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
Showing posts with label talented tuesday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label talented tuesday. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Invisible
Last weekend we had a wonderful family camp come in sponsored by Cincinnati Children's Hospital. They were from Star Shine, a hospice program and each family had lost a child. It was so cool to work with them and be there to make their day and give their families a chance to be together and meet others like them.
I cried a lot. Some of the leaders of the weekend did an orientation with us before the families arrived to help us learn about their program, what to expect, and general do's and don'ts when working with grieving families. They also shared the families stories, from their own words.
One thing they said hit me hard. When families are dealing with a crisis and going through difficult times everyone responds differently. A child can slip below the radar of their parents by being the perfect child - getting good grades and having it all together. Or looking like they do. It's their way of trying not to add to the pile of things going on. But within that they can suppress their own needs and create a disconnect with the family.
It's a way to be invisible. Don't forget about anyone. Check in with them. Find ways to show that you are there and that you love them.
I cried a lot. Some of the leaders of the weekend did an orientation with us before the families arrived to help us learn about their program, what to expect, and general do's and don'ts when working with grieving families. They also shared the families stories, from their own words.
One thing they said hit me hard. When families are dealing with a crisis and going through difficult times everyone responds differently. A child can slip below the radar of their parents by being the perfect child - getting good grades and having it all together. Or looking like they do. It's their way of trying not to add to the pile of things going on. But within that they can suppress their own needs and create a disconnect with the family.
It's a way to be invisible. Don't forget about anyone. Check in with them. Find ways to show that you are there and that you love them.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Gilmore Girls
Life is about balance. Things I try to balance in my life are family, love, and serving others. Often I can get a little heavy with major issues in the world that break my heart. But it is important to balance them with love and laughter.
I love the show "Gilmore Girls". It reminds me a little of the relationship I have with my sister. We can tease and finish each other's sentences and sometimes get so mad at each other we need time apart. But there is a special bond between us that is hard to put into words. And she puts joy and laughter into my life like this show does.
It is a unique style of comedy and it is lighthearted, talented, and wonderful. Thank you Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel for making my day brighter!
In peace with love,
your sister in Christ~Erin
I love the show "Gilmore Girls". It reminds me a little of the relationship I have with my sister. We can tease and finish each other's sentences and sometimes get so mad at each other we need time apart. But there is a special bond between us that is hard to put into words. And she puts joy and laughter into my life like this show does.
It is a unique style of comedy and it is lighthearted, talented, and wonderful. Thank you Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel for making my day brighter!
In peace with love,
your sister in Christ~Erin
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
"Cheap grace is the mortal enemy of our church. Our struggle today is for costly grace." Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
Tonight the power went our for several hours here at camp. It's been snowing like crazy for the past week or so and I think it's lovely. I made a snowman, shoveled a bit, and have fallen down a lot. =) In general I am loving it!
Losing power was an interesting experience however. Can't flush the toilet, turn on the faucet, cook anything, let alone have any lights. We lit a bunch of candles and I sat by the window for a long while reading.
I have been reading "Saints and Villains" a fictional account of the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and am loving it. When I begin to learn about a topic I want to understand it from as many sides as possible. I have been exposed to some of Bonhoeffers theology and have immensely enjoyed it. I too struggle with the idea of "cheap grace". The life of a disciple isn't easy and too often I let it be. I am content to know that God loves me and accept his gift of grace - without to much change on my part. While grace is a gift freely given to anyone who accepts God - after we are given that grace we are called to a life of discipleship. Not necessarily perfection (sorry John Wesley - I'm not sure about that one yet) but a life of serving and obeying God's will. To follow the law, but as Jesus came to teach us, being a disciple is so much more than simply following rules.
Discipleship is about relationships. It's about having a relationship with our creator. It's about having relationships with our brothers and sisters. It's about loving people, respecting people, and caring for people. Bringing about the kingdom of God here on earth and having the faith that it is not through our works that it will come about. But it will not come about without our efforts either. We must love. Our Lord and our neighbors. Bonhoeffer knew this and spoke out against the prejudices and racism of his day - in pre WWII Germany and told over and over again it wasn't his battle. They weren't after him. But he held strong to his faith and views on social justice. He believed if a Christian, or the church, doesn't speak out against injustice against anyone; they aren't really following Christ.
One of his close friends and colleagues Pastor Martin Niemoller wrote this poem:
In Germany they first came for the Communists,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist.
Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew.
Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Catholics,
and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant.
Then they came for me —
and by that time no one was left to speak up.
Friends, please pray for my path of discipleship - for it is a difficult one for me to take. I will pray for yours. May we love everyone we meet and always reach out to the needy, the suffering, the oppressed for they are among us even here and now.
In peace with love,
your sister in Christ~Erin
Statues found at Westminster Abby
20th Century Saints
from left to right
Mother Elizabeth of Russia, Martin Luther King, Jr.
