Racism in America

I teach an interesting living history program at work to help illustrate the concept of racism and injustice to students.  The American history of racism is heart wrenching and repetitive.  Just think how these groups were treated - with dignity and human rights?
Native Americans
Africans captured and brought to American as slaves and subsequent generations of African Americans
Irish immigrants on the east coast
Chinese immigrants on the west coast
Japanese immigrants on the west coast
Hispanic immigrants
Arab Americans
Lots of images come to mind....

 In particular right now I have been reading a book about WWII and the Japanese internment.  Here's some facts:
"Courage is something strong within you that brings out the best in a person. Perhaps no one else may know or see, but it’s those hidden things unknown to others, that reveals a person to God and self." - Yuri Nakahara Kochiyama
  Diary entry, May 3, 1942


President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066 authorizing the mass incarceration of over 110,000 Japanese Americans during World War II.

Two-thirds were American citizens. Over half were children or infants.
Their "crime": their Japanese ancestry.

Forty-six years later our government officially apologized for this "grave injustice" and paid reparations.

Could it happen again to another group of Americans?


information from - http://www.asianamericanmedia.org/jainternment/


Sigh.  People are quick to judge and slow to change.  I'm glad I'm learning about it though.  Too many of us "Americans" grow up thinking that America is this wonderful place of opportunity for everyone and it's just not true.  American is a wonderful place of acceptance and opportunity for those who are of caucasian decent.  For centuries we have prosecuted and put down those who aren't.  Even in recent history!  We talk in our history classes about the horror of German concentration camps, yet we forget to discuss or even bring up the fact that during the war - yes 1944, President Roosevelt signed an order and all those of Japanese decent living on the west coast were evacuated and moved to internment camps.  Lost almost everything they owned trying to prove they were loyal citizens (many were second or third generation American citizens).  All in the name of homeland security.  


In the past 10 years we have seen racism and fear again raise it's ugly head with the terrible September 11th attacks.  Many Americans are fearful of Arab americans and there is a distinct hatred and distrust of people who simply "look" Arab.  Many of us are so ignorant we don't even know what ethnic group people belong to and we are judging them as possible terrorists.  


In the book I'm reading "The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet" the main character as a child is forced by his father to wear a button on his jacket proudly saying "I am Chinese".  Because of the fear he could be mistaken for Japanese.  sigh.  


Brothers and sisters we need to continually work everyday to diversify ourselves, make friends with those who look different than us, see a person for their humanity not just their nationality!  Christ often gave examples of God loving and accepting foreigners, often enraging Jews.  We must remember that our community is global and every person we meet is a member of our family.  


I know this is something I have to actively work on.  I tend to be drawn to those who act and look like me.  But I pray for God's eyes and heart to help build bridges and heal divisions within my family.  


In peace with love, 
your sister in Christ~Erin

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:

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

Lectio divina

Another art and tradition of meditation - the art of reading while listening for the still small voice of God.

I think of it (as best I have read/studied) in 4 steps:

1 - lectio is the first step where you read or listen to a selected section of scripture, either alone or in a group, and while reading focus on listening (not the typical speed reading).  Read until a certain word or phrase speaks to you personally.
2 - meditatio is the second step where you take some time to focus on that word or phrase.  Memorize it, repeat it just take some time to think about the meaning it has for you and take you deeper with it
3 - oratio is the third step and is prayer to God about the word or phrase that has spoken to you and meant to help take you deeper again
4 - contemplatio is the forth step where you rest in the presence of God and accept the message you have been reading/meditating/praying on

Just another option out their for meditation, I first experienced it in a small group.  I like that it is a bit more structured than meditating with a mantra, however I have come to love them both.  

In peace with love,
your sister in Christ~Erin

Underdogs

Many of us feel our heart strings tugged a little bit when we hear the story of an "underdog".  There is just something hopeful and encouraging to hear that against many odds someone can come out on top.

Well, like many American's today, I was watching the SuperBowl this evening with friends and I was cheering for the New Orleans Saints.  Honestly... because I thought that the Colts have been to plenty of SuperBowls lately and have won some - it's somebody elses turn.  And needless to say I felt good when the Saints won!

Granted that opinion has nothing really to do with who plays the best, practiced the hardest, or at all really deserves it.  But many times and places in life, skill isn't everything.  There is a piece of us, of our humanity, that knows heart is important.  We don't like to see a movie if the hero dies in the middle or if the girl doesn't end up with the "good" guy.  Look at Adam Sandler's "The Water Boy", or "Forest Gump", or a classic - "Cinderella" would that story be known for over a hundred years if she didn't rise above all odds and end up with the prince?

Christians in the early church were underdogs and the church never grew as fast as when she was under persecution.  The heart of an underdog grabs our attention and makes us interested to hear the story.  Why would a person give up their life for their religion?  Who was this Jesus?  How does this community of fishermen, tax collectors, prostitutes, foreigners, widows, and clergy live together in love? Despite the threat of death, what gives these "Christians" the strength (or stupidity from others perspective) to hold on to their faith?

