tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-103526142024-03-07T08:08:13.550-06:00Peace BabeA blonde, all-american, mid-western raised with some Southern belle flair, ordained reverend strives to change the world in a timely, organized manner, while wearing some fabulous shoes and still maintaining a social life...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818826208870852674noreply@blogger.comBlogger341125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10352614.post-34021403268422722932014-08-13T13:14:00.001-05:002014-08-13T17:48:24.721-05:00Choiceless...It's been a while... too long... since writing. I'll blame the usual suspects of life and work, laundry and the dog. There is plenty to write about, but how often am I simply adding my voice to the millions that have already said the same thing? And by the time I've finished the laundry and gotten home from work, 52 others have already said what I wanted to say. That may be the case even this time, but this seems too important to keep to myself.<br />
<br />
Robin Williams. Mental illness. Matt Walsh. Oy.<br />
<br />
Mental illness in all of its manifestations needs SO, SO, SO much more attention in this country than we can possibly imagine. If tragedy comes, but we can bring a small piece of light into the world because of a tragedy, then I give thanks for that opportunity. By no means am I giving thanks for that tragedy, rather I give thanks that we can let a small piece of light shine into darkness, the way God calls forth light from intense darkness, time and time again. So, listen to all these news stations that are using this as an opportunity to remind those suffering through depression, that there is help, and you are welcome and encouraged to use it. <br />
<br />
However, there are still some people that are bringing darkness upon darkness. Namely Matt Walsh and Rush Limbaugh, neither of whom deserve any of the attention that they will receive because of my response here. While I'm confident those listening to Rush are either die-hards and have already stopped reading, or listen for the parody alone, I have hope for those currently reading Matt Walsh. Because I can implore you, to just stop reading Matt Walsh. Please. He's written other blogs that I disagree with, but after his comments about Robin Williams, just stop reading. <br />
<br />
Matt Walsh's Facebook page says "Matt Walsh is a blogger, writer, and professional sayer of truths." I've googled, and looked on his blog and his Facebook and can't seem to find much else on what qualifies him as a "sayer of truths." So I'm going to go out on a limb, <a href="http://whatismattwalshwrongabouttoday.com/" target="_blank">a quite strong limb built by the many others who agree with me</a>, and say that he is quite often, WRONG. Not always, I've read a COUPLE of his hundreds or thousands of posts (no way of knowing, you also can't search old posts?) that are OK, just okay. But a lot of the time his theology is crap (if I could think of a more eloquent or sophisticated word to describe it, I would, but his theology is neither eloquent nor sophisticated, it is crap), <a href="http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2013/11/10/christian-blogger-responds-to-questionable-advice-about-sex-with-worse-advice/" target="_blank">his advice is awful,</a> his "professionalism" is suspect, and it seems as if he is just in this to stir the pot and make money from blog clicks. <br />
<br />
Most recently he wrote a blog about Robin Williams entitled, "Robin Williams didn't die from a disease, he died from his choice." (You are welcome to search for it, I've decided against linking to it.) I've read it and re-read it, several times, to see if I'm missing something, or mis-understanding. But I don't think I am. And while I value Matt's attempt at helping to comfort those who are left behind when this "choice" happens, and I also value what Matt is trying to do in encouraging others that may be contemplating the same, he is SIMPLY WRONG. <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"It’s a tragic choice, truly, but it is a choice, and we have to remember that. Your suicide doesn't happen to you; it doesn't attack you like cancer or descend upon you like a tornado. It is a decision made by an individual. A bad decision. <i>Always </i>a bad decision."</span></blockquote>
True in a small sense, Matt. Suicide doesn't happen to you the way a car might hit your car unexpectedly, or the way a bullet enters your body at the hand of another holding a gun. However, depression is a scary animal, that eats you up from the inside out, starting at some unknown point and time in a very small way. But after years and years of loved ones or "professionals" telling you to "choose joy," and after taking over your whole body, including the part of your brain that makes choices, unfortunately depression sometimes leaves individuals with absolutely no other choice. It is a bad, horrible decision, but for those trapped inside the terror of depression, it can often be the only choice one feels is possible. A choiceless choice, because of a <i>disease </i>(that deserves far more attention and support than it is given), called depression.<br />
<br />
When he talks about depression leading to suicide and that it is "a choice," I think of a blog that I wrote after my visit to Poland to study the Holocaust called<a href="http://www.peacebabe.net/2006/05/choiceless-choices.html" target="_blank"> Choiceless Choices.</a> I learned about Jewish Councils of the ghettos in Poland and Germany that were told by the Nazis that either "you" can choose the 20,000 who get into the cattle cars to be sent to their death while you stay here waiting for who knows what else, or we will. What? Is that even a choice? If you don't choose, then you've doomed possibly everyone to the Nazi's choosing, but if you do choose, then YOU have to choose 20,000 people that you know are going to die. In another situation, we visited a concentration camp, and could see a town, now a city, in such close proximity to this death camp. Our tour guides, and Holocaust survivors, talked to us about how the Gestapo would come to your house and tell you that either YOU go and work in the concentration camps as someone who either burns corpses or starts the gas chambers, or YOUR FAMILY would be headed there. Sure that's a "choice," but is it really a choice?<br />
<br />
Depression that leads to suicide is not a choice in which someone simply chose death over joy. It is TERRIBLE, TERRIBLE theology; it is a horrific and wrong way to think of God, if you think that simply "choosing joy" will help you get through the throngs of depression that lead to such a decision. A blogger named Megan Tietz says it so beautifully, here when she says that<a href="http://www.sortacrunchy.net/sortacrunchy/2014/08/the-depressed-christian-why-the-dark-night-is-no-measure-of-your-soul-.html" target="_blank"> "the dark night is no measure of your soul." </a> Jamie, the Very Worst Missionary (one of my favorite bloggers) also talks about <a href="http://www.theveryworstmissionary.com/2013/01/jesus-or-zoloft.html" target="_blank">Jesus and Zoloft. </a> While some days you can get by with one or the other, there are a lot of days it is PERFECTLY ACCEPTABLE and celebrated that you get by with both, because we may very possibly, and likely, need BOTH. Depression, in some forms, is probably spiritual. Sometimes. However, it may also be spiritual and chemical/physical. Sometimes it is also just chemical or physical. Regardless, not all depression is spiritual, and not all depression can simply be "fixed" by "choosing" to not let it overtake your life.<br />
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 22.100000381469727px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Joy is light, depression is darkness. When we are depressed, we have trouble seeing joy, or feeling it, or feeling worthy of it. I know that in my worst times, at my lowest points, it’s not that I don’t see the joy in creation, it’s just that I think myself too awful and sinful a man to share in it.</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So this, for me, is always the most essential moral at the end of these kinds of sad, terrible stories: we are all meant for joy. We are all meant for love. We are all meant for life. And as long as we can still draw breath, there is joy and love to be found here. I believe that. If I didn’t, I would have left a long time ago."</span></blockquote>
</div>
While Matt talks about living with depression, and I'm sure at times he has, there are levels of depression about which many have absolutely no fathomable clue. I might have a chest cold, while my mother has asthma, while a friend of mine just battled (and won!) against lung cancer. Sure, all are "lung conditions," but while battling a cold, I would never tell my mother to take some deep breaths, or my friend with lung cancer to just suck on a cough drop.<br />
<br />
So, sure Matt, we can call it a choice. But it is the most unfathomable, choiceless of choices to live inside of a darkness that has consumed your soul to the point that "choosing" death is the only choiceless choice you have. Depression is not a "situation" you can control by simply choosing joy. I too believe that we are all meant for life, and that there is plenty of joy and love to be found here on earth. But I also know there is a brokenness about our bodies that sometimes means we have diseases with which we struggle. Depression is a disease that requires help and support, both from professionals and loved ones, and we need to stop treating it like someone who stubbed their toe. <br />
<br />
If you have the slightest inkling of that darkness inside of you, or are wondering about a way out. Know that there are Christians who do not believe like Matt, many of us. We support all means necessary to work against this disease that is plaguing you from the inside out and we are here to celebrate when there is joy, to celebrate when you can see the joy, and to sit with you to remind you that you are loved, and welcome to ask for help when the darkness is beyond something about choice.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818826208870852674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10352614.post-31400357010066723802014-02-05T13:00:00.000-06:002014-02-05T13:44:48.537-06:00A third (and possibly better) way...<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last night, like many, I watched a debate between Bill Nye and Ken
Ham. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>(Before we go any
further, isn't it fun that “Bill Nye the Science Guy” from our childhood
Saturday mornings remains a part of our adult lives?<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>J<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>) <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>You
probably know Bill Nye; Ken Ham is the founder and CEO of Answers in Genesis
and the Creation Museum that sits in Petersburg, Kentucky. (If you want to watch the debate yourself,
you can visit <a href="http://www.debatelive.org/" target="_blank">www.debatelive.org</a><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>where they will be re-streaming it for
the next few days, and where you can also purchase a downloadable copy or a
DVD.)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I originally had a list of point by point
arguments I have with Ken Ham and his way of looking at science and creation,
specifically since I am also a Christian, and a fellow Christian leader. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>However I’m not so sure that is the
most helpful response at this point. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>This
conversation and disagreement continues to fester because we are getting too
caught up in the minutia of each argument. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Instead we need to start looking at
the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>beginning<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>of this “argument” in a new way,
we need to start looking at our <i>hermeneutic</i>.<u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had a unique perspective of watching
this debate. One, I have a theological degree, which is more than Ken Ham
can say, and two; I have also actually been to the Creation Museum. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>I know there are many others who have
also visited this museum, but I also know there are many who have not. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>I also know there are many who have
visited the Creation Museum with a different set of eyes, a different <i>hermeneutic</i>. <u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Creation Museum is a shrine to Answers
in Genesis and Ken Ham’s way of teaching, a theory that supposes the Bible (the
Christian, American English, 20<sup>th</sup>-ish Century version of Genesis) to
be a scientific text explaining the scientific creation of the earth. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>I was intrigued by the debate, but in
the end, just disappointed by it. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Ken
Ham should have debated a Biblical scholar, or a theologian rather than a
scientist, because he is NOT arguing science (bear with me), he is arguing<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>hermeneutic, </i>albeit an uninformed one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ken Ham is a scientist; he has a couple
different scientific degrees. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>He
has two HONORARY theological degrees, but he did not do any of the theological
work to achieve those degrees, which is where his way of thinking is failing
dramatically.<u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One Biblical scholar, Rev. Dr. Lisa W.
