The gift of sabbath

For the first time in my professional career, i took a vacation "because i was tired." I wasn't frustrated, i wasn't angry, or burnt out...i was just tired.

It was amazing.

Not only because i was able for the first time to honor sabbath, but also because even in the midst of the violence on my street, the angst that flows through the virgin islands, and the challenges faced by a Bishop trying to bring a new vision to an old diocese, i am here only because god called me to be here.

I took a break because it was time for a break from a real call and to become refreshed for my next round of challenges and work.

Today? I was teaching at All Saints School all day. back in the saddle, making plans, and planning trips for the powerhouse visitors i hope to bring here from across the country. and trips to take powerhouse ministers from the virgin islands to let the rest of the country see them.

It was amazing. I miss my family and friends already, but know that without them, i wouldn't be able to be here anyway.

Transitions

Yesterday i cleaned my house and packed up what little worldly posessions i have (about three medium sized boxes) right up until the moment i decided to take a break...and passed out for an hour.

Today, i was able to move an apartment's worth of free furniture into a house i am able to live in because of the church's generosity and my (hopefully) hard work.

Tomorrow, i fly through Puerto Rico to Boston, and then to Pittsburgh to be re-united with my family.

How quickly life can change in the matter of three days.

balancing hope and fear

When you look at this picture, you can't help but think about things like peace, life, wind, open oceans, etc. I am trying so desperately to keep my focus on these concepts and keep them away from the other side of life here in the islands. I know more about betrayal than i do support. I know more about political warfare than i do cooperation. I know more about anger than i do joy.

Why do people in the church treat each other this way?
Why do they sabotage any forward progress, just because it's not forward progress in the direction they would like to go?

And how do i fit into this mess as a minister?

life after gunshots

i was eating a cheeseburger yesterday, and the back door of the truck fell open. I jumped out of my seat.
I was driving through Charlotte Amalia when a car backfired. I almost wrecked while trying to duck and cover.
Someone slammed a door in diocesan house. I almost peed myself.

This is what happens when you're nerves are shot from living in a neighborhood of constant violence and gunfights. Of backyard dogfights, cat screams, rats, garbage, and dirt. I'm so done with garden street, and so done with people thinking that because i live in the caribbean that live is always sunny and i have nothing to complain about.

It's raining outside.
A nice guy was almost killed this sunday.
...and you can bet there'll be payback once he gets out of the hospital...

i gotta get outa here.

the secret to change

“Watch your thoughts, for they become words.
Watch your words, for they become actions.
Watch your actions, for they become habits.
Watch your habits, for they become character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.”

bulletin posting from St. Andrfew's Church last Sunday

Role Models.

This last Tuesday, we elected a role model to the White House, maybe the first Role Model to be elected in a very long time. Despite the issues facing our country and the hot button topics of the economy, war, and health care, I have found it incredibly comforting when listening to youth throughout the nation that they were more impressed by WHO Barack Obama IS, not simply how he speaks or his proposed agenda. We as a country have stood up and cried out for change. Saying that we need the best people to lead us, and the old prejudices will not hold us back. We chose our next Role Model, not simply someone who gives us the answers we want to hear.

So how can we here at St. Andrew's gather around that rally cry? How can we follow the leading of the Spirit into this new age? How can each of us commit further to the hope and change espoused in the recent Presidential race?

Each of us, no doubt, has our own answer, but today i'd like to ask you to consider following Christ's example and committing to leading by your actions and your deeds so that our most precious resource may see you and have hope for themselves and our combined future. You see, the most prevalent issue facing the youth of this territory (as it has been voiced to me by many of you) is that of the lack of Role Models. We critize that parents aren't parenting anymore. Our young men are killing each other in the street. Here at St. Andrew's, it's hard to excite people to become AYO sponsors, or volunteer for others of the numerous ministries happening on First Avenue.

When we look back on this exciting time in our lives, will we be able to say we have followed our President-Elect with "Yes we can!" echoing from our lips, or will we look back in sorrow at how the Islands have changed for the worse, while we sat and shook our heads wondering what we could have done to build a better and stronger community in which our children can become Role Models themselves. Mahatma Ghandi is credited with saying, "YOU must be the change you wish to see in the world."
If you are not comfortable letting our youth raise themselves, or if you are not willing to let this post-Christian world show them how greed, self devaluation, and materialism are their new golden rules, then stand up, become a mentor, and change your future by loving our youth in the name of Christ. Can we make this territory better for them? Yes we can.

View from my porch