John 16:33:
"These thing i have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage! ...I have overcome the world."
nice...
Thursday, February 19, 2009
WOW
it's been soo very long since i posted here, and need to get back into the habit.
THIS WEEK at All Saints School, we talked about what happens when there is a need going on around you, but you just aren't ready to meet it. What do you need to change about yourself, your community, your future?
When the wine was gone, Jesus' mother said to him, "They have no more wine."
"Dear woman, why do you involve me?" Jesus replied, "My time has not yet come."
His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you."
we also split up by sexes, since there is an obvious undertone here between Jesus and his mom. So when you look around you, where in your life is someone saying, "HEY, if you don't help with a miracle, this 'party' is gonna die!"
even jesus wasn't ready...so it's ok for us to be a little creeped out by the call to ministry, but if we hide our heads in the sand, sit and spin, and watch the world go by, our lives will have meant nothing but a testament to our own selfishness and kingdon building.
"Do whatever he tells you"
THIS WEEK at All Saints School, we talked about what happens when there is a need going on around you, but you just aren't ready to meet it. What do you need to change about yourself, your community, your future?
When the wine was gone, Jesus' mother said to him, "They have no more wine."
"Dear woman, why do you involve me?" Jesus replied, "My time has not yet come."
His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you."
we also split up by sexes, since there is an obvious undertone here between Jesus and his mom. So when you look around you, where in your life is someone saying, "HEY, if you don't help with a miracle, this 'party' is gonna die!"
even jesus wasn't ready...so it's ok for us to be a little creeped out by the call to ministry, but if we hide our heads in the sand, sit and spin, and watch the world go by, our lives will have meant nothing but a testament to our own selfishness and kingdon building.
"Do whatever he tells you"
Thursday, January 15, 2009
teenagers
if you've ever wondered why you don't or can't work with teenagers, here are some lessons taught to me by my friends and students at All Saint's Cathedral School. Maybe they might be helpful in finding the wall keeping you from formation ministries:
1. Teenagers are bluntly honest 90% of the time (wouldn't life be different if adults operated this way?)
2. Teenagers don't hide their judgments (like adults do, for the sake, they say, of politeness)
3. Teenagers make decisions based on emotions they feel, not logic they think.
4. Teenagers are constantly moving. If you can't keep up, then you're out of the game and ancient history.
5. teenagers will never respect your military, "respect me or else" attitude. You must GIVE respect to get it. This applies to standards, rules, and work ethic. As Ghandi put it: You MUST BE the change you wish to see in the world. Take this attitude and apply to issues of race, gender, orientation...and maybe there might be an answer there for us older people.
And i pray to god that i never run out of the desire to walk along side a teenager and student, if just for a little while.
1. Teenagers are bluntly honest 90% of the time (wouldn't life be different if adults operated this way?)
2. Teenagers don't hide their judgments (like adults do, for the sake, they say, of politeness)
3. Teenagers make decisions based on emotions they feel, not logic they think.
4. Teenagers are constantly moving. If you can't keep up, then you're out of the game and ancient history.
5. teenagers will never respect your military, "respect me or else" attitude. You must GIVE respect to get it. This applies to standards, rules, and work ethic. As Ghandi put it: You MUST BE the change you wish to see in the world. Take this attitude and apply to issues of race, gender, orientation...and maybe there might be an answer there for us older people.
And i pray to god that i never run out of the desire to walk along side a teenager and student, if just for a little while.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
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.
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.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
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.
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.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
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?
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
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.
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.
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