I really hate debating. And I really hate politics. I shared this article on Facebook (I may be really starting to hate Facebook), and (as I should have expected), I got some backlash...
http://www.salon.com/2012/03/28/where_are_the_normal_christians/singleton/
So this was my response. I had to do it. I friggin' hate arguing - hopefully I was to the point, not un-kind, and clear:
Wow. Sorry you feel that way Jake. But people do judge Christians by the loudest ones. That's the truth. I don't want to be lumped in to that category. I happened to share this article because I liked it. Because I strive to be like Jesus. Because he told us to do 2 things: love God, and love our neighbor as ourselves. He did not tell us to judge, that is God's job. He did not tell us to convict people of their sin, that is the Holy Spirit's job. He told us to love. I work in a clinic that is specifically for HIV+ patients. I choose to work here because Jesus said 'when I was sick and in prison, you visited me'. I choose to work here because I want to 'be kinder than necessary for everyone is fighting some kind of battle'. I choose to work here because (I think it was Mother Teresa who said) 'If you judge people, you have no time to love them'. I choose to work here because God loves them. And I would like them to know that we're not all political and angry. Some of us just want to love, and share love. Having said that, the last paragraph really summed it up. I shared it because it spoke to me. That is all...
The last paragraph: He said, “Your truth is different from my truth. And we’re both right.” In a culture of arrogance and self-righteousness on either end of the dial, it’s a tough concept to embrace. But coexistence is only possible when we’re not screaming at each other, smugly pronouncing the other guy either sinful or stupid. All that many of us, as non extreme Christians, want is to simply be treated with the same respect and tolerance that our faith teaches us to give to others. Because whatever else we all believe, how can we ever go on as a diverse, thriving culture if we don’t believe first in each other?
Friday, March 30, 2012
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Lent - continued...
It's been exactly a month since my last post - I suck at daily writing...
I am doing Lent, though.
Finished my book - Francis Chan's Forgotten God. Deep stuff. A lot like his other book - Crazy Love - which i highly recommend. I wanna have the guts to live radically for God. I've been asking for more stuff lately - not material stuff (for me anyways) - but more insight, discernment, leading by the Holy Spirit. And waiting expectantly... It's the listening part that I have a hard time with. I pray, and then I do - when I should just wait...
Still reading the daily Lent devotional on You Version. Very good. Thinking about starting another reading plan as soon as this is over...
Hitting the knees at least in the morning or at night. Today I got a major head rush when I stood up, though. Gotta watch that before eating. :)
Fasting: I kinda suck at this, too. Wait, not really... I've been sticking to the 'no meat on Fridays' deal - except one dinner, two weeks ago... and it was a judgement call - I was just dropping by someone's house, and they had the table all set, and invited me to stay - I felt like I should, and so accepted. Because of this quote & Matthew 6:16-18.
(of course that brings to mind - why am I writing this at all? Well, for one thing, no one really reads it...)
Here's the quote (it's from the website mentioned on the Ash Wednesday post).
Let humility be your guide. Resist the temptation to explain that you are fasting and so refuse. If you can politely refuse without hurting the person's feelings, then do so. But if someone has prepared something for you to bless you (a special desert at the end of a meal, cookies for a visit, or a big steak dinner right after you gave up meat), then perhaps the more humble response is to accept gratefully. After all, the point of Lent is not the elimination of a specific food, it is sacrifice. Sometimes the greater sacrifice is to give up the idea of a perfect day of fasting for the sake of another.
But it is also supposed to be more than just avoiding meat - it's supposed to be about eating less. And I am no good at that.
On the upside, I've been cooking a lot of vegetarian and gluten free meals. The better to take care of this temple with, my dear.
peace & love,
tc
I am doing Lent, though.
Finished my book - Francis Chan's Forgotten God. Deep stuff. A lot like his other book - Crazy Love - which i highly recommend. I wanna have the guts to live radically for God. I've been asking for more stuff lately - not material stuff (for me anyways) - but more insight, discernment, leading by the Holy Spirit. And waiting expectantly... It's the listening part that I have a hard time with. I pray, and then I do - when I should just wait...
Still reading the daily Lent devotional on You Version. Very good. Thinking about starting another reading plan as soon as this is over...
Hitting the knees at least in the morning or at night. Today I got a major head rush when I stood up, though. Gotta watch that before eating. :)
Fasting: I kinda suck at this, too. Wait, not really... I've been sticking to the 'no meat on Fridays' deal - except one dinner, two weeks ago... and it was a judgement call - I was just dropping by someone's house, and they had the table all set, and invited me to stay - I felt like I should, and so accepted. Because of this quote & Matthew 6:16-18.
(of course that brings to mind - why am I writing this at all? Well, for one thing, no one really reads it...)
Here's the quote (it's from the website mentioned on the Ash Wednesday post).
