I’m reading a book called Speaking of Faith by Krista Tippett, host of the Public Radio show of the same name.
It’s a smart and interesting book about the intersection of faith and reason and the search for a belief system that grows along with us. I love the idea that faith can be fluid, rather than fixed. It just makes sense. Shouldn’t our faith continue to evolve like everything else? Shouldn’t we go deeper into the stories and mystery as we grow, rather than staying penned in by tenets that don’t jibe with what our maturing minds and hearts tell us is true?
I believe so.
Tippett quotes many of my favorite people in her book, including Albert Einstein and Dietrich Bonhoeffer. All her sources manage to look beyond the apparent in search of the divine. I can’t help trying to do the same. And I love to read the insightful comments of other seekers.
If you, too, long for a faith that encompasses the ever-expanding breadth of the heart, mind, and soul, then I suggest this book as an affirming and enlightening read.
Let me know what you think.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Glorious creations
I was storyteller in Worship and Wonder today.
Per the schedule, I drew the Creation story. Oh boy, I thought. Maybe I'll have to interject a little lesson on Darwin.
The children, mostly new to our church and exceptionally wide-eyed, sat rapt as I displayed cards representing the wonders of the world upon the blue felt, blessed each with my hand, and pronounced it good.
During prayer time, little voices thanked God for the sun and the rain and the green grass and grandmothers -- all things that sweeten life and reveal the divine.
At the end of the service, I felt that afterglow that comes from watching children express their spirituality. I decided the story was meant for me to tell today, after all.
I needed the reminder to thank God for our beautiful world, and all its beautiful creatures.
Per the schedule, I drew the Creation story. Oh boy, I thought. Maybe I'll have to interject a little lesson on Darwin.
The children, mostly new to our church and exceptionally wide-eyed, sat rapt as I displayed cards representing the wonders of the world upon the blue felt, blessed each with my hand, and pronounced it good.
During prayer time, little voices thanked God for the sun and the rain and the green grass and grandmothers -- all things that sweeten life and reveal the divine.
At the end of the service, I felt that afterglow that comes from watching children express their spirituality. I decided the story was meant for me to tell today, after all.
I needed the reminder to thank God for our beautiful world, and all its beautiful creatures.
Friday, August 31, 2007
A child's spirit
I got to help some 3rd graders with creative writing this morning.
At first, I was struck by how different each child looked. Some were smaller than my sons were in kindergarten; others were much bigger than they are now. There were children with light skin and children with dark skin -- shy children and talkative children -- children in fancy dresses and children in tattered clothing.
As a writer, each child had different strengths. Some were great with plot, others with description. Every child also had room to grow. They were works in progress, opened up before me. Each shone with a unique and beautiful spirit.
It was such a poignant sampling of God’s handiwork.
That special time, huddled together at a little table outside the classroom, reminded me of the wonder and beauty of God’s creations.
I can hardly wait to go back next week.
At first, I was struck by how different each child looked. Some were smaller than my sons were in kindergarten; others were much bigger than they are now. There were children with light skin and children with dark skin -- shy children and talkative children -- children in fancy dresses and children in tattered clothing.
As a writer, each child had different strengths. Some were great with plot, others with description. Every child also had room to grow. They were works in progress, opened up before me. Each shone with a unique and beautiful spirit.
It was such a poignant sampling of God’s handiwork.
That special time, huddled together at a little table outside the classroom, reminded me of the wonder and beauty of God’s creations.
I can hardly wait to go back next week.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Children and gun violence
I’ve been writing an article about children and guns for the November issue of DisciplesWorld.
It’s been rough going. Not because of lack of resources or motivation, but because the topic gets me right in the solar plexus.
I have an emotional storehouse there. It includes the video of Seung-Hui Cho ranting before his rampage at Virginia Tech. It includes memories of watching the horror unfold at Columbine. It includes news of a friend’s suicide. It includes all the stories I’ve ever read about children killing with and being killed by guns. And it includes the veiled threats and insults of gun rights advocates who rebutted my anti-gun essay.
I’ve been traumatized simply by living in our violent world.
