Outside the Pigeon Holes

This is very timely. Papa clued me in to some things yesterday. I laughed and laughed at the absurdity of we ridiculous humans. I got a kick out of what I realized God has been trying to teach recently ("How will you respond if I scramble your paradigms?"). I also understood how deeply sad it is that we have so divided ourselves and set up such powerless, deceptive little kingdoms in an attempt to feel in control. Until we focus on our shared humanity we will continue in the same cycle of trying to scratch and climb our way to the top of a mountain that is, in the words of Dennis DeYoung, just a grand illusion. The Kingdom of Heaven lies beyond what we can see with our physical eyes. It lies beyond gender, race and culture. so why do we always stop there and base our treatment of one another on those criteria? Why do we decide if someone is worthy of our time or friendship on whether or not they comply with what we think they should do or be (as if our friendship should b...

I wish I knew who to credit for this photograph that I memed. It's beautifully done.

A recent article on Greg Boyd's website , Reknew, inspired these thoughts and a confession: This is a difficult reality to internalize but helpful when one 'gets it'...I don't like to get too deep into trying to explain evil in the world or why there is suffering even among those who trust God deeply with their safety and well-being. But what I do believe to be true is that God is good. All the time. God does not promise that we will never face trials or have bad things come our way --The world is too complex with spiritual issues and the cacophony of human voices demanding their independence -- but He does promise that he will never leave us in the midst of trials. I also believe that we ARE protected from many things which we will never know about - or that God can and does greatly reduce the impact of something working against us (depicted in the cartoon - which I found here: https://godguysandgirls.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/291937_10150267924702537_592537536_...

"When our eschatology (end-times view) has more to do with the "destruction of the wicked" than the 'restoration of ALL THINGS' then we really should re-think the Jesus we are preaching. The world is waiting for some GOOD NEWS not DOOM & GLOOM!" - Blaise Foret This is my take as well...Not that I don't believe that there will be some kind of 'recompense for the wicked' (what it looks like I do not know - only God truly knows), I just believe that Jesus' focus and the whole purpose of His work in his ministry, on the cross and in His resurrection was restoration and hope, not destruction and punishment. Scripture says destruction is a work of the enemy. As difficult as it can be, I believe that hope and restoration should be first and foremost in my heart and mind as well - even in the face of the immense evil that we face in the world. It is what Jesus modeled up until his last breath. Punishment, wrath and anger are not listed as b...

Rest in Peace.  Thank you for your heart and all you gave to the world through your work on and off 'the stage.'

I love the discussion and analysis here , in a brilliant post on Brian Mclaren's website , of the varying definitions of churchy words that get thrown around in inter-denominational discussions...I believe wholly that there is sin, that God has wrath and there is judgment, but what that loo ks like to me (through much of my own journey through the Spirit's teaching and God's 'refining fires') may differ greatly from that of my fellows. I believe that God's wrath is much more restorative than it is punitive and that sin has much more to do with 'love-breaking' than law-breaking....I believe Jesus teaches a way of living that is much more challenging to walk than the simplified 'black and white' thinking I was raised with. Yes, there is a time and a place for that, but I have come to understand that it isn't nearly as often as I once thought. #lethispeoplethink . 

A heartfelt reply to an 'absolute truth' teller who takes on the divorce issue (under the guise of it being just about 'people who have divorce parties'). This one is for all those who are in or have left terrible, destructive marriages but still feel the scorn from the 'perfect plan' people. Here's the link to the post Here is my reply. As bothered as you were with the guy in the grocery store, I grow weary of the judgment from the 'I'm staying married forever no matter what!!' screamers who seem to think they have it all figured out on how they will keep it together... "I just have to CHOOOOSSE to stay'....Good luck with that when you wake up to find that your spouse didn't change, but was never the person you thought they were in the first place. Divorce is never easy....EVER. It sucks. As happy as I was it was over I still cried the day the gavel came down in the courtroom. I wanted to grab my ex by the shoulders and say ...

Below is my off the cuff reply to some questions posed by someone in my latest class on Coursera.... Ooooh! A quiz!! :) 1.  Did All Those Humans who lived tens and hundreds of thousand of years before the Bible was written have a chance to go to heaven? Which definition of Heaven are you referring to? The idea of a magical place that is unattainable except upon death and only accessible by a certain few who do a certain thing or things to earn it? Or to the 'Kingdom of God'/'Kingdom of Heaven' that Jesus spoke of?  2.  Did Jesus die for the sins of Neanderthals, Homo Erectus, etc. ?  If not, why not? Sure! Why wouldn't He? :) In my understanding Jesus died 'Once for All' - to fulfill and thus eradicate the need for the sacrificial system that was established by humans to appease god/gods in a limited (and still progressing) understanding of the nature of God. In doing so, Jesus ushered in a new, open and free access to God available to all - pas...