People are attracted by honorable people fighting for what's right because it is good.  They want to be a part of that.  As Christians we are a light and we must shine that light bright out into the darkness.  Not being afraid to really live our faith in every aspect of our lives.  To continually seek out what it means to be a disciple and what God has called us to do with our lives.

Live in the world, my brothers and sisters, cheer for your favorite football team for whatever reason, but do not live of the world.  Remember your calling as a child of God and give God praise and thanks for all the Lord has blessed you with.

In peace with love,
your sister in Christ~Erin

Music and Colors

I think it is universally accepted that no one is "normal".  It is fascinating to me to learn peoples little weird quirks - those little things that you've never even thought of that catch you off guard.  You like - what?  What are you doing?  Super funny to hear stories of couples as they are trying to balance which of these they can live with and so forth.

Coming from a musical family (both of my parents are music teachers) I LOVE music... yet I am not a fan of what most people would call "popular".  We weren't really encouraged or allowed to listen to pop or country, let alone rap! yikes, but I have a sincere love for orchestra and choral music.  As I got older, into my teens, I listen to a lot of christian music - but I still wanted the high quality I had grown up with.  Harmony, interesting melodies and chord structure, and most importantly decent vocal technique.  I don't have much patience if I can't understand the words or the pitches being sung.
(I am trying to learn to branch out!)

So one of my quirks though- I organize my music into playlists by color.  (I have had friends comment that this is very strange.)  Yellow is a great playlist to put on in the morning when I'm trying to get energized and wake up.  Green is an all around very "me" music.  My warm brown playlist is mostly acoustic guitar or accapella ish music.  Everything has it's place and it works well for me.  I do sometimes get frustrated with Pandora though.. they don't at all get my color schemes.

I think it's so important to get to know and love yourself.  From identifying little quirks you have to making a list of priorities so you can focus on what you are all about.  Only when we take the time to really grasp who we are can we truly being to live out our purpose.

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, talented, and fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of the most high God. Your playing small doesn't serve this world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you..." - Nelson Mandela


Holy Lord, lover of my soul, I thank you for giving me an inquisitive nature.  Help me to learn more about my nature and how I fit into your beautiful creation.  I pray that you would watch over all those that I love, as they rejoice and as they are weary.  Lift them up with your presence.  I pray that you be with all your children today who are suffering.  Meet their needs both physical and emotional.  Amen.

Wishing you well,
your sister in Christ~Erin

Stress relief and inspiration

For stress relief I love to watch movies and... crochet.  I just learned from some wonderful friends around christmastime and have since finished one blanket and am halfway through what will become a shawl.  It is relaxing yet productive and I'm loving it!  I donated my last blanket to the Project Linus - an organization which makes, collects, and gives out homemade new blankets to children in need.  I'm also working on shawls for work - living history costumes.

I love color and quotes and a little crazyiness, so I got myself some window crayons (inspired by another friends markers...) and drew all over  my closet doors (they are full length mirrors).  There are positive things people have said about me, pictures, and quotes.  Every time I see it I feel great and smile!

Just gotta go out on a limb and be creative and artsy sometimes.
God Bless,
your sister in Christ~Erin

Chocolate

Lord, I am thankful for chocolate.

It's the little pleasures in life that make it extra sweet and wonderful.  Like chocolate, or a warm cookie.  Perhaps a cozy hug, or a sincere compliment.  The things that just make your day that much better.

Tonight at church we started a women's bible study focusing on God's grace, yet another theme for it is chocolate.  :)  It was the best part of my day to sit with 9 or 10 other women in our church parlor (just redone and very cozy and relaxing) talking about life and faith.  It is such a fabulous group too.  I am the youngest at 23 and the oldest is a great grandmother of 16!  Many in the middle with young children or older children... we range the board with ages and personalities!  It was just such a blessing.

Sometimes I forget how important the support of friends and family is in life.  I think I'm fine on my own - but I'm not.  The loved ones in my life are another source of chocolate.  From a catch up phone call or an email or an evening of hanging out - those relationships are crucial to our lives.  I'm so thankful for my wonderful friends and family!  (especially when I'm living states away!)

Surprise a friend or family member this week to show them how thankful you are for their love.

Dear Lord,
I am so grateful tonight for the wonderful people whom you have put in my life.  I thank you for their uplifting words and thoughts.  Without those relationships I struggle.  Open my eyes to help me see when they are in need as well as when their are new friends on the horizon to be made.  Amen.

God Bless,
your sister in Christ~Erin

Water

Water - the Nile, the Mediterranean, the Danube, Caspian Sea, the Mississippi, Indian Ocean.  Plants - Palm Tree, arctic lichens, lily of the valley, corn.  Animals - lions, tiger, bears - oh my!  People - Grandfather Eli, baby Annika, cousin Fred, friend Hose.  Resources - copper, titanium, nitrogen, oil.

