Sometimes my head is floating so much in abstract thoughts, theories, and arguments -logically mostly : ), that I get a bit lost in there. It is easy for me (a girl) to get lost in thinking about guys. Not the 6th grade obsessing but from a programming and ministry viewpoint it is easy to see that within the church there are many more women/girls than men/boys. I have read several books about working with guys from a psychological and sociological standpoint and have had countless conversations with my guy friends about how guys think... and honestly... I'm still a bit lost.
I read this interesting article the other day from Youthworker.com about a book (Why Men Hate Going to Church) citing arguments I have heard before but applied to modern(ish) traditional church programming that I grew up in and have been a part of from sunday school to youth groups and christmas plays.
My solution to this issue has been to try and wrangle my guy friends in to participating and being intentional about trying to incorporate things the boys I work with enjoy. Young guys need good guy role models right?
Sometimes I feel like this is the best I can do. Be aware that I'm not a guy and therefore sometimes I eschew my program in a way that lifts up natural (?) talents of girls and puts down the rowdiness of the boys and try to brings guys in to help balance that.
Isn't that what diversity is really about though? And why it is important for our leaders to grasp it? Working with people that are different than myself - in gender, age, race, economic status, family make-up, etc. ect. can prove to be more difficult - often they think differently and therefore challenge or just don't agree with my thoughts. Yet Jesus doesn't call me to just go out and serve those who are like me. In order to really build relationships and truly love (the cornerstone of the faith in every window you look through - law, social justice, scripture) I desperately need to seek to understand those I have the opportunity to (and those I'm trying to connect to) and reach through my understanding instead of just leading how I think it should be done.
A little bit more complicated than just hanging out and having pizza at youth group - but not. Food unites us, and games can unite us (competition, tag games... so many rabbit trails there), but to me it comes back to being intentional about reaching everyone in the room and learning my own personal biases.
Just some simple ramblings...
Peace,
Erin
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Friday, October 07, 2011
Seminary is kicking my butt!
Hi friends.
I miss you.
Sorry I've been gone.
Not fishing...
READING.
It's so good, but it's soooo much all at the same time. And balancing with work has taken some delicate footwork. I think I'm good now. This has been the first week I have felt like I am almost close to up to date on my reading. Sigh.
So what, you may ask, do I get the pleasure to be reading?? Glad you asked. Cuz I'm not bad about taking about it.
In New Testament, my latest "AH!" moment was when reading the commentary/text the author highlighted how Luke really portrays Jesus as a prophet. In a major way. Always connecting him with fulfilling scripture, doing good works, and living out his life as a model prophet. Up through his death. (The other gospel writers also show that Jesus was a prophet, but focus also on the "Messiah" part). Then comes this big one - Luke (or the author of Luke) doesn't ever make mention of atonement. What? REALLY? No. He points to the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross as another reason to repent, and then God will grant us salvation. Shook my world. Still processing... but liking this path...
VFCL - talking about calling. This week we talked about the charismatic and social justice streams that flow through us as Christians. I typically do not identify with charismatic traditions... pushing them away as "evangelical" and a bit too much for me. Yet I am a charismatic person!! Kinda. :) The more I study this spirit filled stream the more I wonder how much I drawn to it...
Then there is social justice. Ah. So ME. I won't go into it today. But got to read Dorothy Day and Martin Luther King, Jr. for class! Not just for fun!
Then there is Bible Content. Read the bible Erin. Just do it. Come on. Sigh. I need to get better about this. Morning and night. Getting on this.
SO - happy and CRAZY... but good.
Hoping to find my way back here. It's a spiritual practice for me - blogging. Can be great.
Peace and love,
your sister in Christ~Erin
I miss you.
Sorry I've been gone.
Not fishing...
READING.
It's so good, but it's soooo much all at the same time. And balancing with work has taken some delicate footwork. I think I'm good now. This has been the first week I have felt like I am almost close to up to date on my reading. Sigh.
So what, you may ask, do I get the pleasure to be reading?? Glad you asked. Cuz I'm not bad about taking about it.
In New Testament, my latest "AH!" moment was when reading the commentary/text the author highlighted how Luke really portrays Jesus as a prophet. In a major way. Always connecting him with fulfilling scripture, doing good works, and living out his life as a model prophet. Up through his death. (The other gospel writers also show that Jesus was a prophet, but focus also on the "Messiah" part). Then comes this big one - Luke (or the author of Luke) doesn't ever make mention of atonement. What? REALLY? No. He points to the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross as another reason to repent, and then God will grant us salvation. Shook my world. Still processing... but liking this path...
VFCL - talking about calling. This week we talked about the charismatic and social justice streams that flow through us as Christians. I typically do not identify with charismatic traditions... pushing them away as "evangelical" and a bit too much for me. Yet I am a charismatic person!! Kinda. :) The more I study this spirit filled stream the more I wonder how much I drawn to it...
Then there is social justice. Ah. So ME. I won't go into it today. But got to read Dorothy Day and Martin Luther King, Jr. for class! Not just for fun!
Then there is Bible Content. Read the bible Erin. Just do it. Come on. Sigh. I need to get better about this. Morning and night. Getting on this.
SO - happy and CRAZY... but good.