I've put my finger on the deepest heartbreak of losing Refuge...It embodies exactly what 'Church' is supposed to be. People gathered around in love, fellowshipping, sharing joys and sorrows, laughing, loving, singing, bands, prayer. People have been adopted and baptized and dedicated here. Some folks study the Bible together, others play 'Magic' or read, people are free to be themselves in a place they know they are loved and knowing they will see friends and family whenever they are here. There is wise counsel for the asking from pastors or just a caring heart, but it all happens spontaneously - nothing manufactured. Refuge was true 'Ekklesia' - Community of faith - and the message was portrayed within the people who gathered. I will truly, truly, miss this beautiful, beautiful place and the way we all have been blessed to have gathered these last 4 years. Thank you, David Joseph Zuber and Colleen Zuber for making this place real.

Donald Miller posted this on his blog today .  I have to agree with him... Quotable: "This kind of cultural manipulation takes needed attention and resources away from true Christian martyrs all over the world who are truly being oppressed for their faith. I am a Christian. I follow Jesus. There are people who don’t like that. They are sometimes rude to me. Sometimes they criticize me online. Sometimes to my face. But that happens to anybody who believes anything. I am not a victim. I am not being wrongly persecuted. I’m fine. I know how to turn the other cheek. I’m not crying about anything." In America, we must learn the difference between persecution and push-back. If you can't handle push back from people who do not agree with you when you speak of your faith, then don't speak of your faith. People of other persuasions have as much right to disagree with your thoughts on God as you do to disagree with theirs. Funny how we cling so strongly to our negative ...

Verrrrry interesting... I love it when new light is shed on Scripture or when folks posit ideas that make you go 'hmmmm'. While reading some discussion today about the crucifixion of Christ someone stated: "I find it wildly funny that most Christians are unaware of "Yehoshua Barrabbas" names' meaning. So... WHO was released again?" To which another replied: " No one. There isn't a Roman custom of releasing prisoners documented anywhere except the gospels. Unlikely this was historically true." In case you aren't familiar with the above mentioned Scriptures surrounding Jesus Christ and Barabbas, find a Bible or Google up your favorite translation and see any of the Synoptic Gospel accounts (such as Luke 23). Basically the story goes that Jesus of Nazareth was brought before Pontius Pilate accused of insurrection. Pilate found no fault with him but because of a custom that allowed one prisoner to be released he put Jesus of Naz...

I was reading some discussion today on Facebook regarding who killed Jesus. There was a lot of good information about the customs and ways of the time to bolster views as to whether or not it was the Romans who  did the deed or if it was the Sanhedrin or if Rome would have actually done the dirty work for the Sanhedrin. Fascinating stuff to step away from what has always been taught about the events surrounding Jesus' death (see my following post regarding an interesting thought about the man called 'Barrabbas') and consider some other ideas. Below are my thoughts about the 'Who really Killed him' question... "In terms of 'who' killed Jesus.... I honor historicity and I love to study the context and facts of what happened in the earthly realm, but if I step back and look at the larger picture, it doesn't matter that much to me which actual group or organization did the deed because there was something WAY bigger going on. I believe the point is...

 ...And why I washed my hands of the label 'Evangelical'   I am a bridge builder, not a bridge burner. And I want to be clear that in breaking from the organized machine known as 'Evengelical Christianity' , I am not breaking ties with my brothers and sisters in Christ who are of this group - many of whom I know would not agree with any of the recent happenings that effectively 'broke the camels back' for me. The bridge I am burning is one of ideology and treatment of others. Even the closest of Jesus' followers sometimes disagreed with one another's views but did not lose their identities as followers of the Jesus they knew and loved, brothers and children of the same God. They were just in different places in their understanding of Jesus' ministry and purpose. I do not condemn or think it is evil to believe that homosexuality is wrong. What I do have a problem with is the lengths to which many have gone to bring destruction to an entire group...

My heart is sad sometimes when I love people who others judge because of labels, religious ignorance and sexual orientation.  When students with special needs are ridiculed it's as if someone just hit one of my students.  When Christianity is slammed because the worst representations of it are painted broadly across my face and the faces of my beloved spiritual kin I am wounded.  When Muslims are bla nketly called terrorist and their faith dissected by outsiders it's as if my Muslim friends who I know to be good and kind are spat upon.  When homosexuals become scapegoats for fearful, angry people I want to gather my gay friends in my arms and shield them from the words and the judgement....  Just some days it's not worth opening Facebook for the vitriol.

