Thank you House. Yes, thank you to the show House. To the writers, the actors, the producers, the directors, everyone involved from the sound guy to the costumer, I say thank you.
The season opening episode dealt seriously, frankly, and openly about depression and mental illness in general. It was set in the silly, crazy elements of House, the main character of the show, dealing with his drug addiction and depression.
As someone whose dealt with depression (undiagnosed and diagnosed) my whole life, I want to say thank you for more than a brush over mentioning of a side character’s illness. An honest conversation about mental health is necessary for more and more people to get the help they need. Thanks again.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Welcome Morning
I've never been a morning person or a bird person. I like to sleep in late and could do without the "gifts" birds leave behind on our cars, sidewalks, etc. Since moving downtown I have found birds more and more tolerable, even enjoyable! My bird dogs have countlessly brought them to my attention. I've started learning the difference between and finch, dove, and pigeon. Oddly enough, white pigeons are some of the most beautiful birds I've ever seen. Besides the interest in birds, I have started coming out of my morning-hating to find that the calm of a morning can center a day beautifully.
For the past week, I have seen a bird outside my fifth floor window. Her song brought her to my attention. I was in our bedroom and heard what I thought was a pigeon fight. Upon looking at the living room window, I found an unfamiliar (to me) bird who slowed it's song into something beautiful. It's almost like she was calling me to come!
Everyday since then, she's greeted me. She's sung to me. Today, she turned around and looked at me. And I discovered what she is. A Starling. So, here's to the morning and a bird to greet you too.
For the past week, I have seen a bird outside my fifth floor window. Her song brought her to my attention. I was in our bedroom and heard what I thought was a pigeon fight. Upon looking at the living room window, I found an unfamiliar (to me) bird who slowed it's song into something beautiful. It's almost like she was calling me to come!
Everyday since then, she's greeted me. She's sung to me. Today, she turned around and looked at me. And I discovered what she is. A Starling. So, here's to the morning and a bird to greet you too.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Learning to Trust
"You are still afraid."
One tear comes to the
edge of my right eye.
"You are still afraid to
trust me with your feelings."
"Yes." The tear drops.
"You can tell me what
you are feeling. It will make
things easier if you tell me."
For feeling of love for those in my childhood I won't go into detail of how my trust issues started. For the feeling of embarrasement that I allowed it to happen, I won't go into my adult-born issues around trust. What is clear to me that God gave Nick (through a variety of ways) the ability to completely trust me and that he is teaching me how to completely trust him. The fears of rejection of my feelings or rejection of me should have ended when a ring went on my finger. Old habits fade slowly.
God made us with an unending source of love and trust. As the wounds heal, the scars block a place in us that should never be difficult to open. Life lived in trust of someone, someone who deserves and gives and shares trust too, is a gift. I am not afraid of being hurt. I am not afraid of loving too hard. I am not afraid. My scars will not keep me from jumping, falling, and flying.
One tear comes to the
edge of my right eye.
"You are still afraid to
trust me with your feelings."
"Yes." The tear drops.
"You can tell me what
you are feeling. It will make
things easier if you tell me."
For feeling of love for those in my childhood I won't go into detail of how my trust issues started. For the feeling of embarrasement that I allowed it to happen, I won't go into my adult-born issues around trust. What is clear to me that God gave Nick (through a variety of ways) the ability to completely trust me and that he is teaching me how to completely trust him. The fears of rejection of my feelings or rejection of me should have ended when a ring went on my finger. Old habits fade slowly.
God made us with an unending source of love and trust. As the wounds heal, the scars block a place in us that should never be difficult to open. Life lived in trust of someone, someone who deserves and gives and shares trust too, is a gift. I am not afraid of being hurt. I am not afraid of loving too hard. I am not afraid. My scars will not keep me from jumping, falling, and flying.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
How life with Chaco, Lucy and Lily informs everything else...
When I first found Chaco, or he found me actually, there was a lot of work to do. He was afraid of men in particular, people in general, hungry, and quite thin. Over the next few years, Chaco learned how to trust people, love attention, and to trick me and others into second breakfasts and third dinners. It has been difficult since he died to remember all the work we did together to get to that happy place. I keep yearning for that happy dog that didn’t need a leash and waited patiently by the treat bin until he got his treat from coming inside.
