Piece of the Puzzle

random musings...

Another powerful anti-bullying message

Another powerful video:

Watch: ‘At 13’, A Spoken Word Anti-Bullying Performance by Kenneth Morrison – Towleroad | #gay #news.

Last “Pink Triangle” Survivor

Check out this story and interview about the last known “pink triangle” survivor of Hitler’s concentration camps.

FROM PARIS WITH YAGG Pink Triangles: The last known survivor tells his story | FROM PARIS WITH YAGG.

Here’s the video (also referenced from the above link):

YouTube – Joel Burns tells gay teens “it gets better”

A video well worth watching:

YouTube – Joel Burns tells gay teens “it gets better”.

And God Created…

Here’s a cute story…  I don’t know the original source, but I found it here: http://www.frtommylane.com/stories/humility/man_dog_cat.htm

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It is reported that the following edition of Genesis Chapter 2 was discovered in the Dead Sea Scrolls.

And Adam said, “God, when I was in the garden, you walked with me everyday. Now I do not see you anymore. I am lonesome here and it is difficult for me to remember how much you love me. “

And God said, “No problem! I will create a companion for you that will be with you forever and who will be a reflection of my love for you, so that you will know I love you, even when you cannot see me. Regardless of how selfish and childish and unlovable you may be, this new companion will accept you as you are and will love you as I do, in spite of yourself.”

Reflection on Augut 9 lectionary readings

Some thoughts on lectionary readings for Aug 9, 2009… (what direction might I take if I were preaching on this)

In 1 Kings 19:4-8, Elijah is fleeing for his life from Queen Jezebel. Although he asks to die, God instead provides food and water to strengthen him for his next journey. Two things we might see in this short story… 1) God’s plan for us isn’t necessarily what we want. Even when we think we’re done, God might have other things in mind. We need to listen for God’s plan in our life. 2) Elijah wanted deliverance from his problem but this isn’t what God provides. Instead, God strengthens him so he can continue on his path. Likewise, we shouldn’t necessarily expect a miracle that allows us to avoid whatever problems we may be facing. We cannot always avoid our problems, but God will always be there with us to provide the strength to face them.

And, where does Elijah’s journey take him? Through 40 days and nights, similar to Noah’s 40 days of flooding, Moses’ 40 years of leading, and Jesus’ 40 days in the desert, to “Horeb, the mount of God.” To find new life, the promised land, the place where God is, seems to always require a period of trials. But we know that God has strengthened us for the journey. This is not a one time trip where God is only at the end… this is a cycle… God always strengthens us for the next step which in turn brings us closer to God and readies us for the step after that.

As Christians, we find God through Jesus. The reading of John 6:35, 41-51 calls Jesus the bread of life. Through Jesus, new life can be found. This reading also uses some terms that merit some discussion.

Jesus is said to have come down from heaven. Does this mean some heaven in the sky like children are taught to think of it? I don’t think this talk of heaven says anything about a place or an afterlife, but more probably indicates Jesus comes from an ideal state of complete harmony with God, the source of being.

The word “believe” is also important, especially for John where we find it more than twice the number of times it appears in Matthew, Mark, and Luke combined. One of the meanings of believe is to “accept as true,” but John often talks about believing in the name of Jesus. It doesn’t seem likely that John is asking us to believe his name is really Jesus. But, the dictionary also defines believe as “trust in.” This, I think, is what John is saying we should do. We don’t need to believe in doctrines and dogmas that otherwise seem unbelievable, but we do need to trust in the story and teachings of Jesus and how they can positively affect our lives.

Other questions deserve additional thought as well. What does it mean to say that those who trust in Jesus will have eternal life? Obviously, as humans we die so this isn’t meant in a literal sense. What then does it mean? Is it a promise of life after death? Or does it refer to a spiritual eternal-ness or transcendence here in this life, perhaps a life filled with the love and hope of God, lived in harmony with God?

Likewise, when Jesus says he will give his flesh as the bread is he referring to his death, birth, or his life and ministry? What does it mean to eat of his flesh? Is this a call to trust in Jesus? To live like Jesus? What does it mean to be raised up “at the last day?” Is this talk of an after-life? Or might we understand it as part of the process of being “born again”? To die away from our old life (a last day) and begin a new life in harmony with God’s love…

What is church? (once again)

Looking back, I notice that my last four or five posts have all somehow been related to what is church. Maybe I saw this coming… but I’m needing to take a good long break from my church. I’m still a member there, but I’m not sure if I’ll ever be back. Who knows what the future holds? But now I’m wondering if I should be looking for some other place to go for now. What is it I expect from church? What do I think church should be? For me, for it’s members, for the larger civic community, and for the world?