Davison, wrote that “hermeneutics is a word often used within the walls of a
seminary but rarely discussed outside of academia." Apparently, Ken Ham has also never
heard of this word, as<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>THIS</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>is what he is actually arguing, and
why it is simply inappropriate for him to debate a scientist. <u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Simply put, hermeneutics is about
interpretation. Whether we are reading the newspaper or watching a movie or
listening to a conversation, we must always interpret what we read, see, or
hear. In biblical studies, hermeneutics is about the interpretation of the
Bible. More specifically, it is an interpretive framework through which
biblical texts are understood.”<u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I read a book for my book club, I
generally know from the get-go that it is a piece of fiction, or it is
non-fiction, or it is based on a true story. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>When I watch the news I have to
discern some more because sometimes it is simply reporting the facts that are
known and observable, but more often than not we are also seeing a lot of
opinion and interpretation thrown in with reporting. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Speculation as a way of getting to the
“bottom of the story,” contributes opinion, and sometimes it gets confusing.<u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I read a piece of poetry, or the
lyrics to a song, I also know that it is not necessarily fact, but rather a
piece of art. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>That piece of
art can still speak some truth, but it is not<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>trying</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>to report<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>fact<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>or<span class="apple-converted-space"><i> </i></span><i>science</i>. <u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Some say love, it is a river, that drowns
the tender reed. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Some say
love, it is a razor, that leaves your soul to bleed. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Some say love, it is a hunger, an
endless aching need. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>I say
love, it is a flower, and you its only seed.” <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>There may be truth to this lyrical verse, but I don’t read this lyric, this metaphor, as if it were
science. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>I approach it with
a certain<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>hermeneutic</i>, a certain understanding, knowing that is meant to speak in a certain (musical) way to a greater truth that cannot be understood
only through measurable facts.<u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All that being said, Ken Ham’s<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>hermeneutic</i>, his way of
approaching the Bible, is suspect. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>He
is approaching the Bible as if it was science, but it simply WAS NOT meant to
be read as science. (He might understand this more if he had a theological background rather than or in addition to a scientific one.) <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>“The
bible is a collection, a library, of different writings that span a variety of
cultures and historical periods. It is not a 'history' book as we
would define such writing today, nor is it a 'science' book,
concerned with biology, earth sciences etc. Trying to read the bible as either
science or history would be like navigating a ship based on a map created when
humans believed the earth was flat. It will not get us very far and will keep
us afraid of seeing what lies just beyond the horizon.”<u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Bible<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>is</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>not</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>a science book, but it<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>is</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>a theology book, and it speaks of truths that science cannot. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>It
does not speak to science or scientific study, nor should it, but it can still speak to great truths about life. <u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It speaks to great truths, like we are not
alone in our journey, but not in the sense of a scientific study of species and
race that tells us how similar we are to one another and to our ancestors. <u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It speaks to great truths, like love is the
most profound gift we will ever experience, but not in a way that has
measurable scientific results gathered into data and charts comparing love to other gifts. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>(Has anyone
actually ever figured out a way to<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>measure</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>love?) <u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Bible speaks to great truths, like human
beings have the tendency to be awful toward one another, but it does not identify physiological reasons our brains act the way they do based on certain triggers.<u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Bible speaks to great truths, like the
radical inclusivity of a God who invites us all to commune with, and to be in
community with, the Divine, but not by identifying any actual number of invitations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I appreciate Ken Ham’s point that
children, kids, teens (and adults) need to be taught to think more
critically. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>But that<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>does not</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>mean we have to pit science and faith
against one another in a battle of intelligence. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>We all need to think more critically,
and on that point I think Ken and Bill would agree. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>We need to think more critically, ask
questions, celebrate doubt and inquiry and rejoice in the constant drive to wonder about more. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Why we are here? How
we are here? <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Scientific
study should be celebrated in that it can help us understand “how” we got here,
and we should continue with that determination that drives us to figure out and
seek more. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span> But we
should leave it to the theological writings to help us with the “why,” and celebrate what they can bring to the conversation. But they are not bringing science to the conversation. <u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ken Ham is arguing for a way of
interpreting the Bible in a way that it was never meant to be
interpreted. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>That is the
crack (that leads to a gaping hole) in his argument. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Bill Nye never said that you cannot
believe in something(s) supernatural, he was simply saying that we cannot use
the Bible as science. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>He
missed out by failing to say that it’s because the Bible was never meant to be
interpreted that way. <u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They both failed because they were set up to fail. Both of these men
are scientists and neither of them are theologians, yet in this debate they
were asked to wrestle with theological questions.<u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The “whys” of the world and the hard
questions that science cannot answer are not to be ignored, but they are also
not to be taught in a public school science classroom. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>If you are so insistent (which I am)
that your children (or any children) be able to struggle with these questions,
then send them to church, a synagogue, a mosque, a temple, or some other faith
community that will wrestle with these questions with them, and lead them
through their questions and inquiry. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Many
faith communities will wrestle with these questions, together with one another,
well into adult-hood, as it should be.<u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’m thankful to have received an education
that taught me to think critically, and a faith community that helps me wrestle
with tough questions that don’t have scientific answers. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>We would do well to respect the
benefits of both a scientific education and a theological education (formal or
informal), but to leave them as mostly separate disciplines as they were meant
to be.</span><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818826208870852674noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10352614.post-17343802150982371562013-07-19T22:41:00.000-05:002014-02-05T18:04:43.900-06:00Lord Teach Us to Pray - Worship on 7/21 at OPCC<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">“When Jesus responded to the request of his
followers that he teach them how to pray, what he taught them became important
– and has remained important – for the life of the church. He gave them – and us – words to address God,
words to praise God, and, only then, words to petition God.” – James A. Wallace</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">READING:
Luke 11:1-13<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he
finished, one of his disciples said, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John
taught his disciples.” Jesus told them, “When you pray, say: ‘Father, uphold
the holiness of your name. Bring in your kingdom. Give us the bread we need for
today. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who has wronged us.
And don’t lead us into temptation.’” He also said to them, “Imagine that one of
you has a friend and you go to that friend in the middle of the night. Imagine
saying, ‘Friend, loan me three loaves of bread because a friend of mine on a
journey has arrived and I have nothing to set before him.’ Imagine further that
he answers from within the house, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked,
and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up to give you anything.’ I
assure you, even if he wouldn’t get up and help because of his friendship, he
will get up and give his friend whatever he needs because of his friend’s
brashness. And I tell you: Ask and you will receive. Seek and you will find.
Knock and the door will be opened to you. Everyone who asks, receives. Whoever
seeks, finds. To everyone who knocks, the door is opened. “Which father among
you would give a snake to your child if the child asked for a fish? If a child
asked for an egg, what father would give the child a scorpion? If you who are
evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the
heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">REFLECTION:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This Sunday we will
reflect on the theme of our General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples
of Christ), “Lord, Teach us to Pray,” that just concluded in Orlando, FL. As we remember the prayer that Jesus taught
us, we remember that Jesus taught US to pray with and for one another, not just
as individuals. We will focus on the
ways that we prayed for and with one another at the General Assembly,
specifically as we prayed for some of the resolutions passed, moving our
denomination forward in peace and justice.
