OpInAMu

That's what I call Operation InAsMuch in my head...

I just wanted to remind everyone that it is, in fact November 1 tomorrow and that is, in fact Operation InAsMuch. If you signed up for something in your Sunday School class or whenever, don't forget to show up! The getting up early and all the work will be worth it- promise!

Fullness

There is a holy place back in my hometown. It is a breathless hike up Big Glassy Mountain. The top is a smooth, silver-grey rockface that overlooks what seems like all of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is always quiet there, for in that place everyone is awed into whispers. There are no guardrails even though falling would mean certain death; rails aren't worth disturbing the perfection. That spot draws me in, like a blackhole. It keeps me settled, like an anchor. Even now, if I could be anywhere in the world, that is where I would be, eating a crisp and tart Gala apple and just being quiet.

In that place, my soul is mixed in with the goodness of creation and I remember that I am equal to the sun-warmed stones and the autumn-dappled trees and the whispers of wind.

I read Psalm 147 and it tells me these same things. God cares for me and for creation and we are intermingled. "He heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names." (Psalm 147:3-4)

Something Sweeter than this Sin

Kendall Payne, who we just heard at the National Youth Workers' Convention. Thoughts? Resonances?

Closer to Myself

Digging deep, I feel my conscience burn
I need to know who and what I am
This hunger jolts me from complacency
Rocks me, makes me meet myself

Jacob walked a limp to remind him
Of the greater gift of the greater One
But when I fell, I fell to my own resources
How can I carry the truth if I can't even crawl to You?

I wanna feel something sweeter than this sin
Cover me in leaves roll me over again
I've been everybody else now I want to be
Something closer to myself

Paint me in a different light
Shed me yet another coat of skin
Mark me with ash until I'm clean again
'Cause I'm so sick and tired of being sick and tired
I know I can love You, I know that I can

If it were me instead

Read the last post.

Okay. If I were Paul the apostle, I would have researched everything I could about Jesus. I would write down every impression, every word, every anecdote about Jesus that anyone could remember. I would draw sketches and write poems. I would have tried not to let anything be lost.

If I were Paul I would have said what I meant in addition to meaning what I said. I would speak deliberately and carefully. I would have told people to hold on to goodness, to be aware that they are images of God. I would have spoken humbly.

If I were Paul, I would have written my own story. I would have explained where I was coming from. I would have preserved each of your replies.

"If I Were Paul"

So one of our brilliant college students sent me this poem because, well, she knows me. It's wonderful. Take a minute and read it. Now.
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Mmmkay. Good, huh? This is like the guts of growing up, becoming a human, living with people. I needed to read it. It got me to thinking of what I would say if I were an apostle writing to people who may or may not get my letter. What would be the most important things to say to someone who needs a word of encouragment, rebuke...humanity? Next post.