Hoping to find my way back here. It's a spiritual practice for me - blogging. Can be great.
Peace and love,
your sister in Christ~Erin
Monday, August 29, 2011
Always learning, always growing, always challenged
Oh summer camp, how you consume my life for months and allow me to both be myself and stretch me in every way possible! Oh God how you have given me this incredible blessing of summer camp, yet challenge me to never be still and comfortable! Anyway - I'm hoping to share more here again on a regular basis now that it's almost September.
Yet, I am turning to a new chapter in my life as well. Since last January when I began working full time at camp, I have fully settled in here and LOVE my job. This summer I had the opportunity to work with an amazing group of young people on staff and support them/challenge them/and see them grow. I loved every minute of it (even if I didn't think so at the time) and I only hope that God continues to bless our camps and myself with many more years of summer camp!
However, now I will attempt work at camp (full time) with seminary (part time, and as much online as possible). Yes friends. I am starting. Who knows how long it will take me to finish this way - but I love my job in ministry here and I don't want to quit to go to school to do what I'm already doing here!!! I feel called to serve. I have a heart for the church, yes I know that she has her flaws - but that's mostly because the church just like the world is full of people, and we are all flawed! We hold grudges, we like our routines, we struggle with change, we judge each other, and we fail to reach out. But I still love the church. (And people in general). Even after lots of reflection, I honestly don't think that my love of people solely rests upon my intense optimism, it rests upon my Lord and God. It hasn't always been there. Many people in my life have hurt me and I have been wounded in ways that don't tend to heal easily. Yet behold the amazing power and love of God! He can fill us all with his love for creation and his people. There are so many others out there still hurting and struggling to simply provide for their families and live life. Church - lets go to them and help! In every way possible - from sharing our food to sharing our hearts and welcoming others into our places and spaces, making a home together.
Never easy, this I know. But church, I'm not backing down. I love camp - but I love camp not just for the obvious beauty, but for the fact that camp is such an amazing place to embrace the wounded and nurture them until they are ready to go back out and into the world. We all need to go. Jesus makes that clear - "go out and make disciples". No matter how much we love our churches, our families, and yes even camp - we need to go out into the world and share the love and light of God.
So I'm going out to seminary. To learn more to in turn teach more. I'm ridiculously nervous about it and excited all at the same time. A deacon. Sigh. Someday. That is my calling, to the best of my understanding. A deacon working at camp. ? Or at least a deacon working in the world.
Prayers for the world,
prayers for our leaders,
prayers for new students.
Peace,
your sister in Christ ~Erin
Yet, I am turning to a new chapter in my life as well. Since last January when I began working full time at camp, I have fully settled in here and LOVE my job. This summer I had the opportunity to work with an amazing group of young people on staff and support them/challenge them/and see them grow. I loved every minute of it (even if I didn't think so at the time) and I only hope that God continues to bless our camps and myself with many more years of summer camp!
However, now I will attempt work at camp (full time) with seminary (part time, and as much online as possible). Yes friends. I am starting. Who knows how long it will take me to finish this way - but I love my job in ministry here and I don't want to quit to go to school to do what I'm already doing here!!! I feel called to serve. I have a heart for the church, yes I know that she has her flaws - but that's mostly because the church just like the world is full of people, and we are all flawed! We hold grudges, we like our routines, we struggle with change, we judge each other, and we fail to reach out. But I still love the church. (And people in general). Even after lots of reflection, I honestly don't think that my love of people solely rests upon my intense optimism, it rests upon my Lord and God. It hasn't always been there. Many people in my life have hurt me and I have been wounded in ways that don't tend to heal easily. Yet behold the amazing power and love of God! He can fill us all with his love for creation and his people. There are so many others out there still hurting and struggling to simply provide for their families and live life. Church - lets go to them and help! In every way possible - from sharing our food to sharing our hearts and welcoming others into our places and spaces, making a home together.
Never easy, this I know. But church, I'm not backing down. I love camp - but I love camp not just for the obvious beauty, but for the fact that camp is such an amazing place to embrace the wounded and nurture them until they are ready to go back out and into the world. We all need to go. Jesus makes that clear - "go out and make disciples". No matter how much we love our churches, our families, and yes even camp - we need to go out into the world and share the love and light of God.
So I'm going out to seminary. To learn more to in turn teach more. I'm ridiculously nervous about it and excited all at the same time. A deacon. Sigh. Someday. That is my calling, to the best of my understanding. A deacon working at camp. ? Or at least a deacon working in the world.
Prayers for the world,
prayers for our leaders,
prayers for new students.
Peace,
your sister in Christ ~Erin
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
What does it look like to follow Jesus?
So my mind has been digesting the scripture from last Sunday for a few days... in the lectionary it was Good Shepard Sunday. Beautiful imagery of Jesus chilling out in a nice grove of woods with a bunch of sheep. New testament lesson John 10:1-10. I am the shepard, I am the gate.
I struggle a lot with this verse. It rubs me the wrong way. Did Jesus really say that? "The only way to the father is through me." Are my devout, loving, Jewish/Hindu/Muslim friends deceived?
That's the hard question here.
If you read the scripture literally - yes.