Join us this Sunday as not only remember to pray as we were taught after
saying, “Lord, teach us to pray,” but also to hear the wonderful sounds of
Kansas City Symphony Chorus Men who will join us for worship at 9:30 a.m.</span><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818826208870852674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10352614.post-13145874725047212752013-07-01T18:10:00.000-05:002013-07-01T18:10:49.095-05:002nd PlaceOn Sunday, my nephew's baseball team got 2nd place in the baseball tournament in which they were competing.<br />
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He was a really good sport, as was the rest of his team. I know they were a bit disappointed, but overall they were really proud of a great season and a great game. They improved a lot over the season, came together as a team and had a great time - Isn't that the best part, Predators?<br />
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I also preached on Sunday on <a href="http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=239718532">2 Kings 5:1-14</a>. In this part of scripture we find that Naaman, a commander to an army that is foreign to Israel is in need of healing because he has leprosy. He and his army had just defeated Israel - but a slave girl, from Israel, has come forward instructing Naaman that there is a prophet in Israel who can in fact cure him! He's just defeated Israel, but now this slave girl - the ancient world's consummate nonperson - from Israel, is telling him that he can be cured, if he returns to Israel. Trevor Eppehimer says, "this is yet another biblical instance of those to whom society attributes little intrinsic value serving as effective heralds of the power and presence of God." This slave girl, who would be overjoyed to reach "2nd place" citizenship serves as a mouth piece to praise the power and presence of the Divine in the world, even though she is probably more like a 5th, or 6th "place" citizen - a nonperson if you will.<br />
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I couldn't help but think of all the ways we treat people as 2nd, 3rd, and lower-class people, especially in light of the recent decisions on DOMA, Prop 8, the Voting Rights Act and the Immigration Bill. How many of these people that are being treated as nonpersons, yet like this slave girl are "effective heralds of the power and presence of God"?<br />
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I'm sure some are quick to say that some are not citizens of the US, so it doesn't matter if they are being treated as 2nd, 3rd, or even lower class citizens. But that's exactly the point of this story in 2 Kings. The God of Israel, the God whom we worship in Christian churches around the country used a prophet to Israel to heal an enemy. And not just any enemy, the commander of an army that just defeated Israel. It doesn't matter the country of citizenship - God sees past citizenship of country and welcomes each of us as citizens of the Kingdom of God.<br />
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I can understand the deep seeded questions that people have over some of these issues - because <i>these issues are incredibly complex</i>. I thank you for your convictions to wrestle with the issues; even if I disagree with you I'm thankful that you are willing to study, read, <i>listen to others</i>, to discern, to agree with the opposite on some points, and to contemplate <i>together</i>. <br />
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Regardless where we stand though, we have to take a moment and think. If a "nonperson" in the ancient world, a slave girl, effectively brought about this healing, what are we missing by continuing to treat others as "nonpersons"? What power of God are we shutting out because we refuse to see "the other" as anything else than "other"? What presence of the Divine are we missing when out of fear we limit the number of seats at the proverbial and literal table?<br />
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There are complex issues here that include not only our own faithful response, but also the question of how much should our own faith, and the faith of others influence these secular decisions. And that's for another blog post. However, as faithful people, our faithful response, should always, always, always be to welcome the other. Not just welcoming by allowing their existence as "the other," but welcoming them and doing to them as you would have them do to you (<a href="http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=239719497">Matthew 7:12</a>). Hospitality and welcome are of utmost importance, but the treatment of the underdog, the outcast, the nonperson and the ones that come in 2nd place (or further out) truly what we learn about when we consider the life of Christ. <br />
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<i>I'm not saying that the people affected by DOMA, Prop 8, VRA or the Immigration Bill ARE 2nd class citizens</i>, but it is easy to see that we as a society continue to treat them as such through various laws and legislation. It is not right, but it continues to happen. As a nonperson, an outcast, as a criminal himself, Jesus calls us to consider the ways we listen to the people that we have deemed a nonperson, the outcast and the 2nd placers. After all, when we listen to those - we truly see the power and presence of the Divine.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818826208870852674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10352614.post-91410489496147073152013-05-22T14:41:00.001-05:002013-05-30T15:34:58.264-05:00Dig DeeperI've recently returned to "tornado alley" after being away for about 8 years (3.5 of which were in hurricane country) and find myself remembering the odd combination of anxiety and worry, the excitement of a good thunder-storm (that stays ONLY that), that despite bad acting I love the movie Twister, and all the stories of those who have been affected, including my own family, by awful, awful storms throughout the years. <br />
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People have developed better safe places with storm shelters and basements becoming more popular than they were in the mid-50's when <a href="http://www.crh.noaa.gov/eax/?n=ruskinheightstornado">the Ruskin Heights tornado</a> tore apart my aunt and uncle's house. Technology continues to improve, helping to create earlier warnings and alerts. Systems and organizations of response (such as the DOC's <a href="http://www.weekofcompassion.org/">Week of Compassion</a>!) have become better organized and quicker at responding, saving lives and drawing together communities from around the world. Yet we still continue to operate with poor, immature and sometimes downright awful theology as we strive to understand the "why" of it all when the proverbial and actual dust has settled from such a force of nature.</div>
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Don't get me wrong, its essential that we try to make sense of it all, especially as faithful people. However, in our instant gratification world we are far too quick to jump to easy (and bad) explanations, because that's well, EASIER than working through a complex set of questions that sometimes may never get fully answered. Most of us aren't even jumping to the same (horrendous) conclusions of <a href="http://www.examiner.com/article/pat-robertson-explains-oklahoma-tornadoes-and-what-victims-should-have-done">Pat Robertson</a>, or <a href="http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/blogs/bostonspirit/2013/05/westboro_baptist_church_blames.html">Westboro Baptist Church</a>, blaming an act of nature and complex weather systems on a few people who don't pray enough or individuals who support an openly gay athlete, but we still listen to the bad theology happening inside our head on a daily basis. </div>
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Just two years ago Joplin, MO was ravaged by a similarly horrible tornado, tearing apart the town. One young woman left Joplin and eventually <a href="http://www.kshb.com/dpp/weather/weather_news/Moore-Oklahoma-tornado-Joplin-survivor-lucky-to-be-alive-after-riding-out-twister-in-storm-drain">arrived in Moore, OK for work - and survived THIS tornado in 2013 as well!</a> I want to think that she was "living right," because, seriously, who lives through TWO F5 tornadoes in two years? Or we want to say that "God only gives [her] what [she] can handle" (or some equally awful cliche). However, deep down, deep down... we know that's not right. Those are just the easy answers, the cheap theology that sits at the top of our brain to spout off when we don't want to, or feel incapable of digging deeper into the parts that might not have the answers we want (at best) or have answers at all (this sucks).</div>
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I can't help but think of Job in this story - and the eternal question of "why bad things happen to good people". Job was "living right," a wealthy, honest man with plenty of sheep, camels, cattle, donkeys, a means of livelihood and a huge family of children from his beautiful wife to support. Like us, (not all the time, but often enough) Job's friends blame his disease, loss of family and poverty on sin, some way Job has ticked off God, or something HE has done wrong and for a moment Job begins to believe them. However, the beauty of the story is that it corrects this ancient misunderstanding that suffering MUST BE GOD'S PUNISHMENT or that OUR FAITH IS CONTINGENT upon Divine blessing and/or a lack of bad occasions and circumstances.</div>
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I don't believe in a god that created a tornado as a form of punishment, for anyone. I don't believe in a god that set certain people in particular locations so as to survive the storm because they were more deserving than those that didn't survive. I don't believe in a god that only sends blessings in ways we can "measure," a nice house, or a successful career, or a house two blocks away from the path of the tornado. And if I'm truly a follower of the crucified and resurrected Christ who redeems and brings us all back to oneness with the Divine, then I don't believe in a god that punishes at all. </div>
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I believe in God who created a world and universe often beyond our imagination that includes unpredictable and uncontrollable forces of nature in which we find our being and source of life. I believe in God who created the most amazing pieces of nature that are capable of inexplicable beauty and devastating loss all at the same time; pieces that do not exist without the other. I believe in God who sat with every single woman, child, man, teenager, grandparent, baby and the like as the storm raged, sitting with them and us as Christ sat with humanity on the storm of the cross. I believe in God who works in and through the many, many people who immediately acted, racing to save lives regardless of age, gender, nationality, economic status, sexual orientation, political affiliation, race, <a href="http://kfor.com/2013/05/21/monster-reunited-with-owner/">or even species.</a> I believe in God who rejoices with those who survived and are reunited, but mourns and grieves, and cries right along with those who must face the loss of a loved one. I believe in God who is alive and well within the multitudes of people working together as one to bring life, wholeness and hope back to this community. I believe in God who will continue this Spirit of life for each and every one of us, eternally, throughout this life and even beyond what we can imagine.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818826208870852674noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10352614.post-79079501731883643632013-05-10T09:38:00.001-05:002013-05-10T10:24:20.800-05:00I am Taking it BackI'm thankful that I have a body in which I am happy, but more than anything, I am thankful that I have a body that I know is my own, and does not belong to anyone else. But it is SO, SO , SO easy to forget that. I often do forget that, so I am declaring; I am taking back my body.<br />
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There have been so many blogs, tweets, news articles and the like that are talking about body image, sex education, the church, rape culture, abortion rights, natural beauty and numerous other things and I just feel like shouting at the time of my lungs to every woman and girl to remember that her body belongs to her. Partially this is a reminder, because you owe it to yourself to embrace YOU. But is also partially an assignment to always remember this:<br />
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YOUR BODY BELONGS TO YOU. TAKE IT BACK.<br />
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I am taking back my body from the advertising that tells me what is or isn't beautiful, <a href="http://blogs.phillymag.com/the_philly_post/2013/05/08/hm-plus-size-swimsuit-model-jennie/">that my size dictates my worth (think H&M)</a>, or that I am more or less beautiful based on the coverings of my body. Don't get me wrong, I haven't always loved my body - but I've finally come to a point that I do love the skin I'm in, and I'm claiming it as my own. No thanks to advertising campaigns like the <a href="http://now.msn.com/evan-dolive-writes-open-letter-to-victorias-secret">Victoria's Secret "Bright Young Things"</a>, or the <a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-daum-dove-sketch-women-20130502,0,6637517.column">Dove Campaign</a>, or fashion magazines or mean high school girls, or the <a href="http://fox59.com/2013/05/09/abercrombie-fitch-ceo-doesnt-want-fat-women-wearing-his-clothes/#axzz2StW9Dymt">idiot A&F CEO</a>, I'm taking back my body - curves and blemishes and all; I'm taking back my body that allows me to do my job, hug my family, run with my dog, smile for crazy photos with friends, and devour a delectable bajillion calorie meal with a heavenly glass of wine without worrying about my waste line EVERY TIME I CHEW. I've struggled with body image and weight issues nearly my entire life - at least since I hit double digits in age - but FYI - I'm taking back my body. It is MY BODY, and it is MY job and no one else to allow people in (for betterment and support), or to shut out people (or media, advertising, magazines or down-right crappy people) who do not allow me to own my own skin and LOVE IT.<br />
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My body belongs to me, and I'm taking it back.<br />