Let humility be your guide. Resist the temptation to explain that you are fasting and so refuse. If you can politely refuse without hurting the person's feelings, then do so. But if someone has prepared something for you to bless you (a special desert at the end of a meal, cookies for a visit, or a big steak dinner right after you gave up meat), then perhaps the more humble response is to accept gratefully. After all, the point of Lent is not the elimination of a specific food, it is sacrifice. Sometimes the greater sacrifice is to give up the idea of a perfect day of fasting for the sake of another.
But it is also supposed to be more than just avoiding meat - it's supposed to be about eating less. And I am no good at that.
On the upside, I've been cooking a lot of vegetarian and gluten free meals. The better to take care of this temple with, my dear.
peace & love,
tc
Monday, February 27, 2012
Lent - Day (whatever)
OK, so I'm not sure which day it is. Thinking it doesn't really matter. I'm in a season, and here I will stay - until Easter...
I'm hanging in:
- no meat on Friday
that was easy.
- reading daily
OK, I could do more, but Thank God for that You Bible reminder on my phone!
- hitting my knees
It's awesome the things you (re-)learn from new Christians. Be diligent with your prayer life, get on your knees daily. It's such a good place to be.
- listening
It seems like everything I hear/read these days has to do with listening. We (I) really need to listen. Quiet, mind of mine! Be still and listen...
I read this today on Donald Miller's blog:
http://donmilleris.com/2012/02/27/the-dance-toward-god/
God bestows three blessings on man: to feed him like the birds, dress him like the flowers, and befriend him as a confidant. Too many take the first two and neglect the last.
Life is a dance toward God. And the dance is not so graceful as we might think. For a while we glide and swing our practiced sway, God crowds our feet, bumps our toes, and scuffs our shoes. He lowers His head, whispers soft and confident, “You will dance to the beat of ‘Amazing Grace’ or you will not dance at all.” So we learn to dance with the One who made us. And it is a taxing dance to learn.
But once learned, don’t we glide. And don’t we sway. And don’t we bury our head in His chest. And don’t we love to dance.
peace & love, tc
I'm hanging in:
- no meat on Friday
that was easy.
- reading daily
OK, I could do more, but Thank God for that You Bible reminder on my phone!
- hitting my knees
It's awesome the things you (re-)learn from new Christians. Be diligent with your prayer life, get on your knees daily. It's such a good place to be.
- listening
It seems like everything I hear/read these days has to do with listening. We (I) really need to listen. Quiet, mind of mine! Be still and listen...
I read this today on Donald Miller's blog:
http://donmilleris.com/2012/02/27/the-dance-toward-god/
God bestows three blessings on man: to feed him like the birds, dress him like the flowers, and befriend him as a confidant. Too many take the first two and neglect the last.
Life is a dance toward God. And the dance is not so graceful as we might think. For a while we glide and swing our practiced sway, God crowds our feet, bumps our toes, and scuffs our shoes. He lowers His head, whispers soft and confident, “You will dance to the beat of ‘Amazing Grace’ or you will not dance at all.” So we learn to dance with the One who made us. And it is a taxing dance to learn.
But once learned, don’t we glide. And don’t we sway. And don’t we bury our head in His chest. And don’t we love to dance.
peace & love, tc
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Lent - Day 2
Day 1 - I failed on my reading goal for Forgotten God - didn't even open it. :-( sad.
I did not eat meat. Yay!
I read the Word. Yay!
Day 2 - Made up for the reading at lunch time.
I'm really liking the ideas in this devotional - especially this suggested fast:
Days: Leave it all behind: leave junk food, TV, cars, noise, and all the media and messages of the culture. Pack the very minimum (water, warm clothes, etc.) and find a trail, a mountain, or a beach, and feast on God.
Now, to find a free day with which to do so...
http://www.imby.net/easter/fast.html#other
peace & love,
tc
I did not eat meat. Yay!
I read the Word. Yay!
Day 2 - Made up for the reading at lunch time.
I'm really liking the ideas in this devotional - especially this suggested fast:
Days: Leave it all behind: leave junk food, TV, cars, noise, and all the media and messages of the culture. Pack the very minimum (water, warm clothes, etc.) and find a trail, a mountain, or a beach, and feast on God.
Now, to find a free day with which to do so...
http://www.imby.net/easter/fast.html#other
peace & love,
tc
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Ash Wednesday
I read an article about observing Lent yesterday and it made me want to do it. I thought maybe if I wrote about it, I could actually keep it up for 40 days.
I hope so.
There is a serious lack of discipline in my life. I mean, I pray - but it's always while moving... I have two books on listening to God and have been attempting to just spend time listening and not talking. Meditation! I need it.
Sit down. Shut up. Listen!
Here is the thing I read: http://www.imby.net/easter/
I like the name Bright Sadness.
So for me, it's not going to be so much about giving up something - although I will try to keep to the no meat on Fridays or Ash Wednesday deal - but it's about adding something. Prayer, Meditation, Devotions. One of the books I have - Forgotten God by Francis Chan, has less than 200 pages. 5 pages a day, right? I can do this...