With the introduction of Lily into our lives, I am, however, experiencing again all that work of rehabilitating a dog who was neglected, beaten, and who knows what else. She is making great strides and cannot get enough of cuddle time with Nick and me. One of her favorite places to be is on the back of the couch, like a cat, with her head hanging over my shoulder. I anticipate the day where she makes the kind of improvements that Chaco did. It will take time, patience, and love. Nick and I are ready for it.
(It may not be fair to compare human interaction with my experience of rehabilitating Chaco and Lily. But, it’s my strongest frame of reference. So, here I go.)
On any given Sunday, there are lots of people who believe in God or wonder about faith and do not make it to a worship service. Many church folks make judgments about why these people don’t come: they’re lazy, they don’t have the right priorities, they just don’t care. In fact, most of my life, I’ve heard these things repeated at different churches. What I have come to realize lately is that the majority of people who don’t come to church even though they might want to have really good reasons: a week long of working a job that sucks the life out of you can keep you from doing the very things that give life, many worship services and churches lack relevancy and then show resentment to those who only come every once in a while, and other circumstances that keep people from attending church.
One of the reasons I feel called to start this new church is because I want to create a place with others that refuses to judge others (or at least do the very best we can to resist), that understands that each person’s spiritual journey is their own journey (God is more creatively reaching out to people than conventional means), and that always encounters people with love and patience. In the same way that I am not sure what happened to Lily and Chaco (and our other rescue Lucy) before we ever saw them, I cannot know the previous experiences of those who I first meet. When my and other people’s, first reaction is assumptions, we limit all that God is doing in the moment.
One of the biggest Christian days of the year, Easter Sunday is over, but the message of that day… resurrection and renewal, are not over. God is always providing opportunity to become. I hope I continue to become the kind of person (and pastor) that always encounters people with grace and patience and love; that when someone leaves my presence –or my church—they have found a place free of pre-existent expectations or judgment. What expectations or judgments keep you from all that God is doing? How can you learn to encounter others with grace and love whether they believe like you or show up every Sunday?
And, because I am an obnoxious dog owner, here are come pics to enjoy...
Chaco (Lab/Pointer Mix) and Lucy (German Shorthaired Pointer) with Nick at Thanksgiving
Lily (Pointer) on her first day home.
The girls having a nap on the couch.
With the introduction of Lily into our lives, I am, however, experiencing again all that work of rehabilitating a dog who was neglected, beaten, and who knows what else. She is making great strides and cannot get enough of cuddle time with Nick and me. One of her favorite places to be is on the back of the couch, like a cat, with her head hanging over my shoulder. I anticipate the day where she makes the kind of improvements that Chaco did. It will take time, patience, and love. Nick and I are ready for it.
(It may not be fair to compare human interaction with my experience of rehabilitating Chaco and Lily. But, it’s my strongest frame of reference. So, here I go.)
On any given Sunday, there are lots of people who believe in God or wonder about faith and do not make it to a worship service. Many church folks make judgments about why these people don’t come: they’re lazy, they don’t have the right priorities, they just don’t care. In fact, most of my life, I’ve heard these things repeated at different churches. What I have come to realize lately is that the majority of people who don’t come to church even though they might want to have really good reasons: a week long of working a job that sucks the life out of you can keep you from doing the very things that give life, many worship services and churches lack relevancy and then show resentment to those who only come every once in a while, and other circumstances that keep people from attending church.
One of the reasons I feel called to start this new church is because I want to create a place with others that refuses to judge others (or at least do the very best we can to resist), that understands that each person’s spiritual journey is their own journey (God is more creatively reaching out to people than conventional means), and that always encounters people with love and patience. In the same way that I am not sure what happened to Lily and Chaco (and our other rescue Lucy) before we ever saw them, I cannot know the previous experiences of those who I first meet. When my and other people’s, first reaction is assumptions, we limit all that God is doing in the moment.
One of the biggest Christian days of the year, Easter Sunday is over, but the message of that day… resurrection and renewal, are not over. God is always providing opportunity to become. I hope I continue to become the kind of person (and pastor) that always encounters people with grace and patience and love; that when someone leaves my presence –or my church—they have found a place free of pre-existent expectations or judgment. What expectations or judgments keep you from all that God is doing? How can you learn to encounter others with grace and love whether they believe like you or show up every Sunday?
And, because I am an obnoxious dog owner, here are come pics to enjoy...
Chaco (Lab/Pointer Mix) and Lucy (German Shorthaired Pointer) with Nick at Thanksgiving
Lily (Pointer) on her first day home.
