tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76400301441854448972024-03-13T16:24:03.687-04:00The Winding LabyrinthWhere faith, current events and human issues intersect on the path toward God.revlaurabarclayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07180037981858218328noreply@blogger.comBlogger208125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7640030144185444897.post-37083064568120078312014-05-20T14:05:00.001-04:002014-05-20T14:05:27.743-04:00Woman's Best Friend<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLrsCNM8HvDzwzqH3xmEzymMgaOBf__jdjFNLHI08C3tajna1YwahpB16PC6SKpGaEbq9dAIHaykscGSlShdIwoRSYJ9ZpXhmKJ7QmWmiTPPqXc8FTx1exlYxyKmQx2khfN2oA0T0jm1c/s1600/gryffinbefore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLrsCNM8HvDzwzqH3xmEzymMgaOBf__jdjFNLHI08C3tajna1YwahpB16PC6SKpGaEbq9dAIHaykscGSlShdIwoRSYJ9ZpXhmKJ7QmWmiTPPqXc8FTx1exlYxyKmQx2khfN2oA0T0jm1c/s1600/gryffinbefore.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gryffin on adoption day, resting after his 1st bath.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
by Rev. Laura Barclay <br />
<br />
A few months ago, my husband and I adopted a dog from the <a href="http://www.kyhumane.org/" target="_blank">Kentucky Humane Society</a>. After three years of allergy shots, I was ready for my first canine. We had been to the shelter several times and never found the right one for us: relatively quiet, good with kids so my niece could play with him/her, medium to small in size, and a low shed breed. As we looked through the cages, I saw a ball of matted fur in the back of one off to the side. Large brown eyes stared out of a mound of dirty white hair. <br />
<br />
The name on the card read "Walter". It wasn't his real name (if he was ever given one) but a moniker given by the intake volunteers, which didn't seem to fit his obvious youth. I slowly removed him from the cage and he walked around with me, hovering close to my ankles. While I knew we should keep looking at the rest of the dogs, this one had crawled into my heart. He kept gazing up at me intently and expectantly. I hated even putting him back in the cage to fill out the adoption forms--I was a afraid he'd think I didn't want him, or worse, there would be a mix-up and he would be gone when I returned.<br />
<br />
In the days to come as we bathed him, re-named him "Gryffin", took him to the vet to cure his kennel cough, weaned him off of people food and tried to convince him we'd never abandon him, I learned that he was found at a gas station in the small town of Mayfield, KY. He tried to crawl into the car of a newspaper delivery woman before she called the pound to come and collect him. He was transferred to Louisville because of his sweet nature and high probability of adoption.<br />
<br />
Gryffin whimpers and cries during storms, watches us sadly when we leave the house but no longer slams himself against the door to follow. He has gradually eaten his meals more slowly since he trusts that there will be another soon to follow. He still has panic attacks, but far more rarely unless brought on by his bad allergies. Yes, he's a handful--with him I adopted his anxieties, his health problems, and his fears. But he's given me such a blessing in return.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGUPqqDlfb2NZU_Um3o8wYkUYqp-Up2I6zBOlMYNGw3ker_WoCoECw4IU5FTpXP_McDrX8unswaC4yBNLL1IgZti_zCbxYnYllVqmZiOvvxJO6yVJojbxS1bR6H9P8ZJPxNnM0TX7aCpQ/s1600/gryffin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGUPqqDlfb2NZU_Um3o8wYkUYqp-Up2I6zBOlMYNGw3ker_WoCoECw4IU5FTpXP_McDrX8unswaC4yBNLL1IgZti_zCbxYnYllVqmZiOvvxJO6yVJojbxS1bR6H9P8ZJPxNnM0TX7aCpQ/s1600/gryffin.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gryffin lets me style his hair between cuddles.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On days when I'm stressed, he jumps in my lap and forces me to play. He knocks me out of a downward spiral of anxieties because he is highly attuned to his parent's moods. Gryffin's demanding sense of play time forces me to exercise more which also lowers my stress and reframes my mood. More than anything, I have found it incredibly rewarding to help be responsible, along with my husband, for guiding this little guy out of his shell and watching him become more relaxed, loving and confident every day.<br />
<br />
I'm learning about that oldest and most ancient of relationships and what having "dominion over the animals" means. It's a great responsibility to care for this puppy, discarded and unwanted by someone who didn't or couldn't understand the depth of that task. In caring for Gryffin, I'm also caring for myself. I'm being reminded of the blessing of God's creation, the importance of being connected to all creatures in it great and small, and my heart has grown larger and more grateful. <br />
<u><br /></u>
<u>I'd love to hear from you:</u> Do you have a special relationship with an animal? What have you learned from that relationship? Leave me a comment!<br />
<br />
<i>This column originally appeared in </i><a href="http://www.nextsunday.com/womans-best-friend/" target="_blank">Next Sunday Resources</a>.revlaurabarclayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07180037981858218328noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7640030144185444897.post-16574572169956029162014-05-14T15:36:00.003-04:002014-05-14T15:38:03.776-04:00 A Wild & Precious Easter<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPkXwnGkuCN4ip4nYrkg3jKF84WS1-otIXzZL5NrvX6ls0YVmNNmbZ5Sk1I9anwufwgzwmSHvKcxdHAO5KUzoZhSjsfcpmMQ3op72HCLnsHFbSuw22Id2CgnAuYNLvJlO56tqrSIVEhpA/s1600/Mangrove_tree_sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPkXwnGkuCN4ip4nYrkg3jKF84WS1-otIXzZL5NrvX6ls0YVmNNmbZ5Sk1I9anwufwgzwmSHvKcxdHAO5KUzoZhSjsfcpmMQ3op72HCLnsHFbSuw22Id2CgnAuYNLvJlO56tqrSIVEhpA/s1600/Mangrove_tree_sm.jpg" height="207" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">“Mangrove tree inside Snipes Point near Key West,” Florida Memory, Wikimedia Commons</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
by Rev. Laura Barclay<br />
<br />
I had the opportunity to go on a much needed vacation recently with my
husband to sunny Key West. Because he had looked forward to this for
weeks, he immediately wanted to book some excursions. We settled on a
jet ski tour around the island and a boat trip that included snorkeling
in the middle of the ocean. After nearly drowning in the ocean when I
was 12, I was less than enthused about these choices, but I try to live
by Eleanor Roosevelt's advice to "do one thing everyday that scares
you."<br />
<div>
</div>
<div>
I was even less enthused the next day when I realized we
had hired a speed demon for a jet ski instructor who used words like
"gnarly" and "rad" far too much. My options were to go between 45 - 50
mph and risked being flayed by the water if I fell off or lose site of
the guide and wander aimlessly off the coast. While I like a bit of
adventure, these are not my idea of good choices.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
During one of the rare times he stopped to give us
information about the island, he told us about the mangrove islands off
the coast that we were about to fly past and barely see at breakneck
speeds. He said that mangroves aren't actually saltwater plants. So how
do they live in saltwater? They send a sacrificial leaf down to soak up
all the salt. While this leaf withers and dies, the rest of the plant
remains hearty and healthy.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I was just about to ask another question when he
revved up his engine and rocketed away, and the moment passed. Later, I
thought of this plant and how timely it was to learn this lesson the week
before Easter. Throughout Lent, we give up bad habits or taken on
spiritual practices in the hopes of reconnecting with the very core of
our faith in God, and perhaps to learn something about ourselves. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
What is our sacrificial leaf? What have we had to
give up so that we could flourish in our lives and our calling? Isn't
that a bit like taking up our cross, as Jesus bid us to do? Well, in
order to make it to the end of that terrifying jet ski tour, I had to
give up fear. Instead of thinking about the sickening sound my body
would make hitting the water at high speeds, I tried to focus on the
wind in my hair, the color of the water, and the uniqueness of the
moment. I realized would never be in this situation were I in control.
Control can be both good and bad; we can surround ourselves with things
that comfort us, but we may miss a lot of great experiences. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Our God is a great one who defeated death. Jesus
flipped our world on it's end when he showed that the evil power of a
corrupt Roman ruler wouldn't have the last say. Nothing is safe. The
order of things has been upended. C.S. Lewis put it best in his "The
Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe" when the children are nervous about
meeting the Christ-like character of the lion, Aslan. Susan says, "<span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia,serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Is
he quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion." Mr.
Beaver replies, "Safe? Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't
safe. But he's good. He's the King, I tell you.”</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia,serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia,serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">In
a world where anything can happen, we aren't in really in control, and
we follow a God who can defeat death itself, what does Easter mean? In
this celebration of our risen Lord, I think we should all ask ourselves
what our place is in this world. If we take up our cross, shed our
sacrificial leaf, and lean into God's call, what could we do? What will
we do?</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia,serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia,serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">As the great poet Mary Oliver asked, "Tell me, what will you do with your one wild and precious life?"</span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia,serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">The article originally appeared on "Next Sunday Resources": <a href="http://www.nextsunday.com/a-wild-precious-easter/">http://www.nextsunday.com/a-wild-precious-easter/</a></span></div>
revlaurabarclayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07180037981858218328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7640030144185444897.post-9675231621324648142014-02-18T15:34:00.000-05:002014-02-18T15:34:26.636-05:00A Lesson in Humility<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_9NEw6aovw3MhSEd2OKyZcyHj4zBxmsDkv6GUAI2pWrl9dQWKTI4QqrGhF3tQKfCTchDOwdOfmvjT0hSJ84uvnhJjxvG3yUDMBRh-FbMshYZ1BrZPgNnHhEfU0iuCn1SfcnaYnT49Roc/s1600/snow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_9NEw6aovw3MhSEd2OKyZcyHj4zBxmsDkv6GUAI2pWrl9dQWKTI4QqrGhF3tQKfCTchDOwdOfmvjT0hSJ84uvnhJjxvG3yUDMBRh-FbMshYZ1BrZPgNnHhEfU0iuCn1SfcnaYnT49Roc/s1600/snow.jpg" height="200" width="320" /></a></div>
by Rev. Laura Barclay <br />
<br />
A few days ago, during a respite from one of the many polar vortexes
that have blown through Louisville, I took my dog for a walk. My
neighbor called me over.<br />
<br />
“Hey there! I saw you fall the other day.”<br />
<br />
“Oh, yeah. I slipped on the ice.” I laughed nervously and stared at my dog.<br />
<br />
“Yeah, you fell. Then you laid there a while. You looked like you
were hurt, and I thought you might have moaned a little. I was about to
come over and check on you, but you stirred a bit, fell back down,
pulled yourself up, and then limped slowly inside your house. I thought
it was best not to disturb you, since you were probably icing your
wound.”<br />
<br />
Thanks, neighbor. He keeps an eye out for those around him and not a
lot makes it past him, but I could’ve done without the painstaking
retelling of one of my most recent examples of clumsiness. The only
thing that makes this story even more embarrassing is that I was running
back inside the house to change my shoes when I fell. I had realized I
was about to take my sick dog to the vet in my house shoes instead of my
snow boots.<br />
<br />
We’ve all been there—tripping on the street and moving quickly along
like we just decided to change our pace, as if anyone besides children
would suddenly decide to start skipping instead of walking. Or maybe we
spill a drink on our shirt and then decide to wear our coat to cover it
for the rest of the evening. “Oh no, I’m not uncomfortable. I love
sweating.”<br />
<br />
But here’s the thing: life is too short to pretend we are perfect. As
a recovering perfectionist, I should know. This means that where I
would normally get very anxious about completing a project or meeting a
new group of people, I now just try to do the best I can. If I fail or
people don’t like me, so what? Neither of those so-called potential
failures should be the measure of success to Christians, who are
commanded to love their God and their neighbors as themselves. That’s
easier said than done, and I can still get very anxious about the
smallest things. But having a mantra of “so what?” has been helpful
during those moments when I screw up or my neighbor slowly regales me
with tales of my face plant or I just can’t seem to get it together.<br />
<br />
Paul advises a church in Romans 12:3, “For by the grace given to me I
say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you
ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the
measure of faith that God has assigned.” Paul’s point is that we are
all part of the body of Christ, and each one of us has gifts and a role
to play. We don’t have to be perfect or have it all together. We are
meant to work in community to help one another and embody the love of
Christ. We can fall down, mess up, be awkward and fail. Each one of us
is beautiful despite (and even because of) our shortcomings.<br />
<br />
You are a member of the body of Christ. You are gifted and special.