Oscar Romero, Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Tonight the power went our for several hours here at camp. It's been snowing like crazy for the past week or so and I think it's lovely. I made a snowman, shoveled a bit, and have fallen down a lot. =) In general I am loving it!
Losing power was an interesting experience however. Can't flush the toilet, turn on the faucet, cook anything, let alone have any lights. We lit a bunch of candles and I sat by the window for a long while reading.
I have been reading "Saints and Villains" a fictional account of the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and am loving it. When I begin to learn about a topic I want to understand it from as many sides as possible. I have been exposed to some of Bonhoeffers theology and have immensely enjoyed it. I too struggle with the idea of "cheap grace". The life of a disciple isn't easy and too often I let it be. I am content to know that God loves me and accept his gift of grace - without to much change on my part. While grace is a gift freely given to anyone who accepts God - after we are given that grace we are called to a life of discipleship. Not necessarily perfection (sorry John Wesley - I'm not sure about that one yet) but a life of serving and obeying God's will. To follow the law, but as Jesus came to teach us, being a disciple is so much more than simply following rules.
Discipleship is about relationships. It's about having a relationship with our creator. It's about having relationships with our brothers and sisters. It's about loving people, respecting people, and caring for people. Bringing about the kingdom of God here on earth and having the faith that it is not through our works that it will come about. But it will not come about without our efforts either. We must love. Our Lord and our neighbors. Bonhoeffer knew this and spoke out against the prejudices and racism of his day - in pre WWII Germany and told over and over again it wasn't his battle. They weren't after him. But he held strong to his faith and views on social justice. He believed if a Christian, or the church, doesn't speak out against injustice against anyone; they aren't really following Christ.
One of his close friends and colleagues Pastor Martin Niemoller wrote this poem:
In Germany they first came for the Communists,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist.
Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew.
Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Catholics,
and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant.
Then they came for me —
and by that time no one was left to speak up.
Friends, please pray for my path of discipleship - for it is a difficult one for me to take. I will pray for yours. May we love everyone we meet and always reach out to the needy, the suffering, the oppressed for they are among us even here and now.
In peace with love,
your sister in Christ~Erin
Tuesday, February 09, 2010
100 People Who Changed the World #1
1. Jesus Christ
Ah! Love it. So I was looking around for some info on the wonderful world wide web, and stumbled across a site with biographies for the worlds top 100 People who "Changed the World" and was interested. Number 1 on the list - God. Awesome.
So I feel like this is cheating a bit... but here's some of their info from the bio:
Ah! Love it. So I was looking around for some info on the wonderful world wide web, and stumbled across a site with biographies for the worlds top 100 People who "Changed the World" and was interested. Number 1 on the list - God. Awesome.
So I feel like this is cheating a bit... but here's some of their info from the bio:
A key characterist of Jesus's teachings are an emphasis on forgiveness and unconditional love. These represented a departure from the old scriptures which emphasised an eye for an eye. Jesus taught his followers to 'love their enemy' and 'turn the other cheek'
"But I tell you not to resist an evildoer. On the contrary, whoever slaps you on the right cheek, turn the other to him as well." - Matthew 5:39
"Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you". (Matthew 5:38-44)
Jesus Christ also taught that the Kingdom of heaven was within. To attain this state he taught it was important to be willing to give up attachment to the world and maintain humility and simplicity - to be like a child.
"The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; nor will they say, `Lo, here it is!' or `There!' for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you (or "within you") Luke 17:20
It was the radical nature of his teachings and a growing following which aroused the suspicions of the authorities.
Jesus was also known as a healer. The gospels recount many miracles where Jesus was able to heal the sick and even resurect the dead (Lazarus)
Teacher.
Healer.
Radical.
#1 Person Who Changed the World
Dear Lord, I can never thank you enough for your presence in my life. Please help me to live the life of a disciple, to be like Jesus and change the world for you. The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand... we can love. As we approach valentines day I ask that you open the hearts of your children to reach out and share your love with someone we typically would not. Forgive me, your child, for my sinful nature and be my guide as I strive to live my life for you. Amen
Tuesday, February 02, 2010
Kaj Munk
Great quote:
"What is, therefore, our task today? Shall I answer: "Faith, hope, and love"? That sounds beautiful. But I would say - courage. No, even that is not challenging enough to be the whole truth. Our task today is recklessness. For what we Christians lack today is not psychology or literature...what we lack is a holy rage - the recklessness which comes from the knowledge of God and humanity. The ability to rage when justice lies prostrate on the streets, and when the lie rages across the face of the earth...a holy anger about the things that are wrong in the world. To rage against the ravaging of God's earth, and the destruction of God's world. To rage when little children must die of hunger, when the tables of the rich are sagging with food. To rage at the senseless killing of so many, and against the madness of militaries. To rage at the lie that calls the threat of death and the strategy of destruction peace. To rage against complacency. To restlessly seek that recklessness that will challenge and seek to change human history until it conforms to the norms of the Kingdom of God. And remember the signs of the Christian Church have been the Lion, the Lamb, the Dove, and the Fish... but never the chameleon." - Kaj Munk
Kaj Munk (1898-1944) was a Danish pastor and playwright killed by the Gestapo in 1944 for his opinions and preaching against the german invasion of Denmark. He was influenced highly by Kierkegaard, a famous philosopher - also Danish.