Balance.

Sometimes I think too broad and I forget that things have names.  The world is more than just water, plants, animals, people, resources.  Those words refer to real places and things and are equally important, without any we would not survive.

I spent the night at the Cincinnati Zoo last night for an education program (love my job) and meet up close some amazing animals.  When we teach children about animals and ecology we try to teach them that the world is connected.  While these animals are wonderful, if we don't care about the plants they need to live we won't have the animals either.

We all need water, and water connects us.  As I reflected on "worldly" things today many thing came to mind.  I saw animals from across the planted today and one thing that connects all of us is water.  Water has a significant meaning to many people as well.  It symbolizes being clean and life giving - but as we know all to well it can also be destructive.  Think about how important the Jordan River is to the people who live around it, and the important water sources near you.  How do we take care of our watersheds?   

The next time you take a drink, or a shower - think about how what water means to our world and give thanks.  How it keeps life sustained not only for you, but for a palm tree in Florida which may be providing shade to a refugee from Haiti taking a cool drink.

God Bless,
your sister in Christ~Erin

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

Presence

Sigh.  =)  I meditated today.

There is something about the presence of God, to me it's like being wrapped up in a blanket and held.  My message today was an age old one that we too often forget to take to heart.

My beloved, I love you.

No complicated theology, no parables, no judgments or exhalations.  I forget that my creator loves me.  It's why we are christians!  It's what we talk about all the time!  But do we take time to experience the love of God in our lives?  To just be with God and feel that holy peace?  There's nothing simple about it - it is a deep, all knowing, beautiful kind of love that we all seek but too often don't find.  We rush around - trust me, i'm great at it.  I am reminded of my best friend.  We don't get to spend a great deal of time together, and the time we do spend together isn't really epic or really planned.  It's the moments of just hanging out and being with each other that we feel each others love.  

Yet there is always something to do, people to help, commitments to fulfill.  We don't take the time it takes to quiet ourselves.  To remember that while God can surprise us in the smile of a another or touch our souls in a song, we need to take the time to just be in the Lord's presence and be still.

For Elijah didn't find God in the storm or the wind or the fire of life, but in the stillness.  It takes me almost a half an hour to focus on my breathing and try my best to clear all those thoughts from my mind. But when I reach that place where I am connected with the holy spirit it is indescribable.

Take some time today or tomorrow to quiet your mind and your soul and let the creator of the universe hold you, recharge you, and remind you that you claimed, you are a beloved child of God.

your sister in Christ~Erin

Love

1 John 4:8 

⁸Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

John 13:34

³⁴"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

They will know we are christians by our LOVE.  Our radical, life changing, unconditional love.
A love yes for our families, our friends, and our country - but it doesn't stop there.  
The SAME love for our christian brothers and sisters all over the world, of every nationality, color, age, and creed.  
The SAME love for our enemies, for after all we are ALL God's children, all children, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers.  
That's why it's a radical love.  We are called to love people who are different than us, who may want to cause us harm or may not.  


As a christian I mourn for the lost of a life, for that of a soldier - 
from my country or one killed by my country. 
a victim of disaster,
terrorists, hurricanes, violence, tsunamis, or earthquakes regardless what country they lived in.  
for children, 
30,000 died today from hunger - and yesterday as well.
Will another 30,000 die tomorrow too?  

Jesus we have failed to follow your command, we have not loved our neighbor as ourself.  We have not loved the children of the world.  We have not accepted but ignored the hurting and the sick and the homeless.  Give us sight to see the needs of our brothers and sisters and learn what it is to radically love one another. Amen.

Your sister in Christ~Erin

Church as a verb

The United Methodist Church has been working with this new marketing tool for a while:

What if church was a verb?

What if the church was really an inclusive community of faith with it's doors opening and welcoming to EVERYONE?  

This is a marketing strategy aimed at young people.  I believe some of it is a reaction of the topic brought up in Kinnam's book "unchristian".  It's a discussion of issues young people today have with "the church".  Examples:  too political, confusing, not accepting, hypocritical, insensitive, judgmental, old fashioned, out of touch, boring.  So young adults - what is your reaction?  Perhaps a more basic question - what do YOU think of the church?  What has shaped these opinions?  (experience?)  What is your opinion on spirituality?  

Leaders in the church are trying to reach out to our generation.  Here are some questions they have:  

What is essential for a Young Adult to feel accepted in a church for the first time?

What are the factors that will determine whether they come back?

My thoughts - I am looking for a church with a multi generational community (folks my age, kids, all ages).  I want a community which can help me grow as a disciple and is welcoming and open.  Honestly, first I will look at the website, but in order for me to come back I want to feel welcome.  More importantly though I want to have had a positive worship experience - something that spoke to me.  Be it the music, the sermon, or the general feeling and style.  I don't think church is a verb, the church/the body of Christ/the bride of Christ - we are a community of believers - people.   

Your thoughts?  

