Does he see his shadow?

Hey all,

Just coming out for a second to touch bases.

Into day three of a VERY sore neck and headache. Can't turn my head to either right or left, and tilting back hurts too... and the soreness I think is causing a really bad headache. On top of that, I've been fighting several days worth of severe chest pains. I'm guessing it's time to go see the cardiologist again. Crud. I really don't want this surgery. I was hoping the medicine would take care of it.

Other than that, nothing to write about... I don't create well with these headaches. Keep well.

Grace - according to eric

"Every day I learn something. As long as I show up to class. As long as I show up for my own life."

Yesterday, Jeremy piggy-backed a portion of his blog off of a statement I made in my previous post. Today, I return the favor...

I mentioned yesterday that the Executive Director of the MCC was the guest preacher at church. Her topic was "Keep walking through those doors". Keep showing up, in other words.

No matter what other problems get in the way, we need to keep walking through the doors. When conflicts seem to be too much... just keep walking through the doors. Keep coming to church. Keep plugging away at this beautiful ministry we call MCC Omaha. Just do it. Or as the words of our Affirmation of Faith expressed in closing: let us. Let Us. LET US.

For 31 years, MCC Omaha has served the GLBTISEtc community of Nebraska and Western Iowa. For 31 years, conflict has been a part of that service. And for 31 years, folks have continued to walk through those doors, keep on coming. Sure, faces change, but we keep on plugging. We keep coming back, and we keep trying. Maybe we'll change. We need to change, in order to grow. But change or no change, we'll keep plodding along. I believe that. I trust that as a promise.

The problem with conflict, and the thing about it that prevents people from coming back through those doors is that conflict is the ultimate in "ungrace". Conflict can only occur when forgiveness and repentance are absent.

We need to be careful in our interactions at church... and in all aspects of our lives. When wronged, when decisions are reached that we disapprove of, it's okay to express that. It's not okay to attack the ones making the decisions, the one who wrongs. That is the kind of conflict I see, though.

When wronged, it's okay to address that "Hey, you wronged me by..." And there can be only one valid response to that. "I'm sorry you felt wronged by my action." IMO, it's okay to express why an action wronged me... or why I took the action that wronged the other, but the paramount aspect of that exchange must be the expression of regret for wronging, and the followup forgiveness. When we don't do that, we fail to demonstrate God's Grace to the other, and to the rest of the community.

And when decisions are made that we disagree with, the answer isn't to walk away. The answer is to walk back in through those doors, and address the decision, and why you feel it's wrong. Perhaps if enough people calmly and lovingly were to express displeasure (oh, and pleasure TOO) with the actions taken, we could put aside the stupid, petty squabbling that seems to all too often fill the walls of our churches, places of work, places of play, homes.

It's the grace-filled interaction of people of faith in our churches that demonstrate God's grace to the world. It's a form of interaction that all too rarely finds form in action. At ANY place of worship.

I find that sad. I truly believe that is one of the best ways to demonstrate God's love... loving each other as God has loved us. It's called Grace.

Jeremy also called me to task (well, I THINK he was calling me to task) for my continued reference to my being too old....

Okay, let's set the record straight... (Yes, I use that word...) I am not old. I'm not too old for anything except perhaps well, we won't go THERE.

I am squarely, and centrally, located in the throes of Middle Age. Which means that I still have half my life ahead of me to accomplish. Mission. Whatever.

So, I'll try to tone down the "Oh, woe is me, I'm too old..." bull hunky. 'Cause that's what it is, and I know it.

John the Baptist and other Visionaries

Oh, man! I do NOT know what to make of this!

For background, our church has entered into another perennial transition. As part of this transition, our 31st Anniversary service was preached by the new Executive Director of the UFMCC. Her sermon was excellent!

Scott and I picked up this person at the airport, then took her out to eat with most of the members of our Board of Directors.

MCCs around the world do communion differently from church to church. However, one of the things I've seen that seems to be consistent is that when one goes forward to receive the eucharist (both 'species', by intincture) one is prayed with/for if one wants. At first, as a 'catholic-in-exile', this practice was pretty odd for me. Now it's quite normal. I digress.

I went forward for communion to the Executive Director Sunday. During the prayer (and this is what I don't know what to make of) she indicated that I reminded her of John the Baptist because of my passion and drive.

Oi. This is the guy who lost his head early in the ministry of Jesus, ate locusts and wore itchy clothes. I guess we do have some similarities. He lost his head, and I'm told I've lost my mind.

I told the director, as I drove her back to the airport, that I draw the line, though, at eating wild locusts (or tame ones, for that matter.) She suggested I be careful where I draw the line... God has a funny way of getting us to step across lines... especially if WE'RE the ones who draw them. Oh, and I prefer silk to horse hair ANY day! Or even cotton. Or wool... as long as it's the soft kind.

And, hey, aren't I a little old to be setting out on some kind of wild-eyed mission?

Aren't I?

Please. Please say I am too old. Please?