I am taking a class called a MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) through a website called Coursera . Coursera MOOCs are taught by major universities in the United States and abroad - and they are FREE! If you enjoy learning I recommend checking out what they have to offer. The subject areas range from arts to history to engineering and trigonometry. Really, go check it out. It's a treasure trove for learning addicts like me. So, anyway, the class is called 'Creativity, Innovation and Change' which is taught by faculty from Penn State University. Its focus is to help you discover your creative style (everyone is creative - creativity is not limited to the arts and humanities!) and offers strategies for beginning and following through with innovative ideas. One of my favorite exercises was Life Ring. It is explained in detail in the book 'Center - A system of 6 practices for pursuing your passions and purpose in self, family, work and community'  - you can get this bo...

This is a conversation that came up on Facebook... The question: So, we are called to live like Christ. How would Christ handle personal and home protection in today's society?? Sure maybe he'd give all his stuff or not even have stuff to start with. What if someone came at him with the intent to harm? Would he act the same as he did in the Garden of Gethsemane and just let his attackers do what they will? If yes, does that mean, as Christ followers, we are called to NOT arm and protect ourselves, but let an attack happen? My response. These are things I have been wrestling with for a couple of years now. This is where I am personally on it (this does not mean that I judge anyone who is in a different place). Christ taught a radically different way to deal with enemies. He taught that we should love, serve and do good to those who would hurt or persecute us. An eye for an eye seems fair. But Jesus specifically said 'you have heard it said 'an eye f...

Great American Ball Park hosts a night for the dogs twice a summer. It's called Bark in The Park. Together with Sketch and our friends Missy and Jody, with their dogs Maggie and Riley, we traveled downtown to partake of this event. Sketch was very excited for a road trip. He had never been downtown. I wondered if he would even have the energy in his little 10 year old body to do all the walking that would be required. But he did just fine...Over there on his left you can see the real life image of the big dog that Sketch is in his own head.  Jim all set to take pictures, catch a fly ball and celebrate bow-tie Tuesday with some Dr. Who flair.   I've known Jody since I was in middle school. That's her walking in front  of Sketch. I've known Missy since college (we're the cheese balls in the back). I am blessed to call them my friends.  Because we think Sketch is a media magnet, Jim and I were on the Jumbotro...

Blogs that celebrate life.... Welcome to the newest incarnation of this Blog. Life's too short to be all bitching and whining all the time.... So come with me while I embrace the gloriousness of being the odd ball, dork, book nerd that I am! I promise to keep it upbeat 90% of the time (every girl needs a bitch margin) and hope that it becomes a place to forget about life's drudgery for a time. On Deck: Spiritual Musings Awkward Girl Fashion Music, TV, Film and Book reviews Reds and Bengals Life with Jim, the Fuzzies and all my crazy-ass friends The Big Guy says Enjoy being alive - and help make the world an even better place! So, come along with me - I hope we'll talk and share our experiences!

There is too much negativity in life, and I often contribute to it...There is too much negativity in the church and I contribute to it. I have been processing some stuff since I got smacked in the face with some church-related ugliness a few weeks ago and Papa has been working on me. I have been reminded that I can only control myself and what I focus on. Life is too short to do anything but learn how to love the way that Jesus did. 'Love except," 'love, but...." are not acceptable. Jesus does not teach that way. There are never any qualifiers in the extravagant love of God. Humans are always the ones who attach limits based on our fears and prejudices. Because we have to deal with human and spiritual darkness we do have to provide safeguards, but those should be minimal and address issues that would cause harm to other people - and please, your gay neighbors  are not  going to destroy your family. Seriously, that's just goofy to even worry about. I'm b...

Summer reading fun!   (all synopses are from Amazon.com) Currently I am reading: My Mother Was Nuts by Penny Marshall Most people know Penny Marshall as the director of Big and A League of Their Own. What they don’t know is her trailblazing career was a happy accident. In this funny and intimate memoir, Penny takes us from the stage of The Jackie Gleason Show in 1955 to Hollywood’s star-studded sets, offering up some hilarious detours along the way.....With humor and heart, My Mother Was Nuts reveals there’s no one else quite like Penny Marshall. Here is what's on deck:  The Phoenix Affirmations by Eric Elnes The Phoenix Affirmations , named for the town in which the principles were created and the mythological bird adopted by ancient Christians as a symbol of resurrection, offers disillusioned and spiritually homeless Christians and others a sense of hope and a more tolerant, joyful, and compassionate message than those we often hear from the...