I am hoping this blog may be a place for you my friends, and me, to wrestle with most important themes and stories and beliefs which frame our lives. Discovering, perhaps ways to live more beautifully. More in line with the dream of God. To try to peel away the layers of broken and poisonous religion, infected with themes and scripts of unlove. To consider ways we may have been living by destructive life-stealing narratives.
Perhaps we might share stories and questions and doubts. Allowing for dialogue, intellectual sparring and probing the deep needs of our planet and it's people, in harmony with the divine community some call trinity. To find ways to spend our days, our treasures, our talents in ways that honor the glory we and creation carry so timidly, so uncertainly and so hurtfully sometimes.
So come and join me if you will in your spare moments. No subject off limits. No question too far fetched. No challenge denied. No comment mundane.
Is anyone having these same questions, concerns, musings?
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23 comments:
Hey Friends and Strangers:
It' such a sweet idea that we would stop the spinning and post comments, ideas, plans, questions, etc.
I pledge to etch this in my memory.
I love the closeness and friendships that are forming. More to come....
This is my first blog ever...if that is truly what i am doing. the picture of being an estuary is both beautiful and enticing. To become a place where life begins and is sustained...all forms.
One of the attractive parts of considering the estuary metaphor that intrigued and invited me is the openness to all sorts of life, not necessarily on the same page. Not attempting to control one another or make one try to see the Truth My Way... but to honor the deep questions and doubts that so often are not permitted to show their faces in the context of religious certainty...even though I haven't met a soul who didn't have such questions. Questions which gnaw at our heals, and which become escape hathches during our most desperate times if they are not honored and held carefully during our most confident times. (how's that for a run on sentende!)
Perhaps one of the discussions we can have is this idea that God is the author of everything that occurs in my life. I find myself hearing all sorts of comments from people when a tragedy happens for instance, that God must have had a reason, or something. Or an illness or something....I can almost swallow this when it concerns some of the smaller, irritable, minor injustices that I face...almost. But when I consider some of the more horrific crimes and injustices, particularly ones that I am actively involved in fighting against, these presuppositions seem to crumble. Example, I asked a friend of mine, what should I say about God to the 7 year old who has been trapped in a brothel for two years, repeatledly abused by fallen disturbed men. What am I to tell her of this God who has everything "in control"...."hang in there, it'll all be ok when you die and go to heaven"??!!! Is this the hope I have to offer her. And is this the character of a God I can belieave in and follow??? I find this very disturbing, and deconstructing to some of the views I have heard expressed on a regular basis in the community of faith. If I have to tell her that, I don't think I can believe. I know that to think that this God is not in complete control of everything is a scary thought for some, assuming it means impotence on the part of the Almighty. But I don't think so... I have many more thoughts on this, but I thought this might get the conversation going.
I see you want to swim in deep waters. I agree and no longer have a desire to control or dictate to anyone "my way" My way is ever changing. I am ever seeking to know and live His way. I have many questions that I continue to ask the Father. I also struggle with the awareness of ongoing injustice throughout the world everyday. What am I to do with my faith in the one true God who is sovereign, who is all knowing, who is all powerful, who is eternal and who is love. I have no doubt in who He is. I cannot believe He is the author of everything. In the Psalms, David says that our days are measured even before we are born. If I choose to live recklessly, eating the wrong foods, injesting substances that mess with my mind and my body....is He authoring me to die earlier than the days I have been given. He has made possible more than I am willing to live. My struggle is within me. Is it enough to know and believe what Jesus taught? How do I live out daily the truth extending mercy, justice and goodness with humility. Isn't it enough that He gave us the example of His own life, surrendered His will to the will of the Father even when it cost Him everything. I can believe and know this is true and that it is possible to live as He lived yet my selfishness pushes away the Holy Spirit who is desires to reign over my weakness and make me a flowing river of His life. In respect to those things which happen to people that have no power to change the circumstances such as the children you speak of this cannot be the work of our God. He is aware and I believe He weeps as he did when he saw the evil in Noah's day. I see the world is under the power of darkness. Humans love the darkness in varying stages. Not all is blatantly evil. Selfishness and doubt push out the light and power to destroy the works of darkness. If I who am His child struggle daily to surrender myself to His Lordship and carry His light and life into the darkness then I cannot judge anyone else. Jesus has shown us who He is and Has given us the way. What you are doing is light.