Let’s work together to share this message with all God’s children.<br />
<br />
This article also appears on <a href="https://www.blogger.com/A%20few%20days%20ago,%20during%20a%20respite%20from%20one%20of%20the%20many%20polar%20vortexes%20that%20have%20blown%20through%20Louisville,%20I%20took%20my%20dog%20for%20a%20walk.%20My%20neighbor%20called%20me%20over.%20%20%E2%80%9CHey%20there!%20I%20saw%20you%20fall%20the%20other%20day.%E2%80%9D%20%20%E2%80%9COh,%20yeah.%20I%20slipped%20on%20the%20ice.%E2%80%9D%20I%20laughed%20nervously%20and%20stared%20at%20my%20dog.%20%20%E2%80%9CYeah,%20you%20fell.%20Then%20you%20laid%20there%20a%20while.%20You%20looked%20like%20you%20were%20hurt,%20and%20I%20thought%20you%20might%20have%20moaned%20a%20little.%20I%20was%20about%20to%20come%20over%20and%20check%20on%20you,%20but%20you%20stirred%20a%20bit,%20fell%20back%20down,%20pulled%20yourself%20up,%20and%20then%20limped%20slowly%20inside%20your%20house.%20I%20thought%20it%20was%20best%20not%20to%20disturb%20you,%20since%20you%20were%20probably%20icing%20your%20wound.%E2%80%9D%20%20Thanks,%20neighbor.%20He%20keeps%20an%20eye%20out%20for%20those%20around%20him%20and%20not%20a%20lot%20makes%20it%20past%20him,%20but%20I%20could%E2%80%99ve%20done%20without%20the%20painstaking%20retelling%20of%20one%20of%20my%20most%20recent%20examples%20of%20clumsiness.%20The%20only%20thing%20that%20makes%20this%20story%20even%20more%20embarrassing%20is%20that%20I%20was%20running%20back%20inside%20the%20house%20to%20change%20my%20shoes%20when%20I%20fell.%20I%20had%20realized%20I%20was%20about%20to%20take%20my%20sick%20dog%20to%20the%20vet%20in%20my%20house%20shoes%20instead%20of%20my%20snow%20boots.%20%20We%E2%80%99ve%20all%20been%20there%E2%80%94tripping%20on%20the%20street%20and%20moving%20quickly%20along%20like%20we%20just%20decided%20to%20change%20our%20pace,%20as%20if%20anyone%20besides%20children%20would%20suddenly%20decide%20to%20start%20skipping%20instead%20of%20walking.%20Or%20maybe%20we%20spill%20a%20drink%20on%20our%20shirt%20and%20then%20decide%20to%20wear%20our%20coat%20to%20cover%20it%20for%20the%20rest%20of%20the%20evening.%20%E2%80%9COh%20no,%20I%E2%80%99m%20not%20uncomfortable.%20I%20love%20sweating.%E2%80%9D%20%20But%20here%E2%80%99s%20the%20thing:%20life%20is%20too%20short%20to%20pretend%20we%20are%20perfect.%20As%20a%20recovering%20perfectionist,%20I%20should%20know.%20This%20means%20that%20where%20I%20would%20normally%20get%20very%20anxious%20about%20completing%20a%20project%20or%20meeting%20a%20new%20group%20of%20people,%20I%20now%20just%20try%20to%20do%20the%20best%20I%20can.%20If%20I%20fail%20or%20people%20don%E2%80%99t%20like%20me,%20so%20what?%20Neither%20of%20those%20so-called%20potential%20failures%20should%20be%20the%20measure%20of%20success%20to%20Christians,%20who%20are%20commanded%20to%20love%20their%20God%20and%20their%20neighbors%20as%20themselves.%20That%E2%80%99s%20easier%20said%20than%20done,%20and%20I%20can%20still%20get%20very%20anxious%20about%20the%20smallest%20things.%20But%20having%20a%20mantra%20of%20%E2%80%9Cso%20what?%E2%80%9D%20has%20been%20helpful%20during%20those%20moments%20when%20I%20screw%20up%20or%20my%20neighbor%20slowly%20regales%20me%20with%20tales%20of%20my%20face%20plant%20or%20I%20just%20can%E2%80%99t%20seem%20to%20get%20it%20together.%20%20Paul%20advises%20a%20church%20in%20Romans%2012:3,%20%E2%80%9CFor%20by%20the%20grace%20given%20to%20me%20I%20say%20to%20everyone%20among%20you%20not%20to%20think%20of%20yourself%20more%20highly%20than%20you%20ought%20to%20think,%20but%20to%20think%20with%20sober%20judgment,%20each%20according%20to%20the%20measure%20of%20faith%20that%20God%20has%20assigned.%E2%80%9D%20Paul%E2%80%99s%20point%20is%20that%20we%20are%20all%20part%20of%20the%20body%20of%20Christ,%20and%20each%20one%20of%20us%20has%20gifts%20and%20a%20role%20to%20play.%20We%20don%E2%80%99t%20have%20to%20be%20perfect%20or%20have%20it%20all%20together.%20We%20are%20meant%20to%20work%20in%20community%20to%20help%20one%20another%20and%20embody%20the%20love%20of%20Christ.%20We%20can%20fall%20down,%20mess%20up,%20be%20awkward%20and%20fail.%20Each%20one%20of%20us%20is%20beautiful%20despite%20(and%20even%20because%20of)%20our%20shortcomings.%20%20You%20are%20a%20member%20of%20the%20body%20of%20Christ.%20You%20are%20gifted%20and%20special.%20Let%E2%80%99s%20work%20together%20to%20share%20this%20message%20with%20all%20God%E2%80%99s%20children." target="_blank">Next Sunday Resources</a>. revlaurabarclayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07180037981858218328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7640030144185444897.post-87902705686781875462013-12-13T17:46:00.000-05:002013-12-13T17:48:29.692-05:00No, Megyn Kelly, Jesus and Santa Weren't White<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/LV_9ch2kQ3c/0.jpg" height="266" style="clear: left; float: left;" width="320"><param name="movie" value="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/LV_9ch2kQ3c&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/LV_9ch2kQ3c&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object>by Rev. Laura Barclay<br />
<br />
A few days ago, conservative talk show host Megyn Kelly claimed on her<i> Fox News</i> show that "For all you kids watching at home, Santa just is white...just because it makes you feel uncomfortable doesn't mean it has to change, you know, I mean, Jesus was a white man, too...that's a verifiable fact, I just want kids to know that."<br />
<br />
This statement was in response to a <i>Slate</i> piece by Aisha Harris entitled, "Santa Should Not Be a White Man Anymore", wherein she notes her confusion between seeing a black Santa figurine in her home while white Santas were popularized elsewhere at the mall and her school. Because the real history of St. Nicholas is so far removed from his present iteration as Santa Claus, she argues that it would be easier and less culturally problematic to change him into a penguin. This avoids questions of race and culture and makes him accessible to all. While I see her point about wanting to avoid cultural problems, it might be a good idea to confront the underlying issue of racism in America rather than continue to ignore it.<br />
<br />
On that note, I would like to confront the factually incorrect statements made by Kelly in response to Harris.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc_ec2t4JbuLdyzpyRx1QHhKGJ5KPGjokPQvC4nuMZhBdE-U7bhzC3w-Nscu_Uc4BCVP4sMyp5e-W8lmCBeadqmI4TSKEs9jKZk78WbmvFoXj2AMXJqY9RLADYc2qehDF8UNEBKiA-yS4/s1600/st-nicholas-face-1-sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc_ec2t4JbuLdyzpyRx1QHhKGJ5KPGjokPQvC4nuMZhBdE-U7bhzC3w-Nscu_Uc4BCVP4sMyp5e-W8lmCBeadqmI4TSKEs9jKZk78WbmvFoXj2AMXJqY9RLADYc2qehDF8UNEBKiA-yS4/s1600/st-nicholas-face-1-sm.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image pulled from "<a href="http://www.imagefoundry.co.uk/" target="_blank">Image Foundry Studios</a>"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
1) "Santa just is white." -- First, Santa isn't real. So, I'm assuming she's talking about the person upon which his legend is based, St. Nicolas. According to <i>The Oxford Dictionary of Saints</i>, St. Nicholas was born in the fourth century and became the bishop of Myra. Myra is located in present day Turkey. Supposedly, he provided three different girls each with a sack of gold to serve as dowries and rescue them from a life of prostitution. Over time, the legend grew and meshed with Norse legends. Immigrants brought these legends to North America, and the modern Santa Claus was pretty much manufactured by Norman Rockwell, Coca Cola, and other manufacturers of goods that wanted to ramp up Christmas sales.<br />
<br />
So what did the the ancient Turkish gift-giver look like? A composite, made from forensic anthropologists who reconstructed his skeleton from his crypt in Bari, Italy, shows that he looked very much like modern day Turkish men. I think we can agree that he doesn't look like a typical white American male, though that categorical racial box is very problematic and fraught with ambiguity. It might be more accurate to say that he would not experience the privileges of being a white male in American society. <br />
<br />
2) "Jesus was a white man, too." -- Wrong again. Jesus was a Palestinian Jew in first century Nazareth. This was a poor village in the shadow of the large city of Sepphoris. He, his father and his brothers, while stylized as artistic carpenters in the Christmas story, are actually more akin to day laborers who would have walked miles everyday to find work and survive in the shadow of the powerful Roman rulers who controlled the land. When he grew up, he heard about numerous uprisings to throw off the Roman yoke and started speaking out against the political powers and the religious leaders who collaborated with them. Speaking out too much and being referred to as "The King of the Jews" caused him to be executed for sedition.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKlwOiLtJJqNbhoAsqwtudjqs9XNUKdk9wghlcaWjddtmkmIoeJM1xMRQxG-XnAY-FCFcfIirlx2v7IQBFVToCoiUufOdHqF0K0Q5kA9urtKdC1lngGl4euEvhWEk7GXfIBMbt1MPPl-4/s1600/face-of-jesus-01-0312-mdn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKlwOiLtJJqNbhoAsqwtudjqs9XNUKdk9wghlcaWjddtmkmIoeJM1xMRQxG-XnAY-FCFcfIirlx2v7IQBFVToCoiUufOdHqF0K0Q5kA9urtKdC1lngGl4euEvhWEk7GXfIBMbt1MPPl-4/s1600/face-of-jesus-01-0312-mdn.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image from the BBC Photo Library</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The United States is arguably the Rome of the modern world. We are the most powerful nation on Earth. Jesus would not identify with the privilege of being an average United States citizen. He did not live in abundant opulence like we do, <a href="http://www.statisticbrain.com/world-poverty-statistics/" target="_blank">when 50% of the world lives on less than $2.50 a day (80% on less than $10 a day). </a>If Jesus were an American, he would more likely identify as an undocumented immigrant or other poor, oppressed class, given his historical social standing and statement regarding wealth and poverty.<br />
<br />
Regarding Jesus's appearance, he most certainly would be flagged for a security check and racially profiled by TSA. According to forensic anthropologists who examined countless remains from that time period to find the most likely image, he looked like a Middle-Eastern male of Arabic descent.<br />
<br />
So, what should we do with this information? We should ask ourselves about the images we hold in our minds of important historical or cultural figures. Are they constructed based on fact or to remake someone in our image for our comfort? Does holding on to historically inaccurate images keep us from becoming a more unified society, where we can appreciate and value one another's diversity? Perhaps most importantly, do they keep us from seeing people of all races as precious children of God? If so, we may want to smash these false images as idols and dig deeper for the sake of Jesus's call to love one another as we love ourselves. revlaurabarclayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07180037981858218328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7640030144185444897.post-34285573870166625292013-11-26T11:44:00.000-05:002013-11-26T11:44:20.654-05:00 Heartbreak and Hope in Miami<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a class="lightbox-processed" href="http://sojo.net/sites/default/files/mainimages/blog/hearbreak.jpg" rel="lightbox" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Flickr Photo by Tiffany L. Clark/Creative Commons" class="imagecache imagecache-article-image imagecache-default imagecache-article-image_default" height="211" src="http://sojo.net/sites/default/files/imagecache/article-image/mainimages/blog/hearbreak.jpg" title="" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Jose Antonio Vargas Flickr Photo by Tiffany L. Clark/Creative Commons</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
by Rev. Laura Barclay<br />
<br />
Last week, I attended a screening of <em>Documented</em>, Jose
Antonio Vargas’ film about his coming out as an undocumented immigrant
after winning the Pulitzer Prize. His journey is honest, poignant, and
humorous. A lesser subject would have cut some of the material showing
the strain of the situation on his familial relations, but the film
never flinches from the raw story.<br />
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I sat in on a panel discussion after the screening
filled with members of an organization featured in the film, “DREAMers
Moms.” I had a chance to speak with several of them, and one story stuck
out in particular. One mom left her country for the good of her
children so they would have hope of a positive future in the United
States. She hasn’t seen her mother in 13 years and won’t until
immigration reform is passed into law. If she leaves the U.S., it’s
likely she wouldn’t be allowed to return and care for her children. This
would leave them essentially orphans who would be placed into foster
care. Her mother is now in her 80s, frail and sick. This woman is losing
hope of ever again touching the woman who cared for her, but still
prays daily for a miracle.<br />
<br />
Jose mentioned during the panel that a
largely untold side effect of being undocumented is the toll that the
constant fear of deportation and worry about family has on mental
health. As he edited the film, he said, he noticed several points where
he was clearly suffering from depression. I asked panelist Gaby Pacheco,
an immigration activist and Dreamer who also appeared in the
documentary, how she and others she knew developed mental health
strategies for coping with anxiety and depression. She said it is vital
to find others suffering from similar fears and share stories with them.
