OK. Nothing to say today, but I'm going to say it anyway because I am going to get regular about this.

• I am totally burned out in my job (and since I'm a minister of sorts, that's a really bad thing). I desperately need a change, but no matter how hard I keep flailing around, I can't find a way out.
• My daughter is getting ready to graduate high school and go to college and I am not ready. I think she is, but who really knows.
• My 13-year old son is 8 inches taller than I am. How much influence can you have at that point?
• My husband is stressing himself out to the point of physical damage. How can you help someone not kill themself the long way?

All this is so whiny. I obviously need to start thinking about something other than myself. But the coming elections are too terrifying to even contemplate. I don't know if I will be relieved or depressed when they are over--probably depressed since I always manage to vote for the loser, especially in a Presidential race. It's been hard, too, to watch my daughter think about voting for the 1st time in this election season. The campaigns have never been so nasty, the choices so narrow and depressing, individuals so hateful and intolerant. Whatever happened to civil discourse? Loyal opposition? Actually listening before (and after) you made up your mind. It's been very discouraging for her--and for me as well.

This is the greatest election commentary that I've seen to date:
http://www.sojo.net/index.cfm?action=action.election&item=petition_flash

I just got this via e-mail and I think it's really good. I'm so tired of every friend or relative I've got feeling the need to blanket me with whatever sappy, ill-conceived or vicious political (and sometimes religious) propaganda that they've run across that it's a delight to get something valuable.

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A new confession of Christby Jim Wallis Because of a deep and growing concern about an emerging "theology of war" in the White House, the increasingly frequent language of "righteous empire," and official claims of "divine appointment" for a nation and president in the "war" on terrorism, I have joined with several theologians and ethicists in writing the following statement. A climate in which violence is too easily accepted, and the roles of God, church, and nation too easily confused calls for a new "confession" of Christ. The statement names five key points of Jesus' teachings, while rejecting false teachings that nullify his message. It has been signed by more than 200 theologians and ethicists - many of them from theologically conservative seminaries and Christian colleges. We share it with you and ask that you send it to friends and present it to your churches if you resonate with its concerns and convictions.
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Confessing Christ in a World of Violence

Our world is wracked with violence and war. But Jesus said: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God" (Matt. 5:9). Innocent people, at home and abroad, are increasingly threatened by terrorist attacks. But Jesus said: "Love your enemies, pray for those who persecute you" (Matt. 5:44). These words, which have never been easy, seem all the more difficult today.

Nevertheless, a time comes when silence is betrayal. How many churches have heard sermons on these texts since the terrorist atrocities of September 11? Where is the serious debate about what it means to confess Christ in a world of violence? Does Christian "realism" mean resigning ourselves to an endless future of "pre-emptive wars"? Does it mean turning a blind eye to torture and massive civilian casualties? Does it mean acting out of fear and resentment rather than intelligence and restraint?

Faithfully confessing Christ is the church's task, and never more so than when its confession is co-opted by militarism and nationalism.
A "theology of war," emanating from the highest circles of American government, is seeping into our churches as well.
The language of "righteous empire" is employed with growing frequency.
The roles of God, church, and nation are confused by talk of an American "mission" and "divine appointment" to "rid the world of evil."
The security issues before our nation allow no easy solutions. No one has a monopoly on the truth. But a policy that rejects the wisdom of international consultation should not be baptized by religiosity. The danger today is political idolatry exacerbated by the politics of fear.

In this time of crisis, we need a new confession of Christ.

1. Jesus Christ, as attested in Holy Scripture, knows no national boundaries. Those who confess his name are found throughout the earth. Our allegiance to Christ takes priority over national identity. Whenever Christianity compromises with empire, the gospel of Christ is discredited.

We reject the false teaching that any nation-state can ever be described with the words, "the light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it." These words, used in scripture, apply only to Christ. No political or religious leader has the right to twist them in the service of war.

2. Christ commits Christians to a strong presumption against war. The wanton destructiveness of modern warfare strengthens this obligation. Standing in the shadow of the Cross, Christians have a responsibility to count the cost, speak out for the victims, and explore every alternative before a nation goes to war. We are committed to international cooperation rather than unilateral policies.