God Bless your and yours,

your sister in Christ~Erin 

Meaningful Words

How do you respond to the following words and images?  

Competition...

Justice...

Activism...

Grassroots...

Social Justice...

Words have meaning... some of them a lot of meaning, but it is a meaning backed by actions, emotions, and beliefs.  As humans we are all unique and will always differ; yet it is not only a great learning experience for us to hear others perspectives but use them to help us better understand ourselves.  

I struggle with competition, I am not competitive yet I use it as a teaching tool to help keep my students involved.  I believe there are much better motivators than competition and that competition can tear apart people and relationships.  

I believe justice is the ability for a community to treat one another with human rights, dignity, and fairness.  

I love activism because it involves people who care standing up against injustice and truly care.  

I love grassroots movements because it is about local communities coming together on a personal and relational level to make the world a better place.  

I believe social justice is the act of working to create more justice among people, like Robin Hood, take from the rich to give to the poor.  (how else will it balance out?)  

What do you think?  

God Bless!

Your sister in Christ~Erin

Our Father's Kitchen

I live near a town called Wilmington, Ohio where there has been tremendous job losses in the past year.  I don't know much about this as I just get here a few months back, however I can see that it has been extremely hard on the community.  Yet - spirits are up.  Those who have a little give a lot and those who have little, are thankful.

Tonight I went with a friend to help serve at the local kitchen... it's not a homeless shelter, and no one is asked how they are in need, it's simply a place with a free meal and a band playing during dinner.  It wasn't always as nice as it is now though.  Extreme home makeover and Rachael Ray teamed up (TEAMED UP) to rise to the challenge and build Sugartree ministries a new kitchen.  It's beautiful and tonight we feed over 100 people.  It's almost a resturant type feeling in the dining room.  The lights are down lower, a live band is on stage, and servers come to you, tell you the menu and ask what you want.  Your food and drinks are then delivered right to you.

It was a blessing to me to experience the faith and love of the leadership of this ministry as well as to serve a community that has opened it's arms to me.  I look forward to being their again soon and give thanks for the people God puts in my life to say hello for him.

God Bless,
your sister in Christ~Erin

New Vocab New Fire

I learned a new word, more than that though... a new condition millions around the world find themselves in which can be devastating.  A term born out of our need to control as much as possible, especially people.  Our governments need to know constantly what we are doing, where we are living or working, and our general status.  Without the proper documentation of who we are we can't get a job or see a doctor, go to school, or travel out of the country.  What if you didn't have this documentation?  What if you couldn't prove you were a citizen of anywhere?

You would be stateless.  There are an estimated 15 million stateless people in the world today.  Unable to work unless paid under the table.  Unable to travel, unable to vote, unable to provide for their families, unable to get an education to work past their present.  Alone and unaccounted for - and uncared for.

Some refugees are stateless, however many have citizenship simply in a state where their is conflict and war.  If given refugee status though they are allowed to travel and given aid.  Unlike a stateless person who may not be fleeing from any conflict, simply unable to prove where and to whom they were born.  (honestly not really their fault either is it?)

Without proper documentation (birth certificate, social security number, work permit, general ID's) people are denied everything.  This is a problem in many countries from Bangladesh to the Dominican Republic to Pakistan and the independent states that were a part of the USSR.  Imagine your government saying "No.  We don't claim you and we don't know who you are."

Sometimes this is done accidentally, in a state of chaos or upheaval, sometimes specific groups are targeted (ethnic, racial, religious), and almost always it is a generational inheritance.  If your parents don't exist to the government how do you?
So in response to this issue my heart cries - LEARN.  Learn as much as you can about everything you can so that you can go out in understanding and love.  I have 3 different colors of post -it's (yes I organize my life in colors and post it's) one for Issues I Want to Learn About, another for People to Learn About, and another for inspirational quotes from others.  There are many issues I don't know about, but much I can learn.  There are people who have gone before me asking the same questions and living out their lives in response.  I want to learn from them to better understand my own calling. 

My favorite so far -
When I feed the poor, they call me a saint.
When I ask why the poor have no food, they call me a communist.
Dom Helder Camara,
Archbishop of Recife, Brazil

Best of Luck with your passion -

your sister in Christ~Erin

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

Meditating

Okay - so honest, this is the second monday I have not meditated.  =(  I really miss meditation in my life.  My favorite way to meditate is with a mantra.  I sit in a quiet place and focus.  I repeat the mantra over and over again to quiet my soul and mind (this can take 1/2 at times, sigh!) and I listen.  Sometimes I am just content to be in the presence of God, other times I will be lead to something I needed to know or focus on in my life.  Afterwards I pray and am always so peaceful and tranquil and ready to go out into the world.  I would love to get back in the habit.

The mantra I have felt lead to in the last year has been:

"Be still and know that I am God"

I'm still working on that.

It's easier for me to spend hours working on the blog - new template, trying new gadgets, (I am trying to get a bookshelf of the books I am reading, but it just gives a link!  Oye vey!!)  But I can't take an hour a day to mediate?  Or even once a week?  I'm working on that.  At least I am almost keeping up with the once daily blogging.  We'll just have to see where it goes.