I hate that I’ve developed something akin to a fear response when it comes to this issue. It muddles my mind and gets in the way of action.
Maybe that’s why I’m so impressed with the growing movement started by Abby Spangler at Protest Easy Guns. Thanks to this growing grassroots effort, groups of 32 people all over the country are lying down -- wearing orange and maroon ribbons -- to protest easy access to guns.
Why 32? In memory of the victims who died at Virginia Tech and because about 32 people die from gun violence every day in our country.
Groups of 32 are cropping up everywhere. Today alone, protests are being held in Raleigh, Philadelphia, Minneapolis, Richmond (CA), Springfield (IL), Portland (ME), and Seattle.
So far, none have been planned for Indiana. Our state doesn’t have a chapter of the Million Mom March. Silence speaks volumes.
So, I’m spreading the word about Protest Easy Guns. It’s only a small contribution, compared to what others are doing today.
But it’s a start.
I’m also hoping to interview Reverend Rachel Smith, founder of God not Guns, for my article. I’m certain I won’t have room to include all her thoughts, so I’ll share more here.
Stay tuned…
It’s been rough going. Not because of lack of resources or motivation, but because the topic gets me right in the solar plexus.
I have an emotional storehouse there. It includes the video of Seung-Hui Cho ranting before his rampage at Virginia Tech. It includes memories of watching the horror unfold at Columbine. It includes news of a friend’s suicide. It includes all the stories I’ve ever read about children killing with and being killed by guns. And it includes the veiled threats and insults of gun rights advocates who rebutted my anti-gun essay.
I’ve been traumatized simply by living in our violent world.
I hate that I’ve developed something akin to a fear response when it comes to this issue. It muddles my mind and gets in the way of action.
Maybe that’s why I’m so impressed with the growing movement started by Abby Spangler at Protest Easy Guns. Thanks to this growing grassroots effort, groups of 32 people all over the country are lying down -- wearing orange and maroon ribbons -- to protest easy access to guns.
Why 32? In memory of the victims who died at Virginia Tech and because about 32 people die from gun violence every day in our country.
Groups of 32 are cropping up everywhere. Today alone, protests are being held in Raleigh, Philadelphia, Minneapolis, Richmond (CA), Springfield (IL), Portland (ME), and Seattle.
So far, none have been planned for Indiana. Our state doesn’t have a chapter of the Million Mom March. Silence speaks volumes.
So, I’m spreading the word about Protest Easy Guns. It’s only a small contribution, compared to what others are doing today.
But it’s a start.
I’m also hoping to interview Reverend Rachel Smith, founder of God not Guns, for my article. I’m certain I won’t have room to include all her thoughts, so I’ll share more here.
Stay tuned…
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
A prodigal life
I taught Sunday school last week. The lesson was about the prodigal son.
The kids were supposed to draw a picture of a loving parent. I passed out paper and everyone sat there and stared at me. No one picked up a marker.
"My parents yell a lot, " one girl offered.
I ended up suggesting they imagine what a loving parent might look like and draw that.
Now, I know these children have loving parents. But that doesn't mean family life is easy. It's been a long summer. One extended car trip can just about do most of us in.
Anyhow, it turned out to be a good lesson for all of us -- children and parents -- who feel less than loving sometimes. Because it's about forgiveness.
God forgives us, we forgive ourselves, we forgive others, and -- hopefully -- they forgive us.
It's our only hope.
The kids were supposed to draw a picture of a loving parent. I passed out paper and everyone sat there and stared at me. No one picked up a marker.
"My parents yell a lot, " one girl offered.
I ended up suggesting they imagine what a loving parent might look like and draw that.
Now, I know these children have loving parents. But that doesn't mean family life is easy. It's been a long summer. One extended car trip can just about do most of us in.
Anyhow, it turned out to be a good lesson for all of us -- children and parents -- who feel less than loving sometimes. Because it's about forgiveness.
God forgives us, we forgive ourselves, we forgive others, and -- hopefully -- they forgive us.
It's our only hope.
