Is it possible to go from a hardly-ever blogger to a hyperactive one in the span of about 3 days?
I think I've done just that.
I have three "series" in my head that I'd like to work on. I want to share about my trip to Jordan from this past April, my trip to Israel next month, and this other thing. I love words. I love to read and write...even if I don't do enough of either. And I am absolutely fascinated by song lyrics, particularly worship songs and hymns. So often we learn the words to a song and just sing them without giving thought to what we're singing, proclaiming or promising. I would really like to write a book exploring common songs and hymns and what those things really mean. Since I don't really know how to go about writing a book, I think I'll begin here with essays about such things.
I'm thinking I'll come up with a schedule...like, a day for each series and post to each series once a week. Gosh, that's ambitious...that's three posts a week.
Thus, my opening statement.
We shall see.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Confessions of a Terrible Blogger
I am a terrible blogger.
There. I've said it. Admitted it.
That's the first step to healing and change, right? Admission?
So, I hardly ever blog...mostly because I don't think anyone really cares to read what I have to say...although, my friend Amy has disputed that on numerous occasions.
It seems that, as of late (and, by "of late" I mean my most recent few posts, not an actual time frame), I have had quite a lot to say. The posts have been long. See, the simple fact is, I have a lot in my brain. Not really a lot of useful information most of the time, but a lot of thoughts at least. And, I do like to write. And, I do, desperately want to be intentional about writing more.
So, here I am, in public committing to blog more. (Question: If you make a commitment in public and no one is there to hear it, is it a real commitment?) Really, my hope in blogging the things I'm thinking these days is to spur discussion. Outside of the Bible and what it clearly defines, there isn't a whole lot that I am dogmatic about...at least, I don't think there is...I guess we'll find out should this here blog actually spur discussion. I love debate and discussion - within the boundaries of respect and honor - and I have some people in my life these days who exhort me to greater depths of thought on the things of the Lord...and I couldn't be more grateful for them.
The other main impetus in my new drive to blog more is my upcoming trip to Israel.
I am a journal-er when I travel...not so much when I'm at home. I will write like mad while I'm gone...and plan to turn at least some of those pages into blog posts. I'll even post some in the next 3 weeks or so until I leave.
On the same topic as this trip to Israel, about five months ago, I had an amazing opportunity to spend two weeks in Jordan. I learned so much in the weeks leading up to that trip that I was afraid I'd need a couple weeks to recover before experiencing all that God had for me on the actual trip. Really, amazing doesn't even begin to cover it. BUT, I journaled all of that as well and will be working on making some of that story blog-able as well. So many people walked that journey with me, or just heard bits and pieces of it in the last few days. It is a ridiculous story of God's provision that left me completely unable to ever again wonder if God loves me. Clearly, He does.
So, here is my new commitment to being a better blogger...Amy, hold me accountable. :)
There. I've said it. Admitted it.
That's the first step to healing and change, right? Admission?
So, I hardly ever blog...mostly because I don't think anyone really cares to read what I have to say...although, my friend Amy has disputed that on numerous occasions.
It seems that, as of late (and, by "of late" I mean my most recent few posts, not an actual time frame), I have had quite a lot to say. The posts have been long. See, the simple fact is, I have a lot in my brain. Not really a lot of useful information most of the time, but a lot of thoughts at least. And, I do like to write. And, I do, desperately want to be intentional about writing more.
So, here I am, in public committing to blog more. (Question: If you make a commitment in public and no one is there to hear it, is it a real commitment?) Really, my hope in blogging the things I'm thinking these days is to spur discussion. Outside of the Bible and what it clearly defines, there isn't a whole lot that I am dogmatic about...at least, I don't think there is...I guess we'll find out should this here blog actually spur discussion. I love debate and discussion - within the boundaries of respect and honor - and I have some people in my life these days who exhort me to greater depths of thought on the things of the Lord...and I couldn't be more grateful for them.
The other main impetus in my new drive to blog more is my upcoming trip to Israel.
I am a journal-er when I travel...not so much when I'm at home. I will write like mad while I'm gone...and plan to turn at least some of those pages into blog posts. I'll even post some in the next 3 weeks or so until I leave.