We reject the false teaching that a war on terrorism takes precedence over ethical and legal norms. Some things ought never be done - torture, the deliberate bombing of civilians, the use of indiscriminate weapons of mass destruction - regardless of the consequences.

3. Christ commands us to see not only the splinter in our adversary's eye, but also the beam in our own. The distinction between good and evil does not run between one nation and another, or one group and another. It runs straight through every human heart.

We reject the false teaching that America is a "Christian nation," representing only virtue, while its adversaries are nothing but vicious. We reject the belief that America has nothing to repent of, even as we reject that it represents most of the world's evil. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23).

4. Christ shows us that enemy-love is the heart of the gospel. While we were yet enemies, Christ died for us (Rom. 5:8, 10). We are to show love to our enemies even as we believe God in Christ has shown love to us and the whole world. Enemy-love does not mean capitulating to hostile agendas or domination. It does mean refusing to demonize any human being created in God's image.

We reject the false teaching that any human being can be defined as outside the law's protection. We reject the demonization of perceived enemies, which only paves the way to abuse; and we reject the mistreatment of prisoners, regardless of supposed benefits to their captors.

5. Christ teaches us that humility is the virtue befitting forgiven sinners. It tempers all political disagreements, and it allows that our own political perceptions, in a complex world, may be wrong.

We reject the false teaching that those who are not for the United States politically are against it or that those who fundamentally question American policies must be with the "evil-doers." Such crude distinctions, especially when used by Christians, are expressions of the Manichaean heresy, in which the world is divided into forces of absolute good and absolute evil.

The Lord Jesus Christ is either authoritative for Christians, or he is not. His Lordship cannot be set aside by any earthly power. His words may not be distorted for propagandistic purposes.

No nation-state may usurp the place of God. We believe that acknowledging these truths is indispensable for followers of Christ. We urge them to remember these principles in making their decisions as citizens. Peacemaking is central to our vocation in a troubled world where Christ is Lord.

Another day down the drain. I guess I could chalk it up to resting, 'Sabbath' or just general pamper-yourself time, but I do too much of that. I did manage to go pick up a Christmas tree that had been donated to my youth group. that was kind of fun. My husband and son are watching a football game--Actually, Pat is watching the game and enjoying some kind of emotional overload orgy on every play. Alex is just kind of hanging around waiting for it to be over.

I'm having some real struggles with my ministerial candidacy. On one hand, I'm really antsy to move on from what I'm doing now, but I can't stand the thought of leaving my kids. That would be so hard on them. (Or at least I think it would. Part of me kind of hopes that it would.) I think I'm just really tired of not being taken serously. What I've identified lately is a real longing for legitimacy. I'm tired of being overlooked, or regarded as a dilettante or second-rate, or not really worth paying attention to. Is that egotistical? Do I lack humility. Does this reveal an unhealthy longing for power that is inappropriate for a minister? I'm not ever sure I know right now.

Time to get back to my personal blog. I've set up two group ones recently for different groups and they've kind of siphoned off my blog time and efforts, but I need to get back to my personal space. It's kind of ironic, but I haven't told anyone in these groups that I have this personal blog. I think it's because I don't want people who know me to be checking here to see what I'm saying about them. Is that paranoid or what?

OK. I'm feeling much better now. I just watched this little Kikkoman figh song (thank you Dave Barry) and it made me laugh out loud. Fight!Kikkoman I always knew that the real world was surreal, but there's always some new strangeness out there to find.

It's good to be back after being gone for a month. So much for Lenten discipline. It's amazing how just when you think you've got everything under control, something--small or large--comes along to blow everything out of whack. And no, I'm now talking about the war in Iraq, though that would certainly do it all by itself.
In my case, the world whacker is a more personal tragedy--a car accident that killed my uncle and injured my aunt. I'm still processing it, as I'm sure I will be for a long time. How do you come to terms with these sudden, irrevocable life changes? You want to do it a little at a time, and for those around the edges--like me and my immediate family--you can. But for people deeply in the center like my aunt and her children, you don't have that luxury. All you can do some days is just keep breathing, keep living and let life find it's new path.