But I love this line from Barbara Streisand's movie "Yentel". - "Why would God have given me a mind, if not to ask the question WHY?" (and am incredibly excited for the opportunity to go to seminary to explore the question why - even if I only encounter more questions...)
So a friend gently reminded me to look further into the verse. Written by John... sounds a little more like Mark, and written approximately 70 years after Jesus was crucified. So I'm pretty sure that John wasn't there taking notes. Past down information from others through generations (image of a game of telephone here) can still keep the general theme of message, or turn it into something completely different. I do firmly believe that everyone involved with the passing down of church tradition, stories, and the writing of holy scripture did their absolute best - yet they are still human and imperfect.
Now I have read 2 Timothy 3:16 - "All scripture is God breathed." But my mind implores me to go further and not just take that as it is. (I recognize that I often get criticized for over-thinking.... but this is how my mind works and I take it as a blessing) Paul wrote this in a letter to Timothy - encouraging him and reminding him about the holy texts that he had been practically raised reading. I don't believe Paul had any intention of his letters (to Timothy or other believers) becoming HOLY SCRIPTURE. Yet we base a lot of our daily christian lives on what Paul says... dare I say instead of what the gospels say Jesus said?
Yet this argument is circular (sorry) did Jesus really say that? What do I do with scripture that seems to be out of character for the God that I am trying to get to know? I am not trying to make God into what I want God to be. That's not fair... but way to easy. It's like becoming infatuated with a person that you only meet a few times and have little contact with, when you don't have that regular contact to get to know them, it's so much easier for them to be perfect in your eyes. You make them into whatever you want.
I wish I knew Jesus. What he liked to eat... How his face looked when we was annoyed, tired, incandescently happy... From the scriptures I get the general idea of the things he taught, but I can't wait for the day I can sit and talk to him myself. Why, oh great God of the Universe, would you (or would you?) deny those who love you, worship you, and serve you - just because they don't believe you came down to earth to die for their sins? Do you really know what I will choose - therefore not really having a choice anyway? DO you adapt to my choices, making you not eternal (outside of time/always the same)? How can you be both just and merciful? Is hell real? How do you bear the pain of any part of your creation hating and rejecting you? At the end of our earthy lives will we have any other chance to accept your love? How long will you love us? Even if we never return it?
I love the scripture, and I think it's good to question it and learn more about it. I don't need to know all the answers - but I NEED to ask the questions. As instructed by Micah I will attempt to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with my God. As as instructed by Jesus I will attempt to love God and love my neighbor as myself. Yearning to have the fruit of the spirit - (yes I even learn from Paul) Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and self-control. This is the best I know how to follow Jesus. I do believe Jesus came and lived and loved, so much so that he sacrificed himself for me.
But as God - in infinite wisdom and power and mercy - can you accept another way?
Peace,
your sister in Christ~Erin
I struggle a lot with this verse. It rubs me the wrong way. Did Jesus really say that? "The only way to the father is through me." Are my devout, loving, Jewish/Hindu/Muslim friends deceived?
That's the hard question here.
If you read the scripture literally - yes.
But I love this line from Barbara Streisand's movie "Yentel". - "Why would God have given me a mind, if not to ask the question WHY?" (and am incredibly excited for the opportunity to go to seminary to explore the question why - even if I only encounter more questions...)
So a friend gently reminded me to look further into the verse. Written by John... sounds a little more like Mark, and written approximately 70 years after Jesus was crucified. So I'm pretty sure that John wasn't there taking notes. Past down information from others through generations (image of a game of telephone here) can still keep the general theme of message, or turn it into something completely different. I do firmly believe that everyone involved with the passing down of church tradition, stories, and the writing of holy scripture did their absolute best - yet they are still human and imperfect.
Now I have read 2 Timothy 3:16 - "All scripture is God breathed." But my mind implores me to go further and not just take that as it is. (I recognize that I often get criticized for over-thinking.... but this is how my mind works and I take it as a blessing) Paul wrote this in a letter to Timothy - encouraging him and reminding him about the holy texts that he had been practically raised reading. I don't believe Paul had any intention of his letters (to Timothy or other believers) becoming HOLY SCRIPTURE. Yet we base a lot of our daily christian lives on what Paul says... dare I say instead of what the gospels say Jesus said?
Yet this argument is circular (sorry) did Jesus really say that? What do I do with scripture that seems to be out of character for the God that I am trying to get to know? I am not trying to make God into what I want God to be. That's not fair... but way to easy. It's like becoming infatuated with a person that you only meet a few times and have little contact with, when you don't have that regular contact to get to know them, it's so much easier for them to be perfect in your eyes. You make them into whatever you want.
I wish I knew Jesus. What he liked to eat... How his face looked when we was annoyed, tired, incandescently happy... From the scriptures I get the general idea of the things he taught, but I can't wait for the day I can sit and talk to him myself. Why, oh great God of the Universe, would you (or would you?) deny those who love you, worship you, and serve you - just because they don't believe you came down to earth to die for their sins? Do you really know what I will choose - therefore not really having a choice anyway? DO you adapt to my choices, making you not eternal (outside of time/always the same)? How can you be both just and merciful? Is hell real? How do you bear the pain of any part of your creation hating and rejecting you? At the end of our earthy lives will we have any other chance to accept your love? How long will you love us? Even if we never return it?
