.

And as my friend Michelle says whenever anyone offers her a blessing,

I receive it!

And so too on this day I offer you and your family an Easter blessing

of joy and peace and power and God's Kingdom presence to be with you and come through
you.

So, receive it!

THEY ARE HEROES BUT IT SUCKS!

FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH, I DO SUPPORT AND PRAY FOR OUR SOLDIERS BECAUSE I THINK THEY ARE HEROES. BUT I ALSO THINK THIS WAR SUCKS AND THAT WE SHOULD GET OUT OF IRAQ!!!!!

Derrida

I'm reading a book for an Emergent event I'll be attending in Philadelphia in a couple of weeks. I just finished a chapter that was very touching. The author is discussing the faith of a particular modern day, or postmodern day, philosopher named Derrida. The philosopher said that he was probably viewed as an atheist and yet he speaks of "my religion about which nobody understands." He speaks about his mother not wanting to ask him whether he still believes in God or not " but she must have known that the constancy of God in my life is called by other names." He states that there is always an atheist within me who contests my professions of belief, just as there is always a believer within me who contests my professions of unbelief. And finally Derrida wonders "if I ought to tell them that I pray," adding, "for if you knew...my experience of prayers, you would know everything, you would tell me whom to address them to." He wonders, too, "if those reading me from up there see my tears, today, if they guess my life was a long history of prayers, for these readers have understood everything, except that I have lived in prayer, tears."

I believe the author is saying there are believers who have almost all of the things of God figured out...and that is ok because it works for them. But there are many believers, especially in these days, who like Derrida, struggle greatly with what they believe and do not believe and yet continue to pray with tears and experience a constancy in their life which they may or may not name God. Perhaps most of us are somewhere in between these two kind of believing places.

I just know that I desire to listen to, learn from, and speak to people like Derrida who have a faith which many folks assume is not present but is actually quite real and authentic.

And that in the end, it is through the questioning, that new life emerges. Who am I? Who are You? Why am I here? And through the prayers and tears, life can be fully lived.

Shalom Church

This Sunday night Shalom Church will meet at the LaSuer home from 5:30 to 7:30. This is an Emergent gathering of friends meeting for worship, sharing, and a meal. Hope you can come! Just let us know.

Peace.

Diggin' on some new music

Just want to share some great music I've been listening to lately. The first is Kenny Wayne Shepherd's new CD, 10 Days Out (Blues From The Backwoods). It's a combination CD and DVD. Kenny literally spent 10 days in the south visiting old blues musicians both familiar and obscure, and recording them in backwoods, kitchens, porches, on stage, and even in a cemetery! The DVD is a jewel. The musicians talk about their lives and the blues and what the music means to them, and includes performances of all the songs on the CD. You'll find this in the CD section. Highly recommended.

I also stumbled on a used copy of King Ernest's Blues Got Soul. The CD is on the Fat Possum Records label which features obscure blues artists. This is King's only CD for the label, and only his second CD overall. It was released in 2000. A few days after hearing the final mix of the CD, King was killed in an auto accident. King was a Christian man who played the blues in clubs on Saturday night and sang at his church on Sunday morning. According to the liner notes, King was planning a gospel CD. He wrote most of the songs on the CD, and does a great cover of Tom Waits' The House Where Nobody Lives. This style of blues is more soulful and in the vein of Little Milton and Al Green. You won't find any screaming blues guitar here, just soulful singing and wonderfully crafted songs. Recommended.

Finally, I picked up Jonny Lang's new CD, Turn Around. Jonny was a teenage blues guitar wonderboy, and recently has turned more to soul and funk very much influenced by Stevie Wonder. Jonny is a Christian and this is his gospel CD, and you'll find it in Christian bookstores as well as secular outlets. It's not praise and worship music, just music with a spirit-filled perspective. Recommended.

I didn't know King Ernest was a Christian when I bought the CD, and I knew Lang's CD was based in his beliefs but I didn't know he was a Christian until I read about the CD. I just love it when I find God in places you don't expect to find Him.

Tonight's Soul

Spring day! Yea!!

Ok, on to the thoughts I want to share...and that is
I'll try to describe the state of my soul tonight.

Happy because I'm with Joy and the family is good....and because I rest in God's creation and love.

Frustrated because even though I love my job right now
I also want to pastor a church. I have the core values figured out
but I don't really know how to begin. The core values are basically
BEING FOLLOWERS OF THE JESUS WAY AND HAVING THE JOY TO FREELY THINK FOR OURSELVES.

Challenged and a little bummed by my skin being screwed up but confident that God will help me figure it out.

In love with music, books, my wife and kids, the here and now, walks along the river, the dog, and new learnings and relationships in life and work.

Scared and much too rational as I ponder life after death. May I practice diving into the Mystery.

Thanks-full.

May God bless your soul tonight my friend.

Kingdom

So, God has been trying to get me to become more involved in my community. I guess you can't hurry how the Lord works things out. But today, after being here 9 months, I went to visit Chaplain Smith at the Marion jail. They have a great ministry there, and we spent a long time talking. Cool dude. I also got to meet the police who staff the place, and I had a fairly long conversation with the Sheriff. I left there feeling like I had finally connected to some people in my new hometown! This is where I feel led to develop relationships with both the inmates and the staff.

Then I came home, and when I got out of my car, I spotted my neighbor getting into his truck. I practically ran over there because I've also been waiting for a time to connect to neighbors. His name is Coy and he enjoys talking. I think the people of this world, including me, are often lonely and are looking to connect with someone....just like Jeff's video told in such a beautiful way.

Today Jesus said, "Watch Craig, the Kingdom is going to happen before your very eyes."