God Bless your and yours!
Your sister in Christ~ Erin

The Temple of God

As I have been reading Shane Clayborne's "The Irresistible Revolution" I have been very challenged by some of the things he says - yet challenged in a way I've been looking for.  My friends call me compassionate.  Today I was referred to as "mission- minded".  Close friends have been worried about me because I care too much for others.  Yet I struggle with what is God calling me to do?

I feel like I have found an answer in the role of a deacon in the church.  A person to lead the church in mission and open their eyes to the needs of the world.

This book is calling me out to accept that I have been born to PRIVILEGE.  It's not because of anything I have done or deserve that I happened to be born into the top 20% of the wealth in the world.  I could have just as easily been born in Haiti, or South Africa, or Nepal, or Columbia.  But I have been blessed to be born into a wonderful mid-western family, and privileged.  Privileged to be white, to get an education, to be middle class, healthy, and to live in a house.  All things which I have honestly just been given - advantages over those who have drawn a shorter straw.

To be born in the lower class, colored, sick, where there are no public schools, into a family without a house - these are all things that give a distinct disadvantage, but to no fault of the child born to ANY of these circumstances.

So what?  So Jesus calls me to follow him and be a disciple.  Not only to keep the law and learn to be righteous - which is quite a task - but also to care for the hurting, the poor, the oppressed, the orphans, the sick, the marginalized.  To see them as PEOPLE and as a part of the church.  (Not a building, but a body and as Paul described, needing ALL of it's parts)

I read in Matthew 26 today how the only real charge they could hold against Jesus was him saying "I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days" (something he said while teaching in the temple.  Interestingly enough, in the context of my culture, their is a hint of a terrorist threat there.  Sigh - oh my goodness.  But I was reminded of Paul's reference to the church as PEOPLE and the emphasis on relationships.  I want to serve those in need, not just those who are in my middle class church, not just helping in the kitchen and singing or reading at services, I want to help those who are oppressed and marginalized.  I want to live among them - not separated.  I want to share my privilege with my brothers and sisters who struggle for clean water and food.  I want to challenge the church to stop pretending there aren't people hurting out there in the world and DO SOMETHING about it.  And something relevant.

Jesus focuses on people not things.  It's easy for me to give away my clothes or my TV.  But it's not so easy to love people.  When he said he could destroy the temple, he wasn't talking about a building - he was talking about God's temple, the church - US.  Has it really been rebuilt?  Or are some of us forgetting our roles?  

I want to accept my privilege and then accept my Christian responsibility to my brothers and sisters.  I want to give in every way I can to those hurting around me.  I give of my time at my church, I help at the local food pantry, I am going to start helping with the free clinic in town, and try to find a regular time to volunteer at a local horse rescue I've started volunteering at.

This will be my life -
loving others,
serving those in need,
educating others on our RESPONSIBILITY to those in need.
I'm just looking for my Calcutta.

Your sister in Christ~Erin

Discipleship

I was reading "Irreversible Revolution" today by Shane Clayborne (which I highly recommend to anyone who has not read it) and found myself very challenged.  As I have been reading Matthew there are several things that have stood out to me that Jesus says and my reaction is - "I don't understand!".  Yet Shane says to those of us who are comfortable in the world - you DO understand, you just don't want to hear what Jesus is really saying.  

This is true.  I am grateful for the blessing of growing up among the world's wealthy (not the wealthy of the US, but truly within the wealthy of the world).  I do not have to worry much about where my next meal will come from like 1 in 6 people in the world.  I often consider myself poor, yet I am not 1 of 6 people in the world who earn 1.25 a day or less - the international poverty level.  (Facts from Bread for the World).  

Jesus calls me to be a disciple, but he has high standards.  He is a revolutionary of his time, doing things most "respectable" folks would definitely call strange.  But at the same time, he shows us that we can make a better world for all of God's children by following him and sharing the good news of God's love everywhere.  His message is still radical today.  These are some of the strange things he tells us to do in the last few chapters of Matthew I've been reading:  

- Serve one another, don't strive to be first (23.11)

- Follow the law (commandments) but with mercy, faithfulness, and justice (23.23)

- Use your gifts, talents for the glory of God (25. 14-30)

- Real discipleship will grow fruit, if you do not grow - serve and love your neighbor, you will be among the goats, not the sheep (25. 31-46)  

- Have faith and miraculous things will happen 

- Be generous 

- Do not judge others

- Divorce will not be honored unless there is unfaithfulness

- Care for the sick, the widowed, the orphaned, the poor, and the helpless

- Love.  

In our happy comfortable middle & upper class faith we feel good about giving to the offering plate to serve those in need.  We explain that when Jesus said "sell all your possessions and give it to the poor" he didn't really MEAN that.  It's okay to be wealthy.  God blesses those who work hard.  Having 5 TV's in your house and multiple cars in your driveway is fine, as long as you go to church and try to do good.    