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I'm taking back my body from the religious sources that tell me I should be ashamed of my body, and what it is capable of. <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/on-faith/wp/2013/05/07/elizabeth-smart-mormon-teaching-on-sex-stopped-me-from-escaping-kidnappers/">Elizabeth Smart</a> didn't want to leave her CAPTOR because she felt ashamed of the ways her body was used. Not because she was afraid of a violent man, but because she was made to feel worthless because of her own body. Oh Lord... literally.... Lord! Lord, remind me that I am a woman. I have fingers, toes, breasts, curves, a vagina, a clitoris, legs (sometimes hairy!), lips, arms, nipples, hair, an ass (cellulite!) and so much more - THAT YOU GAVE ME. I was created in your image. I was created to bring forth life <a href="http://sojo.net/blogs/2013/04/02/omg-kim-kardashian-gains-weight-while-pregnant">(and probably gain weight while doing it!)</a>, and created in such a way that I am allowed to <i>enjoy </i>that creative process we call sex. Dear Lord, please remind me of this every day.<br />
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My body was given to me by my Creator, and I'm taking it back from religious sources that want me to be ashamed. DON'T GET ME WRONG, there is still an imperative need to teach young people as they come into their own bodies about the implications of a sexual relationship; it is meaningful, important, often sacred, not something to treat lightly, not set apart from God, moreover it includes the Divine - but neither is it something to be ashamed of. <br />
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It is MY body - given to me by my Creator - and I am taking it back.<br />
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I am taking back my body from anyone who thinks that it is my fault if I become a victim of violation. The Steubenville rape case comes to mind for sure, but it has only <a href="http://www.policymic.com/articles/22035/steubenville-rape-case-does-america-have-an-unadmitted-rape-culture-problem">highlighted the "rape culture"</a> that permeates our society in which we seek to blame anything and everyone EXCEPT the violator for the cause of such atrocities. It is MY body and I am taking it back. I shouldn't have to live in a constant state of "protection," just in case someone wants to violate me. Violators are violators. It doesn't matter if my skin is showing, if I've had too many drinks, if I'm walking alone to my car in the middle of downtown, if I'm a minister, a stay at home mom or a stripper - ANOTHER PERSON should not violate me, nor have the right to feel like they can get away with it. Sure, most of us (regardless of profession) use certain techniques as a source of "protection" (carrying pepper spray, never leaving your drink unattended, parking under a light pole). However, I shouldn't have to live in a constant state of "do this so I don't get raped," or have to live in fear that IF something happened to me, I could be BLAMED and not protected by society or my government because I was violated. It's not just about dark alleys and drunken nights either - its the <a href="http://queerguesscode.wordpress.com/2013/03/22/un-memorizing-the-silence-is-sexy-date-script/">dangerous, dangerous assumption that silence means consent</a>. It's quite the opposite. I haven't said yes just because I didn't say no - I say YES when I say YES - and that is it.<br />
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It is MY body - you have no right to it unless it is expressly granted - and I am taking it back.<br />
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There are so many more things that I could address. There are so many more blogs and tweets and news articles that have had me questioning what is my responsibility, how other's could say such awful things, where did I go wrong with my body, why I'm not allowed to feel sexy apart from the opinion of another person, and what steps I need to take to make sure I'm not blamed or ashamed. But the bottom line is this. It is MY body. I am taking it back.<br />
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I am taking it back from anyone who has ever made me feel less than because of how I look.<br />
I am taking it back from highly processed food that does it no good.<br />
I am taking it back from anyone who has ever made me feel uncomfortable for wearing a certain set of clothing.<br />
I am taking it back from anyone who has considered silence consent.<br />
I am taking it back from companies who value the bottom line far about human life.<br />
I am taking it back from anything that gives me an excuse to not stay active.<br />
I am taking it back from anyone who wants to tell me that God made a mistake.<br />
I am taking it back from anyone who wants to tell me what beauty is.<br />
I am taking it back from anyone who wants to sell me food that isn't food for a $$.<br />
I am taking it back from anyone who determines my worth by the price tag on the clothes they sell.<br />
I am taking it back from excuses I have given about health.<br />
I am taking it back from anyone who I have not given consent to.<br />
I am taking it back from large portion sizes that trick me into thinking I'm still hungry.<br />
I am taking it back from anyone who believes a decision about my body is not MY decision.<br />
I am taking it back from anyone who values my looks, my mind, or my accomplishments or anything else above the love I hope to offer.<br />
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I am taking back my body both as a way to say - it is not yours, it is mine - but also as a sense of responsibility and ownership. I have been gifted a vessel to live and enjoy life. I have been gifted a vessel to share love and create vitality. I have been gifted a vessel to make this world a better place. I am taking ownership of my body and responsibility for the way I care for it, and I will surround myself with people and communities that will help me do that in a healthy manner. So if I don't give you consent to touch, comment, value, define or decide for it - then leave it alone.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818826208870852674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10352614.post-45059857171765751152013-01-14T18:52:00.000-06:002013-01-15T22:16:50.157-06:00Advent and Tattoos - I swear they go togetherWell I've made a big decision, a big change in my life - and it wasn't just the tattoo. (See below - unless you're my mom, then pretend you didn't see it.) :D<br />
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On January 10th the congregation of First Christian Church Baton Rouge was notified that I accepted another call to ministry at Overland Park Christian Church in Overland Park, Kansas. My last Sunday in Baton Rouge will be February 24th. I will begin ministering with the people of Overland Park Christian Church on March 18th.<br />
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We've just finished Advent: a time of waiting, a time of pregnant anticipation and a time of excited anxiety, not knowing what could lie ahead. But we so often forget this anticipation and it is hard to recapture, because as devoted Christians, we know what lies at the end of that Advent tunnel: the birth of Christ. Each year in Advent we hope to capture some of that same excited anticipation, but so often we get sucked into the run around of a busy holiday season that we forget what that excited anxiety could mean. <br />
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This year I grasped a little bit more of that anticipated excitement, yet also nervous anxiety, as I made this decision.<br />
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I'll be honest - this was one of the hardest, if not the hardest decision I've ever made over these last couple of months. On some level I knew I was supposed to go to seminary, so while I didn't know what was ahead of me, I knew that was the right place for me with every ounce of my being, so the decision to go was a no-brainer. But when I left for seminary I wasn't leaving anything behind. I had just finished college and had the whole world ahead of me, no matter what direction I headed. The same can be said for my coming to Baton Rouge. All of us were graduating, getting ordained and starting new calls into ministry and so it was only natural that I would be making the decision for a new call, my first call into ministry, no matter how far away.<br />
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But when the idea of a new call to Overland Park came up, it was different. I have loved my life here. I have loved my congregation here. They have supported and loved me. I have loved the person I have become here. How do you leave that? So there were some tears, questions, chit chats with friends and family, a few glasses of wine, and some more tears. In the end though, after much thought, discernment and prayer, there was the confident decision to say yes to where God is calling me, "Here am I."<br />
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The Bible doesn't really say A LOT about Mary's life in between the Annunciation (Luke 1:26-38) and the Birth of Jesus (Luke 2). She gets way more press than most women in the Bible, and we have her Song of Praise, the Magnificat, in Luke 1:46-55, but I feel like if she really is a fully human woman, there were a lot more emotions than the Bible lets on. There's the knowing awareness that with God all things are possible, and the desire to listen to God's call to wherever God is leading you, (even if it seems crazy or not in line with your own "plan"), but there's also the anxiety about leaving comfort and a way of life you've known. I feel confident that if Mary really is the woman we believe her to be, then somewhere in between Luke 1:37 when the Angel finishes telling her why she should believe him, and Luke 1:38 when she eventually says, "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word," there were a few tears, a lot of questions, chit chats with her friends and family, a glass of wine or two, and some more tears. It only seems fitting before she would confidently say, "Here am I."<br />
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I am so thankful for all the time I have had in Baton Rouge. I am even more thankful for the people and the experiences that have helped shape who I am, who I have become. However, I also know and trust that they have made me all the more ready to take this next step into ministry with a new congregation, in a new city, into the exciting unknown.<br />
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How does a tattoo fit into Advent? Well, maybe not with Advent, but it is there and part of this journey for me. I am a changed person because of the time I have spent in Southern Louisiana. The fleur-de-lis tattoo of dark and light that reminds me I am leaving this experience a changed person. Much like the four years I spent in Kappa, where I "stumbled up those back steps, only to walk confidently out the front door," I am confident in this next step because of these last 3 1/2 years in Baton Rouge. I can never take away these experiences in Baton Rouge, and for that I am thankful. I'm thankful they are permanently a part of who I am. I am leaving Baton Rouge changed, for the better, for good, confident and looking forward to the ways that God will use me in this next step. <br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818826208870852674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10352614.post-12199219925511569012012-12-18T10:22:00.000-06:002013-05-22T14:52:09.161-05:00A timeless story...After a long hectic day on Sunday I sat in my office, somewhat unable to move, as the week and weekend's events had finally caught up with me. The busyness of Advent and Christmas in a church loom over it all, my sister had surgery last week, holiday travels, unexpected (but welcomed) visitors stopped by, my senior minister was in the hospital, Children's Christmas plays, power outages at church... Sunday night was the first time I finally had a chance to <i>begin</i> to process Friday's events in Newtown, CT.<br />
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While speaking with two of my young adults in my office I mentioned that while of course this tragedy at Sandy Hook is awful and I'm still trying to wrap my head around it, I'm not all that surprised, and <i>that</i> is what bothers me the most. I still can't fathom the grief and despair, or the overwhelming loss, but I'm bothered most by the fact that this doesn't seem surprising.<br />
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The earliest attack or form of real violence that I can remember was Waco, TX in 1993. Then there was the OK City bombing in 1995. Then there was Jonesboro, Columbine, September 11th; then shoe bombs on planes, more school shootings that never made the news because there was only one or two people killed, the unabomber and of course the Westboro Baptist Church continues to be violent and deadly in their own awful way. Life has been characterized by deaths of soldiers and police officers, Virginia Tech, the Amish school shooting in Pennsylvania, Gabrielle Giffords in Arizona, the movie theater in Colorado, the Sikh temple in Wisconsin, and now Sandy Hook Elementary.<br />
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Anyone that is near my age and younger... we are exhausted, and if you're like me, at a loss for words because you've already said the same type of things to yourself over and over and over again. "Never again," "When will it end?" and "Something has to change." These words are being said closer and closer to one another as yet one more story tears across headlines, Twitter feeds and cell phones.<br />
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I have had a more than privileged and blessed life, but it is also an awful life. I have ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS known violence, hatred and death as part of my life, even if not directly, and it doesn't appear as if it will change any time soon. I am not alone in this.<br />
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We blame mental healthcare access, gun control, drugs, international security, "big brother," and that one political party. Then we blame foreign countries, various forms of religion, the institution of marriage, violent movies and video games, the military, the media and of course that other political party.<br />
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We're fearful to fly, fearful of vehicles parked in certain places, and fearful of churches, temples and synagogues. We've stopped living our lives because we are afraid to go to the movie theater, afraid to send our children to school and fearful of nearly everyone that does not think or look like our own family.<br />
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<i>But we are not meant to live lives full of fear, or dread, or violence, or hatred, or death.</i><br />
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Humanity sucks. We do. We're awful to one another on so many levels. We suck. And we've sucked for a REALLY REALLY LONG TIME, and chances are we're going to continue sucking. But there are also so many moments of great hope, when we can be amazing toward one another. <a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/moments-that-restored-our-faith-in-humanity-this-y">These "26 moments that restore our faith in humanity</a>" are proof that our lives are not about fear, dread, hatred and death, rather of hope. (And these are just the 26 that social media could capture.) There is so much darkness in our world, but there is also SO, SO, SO much light... and "the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it."<br />
