Another Quote Worth Sharing ...

"Systems, institutions, ideologies resist questions, forbid questions, for fear the obvious answers undermine the authority of what has always been. But real faith demands questions. Real faith looks under every rock, looks behind every facade, looks through every pallid formula and its pretense at persuasion to find the real face of God and the Jesus who questioned, questioned, questioned everything." Seeing With Our Souls by Joan Chittister, O.S.B.

Road Trip to the Rock Cafe!

GOAL!!!!!

Snow Days and PJ Days ... We Love Having Fun!!!

Back to the Center

This past year has been crazy, many changes have occurred and it doesn't look like that pattern is going to let up anytime soon. Lately, I really miss the closeness and fellowship of some of my old friends, the familiarity of established community and am overwhelmed at times by uncertainties ahead. I have been feeling empty and lost. Yet, after reading an encouraging email from a friend it occurred to me that God's love for me and relationship with me has not changed. God is as close as ever, if I would but slow down, be still and "know". There is much comfort and rest in that.

Beyond Ourselves

In my studies lately, I have been reading about various people's thoughts and investigations concerning the scripture's claims of the miracles performed by Christ and his resurrection from the dead. While it is, in my opinion, important to seriously investigate matters of such significance to see if they are true or not, I have been struck with sadness at what appears to be scholars who limit their ability to accept things to only what they can comprehend.

It seems to me that to limit the possibility of something being true to one's ability to understand it, explain it or "scientifically" prove it, denies the possibility that there exists anything greater than ourselves. It denies the possibility of God, or at the very least, believes that either God is as limited as we are, or that we can know that God chooses to limit his/her or interactions with the world to some set of comprehendible laws which he/she never violates. It seems to me that this is great arrogance and this says faith and hope do not exist.

If Only I Had a Magic Wand!

I took the girls to see a magic show last night. The performers pulled off some amazing tricks and we all enjoyed it. On the way home we were talking about the show and I asked the girls how they thought the magicians made those things happen? Gwen replied "Because they have a magic wand." To which Claire responded "I wish I had a magic wand, then I could make golf balls appear in my hand!" Gwen thought about this and then declared "If I had a magic wand, I could make kids at school disappear!" Now there's a thought!

This is My Body ...

Awhile ago at church my four year old daughter Gwen asked me, "Mom, is it time to eat the body of Christ?". Ewwwww! It sounded so barbaric spoken that way. Adults don't usually refer to it so bluntly. We talk about it as receiving communion or the bread. And we can quickly translate to something symbolic, but children don't do that, so it must sound crazy to them. I also know that in John 6 Christ's talk of eating his flesh tripped up some of his followers and caused them to walk away.

So what of all this? Is it only symbolic? Some believe it actually becomes the body and blood of Christ. Should we soften how we talk about it so that it doesn't sound like we are being cannibals or should it make us uncomfortable? I keep meaning to spend some time reflecting on this because I think there is meaning to be had here. I thought maybe instead I would throw it out for feedback from others. Do any of you have any thoughts on this?

I exist in the realm of stupid people :o)

I saw a movie, the other night, about quatum physics which was pretty thought-provoking and full of things probably beyond my realm of intelligence. It did provide some pretty cool things to think about and I am sure there is truth in there, though some of the conclusions people seem to draw off of it were hard for me to buy (for more reasons than just an offense to basic christian thought).

One thing in the movie that I have been thinking about is a lady at the end said something to the effect that we are not good or bad, we are god, there no judgment for things done wrong, etc. etc. Nice thoughts ,and for me, I believe, there are strong elements of the truth in there, but if there is no price to pay for bad things then why did Christ have to suffer and die?

I suppose this movie might say that he only had to suffer and die in the realm of the reality of people who need that or choose that. And "I am sure" those realities are less evolved (i.e. realms of stupid people). Or maybe the history of Christ's followers just misunderstood and got it all wrong. Maybe his death wasn't a sacrifice but that is just how they interpreted it to fit their needs. Hmmm. And of course I won't try to go see what Christ (or his followers) said about his own death in scriptures because that's going to bring about a whole lot more for me to blog about.

I guess for now I will suffice to say that I exist in the realm of stupid people and need a savior for my shortcomings and need a god to make me whole. It would be nice if there is no hell but I myself, in my realm, cannot throw that concept out just because it is uncomfortable and is hard to reconcile with a god who is love. I am sure I do not fully understand it and I am okay to be uncomfortable with it and still be convinced god is very loving!!! Cheers!