On the same topic as this trip to Israel, about five months ago, I had an amazing opportunity to spend two weeks in Jordan. I learned so much in the weeks leading up to that trip that I was afraid I'd need a couple weeks to recover before experiencing all that God had for me on the actual trip. Really, amazing doesn't even begin to cover it. BUT, I journaled all of that as well and will be working on making some of that story blog-able as well. So many people walked that journey with me, or just heard bits and pieces of it in the last few days. It is a ridiculous story of God's provision that left me completely unable to ever again wonder if God loves me. Clearly, He does.
So, here is my new commitment to being a better blogger...Amy, hold me accountable. :)
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Some Thoughts
Disclaimer: I don't claim to know a whole lot about much of anything. Particularly politics. Or, really, religion. I don't claim to be well-read. (I wish I was, but I'm not.) What I do know, however, is that Jesus calls us (His body, His church, His followers) to love...to love without limits...to love without consideration for political or religious affiliation. To forgive. To turn the other cheek. And, perhaps the most difficult of all, to NOT defend ourselves with words, but to let the way we live our lives be our defense.
Now, with all of that disclaimed (is that a word? See? Not well-read.), just a few thoughts on this whole discussion of building a mosque/Islamic cultural center "at" Ground Zero.
A: The proposed site of the mosque is not AT Ground Zero...or on the grounds of the former World Trade Center. It's down the street. They are not asking to build a worship center on top of the hallowed graves of our fallen heroes, of the ordinary, every day American who went to work one morning and didn't come home that night. It's down the street.*
B: We (Christians) are outraged when rumors fly about people not being legally allowed to have church meetings in their homes. We go crazy with email chain letters and petitions. We champion freedom of religion and separation of church and state when we feel threatened. We need to remember, this was land was NOT colonized and this country was NOT founded to be a Christian nation, but one of religious freedom. The first men and women who landed here fled the forced church allegiance and religious persecution of England to find a place where they had the right and freedom to choose what they believed and how they worshipped. It is rather bigoted of us to claim these rights only for ourselves; to say that we are only free to worship when/where/how we choose IF we are "Christian." This is a country of equality (do I really need to quote the Declaration?).
C: All of the above said, I do agree that it is in poor taste to build a mosque - particularly such a large one - in such close proximity to Ground Zero. Poor taste, not unconstitutional. Quite frankly, if they own the land and hold the right permits, I don't think there is a legal leg to stand on to stop the construction.
D: Moving on to our response as Christians. We have only one option: Love. Really, think back to a time before you were a Christian. If someone came to you in the name of the their god, ridiculed you for what you believed, shouted about how evil you were simply for what you believed...how willing would you be to listen to what they believed? Why is that our first course of action when Jesus simply loved? Across the board, He loved.
When Jesus met the woman at the well He knew her culture, He knew her story...and by knowing these, He knew her need. And He answered her need...her specific need, with Himself. My question to you is this: when we meet someone on the street, how can we possibly know her need if all we do is shout about who she is without Christ? None of us, Christian, Buddhist, Hindu...none of us are any better than she is simply because she is Muslim. I am no more worthy of Jesus because I was born in America than she is because she was born in an Arab country**. God doesn't make mistakes. He doesn't view her as a lost cause for the Gospel because she was born to an Arab family. We'd be wise to remember that it was the zealots who yelled the loudest in the New Testament, not the One who was right. The One simply invested in lives.
We simply cannot change the religious or political climate in this country by kicking, screaming and attacking the government. Change happens in the roots. We need to learn to love; to teach our children to love. Love is every bit as passionate as anger and can spread with the same epidemic force. We live in a culture (or, at least, I do) where loving our neighbor quite literally means loving the nations. We don't have to go overseas anymore to encounter someone with a vastly different religious and cultural outlook. She is right down the street, maybe even literally, next door. Love her enough to know her story, know where she comes from, know her need. And meet that need with Jesus. We are His hands and feet, we can very practically show her who He is and how He loves.