I love the scripture, and I think it's good to question it and learn more about it. I don't need to know all the answers - but I NEED to ask the questions. As instructed by Micah I will attempt to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with my God. As as instructed by Jesus I will attempt to love God and love my neighbor as myself. Yearning to have the fruit of the spirit - (yes I even learn from Paul) Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and self-control. This is the best I know how to follow Jesus. I do believe Jesus came and lived and loved, so much so that he sacrificed himself for me.
But as God - in infinite wisdom and power and mercy - can you accept another way?
Peace,
your sister in Christ~Erin
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Hard Truths
In our religious traditions we believe in certain truths. Some of these concepts come from the bible, others from tradition, still others are based in what we dub as "theology". Which, as I understand it, is our human understanding of scripture. Theology differs among denominations, obviously religions, but even more often - individuals. Here are some basic truths, do you agree?
God created the heavens and the earth.
God loves all of his creation.
Jesus lived and taught how God desires us to live out our lives. Prophets try to share God's love and warnings to people.
Would you agree with me that these are generally accepted truths among Christians? What about some of the less "warm and fuzzy" beliefs.
God desires a relationship with his beloved children, but can not be in relationship with anyone who sins.
God hates sin.
Jesus died to fulfill our (mine and yours) debt to God, for we are sinners and deserve to die as he did.
Because of Jesus's sacrifice, God offers us his grace which we must accept to gain eternal life.
For those who do not accept God's grace through believing in Jesus, they will not gain eternal life - they will spend eternity in hell.
This includes those who have never heard the message of the gospel.
Now here is where it gets interesting. Those who say "it does not effect me" are wrong. Even if you are a believer in Christ, I am sure that you know of others who aren't. We are also called by Jesus to go out and spread the good news to those who have not heard. Our compassionate hearts ask, can our God of Love really condem to Hell those who have died as infants? Or those who have never heard the gospel?
Well... the bible is pretty clear - there is no other way to the father except through me (Jesus). John 14:6 However many theologians believe (and teach) that there is a certain age we must reach before God expects us to make that decision. Or all children that are baptized are accepted by God. So what do we believe?
I do have to admit - I don't know. Now I'm not trying to ignore this issue because it is important. It is easy to say, well God is a God of mystery and I am not capable of understanding his ways. But how would my actions change if I really truly believed that all nonbelievers went to hell? Would I try harder to evangelize?
There is a new book out entitled "Love Wins" by Rob Bell. It presents this very issue. Today among my generation we have a difficult time accepting a God so willing to condemn those we know are good and love so much. We are in a culture of acceptance - but is our God? Are we simply trying to soften the gospel? Do we really believe that we need to accept Christ into our life? Will everyone go to heaven?
A couple years ago I read another book on this subject entitled "If God is Love". The authors point was that if God is truly a God of Love then he would accept all of his children into heaven no matter what. Interesting theological point. In many ways I love the idea, but it's not what I have been taught by my faith tradition or in the bible. It is very dangerous to make God into what we would like God to be... instead of accepting God and following the path laid out for us. I learned that the view of God accepting all people to heaven is called Universalism. One can also be an exclusivist, or on the other side believe in inclusivism (that God saves through Christ but includes others on the basis of what work, and that inclusion is based on response to truth) and accessibilism (that God somehow reveals his saving truth to all humans who have ever lived, and has done so at least one time in the life of each person, and judges on that basis but salvation is only through Christ). Taken from Scott McKight and his great conversation about Rob Bell's new book.
I enjoyed reading C.S. Lewis's Narnia series. In "The Final Battle" there is a beautiful description of a sort of heaven. Some who were there didn't realize it - they were still in the dark, but still there. One was of a different faith and baffled to be there, but chosen by God and loved. Does it cheapen our grace if others who are not like us are "allowed" in? Doesn't Jesus teach us not to worry about it in the parable of the Vineyard owner (paying all his workers the same no matter how long they worked?) Matthew 20:1-16
So here is the rock and the hard place. Will we know for sure who gets into heaven or how? If we truly believe the only answer is Jesus, how does that change our actions?
Praying for direction,
your sister in Christ~ Erin Michelle
God created the heavens and the earth.
God loves all of his creation.
Jesus lived and taught how God desires us to live out our lives. Prophets try to share God's love and warnings to people.
Would you agree with me that these are generally accepted truths among Christians? What about some of the less "warm and fuzzy" beliefs.
God desires a relationship with his beloved children, but can not be in relationship with anyone who sins.
God hates sin.
Jesus died to fulfill our (mine and yours) debt to God, for we are sinners and deserve to die as he did.
Because of Jesus's sacrifice, God offers us his grace which we must accept to gain eternal life.
For those who do not accept God's grace through believing in Jesus, they will not gain eternal life - they will spend eternity in hell.
This includes those who have never heard the message of the gospel.
Now here is where it gets interesting. Those who say "it does not effect me" are wrong. Even if you are a believer in Christ, I am sure that you know of others who aren't. We are also called by Jesus to go out and spread the good news to those who have not heard. Our compassionate hearts ask, can our God of Love really condem to Hell those who have died as infants? Or those who have never heard the gospel?