The girls having a nap on the couch.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
friendship
This morning I had the honor of meeting up with a former church member and forever friend for coffee. We sat and shared our lives as they are now. We drank hot coffee and felt the warmth of friendship. For over an hour, the places in our hearts that had first connected through shared faith and shared values got to rejoin and celebrate. When I think of church, and the reason for it (besides worshipping God--that most obvious reason), this is what I celebrate. True friendship is the one of the hallmarks of a healthy church. And, I'm not just describing seeing people regularly and exchanging niceties. Friendships based in the faith always love, respect, and hold each other accountable to what we say we are about. Friendships based in the faith pursue kindness and stick up for one another. Friendships based in faith seek to understand another's point of view and never make judgements (that's for God to do).
One of my dearest friends now lives many miles away from me in California. We grew up together in church and school and even went to college together. Even though we cannot see each other on a regular basis, our friendship is as strong as ever. When I went through a difficult breakup, she reminded me that God needed me to take care of me instead of trying to "fix" anyone else or be someone I wasn't. When I was lonely and wanted to run back home, she reminded me that sometimes the choices we make are hard, but we live them out like we committed to doing. There are many more examples I could list from our friendship. I pray that my presence in her life has been as wonderful as her's in mine.
Who are those friends in your life that keep you grounded and encourage your better sensibilities? I am thankful to not have just one of these mighty friends in my life, but many. I thank God for you each, as Paul did that we live in the grace of God where even though we are not perfect, we love each other toward our better selves.
On another avenue of friendship, this past Friday, my beloved lab/pointer mix Chaco died of a stroke while we were at our daily dog park visit. It was one of the scariest things I've ever seen. I am thankful for the help of the community of folks that are regularly at the dog park. Lucy (our GSP) barked at him as he lay there and one woman, Danielle, helped me try to revive him and carried him until we met my husband who had rushed from work. Another woman took care of Lucy as we made it to the vet. And, people have been checking in and sharing their concern for us since it happened. Most people who know me understand how important Chaco was. I got him after my dad died, and he helped me learn to grieve. He was my companion for 8 years and went to work with me on a regular basis. When Nick came into our lives, they quickly bonded. Soon, I am going to post an entry as a list of memories. It is really a place for me to remember him, and if you'd like, please share with me your Chaco memories too. : )
One of my dearest friends now lives many miles away from me in California. We grew up together in church and school and even went to college together. Even though we cannot see each other on a regular basis, our friendship is as strong as ever. When I went through a difficult breakup, she reminded me that God needed me to take care of me instead of trying to "fix" anyone else or be someone I wasn't. When I was lonely and wanted to run back home, she reminded me that sometimes the choices we make are hard, but we live them out like we committed to doing. There are many more examples I could list from our friendship. I pray that my presence in her life has been as wonderful as her's in mine.
Who are those friends in your life that keep you grounded and encourage your better sensibilities? I am thankful to not have just one of these mighty friends in my life, but many. I thank God for you each, as Paul did that we live in the grace of God where even though we are not perfect, we love each other toward our better selves.
On another avenue of friendship, this past Friday, my beloved lab/pointer mix Chaco died of a stroke while we were at our daily dog park visit. It was one of the scariest things I've ever seen. I am thankful for the help of the community of folks that are regularly at the dog park. Lucy (our GSP) barked at him as he lay there and one woman, Danielle, helped me try to revive him and carried him until we met my husband who had rushed from work. Another woman took care of Lucy as we made it to the vet. And, people have been checking in and sharing their concern for us since it happened. Most people who know me understand how important Chaco was. I got him after my dad died, and he helped me learn to grieve. He was my companion for 8 years and went to work with me on a regular basis. When Nick came into our lives, they quickly bonded. Soon, I am going to post an entry as a list of memories. It is really a place for me to remember him, and if you'd like, please share with me your Chaco memories too. : )
Thursday, January 22, 2009
What's Your Mark?
Everyday, or mostly everyday, I make my way over to the park with my 2 dogs so that they play. Anywhere from 2 to 12 dogs could be there during the weekday evenings, all with the same agenda... play! I am thankful for these neighbors and their dogs. It's ever entertaining to watch the dogs play and enjoy the time outside. Each dog has a general mode of operation. Conner, the German Shepherd, barks. Chaco, our Lab mix, watches and wanders sniffing the grass. Lucy, our GSP, runs and then lays on her back so the slowpokes can have a chance to wrestle her. Winston, the Bulldog, gets out of breath chasing Lucy. ( I could go on...) Finally, there is Casey the Golden mix, whose m.o. is to surprise the humans with a little urine on their leg. At first, I thought it was just me that Casey had "marked." Apparently, he has done this to most of the regular humans. Thankfully, Casey's owner was apologetic, and those of us Casey has done this to have good senses of humor.