I love his (Munks) quote here about holy rage. I get so angry and disheartened today about poverty, hunger, human trafficking, war, terrorism, and just in general that wealthy christians justify their lifestyle without seemingly much of a care for anyone else. We have become like the Pharisees living IN the world and OF the world. We are so focused on what we deserve, what we want, and what we want. It's hard to say that we don't deserve happy lives in nice neighborhoods and food on the table. But doesn't everyone? Is it fair to want those things at the expense of others?
I say no.
I want to love recklessly and without abandon. Not to be concerned about the "bad" parts of town, but to find a need and do my best to fill it. To use my gifts and talents to help redistribute the worlds resources, expose privilege, and dance, sing, laugh, help folks reach out to one another and have meaningful relationships. I want to help the world remember that we have other options, and we can't just accept what we see and what we are given, we can schmear finger paint all over it and make it beautiful.
God Bless,
your sister in Christ~Erin
"What is, therefore, our task today? Shall I answer: "Faith, hope, and love"? That sounds beautiful. But I would say - courage. No, even that is not challenging enough to be the whole truth. Our task today is recklessness. For what we Christians lack today is not psychology or literature...what we lack is a holy rage - the recklessness which comes from the knowledge of God and humanity. The ability to rage when justice lies prostrate on the streets, and when the lie rages across the face of the earth...a holy anger about the things that are wrong in the world. To rage against the ravaging of God's earth, and the destruction of God's world. To rage when little children must die of hunger, when the tables of the rich are sagging with food. To rage at the senseless killing of so many, and against the madness of militaries. To rage at the lie that calls the threat of death and the strategy of destruction peace. To rage against complacency. To restlessly seek that recklessness that will challenge and seek to change human history until it conforms to the norms of the Kingdom of God. And remember the signs of the Christian Church have been the Lion, the Lamb, the Dove, and the Fish... but never the chameleon." - Kaj Munk
Kaj Munk (1898-1944) was a Danish pastor and playwright killed by the Gestapo in 1944 for his opinions and preaching against the german invasion of Denmark. He was influenced highly by Kierkegaard, a famous philosopher - also Danish.
I love his (Munks) quote here about holy rage. I get so angry and disheartened today about poverty, hunger, human trafficking, war, terrorism, and just in general that wealthy christians justify their lifestyle without seemingly much of a care for anyone else. We have become like the Pharisees living IN the world and OF the world. We are so focused on what we deserve, what we want, and what we want. It's hard to say that we don't deserve happy lives in nice neighborhoods and food on the table. But doesn't everyone? Is it fair to want those things at the expense of others?
I say no.
I want to love recklessly and without abandon. Not to be concerned about the "bad" parts of town, but to find a need and do my best to fill it. To use my gifts and talents to help redistribute the worlds resources, expose privilege, and dance, sing, laugh, help folks reach out to one another and have meaningful relationships. I want to help the world remember that we have other options, and we can't just accept what we see and what we are given, we can schmear finger paint all over it and make it beautiful.
God Bless,
your sister in Christ~Erin
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Martin Luther King, Jr.
I wrote about my experiences last week with MLK, Jr. Day in Cincinnati however I want to offer up some of the beautiful insights about this wonderful man.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was an inspirational man who has become known worldwide for his peaceful activism, and is widely remembered for his leadership in the civil rights movement to secure equal rights for african americans in the united states. However Dr. King also spoke passionately about the evils of poverty and war (Vietnam). He wrote 5 books and lead multiple marches, rallies, the bus boycott, was the pastor of a large southern baptist church, and the youngest recipient of the Nobel Prize for peace @ 35. Dr. King raised his voice against injustices happening in the world and our country for YEARS, but he is mostly remembered for one (be it excellent speech). Here are some other brilliant things he said.
The curse of poverty has no justification in our age. It is socially as cruel and blind as the practice of cannibalism at the dawn of civilization, when men ate each other because they had not yet learned to take food from the soil or to consume the abundant animal life around them. The time has come for us to civilize ourselves by the total, direct and immediate abolition of poverty.
Still true today.
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. Hate multiplies hate, violence multiplies violence, and toughness multiplies toughness in a descending spiral of destruction....The chain reaction of evil--hate begetting hate, wars producing more wars--must be broken, or we shall be plunged into the dark abyss of annihilation.