But what if Jesus really did mean all those things the gospels say he said?  What if to be a disciple I am really charged with going out and serving those in need with my obvious excess?  What if all christians went out and really got to know the hurting? the homeless?  the sick?  the helpless?  and loved and served them?  What would our world look like?  

One story particularly stayed with me.  There was a group of homeless families who had taken up residence in an abandoned cathedral while on waiting lists for subsidized housing and the church officials weren't very happy about it.  With the help of college students however they were able to continue living there and bring about attention to their needs (in Philadelphia, PA - p.s. that's needy people in the US).  One day a church dropped off a box of things marked "for the homeless"- a box full of microwave popcorn.  Microwave popcorn.  Do you really think the homeless have the ability to heat it?  Let alone the need for it?  Around the same time the Mafia came over and brought bikes for each of the children.  How can the church be the hands and feet of God if we can't really understand the need?  

Jesus's message is strange and makes is uncomfortable.  Many walked away from it.  But it was radical and lifechanging.  I don't know about you, but I want to be a part of that - it sounds wonderful.  

So my first step - get deeper with my volunteering.  There have been a lot of folks who have lost their jobs around here, and there is a lot of need.  Second, continue teaching children to open their minds to the world and the difference they can make in it.  Third, learn from people who have gone before me changing the world. Fourth, find my own Calcutta.  Mother Teresa said "Calcutta's are everywhere if only we have the eyes to see. Find your Calcutta."  

Lord, help me to grow in knowledge, experience, and wisdom to find the needs that you have prepared me to meet.  Lead me to those who need your love in the way I can provide.  

your sister in Christ~ Erin   

Sculpting connections

As I read Matthew 22 some connections came up in my mind... Give to Caesar what is Caesars...

and give to God what is Gods... What is God's?  Our gifts, talents, and service... if made in clay/playdough -

One of mine is teaching kids about the earth... like the fact that earthworms are invasive to North America!  And one way I like to teach is by using games and toys to help be tactile and learn through experience.  =)  What would you sculpt as an example of something that you could particularly give to God?

Another theme of Matthew is that of a corrupt leadership in the church.  I was struck by this passage especially:  Matthew 23.13 "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men's faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.^[c]"  

Have you ever felt as if someone in the church shut the door to heaven on you?
  

I keep a candle by my bed and near the window.  Matthew 24 sounds a lot like prophesy with a message loud and clear - keep watch.  


your sister in Christ~Erin

Issues I don't have!

Thursdays I am devoting to being particularly thankful.  Today as I read Matthew 19-21 I am very thankful that I am not dealing with many of the issues the people of Matthew were dealing with.

Thank you Lord I am not trying to get a divorce - (Divorce, Matt. 19.4)
Thank you Lord I am not rich - (On being perfect, Matt 19.21)
Thank you Lord I am content - (Parable of the Laborers, Matt. 20.1-16)
Thank you Lord I have my sight!  - (Blind man, Matt. 20.34)
Thank you Lord I am not a slave - (Parable of the Vineyard, Matt. 21.33-41)
Thank you Lord I am not a hypocritical scribe, priest, or pharisee - (Plot against Jesus, Matt. 21.23)

There are many cute sayings, songs, poems etc. to help us remember to count our blessings - one of my favorite songs "Count your Blessings" from White Christmas.  "When I'm worried and can not sleep, I count my blessings instead of sheep"

A more modern and comical song with the same idea is found in a song from Avenue Q called "Schadenfreude"

Right now you are down and out and feeling really crappy
I'll say.
And when I see how sad you are
It sort of makes me...
Happy!
Happy?!
Sorry, Nicky, human nature-
Nothing I can do!
It's...
Schadenfreude!
Making me feel glad that I'm not you

Thank you Lord for the blessings I take for granted.

your sister in Christ~ Erin

Worldly Children

I think it's fair to say that everyone is a sucker for kids.  They are so cute!  We feel a tug of our heart by the cute things they do and are outraged by anyone who would wish any of them harm.  It seems in Chapter 18 of Matthew, that Jesus feels the same way.  Children are precious and we mush protect them and love them.

My heart is drawn to children and youth.  I love spending time with them - playing and teaching.  Especially the very young children.  They are just so cuddly and will just reach out and love you.  I used to look forward to my time working in the nursery every week because I knew the kids would make me feel better.

It is the pictures and stories of children hurting that reach out and touch our hearts the most.  This week our world is hurting from the terrible disaster that has happened in Haiti.  Disaster relief and volunteers have been working to help those injured, homeless, and hungry to simply survive until lives can begin to be put back together.  Here are some stories, but think about them along with Jesus's words "and whoever welcomes a child in my name, welcomes me"







One patient is a 2-month-old baby with severe burns over 50 percent of her body. She's really not drinking that well. She's at risk for dehydration and infection. One second she's up, and then not responsive and listless the next - she need better care. This is a baby that would be in an intensive care unit in the United States.