Just like the dogs, we humans each have our go-to/fallback modes of encountering the world. And, just like the dogs, we make a mark on those with whom we interact. No one is perfect, and we all have bad days, but if our general persona is one that leaves people with figurative yellow stain on their legs, something is wrong. What is interesting, though, is that when we are negative, our affect on the world is merely one person deep. According to this study, happiness/a good attitude makes a 3 deep difference. If our mark is positive, we encourage a better world with more happy people. (Thanks go to Jill for pointing out this study in the first place.) I choose to encounter people with compassion and joy (even when they don't treat me with the same dignity.) What's your mark?
Just like the dogs, we humans each have our go-to/fallback modes of encountering the world. And, just like the dogs, we make a mark on those with whom we interact. No one is perfect, and we all have bad days, but if our general persona is one that leaves people with figurative yellow stain on their legs, something is wrong. What is interesting, though, is that when we are negative, our affect on the world is merely one person deep. According to this study, happiness/a good attitude makes a 3 deep difference. If our mark is positive, we encourage a better world with more happy people. (Thanks go to Jill for pointing out this study in the first place.) I choose to encounter people with compassion and joy (even when they don't treat me with the same dignity.) What's your mark?
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Fruits from the tree
I am pretty sure that many people are filling their blogs this week with their take on the presidential inauguration. It is a historic occasion. It is King's legacy the day after we celebrate his life officially. Wherever someone falls on the political spectrum, there is no doubt that this Tuesday will be a mark in our minds. I've seen interviews and read articles about people who never thought a black man would/could be elected. Their stories and histories and the fact that most of them are over 50 lay a framework for that understanding. For those of us who learned about King, the civil rights movement, and watched after school specials that taught tolerance, this election and the results are not out of what we expected to happen in our lifetime. It may have come earlier than expected. This is just the beginning of a United States that truly reflects the values that we teach: that everyone can have a chance (if they have adults in their lives that work hard and teach them to work hard), that skin color doesn't really matter (although we aren't there yet), that perseverance and hard work pay off, that encountering people with dignity and treating them with respect is the better way, and... I think every person could lift up something they have learned from this experience and the next 4 years (or more). I've learned to have more hope in the American people and our resilience in the face of difficult times. May we find even more wonderful fruits from the tree of democracy.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
There's More to Us than THAT
I LOVE Hip-Hop. The radio stuff, the booty stuff, I love it all. (I'm done with Kanye, though. How many times can you screw a voice a not be called a poser. It was cool at first, but holy cow.) I mostly listen to something called Conscious Rap. These are people who combine their passion for justice with rhyming. Such artists speak to my heart that aches for equality and justice in this world with my love of a beat that moves me. Talib Kweli is one of those artists. He has a song called "Drugs, Basketball, and Rap." The song describes the stereotypes of young black males and alerts people to the actual depth of those who are easily disregarded because of their big t-shirts or where they grew up. It connects people with the history deep in the story of Africa and asks that people expect more out of life that getting rich quick. If more people would seek out GOOD music, they might learn about another group of people in an authentic way. (The same argument could be made about Country music, easily. The stuff on the radio is generally terrible.)
All that being said, I've been thinking about this song in the context of my faith and my vocation as a pastor. Yesterday on Oprah's Best Life Week (yep, that's what I said) Rev.Ed Bacon described being gay as a gift from God. Oprah's response was that he was the first pastor to say that she ever heard. It made my heart break. Not all pastors believe that something is wrong with those in the GLBT community. In fact, there are many pastors, like Bacon and myself, that believe being gay is indeed a gift from God. I would say, however, that our sexuality is a gift from God whether you are gay, straight, or bi. God made us the way we are, and so many Christians have retreated from that, or allowed only certain people to celebrate who they are. At one point in our American Christian history, blacks were considered less that fully human. People with disabilities were considered less than fully human. Single people were considered less than fully human. (Many people still think this, considering our overt pressure on young people to get married at all costs. But, that is another post.)
