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?