With a lack of mental health resources for undocumented persons, that
communal sharing is a form of therapy. She also voiced a need for mental
health services to be included in comprehensive immigration reform.<br />
<br />
The
documentary will air on CNN, and be screened at film festivals and in
theaters. Don’t miss a chance to see this film and encourage others to
see this story that humanizes immigration reform. Partisan rhetoric has
fueled this issue to a point beyond realism, but this film makes the
political intimate and personal. After you see the film, join the
discussion at organization,<br />
<a href="http://www.defineamerican.com/" target="_blank">www.defineamerican.com</a>. Address the question, “How do you define American?”<br />
<br />
I
became passionate about immigration reform a few years ago when working
with pastors Javier Benitez and Hector Villanueva at the Cooperative
Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina. The two work constantly to protect
their parishioners from racial profiling and deportation, especially on
Sunday morning when police camp outside entrances to Hispanic churches
in order to profile and catch potential undocumented persons on the way
to worship. This is intolerable. It is a moral imperative that we find
ways to welcome the stranger as Scripture calls us to do. We must listen
to immigrant stories and respond appropriately out of love. What does a
Christian response to immigration look like in your community?<br />
<br />
<i>The article originally appeared on</i> <a href="http://sojo.net/blogs/2013/11/26/heartbreak-and-hope-miami" target="_blank">Sojourners</a>. revlaurabarclayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07180037981858218328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7640030144185444897.post-36131802223601506502013-10-22T13:55:00.002-04:002013-10-22T13:55:56.150-04:00Dying in Real Time
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<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj917UUY_be6g0DGhx19MlR7MqHle_ufWyFuLmmn_PfPUGclsk1TY8sRZQ-XhTKXIuC_gSsH8hOIVsXGHt-HuZd4wEMWueYCX90Ve1hElBeIQE-iyPcigJjfDWGQOQSPf664jaiaghBrM/s1600/969796_10200812881137785_844199460_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj917UUY_be6g0DGhx19MlR7MqHle_ufWyFuLmmn_PfPUGclsk1TY8sRZQ-XhTKXIuC_gSsH8hOIVsXGHt-HuZd4wEMWueYCX90Ve1hElBeIQE-iyPcigJjfDWGQOQSPf664jaiaghBrM/s200/969796_10200812881137785_844199460_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Terry Megginson Walton</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
by Rev. Laura Barclay</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last week, a beloved former employee of CBF named Terry Megginson
Walton passed away from a long battle with cancer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t know her very well, unfortunately,
but she made me feel extremely welcome at CBF National events. She was warm,
quick with a smile and a laugh, and was easy to get to know. From what I
observed, Terry was keenly interested in making everyone she met feel like a
beloved child of God.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Over the last few months, I noticed that more and more
people were calling for others to pray for her over Facebook and email. But
then something even more intimate happened. Last week, people
began sharing their favorite memories of her on her Facebook pages, attaching
pictures and last messages to Terry. Dozens and dozens of people were saying
goodbye in the most touching of ways, which created an amazing memorial to her
and a fitting tribute to a life that was clearly well-lived through her love of
others. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tears sprang to my eyes as these messages to her swallowed
my Facebook feed and I realized that her life must have been coming to an end.
And, a few days ago, her family relayed the news that she had indeed passed on.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As someone who knew her only briefly, I was overwhelmed with
the sentiments of her friends to share their best memories with her to send her
on her way. Look how many people she had touched! What a beautiful tribute!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2PwJO2fhjozNnR4iFXCrhEEuYdWM0lTog1lcTRVSVanMLwAlh5O9T4w5pH8d-7va6gowG_34ievDOjHtgEzi0xQMmQLmAIBFP0_qiwl7BuAwlglcRjqaPdS7BWJbHkLlUYEEUYsNRUtY/s1600/paulwebber.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2PwJO2fhjozNnR4iFXCrhEEuYdWM0lTog1lcTRVSVanMLwAlh5O9T4w5pH8d-7va6gowG_34ievDOjHtgEzi0xQMmQLmAIBFP0_qiwl7BuAwlglcRjqaPdS7BWJbHkLlUYEEUYsNRUtY/s1600/paulwebber.jpg" /></a>Before Facebook was available outside of the world of
college students, one of my professors, Dr. Paul Weber lost a long battle with
cancer. Like Terry, his impact on the world is immeasurable. He was a former
priest who married a former nun and taught political science. He always strove
for a high ethical standard in whatever he pursued, and he loved mentoring
students. Dr. Weber was a huge reason why I decided to go to divinity school.
Before he passed, his family encouraged people to write letters of their
favorite memories to him without saying goodbye or focusing on his illness. I
wrote to him about his classes, my favorite lessons, and his encouragement and
care outside of the classroom. I never heard a response, but this gave me an
opportunity to not let anything left unsaid.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My takeaway from the lives and deaths of Terry Megginson Walton
and Dr. Paul Weber is this: there are amazing people in this world who touch us
deeply. We would not be the same people without them. While we can, we must let
these living saints know what they mean to us before they pass on into the
cloud of witnesses. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Who has loved, cared, sacrificed and mentored you? Are there
friendships that have transformed you life? Don’t wait until tomorrow to tell
them how much they mean to you. Let them know that their lives are well-lived,
and that they have made a difference to you. <o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->revlaurabarclayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07180037981858218328noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7640030144185444897.post-76470731791504045442013-10-09T17:13:00.000-04:002013-10-10T10:11:54.592-04:00A Challenge to Congress<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs9KBk-1qu87mNnSauD9OMV34hA9U9ZBOhemjQ_DDyKuApyqhAoXJbLOAK59O-XJHyC7wh7SzJuWzqgbhQ8mIJpiC2OlBOi8Ue2o-noXVWnnlEmJuvVUp1mEr1hU2dzz5cZGFzjnfufAw/s1600/house_floor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs9KBk-1qu87mNnSauD9OMV34hA9U9ZBOhemjQ_DDyKuApyqhAoXJbLOAK59O-XJHyC7wh7SzJuWzqgbhQ8mIJpiC2OlBOi8Ue2o-noXVWnnlEmJuvVUp1mEr1hU2dzz5cZGFzjnfufAw/s320/house_floor.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">by Rev. Ryan Eller</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
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<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Members of congress are obsessed with their own opinions and even
more obsessed with getting them on camera. Knowing that, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/09/us/politics/many-in-gop-offer-theory-default-wouldnt-be-that-bad.html?pagewanted=all"><span style="color: #1155cc;">this article</span></a> shouldn’t have shocked me, but it
did. So, I did what all good nerds do when we’re pissed off, and wrote this challenge, attempting to articulate for members of congress a way for them to
understand where we’re all coming from, way down here in Middle America.</span><br />
<div class="normal">
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">A reasonable challenge to members of the United States Congress
from Middle America:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t take your
salaries while you aren’t doing your job. In both reading the constitution and
looking at the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, it’s pretty clear that passing
a budget (or at least a continuing resolution) and funding the basic
constitutionally protected business of government (military, roads, etc. etc.)
is your job (as <a href="https://www.facebook.com/notes/paul-ryan/house-gop-to-speaker-pelosi-its-congress-responsibility-to-produce-a-budget/411483512447"><span style="color: #1155cc;">this now ironically awkward letter from congressional
Republicans</span></a> even suggested back in 2010.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you take us up on
this offer, because you aren’t taking your salaries, share the experience of
most people without an income and default on your own debt. While you’re at it,
figure out a way to provide health insurance for your family. Really, test it
out by applying for COBRA or searching on the new insurance exchanges for
coverage. Heck, even go down to the doctor’s office and just ask how much it
would cost you for a visit, now that you’re not receiving an income and don’t
have health insurance and all.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">3)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While you’re at it,
file for unemployment insurance. You’ll enjoy that process a great deal I’m
sure. Plus, it will prepare you for your real unemployment, which I’m guessing
may occur some time in November of 2014 anyway.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">4)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since you have no
income and one of your family members is likely to get sick at some point,
you’ll need to figure out, like most Americans, which bills to pay and which
ones to put on credit (if you can still get credit, that is). Go ahead and make
a list. While you’re at it, make a list of all the things that will happen in
your life if you don’t pay your bills. Since you’ve likely never experienced
this before, I’ll give you a few hints:</span><br />
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="normal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">a.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Your credit score will diminish, and it will now cost you more to live
because each time you take out a loan your interest rate will be higher.</span><br />
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="normal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">b.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If you can’t make the payment on your home, try selling it to prevent
foreclosure. Don’t worry too much about the memories your family has had in the
home. After all, you can make new ones in the next place you live. Also, good
luck with the sale since most folks won’t buy in a market full of uncertainty
created by congressional inaction. Regardless, do all you can to make those
house payments because, trust the rest of us when we tell you, negotiating with
the banks won’t work out well for you.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">c.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You’ll have bill collectors calling the house to threaten you. It’s
annoying, but you’ll figure out some good ways of dealing with it eventually.
That is, until they show up and repo your car. Then, well, you’ll be in need of
a ride. (Note: please use this as an opportunity to learn about our public
transit system, which you, as a once-elected official, were charged to
oversee and fund.)</span><br />
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="normal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">5)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once you do feel
like doing your job again, and getting paid for it (because I’m pretty sure it
wouldn’t take you very long once you experienced what most of us actually
experience), please come back to Capitol Hill and share with your colleagues
what it’s like when you can’t pay your bills (or in your case, simply choose
not to even when you have never not paid them in US history). Then maybe you’ll
realize that yes, there are consequences to not increasing the debt ceiling.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Do all of us middle and working class folks a solid, and just
start acting like responsible leaders and do your constitutional duty. This
might be hard for you to grasp, but we really don’t care which one of you comes
out looking like the winner, as long as we’re not the losers in whatever game
y’all think you are playing on Capitol Hill. <i> </i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Rev. Ryan Eller is a professional organizer, consultant and ordained Baptist minister, whose work includes managing nonprofits, political campaigns, and serving as the former US Campaigns Director for change.org</i>. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>revlaurabarclayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07180037981858218328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7640030144185444897.post-48373775159272083232013-09-27T12:00:00.000-04:002013-09-27T12:00:06.318-04:00Hawaii: Land of Volcanoes, Sunsets and Sea Turtles<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVtwHFge7btml7OBZfW8z2InW5MPI1JxMK84YLnuBYekd2cOtQmUMDTQAzr2y5GrL2j8HMgB_aVzrPY54lyOcVa6h1Za43D7oSibod7LOhR0W7vbzqkHbda1zk3THoeiMaaasrAyvr6k4/s1600/crater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVtwHFge7btml7OBZfW8z2InW5MPI1JxMK84YLnuBYekd2cOtQmUMDTQAzr2y5GrL2j8HMgB_aVzrPY54lyOcVa6h1Za43D7oSibod7LOhR0W7vbzqkHbda1zk3THoeiMaaasrAyvr6k4/s200/crater.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ryan and I at Kilauea Crater</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
by Rev. Laura Barclay<br />
<br />
I went on family vacation to Hawaii recently and discovered that it is unequivocally the greatest state. This is saying a lot from a Kentucky girl. I recently found out that Kentucky has the highest percentage of people who are born and who die in the same state. This means that friend of yours from KY will probably be moving back soon.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqck3_H2NrV5_jrtCWYI27qANZdWn4YVedm7gKLneULwl1WHypMwTLnEbSvystdyHWtDvHmRIjjDKjsnDs18ZXTH78skzUnqUGY0iFHQbNf4XmmnRppUJDDET-p_BwE1Y8DSwjj6wx550/s1600/mauna+kea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqck3_H2NrV5_jrtCWYI27qANZdWn4YVedm7gKLneULwl1WHypMwTLnEbSvystdyHWtDvHmRIjjDKjsnDs18ZXTH78skzUnqUGY0iFHQbNf4XmmnRppUJDDET-p_BwE1Y8DSwjj6wx550/s200/mauna+kea.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Only the base of Mauna Kea is<br />visible from below.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