There are many conservative and moderate Christians who will gladly judge me and my opinion. Overwhelmingly, they will quote Deuteronomy and Paul and give reasons why those outside the tradition are going straight to hell along with me for supporting them. My belief is that above all, God is love. And, those moments in our lives where we find the joy of love, real love that doesn't manipulate or abuse or ask us to be untrue to ourselves, those are surely ordained by God. That is what I feel with my husband. How could I deny that deep joy to someone else? God sent Christ to continue to teach us how to treat each other. Jesus loved and reached out and asked people to do the same.
My hope, even in presenting my own opinion, is that Christians can worship together however we feel individually about sexuality. That we can treat each other with love even when we don't understand or disagree. So, whoever you are, however you feel, we are all children of the God of grace. May our prayers echo in heaven together.
All that being said, I've been thinking about this song in the context of my faith and my vocation as a pastor. Yesterday on Oprah's Best Life Week (yep, that's what I said) Rev.Ed Bacon described being gay as a gift from God. Oprah's response was that he was the first pastor to say that she ever heard. It made my heart break. Not all pastors believe that something is wrong with those in the GLBT community. In fact, there are many pastors, like Bacon and myself, that believe being gay is indeed a gift from God. I would say, however, that our sexuality is a gift from God whether you are gay, straight, or bi. God made us the way we are, and so many Christians have retreated from that, or allowed only certain people to celebrate who they are. At one point in our American Christian history, blacks were considered less that fully human. People with disabilities were considered less than fully human. Single people were considered less than fully human. (Many people still think this, considering our overt pressure on young people to get married at all costs. But, that is another post.)
There are many conservative and moderate Christians who will gladly judge me and my opinion. Overwhelmingly, they will quote Deuteronomy and Paul and give reasons why those outside the tradition are going straight to hell along with me for supporting them. My belief is that above all, God is love. And, those moments in our lives where we find the joy of love, real love that doesn't manipulate or abuse or ask us to be untrue to ourselves, those are surely ordained by God. That is what I feel with my husband. How could I deny that deep joy to someone else? God sent Christ to continue to teach us how to treat each other. Jesus loved and reached out and asked people to do the same.
My hope, even in presenting my own opinion, is that Christians can worship together however we feel individually about sexuality. That we can treat each other with love even when we don't understand or disagree. So, whoever you are, however you feel, we are all children of the God of grace. May our prayers echo in heaven together.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Give and Take.
First, I feel the need to make an obvious statement: if the federal government had spent the same type of effort and money on all their projects as they have this DTV transition, the state of our economy (among other things) would be much different. The countdown to the change is ridiculous. Alert people, get the word out, but is it really necessary to use up so many resources on telling people. If someone has watched even an hour of tv in the past 30 days, they should know. Now, on to the regular God/Jesus/Love/Hope stuff I'd rather occupy my time writing about.
This Christmas Santa stuffed my stocking well. It was filled with well-spent time and hugs and warm conversation. We made it to Shreveport (my home town) and Tulsa (my hubby's hometown) and back to KC. We saw friends and family. It was wonderful and the most meaningful Christmas I've had in a long time. One of the tangible things that Santa put in my stocking was some cash. It was given with the expectation that it would be spent on me. (Not the hundred other things I really want to use it for like the electricity bill or groceries or...) I considered boots. I've recently been on a hunt for wide-calf boots. (That doesn't describe the baby cow that was used to make them. Rather, my wide calves after years of ballet.) But, my attention soon turned to the lack of music in my workout routine, and I purchased an Ipod Nano. (For those of you who know me, and know I LOVE a good deal...I found someone on craigslist selling an unopened Christmas present for $50 off its list price.) I was, and still am super excited about it.
Without much waiting, I started loading my cd's onto my computer. The Beatles Let It Be was last and the song that stuck out as I carefully pushed it into my cd drive was "I ME MINE." Immediately, I felt pointed at for such a lavish expensive item when I am currently/technically unemployed (church planting doesn't exactly pay well-but that's not why I do it!). And, after I had my moment of guilt, I started thinking about the stories from the Holidays Season about people giving from the little, or a lot, they had to help one another. Craigslist was flooded with ads to share dinner, a free turkey, a free Christmas tree, gently used toys, and on and on. A Jewish friend of mine told me how her synagogue takes over the local Ronald McDonald House on Christmas Eve Day, Christmas Day, and the day after so that the staff can spend it with their families. Volunteers run the place for 3 whole days so that Christians (and people who want to be with family) can do so. Then there is the Kansas City Santa who gave away $100 bills to strangers every year for decades. He passed away last year, but people continue the legacy and give.