We're here with 15-year-old Lovely. Two days ago she was found under rubble, three days into the disaster - she had a corpse on top of her. The Miami Search and Rescue Team actually went in and had to amputate her arm in the field.

We then operated on her and resuscitated her on a folding card table under a tree. She's alive, but infection is setting in - we're going to the operating table to clean out the wound and hopefully she'll do OK.

Better news today for a two month old who was trapped beneath rubble for four days. We spent an hour resuscitating her and then she was airlifted out to Miami's Jackson Memorial hospital where's in critical but stable condition.



With prayers for all those suffering and grateful for my own blessings, 
your sister in Christ~Erin

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

Taffy

Today I find myself in an old personal struggle.  There are some verses here in Matthew that speak to my heart and give me peace.  And there are some verses that twist knots in my stomach.

12.36 "I tell you, on the day of judgement you will have to give an account for every careless word you utter"

11.28"Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest."

10.24"Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth, I have not come to bring peace but a sword"

12.50 "For whoever does the will of my father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother"

I feel pulled like taffy...

Lord,
Please grant me the wisdom to understand your word and how it should guide my life.  Amen.

your sister in Christ~Erin

Dr. Jesus

Dr. Jesus has created a very simple pattern in these three chapters - teach, heal, love.  (kinda reminds me a bit of Dr. Phil)  So many things stick out to me in these chapters I'm not sure where to go...


To start, somedays I just LOVE the Message.  Reading these chapters brought a smile to my face today how straightforward and abrupt it can be.   Matthew 9.^34"The Pharisees were left sputtering, "Hocus-pocus. It's nothing but hocus-pocus. He's probably made a pact with the Devil.""  Really?  It put an interesting new spin on the passages for me.  Often while reading I have this problem of zoning out, it's a combination of "hey, I've sung that text...and getting lost in the music" and "I've heard this story a million times".  Reading the message helps me get out of that frame of reference.  


Yet while reading the end of chapter 8 I came upon the story about the demons and the pigs.  I don't ever remember hearing this story before!  I was so taken a back I read it in NIV to be sure of what I was reading!  I wonder why we don't talk about this story....?


A real issue I have with these passages.  All this talk about demons and evil spirits.  Jesus heals people from them all the time.  What were they?  Why doesn't the church talk about demons today?  I heard the other day that Wicca is one of the fastest growing religions in the US.  What does the church say about demons and evil spirits? 


So I asked Jeeves.  I found an essay on biblepages.web on the subject (please forgive my summary of it below).  Interestingly enough it notes that the King James Version (translation) does not use the word "demon" anywhere.  Instead it uses evil spirits and devils.  Then they look into the Greek uses of the word compared to modern understandings - which are quite different.  Greeks seem to refer to demons more as simply a diety or power from the heavens - not always in a bad sense but not always good either.  The essay goes on to say that the bible doesn't really go into a lot of detail about what demons really are probably because we as humans can't really "cope" with them.  They are dangerous and we should avoid them.  Unfortunately I tend to be more curious than that... perhaps not always a good trait.  


We do know however that Jesus (especially in these chapters!) healed broken bodies and illnesses -external and internal.  Some scholars have wondered if the demons that plagued people are what we consider today mental illnesses.  Who knows for sure?  However I know a lot of young people today seem to be interested in knowing more about the power out there in the universe - of God and of other things.  Sometimes I wonder if we as Christians should be more concerned about the hebe jebe things that go bump in the night or not?  


Thoughts?


God Bless you and yours, 
your sister in Christ~Erin  

Guidelines, but don't worry

When working with groups of students of group initiatives and team building I often want to throw in a twist, something I call "Strange and Wonderful".   For example if a group needs an extra challenge I may stop them and say - "Something strange and wonderful just happened!  While hiking in the jungle Johnny got bit by a titsy fly and his tounge swelled up so much, he can't talk!"

Really it's just a way for me to throw in crazy things and keep my kids on their toes.  =)

I have to admit I was a bit overwhelmed by chapters 4-6 today.  Starting with Jesus being tempted, I can relate to that.  He is always so strong and in control.  Then moving into the beginning of his ministry, calling his first 4 disciples, (can you imagine being the father James and John just left behind!), and soon crowds are following him and he is healing people left and right and teaching.

Then starts the teachings - the beattitudes, lots of reference to the laws of Moses, mostly very straight forward dos and don't.  But they aren't simple things, they are difficult.  I really struggle with some of it - divorce, wealth and possessions, love everyone, and always give of yourself beyond expectations.  Do all of this to be holy.  At least that's what I get from it, that it's all about righteousness and holiness.

And at the end of it is my favorite verse,  6.34 "So do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will bring worries of its own.  Today's trouble is enough for today."

So after all of Jesus's teachings on how to be a righteous person comes "don't worry".  Ah!  So I strive to  be more like Charlie Brown in the image above, enjoying the moment, being thankful, and not worrying.  We'll see how long it lasts...