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The Christmas story is a timeless story because it tells us of life and hope in the darkest of places. Instead of focusing on why the government couldn't provide enough "room in the inn," or what political ploy drove the census, we focus on the coming Light into the world. Instead of arguing about the nationality of the shepherds and/or the Magi and whether they are "legal" or "illegal" and allowed to cross certain borders, we focus on the Good News that came to all people. Instead of focusing on a poor, unwed mother and questioning her sexual exploits and whether or not she had proper access to contraceptives we focus on the Incarnation that came to us in the form of a helpless, vulnerable baby boy, so that we would know we are never without God's presence.<br />
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Sandy Hook's story cannot be about gun control. Sandy Hook's story cannot only be about healthcare. Sandy Hook's story cannot continue to be the politicized conversation that drives a wedge in between all of us. The victims of Sandy Hook will be lost among this conversation if we continue to tell this story of hatred, fear, misunderstanding and dread.<br />
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Instead, Sandy Hook's story needs to be about the lives of those lost, and the hope that their short-lived lives provide to us. Instead, Sandy Hook's story needs to focus on the ways communities come together to support those who are grieving an unthinkable loss. Instead, Sandy Hook's story needs to be about the ways that God-in-us grieves together in support with those who cannot fathom this loss. Instead, Sandy Hook's story needs to focus on how God-with-us, the very best of humanity overcomes the very worst of humanity.<br />
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I know the conversations around gun control, access to better mental healthcare, religion in public schools and many other political issues will continue - and they should on <i>some </i>level. <br />
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But the timeless story we tell of this generation cannot continue to focus on the fear, dread, violence, hatred, or death of all those stories mentioned above. We must find a new way to tell this story of our generation, and particularly of Sandy Hook. We must find a different way to tell the story of this generation that does not center around the violence and hatred of all those stories above. We must find a way to share <i>this </i>story that focuses on the hope, and the love, and the faith that comes when it seems like those things are lost and impossible to find. The timelessness of this story <i>must</i> be on how the very best of our actions overcomes the very worst, of how the light does not allow the darkness to overcome it.<br />
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<i>Hope and faith in times like this may be called naive. But when little else gives light and life in so much darkness, stories of hope and faith are the strongest responses we can have.</i> So tell those stories of hope and faith, from Sandy Hook and elsewhere. Because THOSE are the stories that will provide light in a generation of much darkness, and join our story with that timeless story of hope and life. Much like the story we will celebrate in about a week, <i>those</i> stories of hope, and life and faith even in the darkest places are the stories that will change the world.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818826208870852674noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10352614.post-60565216145001128722012-10-26T09:53:00.000-05:002012-10-26T13:42:10.283-05:00Just... stop... talking.Dear Politicians:<br />
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I am a 30 something year old woman who would like you to stop talking about my reproductive organs since you CLEARLY do not have a good understanding of anything about my body. Listening to YOUR understanding of my body, my reproductive organs, and the choices I make with them feels a little something like this.<br />
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While <i>this video </i>is adorable and I celebrate the creativity and understandings of a child - YOU are not a child. Neither are you a doctor, nor are you a theologian, nor are you a woman, and you just.... need....to....STOP.<br />
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I understand that many different professionals have to come together in order to make policy surrounding issues such as abortion, rape, birth control, medical care for my uterus, etc. but you can also make sure you understand this <i>clearly</i>, and focus on YOUR profession, leaving those other professionals to do their jobs. I have never been pregnant, I have never been in the situation of needing to make a decision about an abortion, nor have I ever been raped. But I am a woman, I am a theologian, and I am a minister. Those three things alone make me qualified to tell you to STOP TALKING AND LISTEN.<br />
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I am not advocating that you have agree with my personal decisions, nor compromise your own personal beliefs. However, leave the job of professionals up to those professionals. Use them as guides and help along the way but actually LISTEN to them as you work together, doing YOUR job, not the job of others.<br />
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If you listen to them, ministers, rabbis, imams and other religious leaders will tell you that theologians around the world have been pondering, discussing, arguing, and praying about why horrible things happen in our world for CENTURIES. So let that serve as a reminder, that you, on your soap box during an election year are NOT qualified to make definitive statements about why rape happens; nor are you qualified to speak about something that might happen as the result of that rape. Doctors will tell us the HOW things happen in an instance of horrific assault, theologians and ministers can help women and their loved ones grapple with the WHY. But you Mr. Politician, you can deal with the WHAT and that is your only job. What needs to happen now that this unspeakable sexual assault has happened? What needs to happen so that this woman feels like she should report it, because she trusts that all efforts will be made to bring her attacker to justice? What needs to happen so that this woman does not feel condemned to a life she did not choose? What needs to happen so that this woman can use her OWN personal, moral and religious convictions to work through this horrible experience? What needs to happen to remind this woman that she lives in a free country that seeks out her liberty and well-being?<br />
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I am a religious leader, and I am telling you that your religious convictions DO NOT matter to me, nor should they heavily influence your policy making discussions. I know they will some, but we live in a free country where your religions convictions should be as separate from your policy making as possible. Instead, your policy discussions should surround the question, "Does the United States government, the government of a free nation where its people are allowed to practice whatever version of religion they choose, or choose not to, have the right make decisions for women OR MEN who have been raped?" <br />
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Do not ponder why this happened, if the woman's skirt was too short, or if you think she was "asking for it." Do not ponder why this woman chose not to come forward right away, or why she still felt violated, assaulted and attacked even if it was someone she knew and trusted. Do not ponder why this woman only said STOP sixteen times instead of seventeen. Do not ponder why this woman's grief and fear have kept her from remembering every single detail of every single awful moment. Do not ponder why this woman conceived a child out of this horrific experience. JUST STOP. <br />
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Instead, ponder what the social services of our governments can do to support this woman, her loved ones, and possibly the child that comes out of this experience. Ponder what policies need to change so that they are SUPPORTIVE and not CONDEMNING. Ponder the ways that our government can give liberty and well-being back to someone who has been violated on the most intimate level possible. Ponder the ways that you can get as much information as possible from professionals in their various fields so that you can make INFORMED decisions.<br />
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Most of all - if you do not <i>have </i>these lady parts constantly in question and discussion - SIT BACK. Invite a WOMAN to your party of professionals and LISTEN to HER. Invite women who have experienced these horrific acts to come to share their stories, without fear, and LISTEN to them. Just stop talking. Start listening to those who are directly involved in these experiences. Stop talking and listen to the professionals that are qualified to do so. And then... after you have done all the listening you think you have to do. Listen some more. Then, and only then are you qualified to do your own job.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818826208870852674noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10352614.post-55908706598583042402012-10-03T11:01:00.003-05:002012-10-09T21:55:09.378-05:00I'm a Minister Too!No. No, you're not. You were licensed on the internet for $29.95 to perform wedding ceremonies (and sometimes only temporarily).<br />
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I feel like I'm a pretty good sport. I swear I've heard just about every comment under the sun when I tell people that I'm a minister, and I can smile and graciously respond to almost all of them. My parents taught me a lot about being gracious and how to act in public, so 99/99999% of the time I can handle anything or any comments people throw at me. Sometimes they straight up don't believe me. (One time they just turned around and walked away!) Sometimes they are intrigued and ask a few questions. Sometimes they are judgmental and ask LOTS of questions (basically trying to discredit my "claim"). Sometimes they ask really personal questions that are none of their business but most of the time they want to talk about THEMSELVES and how they have interacted with and/or experienced the church.<br />
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Most of the time they want to tell me about their church (yay _____ church - you're doing a good job!). The other response I get often is they want to tell me all the reasons they don't appreciate/follow/like organized religion. (Lawyers, I'm genuinely intrigued; do people start telling you how much they hate the law?) But like I said, I'm willing to listen. I know several people have been hurt by the church, and the deserve to have "the church," hear them out. Did they plan to share their hurt with "the church," while sitting at a lunch counter in the airport? Probably not, but I'll listen and "be the church," for them. It might not be THE one thing that brings them back to the church or organized religion - but they deserve to be heard.<br />
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Most recently on my way back from an AMAZING spiritual retreat with some of the most amazing ministers I know a conversation began with a man while we were waiting for our plane. We started talking about football because the Saints game was on, but after having to wait for our flight for quite some time, the conversation turned to a variety of other things, including what we do for a living.<br />
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He works for an electrical company selling to builders and other contractors, and oh yeah, after I told him that I am a minister he let me know that he is too. He got ordained on the internet.<br />
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To be fair, I recognize that not everyone that gets married is spiritual or religious and that people desire to have meaningful weddings without a religious component. In that regard, find a Justice of the Peace that is known for performing weddings, that can do it with feeling, respect, and integrity for the relationship that you are honoring. Find a way for someone you trust and respect to be licensed to perform weddings. Whether it is on the internet or through the County Clerks office - find a way to have an officiant that is licensed, not tied to a church and not a MINISTER - that's what you wanted, right? However, if you are not religious, do not have a religious background and do not want to get married by a minister - then DON'T. Please do not ask one of your friends to "get ordained" on the internet for $29.95 and call it "being a minister."<br />
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The church has had a LONG history of working with ministers within the church so that they can serve this Body of Christ even if it is not in the traditional way. The Christian Church (DOC), along with several other mainline protestant churches, is working to develop programs that will allow second career and bi-vocational ministers to still DO MINISTRY with their churches even in different contexts. Whether its through online M.Div. programs or through commissioned ministry in which you consistently have a a mentor to work with you, the church is working to help people interested in MINISTRY get to where they need to be. <br />
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That being said - those who have been "ordained" on the internet - I respect your right to be LICENSED to perform weddings. I respect the need for such individuals in light of many people not wanting religious ceremonies, nor connections to a certain religious body. However - stop calling yourselves ministers. You do not minister. You are licensed to perform weddings - and some may do it with great integrity and respect - but you are not ministers. Please leave this classification for those of us that choose this incredibly hard, but incredibly rewarding way of life - and those of us that regardless of our life circumstances make every effort we can to ACTUALLY be ministers.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818826208870852674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10352614.post-21540268460455000642012-05-22T01:20:00.000-05:002012-10-03T11:12:01.231-05:0030 X 30 - State Ballet & Nutcracker(Following a friend's example, in honor of my 30th birthday I have decided to post 30 things I have accomplished in my life in 30 years. So for the remaining 4 days leading up to my birthday watch for a new post each day celebrating these 30 things.)
