Evolution takes a shot to the biscuits

Scientists formulate new hypothesis in their quest for the true origin of species...

Staying at the Table

During my orientation at seminary a few weeks ago, we were asked to read a brief article by Parker Palmer and reflect on its meaning in our lives of faith. Though in the subsequent weeks I've not had much time to continue to ponder the challenge laid down by the author, I still think it's worth touching on for anyone who might actually read this.

In the article, the author's "table" allusion is to that of the Last Supper. What enabled Jesus, even with the knowledge of his imminent betrayal, to stay at the table with his disciples? Palmer claims the secret to be placing "reliance not on yourself or others but on God alone." In the Church, I believe this involves a willingness to show grace toward others even when we don't agree with their views. It also might not be a bad idea to admit that we don't know all the answers.

The challenge is to have the humility to admit that we might not always have it right. Too often we become fundamentalists, though not in the legalistic sense common to this generation. Think about it - doesn't fundamentalism imply an adherence to a set of uncompromising beliefs? While we all need to hang our hat somewhere, the danger occurs when our egos become so attached to our theological/ecclesiastical framework that we will not even dialogue with those who see things through a slightly different lens. I'm not going to turn this into a sermon, because that's not my job, but consider this a confession:

In the last two years, I had an incredibly difficult time staying at the table. Due to an unfortunate series of events, I was hurt by some of my table-mates. The shock was
so overwhelming that I felt like I no longer had a voice. I stayed at the table, but more or less with the attitude of the high school freshman bored out of his mind in Algebra class.
Knowing all the answers, he leans back in his chair and bides his time. Arrogance in time squashes teachability. Now separated by both time and distance, I've been able to do some
self-reflection...and sometimes that's not fun. Suffice it to say that I am repenting, and slowly I'm learning to humble myself at the table. Unfortunately even in the Church, we are capable of hurting one another. But...and this is a big But...we also are not just called but commanded to reconcile with our siblings in Christ (Matthew 5:24-25). For some of us "pacifists", that is a really difficult teaching, especially in a generation where marriages are no longer considered "reconciling" 30-40% of the time.

My prayer: God, your Church has been entrusted to your beloved Son. It was, is, and always will be Jesus Christ's church. As we stumble along the narrow path, often weaving like drunkards, teach us to be humble. Let the leaders in our midst seek to follow the ways of Jesus and his apostles recorded in Scripture. When our hearts have grown calloused, may the Holy Spirit do his renewing work. May local bodies have unity within their community, and may the myriad of denominations, or lack thereof, in our midst grow in following your example of grace. Whether our starting point is Scripture or culture, remind us that you are not just a message, but that you are alive in our midst, even when our hearts ache and you feel so far removed. And let us look forward to the day when you will draw us for all time to your table.
In Christ's name,
Amen

I hope you'll take a few minutes to read/skim the article linked above, and be challenged to be imitators of Christ.

Blessings

That's my Dawg

OK, so I have to be honest. I've been here in PA about 3 1/2 weeks. I'm lonely. I'm tired. It's late. I miss my dawg. For those of you who don't know me well, you may not know about my dawg...er, well, he's not really my dawg. He is my boss' dawg, except I quit that job to move to Philly, so now he's still a dawg. I guess he's my former boss' dawg.
Anyway, I loved that dawg. Still do. I've not been sleeping well since I've been out here, and seriously, when I'm laying in bed unable to sleep, the only thought that brings a smile to my face is the thought of my dawg sitting on my lap, or biting my nose. Let me tell ya a little something about him. His name is Spatzel. He's a Ger-man, his name a reference to some type of noodle. He kept me sane during this past tax season. I promise he loved me like a complete idiot. Every morning when I walked in the door he would run full speed ahead, slide on the tile, come to a halt at my feet, roll over on his back, wag his tail so hard that he'd wet himself...seriously, if I marry a woman who is half as excited to see me when i walk in the door...well, let's not get too carried away. Anyway, he's a miniature dachshund, probably weighs about 11 lbs. He's so stinkin sweet, like skateboarder sweet. Anyway, one time I wanted to test him - I really wanted to see where his affections lay - so, after my boss and his wife left one evening to go to a movie, I stuck around the office. Well, my dawg starting knawing on my hand really hard, telling me that he seriously wanted to show me who's boss. So, I seized the moment. I would always feign pain just to play with him, cuz he'd get more pumped up when he thought he was hurtin me. So, this time, I was really letting out some "owwwww's" and "Ohhhhhh's". And then I did it! He dug in really good and then I let out a pretty fierce cry of anguish, for a good 10-15 seconds. And Spatzel came through...He leaned back and howled-seriously-three times, and then he hit the intercom button on the phone and was getting ready to dial 9-1-1...OK, everything was true up to that last part. Anyway, then I grabbed him and lifted him over my head in triumph, and told what an awesome dawg he was...he didn't think it was too funny and he lunged at me and bit my nose. That's love.

So, it's later, I'm still tired, and still I don't have a dawg or a wife. But here's my ode, to the best darn dawg ever.

S Sleepin on my lap half the day
P Poopin on the floor made me giggle
A Anxiety slipped away when you were near
T Tail waggin incessantly
Z zero words come to mind that start with Z
E Eloquent is the language of your...
L Love

G'night all

Orientation

Yesterday was orientation. 9 hours of administrative stuff...blah. In reality everything went well, and I feel a lot more settled now. Signed up for classses, got my financial aid straightened out, met some fellow students, as well as some profs. All in a days work.

I made one new friend today, Helen. Go figure, she's from Uganda! She's in the DMin program, but has been at Palmer the last three years, having completed a dual Masters degree in Faith and Public Policy and Christian Counseling. She's super cool, but very blunt - which I find humorous b/c I'm so unblunt. Anyway, we talked for a good hour and a half after orientation. Ater a little prying, I found out her father is the Anglican Archbishop of Uganda. She also let me in on her dream of dreams - she desires to be the President of Uganda one day. How cool is that?

Guess I shall keep this short for now...