our measure of goodness

from a sweet, quietly inspiring movie entitled Chocolat:

"Listen, here's what I think. I think we can't go around measuring our goodness by what we don't do, what we deny ourselves, what we resist, and who we exclude. I think we've got to measure our goodness by what we embrace, what we create, and who we include." Pere Henri

no dictation please

A conversation with a friend {you know who you are ;-)} this week got me thinking again ... about how much many of us are concerned with what others think about us. I've given a lot of that up, but are we ever able to overcome those concerns fully? I certainly hope so.

Here's some food for thought:

"I wouldn't worry about what people thought about me so much if I realize how seldom they did." anonymous

"What people think about you is none of your business." anonymous

"You only have one life to live, and it will most certainly pass quicker than anticipated. Your life need not be dictated by others' expectations of you ... influenced by others, affected by others, inspired by others, yes ... but not dictated by others." Shelley

answers

before you read this, you need to know that i have a bad attitude this week:



so i was looking online for a specific church that states its focus is on faith and justice issues.

while i'm hopeful that this is a wonderful church, with wonderful people ... i have to wonder about a statement on the website.



"If you are searching for God or just need a safe place to get your questions answered - we welcome you here".



wow. a place to get my questions answered. the problem is that one could visit a number of other churches, groups, denominations, etc. that would give completely different answers to my same questions. what if i'm not even looking to get my questions answered ... am i still welcome there? what if i think i know (some of) the answers and want to share with them, am i welcome to give my opinion there?


seems to me that if someone/some church/some denomination/some religion, etc. has the answers (at least if they claim to have them ALL) i would want to steer clear, especially if they are not willing to dialogue.


my experience has been that the more we seek the answers, the more questions we have. and the more we ask, the less the answers "fit" the questions we are actually asking.

not sure if this makes sense ... not sure if it needs to.

loving god, loving each other, loving me

We are composed of our circumstances, our experiences, our relationships, our genetics, and personalities.

We are defined by our very existence, being the fruition of God's love and creativity.

We are shaped by the reflection of our hearts' desires, for what we truly value and believe we will live out.

We are on a journey of discovery together:
Together we remind each other that God has created us with a purpose.
Together we are strong; we grow in wisdom and discernment as our lives intermingle.
Together we explore, recognize and affirm one another's unique identities.

So it seems loving God, loving each other and loving ourselves is beautiful and complete while in community.

Thanks for being my community and for being on this journey with me.

In response to a post of Tim Neufeld

Tim,
I remember reading your article and being drawn in ... again ... to the new ways of thinking, praying, worshiping, experiencing, expressing our love to, and for, God. I have taken part in a prayer labyrinth and it was the most moving and meaningful prayer experience in probably, well probably ever. There are practices that other persons of faith (whether Christian or other) that I don't understand and that do not resonate with me. But I would never assume that just because I don't "get" them I should ban those practices for all or be afraid of them ... unless, of course, they are in direct conflict with the teachings of Jesus.

Amen to your refereces to some of our accepted "props" used in the church today: the organ, cymbals and tambourines, a sanctuary, pews, the sermon, the baptistry, the professional pastor, etc. I am grateful for the church building, especially on days with extreme climate difficulties. I appreciate the many giftings God has shared with those who are musical, creative, articulate, those who have vision and wisdom to share (even from the pulpit on occasion :-)).

I suppose I am sounding a bit negative. It seems that I have held on to a tad bit of bitterness that stems from being a part of so many churches that did not encourage me to think for myself, to ask questions, to let the Holy Spirit guide me and speak to me. I don't think anyone should follow someone else's "recipe" for acceptable church gatherings, prayer practices, or anything else for that matter.