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I was secretly hoping for an embarrassing photo to accompany this post, but since many of my memories are in boxes back in Kansas City - I suppose that will have to wait. <br />
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In my 30 years I have danced many a dances. Choreographed or otherwise I have shaken my booty many a times, at many occasions and to many different types of music. However one of the neatest ways that I could dance was to dance for the State Ballet of Missouri and in The Nutcracker. from 3rd - 5th grade I was in over 60 performances with a professional dance company for all of Kansas City to see. Sure, it was loads of fun to get out of school for such a special event, but it was even more amazing to be a part of it.<br />
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The Nutcracker is one of the quintessential ballets in which to participate - and to do so at such a young age was exciting. I remember the ballerinas running around back stage, hurrying to perform, yet also taking the time to sign a ballet shoe or two for all those of us who looked up to them. I was technically under the direction of Todd Bolender (and remember meeting him) who worked with one of the most well know contemporary choreographers, George Balanchine, who helped to found the New York City Ballet. <br />
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It may seem small since I was only a child - but my brief time with the State Ballet of Missouri and the Nutcracker were certainly influential.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818826208870852674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10352614.post-42670939505987865102012-05-21T01:05:00.000-05:002012-05-26T01:19:48.286-05:0030 X 30 - Travels of Paul(Following a friend's example, in honor of my 30th birthday I have decided to post 30 things I have accomplished in my life in 30 years. So for the remaining 5 days leading up to my birthday watch for a new post each day celebrating these 30 things.)
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Seminary was good to me... because in my 30 years I have visited 8 countries outside of the US and 4 of them came during my time in seminary. Poland had its own feel to it - a unique trip to say the least - and a little side trip to London to follow. However, one of my favorite times in seminary was certainly the "Travels of Paul," trip we took to Greece and Turkey in January 2007. The Bible can seem so abstract at times, almost surreal without an opportunity to visualize these people who are sharing their stories of faith and their experiences with the Divine. However, several of us from LTS had the opportunity to walk in the "footsteps of Paul," as we followed his path to visit several of the churches that began to spring up in the infancy of Christianity. <br />
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This trip was informative, shaping, downright fun and lucky for us - also counted as a credit for school! OK, so the reading and the paper helped with that. :) Either way - what an experience!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818826208870852674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10352614.post-75389704479281948362012-05-20T00:47:00.000-05:002012-05-26T01:06:13.528-05:0030 x 30 - Travel(Following a friend's example, in honor of my 30th birthday I have decided to post 30 things I have accomplished in my life in 30 years. So for the remaining 6 days leading up to my birthday watch for a new post each day celebrating these 30 things.)
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In my 30 years I have had so many opportunities to travel I sometimes can't believe it. At one point I had a list going of the states that I have visited with the intention of visiting all of them in my lifetime but I have stopped keeping up with that list. Instead I celebrate the list of the countries I have had the chance to visit.... New Zealand, Fiji, Australia, Mexico, Spain, England, Greece, Turkey and Poland... and hopefully many more to come!<br />
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<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818826208870852674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10352614.post-51859365571168098142012-05-19T23:02:00.000-05:002012-05-26T00:47:53.296-05:0030 X 30 - New Zealand(Following a friend's example, in honor of my 30th birthday I have decided to post 30 things I have accomplished in my life in 30 years. So for the remaining 7 days leading up to my birthday watch for a new post each day celebrating these 30 things.)
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In my 30 years I have celebrated my birthday in many places and come to think of it, I've actually celebrated my birthday in at least 3 different countries. Exactly 10 years ago I was celebrating my 20th birthday in New Zealand complete with fairy bread. <br />
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I lived and studied in New Zealand February - July 2002 - during which time I got to do some amazing amazing things. Along with a few others, I took an awesome Maori Studies class at Victoria University and learned about the indigenous people of NZ, I sailed on a sailboat, went sea kayaking, jumped off a bridge and out of a plane. I traveled by myself around the North Island for one week and then joined my brother and my NZ brother on a tour of the South Island. I lived with an amazing family that IS truly my family. I vacationed on a winery and a ranch where I helped make wine and rode four wheelers. I went horse back riding, spelunking and swimming in natural hot springs. I saw plays, ballets and symphonies, visited Te Papa, Government House, Parliament and a marae.<br />
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While I would love to continue to share every tiny detail of my time in New Zealand, I can't begin to name all the amazing people that made my time in New Zealand what it was, or all the ways that they influenced who I was to be the person I am today. So instead I will leave you with pictures of my 20th birthday tea party - something every NZ little girl has - because even though I wasn't a little girl, I was sure to get in as many experiences as possible! :D<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818826208870852674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10352614.post-18318563927533677602012-05-18T15:31:00.000-05:002012-05-30T22:37:04.135-05:0030 X 30 - Baptisms(Following a friend's example, in honor of my 30th birthday I have decided to post 30 things I have accomplished in my life in 30 years. So for the remaining 8 days leading up to my birthday watch for a new post each day celebrating these 30 things.)