No, I don't know a whole lot about politics, but I know Jesus...and He is a whole lot bigger than America's political system. I know His voice, and what His prodding feels like. I just wonder, if Elijah heard God's still small voice in a gentle wind, why do we feel like we need to be loud on God's behalf?
*Just for the record, given the metropolitan nature of NYC and the sheer number of people who died, there is no doubt in my mind that there were ordinary, every day American MUSLIMS who had nothing to do with the group responsible for 9/11 who were killed as well. They were American.
**From my very limited research, it appears that only 15% of the world's Muslims are Arab - however, we tend to assume the two are synonymous.
Now, with all of that disclaimed (is that a word? See? Not well-read.), just a few thoughts on this whole discussion of building a mosque/Islamic cultural center "at" Ground Zero.
A: The proposed site of the mosque is not AT Ground Zero...or on the grounds of the former World Trade Center. It's down the street. They are not asking to build a worship center on top of the hallowed graves of our fallen heroes, of the ordinary, every day American who went to work one morning and didn't come home that night. It's down the street.*
B: We (Christians) are outraged when rumors fly about people not being legally allowed to have church meetings in their homes. We go crazy with email chain letters and petitions. We champion freedom of religion and separation of church and state when we feel threatened. We need to remember, this was land was NOT colonized and this country was NOT founded to be a Christian nation, but one of religious freedom. The first men and women who landed here fled the forced church allegiance and religious persecution of England to find a place where they had the right and freedom to choose what they believed and how they worshipped. It is rather bigoted of us to claim these rights only for ourselves; to say that we are only free to worship when/where/how we choose IF we are "Christian." This is a country of equality (do I really need to quote the Declaration?).
C: All of the above said, I do agree that it is in poor taste to build a mosque - particularly such a large one - in such close proximity to Ground Zero. Poor taste, not unconstitutional. Quite frankly, if they own the land and hold the right permits, I don't think there is a legal leg to stand on to stop the construction.
D: Moving on to our response as Christians. We have only one option: Love. Really, think back to a time before you were a Christian. If someone came to you in the name of the their god, ridiculed you for what you believed, shouted about how evil you were simply for what you believed...how willing would you be to listen to what they believed? Why is that our first course of action when Jesus simply loved? Across the board, He loved.
When Jesus met the woman at the well He knew her culture, He knew her story...and by knowing these, He knew her need. And He answered her need...her specific need, with Himself. My question to you is this: when we meet someone on the street, how can we possibly know her need if all we do is shout about who she is without Christ? None of us, Christian, Buddhist, Hindu...none of us are any better than she is simply because she is Muslim. I am no more worthy of Jesus because I was born in America than she is because she was born in an Arab country**. God doesn't make mistakes. He doesn't view her as a lost cause for the Gospel because she was born to an Arab family. We'd be wise to remember that it was the zealots who yelled the loudest in the New Testament, not the One who was right. The One simply invested in lives.
We simply cannot change the religious or political climate in this country by kicking, screaming and attacking the government. Change happens in the roots. We need to learn to love; to teach our children to love. Love is every bit as passionate as anger and can spread with the same epidemic force. We live in a culture (or, at least, I do) where loving our neighbor quite literally means loving the nations. We don't have to go overseas anymore to encounter someone with a vastly different religious and cultural outlook. She is right down the street, maybe even literally, next door. Love her enough to know her story, know where she comes from, know her need. And meet that need with Jesus. We are His hands and feet, we can very practically show her who He is and how He loves.
No, I don't know a whole lot about politics, but I know Jesus...and He is a whole lot bigger than America's political system. I know His voice, and what His prodding feels like. I just wonder, if Elijah heard God's still small voice in a gentle wind, why do we feel like we need to be loud on God's behalf?
*Just for the record, given the metropolitan nature of NYC and the sheer number of people who died, there is no doubt in my mind that there were ordinary, every day American MUSLIMS who had nothing to do with the group responsible for 9/11 who were killed as well. They were American.
**From my very limited research, it appears that only 15% of the world's Muslims are Arab - however, we tend to assume the two are synonymous.
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