But even I have to step aside at the marvel of Hawaii. The localreligion and culture, which is in the middle of a renaissance that began in the 1970's, is so tied to the topography as to make the land a breathing entity all its own. This is not a hard leap in imagination to make, since the Kilauea Crater pumps out steam daily and spews lava into the ocean, vents for hundreds of square acres, and is responsible for Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, two volcanic mountains that lord over the island. Only the base is visible as the rest is cloaked in heavy clouds.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLVfzbfxutgQUMq1CEBUgmtYn9Z2oV3hdYY0tfl8QUFR5Z5ek2PrLmJipIYIHkodeUk-nbNXZKsiFIEKlbciULqjZMCtk9_eehtM-vWd4hspRiQM55HPx-yywessKRSFYlNDtldfDx1lo/s1600/offering+to+pele.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLVfzbfxutgQUMq1CEBUgmtYn9Z2oV3hdYY0tfl8QUFR5Z5ek2PrLmJipIYIHkodeUk-nbNXZKsiFIEKlbciULqjZMCtk9_eehtM-vWd4hspRiQM55HPx-yywessKRSFYlNDtldfDx1lo/s200/offering+to+pele.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Offering to Pele near steam vent</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Legend has it that the Goddess Pele went from island to island creating the chain of islands comprising the state of Hawaii out of volcanoes. This Hawaiian myth lines up with scientific fact, as the trajectory of Pele's travels matches the age progression of the island--Pele's newest creation is also the newest island, The Big Island of Hawaii. Locals leave offerings for Pele near steam vents. For Hawaiians, volcanic activity decides their future and their legends urge them to appease the goddess's anger.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ84nq9QELlfKihrkZgxU6ihhy1UCYziZ6HoUx1aHItbU-yw8PMeKTyvR-UQfbl4AObfkf2bq2Z1cgOOkDlx4jMIiPd9VTXZ_9IRDjmLydwYVsTBsDcCy2ypAm8jomjkCqkmcsKRGSb3E/s1600/sea+turtles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ84nq9QELlfKihrkZgxU6ihhy1UCYziZ6HoUx1aHItbU-yw8PMeKTyvR-UQfbl4AObfkf2bq2Z1cgOOkDlx4jMIiPd9VTXZ_9IRDjmLydwYVsTBsDcCy2ypAm8jomjkCqkmcsKRGSb3E/s200/sea+turtles.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sea Turtles at Black Sand Beach</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Yet it is not just anger that rules the day, as the God Kane is thanked for bringing some of the most vibrant flowers and life to the island I've ever seen, coming in neon orange, purple and blue. One day while snorkeling off the beach, I was surrounded by a pod of sea turtles who had come in to feed on the algae on the rocks. How beautiful to be surrounded in a cove with such gentle, beautiful creatures. This is truly one of the most memorable moments of my life.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkh9eeU4lIrPqgOnnXbT7d-ukyehVXKTpdsI1Yz7YOxF_DIg5T4eWyo3bec9B9x3s6Y1VnnN8M-4w_wNFUfQx1htkE1CSBYkoSgJ9CKvdqfd3DivggJtgLurEc-R4HFvsXJkAAJBcxcXE/s1600/ku.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkh9eeU4lIrPqgOnnXbT7d-ukyehVXKTpdsI1Yz7YOxF_DIg5T4eWyo3bec9B9x3s6Y1VnnN8M-4w_wNFUfQx1htkE1CSBYkoSgJ9CKvdqfd3DivggJtgLurEc-R4HFvsXJkAAJBcxcXE/s200/ku.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ku, Hawaiian God of War</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The god Ku has become synonymous with Hawaiian nationalism. Ku is a political symbol for indigenous people, who were forcefully taken over by Americans that wanted to claim the island for its strategic importance. U.S. Marines placed Queen Liliuokalani under house arrest, giving her no choice but to surrender. Now, given that we are in a new age of questioning the wisdom of colonialism, rural Hawaiians are giving serious thought to whether the U.S. governing system is the best for their land. Hawaiians have one congressperson who represents Oahu (with the populous Honolulu) and one congressperson who represents all the rest of the islands, which are mostly rural. This is an understandable point of contention. Also, rarely do indigenous persons hold office to to their socioeconomic status. Wealthier Japanese immigrants tend to rise to the top in political circles. Regardless of their political arguments, the people were the friendliest of anywhere I've traveled, striking up conversations quickly and genuinely.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiNPecm93kG2DfhbAlWm0zvvkTsy1SrWEBDJQ-oBuFb7RdXBM_T63ixEs7ABq1cMXMwFa-Z4K8HI_VbIqxY8sSqaC0TEgxy0XSV_ozc8MOzUkMUfk6yPlBgw4Y32v8viNNSRCG5ppfvIs/s1600/mokuaikaua.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiNPecm93kG2DfhbAlWm0zvvkTsy1SrWEBDJQ-oBuFb7RdXBM_T63ixEs7ABq1cMXMwFa-Z4K8HI_VbIqxY8sSqaC0TEgxy0XSV_ozc8MOzUkMUfk6yPlBgw4Y32v8viNNSRCG5ppfvIs/s200/mokuaikaua.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tale of how Henry Obooktah<br />was an "idolater" but became<br />a Christian, Mokuaikaua<br />Church</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A point of reflection for me came when I entered the oldest church in Hawaii, Mokuaikaua Church. Itseemed pretty conservative, and had a small museum in the back that recounted tales of converting local "heathens" and "idolaters." This was disheartening. I found that many locals tend to view the coming of white Christians as the first in a wave of foreigners to erase their culture. White Christians not only wanted to eradicate the local religion, but educate the people in the ways of the whites. Western culture equaled Christianity. While this is no longer how many do missions, it is a sobering thought about all that white Christians have done in the name of God, both evil and good.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuxIyVQZX5OAsxCnPAnw35tpTqmnvv4eRshUuUXDUUF4Z8Se3nOkDAXvEg_Z4azpvdkq16UTgsICIszWcECEgN17hKGKZSmLeiL9rgAnG61uB6HDrd0oxLKHPllwiu3NaC1ib34t_Z5U0/s1600/christchurch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuxIyVQZX5OAsxCnPAnw35tpTqmnvv4eRshUuUXDUUF4Z8Se3nOkDAXvEg_Z4azpvdkq16UTgsICIszWcECEgN17hKGKZSmLeiL9rgAnG61uB6HDrd0oxLKHPllwiu3NaC1ib34t_Z5U0/s200/christchurch.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christ Church Episcopal, Hawaii</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Conversely, I saw a wonderful congregation named Christ Church Episcopal that publicized local cultural events in an effort to embrace syncretism and respect for indigenous practices. It was heartening to see a positive model of Christ-like love and respect for one's neighbor being exhibited! In addition, I kind of wanted to put in my application for pastor and never leave. If I ever move away Kentucky, look for me here.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAgwz5OxqT6QCLW9MO8KbnXi1bLpxKrFL3G1YdwpBDkqifokfNA7wQbfveyZodWLiS3Zns9JE-Fylc7hb8vgP03mLMZPulKvGihdL2reDlqgvuRqPBZLULzDTT3H2xeCxLK-UMDKzz_QI/s1600/hawaiisunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAgwz5OxqT6QCLW9MO8KbnXi1bLpxKrFL3G1YdwpBDkqifokfNA7wQbfveyZodWLiS3Zns9JE-Fylc7hb8vgP03mLMZPulKvGihdL2reDlqgvuRqPBZLULzDTT3H2xeCxLK-UMDKzz_QI/s200/hawaiisunset.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I will mull over my visit for some time to come, and look forwardto learning more about the culture, beliefs, and history of Hawaiians. Have you been to Hawaii? What were your takeaways?<br />
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revlaurabarclayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07180037981858218328noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7640030144185444897.post-459762862025205432013-09-20T12:00:00.000-04:002013-09-20T12:00:02.416-04:00Soul Renewal<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVSQdQhVpGBXXCtHuDuNN78uh6lbnlrgt6W3R5ZRN7keDE-OyNYTzCuiSLOWZUdKj1YUjvewHpXbhVFnO1NabxQvcMm8t_Jx5ef-zqX3bIHFb6gQkP5TYOUfVnOjq2SMnVdC1v3rq7N5s/s1600/huddleinla.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVSQdQhVpGBXXCtHuDuNN78uh6lbnlrgt6W3R5ZRN7keDE-OyNYTzCuiSLOWZUdKj1YUjvewHpXbhVFnO1NabxQvcMm8t_Jx5ef-zqX3bIHFb6gQkP5TYOUfVnOjq2SMnVdC1v3rq7N5s/s320/huddleinla.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Erin Gordon Goddard (middle) , Sara Hof (right), me (left)<br />at the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles, CA</td></tr>
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by Rev. Laura Barclay<br />
<br />
I had the blessing to be able to visit dear friends I see rarely who live in California a few weeks ago. To make this even more special, seeing them coincided with my birthday. Cupcakes, adventures, and exploring were on the docket. Nothing could have been a better present than seeing friends who are like family after a long time apart.<br />
<br />
I met Erin and Sara in divinity school at Wake Forest University. I lived with Erin for two amazing years and spent countless hours in Sara's library studying (or not studying) and laughing at YouTube videos. These are two wonderful people who I know I could pick up with like no time has passed. They never judge me, they are always quick with a hug or friendly text, and are some of the most genuine and authentic people I know. In short, they have been models of Jesus's ethic of love for one's neighbor when I've lost my way. Without judgement, their unconditional love has always helped guide me through, as it seems to do with the best of friends. I am so blessed to have so many beloved friends (especially from Wake Divinity and University of Louisville and CBFNC), and I was tempted to begin naming them. Yet there are so many dear ones who have guided me along and been the loving presence of Christ.<br />
<br />
When you encounter friends like these, it feels like your heart will burst and you can never give enough thanks to know such people. If I've learned anything from them, it is to pay it forward. When one friend renews your soul, try to renew another. Send a note or a funny present or a card that lets you know you are thinking of them. If a friend is in need of help--be it moving or some other project--make the time to be there for them. Friends who are like family are nothing short of life-giving, and they need to know you care.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I'm reminded of this quote from Paul's Letter to the Ephesians in Chapter 4: "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." This is the mark of a healthy community, a wonderful friendship, and a model for the Kingdom of God. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">How can you model this for a friend this week?</span>revlaurabarclayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07180037981858218328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7640030144185444897.post-34512300941307671882013-08-30T12:00:00.000-04:002013-08-30T12:00:02.427-04:00What Do You Want on Your Tombstone?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr_xKUhAUfIF80kQ52KTeebyQ10WjKDkAF3ayvaahH2fnUzQ_7f5duatkjZAeHRomJRJL88fLgU-vE5lypG99kN4KX9yCtPXF1nCErJBS_3vkX0zNo2q0YT4Mxzms7NhZ0V5dpPf_Jv_8/s1600/tombstone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr_xKUhAUfIF80kQ52KTeebyQ10WjKDkAF3ayvaahH2fnUzQ_7f5duatkjZAeHRomJRJL88fLgU-vE5lypG99kN4KX9yCtPXF1nCErJBS_3vkX0zNo2q0YT4Mxzms7NhZ0V5dpPf_Jv_8/s1600/tombstone.jpg" /></a></div>
by Rev. Laura Barclay<br />
<br />
"What do you want on your tombstone?" is not just a question for frozen pizza enthusiasts, but a real question for us to ponder. What would you want a complete stranger to know about you in a nutshell 10, 20, or 100 years from now?<br />
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A few weeks ago, my husband and I were walking through the famous <a href="http://www.cavehillcemetery.com/" target="_blank">Cave Hill Cemetery</a> in Louisville, resting place of Colonel Sanders, George Rogers Clark, and the teacher who wrote the "Happy Birthday" song, Patty Hill, among others. It's also well known for its gorgeous and sometimes wacky monuments.<br />
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While the eye is drawn toward the showiness of Colonel Sanders' marble columns and stately bust, it's the understated tomb of his grandson, Harland Morrison Adams, that stuck with me. Harland's inscription states, "I HAD A GREAT TIME!" Of all the loving and touching inscriptions on various tombs, this one was my takeaway. What was this person's life like? What made this person live to the fullest? The only information I could find out about him was that he donated money to charity, loved his wife, was an avid skier, and had a ski slope named after him in Aspen.<br />
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What is holding you back detracting from your happiness? Are you not following through on your dreams because of your fears? One of my favorite quotes is from Eleanor Roosevelt who said, "Do one thing every day that scares you." I can just see Harland flying down a ski slope shouting and afterward hugging his wife at the ski lodge.<br />
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I tend to weigh the negatives of a situation a lot. It's in my blood. I come from a line of worriers and my sister is an insurance defense attorney who can quote accidents and death rates like nobody's business. Yet, I'm compelled to board a roller coaster, zip line, or otherwise statistically stupid ride or experience to push me outside my comfort zone. If I don't, I tend to find that fear, routine, and complacency creep in. And, honestly, humans struggle with fear quite a lot. <a href="http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Christianity/2008/09/How-to-Face-Fear-10-Bible-Verses-To-Inspire-Courage.aspx" target="_blank">The Bible has quite a lot to say about fear</a>, with various passages and authors imploring us not to fear because God is with us.<br />
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In addition to trying to love to the fullest, let us also live to the fullest. Let's push the boundaries, try repeatedly to assuage our fears, and remember that God is always with us.revlaurabarclayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07180037981858218328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7640030144185444897.post-70680614934010396732013-08-23T12:00:00.000-04:002013-08-23T12:00:01.980-04:00The Benefits of Being Five Years Old<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUuzsJvmjJS0mEUldAfkBkLouQecxHnMqrmO1PgB079VMiEgKV13sLGJXINR6Kz5S_ak8DgT-_JZ3sDaUM-OE9YZHhM5mQ4eS-08rYkF6kcBz4HLGU1NnH9NSH5YgpCmlKd8xfS0B6quQ/s1600/t5thbirthday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUuzsJvmjJS0mEUldAfkBkLouQecxHnMqrmO1PgB079VMiEgKV13sLGJXINR6Kz5S_ak8DgT-_JZ3sDaUM-OE9YZHhM5mQ4eS-08rYkF6kcBz4HLGU1NnH9NSH5YgpCmlKd8xfS0B6quQ/s200/t5thbirthday.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">by Rev. Laura Barclay</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My niece, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 16px;">Téa, recently turned five and wore this fabulous number. If you can't tell, she is wearing red cowboy boots, a floral skirt with a blue plastic grass skirt on top, a green shirt with flowers on it, a lei, and a multi-colored, peace symbol headband. And to that I say, rock it! More than one, partygoers kept looking at her and saying, "I wish I could still dress like that."</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 16px;">In addition, she completed an art project, which consisted of painting her own treasure box, fit as many of her friends as possible in a giant chair, ate copious amounts of pizza and cake, and played on giant bouncy slides and castles for an hour. She had a blast and it was fun to watch. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKKM8bMl3mpi3u55l8ifc9JdQwZcW9RoiBWX2OVfFdAGo0UfLVR0D2opXE89ygrh1j6YPXSZ-L6rTX9kJ78mYVTYcf-fHYvg-_tVUSoXWthw42HNpzf2pADQVjPHML6rtgzGsLor2SUdo/s1600/t5thbirthday2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKKM8bMl3mpi3u55l8ifc9JdQwZcW9RoiBWX2OVfFdAGo0UfLVR0D2opXE89ygrh1j6YPXSZ-L6rTX9kJ78mYVTYcf-fHYvg-_tVUSoXWthw42HNpzf2pADQVjPHML6rtgzGsLor2SUdo/s200/t5thbirthday2.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 16px;">Remember when birthdays started to go downhill after 21 or so? At 25 you could rent cars at a cheaper rate, but that was the last real milestone of adult freedom. Now, birthdays seem to be ignored due to shame ("I'm 29, I swear. Shut up!") or subdued due to indifference ("I think I'll just stay in. Nobody cares that I'm 52."). </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 16px;">What if we just donned our grass skirts and went for it? Are we afraid people will judge us for having a good time on our birthdays? Afraid that people will think we are too old for that? We all deserve to be happy and celebrated as children of God. Our births are special, no matter if we are 5, 55, or 105. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 16px;">So, the next time you see a kid in a tiki, mermaid, or pirate outfit screaming, "Oh yeah, it's my birthday!", consider throwing a pirate-themed fiesta yourself. I might even help plan it with you if there's a cutlass and eyepatch for me! </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></span>revlaurabarclayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07180037981858218328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7640030144185444897.post-65913059004369476042013-08-16T12:00:00.001-04:002013-08-16T12:00:04.223-04:00A Surprise Resurrection Flower<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuS1N2CgDsDM4_sgX51AdgO4JbTsrfJu_7VuySK0N7WjfQ9WPpCSoSAPPISwYpYCRVOMbPv8gy167GHdxApPva7qxmjNeKOG8NuQDOjPGly0CTX268oMeAmXfojJa7tGcSuaBbxt31dDA/s1600/surpriselily.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuS1N2CgDsDM4_sgX51AdgO4JbTsrfJu_7VuySK0N7WjfQ9WPpCSoSAPPISwYpYCRVOMbPv8gy167GHdxApPva7qxmjNeKOG8NuQDOjPGly0CTX268oMeAmXfojJa7tGcSuaBbxt31dDA/s1600/surpriselily.jpg" /></a></div>
by Rev. Laura Barclay<br />
<br />
A few weeks ago, Ryan and I were surprised to find a bunch of stalks shooting up through our yard that we neither planted nor knew about. We began to notice them all over Louisville.<br />
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A few days later, they shot up about two feet and exploded in a wonder of pink and purple. The flowers were transforming ordinary yards into fairytale landscapes all over the city. If you examine the petals closely, they shimmer in the light.<br />
<br />
Now the petals have fallen off and they've mostly disappeared, but for weeks we were astounded at one of many surprises our new home city, Louisville, had in store. Our neighbor told us that these flowers were planted decades ago and still shoot up every year.<br />