That was well put Golda. I wonder if our many years help us to know a bunch of things less, but a few essential things more deeply? I don't think there is a nice boxed answer for the questions I raised, but mostly a path to hold in tension,the mystery that somehow there is truth to both seemingly polarized truths.
I'm thinking of some of the things Jesus encouraged his friends to ask for in prayer... "may your kingdom come, and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven..." which seems to presuppose that many things happen on earth that have nothing to do with Gods will... and it seems Jesus announced, and invited all his friends and followers to bring His ways, his reign or kingdom here, where it isn't. And that it is done in surprising ways such as washing feet, serving, praying for enemies and doing good to those we feel like hating, while their hating of us may go on. Could some of the passion we have spent on trying to not be "Left Behind" be directed toward joining his mission of "reconciling ALL things in Heaven and on Earth" People, nations, families, ecosystems...
It sometimes feels like when I watch the churches TV shows that we have to try to be really really happy and claim God's blessing on ourselves (from our conveniently edited Pocket Promise Book which somehow seems to have left out all the uncomfortable promises and the context of suffering in which most of the Newer Testament was written in)...and then when everything gets really bad with all the gays and democrats and liberal churches and the bad Muslims, we can escape to sky unscathed, to move into our other mansion.
And you know you are right I think, that it certainly is not all bad.(in or outside the church) Actually, I think there is an amazing amount of beauty and perhaps glory and "image of God" oozing out all around us through people, and creation and even the art and creations of people, whether they aknowledge the divine or not. Don't you think so? It is perhaps like the pyramids or an ancient Roman architecture. There is a sense of awe and beauty which emanates even though parts are broken down, and in some ways disfunctional. I see this all around more these days. I used to feel everything was under a curse and that all were fallen so much that any beauty or glory was not so, but was a vanity or beauty co-opted and completely saturated with sin and/or rebellion. And certainly not to be praised or honored. This was from some of my religious schooling unfortunately.
I can't help but feel sad at all the moments I missed in creation, and more importantly in people and friendships and encounters with strangers whom I share the planet and it's story with. Honoring the sacred in them, even if perhaps they hadn't discovered it or given God credit for it yet. It was as if before they "accepted Jesus" they were all bad and fallen and to honor or encourage them was to keep them from Jesus, or from pointing out what was wrong with them. Don't get me wrong, I think something is wrong with ALL of us. We are undisputably broken and incomplete. And our wholeness and beauty finds it greatest expression as we journey with Jesus alongside and within. But I feel there is a better way to share this "amazing, good news" with people in a more honoring way that I have learned in seminars, and Bible school and most sermons and books. What do you think?
In response to Joel, and to add on to what Golda said: true there are atrocities that go on every day. Yes, saying that "things will get better if you just wait for them" is not enough for a large number of people. I have grown up being annoyed by the people that threw the Bible in my face as their answer to my questions. As good and well as that may be, sometimes it merely doesn't get to the person in the way they need.
Simply put: in order for you to "spread the Word of God" or to "witness" to those in horrible situations is to show them God through your actions. Love that person in the way that God loves you. Or if you don't feel that love yourself, love that person in the way that you would wish someone could love you. It's cliche, but "do to others as you would have them do to you".
Worry less about the religious vocabulary for a minute, and worry more about the representation of Christ. That is the only solution I can see with your predicament.