(don't you have to plan for the future?  I mean, I'm really good at worrying.  About others, about myself, about what is coming up next.  Not so much that it's a problem, right?  Should there be more of a balance?  There are times where I hate Benjamin Franklins quote "God helps those who help themselves", mostly when it is used as an excuse not to help others.  Yet, shouldn't I make plans for my own life?  Plan to have nice work clothes, worry about how I will afford groceries... you know?  Sigh...

So to connect the dots-
As I try my best to be holy and righteous, to help me remind myself not to worry too much, I have a little worry statue near my bed.  He reminds me to give my worries up to God, because they don't do me any good.  (and he is a little strange... but wonderful!)

God Bless your and yours ~ your sister in Christ, Erin

Genealogy - dreams - murder = hope

I was very amused by this.  Also interested to note (from my Oxford Bible) that in that crazy long list of names are 4 names of women!  (very unusual for the time period.  Congrats for the honorable mentions to Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba -the wife of Uriah.





                                           





Growing up in the church, I have many fond memories of hearing the christmas story leading up to Jesus's birth.  Reading today in matthew I noticed that their is very little mentioned of Mary really and the focus is on Joseph.  He seems like an honorable and nice guy.  Yet I am a little jealous that it was considered commonplace for an angel to visit you in your dream and share God's will.

The story in chapter two always reminds me of the terrible things happening to children in our world.  How can anyone target such innocents?  The scene of Herod's men killing all the boys under the age of two in Bethlehem is illustrated very well here...

And todays reading end with hope and the symbol for new life.  A beautiful ending considering that through this time I hope to open up a new life for myself.  (Random fact:  I have been thinking about getting a dove tattoo for years.)

Inspired and Alone

Often I wonder, what is wrong with me?

Over the years I have come to understand that the true answer to this question is nothing.  Yet I have also come to accept that there are just things about me that make me different from many others that I am surrounded by.  Ironically enough there are many out there with the same thought.  So much so in fact, that it is actually a very common thing.  Hmmm.... interesting.

Some distinguishing character traits then -
I analyze everything (possibly too much)
I am an EXTRAVERT - i think i could honestly always be with people and never need alone time =)
I am passionate.  I believe that if you are going to do something, you should do it for a purpose!
I will give of myself to anyone in need - even if I don't know them at all and to the point where I often find myself in trouble of taking care of my own things.
I am a little person with little ears and appreciate good and proper language.
I observe people and often adapt myself to fit with them.
I care.  especially about people.
I love music and express myself often through it better than words.
I don't enjoy current popular music and don't know many current famous people.
I am a hopeless romantic and dream that one day someone will sweep me off my feet in song.
I have a heart for the children of the world.  especially those who are suffering.
I love to cook... and enjoy the food with others.
I am a teacher - of anything I know how to do.
I love worship.  of all kinds.

These are things that make me... me.  Anyone out there who knows me, feel free to comment on my accuracy of my self analysis.  And I don't think that those things really make me all that different of a person, yet often I feel like I am alone in many ways.  Mostly just how I think.  That's a huge part of why I didn't pursue an education degree - I firmly believe that a school should be all about the students, and todays public schools are simply not.  They are more about structure and theory.  So I chose camp, where I can reach people on a more personal level.

When I am feeling all alone in the world I often look towards my heros and others who inspire me to keep going.  Reading the works of Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, Maya Angelou, Jane Austen, friends in the church, and many on the Methodist blogs - their insights and thoughts simply inspire me.  I feel as if I am connected to people with similar thoughts and passions and am encouraged.  Yet at the same time I can get so pulled into the wonderful things they are saying and get lost in it.  Oye vey!

At the same time it seems to be such a strong pendulum back and forth.  I feel this, and I feel that.  Sometimes I get fed up with just how much I FEEL!  Can you help how you feel though?  Am I just naturally that dramatic inside?  I love one of the scenes from one of the newer Harry Potter movies where Hermione is describing to Harry and Ron just how much Cho is feeling between her sadness over her dead boyfriend Cedric, to feeling like she betrayed him by kissing and liking Harry, not to mention liking Harry in general, and not knowing if she can believe Harry about Lord Voldemort being back, scared about if he is back or what would happen if he came back... And the boys tell Hermione that simply no one can feel that much inside one person - they'd simply explode!  Perhaps it is a girl thing?

I thank God for making me who he did - and look forward to the journey of self discovery, especially tied in with my calling.  Yet at the same time... I think we are all entitled to be a little frustrated with it at times as well.

So I have been praying for clarity and wisdom to discern my path and it has led me to the same answer - get back into scripture.  Therefore I am asking a friend to help keep me accountable and read with me daily, and discuss things here.  Let's see where it goes!!  I am feeling drawn to the gospels right now, as well as trying to do larger chunks compared to smaller passages.

You are invited to take this journey along with us!

Tomorrows reading:  Matthew 1-3