God is a god of movement.  I think we should be people of movement.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

August 11, 2008
Ancient Spiritual Practices
I wrote an article for our monthly Mennonite Brethren publication, Christian Leader, entitled "The New Old Spirituality." The result was a fair amount of critique and criticism and three months worth of letters-to-the-editor. My intent was to demonstrate how teens and young adults are vitalized by new forms of prayer, forms which have their roots in ancient practices. Here's a thrilling image: teens waiting in line to pray! Somehow that got lost amongst a discussion of what is orthodox or pagan. Prayer, it seems, is only to be practiced in certain approved fashions.
Here's what I've learned:
There are many MBs who are anti-Catholic; my apologies to my Catholic friends, people who are deeply committed to following Christ and his teachings.
There are many MBs who are afraid of anything new. Many complaints came from those saying that Menno (Simons) would never do this (whatever "this" practice might be). They point back to a standard that was set by Menno and must be maintained. Hmm, but didn't Menno himself start new practices? See http://rollovermenno.wordpress.com/ for more critique at this level from a group of folks who are self-proclaimed gatekeepers of Menno-traditions. [Update: I just discovered that this site is now password protected - not quite sure why.]
There are many MBs who are afraid of anything old (or older than 1525). Prayer labyrinths, lectio divina,the Jesus Prayer - not acceptable, they're not found in the Bible. Hmm, tell me again what verse the organ is found in? (I do think I saw some cymbals and tambourines mentioned a number of times however.) How about a sanctuary, pews, the sermon, the baptistry, the professional pastor, etc.?
Paranoia spreads quickly and anything a person disagrees with can be labeled heresy.
We're becoming more Southern Baptist by the day; my apologies to my SBC friends, people who are deeply committed to following Christ and his teachings.
If you are interested in reading the article that started the controversy, here it is. Here's a teaser as well:
Imagine this scene. Teens silently form a line in a hallway, patiently waiting late into the night to enter a room in which they will experience an ancient spiritual discipline: contemplative prayer. When they emerge from the prayer room an hour later, many have tears in their eyes, smiles on their faces and peace in their hearts. They have just walked a prayer labyrinth, an interactive eleven-station experience in which the participants learn to practice the presence of Christ. Scenes like this are happening again and again in churches, camps and conferences all over North America.

My treasure

“Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Matthew 6:21

While my direction the last two years has been pointed toward finishing the renovation of our house, I realize that it has shifted more lately toward the vitalization of my community.

While my focus has been ensuring that our house is more than a physical structure, that it is a home, I notice that I have been concentrating on solidifying the efforts that make my community my home, wherever they are.

While my actions have proven that I want to provide more than enough space for myself & my "stuff" and that I want to live freely and within my right to privacy, I acknowledge that I am interested in sharing my material possessions and broadening my "bubble", letting people get closer, sharing my time and energy more than ever before.

While my treasure has lain in these goals and in the tangibility of my own comfortable existence, I find that I am increasingly mindful of what it could mean to lose a bit of my own entitlements in order to be with, serve with, be in closer proximity to those in my community.

This being said, an idea that Barry came up with many months ago (and that I consistently shot down) won't get out of my head (or is it my heart?).

Communal living
What could/would this look like?

What would the benefits be?
environmental
community ever present
convenience
economical?
responsible
extended family
care for one another, as in physically should one of us become ill
losen my grip around what I consider "mine"
share vehicles / share kid care (more easily) / one Costco card!! hehe

What would the drawbacks be?
too much time with others?
not enough privacy?
relationships change?
accountability - sounds like a benefit, but feels like a drawback :-)
could all be a part? or only those who could contribute financially?

Many more questions ...

"Tell McCain to End the Politics of Hate" on youtube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5mdIPNB8t8


That brought on a 5-minute crying spell. Where are we headed as a human race, let alone a nation? Will we EVER learn how to love one another? ... respect one another? ... show grace to one another? ... at the very LEAST (using a word I have learned to despise) tolerate one another? I am so incredibly saddened to hear the hatred in these voices, to see the unjust practices in these hearts, and to sense the quiet call to continued violence.