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It's a bit of a reminder that in the humdrum routine of life, everyday miracles can happen. We can still be surprised, no matter how cynical or immune to wonder we tend to be. So take a walk, look around, and prepare to be amazed.revlaurabarclayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07180037981858218328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7640030144185444897.post-76386399373166201642013-08-09T13:34:00.000-04:002013-08-09T13:34:00.891-04:00Has Anyone Ever Told You That You're Going to Hell?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEgNlbv4odS3l5-91EqO20M4k-nxwdzd8-oDJree8OMFB-hhyphenhyphenNzhfGoRPIBqFZCW4wotKOqyZ4xwwsCSfMg02wx8NbNavBPxF_u-OGYuPFftHWXTm95_Ql_5wjGwUOoZCgf6Bubizs3o8/s1600/Condemnation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEgNlbv4odS3l5-91EqO20M4k-nxwdzd8-oDJree8OMFB-hhyphenhyphenNzhfGoRPIBqFZCW4wotKOqyZ4xwwsCSfMg02wx8NbNavBPxF_u-OGYuPFftHWXTm95_Ql_5wjGwUOoZCgf6Bubizs3o8/s320/Condemnation.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
by Rev. Laura Barclay<br />
<br />
If someone has condemned you to hell, at least I'll be in the same boat with you!<br />
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Here is a sampling of the reasons I have been told definitively or warned by conservative Christians that I was going to hell:<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Not being baptized at 5 or 6. How is this different from infant baptism? My parents encouraged me to wait until I had thought through it and I was baptized at 11, which was significantly older than most in my church.</li>
<li>Criticizing the Catholic Church for exclusion of women in an academic paper, with cited sources.*</li>
<li>Having gay and lesbian friends. This, in my view, was the worst. <a href="http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=185965568" target="_blank">Jesus said the greatest commandment is to love.</a> Whatever you personally believe about sexuality, you should never exclude others or criticize people for loving their friends.</li>
<li>Telling a professor I was wrestling with Jesus' divinity. Isn't talking through this with Christians the way you are supposed to work these issues out?. *</li>
<li>Being a female minister. </li>
</ul>
<br />
When people tell me they aren't Christians or don't go to church because they have serious issues with hypocrisy, even to the point where they question the existance of God, I get it. I have had similar experiences to most of these folks. Some of us who had these experiences decided to stay and work with more moderate churches and others decided that they needed to leave (or had no other option as they were surrounded by intolerant congregations). I see this as very similar to the Protestant Reformation--some Catholics were involved in an internal reformation and some got out and started/joined other denominations.<br />
<br />
As part of a healing process, whether you stayed with the church or left, I would encourage you to forgive those who condemned you. I am an unabashed lover of Jesus, and whether you think he was Christ, a prophet, a nice man, or a crazy person, I'm sure we can all agree that he had some fantastic teachings. The miracle of forgiveness is that it releases you from the negative energy of hatred. When you don't forgive, you are chained to the person who wronged you indefinitely. The hatred grows and you become defined by it. In a sense, they win. But if you forgive them, you are released and love can take its place. Forgiveness transforms who you are and perhaps will change the person who wronged you in the long run. Maybe they will see that you live by the one rule that counts--love. Because, as John reminds us in 1 John 4:8, "God is love."<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">* Note: My college experience at was fantastic. Only two out of the dozens of professors I had were fundamentalists when it came to religion. The freedom of my college years allowed me to explore my thoughts and feelings in a way no church I had attended, until late in my junior year, allowed. Ultimately, this freedom brought me back to the church in a healthy way.</span><br />
<br />revlaurabarclayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07180037981858218328noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7640030144185444897.post-85511194221304412702013-08-02T12:11:00.000-04:002013-08-02T12:11:00.450-04:00Loving Our Frailties<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div>
by Rev. Laura Barclay</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
This weekend, I attended a new members class at Highland Baptist Church in Louisville, KY. The 100 year old sanctuary is gorgeous, decorated in an English Country Gothic style. In the 1970s, stained glass windows were installed with pictures of apostles and saints throughout history. One panel in particular struck me. Each of the apostles had two symbols representative of their lives in each hand. <div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Peter in the middle, top panel, holds a key in his left hand. This is indicative of the passage from Matthew 16:18-19 where Jesus says, </div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #010000; line-height: 22px;">And I tell you, you are Peter, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #010000; line-height: 22px;">and on this rock<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #010000; line-height: 22px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #010000; line-height: 22px;">I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #010000; line-height: 22px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #010000; line-height: 22px;">I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.</span></i></span></blockquote>
On this passage is the basis for the Catholic tradition that Peter was the first pope--the first head--of the one global church on which Jesus laid the foundation through his ministry. Whether or not you interpret the passage this way, it is inarguable that Peter had a profound impact on the shape and spread of Christianity after the death of Jesus.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAqOQ-UDdift4ub-VvRIf3mkYZIG_KwT3ztW22QKNHkc4LeH4yhV8epiGU4xNCOwTsWjsqhTXxP2r7sEUiBKAU3UuaX17dOD-90nE1ie1rF5Pk9m8u4TZbXdrVMQBACS22UvFbGpfvhPk/s1600/peter.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAqOQ-UDdift4ub-VvRIf3mkYZIG_KwT3ztW22QKNHkc4LeH4yhV8epiGU4xNCOwTsWjsqhTXxP2r7sEUiBKAU3UuaX17dOD-90nE1ie1rF5Pk9m8u4TZbXdrVMQBACS22UvFbGpfvhPk/s200/peter.png" width="119" /></a>Yet, notice what Peter has in the other hand. He is holding a rooster, which is the symbol of his betrayal that Jesus predicts in Matthew 26:34:<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #010000; line-height: 22px;">Truly I tell you, this very night, before the cock crows, you will deny me three times." This becomes true later when Peter pretends that he does not know Jesus after his arrest. So how is it that the man with the keys to the kingdom also betrays Jesus? </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #010000; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #010000; line-height: 22px;">The apostles are portrayed almost as comic relief in the gospels. They don't understand Jesus' message or miss the point, allowing Jesus to clarify. In the famous "Feeding of the 5,000" story in Matthew 14, the apostles want to send the crowds away rather than feed them. Jesus says to them in what I can almost imagine as an exhausted eye-roll of a tone in verse 6, "They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat."</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #010000; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #010000; line-height: 22px;">While the apostles keep screwing up during Jesus' life, they are forced to organize after his death. They realize what Jesus' teachings meant to them and that it's up to them to spread the message. Jesus is entrusting it to them, for all their bumbling imperfections. In Matthew 28, they are asked to go throughout the nations and spread the teachings. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #010000; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #010000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;">If we believe that Jesus was both fully human and divine, then we must understand that he knows the horror of human fear. In the garden before his arrest he was sweating blood (Luke 22). This is a very real condition called <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8982961" target="_blank">hematidrosis</a>, which is brought on by extreme fear and anxiety. Imagine Jesus in the garden in the dead of night alone, sweating blood, crying, in the midst of a panic attack, pleading with God to "<a href="http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=64484702" target="_blank">take this cup from me</a>." Most of us would have a similar reaction to the possibility of being crucified. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #010000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #010000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;">I think Jesus would absolutely understand Peter's betrayal in the face of death. This is why Peter's commitment to Jesus' message after the crucifixion is even more profound. The theologian Origen would later go on to confirm Peter's upside down crucifixion in Rome, showing both Rome's continued cruelty to perceived insurrectionists and his willingness to die for his beliefs. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #010000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #010000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;">Each of us is a bundle of courage and fear, loyalty and betrayal. We must come to terms with this and love ourselves, as God does, not in spite of our frailty, but because of them. Humans are beautiful, messy creatures that are far from perfect, but we are made in God's image. And if we believe that God understands humanity even more intimately through Christ's experience, then we have to trust that God is there when we are paralyzed with fear or, God help us, when we betray one another. If anything, we must learn to forgive ourselves as God forgives us so that we can begin to see ourselves as children of God. The next time you fall short of your expectations, don't dwell on it. Know that God is there, cringing with you in sympathy, and ready to remind you that you are loved. You just have to accept that unconditional love, which may be the hardest lesson for humans to learn.</span></span><br />
<br />revlaurabarclayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07180037981858218328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7640030144185444897.post-51047854519949833762013-07-26T15:08:00.000-04:002013-07-26T15:08:12.027-04:00When Friendships End<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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by Rev. Laura Barclay<br />
<br />
One of the more painful or disruptive events in life can be the end of a friendship. For various reasons, people lose friends. Sometimes we drift apart as our life experiences differ, sometimes one friend chooses a destructive path and the other one can't follow, and sometimes we try to make something work that simply doesn't. Occasionally, as in failed relationships, we try to look back and figure out where things went wrong.<br />
<br />
We ask ourselves the following questions: What if we had done things differently? What if we had been more intentional instead of drifting apart? Should we have endured more before ending the friendship? What happened?<br />
<br />
Some of mine have ended for a variety of reasons: geography; mutual drifting apart due to separate interests; he/she or I didn't have the emotional maturity to deal with situations in a friendship; selfishness (again he/she or I); or, occasionally, behavior that crosses the line of what one can tolerate in a friendship (e.g. sexual harassment, violence, etc.).<br />
<br />
The truth is, many friendships end. Rev. Shasta Nelson shares several <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/shasta-nelson-mdiv/five-questions-to-ask-before-ending-a-friendship_b_3444716.html" target="_blank">questions one should ask before ending a friendship</a>. These might be helpful in working through the situation you are in or have just experienced. What I really like about this article is that she stresses listening, compassion and forgiveness while understanding that if you have done your part, it might be time to "drift apart."<br />
<br />
In the times when I have had to "drift apart" from someone, or someone has had to do that to me, I try to pray for forgiveness for my failings in that relationship and bless the other person. We tend to view everything as one-sided, though that is rarely the case. Instead, I visualize a prayer that is something like the following:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<br />God, I am sorry for my failings in this friendship. Even as I mourn the end of this earthly relationship, I have hope in your heavenly kingdom. In Revelation 7:9, John tells us that he sees,<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #010000; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">"a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands." We know that some day we will all carry the palm branches of peace, and we will continue to work in your name to do so. Please bless those who are no longer earthly friends to do the same and to flourish, and may we all keep hope in you, God. Amen.</span></span></blockquote>
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This helps us acknowledge our own failings while affirming hope in our shared God and blessing those who we are no longer friends with to do the same and to be well. The worst thing you can do is to maintain bitterness that will only hurt your happiness and keep you from being the authentically beautiful child of God that you are. Remember that your former friends have taught you valuable lessons about yourself that you will carry for life and have probably made you a better, more thoughtful and less selfish person.<br />
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So blessings to friends, former friends and friends yet to be for your love, compassion, life lessons learned and still to be learned!revlaurabarclayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07180037981858218328noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7640030144185444897.post-61693897150568244292013-07-19T15:14:00.000-04:002013-07-19T15:18:37.609-04:00I Am My Grandma...and other Revelations<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFHD04r1-I9vjWpChxqEZmb0W6vnNIdkgbvPmG7C6J2tViuTFGWFhgSBt5tZNRve0FwHV4ySr03lyGv8D6c_mDjG-ykF4hZ5HSzk6RCjrdDlsWfEoOB-IgjVs6k-qAX-gYF3UzNehO_dc/s1600/mammaw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFHD04r1-I9vjWpChxqEZmb0W6vnNIdkgbvPmG7C6J2tViuTFGWFhgSBt5tZNRve0FwHV4ySr03lyGv8D6c_mDjG-ykF4hZ5HSzk6RCjrdDlsWfEoOB-IgjVs6k-qAX-gYF3UzNehO_dc/s1600/mammaw.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Mammaw with my newest cousin, Tyler</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Rev. Laura Barclay<br />
<br />
As I transition to life in Kentucky, I am also learning more about gardening, vintage items, older homes, and new neighbors. I have spent more time with my grandmother, who has a love of antiques, canning, and telling my Pappaw to get out of the kitchen and stop telling her how to cook.<br />
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In my conversations with her, I have discovered that she is resourceful, tough, funny, loves children, and cares very much about preserving the past. As a women who watched one daughter suffer and survive polio and lost another suddenly only a year and a half ago, I understand that this love of the past is also deeply personal. Because of this realization, her words carry more weight as someone who has endured much and has life lessons to teach.<br />
<br />
Mammaw warns about the costs of vegetables rising and supplies her own by canning the veggies from Pappaw's thriving garden. Yet she shares readily with neighbors, relatives, and whoever might show up at her door. She attends church and volunteers regularly. She could the quintessential character in a Clyde Edgerton novel.<br />