As a start, I think a church should be a community of seekers – people seeking knowledge and relationship with a greater, loving power. The bigger question is what does it mean to be a community? It means people who support each other and struggle with each other in a loving way. Which sounds nice… but the nuts and bolts of it aren’t always easy. People are not perfect and sometimes there doesn’t seem to be any way to reconcile the problems.

I think a church should be about living out the “kingdom of God,” which to me means living out the love of God and living in a justice oriented way. Basically, following Jesus’ teachings.

I think a church should be about social justice.

I think a church should be about meaningful worship. The church is not just about social justice. I can go volunteer with any secular justice organization to work on causes important to me. Worship is about relating to God and I think ultimately working on our relationship with God is what sets church apart from those other organizations. This must be a priority. Of course, I’m not saying here what I think constitutes meaningful worship. That’s probably another long post…

I think a church needs to officially welcome and accept GLBTQQ people and honor who God made them to be. In the UCC, this would be an “open and affirming” church. I know I have no desire to be part of a church that doesn’t accept me for who I am. I just won’t do that – I have no desire to fight that battle. I need a church that will support and nurture me, not one I have to constantly fight with. But, I also am not sure I want to be part of a church that isn’t willing to step up and say officially they are open and affirming. I know of churches that accept gay members but don’t think they need an official statement. To me, that is in some sense saying “you can come here, but don’t make a fuss about who you are… we’ll take gay folks, but we don’t want too many of them.” I’m also not sure about a church that officially welcomes gay folks but is restricted in how they can do so by their denominational rules (for example, maybe they aren’t allowed to perform commitment ceremonies). I feel quite strongly about this, but it severely limits my options on existing churches. In my city, I can only think of one church that might meet my ideal requirements (re: GLBTQQ issues) other than the one I’ve decided I need a break from.

My ideal church is probably some combination of the mission statement from my currently estranged church and The Center for Progressive Christianity’s 8 Points.

I’m not sure what else… I guess that’s all I’ve got off the top of my head.

Is finding such a church a pipe dream?

What does church mean to you?

What is church?

Or should I say what is the purpose of church? I’ve heard talk recently that implied a tension between mission vs. worship as the purpose of church. So that got me thinking.

How can we define church? Perhaps as a community that attempts together to live according to the modeling and teachings of Jesus? It seems to me that church without a mission, a social justice element, has got problems. On the other hand, a church that doesn’t spiritually nourish people isn’t really a church. It’s no different than any other civic-ly minded non-profit organization. So, I think a church needs both, but for me the spiritual – worship, etc. – is what makes a church a church.

Nothing, really

A quick note, but I don’t really have much to say. Today is a long day in Chicago for me. The last day of classes before Spring break. This is also my last semester. Which is both nice and sad. I’d love to go on taking classes, but I also look forward to whatever is the next phase of my life. Just not sure what that is and I’m not sure I’ll know until I’m there. I know the job market is kinda scary. I’ve finished my Master’s thesis, just have the oral exam left. My class this term on Jungian Dream Interpretation is quite fascinating. It may end up being the most useful class I’ve taken in seminary. What else? Baseball season is right around the corner. Looking forward to that. I guess that’s it for now. Lots going on with classes and pondering the future 🙂 I’m also preaching at my church in a week and a half so I have that to get ready for as well. Lots to keep me busy during break.

What the f**k is going on?

I found this news story about teenage assassins chilling. What drives a teenager to that kind of life? Is it greed? lust for power? a lack of real meaning in their life? a lack of opportunity? Is this an existential crisis? A spiritual crisis? Or is humanity just screwed by our own capability for evil? I don’t know the reason, but it makes me very sad.

Changes

Once again, I haven’t posted in a while. It’s been a busy time since last semester ended. In December I moved so a lot of time was spent packing, moving, and then unpacking. After a quiet holiday, I had a one week intensive class on the book of Judges. I’m currently finishing up a paper for that class. It was also exciting this week to watch the inauguration of our new President, Barack Obama. Despite the economy and the conflicts going on in the world, it is a hopeful time. It is nice to actually be able to watch the news again after eight years of not even being able to stand to watch Bush Jr. speak. My spring (and final) semester begins the first week of February. Class schedule has changed a bit. My classes will be Global Sensitivity in Ministry, Jungian Dream Interpretation, and Leading Worship. I wanted to do some things a little more spiritual this semester. Hopefully those classes will meet that need. I’ll graduate with a MA in Religious Studies in May. Still not sure what you do with that degree, but it has still been a great experience. I wish I could afford to work on a PhD, but I need to enter the job market again… not looking forward to doing that in this economy. Hopefully there will be some opportunities out there somewhere. Either religious or non-profit related or I could get back into computers. Maybe something that mixes all of them? Who knows what the future might hold…

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