I just don't want to hear another person say "It makes you think." one more time. If it takes a tragedy like this to make you understand the fragility of life then your life is probably wasted on trivialities. How many tragedies do you have to see around you to understand that. Each moment, each person, is a gift not to be taken for granted. That IS the point.

Oh well. Enough. I'm ranting now so I think I will just shut up for today.

My Lectio reading for today (actually from the One-Minute Bible for Students) opens with Psalm 104: 31-34:
May the glory of the Lord last forever
The Lord rejoices in all he has made!
The earth trebles at his glance;
the mountains burst forth into flame at his touch.
I will isng to the Lord as long as I live.
I will praise my God to my last breath!
May he be please by all these thoughts about him,
for I rejoice in the Lord.

The commentary talks about the difference between happiness and joy. It says that happiness is dependent on circumstances but that joy is a continuing attitude that doesn't change when situations change. I find it interesting to apply this to God. Psalms says that the Lord rejoices in all he has made--a continuing joy that doesn't disappear no matter how much we mess things up or disappoint him. I think that explains a lot.

Today's Meditation
My reading today starts with Psalm 33:1-4. In that, verse 4 really jumps out at me.
For the word of the Lord holds true, and everything he does is worthy of our trust. (Italics mine)
Not just the stuff we like, or the stuff that fits in with our plans, but everything He does. Even the stuff that is so far out of whack with what we want that it seems like it's not God's doing. Everything He does is worthy of our trust. But we make the choice to trust or not. God's grace and love are eternal and unchanging. Our joy, our response to that, is, to some extent at least, under our control. Lately I've gotten to know many unhappy people. And the thing is--they have no apparent reason to be unhappy. They have their basic needs met, people who care about them-enough even to care about them when they are doing nothing but complaining. They have families, health, church, jobs, all they things we think we need and they still radiate unhappiness. How sad. Sometimes, I know, it's not under their control and we all have unhappinesses in our lives that are unavoidable and not visible to others. But these people are unhappy about minor things--they just don't like this or that, all the time. No matter what God or anyone else does, it's never good enough. Dear God, remind me that my joy is just that, MY joy and that when I find myself unhappy about everything around me maybe it's not what's around me but what's inside me that needs the adjustment.

I am so sleepy I can just barely focus. This is really wierd, because I didn't get to sleep all that late last night. I have noticed, however, how often Sunday just leaves me drained. Even before I started to work in the church--which means that Sunday is a work day for me, not a Sabbath--I would still often start the week exhausted from all the church activities on Sunday. Something is badly wrong with this. The only people I know anymore who end up Sundays refreshed are the ones who have no place at all for church in their life. Why is it that the only people who don't rest on God's day of rest anymore are God's people? How does that work? And, more importantly, what can we do about it?

Ranting about Revelations
OK. Step back from the screen, just in case lightning strikes or something. But, I have to say this. I am sick to death with this fascination with the Book of Revelations. I don't have any desire to study Revelations. I don't want to teach it to my kids. I DON'T REALLY CARE. And I don't see why anyone else does either.
That said, let me elaborate. It increasingly seems to me that all this fascination with Revelations, Daniel, all the other end-times prophecies is a nothing more that a COMPLETE WASTE OF TIME! Isn't it hard enough to live the parts of the Bible you understand without spending all that energy on things that are a) not understandable b) you couldn't influence even if you did understand it and c) are not likely to impact you life. Shouldn't that effort go into living simply, showing compassion, noticing and valuing every single person you come in contact with? Isn't that hard enough. I have yet to meet anyone who can live up to the commands to love God and love your neighbor. Why waste you focus on what the mark of the beast will look like? I just don't understand the fascination.
It seems most to me like a convenient diversion. As long as I'm putting all my time and attention on the end times, I don't really have to worry about my day-to-day life. I mean, who has the time? I can still be righteously spending all my time in Bible study without actually hving to do through the discomfort of living in accordance with the Scriptures. Who has time to care for your neighbors when they are on their way to heaven tomorrow?
It just drives me crazy when I read about yet another "great study on Revelation." Who out there even lives the Beatitudes well enough that they should be moving on to the really mysterious stuff?
Reading back, I realize that this sounds really shrill and hateful. Once again, I'm overstating my case. What I really want to say is that the realy challenge of Christian life is living the life, today. Putting all your effort and attention into the future seems all too often to be just anouthe way of avoiding the call. And this is an especially insidious diversion because it has the extra twist of appearing like true devotion while still allowing you to avoid the pain of truly chaning.
Walk the walk today, and let the end times take care of themselves.