Brendan, thanks for the response. As I said in my email, I have floated some of these questions to see if others would like to contributre their thoughts after wrestling with the same ones. I agree with chilling with the words and lingo. It took years to detox from bible college so that I might again recover my street langueage which I think was more dear to Jesus. As far as living the stuff...I actually pulled out of everything I was involved in as far as conventional church/ministry goes to do just that. It has been wonderful. Not to bash, it had/has it's place, but for my place in my journey, it was/is indespensable. I began by pandering the thoughts Peter said..."always be ready to give an answer for the reason for the hope that is within you.." which has usually been used to inspire christians to be all beefed up with apologetics re: jesus,salvation,end times,validity of scripture and so on...which i did all that and it really is not all that beautiful or attractive to those I was supposed to talk to. For me these words of Peter in their historical context were indicting to the type of "good news" i was supposed to BE. These life pivotal verses made me realize that I was not supposed to be going out answering qustions people weren't asking about jesus/god/bible/salvation... but moreso that I was to be living a life that was raising questions, that was beautiful, intriguing, gracefilled and justice/mercy laced. The fact that people weren't asking questions became my challenge to SHUT UP and learn to live the way of Jesus in such a way that if it were beautiful and transforming, with questions asked I would love to give an answer for my hopefilled life....
and you? what do you think? my litmus test for myself and faith communities has become...if I/they were to move away, people would be bummed and say they wished it werent so because I/we had become good news to the people around us. My fear is that for most of us and our congregations, if they shut down, the only sense in the neighorhood would be that traffick patterns had changed.
Hey. Sorry for the delay for my response. Things have been busy around here. Here are my thoughts to continue with your train of thought:
Very true about the traffic patterns being the only sense of loss to the neighborhood. It’s sad how little some churches do to their surrounding areas. At the same time, I think that the “walk with God” (or whatever terminology you want to have for it is) is more than just, essentially, leaving an impact on the people around you. A nice person can do that, and as a follower of Christ we’re called to do more than that. This is in no way saying that we need to throw the Bible down people’s throats like so many fundamental Christians do. What I’m saying is that we need to create deep relationships with those around us, that even after we leave we are still a part of their lives, either directly or indirectly. Probably because I have moved my whole life, but I have come to realize that our time in certain environments (or on Earth) is incredibly short. We must take advantage of each oppurtunity that we can.
We have a profound impact on others whether we like it or not. Whether we are Christian or not. Here's the difference, and not to sound cliche, but do the people around you see something different in you? Or a better question, are you presenting yourself in a way that you would want to be seen? I would for people to look at me and immediately say "oh there's a Christian". I know that sounds bad, so let me explain. My favorite moments come when after talking to someone about all the depravities in the church, and how awful it is, I admit to them that I want to a pastor. The shock in their face is priceless. No longer can they say "oh well you're just a stupid Christian". Because after all that discussion and all the things that we agree about on how crappy Christians are, they no longer see me as the typical Christian.
We should live a life that points towrads God...not Christianity. Christianity is a human-made institution. The Christian church does not represent my relationship with my Savior. When you separate yourself from underneath the umbrella of Americanized Christianity, you see the relational side of faith that doesn't involve buildings or group meetings.
Hey there, It's been a while since I visited. Can't remember how I get in so I am going anonymous Don't really have the time now either but read all that you wrote. Very interesting! I want to share and will...soon. May the beauty of the LORD fill all your senses...In Him golda
Hey everybody! Not sure if anyone's still checking this, but I had a question to see what everyone/anyone thought. I just wrote an entry in my own blog about this, and wanted to see if anyone else had answers. The topic is how we create ministry that's effective in today's society where "Christian" sometimes holds a negative connotation. This is after we start from re-examining everything that we've held on to, sometimes without reason, in regards to belief. Here's the link to the blog entry, so read it and you'll understand better where I'm coming from. http://critiqueofchristianity.blogspot.com/ the blog title is "Did We Miss a Step?". Enjoy, and hope to hear from some of you soon!
- Brendan from a while ago
Hi Joel.