Well, here goes - day 1. Wish me luck - or discipline...
~t.
I hope so.
There is a serious lack of discipline in my life. I mean, I pray - but it's always while moving... I have two books on listening to God and have been attempting to just spend time listening and not talking. Meditation! I need it.
Sit down. Shut up. Listen!
Here is the thing I read: http://www.imby.net/easter/
I like the name Bright Sadness.
So for me, it's not going to be so much about giving up something - although I will try to keep to the no meat on Fridays or Ash Wednesday deal - but it's about adding something. Prayer, Meditation, Devotions. One of the books I have - Forgotten God by Francis Chan, has less than 200 pages. 5 pages a day, right? I can do this...
Well, here goes - day 1. Wish me luck - or discipline...
~t.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Wells Fargo Fail / then Win
my email convo with WFB today:
ORIGINAL MESSAGE:
-----------------
What is the minimum balance I must keep in my savings account in order to not be charged a fee? I think it was $300, but please confirm.
thank you,
FIRST Response:
Dear Teresa xxxxxx
Thank you for contacting Wells Fargo. My name is Linda , and I am happy to assist you.
I received your request regarding your account. Please call customer service at 800-869-3557 and they will be glad to assist you.
My goal today was to provide you a complete and helpful answer. Thank you for banking with Wells Fargo.
Sincerely,
Linda W
Wells Fargo Online Customer Service
My response (which I'm not real proud of, but it was called for):
Your answer was neither complete, nor helpful. It's a simple question.
Next Response:
Dear Teresa xxxxx:
Thank you for contacting Wells Fargo. My name is Crystal, and I am happy to assist you.
I apologize for your frustration. The Regular Savings account will not be assessed a monthly service fee if a daily balance of $300.00 is maintained. If the balance in this account falls below this amount, the monthly service fee will be automatically deducted from your account.
To see if there is a different Wells Fargo account that may better meet your needs, please visit wellsfargo.com, or call us anytime at 1-800-TO-WELLS (1-800-869-3557).
My goal today was to provide you a complete and helpful answer. Thank you for banking with Wells Fargo.
Sincerely,
Crystal M
Wells Fargo Online Customer Service
thanks Crystal! See how easy that was, Linda? I really wanted to say something about sharing her skills with Linda, but I refrained...
ORIGINAL MESSAGE:
-----------------
What is the minimum balance I must keep in my savings account in order to not be charged a fee? I think it was $300, but please confirm.
thank you,
FIRST Response:
Dear Teresa xxxxxx
Thank you for contacting Wells Fargo. My name is Linda , and I am happy to assist you.
I received your request regarding your account. Please call customer service at 800-869-3557 and they will be glad to assist you.
My goal today was to provide you a complete and helpful answer. Thank you for banking with Wells Fargo.
Sincerely,
Linda W
Wells Fargo Online Customer Service
My response (which I'm not real proud of, but it was called for):
Your answer was neither complete, nor helpful. It's a simple question.
Next Response:
Dear Teresa xxxxx:
Thank you for contacting Wells Fargo. My name is Crystal, and I am happy to assist you.
I apologize for your frustration. The Regular Savings account will not be assessed a monthly service fee if a daily balance of $300.00 is maintained. If the balance in this account falls below this amount, the monthly service fee will be automatically deducted from your account.
To see if there is a different Wells Fargo account that may better meet your needs, please visit wellsfargo.com, or call us anytime at 1-800-TO-WELLS (1-800-869-3557).
My goal today was to provide you a complete and helpful answer. Thank you for banking with Wells Fargo.
Sincerely,
Crystal M
Wells Fargo Online Customer Service
thanks Crystal! See how easy that was, Linda? I really wanted to say something about sharing her skills with Linda, but I refrained...
Monday, December 26, 2011
A Christmas Visit with Jesus
Last night I dreamt I laid my head on Jesus's chest, and just sobbed.
His hair was longer than I'd always imagined, extra hippie-looking, but that's fitting for me. I didn't even feel sad in the beginning, it was almost like I just went to hug him, and then, as I rested my head there, the sobs came from somewhere deep within.
Still trying to process this, just had to get it written down before it faded into memory. Because, no, this is not something that's ever happened before... I do know that I felt very safe, I guess that may be obvious, safe enough to let it all out when I didn't even know it was there.
Just wow...
His hair was longer than I'd always imagined, extra hippie-looking, but that's fitting for me. I didn't even feel sad in the beginning, it was almost like I just went to hug him, and then, as I rested my head there, the sobs came from somewhere deep within.
Still trying to process this, just had to get it written down before it faded into memory. Because, no, this is not something that's ever happened before... I do know that I felt very safe, I guess that may be obvious, safe enough to let it all out when I didn't even know it was there.
Just wow...
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)