Well... the bible is pretty clear - there is no other way to the father except through me (Jesus). John 14:6 However many theologians believe (and teach) that there is a certain age we must reach before God expects us to make that decision. Or all children that are baptized are accepted by God. So what do we believe?
I do have to admit - I don't know. Now I'm not trying to ignore this issue because it is important. It is easy to say, well God is a God of mystery and I am not capable of understanding his ways. But how would my actions change if I really truly believed that all nonbelievers went to hell? Would I try harder to evangelize?
There is a new book out entitled "Love Wins" by Rob Bell. It presents this very issue. Today among my generation we have a difficult time accepting a God so willing to condemn those we know are good and love so much. We are in a culture of acceptance - but is our God? Are we simply trying to soften the gospel? Do we really believe that we need to accept Christ into our life? Will everyone go to heaven?
A couple years ago I read another book on this subject entitled "If God is Love". The authors point was that if God is truly a God of Love then he would accept all of his children into heaven no matter what. Interesting theological point. In many ways I love the idea, but it's not what I have been taught by my faith tradition or in the bible. It is very dangerous to make God into what we would like God to be... instead of accepting God and following the path laid out for us. I learned that the view of God accepting all people to heaven is called Universalism. One can also be an exclusivist, or on the other side believe in inclusivism (that God saves through Christ but includes others on the basis of what work, and that inclusion is based on response to truth) and accessibilism (that God somehow reveals his saving truth to all humans who have ever lived, and has done so at least one time in the life of each person, and judges on that basis but salvation is only through Christ). Taken from Scott McKight and his great conversation about Rob Bell's new book.
I enjoyed reading C.S. Lewis's Narnia series. In "The Final Battle" there is a beautiful description of a sort of heaven. Some who were there didn't realize it - they were still in the dark, but still there. One was of a different faith and baffled to be there, but chosen by God and loved. Does it cheapen our grace if others who are not like us are "allowed" in? Doesn't Jesus teach us not to worry about it in the parable of the Vineyard owner (paying all his workers the same no matter how long they worked?) Matthew 20:1-16
So here is the rock and the hard place. Will we know for sure who gets into heaven or how? If we truly believe the only answer is Jesus, how does that change our actions?
Praying for direction,
your sister in Christ~ Erin Michelle
Monday, April 18, 2011
Perspective
Whenever I start to feel... down/off/sad/frustrated/etc. I try to regain some perspective. This is my favorite prayer - (the whole thing)
God,
grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
courage to change the things I can,
and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time,
enjoying one moment at a time,
accepting hardships as the way to peace,
taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is,
not as I would have it;
trusting that he will make all things right
if I surrender to his will.
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with him forever in the rest.
Amen.
- Reinhold Niegbuhr
I absolutely love being in Westfield, WI. Close to my grandparents and so much history of my family. I love living in my little cabin in the woods, 100 feet from a beautiful lake. It's a dream world. I get to serve people and teach people, and work with kids. Yet there is always a but. I miss my friends. I get lonely. But I have been blessed and I will trust and have faith. I was not created to be alone. Somewhere out there, is a match for me, god willing I will find him sooner rather than later.
I had a wonderful moment today that brightened my day with a friend who is far away. Best of luck with that pomegranite tree, dance lots, and think of me - chilling in my hammock by the lake.
Peace,
your sister in Christ~
Erin
God,
grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
courage to change the things I can,
and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time,
enjoying one moment at a time,
accepting hardships as the way to peace,
taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is,
not as I would have it;
trusting that he will make all things right
if I surrender to his will.
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with him forever in the rest.
Amen.
- Reinhold Niegbuhr
I absolutely love being in Westfield, WI. Close to my grandparents and so much history of my family. I love living in my little cabin in the woods, 100 feet from a beautiful lake. It's a dream world. I get to serve people and teach people, and work with kids. Yet there is always a but. I miss my friends. I get lonely. But I have been blessed and I will trust and have faith. I was not created to be alone. Somewhere out there, is a match for me, god willing I will find him sooner rather than later.
I had a wonderful moment today that brightened my day with a friend who is far away. Best of luck with that pomegranite tree, dance lots, and think of me - chilling in my hammock by the lake.
Peace,
your sister in Christ~
Erin
Saturday, April 09, 2011
Change the World
Get involved locally.
Improve health globally.
Change the World.
That's something I'm proud of coming out of our church. :)
The idea of the event is to challenge local congregations to partner with other groups in town and do some volunteer or service work. If you would like to, they also encourage you to raise money for Imagine No Malaria. (Related to Nothing But Nets - but do more than prevention - treatment, education, etc)
There are a lot of humanitarian organizations out there. Some I agree with, some I am alittle leary of. I do however appreciate the church (my church) getting out and doing something. Not that they don't, there are many amazing programs happening on the local/conference/jurisdictional/etc level. Prison ministries, homeless ministries, etc, but this is uniting, simple, and easy.
That weekend my home church is coming to camp for a retreat. Perhaps I'll talk them into a project somewhere.... :)
What will you DO to change the world?
Peace,
your sister in Christ~Erin
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Grayscale
What a world we live in. Or so we often say.
Simple
Complicated
Connected
Lonley
Beautiful
Impoverished
Diverse
Unjust
We look at the big picture.