I'm Matthew's dad John...Matt plays music with your son...probably saw you at Rockwood Music Hall for Johnnie Lee Jordan...
anyway, there seems to be an "awakenig" moving about the planet, or at least part of the planet...about 6-7 years ago something took hold of me causing me to run for my life from the twisted untruths of "Christianity." i wrote a book about my journey...it's called "Blind Spots: The Memoirs of a Baby-Boomer on the Rocky Road towards Spiritual Awakening" by John Domenico...it's available now on Barnes & Noble.com and Amazon.com and I'm certain you would embrace it...It will definitely give us lots to chat about...
A friend of Matt and I were talking one day about Christianity and its claims and he told me how his pastor asserted that even Gandhi, if he didn't accept Christ as his savior, would spend eternity in hell. He replied, if that's the kind of God we serve, I don't want anything to do with him!
John Lennon once stated that Christianity would one day collapse and I couldn't understand how he could say such a thing...Now I totally understand. A house divided can NOT stand.
It is time for the "enlightened" to clarify what Yehshua said 2000 years ago...Religion is poison for the mind, body and soul.
Looking forward to continued discussions.
Hi John,
great to hear from you....I missed you the other night at the boys show. I did hear about your book and certainly look forward to cruising thru it, looks really intriguing and artful.
It sounds like we may have a lot to offer one another in our quest to live life well in connection with our [and all the people of the world] maker.
I don't know that I would consider myself an "enlightened" one, but I do consider myself to have been part of a religious story which in many ways has brought beauty, hope, help and love to me and my loved ones in the best of ways [many times through its people].....but also a story which has many "attachments" and "creeds" which seem to me to be "poisonous" as you put it. Most of it in my experience has been well intentioned, however, myopic and often non-loving and missing the larger points of loving all people without condition....simply because they are people. I myself plead guilty to the charges I make, as for most of my 30 years on the Christian trail, I would say I was in a bubble which became toxic....because it was a bubble... more on that at another time...
Anyway, I have loved the journey over the last few years of not forsaking, but busting wide open the walls of my faith...and the story is so much bigger and better and inclusive than I experienced....will catch up some time
re: the Gandhi story....yikes, that sucks...and I feel with you on that one. It is that sort of thing which I believe causes many to completely ambandon the beautiful and compelling truth about Jesus and his revolutionary disarming love of all....it was gandhi who after reading the gospels said he loved our Jesus, just not those who professed to follow him...[based on how he was treated]...how sad an indictment on the church experience of his day....
well gotta go man. just requested your book to be released on kindle! wont wait for that though.
to be continued.....
peace,
Joel
Hey Joel,
Thought you might appreciate this...I'm always trying to get into people's heads, see what they really think and feel.
Heard an interview on WFUV radio about a month ago. Pete Fornatelle was interviewing Richie Furay. Furay, as you probably know, was a founding member of Buffalo Springfield and Poco, not to mention Souther, Hillman, Furay and the Richie Furay Band. He became a Born Again Christian and I believe even pastored a church, abandoning secular music for that of Christian and worship music. Now it seems he's doing both and since I went through a similar experience, I thought it would be neat to talk with him. He mentioned to Pete he was on Facebook, so I found him and became one of his many FB friends. He posted a comment that he was a fan of Glenn Beck and immediately it sent up a flag to me, because I have no admiration for folks like Glenn. I commented my feelings and it led to a back and forth futile debate with one of his fans over what the truth is because, let's face it, who really knows the indisputable truth??? Anyway, Richie jumped in, asked me to write directly to him, which I did, and he replied with all the same scripture verses Christians have been spewing out for years.
It's amazing to me how a belief system that is supposedly based upon unconditional love could be so arrogant, judgmental,self-righteous and condemning...
They don't see "God" as an entity of pure Love, but as a wrathful one, pointing the way to "hell" if one doesn't follow the "Conditions"...doesn't make sense.
Hey John, nice to hear from you. Ordered your book and look forward to it.
