Religulous

Why do the fanatics always get the most attention...?

"What do you think it says about religion when you can be ordained a minster when you are 10?"....

"People want their minsters to dress well. Jesus dressed well...when he was a baby they brought him gold..."

"Well, that's the same thing that a pimps would say!"

"Fags die. God laughs"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Gxc0XEoQpQ

Seriously! Even from the inside religion this sounds absolutely ridiculous. What do we have to do, say or communicate in order for the world to know that the act of faith doesn't mean you're a freak...

I have met so many mean and nasty people who are in the church... No wonder the world doesn't understand the life transforming power of God's love.

Lord, forgive our arrogance and the ways we fail to live our the message of love for ALL people. May we begin to see clearly and stop distorting Your truth.

1st Sunday of Christmas

Merry Christmas!
It has happened again! Christ was born of Mary and the Holy Spirit. God has chosen to come and dwell on Earth so that we might be nearer to the Holy One. So, we might yet again know how much we are loved.

This is my first Christmas as a married woman. Together we went to NY so that I could get a glimpse of the 72 foot tree full of lights! I hosted my new family for dinner on Christmas Eve between services. I have many reasons to be cheery and full of joy. May God come into my heart and flood it with light and love so that I might truly know the joy fulfilled.

May I know this joy and may I be filled to overflowing that it spill over to all those around me.

I am headed to a Christmas Worship today that is all in German. Perhaps hearing the songs, prayers and the Word in my second language will spark my heart.

The Good News - even though I might not feel the cheer, and know, truly know, the joy, God continues to work, God continues to create, God continues to love...! May we all know that joy that is only found in the Holy one who choose to become flesh! Emanuel! God is with us!

Eine Deutsch Lehrerin?

Oh My gosh... I am going to be teaching German at the Boston Language Institute...
I never thought I would be teaching German.... Can I do this? How is my grammar? My punctuation? My spelling??? Ahahahha!

What was I just saying about new beginnings? Hah. God works quickly..

http://www.bostonlanguage.com/

Has it been this long...

February was the heart of winter here in the Northeast. It was also the heart of the winter of my life. It is fascinating to look back know in my bones that the last 7-8 months of my life were probably the darkest, loneliest and most nourishing in all of my life.

This beautiful arrangement of autumn flowers sits beside as I write. They were given to me from a new place of life and hope in my life, a man who sees me for the beautiful person I know myself to be.

After the dark of winter, I am finding a place of potential, a place of growth and a place of hope. Feeling radically welcomed and embraced by new life and new possibilities.

Life in the parish remains muddled with human-ness, but also beginning to show signs of change. Oh, if it weren't for the Holy Spirit and her move'n, I'd have collapsed or drowned under the weight of burden by now. But, there is new life. New conversations, new ways of thinking, new look on he old Word of God's amazing love and grace.

May God's grace and the working of Her Holy Spirit continue to breath the intoxicating sent of fresh hope.

Snow Shoeing

I had my first chance at snow shoeing today. What a glorious way to be out in nature. There is nothing better then working up a sweat while you are out in the cold air. The powdery snow was fun to play in. I felt a bit like a child going on a new adventure!

Here in the foot hills of New Hampshire's White Mountains, the air is beautifully crisp and clear. I was so glad to be leaving the city behind for a couple of days. It is one of the best things I could have done. I am serving as chaplain for a family retreat this week. My topic for devotions and Bible Study has been prayer.

This is the week before Lent begins. Ash Wednesday is tomorrow. We will once again hear the words from Jesus instructing us to pray the "Lord's Prayer" and reminding us not to wear our religious practices out in the open for fear of falling like the Pharisees.

This season of the church year is one where we so often talk about our spiritual disciplines and practices, including prayer. I think the last thing we all need to to be taught once again, "how to pray." I think we often have been lead astray.

There isn't just one or two ways of praying. There are hundreds. Prayer is a life attentive to God's Holy and life giving, steadfast presence.

Be intentional. Chose to do an activity because you are seeking the Holy. Don't just go on the walk or on a snow shoeing hike in order to become more physically fit. Go out with the intention of soaking up, diving into God's beautiful creation.

And pay attention. This has to do with focusing ouor minds and hearts on God as we engage into our activity. Being present in the moment. I really think that the eastern religions have this practice down and we Christians have a lot to learn.