And we see our own little problems, getting the fridge fixed, finding time to get the dishes done, making a grocery list. And our own little things vary greatly based on where we live in the world, our economic status, our family status... etc.
It's not an easy concept, and one can easily get lost in contemplating the world and your place in it. So often we focus on what we can. Providing for our families, giving to groups when they ask and we can, trying to better ourselves with education and saving. Thinking about (in detail, not cliche) what is happening to others around the world is not generally one of those warm fuzzy things for most of us here in the US. Because we are on the extreme high end of the world (even those of us who are poor!).
The "heavy" issues of human rights, religion, politics, even basic right and wrong - not your typical best conversation starters, but to me they are incredibly important.
Yet the only thing I know, is that I don't know enough. My highest spiritual gift is Servanthood. (those of you who know me are shaking your head in understanding) God has gifted me with the desire to make others lives easier and just a little brighter. I'm torn on where and even often why.
There is no "right" answer. There are loving caring moral people who are on both sides of the Wisconsin budget issue. There are loving caring people moral on both sides of the abortion issue. There are loving caring moral people fighting poverty and homelessness and ignoring it.
Do I love talking about these issues... YES. I do. Others don't. (Sorry friends). I also love learning more about... well everything. And you learn more from those who think different and even disagree with you than those who think just like you. But at the same time we must always remember to love. To honestly listen, respect, and care about the individuals on the other side of the issue from you. To think of them as part of the same human family that you belong to and not as your enemy.
I know being open and loving to people you disagree with is difficult. But it is a widely accepted way of life (or endorsed more than lived) by millions around the world of many cultures and religions. What kills me is that we don't LIVE it. WHY??? Why do we insist on hurting each other? With words, with weapons, manipulating relationships... over and over again we deliberately cause others pain.
But it's not black and white. Nothing is. It's all grayscale. Only when we can really begin to show true love can we begin to see the color beyond the gray.
One person at a time. Me first. (Thanks Ghandi) Then hopefully others (that's you). Someday the world.
Wishing you peace and love,
your sister in Christ~Erin
Simple
Complicated
Connected
Lonley
Beautiful
Impoverished
Diverse
Unjust
We look at the big picture.
And we see our own little problems, getting the fridge fixed, finding time to get the dishes done, making a grocery list. And our own little things vary greatly based on where we live in the world, our economic status, our family status... etc.
It's not an easy concept, and one can easily get lost in contemplating the world and your place in it. So often we focus on what we can. Providing for our families, giving to groups when they ask and we can, trying to better ourselves with education and saving. Thinking about (in detail, not cliche) what is happening to others around the world is not generally one of those warm fuzzy things for most of us here in the US. Because we are on the extreme high end of the world (even those of us who are poor!).
The "heavy" issues of human rights, religion, politics, even basic right and wrong - not your typical best conversation starters, but to me they are incredibly important.
Yet the only thing I know, is that I don't know enough. My highest spiritual gift is Servanthood. (those of you who know me are shaking your head in understanding) God has gifted me with the desire to make others lives easier and just a little brighter. I'm torn on where and even often why.
There is no "right" answer. There are loving caring moral people who are on both sides of the Wisconsin budget issue. There are loving caring people moral on both sides of the abortion issue. There are loving caring moral people fighting poverty and homelessness and ignoring it.
Do I love talking about these issues... YES. I do. Others don't. (Sorry friends). I also love learning more about... well everything. And you learn more from those who think different and even disagree with you than those who think just like you. But at the same time we must always remember to love. To honestly listen, respect, and care about the individuals on the other side of the issue from you. To think of them as part of the same human family that you belong to and not as your enemy.
I know being open and loving to people you disagree with is difficult. But it is a widely accepted way of life (or endorsed more than lived) by millions around the world of many cultures and religions. What kills me is that we don't LIVE it. WHY??? Why do we insist on hurting each other? With words, with weapons, manipulating relationships... over and over again we deliberately cause others pain.
But it's not black and white. Nothing is. It's all grayscale. Only when we can really begin to show true love can we begin to see the color beyond the gray.
One person at a time. Me first. (Thanks Ghandi) Then hopefully others (that's you). Someday the world.
Wishing you peace and love,
your sister in Christ~Erin
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Relating
So a friend of mine got me started on The Circle Trilogy by Ted Dekker a few weeks ago... LOVE it! The first couple chapters I thought were really weird and I wasn't sure that I was going to get into these books, but I recommend them to anyone who likes a good (somewhat crazy) story.
Thomas Hunter, the main character, falls asleep in the present day world and wakes up in another reality. A world where the people are completely focused on the Great Romance and their creator - Elyon. It's a little ... sci-fi ish... but the metaphors and allegory come clear as you work through the books.
Such vivid emotions and descriptions of love, something easily relateable in a story. Love, loss, war, good, evil these are concepts that are at the core of most of our stories from the evening sitcom line-ups to classics from Shakespeare, Jane Austin, or even Stephen King. These are the basic concepts we understand our human lives in.
But do we allow such emotion in our religions? Do I allow myself to have such a deep relationship with my creator? Well... it's much more difficult.