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In my 30 years one privilege that very few people in life will have is that I have baptized and dedicated children and adolescents, including my niece Madeline, as they begin their life in Christ. I also have the privilege of being connected to my niece Kate even more than we already are (have I mentioned we are the same child?), by being her God-mother. I know many are PRESENT during baptisms and dedications - but to be the one that performs these actual rituals is sometimes beyond my imagination! Whether baptizing as infants, or as adolescents at an "age of reason," or sharing in the family's joy as they bring their child to be dedicated to God, it is a tremendous privilege to be present when someone's life is dedicated to Christ. It is also a challenge to each and every one of us present to remember our own commitments to Christ when we are there encouraging another child of God to dedicate their life to the way of Christ!<br />
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Time and time again in my career (sometimes I don'f feel like I should call it that, because it feels like so much MORE than a "job") I don't understand why I have the distinct privilege to be a part of such a sacred time. It's humbling to be a part of parents' decisions - that parenting is hard, and we don't know all the ins and outs, we don't know all the right answers - but what we do know is that we want our child raised in the light of Christ. And children, when they begin to ask the tough questions, and to become comfortable with the mystery and to trust that no matter the answers, they know Christ is the way. How did I get so lucky? Baptisms and dedications are certainly some of those moments that I give thanks and think, "how lucky am I?"<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818826208870852674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10352614.post-30442161448491996332012-05-17T15:25:00.000-05:002012-05-25T15:30:57.200-05:0030 X 30 - Brooke(Following a friend's example, in honor of my 30th birthday I have decided to post 30 things I have accomplished in my life in 30 years. So for the remaining 9 days leading up to my birthday watch for a new post each day celebrating these 30 things.)<br />
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One of the most surreal things that has happened in my 30 years is that on January 22, 2009 I watched my best friend take her last breath. You may remember from an earlier post that I am no stranger to being around death, or those who have lost loved ones, but until January 22 I had never been in the room just steps away from one you love as they breathe in their very last breath. <br />
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I certainly don't hope anyone HAS to have that experience - but to be present during such a sacred moment is certainly something for which I give thanks. No - I wish every day that I could have Brooke here with us, BUT if she had to go, and if she would no longer suffer - then I was thankful that I could be with her up until the very last moments of her time here on earth with us.<br />
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In honor and in memory of a woman who CONTINUES to touch my life today - I share with you the post I shared on January 24, 2009 right after we lost our dear dear Brooke. NBL Brooke... NBL.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfng6JcGWEFsre5yz03L9-pNkghOQtpOU7Vbf9VcXTiVNF8QjBIm8PeBx3SoSOpNGLJwddkw7QwqGwjJHRA-iokCOvzssAcSpnoULFER2m3_trnIC4KxAv62F6vN3TrUy-cK7u/s1600-h/P1010820sepia.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295080061190887026" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfng6JcGWEFsre5yz03L9-pNkghOQtpOU7Vbf9VcXTiVNF8QjBIm8PeBx3SoSOpNGLJwddkw7QwqGwjJHRA-iokCOvzssAcSpnoULFER2m3_trnIC4KxAv62F6vN3TrUy-cK7u/s320/P1010820sepia.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a>"On Thursday, January 22, 2009 my dear friend Mary Ericka Brooke Schneitman passed away after a long struggle with Marfan Syndrome.<br />
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Brooke and I met in August 2005 when I first came to seminary and we quickly became friends. Brooke suffered an aortic dissection just 33 days after I met her - but it was very apparent during that first episode that she was insanely loved and cared for by the entire seminary community. We kept in touch during her recovery and I was insanely excited when she returned to Lexington the summer of 2006 to complete her seminary degree.<br />
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Although Brooke continued to struggle with the "side effects" of Marfan Syndrome, Brooke continued to live a very full life. Brooke has been a daughter, a sister, and a friend. Brooke has known intense friendships, romantic relationships, a great family and has offered intense amounts of love to everyone she meet. Brooke not only graduated college with a ministry degree, but successfully graduated with a Master of Divinity degree and was ordained as a minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).<br />
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Although I didn't know Brooke for very long if you're measuring in years - Brooke was most certainly one of my best friends. I could trust Brooke that I could always be myself, that she would be supportive and loving, but she also always managed to keep me honest with myself and grounded amid the chaos I call my life. She was an amazing friend, sister, counselor, angel and minister. She was also an amazing artist that was able to grasp the many emotions of life and make them tangible for many to see. She touched the lives of everyone she knew and will be missed by so many.<br />
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Brooke was an inspiration to me in many many ways. I find intense inspiration in the ways she approached her ministry and in the approach she took on life. I am most certainly a better person for having known her. I am inspired by her relationships and her friendships, and by her dedication and loyalty. She was passionate and focused, yet fun-loving and carefree all at the same time. Brooke's strength and resolve were unparalleled, and I only hope to keep alive the wonderful things that she taught so many. Brooke most certainly took the road less traveled, and while I'm sure it made all the difference for her - she also made an intense difference in the lives of those she met.<br />
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Brooke - I am so proud of you for being such an amazing woman - I have loved knowing you and I am so thankful that I got to be a part of your life, even for just a little while. I will miss you desperately - and I'm still struggling quite a bit with the idea that you won't be here. Your strength and passion for life will be remembered and honored. I know that you are at peace, and that you are no longer in pain - for which I am grateful. I love you Brooke - know that you were, are and will always be loved by many."Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818826208870852674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10352614.post-718814125097166872012-05-16T15:15:00.000-05:002012-05-25T22:41:47.174-05:0030 X 30 - Music(Following a friend's example, in honor of my 30th birthday I have decided to post 30 things I have accomplished in my life in 30 years. So for the remaining 10 days leading up to my birthday watch for a new post each day celebrating these 30 things.)<br />
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In my 30 years it is hard to imagine a time when music has not been a part of my life. Whether it was dancing around the house, singing at church, pretending a wrapping paper tube was a microphone, or actual music lessons - one way or another music has always added to the soundtrack of my life.<br />
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I started playing piano at a young age and remember fondly all my teachers who taught me the importance of discipline. I played the recorder and the oboe in 6th grade, and if that didn't make me cool enough I started playing the bassoon when I was in 7th grade. I was part of choir from 6th grade on, competed with Concert Choir as a high school student and sang in all the HS musicals. In HS as a way to REALLY up my coolness factor I was not only a part of the marching band, I was the leader - drum major since 9th grade - head drum major 11th and 12th grade. I had the fortune of traveling with my HS band to marching competitions, but also to neat opportunities like being THE band selected from Missouri to play in Washington DC when each state send a HS band to play all around the capital. <br />
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I kid about how being in the band "upped" my coolness factor - but in all reality my friends were my friends through thick and thin and we had the best time in HS. Luckily, Liberty HS was not really a place that it mattered too much what "group" you were in - so I was able to enjoy the music all the way through.<br />
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Since HS I continued to sing a bit in college, mainly just with our sorority group, "The Pickers," but I also continue to play the piano off and on and have started to teach myself the guitar... not something to which I devote enough time. I still sing in the church choir, remember fondly all that music has taught me and love the ability to get lost in a song. Certain songs flood my brain with great memories, some make me laugh while others make me cry - but no matter what - music will certainly be a part of my next 30 years.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818826208870852674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10352614.post-49944654343588635002012-05-15T14:29:00.000-05:002012-05-25T22:30:08.604-05:0030 X 30 - Bungee(Following a friend's example, in honor of my 30th birthday I have decided to post 30 things I have accomplished in my life in 30 years. So for the remaining 11 days leading up to my birthday watch for a new post each day celebrating these 30 things.)<br />
<br />
Before I share yet one more crazy thing i've done in the name of traveling and "living the whole experience," let me remind you that I am in fact afraid of heights. Some one once heard all these crazy things I've done and said, "I don't think you ARE afraid of heights." In fact I am, my heart races like crazy just walking up a really steep flight of stairs. I refuse to sit in the super high seats at Tiger Stadium because that is TOO D<a href="mailto:D@MN">@MN</a> HIGH!<br />
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At any rate - one more crazy height that I've overcome in my 30 years is that I went bungee jumping and threw myself off a bridge!<br />
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When my brother came to visit me in New Zealand in April 2002 we both went bungee jumping. My sister and NZ brother went in December 1997 and there was no way I was going to let them show me up! My brother and I are both uncomfortable with heights (he once crawled up the stairs at Busch Stadium because they were so high) so this was a journey for both of us.<br />
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I've also gone parasailing and tried rappelling, but the rappelling was too much and I quit. I also once cried on a ropes course because whatever group building exercise we were doing was just too dang high. I might not have conquered all of my fears - but in my 30 years I have certainly conquered quite a few fears and down right punched other fears in the face while I screamed all the way down. <br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818826208870852674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10352614.post-44744503841220024062012-05-14T15:35:00.000-05:002012-05-25T15:22:22.859-05:0030 X 30 - Dance(Following a friend's example, in honor of my 30th birthday I have
decided to post 30 things I have accomplished in my life in 30 years.
So for the remaining 12 days leading up to my birthday watch for a new
post each day celebrating these 30 things.)<br />
<br />
In my 30 years I'm not sure my parents nor I could count the number of tights, dance shoes, leotards, hair-ties, bobbi pins, hairspray bottles, dance costumes or the like that were purchased. I have been dancing since as long as I can remember and I am ECSTATIC that <a href="http://purebarre.com/index.html">Pure Barre</a> is opening a new location so close to my house so I can get back to it.<br />
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I certainly would not be who I am today without all my dance experience. It's obvious that I am not a professional dancer or anything, so it didn't shape my life experience by determining my profession or anything, but my life wouldn't have been the same without the YEARS AND YEARS of dance. It helped me to meet new friends when my family moved cities, it gave me structure and schedule, it taught me about hard work and practice, and it taught me to be comfortable in my own skin. Sure - it was YEARS ago - by my last 30 years wouldn't have been the same without all those dance troupes, dance competitions, or a WONDERFUL dance mom who was NOTHING like those crazy hurtful ones on TV.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818826208870852674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10352614.post-30475997322168515942012-05-13T15:13:00.000-05:002012-05-18T15:35:04.888-05:0030 X 30 - Sky Diving(Following a friend's example, in honor of my 30th birthday I have
decided to post 30 things I have accomplished in my life in 30 years.
So for the remaining 13 days leading up to my birthday watch for a new
post each day celebrating these 30 things.)<br />
<br />
Bucket list item achieved. March 29, 2002 - Good Friday - I surprised my entire family and went skydiving. <i> I surprised myself and went skydiving.</i><br />
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I had a two week break when I was studying in New Zealand; I spent the first week traveling by myself around the North Island of New Zealand, and the second week traveling around the South Island with my brother Chad and my NZ brother Jamie. I went skydiving on my very first day that I left. I caught a bus in Wellington, headed to Lake Taupo and before I knew it I was on a plane with a clear, what I swear was plastic window ready to jump out! I paid some extra to have someone jump with me and video and take photos of the whole thing (probably the best $$ I spent while I was over there). I developed the photos, scanned in a photo or two and sent it to my family who opened the email on Easter morning - Happy Easter! :D<br />
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More about New Zealand and my adventures on the South Island later... but first my skydiving pictures :D<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818826208870852674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10352614.post-35757475927377821672012-05-12T14:35:00.000-05:002012-05-18T14:05:28.781-05:0030 X 30 - Funerals(Following a friend's example, in honor of my 30th birthday I have decided to post 30 things I have accomplished in my life in 30 years. So for the remaining 14 days leading up to my birthday watch for a new post each day celebrating these 30 things.)<br />
<br />
One of the most sacred things I have experienced in my life is to perform a funeral. It is a bit surprising to me how many people reach their 30's only having attended one, maybe two funerals in their lives. (The same for weddings come to think of it.) Over these last 30 years I've realized how much my family set the frame work for me to be working in ministry, even though I am the first in our family to choose ministry as my profession. <br />
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I don't actually remember this, but I think the first funeral I went to was of my great grandmother on my mother's side. <br />
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(Obviously not my great grandmother's funeral, as she is IN this photo - but I think her's was the first funeral I "attended" at just a few months old)</div>
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I DO remember my maternal grandmother's funeral (only vaguely), and the funeral's of my remaining three grandparents as they all passed away somewhere between 1993 and 200. I remember distinctly the eulogy my dad gave at my grandfather's funeral; most of all, I remember that there was nothing "weird" or "morbid" about funerals.</div>
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I remember that funerals were a sacred opportunity to share in our common grief, to share freely whatever one was feeling in a sacred space that was safe and full of love. I remember that funerals were a place where I saw my parents and my grandparents cry in ways that I never could have imagined.</div>
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Since I've become a pastor I've had the privilege, yes the privilege, of helping people through their grief and through those traumatic times. I have been allowed into to very vulnerable moments, to places where people let down their guard because they have no more strength to hold it up. I've had the duty of putting into words what so many want to say, to remember, and to memorialize about the one that they love, and I've had the daunting task of reminding loved ones that death does not have the final say.</div>
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I'm honored and humbled to say that I have performed a number of funerals in my 30 years and know that I will feel that same distinct privilege when others come along in the future.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818826208870852674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10352614.post-24631698242547797792012-05-11T14:14:00.000-05:002012-05-16T17:59:27.110-05:0030 X 30 - Never Really Alone(Following a friend's example, in honor of my 30th birthday I have decided to post 30 things I have accomplished in my life in 30 years. So for the remaining 15 days leading up to my birthday watch for a new post each day celebrating these 30 things.)
