Wednesday, May 16, 2012

looking ahead

I shared my story with a group of women this past weekend.  It was a humbling and very exciting experience. I think God is up to something because I am sensing that feeling of preparation again.  I know he is leading me and will bring to pass whatever is planned for me.  I just know it will be something, perhaps something big....?

I had a conversation with a couple of key people from our mission and the prospects of what my role could be when we leave in August to serve overseas. Our church partners are requesting from our mission education, empowerment, and encouragement for their women.  They want to address menstruation taboos that are impeding the education of girls and other pertinent issues that are impacting their women from moving ahead.  I will be there in a position to serve them.  But I have to wonder, could it be for me to speak out on women's issues on a broader, potentially national scale? Perhaps all this interest and exposure to gender issues is for such a time as this. 


"Aslan is on the move." 

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

earth, wind, fire, water

There's just something about the elements.  Without them we wouldn't live.  And yet, they have the power to destroy life.

Just pondering...

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

open minds

So, how often do we pass judgment before we have all the facts?  Like, all the time.  I just had a conversation regarding someone's opinion about the Vagina Monologues who didn't have all the facts because they didn't see the show, only read the critical reviews. I was even put out and offended when I read the reviews...and not to say they were not correct, they were.  However, they missed the point.  The whole premise of the message of the Vagina Monologues was about women being sexually abused and assaulted. A couple of monologues were for comic relief. Were they vulgar?  Perhaps, that is if you consider talking about orgasms as vulgar.  Religious of any sort? Definitely not.  Pure female human sexuality, as it is in today's western culture.  For adult audiences only.

Frankly, I think expressing our sexuality openly is a sign of maturity.  But some would like to keep it sacred.  Surely, our intimacy is sacred, created by God for our pure pleasure and oneness.  It is indeed the most spiritual human interaction of our existence.  I can not wait to meet the Creator of this wonderment face to face and thank him for such a beautiful act of love and oneness.  What an amazing God to give us such an amazing gift!!  It is sacred, for sure.  However, when it's stolen, used against women and girls, hated, and made more than dirty then we have a real problem.  Women have been abused and assaulted sexually and then are told such things are not to be talked about, therefore we suffer in silence.  Breaking the silence is what the Vagina Monologues are all about.

Breaking the silence, however it's done, is always good.

Monday, May 7, 2012

the things that matter

"In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty, and in all things, love."

Recently, I was at a church where the preacher was talking about missions (imagine that).  He mentioned the Moravian church movement and their commitment to sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ to all people.  There's a great painting entitled "First Fruits" which portrays all the first converts from different tribes and clans.  It's a marvelous picture of unity in diversity. 

I've been wandering around with thoughts of the things that separate us and unify us.  There's been a rift in our church that has exposed the sin of men in leadership.  Not just our church, but the capital 'C' Church.  But interestingly, these very rifts are allowing for new thoughts and ways of doing church to emerge.  I think it's pretty exciting, if you ask me!  However, there's much division rising up over views and interpretations that essentially are non-essential.  It's a hard life when we focus on the non-essentials and allow them to divide us. So I wonder, what exactly is 'essential?'

It's the story of God. Creation by GOD the Father, the fall of humanity, redemption by GOD the Son, and reconciliation by GOD the Holy Spirit.

Creation, Fall, Redemption, Reconciliation.

How that all plays out in individual lives or collective cultures is as diverse as the anyone can imagine.  And quite possibly non-essential for that matter.

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

cost of obedience

Obedience is costly.  And I have paid a very high price.

My obedience led me to the mission field where I found myself questioning many, many things.  I saw racism.  I saw legalism.  I saw rancid piety.  Hypocrisy was all around me.  So here I was, professing to be a Christian while questioning everything around me eroded my confidence in the religion of my choice.  Was it erosion or enlightenment?  However, I fear I have passed on my questioning mind to my children.  Some say this is a good thing to ask questions, but I have to wonder.  Because now, at this time, my children do not live for God as I would like.  They choose not the things of God to focus on.  They care not to worship God in His house.  They reject the Church, His bride.  I feel they have rejected the very essence of my core...my faith in Jesus and my love for God. 

It breaks my heart to see them so far from the very source of life itself.  I feel I have failed them. 

And yet, I will follow my Jesus wherever he leads; though none go with me, I still will follow.