I like to get into peoples heads too, mostly to follow the trail of thoughts/ideas which lead them to various conclusions...sometimes helps us to live with eachother better i guess. wow, sounds like one of those bummer conversations that ends fruitlessly. too bad. yeah, i did the same [wish i never gave my "demonic" albums away!!!]
you know, i think it is really difficult for some people to open up and talk, and listen and let a little loose of what they feel really strongly about, especially in the born-again christian camp. and you can't really blame them [i was a them, i don't born agan...but consider myself a follower of god in the way of jesus] cuz we were so conditioned and trained and with good intentions trying to follow...but unfortunately that left us with little room for doubt, and mystery, and hearing the other....and eventually when the other becomes a stranger, we demonize them, and back into our teams corner and re-double our commitments, walking off having "suffered rejection for jesus". It is really the main flavor of christianity that is offered, and if something smells different, it is heresy or whatever. then it all gets myopic and begins to smell like rotten religion which i think makes god weep and wring his/her sacred hands... i often wonder if my/our approach to "them" can be done in a less threatening, disarming way...you know a loving way which gives them the love, and benefit of the doubt which we want to have from them too.......just a thought.
to be continued. ..oh...have you read the "new kind of christian" trilogy by Brian McLaren. He is a leader of the emerging movement which has been intriguing and hopeful for me. highly recommend peter rollins books too. "how not to speak of god" and "the orthodox heretic" check em out.
see you man
Love really is the answer...
Read a book called "Love Without End: Jesus Speaks" by Glenda Green.
Have to say it was one of the most moving books I ever read...
Everything we do and say, should be done and spoken in love...then it can not and will not fail...just the law of the universe I guess.
Talk more soon.
John
I will look into those books, thanks.
I will check out the book. Yeah, I agree with LOVE. Of course, there are ways people feel they are "loving" by speaking the "truth" or protecting us from "evil" and so on, so I get that, but still don't think it was the Jesus way. He seemed to carry himself in such a way that "sinners" felt they could approach him and eat and talk and drink. Of course, something about him inspired people to want to be cleaned up and loving and like him, except for those who got stuck on their "code" of ethics and missed the forest for the trees. He saw a beautiful loving act by the woman of "ill-repute" as she washed his feet...and I assume she and Jesus both were changed by the experience. But the religious onlookers only saw that He clearly was not a Messiah or a Prophet cuz He would no better and have nothing to do with her. I need to get that kind of bad reputation which he had / and she had!
Peace
Hey Joel...
Sorry it's been a while...
Seems like I turned around and a month was gone.
Been busy promoting the book and working on a new novel...
Been re-connecting with folks from the past and the conversations about their journeys have been inspirational and fun...Seems like we're all on that road to find out!
Wondering if you had any thoughts on the book...?
Hope all is well
John
Hey John,
good to hear from you. Yes the days are going by quicker than I prefer. Just got the book, along with McLarens "A New Kind Of Christianity" the other day. Just paroused the preface and intro and already felt a connection. I am hoping to follow thru and read this in tandem with the other book as I can. I hope it is working well for you. I look forward to reading and discussing the best ways to journey with you.
Peace
Hi Joel...
Matt told me about the group meeting last night...I think I may tag along with him for the next one. Lots of things going on in our lives right now regarding spiritual/religious differences...and there is definitely a movement of spirit happening...folks are restless, dissatisfied with mainstream belief systems...trying to make sense of it all...I have my thoughts and it would be nice to lovingly share them...
Hey John,
good to hear from you. yeah the group was very refreshing...would be nice to have you along. give me your email address and i will send you the values/guidelines we are using to guide us for this first leg of the journey. we will be using Brian McLarens book "A New Kind Of Christianity" as a launching point/discussion starter. Reading thru chapter 1 for the next meeting which is at 8pm Wed. March 3. Take some time to read thru the thoughts, it contains important values for the place that most of the people in the group are at. should be great.
or send your email to me t usher.joel@gmail.com
peace
Hey Joel...
Sent you my e-mail address...
I'll check out the book with Matt.
oops...
my e-mail to you came back...undeliverable?
send me your address 1 more X
thanks
usher.joel@gmail.com
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