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I have since noticed the cost of vegetables and have considered canning. I learned we have an interest in estate sales and antiquing in common because you can get wonderful items at a great deal, and I think if either of us could live in a museum, we would. She was influenced by the times in which she was raised--the Great Depression. My generation has been shaken by the Great Recession--no longer do we believe in a guarantee of jobs, retirement, monetary success or a stable housing market. My grandmother watches her Social Security checks fail to meet inflation and wonders if she'll always have enough. For all our political differences, both believe the government has failed in its promise to care for veterans like my grandfather. Instead of caring about living up to societal standards of success--whatever that means--we care more about the ideal of living in community instilled in us from church.<br />
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Now, on the eve of my grandparents 65th wedding anniversary, as we bond over gardens, antiques, church talk, looking at pictures of long-lost relatives and our concern for the present, I'm thankful that instead of thinking of all the years between us I can focus on our commonalities and learn more about my grandmother beyond her identity as "Mammaw."<br />
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How about you? Is there a relative of family friend you have had or wish you had the opportunity to get to know beyond their relational identity to you? What is your mother, father, brother, sister, grandma, or aunt like outside of their identity as family member?revlaurabarclayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07180037981858218328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7640030144185444897.post-10220170265850342782013-07-12T12:28:00.000-04:002013-07-12T12:28:26.411-04:00You Are Enough!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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by Rev. Laura Barclay<br />
<br />
I had the fortune of spending July 4th weekend at a house party with some dear friends and setting off fireworks in the street like a kid. These friends have a 2 year-old daughter, Lily, who is sweet, agreeable, loving, and confident. Lily got her face painted like a butterfly, and when she toddled around and smiled, we all said, "Oh my gosh, you are so cute!"<br />
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She looked up at all of us, grinned even bigger and said, "I know!"<br />
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I was struck by the beauty of this statement in a world where women (and an increasing amount of men) are told by every form of media they aren't pretty enough, thin enough, strong enough, fit enough, healthy enough or give enough time to their partners, their workplaces, and their kids. The covers of magazines demand we lose "5, 10, 15 pounds now for swimsuit season!" and become "bikini ready."<br />
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This child, who is dearly loved by her parents, extended family and friends, knows that she is enough. I worry that her, and other little girls like her, will lose that confidence as they get older and tall enough to see the magazine covers and perceptive enough to notice that most models and many actresses are dangerously skinny.<br />
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In Apostle Paul's first letter to the church at Thessalonica, he states that is proud of the community for their hopeful outlook and expresses sadness at being away from this community. Toward the end of his letter, Paul asks them to continue to "encourage one another and build up each other" (1 Thess. 5:11 NRSV).<br />
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This is a fantastic piece of advise for us to follow. If we proclaim to be Christ-followers in a society that can be very shallow, how can we build one another up to be strong against the cultural forces that constantly tell us we aren't good enough?<br />
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Consider the following ways to build one another (and yourself) up:<br />
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1) Tell your friends and family that you love them regularly.<br />
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2) Tell others what you like about them on a regular basis--is it their thoughtfulness, presence, skill, compassion, etc?<br />
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3) Drop e-mails, Facebook messages, Tweets, texts or an old-fashioned hand-written postcard or letter to tell someone you love them and are thinking about them! Think about how you feel when you receive a message from a friend and pay it forward!<br />
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4) Get rid of the scales and encourage others to do this. Are you eating healthy and exercising? If the answer is yes, then great! Don't measure your worth by a number but by how healthy you feel. If the answer is no, think about ways you can be healthy with your friends that would build one another up, like taking Zumba or Yoga classes together, going on walks after work in groups, rotating cooking healthy meals for one another, or a weekend hiking trip.<br />
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5) Make a list of all that you are grateful for at the end of each day. This will end the day on a positive note, and lessen your anxieties. Did any person(s) show up on that list? Then see #3 and let them know!<br />
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I hope these tips encourage you to lean into your identity as a beloved child of God and encourage you to help others to do the same!<br />
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revlaurabarclayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07180037981858218328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7640030144185444897.post-85966449026257463022013-07-01T11:41:00.000-04:002013-07-01T11:41:21.329-04:00Night Gardening
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT0jbHB4Ej5DBTHFi-VeUIOvi1f3EuhUfQBCYoGweGQ9WO1CWV86Qra6CYdInayzrb0H36WtQV7BL_MfXGNTcRU-oAJ51lK6pDfFNK3DjOSrS8CjlQaOBDWbH6JV-Q9yQR-yh06RH-cuY/s527/gardening-hands.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT0jbHB4Ej5DBTHFi-VeUIOvi1f3EuhUfQBCYoGweGQ9WO1CWV86Qra6CYdInayzrb0H36WtQV7BL_MfXGNTcRU-oAJ51lK6pDfFNK3DjOSrS8CjlQaOBDWbH6JV-Q9yQR-yh06RH-cuY/s320/gardening-hands.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">by Rev. Laura Barclay </span></o:p></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Since moving to Louisville about two weeks ago and
having a backyard, I have been covered in dirt and sweat almost everyday. I
have long felt that my grandfather's love of farming and working the earth was
an innate part of my being, instilled at birth.
Living in a condo without even a patio to have a potted garden made me, on my
best days, stare wistfully at nearby trees out the window. On the worst
days, I could be spotted prowling the aisles at Lowe's or Home Depot, daydreaming about a
future garden in another locale.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The day we got home with our plants and soil, the
sun was setting, but my enthusiasm bubbled over. I just had to start now! My
husband looked quizzically at my while I hauled plants across the yard and into
raised beds. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">"Shouldn't you wait until morning?" he
asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">"I know. I'm just so excited though. I want to
plan a few things tonight." And there I was--night gardening.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">This leads me to two conclusions. First, I'm right
where I need to be and the energy and enthusiasm of my actions seem to concur.
Second, I must be getting old! Gardening after dark seems like a thrill!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">In thinking about the last few weeks, I realize I
have learned several things since embarking upon the cultivation of our yard:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">1) There is little else in life as satisfying as
working up a sweat, being covered in dirt, and seeing the fruits of your labor.
This is a satisfaction that will never come from sitting behind a desk. God's
vision for humanity to care for the earth and all the creatures in it in
Genesis 1 never seems more true than when carefully setting aside earthworms
and pill bugs as I dig, putting them back to symbiotically work in my garden.
So, especially for those like me who mostly work behind desks, get out there
and start a garden or help with a community or church garden!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">2) Everything seems connected and anything that is
in disharmony with God's vision is seen for what it is: disruptive,
unimportant, and out of unity with God and God's people. Road rage? It's
a useless expense of hate and energy. Gossiping about that person you don't
like? It won't do anyone any good and it will make you feel worse afterwards.
Having divisive arguments with a family member or friend about politics? Well,
being "right" won't win you any friends or convince anyone of your viewpoint!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">3) I am literally stronger now than ever
before. Gardening is hard, messy, heavy work. But if you invest in it, your
body will thank you after you work through the muscle pains. Your body will
strengthen and respond to your efforts. Many Christians get hung up on the 1 Corinthians 6 text, "Do<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"> you not know that your </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">body</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"> is a </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">temple</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"> of the Holy Spirit within you?</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; line-height: 16px;">" They will preach never to have a sip of wine, yet sit down to Wednesday night church dinners of fried foods, bread pudding and sweet tea. As a result, the <a href="http://www.ethicsdaily.com/bible-belt-needs-a-bigger-belt-9-of-10-obese-states-in-south-cms-18182" target="_blank">Bible Belt is straining from the excess weight</a>. The most obese states are in the South. However, when we understand where our food comes from and have a relationship with the land, we can strike an appropriate balance in our lives.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I look forward to learning more lessons on gardening and life from neighbors, family and friends! </span></span></div>
revlaurabarclayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07180037981858218328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7640030144185444897.post-72256967446230100412013-06-05T12:25:00.000-04:002013-06-05T12:25:11.235-04:00Game of Thrones & Christians: What's a Christ-Follower to Do?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA6owWYHKYeeZK5Sz2RWq36VSLNR327q2nUn7DiHAQbW1NspibO1DUXpfeY_vBxf8w4DzUTOuy2DmgbUDtrj9-j2QnUZbz5e5yalFLI1vUP_PqDGDmcRqDRIk7hjFU5Fzj35EO52kTl2A/s1600/a+series+of+unfortunate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA6owWYHKYeeZK5Sz2RWq36VSLNR327q2nUn7DiHAQbW1NspibO1DUXpfeY_vBxf8w4DzUTOuy2DmgbUDtrj9-j2QnUZbz5e5yalFLI1vUP_PqDGDmcRqDRIk7hjFU5Fzj35EO52kTl2A/s320/a+series+of+unfortunate.jpg" width="234" /></a>by Rev. Laura Barclay<br />
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A family member of mine recently sent me this article (<a href="http://www.freep.com/article/20130605/ENT03/306050058/game-of-thrones-christian-religion" target="_blank">Can a Christian Watch <i>Game of Thrones</i>?</a>) and asked me to respond. The author argues that the show contains sex, violence and power struggles without the obvious good versus evil struggle contained in works like the blatantly Christian <i>Lord of the Rings </i>where the reader knows who will win. Ultimately, the author, David Gibson, concludes we will have to see how it ends to decide.<br />
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I would argue that Game of Thrones is a more realistic fantasy series than Tolkien's work and should be taken seriously by Christians for a number of reasons.<br />
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1)<b> Christians, like <i>Game of Thrones</i> fans, lost our hero in the beginning of the story. </b>If one considers the lifespan of the Christian church, our hero, Jesus, dies before the end of the first act. Fans recoiled at (*spoiler alert*) Ned Stark's beheading by a cruel king while two of his daughters watched. Similarly, Jesus was crucified by a historically terrible Roman Prefect, Pontius Pilate, while his mother Mary and close friend/<a href="http://rachelheldevans.com/blog/women-of-the-passion-mary-magdalene" target="_blank">Apostle to the Apostles </a>Mary Magdalene stood by him. I think Christians can relate to this dark chapter.<br />
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2) <b>Sex and gender relations in <i>Game of Thrones</i> are disturbing and complex, just like the real world</b>. Yes, the show contains content that is at times graphic and unnecessary, but it underscores the unfair way women are treated in Westeros (and, thus, the Middles Ages that author George R. R. Martin based his story upon). Let us not forget that in the real world, millions of women are sold into slavery and abused. Read <a href="http://www.halftheskymovement.org/" target="_blank">Half the Sky</a> to begin to get an idea of the gender inequality that exists at present. It could be argued that fans of the series judge their loyalties to characters based on their interaction with women (Tyrion Lannister and Robb Stark being fan favorites). The empowered leader Khaleesi Daenerys Targaryen is the one everyone wants to be queen, and the knight Brienne is beloved by devoted readers and watchers alike. Similarly, Jesus treated women well in a historically patriarchal era, bringing many into his fold and they, in turn, <a href="http://bible.oremus.org/?passage=Luke+8" target="_blank">supported his ministry with their money</a>. In addition, <a href="http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=218515959" target="_blank">Jesus defends the adulteress against the religious leaders who would stone her</a> and <a href="http://bible.oremus.org/?passage=John+16:1-15" target="_blank">women become important leaders in the fledging church</a>. One more word on sex & Christianity:<a href="http://www.ctlibrary.com/ch/1998/issue57/57h012.html" target="_blank"> Roman leaders spread rumors that Christians were incestuous and participated in orgies (because they called each other brother and sister in Christ and exchanged the holy kiss) and accused them of cannibalism (eating the body and blood of Christ)</a>.<br />
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3) <b>Life on Westeros and Earth can be unfair and violent, but ultimately good will prevail. </b>The Red Wedding scene--(*spoiler alert*) how could so many beloved characters be slaughtered? How could the most seemingly moral family in the series lose so many? Individual like the apostles, Joan of Arc, Martin Luther King, Jr., Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and events like My Lai Massacre, the Holocaust, and far too many other genocides and wars to count tell us that life can be brutal and unfair. Yet hope comes in the response. The world didn't forget the Holocaust--it is taught in schools, in museums, and documentaries. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his ideals are well-known in households across America and the world despite his assassination. Christians and/or good people are not promised a good life because they are good. They are however, part of the Kingdom of God because they are slowly bringing about God's ideal of love on earth. As Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice." Because this is true for our world and Martin is aiming for realism, I'm hopeful this series will tend toward justice in the end.<br />
