Outside the Pigeon Holes

"If you are one of those called on this quest, blazing rough trails now so that others can more easily follow in the future, then, please, be a friend to yourself. Understand how hard this process is, and provide yourself the kind of care you would want for a friend so engaged". -Brian McLaren ( A New Kind of Christianity ). Papa is amazing in always giving me resources for my journey and people who are walking in similar territory. Last year my friend Eric turned me onto Brian McLaren who is a fellow lover and follower of Christ. He was a pastor for many years. He has read and taught from the Scriptures most of his life. Sadly, McLaren is maligned among some Christians for his 'post-modern' views and his affiliation with the Emergent Church. But I believe that both he and the Emergent Church movem...

Recently I have been slogging through some spiritual growth. My closest friends are very much - and sometimes painfully - aware of this. I thank them for their consistent love and patience. I have needed it as I have pushed past some anger, frustration and insecurity. Through it I have gained confidence in embracing the faith that has always been inside but that I have been afraid or unsure of. I have finally been able to be honest about some things I have long questioned about mainline evangelical Christianity. I have started to admit that some things I simply can't be down with because I think they fall short of the message of Jesus. I still struggle with fear because I wonder "what happens when I become free enough to accept that my grid is (and in many cases always has been) different on some foundational things?" Do I talk about them or keep them to myself? Would I still be accepted? Would I become the target of prayer intervention? Will I be warned to be c...

Three things I was told this week: 1 - I am 'lost' because I don't believe non-Christian religions, homosexuality and adultery (among other things) should be banned in this country (no answer given on how this would be accomplished or what the consequences would be for violating these bans. I was simply told to read the Bible). 2 - All Christians should vote for God's laws only because man's laws are of Satan (never given clarity on what exactly that means). 3 - The reason God created people was to torment the devil (this from a teacher I greatly respect). Did I wake up on a weird planet last Monday or am I having an extended nightmare?

I take care of myself. I take care of my friends. I take care of my school. These are our classroom rules. We used to have five rules that were more specific. Then we realized that every rule we could possibly come up with points back to one of these three things. Yesterday while on stage at Shiloh during worship, I was having an 'oh, look a squirrel!" moment and this came to mind. I thought, this is a great way to cut down on a whole lot of complicated churchese. I think that from now on I will keep to the following things when choosing how to act (the points are a bit farther reaching than school and friends)... I take care of myself. I take care of others. I take care of the Earth. Now, before anyone gets funny because I didn't say "I love God" as rule number one, I believe that in doing the three listed things we love and honor God and represent Christ. And against such things, there is no law! So, what are ways that you take care of yourself, friends and cre...