Yet this book seems to carefully prod the reader - don't you want to have something this meaningful? It's easy to watch a movie or a TV series and find a situation you relate to, or wish you related to. Yet, religion can so easily fall away from something that centers around those concepts of love, good, and evil. It's easy to talk about, academically speaking, but do we really FEEL love in our relationship to God? Do I?
Sometimes, yes. Sometimes, no. So what else do I focus on and is that really worthy of my time and energy?
Great books, great concepts, great way to approach the story of the gospel in a new way. Thanks Ted Dekker.
God Bless you and yours,
Your sister in Christ~Erin
Thomas Hunter, the main character, falls asleep in the present day world and wakes up in another reality. A world where the people are completely focused on the Great Romance and their creator - Elyon. It's a little ... sci-fi ish... but the metaphors and allegory come clear as you work through the books.
Such vivid emotions and descriptions of love, something easily relateable in a story. Love, loss, war, good, evil these are concepts that are at the core of most of our stories from the evening sitcom line-ups to classics from Shakespeare, Jane Austin, or even Stephen King. These are the basic concepts we understand our human lives in.
But do we allow such emotion in our religions? Do I allow myself to have such a deep relationship with my creator? Well... it's much more difficult.
Yet this book seems to carefully prod the reader - don't you want to have something this meaningful? It's easy to watch a movie or a TV series and find a situation you relate to, or wish you related to. Yet, religion can so easily fall away from something that centers around those concepts of love, good, and evil. It's easy to talk about, academically speaking, but do we really FEEL love in our relationship to God? Do I?
Sometimes, yes. Sometimes, no. So what else do I focus on and is that really worthy of my time and energy?
Great books, great concepts, great way to approach the story of the gospel in a new way. Thanks Ted Dekker.
God Bless you and yours,
Your sister in Christ~Erin
Saturday, March 12, 2011
No more is the Land of Limbo!
I have been in the Land of Limbo for the majority of the last fall through January. Sigh... not a comfortable and relaxing place to be!!
But as do all good things, the time has come when more exciting and permanent things have come about! I am now the Camp Assistant for the United Methodist Camps of Wisconsin. I work back and forth at both Lake Lucerne and Pine Lake, while I am living on site at Pine Lake. I assist with whatever is needed from taking care of animals, nature programming, helping with summer programming, typical office work, serving food/dishes, and hosting groups.
In a lot of ways I can see myself here for a while. (crossing my fingers!)
So seminary, - I have still begun my ordination process and am planning on attending seminary and following my calling as a deacon. Therefore I will begin school part time next fall as I maintain my full time job here. Hopefully I will be able to do many of my classes online! I am also looking at the possibility of taking the train down from Portage to Chicago when necessary.
Just some life details. I love being at camp and getting to meet all sorts of wonderful people from all over the state. It's also very relieving to have a "real" job again and be able to pay the bills. I am still learning to put my trust in God, in good times and in Limbo Land.
God Bless you and yours,
your sister in Christ~Erin
But as do all good things, the time has come when more exciting and permanent things have come about! I am now the Camp Assistant for the United Methodist Camps of Wisconsin. I work back and forth at both Lake Lucerne and Pine Lake, while I am living on site at Pine Lake. I assist with whatever is needed from taking care of animals, nature programming, helping with summer programming, typical office work, serving food/dishes, and hosting groups.
In a lot of ways I can see myself here for a while. (crossing my fingers!)
So seminary, - I have still begun my ordination process and am planning on attending seminary and following my calling as a deacon. Therefore I will begin school part time next fall as I maintain my full time job here. Hopefully I will be able to do many of my classes online! I am also looking at the possibility of taking the train down from Portage to Chicago when necessary.
Just some life details. I love being at camp and getting to meet all sorts of wonderful people from all over the state. It's also very relieving to have a "real" job again and be able to pay the bills. I am still learning to put my trust in God, in good times and in Limbo Land.
God Bless you and yours,
your sister in Christ~Erin
Saturday, March 05, 2011
Rabbit Trails
I love the little things that color the world. Little changes, unexpected, that draw your attention for maybe just a minute or a week... Rabbit Trails we call them sometimes (at staff meetings) and I am fully distracted by them! All these little things, from blog posts to a radio bit, a comment from someone, a new book, just add a pop of color I didn't expect for my day. It's fun.
Being young and not knowing nearly enough to really have my opinions... (ha - that doesn't stop me) I consistently attempt to listen first and speak later. Difficult for me, I know. But I also remind people that as I learn and grow my opinions and ideas will change. Please have patience for me... and the rest of the human race.
I just started reading an interesting book called "Black" - by Ted Dekker. It took a while for me to get into it, but I loved it and am onto "Red" the next book of the series. There are great images of a loving God and a people fully in love with their creator. Spending the better part of each day worshiping or preparing to worship. The immense love felt by the characters is so touching.
It's so much easier for me just to contemplate the ideology behind universalism and debate if it is "cheap grace" or not, than for me to really let my guard down and be wholely in love with the God who created me.
So much easier to put down a book full of, in my head, rediculous oversimplistic claims of conservative evangelist Christianity and go volunteer at a local church and feel good about my social justice - than to really studying personally (not academically) the words of my God.
Eh? I dont' understand myself most days... but I'm glad I read. Blogs, books, billboards... really it all adds fun color and random thoughts to each day helping me enjoy what has been created for me.