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<br />
As indicated by my previous post <a href="http://peacebabe.blogspot.com/2012/04/30-x-30-where-do-you-live.html">"Where are you from?" </a>- In my 30 years I have had 12 different addresses in 3 different states, 6 different cities and 2 different countries and counting my immediate family members I have had 23 different roommates. <br />
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A significant accomplishment among all of these is that I have also lived ALONE. Some may not consider this a major accomplishment, but I'm happy to have had this experience and I have had it at three different addresses. When I moved to seminary I moved there with the help of my parents, but I lived alone for the first year when I lived at the apartments at the seminary. Then following my break-up in November 2007 I lived alone again (with Sally!) off and on until I moved to Baton Rouge in 2009. And then, when I moved to Baton Rouge, I lived alone again for the first year.<br />
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Now I have certainly had help from my parents along the way when my car breaks down unexpectedly or something along those lines, but I consider it an accomplishment to have lived on my own - and to have done it in a couple different ways. <br />
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I pay my own bills, cry when the pipes in my wall burst and I'm not sure if I have to pay for that or the landlord, I mow my own yard, clean the whole house, make Sally get up and bark at stuff when things go bump in the night, jump on a chair when there's a cockroach on the floor (this is normal in Louisiana, do not worry!), think of my mom when there's toothpaste in the sink and I have no one to blame but myself, and rely on myself to have something cooked when I come home from a long day at work. Living on your own and taking care of it all is hard work sometimes - especially when you have no one else to blame but yourself for the things that don't get done.<br />
<br />
I know some women (and men?) who have never lived on their own, who went straight from college back home, or to a marriage, or with roommates - and there's no commentary or judgment on that - just an observation that there are certainly those who have arrived at the age of 30 and have never lived on their own - but I am not one of them. One of the best feelings I can have at the age of 30 is that I can do it on my own - its my choice whether I want to or not. :)<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818826208870852674noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10352614.post-52342312582677391022012-05-10T13:55:00.000-05:002012-05-16T17:59:19.585-05:0030 X 30 - March of Remembrance(Following a friend's example, in honor of my 30th birthday I have decided to post 30 things I have accomplished in my life in 30 years. So for the remaining 16 days leading up to my birthday watch for a new post each day celebrating these 30 things.)
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In my 30 years I have been very privileged to travel to many different countries and cities, to visit and to live in lots of different places, but this March of Remembrance trip that I took in 2006 was THE most powerful trip I have ever been on to date.<br />
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As part of my seminary education in May 2006 I went on<a href="http://www.remembranceandhope.com/"> The March Remembrance and Hope</a> to Poland, and specifically Auschwitz-Birkenau and Majdanek. We visited several historic Holocaust related sites including taking tours through two (really three since Auschwitz and Birkenau are actually quite far apart) concentration camps. We were accompanied by Pinchas, a Holocaust survivor who was held at Majdanek and told us his story of arriving at this God-forsaken place.<br />
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The "presence of the absence," was overwhelming in these places as we remembered the millions of people who were murdered; the sense of hope coming from these Holocaust survivors was equally overwhelming. It was a little awkward to have my 24th birthday while visiting Auschwitz, but it was probably one of the most significant birthdays as well. <br />
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I've always had a weird obsession with the Holocaust ever since I visited the Holocaust Museum in Washington DC in 6th grade and picked up a fantastic book for young readers called "Daniel's Story." I also had a fantastic English/Gifted teacher in 10th grade who helped our class create a website dedicated to the stories of Children of the Holocaust. <br />
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What draws me in time and time again is the human condition. How broken are we that we are convinced that someone else is less valuable, less of a person, or less of a creation of God because of where they were born, or what family/ethnicity/tradition/religion they were born into? (Or even if you don't believe in a creator, how is our accidental arrival on earth any better than another's accidental presence?) I'm not above this and I find myself struggling with judging people for their actions and attitudes all the time (hello broken sinfulness), but I give thanks that by the grace of God I also feel that guilt and uneasy feeling when I start to think more highly of myself than another, because its the uneasy feeling that reminds us of our oneness and connectedness in our Creator. It breaks my heart and feels like someone is ripping out my insides to think that we are SO BROKEN and feel SO FORSAKEN that we turn on one another as if we are not all created in God's image. <br />
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I could write for days on this topic. Instead, I invite you to look at some of my photos and to re-visit some of my previous posts on "<a href="http://peacebabe.blogspot.com/search/label/Poland">Poland</a>." I give thanks for this experience - because it has certainly shaped who I am today.<br />
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On my actual birthday - after a day at Auschwitz - honoring my birthday with some ice cream. (Because the Pope was there and for some reason the city wouldn't serve liquor when the Pope was in town?)</div>
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Pinchas sharing his story</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818826208870852674noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10352614.post-32045035543796671032012-05-09T17:49:00.000-05:002012-05-16T17:58:55.372-05:0030 X 30 - DPF Intern(Following a friend's example, in honor of my 30th birthday I have decided to post 30 things I have accomplished in my life in 30 years. So for the remaining 17 days leading up to my birthday watch for a new post each day celebrating these 30 things.)
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In light of recent political issues it seems poignant that my random listing of 30 accomplishments has resulted in this listing on this day. <br />
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In my 30 years one of the "jobs," I loved the most and changed my future the most was certainly my summer as a Disciples Peace Fellowship Intern. I was thrilled that I was even considered for the position and was even more thrilled throughout the whole summer. Disciples Peace Fellowship is a grassroots organization that is part of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Their primary focus is on church camp, and every year they send interns to church camps all over the country to teach about peace and social justice issues from the aspect of our Christian faith. I was lucky enough to visit West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, Arizona, Georgia, Montana, and North Carolina. I got to re-visit NC as part of this internship when I was introduced to the amazing-ness that is General Assembly in October 2003. <br />
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I got to teach about something I am passionate about, especially as I grew in my own faith and understanding of how my faith intersects with these parts of life. I taught about Christianity/homosexuality, sweat shops, economic disparity, Islam and a few other things I'm sure I'm forgetting, and I loved every minute of it! I worked with amazing kids and met amazing adults that continue to volunteer as camp counselors year after year (thank them - they are making a huge difference!). Moreover, I discovered my calling into Christian ministry. I didn't quite know where my calling would bring me - especially that it would bring me to Southern Louisiana - but I knew that God was calling me into a distinct role, and into something far greater than I imagined. Giving thanks every day for this experience that truly changed my life.<br />
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Before the dance in WV - What are you boys wearing?</div>
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Camp Caroline, NC</div>
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Continental Divide in Montana - thanks Brent for the detour!</div>
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2003 DPF Interns in Indianapolis - a stellar group of people</div>
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I met so many amazing kids!</div>
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I met equally amazing staff all summer!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818826208870852674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10352614.post-67257036912961243162012-05-08T00:43:00.000-05:002012-05-16T17:59:08.916-05:0030 X 30 - AIESEC<span style="font-size: small;">(Following a friend's example, in honor of my 30th birthday I have
decided to post 30 things I have accomplished in my life in 30 years.
So for the remaining 18 days leading up to my birthday watch for a new
post each day celebrating these 30 things.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">I have joined my fair share of organizations in my 30 years, but at the same time I have always been careful to join some pretty awesome organizations and AIESEC is no different. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">When I was living in New Zealand (check for that post when my photos are scanned in!) I looked for ways to immerse myself in the culture and meet more and more locals as opposed to hanging out with just my fellow study abroad friends from the States. I am so lucky to have found AIESEC while I was living in NZ! When I returned to the US, I join AIESEC at Mizzou and met some of the best friends I had in college that fit in that same weird niche I had found in New Zealand.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.aiesec.org/">AIESEC</a> is the world's largest student driven organization, beginning after WWII as a way to develop high-potential youth and young adults into globally minded responsible leaders. This entirely student-led organization facilitates work exchanges between 110 different countries sending under-graduates and recent grads to job postings overseas, and welcoming foreign students in their local countries in the same way. Following WWII, and still today, there is a need to bridge the gap across people and cultures as well as the need for business schools to produce capable individuals to rebuild the economy; in 1948 AIESEC "exchanged" 89 students across country lines. Today AIESEC encompasses 100 countries in more than 1100 universities. AIESEC currently has over 28,000 members with more than 6,500 leadership opportunities and more than 4,400 exchange experiences. It is still entirely student driven with the university students conducting the matching and exchanging of fellow students, securing the local jobs and so much more. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">I sent two college students from Mizzou on two separate jobs in Europe, while I was in AIESEC. I learned a lot from my leadership experience in AIESEC and I hope I had an impact on those we heped exchange, making our giant world smaller and more connected one step at a time. I had a bit of fun in AIESEC too which certainly helped ;)</span><br />
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At the Awards Ceremony at Winter Conference 2003</div>
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A night of fun at Winter Conference 2003<br />
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Global Village with my Pam :)<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Mizzou's Local Committee</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818826208870852674noreply@blogger.com0