Monday, July 16, 2007
More alchemy
“Everyone on earth has a treasure that awaits him,” his heart said. “We, people’s hearts, seldom say much about those treasures, because people no longer want to go in search of them. We speak of them only to children. Later, we simply let life proceed, in its own direction, toward its own fate. But, unfortunately, very few follow the path laid out for them – the path to their Personal Legends, and to happiness. Most people see the world as a threatening place, and, because they do, the world turns out, indeed, to be a threatening place.” (p. 131), The Alchemist
This passage brought tears to my eyes.
Several reasons, I think. First, the affirmation that what children know –and say and do – is true. I knew my own truth as a child, but very early began to shape it into what I hoped would be pleasing to the world. Now, I am watching my children do the same.
I want to stop the erosion of the truth, but I cannot. I hope I will notice and remember what is real and true in my children’s natures and be more help than hindrance when they seek to uncover their Personal Legends.
Also – I am simply sad that so many of us march out of time with our true natures and longings.
And, finally, another affirmation – that the world we perceive as threatening becomes more so. This is the crux of my struggle with the modern world. People say I’m naïve because I don’t believe we need guns to be safe. I say we create the safety of our world through our actions and beliefs.
This simple allegory begs to be re-read often, with fresh questions and perspective. If I can take one thing away with me now, it’s the knowledge that my treasure is where my heart is. Individual and indeterminable by anyone who doesn’t possess my heart – only I can find my treasure.
I’ll be seeking.
This passage brought tears to my eyes.
Several reasons, I think. First, the affirmation that what children know –and say and do – is true. I knew my own truth as a child, but very early began to shape it into what I hoped would be pleasing to the world. Now, I am watching my children do the same.
I want to stop the erosion of the truth, but I cannot. I hope I will notice and remember what is real and true in my children’s natures and be more help than hindrance when they seek to uncover their Personal Legends.
Also – I am simply sad that so many of us march out of time with our true natures and longings.
And, finally, another affirmation – that the world we perceive as threatening becomes more so. This is the crux of my struggle with the modern world. People say I’m naïve because I don’t believe we need guns to be safe. I say we create the safety of our world through our actions and beliefs.
This simple allegory begs to be re-read often, with fresh questions and perspective. If I can take one thing away with me now, it’s the knowledge that my treasure is where my heart is. Individual and indeterminable by anyone who doesn’t possess my heart – only I can find my treasure.
I’ll be seeking.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Listening to children
I’m reading a little book called The Alchemist, written by Paulo Coelho.
One of my favorite parts so far is when Santiago, the shepherd, tells a gypsy about his recurring dream. Santiago says that, in the dream, a child tells him that his treasure can be found at the base of the pyramids in Egypt.
The gypsy says something like: “If a child said it, it must be true.”
The gypsy’s comment echoes my experience. Children are wiser than adults. Usually, if a child says it, it is true.
No wonder we tell them to hush.
This is why I think children should be at the forefront of church life. They know what we adults have forgotten in the process of growing up. Because of this, they are closer to God.
I also read a book by an angry atheist this summer. He believes the church commits great evil by indoctrinating children with religion when they are too naive to know fact from fiction.
I guess I have more faith in children. I see their open hearts and ability to understand the unseen as great assets in the church -- and in the world. The trouble is the adults who try to dismiss them.
If a child said it, it must be true.
We better start listening.
One of my favorite parts so far is when Santiago, the shepherd, tells a gypsy about his recurring dream. Santiago says that, in the dream, a child tells him that his treasure can be found at the base of the pyramids in Egypt.
The gypsy says something like: “If a child said it, it must be true.”
The gypsy’s comment echoes my experience. Children are wiser than adults. Usually, if a child says it, it is true.
No wonder we tell them to hush.
This is why I think children should be at the forefront of church life. They know what we adults have forgotten in the process of growing up. Because of this, they are closer to God.
I also read a book by an angry atheist this summer. He believes the church commits great evil by indoctrinating children with religion when they are too naive to know fact from fiction.
I guess I have more faith in children. I see their open hearts and ability to understand the unseen as great assets in the church -- and in the world. The trouble is the adults who try to dismiss them.
If a child said it, it must be true.
We better start listening.
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