Computer Games
I swore off computer games for Lent and it's killing me! I know that it's petty and it sounds really petty, but I hadn't realized how often I use the excuse of a quick game or this or that to build in a five-minute break into my day or to keep me occupied while I did something kind of mindless (like waiting on hold on the phone). The question now is, how can I use that time and attention to deepen my spiritual walk? How can I grow closer to God by not playing computer games?
I'd rather just go play a quick hand of solitaire and not think about it.
Maybe that IS the point.

Beliefnet.com
Perfect love casts out fear.
What a great thought (idea?, saying?, truth?) I've finally reached a point in my life where I don't fear things as much as I used to. I don't worry as much about whether or not people like me--because I have learned that no matter what I do, some people won't like me.
I have learned to worry less about tomorrow--because most of the time I can only cope with what comes. I can't control what's coming because I have no idea what it's going to be. So worrying about what's ahead is mostly just a waste of time because whatever happens is usually different from what I anticipated anyway.
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Even with all that I've learned, though, I still find plenty to fear. No matter where I turn and what I learn I still find new things to fear. Right now, my biggest fear is that I will fail in my ministry. And that my failure will not hurt me but the kids entrusted to my care. Sometimes it feels like too much. But I have also learned in the last 18 months that the more I feel like I'm teetering on the edge of disaster is when I can finally let go and rely on God. And it turns out OK. So, now all I have to do is learn to trust God before I'm teetering on the edge.

(BTW, this blogging stuff is much harder to do at home--where my husband is watching television, my son is wrestling with the dog, & my daughter is tuning her ukelele, all at the same time. But I guess everyone else already knew that.)

OK. I'm losing my mind. I just wrote this hearfelt, sensitive meditation on Psalm 42--and then I apparently clicked the wrong button and it all disappeared. This is not fun. But it has to get better, right?

Mar. 5, 2003
Blogging for Lent
I'm starting this blog as part of my Lenten discipline of maintaining a journal. I know that a blog and a journal aren't precisely the same, but the pressure to publish every day may give my the push I need to maintain regularity. Who knows where their life & thoughts will lead in the long run, but for now, I expect it to start with some meditations (some on Bible passages, some not) and then wander off on paths of it's own.

This first thought is a meditation from January that I've shared with several others. It seems to hold significance for many people, but oddly enough, means something a little bit different to each person who reads it.

Watering the Desert
When a desert suddenly gets water, even just a little bit, it bursts out in a profusion of growth. But, the water often doesn’t last and neither does the growth.


The only way a desert can cease to be a desert is to obtain a continuing source of water-it may be from rain, a river, or a well, but something has to change in the landscape for the climate for the desert to be permanently changed.


If we are living in a spiritual desert, we have to find a way to change our spiritual landscape in order to regularly receive the water we need to have growth. We have to find a way to dig a well, tap into a river or even purify water from the sea. Whatever it is, we have to draw water from God’s river of life into our lives regularly, daily even, in order to nurture tender new growth and strengthen old, established trees.


Digging the well, diverting water from the river-these are hard work, work that takes many days, a little at a time. It takes a while to reach the water, time that you put in the effort without necessarily seeing any rewards. But, if you keep on digging the ditch, a little each day, eventually the water breaks through, the desert is watered and the landscape changes permanently.
January 2003