Styrofoam and the Consistency of Christ

So, there are 2 deacons in my church I feel like I might be causing problems for.  You see, they are married, and often serve and set up communion on the same sundays.  I prefer my communion stuff to be set before the service.  It is hard for me to play the piano during communion, and take communion.  My church pianist growing up was able to, but I'm not convinced she wasn't a super hero.  But, I digress.  Catherine will usually put out one of the those styrofoam wafer thingies with my grape juice.  Don, knowing I don't care for styrofoam, will come behind and swap it out for the little crackers.  (And he usually gives me 3 or 4 crackers.  Woohoo!)
Now, I know the communion has nothing to do with which form of bread I prefer.  That is not what it is about.  I just can't imagine that the body of Christ is styrofoam.  I cannot make that leap.  So, this sweet couple has to do double duty.
Strange how we let the little things that have no effect on God, or our relationship with him, get us worked up.  We will draw our line in the sand at some of the most ridiculous points, and then get really confused when God doesn't back us up.  This is a hard place to be because we know that we are supposed to stand strong on some things, we just don't usually have a clue which things.
I don't really have any advice or deeps thoughts on this.  What I do know is that the true consistency of Christ is love.  What was always most obvious and where He stood, was love.  So maybe that should be where we stand.  Our line in the sand should be love. 

My favorite song today.  Enjoy!

Working on a Saturday

You read that title right.  I'm at the church, finishing up my application for licensed ministry.  Fun times!
I was scrolling through the blogs I follow before I start my hardcore essay writing.  Over at http://experimentaltheology.blogspot.com/, Richard Beck shared a link to another blog I am now following.  This blog's goal is to spend the next year intentionally and purposefully living out the Sermon on the Mount.  Go check it out at http://livingwhatjesustaught.blogspot.com/.
I'm really excited and hopeful by this.  I really am encouraged by people taking such a huge goal and completely selling out to go for it.  Who knows?  I may join in!

Just sad today

So I just started crying at my desk.  The longer Hailey Dunn is missing, the more hurt there is.  For those who don't know, I'm from Colorado City.  Small town doesn't begin to describe it.  The whole community is in turmoil.  And that doesn't begin to compare to the fear and hurt of Hailey's family.  I know people are praying, and working hard.  It is so frustrating when we don't see immediate results.
But, this is not what made me cry this morning.  I've been following alot of the comments on the news reports from the local paper and tv stations.  There is such a lack of understanding of the Amber Alert system, the police/sheriff/Texas Ranger's jobs.  There are men and women who aren't sleeping or eating.  They have done nothing but try to find this precious girl.  They have been fighting to get her picture out there.  They have been denied an Amber Alert 3 times.  They have put their lives on hold to search for this one.  And yet, those of us in fear have not united to help or support them.  Instead, we rip them apart for what is beyond their control.  We question what we do not know, and blame them for not knowing it either.  In the middle of our fear and hurt, we have let that take control.
We will not find this little girl by blaming those who are doing everything in their power and a few things that aren't.  We will not find Hailey by blaming the very people who are giving everything to find her.  We give no comfort to her or her family and friends when our hateful (and completely unfounded) words undermine and discourage the people fighting to find her.
As people of faith, we must remember who is in control.  We must find a way to trust in God no matter what is going on around us.  This is incredibly difficult at a time like this.  We cannot understand why this would happen to someone so young.  Many of us may be questioning God, but we must learn to trust Him through our questions.  We have to seek His peace and comfort.  Giving into fear accomplishes nothing good.  There's a reason that terror is a good form of control.  When fear becomes the dominating force in our lives, we will do anything, say anything, give anything, and believe anything.  We must be led by faith and love.
So, in the midst of this horrible and terrifying time, I have one piece of advice.  Let love lead.  Always love.

Just had a brilliant idea!

I know, 2 posts in one day!  Crazy!
I had to share my brilliant idea though!  I think we should change my position name to "Grand Pirate."
That is all.

Literature and LIfe

So the new book in the House of Night series came out yesterday.  I have, of course, finished it.  I can't say too much about it though, because Twin is still working on.  Turns out she can't read while teaching high school theatre.  Go figure.
I do have to say, this was not my favorite in the series.  It might be my least favorite actually.  It starts with the fact that they not only ruin a very important death with show tunes, they don't even use the original show tune.  We, the readers, are forced to spend an entire chapter reading about Glee singing 'Defying Gravity.'  What a waste of not only an important sacrifice (from both sides) by making it cheesey, but by ruining the good song.
That was not my biggest disappointment though.  That honor goes to some of the character's handling of forgiveness, specifically the conditions the goddess they follow, therefore the rest of them, puts on forgiveness.  I'm not going into great detail here, just in case Twin reads this before she finishes the book.
Here's my real point today.  True forgiveness cannot have conditions of "when you deserve it," or "when you make things right," or "when I'm not hurting as much," or whatever else we put there.  Mainly because the act of forgiveness is a completely passive event for the one to be forgiven.  Forgiveness is only done by the one hurt.  Therefore, the only one who can make it happen, the only one who can choose forgiveness, the only one who can cause forgiveness is the one forgiving.  The moment we start forcing the other party to somehow earn our forgiveness, we aren't being forgiving.  We are being judge and executioner.  Forgiveness is when we say that whatever someone did, we do not hold it against them.  I may not be able to stop the consequences of your action, but I won't hold any debt for my part.  The act of adding conditions nulls that.  Those conditions are demanding that the debt be paid.  That's not forgiveness.
And, as we so often pray, God forgive us as we forgive others.  I can't pay that debt, I need God to not hold it against me.  So, I must learn to not demand it from others. 

Words vs Actions

So we've all been told, and probably told others, that actions speak louder than words.
Now, I still agree with the spirit and intention of that phrase.  It is intended to speak those who would say they love God but act otherwise.
But, I've had a really weird couple of weeks.  What about us whose actions show love for God, but our words do not?  I wouldn't have thought this possible until this season of my life.  And, do we still think actions speak louder than words?  As one who has recently hurt and been hurt by this exact situation, I don't anymore.  I'm also not sure that is what the Bible teaches either.
James 1:26:  If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.
James is pretty harsh.  Most of us consider ourselves and other religious by actions.  James says all those action become WORTHLESS if we aren't controlling what we say and how we say it. James isn't done on this topic (which is actually reassuring, it's not a new problem we've made here).
James 3:8-11

but no man can tame the tongue.  It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.  With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness.  out of the same mouth come praise and cursing.  My brothers, this should not be.  Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?

Not the most encouraging passage.  But the letter continues to talk about wisdom, and not harboring bitterness or envy.  James seems to be getting to the point that our words pour out of where ever our hearts are, regardless of whatever filter our minds put on our words.  If we let ourselves thrive on anger, jealousy, and control, our words will overcome any action, honest or not, to know God.
I don't really have an answer to the problem.  It is really easy to say stop being this in your heart so your words will be this.  It is a completely different matter to actually do that.  What I do know is this.  Our words are hurting each other, and deeply.  Our good works that are supposed to point others to our Father in Heaven are being drowned about by the script we're writing.  We have to come to a place to be healed in our hearts, only then will our words be healing for others, instead of weapons.