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4) <b><i>Game of Thrones</i>, like the history of Christianity, is murky in the character of its heros and villains. </b>Fans spent several seasons hating the Kingslayer, Jaime Lannister, only to begin to almost root for him during season three. In life, there are rarely all bad or all good people. In one of the most chilling books I ever read during my college "Holocaust and the Human Image" class, <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/War-Genocide-Holocaust-Critical-International/dp/0742557154" target="_blank">War and Genocide</a>,</i> the author recounts stories of SS troops in World War II and how they came to participate in the Holocaust. These were normal family men who were persuaded through propoganda and peer pressure to do atrocious things. What the author believed, and my professor who was the child of two Jewish Holocaust survivors taught, was that genocide could happen anywhere and we all need to be vigilant. Subsequently, the Church, Christians, and religious people aren't always good. Any beginning student of history could see this through the Crusades, the Inquisition, atrocities during the Reformation, slavery in the American South, and various other social ills of which the Church and/or some Christians have fallen on the wrong side. The show depicts people as a whole, their good and their bad, just like the real world.<br />
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5)<b> Christians need to engage in pop culture.</b> Far too often, fundamentalist Christians have preached against something benign, like Disney, and bring scorn upon the entire religion as a consequence. Moderate and progressive Christians need to be louder about creating venues for discussion about pop culture and the ethics of what is portrayed on screen. If churches, and, by association, Christians, become insular communities who cannot relate to the surrounding culture, they ensure their own death.<br />
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These are just a few of the reasons why I'm a fan of <i>Game of Thrones. </i>I hope you'll consider watching it so that we can have nerdy discussions together!revlaurabarclayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07180037981858218328noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7640030144185444897.post-71271767072839512152013-05-31T12:00:00.000-04:002013-05-31T12:00:07.678-04:00Show Abandonment and the Church<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Dr. Dennis Atwood</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">On my way to the church office this morning I listened to a report on NPR by Neda Ulaby entitled: “<a href="http://www.npr.org/2013/05/20/185458149/show-abandonment" target="_blank">Show Abandonment: When Viewers Drop Popular TV Programs</a>.” The tag line was: “What happens when fans stop talking about a show that used to be their favorite?” Take <em>American Idol,</em> for example. Last week's finale was down 8 million viewers from last year. Such are the problems of the first-world.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The NPR report focused on the fickle nature of television viewers and how American’s loyalty to a favorite show is weakening more and more. For example, at its peak over 8 million people tuned in to <i>The Office</i> each week during its nine-year run. Over the past few seasons, however, viewers have peeled away resulting in the show’s final season and series finale just last week.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> “Show abandonment” apparently comes in stages. First, there is “denial.” The DVR episodes begin to pile</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> up and you don’t have time to catch up on the ones you’ve missed. Next comes “delete.” You begin to delete the lost episodes because you just don’t care enough anymore to catch up. Then, there is “acceptance.” Finally you simply abandon the show altogether. You admit that your loyalty is gone and you move on to the next thing that catches your eye—until it doesn’t.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">There is also another class of viewers besides these “abandoners.” They are known as “bitter-enders.” These folks stick with a show till the bitter end even as others are abandoning ship. I have to admit that I am one of those “bitter-enders” when it comes to <i>The Office</i>. Sure, the show may have weakened a bit over the past couple of years, but I’m glad to report the series finale was actually a perfect ending to a great run. I’m glad I stuck around—till the bitter end.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Wow. Where to begin when it comes to stretching this analogy of “show abandonment” into the realm of “church abandonment”? I don’t have enough time and space to make all the connections, and I don’t even think it’s even necessary. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We all know the story. Church attendance is down everywhere. People are busy. People are fickle. People are losing interest. Churches are in panic mode. Just look around and you’ll see churches bringing in a flashy program, new worship style, or exciting preacher. “We’ve got to get things back to where they once were!” But things are never going to “get back to where they once were.” New Wine requires new wineskins, said Jesus. We can’t capture time or new wine. The gospel keeps flowing and expanding. If containers become hard and brittle then… well, you end up with wine all over the floor.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">In one sense, we Christians should be “bitter-enders” in that we don’t abandon ship and move on to another congregation just because we begin to lose interest in our existing one. The virtues of faithfulness and commitment to make things better are far more admirable than abandonment. On the other hand, there are churches that stubbornly refuse to consider the idea of any change whatsoever, and as a result they hasten their own bitter end—even though there doesn’t have to be a “bitter” end.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So draw your own conclusions about faithfulness and abandonment. The Church will be here until Jesus says it’s done, but that promise doesn’t give churches a green light to bury their heads in the sand. Healthy churches are able to distinguish between containers—which are useful, and New Wine—which is essential. Healthy churches have their collective eyes open and are always paying attention to the new winds of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said he would never leave or abandon us. Are we abandoning him?</span></div>
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<em style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Dennis Atwood is the pastor of </em><a href="http://www.fbcmountolive.org/" style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;"><em><span style="color: #114499;">FBC Mount Olive</span></em></a><em style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">. This article originally appeared on his </em><a href="http://www.fbcmountolive.org/Blog/tabid/913/BlogID/1/Default.aspx" style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><em>blog</em></a><em style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">.</em></div>
revlaurabarclayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07180037981858218328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7640030144185444897.post-412287072691818772013-05-24T12:00:00.000-04:002013-05-24T12:00:08.912-04:00Daily Garbage Pickup<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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by Rev. Rich Goodier<br />
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A few of us got together the other morning to clean up our adopted highway, Old NC 10, in time for Easter Sunday. One might ask why a church would care so much about keeping our roads clean or recycling or being careful what we buy. The simple answer is that we want to be a people who love this Creation as much as our God loves this Creation. We can be a witness to a world that cares little of Creation or Creator. As they see our character, they see the character of God.<br />
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But you know what? Sometimes, it is hard to clean up garbage! It is much easier to make a mess than to clean one up. God gave humanity a garden, and we quickly create garbage dumps. What are we to do as a people? Cleaning up Old NC 10 can be overwhelming some days. And I have to confess that sometimes I even get mad, picking up bottle after bottle with seemingly no end to the garbage my faceless neighbor is willing to dump. "If I ever catch someone littering..."<br />
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And then my God reminds me of someone who left heaven, the quintessence of purity, to live among us, a people of filth. He did not just live among us, but he took our filth and made it his so that we may once again experience purity (Isaiah 1:18, 53:5-6). Why would Jesus do such a thing? Why would he take on our sins, though the fair thing would have been to let us clean ourselves of sin, an impossible task at that? Because he loves us.<br />
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We discover through Christ's love, we learn to love him and others (1 John 4:19). Some of us may even decide to follow Christ as our Master. Our Master commands us to "love one another as I have loved you (John 13:34)." Love like Jesus loved? Does he mean to take on the filth, the garbage, the sin, of others upon our shoulders? Jesus once said,<br />
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You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. (Matthew 5:38-42)</blockquote>
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Perhaps to this list we can add, "If someone dirties your road, clean up his garbage." This is the spirit of servanthood (Mark 10:42-45). Jesus calls us to be the servant of all.<br />
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In other words, we Christians are the garbage men of the world, taking their garbage upon us as Christ did. Some people may see our witness, turn from their ways, and follow our Master. Others will never turn away but will receive the faithful witness of Christ's disciples. "By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another (John 13:35)."<br />
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<em style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Rich Goodier is the pastor of <a href="http://www.mounthermondurham.org/" style="color: #0b5394;">Mount Hermon Baptist Church in Durham</a>. This article originally appeared in their church newsletter.</em>revlaurabarclayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07180037981858218328noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7640030144185444897.post-22706403058950314972013-05-17T12:00:00.000-04:002013-05-17T12:00:05.750-04:00Civil Rights Tour of the South<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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by Monique Swaby<br />
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Over nine days and five cities, from Friday, March 8th – 16th, thirty three people from various racial identities headed on one of Wake’s Alternative Spring Break trips, to the heart of the South. The goal: to explore the deep history, past and present, of our segregated nation. By exploring the era of Jim Crow <b>the trip hoped to foster change makers</b>. We toured all the major sites and places that commemorated the movement such as the Southern Poverty Law Center, National Voting Rights Museum, Dexter Ave. Church and Parsonage of MLK Jr., University of Mississippi, Kelly Ingram Park, and the 16th Street Church in Birmingham, AL where four little black girls were bombed on a Sunday morning. During our daily drive, we watched films such as Soundtrack for a <i>Revolution, Ghosts of Mississippi, 4 Little Girls</i>, and <i>Mississippi Burning.</i><br />
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I remember the following during our visit in Reverend King’s home. As we stood at the edge of the door frame in the King’s kitchen, all the students circled inside, my colleague and I could not help but turn away as we listened to the recording of Dr. King’s words explaining his call from God in this very place, to stand for justice. I turned my eyes to the ceiling in hopes of containing the tears burning in my heart.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_TSgEuq0KAsovlBSBouoE-ZaUM0A5Y3DFhnWhA28B2BixANUvkKd4Ceyw0IPLrYOxrKuYcTg0NPoIbSjHHZFaIREyF1Sxqj-1XDTx5H_aRb8f3QnMfkwg7oVzHa90M3flFo1KBrk_Ho/s1600/lorraine-motel-pic-of-trip-participants.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_TSgEuq0KAsovlBSBouoE-ZaUM0A5Y3DFhnWhA28B2BixANUvkKd4Ceyw0IPLrYOxrKuYcTg0NPoIbSjHHZFaIREyF1Sxqj-1XDTx5H_aRb8f3QnMfkwg7oVzHa90M3flFo1KBrk_Ho/s1600/lorraine-motel-pic-of-trip-participants.jpg" width="212" /></a>The days to follow would be no easier, yet it empowered us all to hope and <b>re-imagine our world</b> as we crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge where Bloody Sunday occurred, or engaged in a slave trade simulation. We ended the tour at the Lorraine Motel and Museum where MLK Jr. was assassinated. This site was <b>haunting and powerful</b>, yet what was uplifting was the “Freedom’s Sisters” site, a traveling company from the Cincinnati Museum Center and Smithsonian Institution. This showcased some women who participated, propelled, or sustained the movement who we rarely discuss. Women such as Ella Jo Baker, Myrlie Evers-Williams, Shirley Chisholm, Fannie Lou Hamer, Sonia Sanchez, Dorothy Irene Height, Septima Poinsette Clark, Kathleen Cleaver, and so many more. Many of us have heard the popular names, such as Rosa Parks, MLK Jr., Rev. Ralph Abernathy, Medger Evers, James Meredith, Loretta Scott King, but on this trip <b>we also learned the silent names</b> and faces of everyday people called <i>Freedom’s Foot Soldiers</i>. Those who risked their lives; children, women, men, black, white, Jewish, LGBT, rich, poor, people from all walks of life because they saw and heard the outcry of a people. They understood truly that their freedom was wrapped in the freedom of all people.<br />
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Did you live through this era? If not, what would you have done? For many black communities and some white, the institution of Church was a centerpiece for empowerment, community, hope, love, and change. For others, it was a place of oppression, against speaking out, a point of guilt, shame, or ignorance, as their pastors and other church going folks donned themselves at night in KKK dress or silently participated in American apartheid, becoming a torment and terrorist. The church was a major player in the battle for civil rights during Jim Crow, but it was not always cut and dry as to what side you were on. I recall a conversation my supervisor and I had where she proclaimed, “If it was not for the Church’s role during the Civil Rights Movement, I would have left the Church a long time ago.” I believe she was only referring to the church that hoped for a new and better world, not one that demanded its rights remain the same, separate and not-so-equal for all. There is much re-education to be done, from the people of courage, to the visible signs that remain from our tortured past. We as the next generation must advance the struggle for equity to ALL people. Do our part by becoming aware of the issues and taking a step to action. If we do not, who will? Yes, some change has come, yet there is still work left undone because “the Arc of the Moral Universe is long, but it bends toward Justice.” <b>God is calling us to listen and act in love</b>. Will we, the next generation presently, only two people removed from the Civil Rights Era, take up the baton of practicing and manifesting true racial reconciliation? Let us do our part, <b>together</b>.<br />
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<i>Monique Swaby is a first year student at Wake Forest University School of Divinity. This post originally appeared on Wake Div's blog, </i><a href="http://wakediv.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Unfolding</a>.revlaurabarclayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07180037981858218328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7640030144185444897.post-2934989622202376472013-05-10T12:16:00.000-04:002013-05-10T12:16:45.495-04:00Why I Went to JailDr. Rodney Sadler<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This
Monday I went to Raleigh with Rev. Nantambu, Dr. Wherry, and Rev.
