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.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
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.
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.
Friday, October 26, 2007
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.
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, October 22, 2007
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.
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.
Friday, October 19, 2007
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.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
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.
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, October 13, 2007
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.
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.
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
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.
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.
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
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.
Monday, October 01, 2007
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.
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.
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