Peace,
your sister in Christ~Erin
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Overwhelmed to the point of apathy?
So many thoughts in my head. Sometimes it is easy to write on a topic I am passionate about - I like to ramble. But lately the words have just not been there. My life was full of waiting, reading, caring for others, and learning to be patient and trust God to open doors for me.
Today I am overwhelmed with thought. (The internet will do that to you.) I had a chance today to check out what I have been missing on some of my favorite blogs. Oye vey. All kinds of things to think about, no easy answers, some things I have strong opinions on - yet all too often I just don't know.
Topics range from how to engage the church in meaningful relationships (marketing won't do it for you), living up to your principles, protesting for the rights(?) of Wisconsin public employees, the role of educators in parenting (due to lack of?), appropriateness in the media for young people... so many topics... so many thoughts.. no clear answers.
So what? One of my biggest pet peeves - apathy. So there are all kinds of things going on in this world that are interesting or that in some ways I care about, but I am not going to add my voice. AHH!! Why not?? Too busy? It's just not that important? It's our world people - care! Please... care.
Yet I find myself in the same trap today. So many interesting topics, topics I normally care about toay I am overwhelmed by. I could just go back to the simple and easy aspect of my work - meanial tasks that have to get done, so I might as well do them. Or contemplate how to ... well... how to share the message of Jesus with those who visit the camps I have the opportunity to serve. Oye vey.
As an oral communicator my favorite way to contemplate these things is intentional dialouge. Face to face communication shows respect to one another - your ideas and your time matter to me. That's what a good conversation says (to me.) Yet, we are very entangled in the tasks. And I'm not sure yet where my place is to ask or attempt to answer these questions. They are important to me - how do we share the gospel? How do we live out our faith here as disciples of Christ? How do I live out my faith through the United Methodist Church? How do I help lead others to do the same? On my own? Oye vey.
I know that we are all blest with different spiritual gifts. One way these present themselves is through personalities (a topic I very much enjoy!). I know that I'm a dreamer, a very "green" person who likes to contemplate the big picture and what could be. I'm not very task oriented. My to-do lists are everywhere and more often ambigious than check lists, yet they are my attempt to organize and work on details. But when we are so overwhelmed by our own individual lists/tasks/dreams - how do we fit together?
Today, do I care? Sigh. I don't know.
I ran across one shining white light in my blog reading today - one of my favorite concepts. Namaste. Ah... "The divinity in me percieves and adores the divinity in you." (is my favorite interpretation) Even if I don't know you, even if I don't get what I want from you, even if I love you - it is because the Holy Spirit in me (striving to purify me and make me more holy) recognizes the Holy Spirit within you and I will treat you as such. Someone wonderfully and beautifully made in the image of God.
At least that's one area I can focus on for the day. Amen.
Today I am overwhelmed with thought. (The internet will do that to you.) I had a chance today to check out what I have been missing on some of my favorite blogs. Oye vey. All kinds of things to think about, no easy answers, some things I have strong opinions on - yet all too often I just don't know.
Topics range from how to engage the church in meaningful relationships (marketing won't do it for you), living up to your principles, protesting for the rights(?) of Wisconsin public employees, the role of educators in parenting (due to lack of?), appropriateness in the media for young people... so many topics... so many thoughts.. no clear answers.
So what? One of my biggest pet peeves - apathy. So there are all kinds of things going on in this world that are interesting or that in some ways I care about, but I am not going to add my voice. AHH!! Why not?? Too busy? It's just not that important? It's our world people - care! Please... care.
Yet I find myself in the same trap today. So many interesting topics, topics I normally care about toay I am overwhelmed by. I could just go back to the simple and easy aspect of my work - meanial tasks that have to get done, so I might as well do them. Or contemplate how to ... well... how to share the message of Jesus with those who visit the camps I have the opportunity to serve. Oye vey.
As an oral communicator my favorite way to contemplate these things is intentional dialouge. Face to face communication shows respect to one another - your ideas and your time matter to me. That's what a good conversation says (to me.) Yet, we are very entangled in the tasks. And I'm not sure yet where my place is to ask or attempt to answer these questions. They are important to me - how do we share the gospel? How do we live out our faith here as disciples of Christ? How do I live out my faith through the United Methodist Church? How do I help lead others to do the same? On my own? Oye vey.
I know that we are all blest with different spiritual gifts. One way these present themselves is through personalities (a topic I very much enjoy!). I know that I'm a dreamer, a very "green" person who likes to contemplate the big picture and what could be. I'm not very task oriented. My to-do lists are everywhere and more often ambigious than check lists, yet they are my attempt to organize and work on details. But when we are so overwhelmed by our own individual lists/tasks/dreams - how do we fit together?
Today, do I care? Sigh. I don't know.
I ran across one shining white light in my blog reading today - one of my favorite concepts. Namaste. Ah... "The divinity in me percieves and adores the divinity in you." (is my favorite interpretation) Even if I don't know you, even if I don't get what I want from you, even if I love you - it is because the Holy Spirit in me (striving to purify me and make me more holy) recognizes the Holy Spirit within you and I will treat you as such. Someone wonderfully and beautifully made in the image of God.
At least that's one area I can focus on for the day. Amen.
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