This year -2008- brought a great deal of hardship to many people. Many talk about how we are in a cycle and the economy has to go down since it went so far up, and it will go up again. My hope is that while the economy may be in a cycle that the efforts of giving do not dry up. Whether it is our own neighbor, ourselves, or someone across the world, the needs exist always. But, it doesn't have to exist always.
When Jesus said the poor (and those in need) will always be with you, he was only talking to the actual disciples with him. He was telling them to learn as much as they can from him while he was there. Many Christians have used this phrase to resign themselves to doing very little to help others. We seem happier to judge someone's circumstance and send a bag of used clothes than to engage that person in conversation and discover the world from a different point of view. If we would find ways to experience life in new ways, perhaps we could do something more to widdle away at the percentage of the world's population that are hungry when they go to sleep at night and lack proper safety from the night as they sleep. In 2009 I look forward to expanding my horizon and find new ways to help make this world as great as its potential. Every step we take to make a difference matters. Every penny given to help matters. Every chance taken to spread the news about a cause you are passionate about matters. Every moment can matter, if we are so bold to do so.
So, here is a chance to share with you a cause about which I am passionate. The Grand Avenue Temple United Methodist Church in downtown Kansas City serves lunch on Saturday and Sundays to the homeless and/or hungry. They also house a cold weather shelter for single women.
Blessings upon blessings,
Kelli
This Christmas Santa stuffed my stocking well. It was filled with well-spent time and hugs and warm conversation. We made it to Shreveport (my home town) and Tulsa (my hubby's hometown) and back to KC. We saw friends and family. It was wonderful and the most meaningful Christmas I've had in a long time. One of the tangible things that Santa put in my stocking was some cash. It was given with the expectation that it would be spent on me. (Not the hundred other things I really want to use it for like the electricity bill or groceries or...) I considered boots. I've recently been on a hunt for wide-calf boots. (That doesn't describe the baby cow that was used to make them. Rather, my wide calves after years of ballet.) But, my attention soon turned to the lack of music in my workout routine, and I purchased an Ipod Nano. (For those of you who know me, and know I LOVE a good deal...I found someone on craigslist selling an unopened Christmas present for $50 off its list price.) I was, and still am super excited about it.
Without much waiting, I started loading my cd's onto my computer. The Beatles Let It Be was last and the song that stuck out as I carefully pushed it into my cd drive was "I ME MINE." Immediately, I felt pointed at for such a lavish expensive item when I am currently/technically unemployed (church planting doesn't exactly pay well-but that's not why I do it!). And, after I had my moment of guilt, I started thinking about the stories from the Holidays Season about people giving from the little, or a lot, they had to help one another. Craigslist was flooded with ads to share dinner, a free turkey, a free Christmas tree, gently used toys, and on and on. A Jewish friend of mine told me how her synagogue takes over the local Ronald McDonald House on Christmas Eve Day, Christmas Day, and the day after so that the staff can spend it with their families. Volunteers run the place for 3 whole days so that Christians (and people who want to be with family) can do so. Then there is the Kansas City Santa who gave away $100 bills to strangers every year for decades. He passed away last year, but people continue the legacy and give.
This year -2008- brought a great deal of hardship to many people. Many talk about how we are in a cycle and the economy has to go down since it went so far up, and it will go up again. My hope is that while the economy may be in a cycle that the efforts of giving do not dry up. Whether it is our own neighbor, ourselves, or someone across the world, the needs exist always. But, it doesn't have to exist always.
When Jesus said the poor (and those in need) will always be with you, he was only talking to the actual disciples with him. He was telling them to learn as much as they can from him while he was there. Many Christians have used this phrase to resign themselves to doing very little to help others. We seem happier to judge someone's circumstance and send a bag of used clothes than to engage that person in conversation and discover the world from a different point of view. If we would find ways to experience life in new ways, perhaps we could do something more to widdle away at the percentage of the world's population that are hungry when they go to sleep at night and lack proper safety from the night as they sleep. In 2009 I look forward to expanding my horizon and find new ways to help make this world as great as its potential. Every step we take to make a difference matters. Every penny given to help matters. Every chance taken to spread the news about a cause you are passionate about matters. Every moment can matter, if we are so bold to do so.
So, here is a chance to share with you a cause about which I am passionate. The Grand Avenue Temple United Methodist Church in downtown Kansas City serves lunch on Saturday and Sundays to the homeless and/or hungry. They also house a cold weather shelter for single women.
Blessings upon blessings,
Kelli
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