"The chain reaction of evil... must be broken"
Nonviolence is the answer to the crucial political and moral questions of our time: the need for man to overcome oppression and violence without resorting to oppression and violence. Man must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love.
With love.
Dr. King wasn't afraid to speak out about issues he saw as oppressing or injustice. He wasn't afraid to raise awareness and actively do something about it. His 3 big issues, equal rights for all American citizens, war, and poverty. Dr. King wasn't afraid to say that to tip the balances back from the injustice and oppression that some will have to give for others to get what they deserve. We still haven't solved these issues today because we still aren't willing to give. I look forward to reading more of what Dr. King had to say.
God Bless!
your sister in Christ~Erin
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was an inspirational man who has become known worldwide for his peaceful activism, and is widely remembered for his leadership in the civil rights movement to secure equal rights for african americans in the united states. However Dr. King also spoke passionately about the evils of poverty and war (Vietnam). He wrote 5 books and lead multiple marches, rallies, the bus boycott, was the pastor of a large southern baptist church, and the youngest recipient of the Nobel Prize for peace @ 35. Dr. King raised his voice against injustices happening in the world and our country for YEARS, but he is mostly remembered for one (be it excellent speech). Here are some other brilliant things he said.
The curse of poverty has no justification in our age. It is socially as cruel and blind as the practice of cannibalism at the dawn of civilization, when men ate each other because they had not yet learned to take food from the soil or to consume the abundant animal life around them. The time has come for us to civilize ourselves by the total, direct and immediate abolition of poverty.
Still true today.
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. Hate multiplies hate, violence multiplies violence, and toughness multiplies toughness in a descending spiral of destruction....The chain reaction of evil--hate begetting hate, wars producing more wars--must be broken, or we shall be plunged into the dark abyss of annihilation.
"The chain reaction of evil... must be broken"
Nonviolence is the answer to the crucial political and moral questions of our time: the need for man to overcome oppression and violence without resorting to oppression and violence. Man must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love.
With love.
Dr. King wasn't afraid to speak out about issues he saw as oppressing or injustice. He wasn't afraid to raise awareness and actively do something about it. His 3 big issues, equal rights for all American citizens, war, and poverty. Dr. King wasn't afraid to say that to tip the balances back from the injustice and oppression that some will have to give for others to get what they deserve. We still haven't solved these issues today because we still aren't willing to give. I look forward to reading more of what Dr. King had to say.
God Bless!
your sister in Christ~Erin
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Tuesdays is a day to note a talented person out there. Today I chose Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. because while reading Matthew 15 - the parable of what pollutes your life I was reminded of a letter written by Dr. King that was read at a celebration for him yesterday (Mr. Luther King Day)
Matthew quotes Jesus to say that it's not what you swallow that pollutes your life, but that which you "vomit" - is the text used in the message =). Saying, it's not about what you hear and experience that can hurt you, but the things that you say come from the heart and are things you truly understand and believe. These are the things that connect to you the greatest.
I was thrilled reading this because I often worry about the influences of things that I have been around or study. I have heard often times to be careful of your company and the people you spend your time with as they rub off on you. Yet I believe strongly in tolerance and getting to know others- especially those different from you.
(forgive me I will quote more directly soon...)
The letters that spoke to me were exchanged between a Jewish doctor and Dr. King asking his opinion of a statement in the Southern Baptist Conference pamphlet. It had a statement referring to the 5 million plus Jews of our nation as "lost souls" because they haven't experienced the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Dr. King replied that he did not agree with the statement. Furthermore he hopes for a day when people can understand that "God has more in his fold" than just their group - i.e. Christians.
Spoke to my heart.
God Bless you and yours,
your sister in Christ~Erin
Matthew quotes Jesus to say that it's not what you swallow that pollutes your life, but that which you "vomit" - is the text used in the message =). Saying, it's not about what you hear and experience that can hurt you, but the things that you say come from the heart and are things you truly understand and believe. These are the things that connect to you the greatest.
I was thrilled reading this because I often worry about the influences of things that I have been around or study. I have heard often times to be careful of your company and the people you spend your time with as they rub off on you. Yet I believe strongly in tolerance and getting to know others- especially those different from you.
(forgive me I will quote more directly soon...)
The letters that spoke to me were exchanged between a Jewish doctor and Dr. King asking his opinion of a statement in the Southern Baptist Conference pamphlet. It had a statement referring to the 5 million plus Jews of our nation as "lost souls" because they haven't experienced the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Dr. King replied that he did not agree with the statement. Furthermore he hopes for a day when people can understand that "God has more in his fold" than just their group - i.e. Christians.
Spoke to my heart.
God Bless you and yours,
your sister in Christ~Erin
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