Herring to bear witness at the N.C. General Assembly that the policies
that are being discussed in our state legislature are harmful to the poor,
minorities, immigrants, the elderly, our children, and even our
environment. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">The single party control of
our state legislature and governor’s house mean that policies that would
normally be thwarted by the presence of other voices in debate are able sail
through with minimal opposition.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">It is
for this reason that I went to lend voice to the concerns of those who are
often voiceless, those who stand the risk of losing not only their access to
unemployment benefits, to Medicaid, and to welfare if they need it, but who
also may well be impeded from voting by voter ID laws and other requirements
that would hamper voter participation.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">In essence, those most vulnerable in our state might both lose access to
the support system that could sustain them and the opportunity to vote to
regain those rights. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I
was compelled to go by more than just the notion of justice, however.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">I was also compelled to go because the
policies of our legislature, some of which are well on their way to enactment,
are an offense to God.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">They are an
offense because they violate the principles of ancient Hebrew Scriptures that
posited the king (read government) was responsible to ensure that the rights of
the poor, husbandless women, fatherless children, landless immigrants, the
infirmed, and other socially vulnerable groups would be protected from the
abuses of the powerful.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">When the king (read
government) failed to address these concerns, worse, when the king (read
government) actively abused these groups, God called forth the prophets to bear
witness to the will of the Lord and to remind the king of his (its)
responsibility.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">It was for this reason
that I felt led to go; to go and lend my voice to the voice of Amos and Micah
and Isaiah and Jeremiah…and Jesus.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We
are at a point in time where our leaders have forgotten that their duty to lead
is circumscribed by more than the dictates of party allegiance and party
politics.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Good will and an eye toward
protecting the interests of the socially vulnerable has been thrust aside by a
seemingly predatory attitude that has placed the needs of many North
Carolinians at risk.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">This is
particularly troubling when the vast majority of our legislators claim to be
people of faith, beholden to the same obligations to those on the margins as
were the kings of old.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">They are reading
the same sacred Scriptures that we read, yet they seem to have forgotten the
call of the Lord on their lives.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">It is
to these sisters and brothers that I went to bear witness to the word of God,
hoping to remind them that as people of faith, it is wrong to enact policies
that hurt the “least of these” who are also children of God created in God’s
image.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">I went in Love to remind them of
God’s concern for all people, hoping that maybe, just maybe they would alter
their policies and remember their responsibility to civility.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">My hope
that this change in their hearts can happen remains!</i><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It
is in this regard that I write to you today, calling on you to go to Raleigh
and bear witness at the State House next </span><b style="font-family: inherit;">Monday,
May 13th</b><span style="font-family: inherit;">.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Your witness can come in
the form of bearing a sign, speaking to an elected official, praying with a
group of similarly concerned citizens, taking a parcel of letters to your
representatives, singing a song; </span><b style="font-family: inherit;"><i>mine on Monday came in the form of getting
arrested for civil disobedience.</i></b><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This
was a difficult choice for me to make for many reasons.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">In part, it was difficult because I had never
been arrested before.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">I am a nearly 46
year old African American man who had never been handcuffed, fingerprinted,
frisked, booked, mug-shotted, or locked behind bars (except by choice as a
visitor to a prison).</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">I have worn this
as a badge of honor and intended to maintain this streak for the rest of my
life.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">This avoidance of the criminal
justice system really meant a great deal to me given the statistics related to
black men and incarceration.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Further, I
have an extreme aversion to being penned in in any way, so the thought of being
forcibly locked behind bars was particularly repellant to me.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">But Monday, I chose to allow myself to be
arrested, anyhow.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I
chose to be arrested because the issues at stake are too great to ignore.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">I chose to be arrested because the impact of
this legislation if allowed to pass could mean that our state would return to a
state of affairs in our racial politics akin to the status quo of the
1950’s.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">I chose to be arrested because
those people most affected by these policies need willing advocates to speak up
for them, with them.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">I chose to be
arrested because the world that the legislature is threatening to create is not
the one I want to leave to my daughter…</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So
I am calling on you to go to Raleigh next Monday, May 13th and to find a way to
bear witness. Your witness may take the
form of any of those forms of protest I suggested or may take another
form. Your witness may even be to join
with me and the 50 or so others who have thus far been arrested. If you choose this form of witness, I would
encourage you to do so fully cognizant of what it could mean. I would not want you to be unaware that it might
require you to return to Raleigh, to perform community service, to stay away
from the GA for a period, to sit in a holding area for a time, to endure the
suffocating feeling of incarceration for a moment, to surrender your control of
your own life for a few hours in the interest of serving God and others. But if you choose this form of witness, I
think it can be a worthwhile means of adding your voice to the growing chorus
of those who are also bearing witness for God.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I
was arrested with a group of wonderful and committed individuals from a range
of different backgrounds.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Three were
nationally renowned historians from Duke and UNC concerned about how pending
legislation might impact the future of our state, one was a prominent UNC
medical doctor concerned with the impact of legislation on healthcare for the
poor, another was a lawyer concerned with the implications to taking away
citizens’ rights, three were grannies concerned with the direction of our state
on future generations, two were local presidents of NAACP chapters concerned
with the impact of these proposed policies on minority communities, one was a
veteran interested in protecting our state from enemies foreign </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">and domestic</i><span style="font-family: inherit;">, several were clergy who
proclaimed that the proposed legislation violates the will of the Lord, some
were just concern citizens with no titles or roles who needed to say a word,
and one was even a student a week away from graduating from college concerned
about his own future.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">We were white and
black and Asian and well-to-do and not-so-well-off and married and single and
parents and grandparents and children.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">While in the holding area we talked about history and theology and
strategy and unity and even spent time networking and forging alliances across
issues.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">The experience was not a lonely
one; instead it was from the moment of arrest to the moment of release a time
spent in the fellowship of friends.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">And
when we went in, we were not alone; not only did we enter jail knowing that God
went with us, we were also surrounded by a cloud of witnesses including
lawyers, legal observers, news teams, film and audio documentarians, and a host
of affiliated supporters who ensured that the legal proceedings took place
without a hitch, that bail was available if necessary, that support was felt
throughout our brief incarceration, and that a meal and car ride was ready for
us when we were released.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">All and all
it was a well organized occasion that was choreographed to bring maximum
attention to our efforts to bear witness while ensuring that we were safe and
assured that we were not alone.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We
were not alone. I know this most of all
because throughout that evening I could feel God’s hand upon me, calming me,
encouraging me, comforting me, and empowering me to act with Love. During that time I also heard God speaking to
me as the words of Matthew 25:34-40 resounded in my ears:<u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><sup>34</sup> Then the king will say to those at his
right hand, 'Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom
prepared for you from the foundation of the world;<u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <sup>35</sup> for
I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to
drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,<u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <sup>36</sup> I
was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was
in prison and you visited me.'<u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <sup>37</sup> Then
the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and
gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink?<u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <sup>38</sup> And
when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you
clothing?<u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <sup>39</sup> And
when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?'<u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <sup>40</sup>
And the king will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of
the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.' (Mat
25:34-40 NRS)<u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">These
words reminded me that the way we treat “the least of these,” those who are
hungry and thirsty (impoverished and unemployed), stranger (immigrant
regardless of status), naked (most socially vulnerable), sick (in need of
healthcare), and imprisoned (under the supervision of the criminal justice
system) is the way that we would treat God if God were standing before us. They also reminded me that our care for those
members of our community in need is wholly consequential. In the passage, the offer of eternal life was
determined based upon whether one cared for the God in need incarnate in those
people in need before us. Whether or not
we believe that such a weighty decision can rest on our actions, it is
impossible not to look at such a passage and realize that what we do for or to
the most socially vulnerable matters not only to them, not only to us; <i>it matters to God! </i>So I leave you with
these words as I offer you the challenge to <b><i>join us in Raleigh next Monday,
May 13<sup>th</sup> to bear witness</i></b> however you feel is right; “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least
of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.”</span><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><u1:p></u1:p></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/PepkNIKFaPo?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHw9FlPh16907MMPNfcCdmSy3NimBnkJXM-Qe0LqZLXRBZw_Drq2rqP29FUdC6MGQ9CWjsxfn3hhQ-_BXMO3qhfCj4Vqvx_WBrJEk2bpTauXrc5qnZRx-n44QMioh04hFSfxSK1MMvovQ/s1600/rodneysadler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHw9FlPh16907MMPNfcCdmSy3NimBnkJXM-Qe0LqZLXRBZw_Drq2rqP29FUdC6MGQ9CWjsxfn3hhQ-_BXMO3qhfCj4Vqvx_WBrJEk2bpTauXrc5qnZRx-n44QMioh04hFSfxSK1MMvovQ/s1600/rodneysadler.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt;">
<i>Rodney Sadler is the Associate Professor of Bible at Union Presbyterian Seminary and a consultant to the Racial Reconciliation Ministry Team of CBFNC.</i></div>
revlaurabarclayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07180037981858218328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7640030144185444897.post-24009132173578048962013-05-03T12:00:00.000-04:002013-05-03T12:00:03.919-04:00Care about Boston; Care about the World<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgut36pScSadsHYRChmIZs7x6N1lQ4GA4vP18og1PZ2rmusQ_Twyn-kblDbSIu8Q30wvjui3TPAcLWg6AOdM65GNqXaCX94ZCH_9cp7V_payQvMvonUyaBlVmn61lN3zQBAwn9y8TC884k/s1600/boston_bombing_one_week_anniversary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgut36pScSadsHYRChmIZs7x6N1lQ4GA4vP18og1PZ2rmusQ_Twyn-kblDbSIu8Q30wvjui3TPAcLWg6AOdM65GNqXaCX94ZCH_9cp7V_payQvMvonUyaBlVmn61lN3zQBAwn9y8TC884k/s320/boston_bombing_one_week_anniversary.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 20.796875px;">by Dr. David Stratton</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 20.796875px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 20.796875px;">Certainly everyone reading this knows about the horrific bombing in Boston that, as of this writing, left three dead and injured more than 100 others. This attack rightfully captures our attention and inspires our prayers and our concern. And there are some other things that happened in recent days that perhaps also broke our hearts.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 20.796875px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 20.796875px;"><span style="color: #333333;">Did you hear about the </span><a href="http://www.bread.org/hunger/global/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: blue;">16,000 children that died</span></a><span style="color: #333333;"> unnecessarily yesterday? They died of hunger related causes even though there is more than enough food in the world to feed everyone. </span></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 20.796875px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 20.796875px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">A bombing of a bus in Pakistan </span><span style="background-color: white; color: blue;"><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/apr/13/pakistan-bus-bomb" style="text-decoration: none;">killed 8</a> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">people. A suicide bombing in Mogadishu, Somalia </span><a href="http://news.nationalpost.com/2013/04/15/rcmp-investigate-allegations-somalia-suicide-bomber-was-canadian/" style="background-color: white; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: blue;">killed 29 people</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"> in a court complex. </span><a href="http://www.ndtv.com/article/world/bombing-kills-15-including-nine-children-in-aleppo-ngo-350960" style="background-color: white; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: blue;">Nine children were among the 15 killed</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"> in a bombing of Aleppo, Syria. </span><a href="http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/04/16/violence-between-christian-muslim-villages-in-central-nigeria-kills-at-least-10/" style="background-color: white; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: blue;">Ten people have been killed</span></a><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: white;"> in recent days in clashes between Muslims and Christians in Nigeria. A boat carrying Afghan refugees sank killing </span></span><a href="http://www.news.com.au/national-news/more-asylum-seeker-boats-have-been-intercepted-in-australian-waters-after-other-refugee-vessels-capsize/story-fncynjr2-1226620229227" style="background-color: white; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: blue;">5, but 53 others are missing</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"> and feared dead. </span></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 20.796875px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 20.796875px;">Don't get me wrong; we should pay close attention to what happened in Boston. Our hearts should ache for the dead, for the injured, and for the hatred or sickness or whatever that led to this act of violence. We should pray for those who are grieving and those who are injured in the wake of this bombing.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 20.796875px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 20.796875px;">I understand completely why an act of terror close to home grips us more than violence and tragedy elsewhere. My question is do we really care at all about killings and catastrophes in other places? Do we make any real effort to pay attention to the daily news of the senseless killing and regular tragedies in other countries? Does God's compassion stop with the borders of this country? Should ours? </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 20.796875px;"><br /></span>
<em style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Dave Stratton is the Pastor of </em><a href="http://woodhaven.org/" style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;"><em>Woodhaven Baptist Church in Apex, NC</em></a><em style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">. This article originally appeared on Dave’s blog,</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><a href="http://davidsdeliberations.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">David’s Deliberations</a>.revlaurabarclayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07180037981858218328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7640030144185444897.post-78854952925477711052013-04-26T12:00:00.000-04:002013-04-26T12:00:03.145-04:00Why I Love Being a Youth Ministerby Rev. Felicia Fox<br />
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<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtICsdKw33CYzrmU4ZrG0Euvg2DAjfRe1-3tj5x7-jKHEVRK-moCss6Sq4iXoo5uoKcFg9w7y2wYBomnowWyoRFwfDel3Al-R5niiiuLwzaE3k0R78EjDbWiQ_wec6OTGBwKiLTEtriMQ/s1600/youth1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtICsdKw33CYzrmU4ZrG0Euvg2DAjfRe1-3tj5x7-jKHEVRK-moCss6Sq4iXoo5uoKcFg9w7y2wYBomnowWyoRFwfDel3Al-R5niiiuLwzaE3k0R78EjDbWiQ_wec6OTGBwKiLTEtriMQ/s1600/youth1.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Here are ten moments that have reminded me why I love being a youth minister:<br />
<br />
10) Having a middle school boy ask me if my name means “awesome.” I had just told my class to pay attention to names in the Bible because they give clues about the people. Felicia really means happy.<br />
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<br />
9) Having to look at cuts, bruises, and scrapes because my youth want to tell me the story behind them. If it is important to them, it becomes important to me even if it makes me want to throw up.<br />
<br />
<br />
8) Having a teenage girl text me when she’s having a bad day because she needs an adult to listen to her and she knows I will.<br />
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7) Playing a crazy game like Murder or Zoinks that will insure tons of laughter. That’s my secret to staying young.<br />
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6) Having a student ask me a really hard question about the Bible because he is reading it all the way through. He even read Leviticus. Those were some hard questions.<br />
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5) A youth walking past me in the hall at church and singing a song because they know it will get stuck in my head the rest of the day. This usually happens right before I head to worship.<br />
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<br />
4) Talking to my students about the new movie coming out only to have them tell me who dies in it. Now I don’t have to go see the new G.I. Joe movie. I already know the ending.<br />
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3) Hearing my youth talk openly and honestly about where they are in their relationships with God during our<br />
FLASH meetings.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbtJXEV3O-rOl-Jr_XWBeZhDfqkoIpFc6D6Gim-D_HxpQMWk-PSKe4JpXuI2o3Uch6JDQNEHscJnvvrtkYCzXE4awUkouwAXTChweyhSfdmCbYMItB9aUzP8E3mpZbWlRHMZfiWCJrIaw/s1600/youth2JPG.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbtJXEV3O-rOl-Jr_XWBeZhDfqkoIpFc6D6Gim-D_HxpQMWk-PSKe4JpXuI2o3Uch6JDQNEHscJnvvrtkYCzXE4awUkouwAXTChweyhSfdmCbYMItB9aUzP8E3mpZbWlRHMZfiWCJrIaw/s1600/youth2JPG.JPG" /></a>2) Having a parent share a story about something their kid did that is directly related to what you have been talking to them about during Bible study.<br />
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1) Seeing a student have a “light bulb moment” when they finally understand something about faith they have been struggling with.<br />
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These are just a few reasons I love my job. Check back later for the list of reasons I don’t always love my job.<br />
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<em style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Felicia Fox is the Minister of Youth and Children at First Baptist Church of Mount Olive, NC. This article originally appeared on her <a href="http://www.fbcmountolive.org/Blog/tabid/913/BlogID/2/Default.aspx" style="color: #0b5394; text-decoration: initial;">blog</a></em><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">.</span>revlaurabarclayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07180037981858218328noreply@blogger.com0