A new job, another curve in the career
Finding a new church family
Hoping for an offer on the house, finding a new house
Will we get a loan with all mortgage crises?
These are my concerns today. It is usually easier for me to wallow in my concerns. A dear friend of mine finds it easier to dismiss their concerns by comparing theirs with others. This usually leads to guilt for “feeling low.” Is there a middle ground?
Another friend of mine sent this message yesterday from Texas:
“And while we, a storm-ravaged community in more ways than one, are seeking “perfect peace” amidst the painful aftermath of a huge, terrible hurricane, this “perfect piece” came across my desk as a gentle reminder of the Truth:
“There once was a king who decided to bestow a great award upon that artist whose painting best epitomized peace. Many artists gathered for this competition. The king looked over all the paintings; however, he liked only two, so he had to choose between them. The first painting was of a quiet lake. The lake’s surface was perfectly still, like a mirror, with peaceful mountains rising all around. Above the lake was a blue sky full of downy clouds. Everyone who saw this picture thought that it conjured up the image of perfect peace and tranquility.
Like the first, the second painting also showed mountains. However, these mountains were with topped with craggy, barren peaks. And above them flashed an angry sky which belched forth lightning and torrential rains. Down one mountainside foamed a wild, raging waterfall. Because of this, at first, this painting did not seem to portray peaceful nature at all. However, when the bewildered king looked more carefully, behind the waterfall he saw a tiny shrub that grew out of a crack in the rock face. On it a bird had built a nest for its young. There, amidst the rumble of the rushing water, the bird sat in her nest tending to her tiny babies … in perfect peace.
The king decided to give his award to the second painting. He explained his decision as follows: ‘Peace does not mean that you are at a place without noise, without problems, or where hard work and struggle isn’t necessary. Peace is when, despite all of that, deep in your heart, you feel peace, because you know the world isn’t safe and never will be, and you know the Highest Truth about that - that all is in good (God’s) hands.’ That is the true meaning of perfect peace.”
My prayer for you us all this morning is that we may be able to find His peace amidst our storms.
My religious teeth were cut in a tradition that recognizes different roles and responsibilities for men and women. Most of the congregations I have attended and/ or worked with have operated with these differing roles.
To put it simply, women were not allowed to hold positions of authority. This always included preaching, or holding any office (elder or deacon) and most of the time women were not allowed to teach (except for a women’s class and children) or pray in public. I have witnessed some congregations that do not even allow women to speak during class.
The basis for these restrictions is firmly supported with scripture in every instance. For me personally I am still working out my theological stance on this one. It is not something I will come to lightly or brush aside easily.
My question is this: why is the fundamentalist Christian right enamored with a Pentecostal Christian woman as a potential president of the United States? I don’t get it. If a woman is not allowed to teach my 13 year old son the Bible, why is it okay for her to make decisions to send all of our sons to war?
I am not questioning the role of women in congregational life; I believe in congregational autonomy – local spiritual leaders making decisions to honor God in their immediate communities.
I am not questioning the war either.
I would like someone to explain the apparent inconsistency that Gov. Palin could not speak from many pulpits I am aware of, but can lead my country.
There is an interesting discussion on this topic happening on Dan Kimball’s site. An excerpt from a comment,
“Many have said [Gov. Palin] did what she “needed to do” with her acceptance speech. If that’s true then woe on the Republicans (and woe on us as a nation, for her speech was really no different than any one else’s including those at the DNC). Political discourse has all but vanished. News of the conventions was mostly about style, and polls, and “taking the pulse.” It’s now all pithy catch-phrases designed to elicit Pavlovian responses. As a Christian, and as a political Independent, I am looking for much more than what we got from her speech.”
-Tucker T.
Can I get an AMEN?
What are your thoughts?
With all of the talk today about our next president and what he will or will not be able to accomplish, it was nice to be reminded by Scot McKnight to look above this American kingdom and focus in His Kindgom.
I am sorry.
I have not blogged in over a month! Please forgive me.
I have a good reason you know – I have been working on the house and I have started a new job. With this in mind we are getting ready to sell the house and I need to get some projects finished.
One of the coolest things about projects for me is doing them with someone else. I have a brother in Christ that has really gone out of his way to help me this time around. I love Bill! He is the kind of guy that will talk your ear off – kind of like me! He is a deep thinker and an avid lover of all things Jesus! He has an incredible ministry to adicts in our community. Bill and his family are some of the most loving and down to earth people I know!
If you have ever heard me speak or teach you know that I can’t do anything without writing or drawing something. So here was our notepad for our lengthy theological discussion.
I am sure that we could have gotten more done if we had focused on the drywall, but what fun would that have been?
After days like this one I can’t help but think about Jesus walking around with his disciples and talking about spiritual matters finding practical examples in his surroundings. It makes the whole planting and sowing stuff make more sense when you understand that Jesus lived and taught in an agrarian society.
I don’t know if Jesus would use a poorly painted wall in lieu of drawing in the sand, but what would he use?
What do you think Jesus would use in your town, office or school to make His point?
In case you are wondering – the bathroom is finished and that multi-colored wall is a very nice Macadamia.
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