That is the question.
I'm amazed and appalled at the reaction by some people to the recent turn of events that has led to the possible canceling of a prayer led by a local pastor. What has upset me (and others) is how vicious and cruel some people have been towards the people at the center of this controversy. "Christian" people are threatening, accusing and vilifying others. I jokingly said to my husband earlier today when he mentioned he'd heard of a possible "protest" outside the High School... "I hope they remember to wear their "God is love" t-shirts [when they bring their pitch-forks and torches]! Sure I believe that we should have the freedom to pray, but I also believe that America ceased to be a "Christian Nation" quite some time ago. I also believe that it is the absolute wrong thing to do to be cruel, to accuse, to threaten, to name call, etc. This does NOT represent Christianity (well... yeah, unfortunately I guess it does represent modern Christianity to some extent).... at any rate is does NOT represent Christ! How do you suppose people "on the other side" will ever be drawn to Christ if we treat them like this? What would Jesus do? He was hardest on the religious leaders of His day, not on others.
If you read this blog, I'm asking you to pray for peace, for the love of Christ to reign in this situation.
Oh, and another thing... this is a High School graduation. It's supposed to be a celebration of accomplishment for the students and a launching out into the next phase of their lives. This is their day! Why ruin it for these students! Of course, since we are sending them out into the "real" world, I guess this is a taste of what they'll get out there. Sad.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Monday, May 17, 2010
I am reminded of a mime skit I was involved in several years ago.
There are several pairs of people - 2 of them arguing over musical styles, 2 of them arguing over modes of baptism, 2 of them arguing over ways of worshiping, 2 more arguing over evangelism and methods...
Finally, "Jesus" comes out and begins to wash the first persons' feet, who in turn washes the next one and on down the line it goes.
When we stop arguing and begin serving each other the way Jesus taught us, and when we love each other THEN the world will know that we belong to Christ.
Jesus came to seek, to save, to serve... We need to follow His example and stop the idiotic bickering.
There are several pairs of people - 2 of them arguing over musical styles, 2 of them arguing over modes of baptism, 2 of them arguing over ways of worshiping, 2 more arguing over evangelism and methods...
Finally, "Jesus" comes out and begins to wash the first persons' feet, who in turn washes the next one and on down the line it goes.
When we stop arguing and begin serving each other the way Jesus taught us, and when we love each other THEN the world will know that we belong to Christ.
Jesus came to seek, to save, to serve... We need to follow His example and stop the idiotic bickering.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Saturday Fun
And earlier that day.... We spent the morning with Maureen taking senior pictures of the boys. Looking at these pictures I can't believe how they've grown and changed!
Friday, May 7, 2010
Random-ness
The weather is beautiful lately. I've been enjoying our roses in the front garden.
Four weeks from today my twin sons graduate from high school!
These same twin boys just received honors for being 100% Lifetime CSF members! (California Scholarship Federation)
I had a great conversation with my neighbor last night. (Who would have thought that the pain we went through last summer would resonate so much with others around us? I'm thankful for real people who see things clearly.)
I'm missing my parents more than ever today.
I'm learning lessons from the trees planted in our front yard. (God frequently speaks to me through nature)
We're going to watch "Sherlock Holmes" tonight.
Sunday is Mother's Day. I told my children that I want them to all get along ALL day. I also want to sit and watch a mom-type movie on the couch while they bring me tea and goodies. I plan to take some roses out to the cemetery...
Four weeks from today my twin sons graduate from high school!
These same twin boys just received honors for being 100% Lifetime CSF members! (California Scholarship Federation)
I had a great conversation with my neighbor last night. (Who would have thought that the pain we went through last summer would resonate so much with others around us? I'm thankful for real people who see things clearly.)
I'm missing my parents more than ever today.
I'm learning lessons from the trees planted in our front yard. (God frequently speaks to me through nature)
We're going to watch "Sherlock Holmes" tonight.
Sunday is Mother's Day. I told my children that I want them to all get along ALL day. I also want to sit and watch a mom-type movie on the couch while they bring me tea and goodies. I plan to take some roses out to the cemetery...
Sunday, May 2, 2010
If We Are the Body
It won't be long, in 32 days my boys will graduate from High School! There's been some "hub-bub" here about the "legality" of having an Invocation at High School graduation. Sigh. While I think it's silly for someone to get offended at having someone pray, (I mean, they could just not particpate!) I also think it's sad and a poor reflection on Christ when Christians get "nasty" over this! It seems these days that people choose to get offended over any thing! Why can't we just live in harmony with each other? I'm not saying be a doormat and let people stomp on our religious freedom, I'm just saying that disputes could be handled in a more civilized way.
One of my sons is planning to sing "If We Are the Body" for our end of the year concert at the High School. As we were practicing it today the words really struck me.
"It's crowded in worship today
As she slips in trying to fade into the faces
The girls teasing laughter is carrying
Farther than they know
Farther than they know
But if we are the body
Why aren't His arms reaching
Why aren't His hands healing
Why aren't His words teaching
And if we are the body
Why aren't His feet going
Why is His love not showing them there is a way
There is a way
A traveler is far away from home
He sheds his coat and quietly
Sinks into the back row
The weight of their judgmental glances
Tells him that his chances are better
Out on the road
Jesus paid much too high a price
For us to pick and choose who should come
And we are the body of Christ
But if we are the body
Why aren't His arms reaching
Why aren't His hands healing
Why aren't His words teaching
And if we are the body
Why aren't His feet going
Why is His love not showing them there is a way
There is a way
Jesus is the way"
-Mark Hall
If we are the Body, why don't we reach out to those around us? Why aren't we working for healing? Why aren't we gently teaching and instructing? Why aren't we going out to those around us instead of criticizing them and judging them? I'm not thrilled with the fact that Exeter has now joined with High Schools all over the State that now prohibit an "Invocation" at High School graduation, but there are ways to deal with this that do NOT involve gossip, unkind words, judgmental attitudes and the like. Hey, why not just pray for them?
One of my sons is planning to sing "If We Are the Body" for our end of the year concert at the High School. As we were practicing it today the words really struck me.
As she slips in trying to fade into the faces
The girls teasing laughter is carrying
Farther than they know
Farther than they know
Why aren't His arms reaching
Why aren't His hands healing
Why aren't His words teaching
And if we are the body
Why aren't His feet going
Why is His love not showing them there is a way
There is a way
A traveler is far away from home
He sheds his coat and quietly
Sinks into the back row
The weight of their judgmental glances
Tells him that his chances are better
Out on the road
Jesus paid much too high a price
For us to pick and choose who should come
And we are the body of Christ
But if we are the body
Why aren't His arms reaching
Why aren't His hands healing
Why aren't His words teaching
And if we are the body
Why aren't His feet going
Why is His love not showing them there is a way
There is a way
Jesus is the way"
-Mark Hall
If we are the Body, why don't we reach out to those around us? Why aren't we working for healing? Why aren't we gently teaching and instructing? Why aren't we going out to those around us instead of criticizing them and judging them? I'm not thrilled with the fact that Exeter has now joined with High Schools all over the State that now prohibit an "Invocation" at High School graduation, but there are ways to deal with this that do NOT involve gossip, unkind words, judgmental attitudes and the like. Hey, why not just pray for them?
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