Graduate School

I've just finished another semester of school. This journey towards a doctor of ministry is really working me. I had no idea that I would be so challenged. I haven't kept up with friends and family like I had hoped I would. I am so exhausted. Is there anything good happening on this journey? YES!! I'm moving forward. I'm clarifying my ministry with young adults, I'm better at defining my limits and I'm so much better at hearing God's voice. The challenges of graduate school have helped me center my life on Christ. I've been looking at my motivation for working in ministry and constantly come back to Christ's Peace. I believe that everyone can enjoy Christ's Peace when they rely on God. The hard part is to rely on God; to turn it over to God allowing God to lead the way. My struggle is following where God leads. I do know that God only leads me to good, I am just stubborn and hardheaded sometimes unwilling to let go of my plans. School reminds me that my plans are only good for me and others when they are in line with God.

First Sunday in Advent

First Reading – Isaiah 63:16b-17, 19b; 64:2-7
Second Reading – 1 Corinthians 1:3-9
Gospel – Mark 13: 33-37

“LORD, I am ready for You to do a great work in me.” Can we speak these words honestly? Have we really prepared ourselves for the great works God will do in and through us? To answer truthfully, we must say yes and no. Throughout the year, like the Israelites in the first reading, we have experienced the wonderful works of God. There are many things for which we can be grateful. Yet, through our own human error and wonderment, we have also strayed away from God’s desires for us; seeking our own path. But we serve a merciful God; the One God, who Paul reminds us will strengthen us for the tasks ahead, “…so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.” We are however to be watchful and alert, keeping ourselves ready for the day of Christ’s return. The season of Advent gives us the opportunity to renew our commitment to Christ, the Church and one another. Awake! Take notice of what God is doing in, around and through you.

In the Silence

In the silence my God comes to me. There He helps me face myself. He searches me, stretches me, comforts me and encourages me. In the silence there is God.

My Meaning Your Meaning

What makes sense to me doesn't always make sense to others. Ever feel like no one understands you? Have people questioned why you do what you do? And when you tell them they are just as confused as before you explained? I'm struggling now with a person who doesn't find the same meaning is something that I do. I am locked in this battle that has great meaning for me, but represents form for the other.
How do we stand and press forward when my meaning conflicts with your meaning? Barack Obama showed us how. We stand tall in face of adversity knowing that truth and honesty will prevail. No matter the odds, when you know that you walk with God and the task ahead is just and righteous, you press forward. You acknowledge the struggle so that you can better equip yourself.
My meaning and your meaning may never merge, but what will happen is that we leave with a better understanding and respect for one another's point of view.
I cannot say enough about the importance of Christ's transformative love and its affect on me. I am better because Christ lives in me. I continue to move towards peace because life lived moving towards Christ is sooooo rewarding. As I am blessed, I pray that I bless you.

What Will You Call Yourself?

I am often reminded by something Malcolm X said about name calling. He said something to the effect that "It isn't what someone calls you that matters, it's what you answer to." I've thought of that many times, especially when you know people are saying all sorts of things about you. And I have found strength in knowing that my response determines the impact. I believe many of us answer to a variety of things because we haven't defined ourselves. We seek to define self as a reflection of pop imagery. How does one define self? Whose reflection should we use? Only Christ can offer us our true reflection. Seek Christ in order to find out what you will call yourself. Do not let another define you. Whom you and Christ determine you to be, let what you call yourself be a reflection of that. Shout it from the mountain top. Mumble it in your sleep. And when you find that no one else understands, don't be afraid. Christ before you, in you and behind you will make it plain.

What I meant was...

How often have we spoken those words when we realize that what came out of our mouth was not quite right? Today, I have tried to catch up on a variety of uncompleted work and found myself being sidetracked by a number of things: people who needed help with a project; someone who needed reassurance that he was on the right track; someone else who just wanted to say hi. And before I knew it, I had uttered something out of frustration that I didn't mean. In my movement towards peace, I am reminded to respond differently to outside forces. May I learn to breath in deeply Jesus before I respond.

Finish the Blog Below

Denying My Reality in My Quest for a Dream

Roadblocks

There I am moving along toward my goal when right before me is a roadblock. I began to look around to make sure I was still on the correct route. Sure enough, I was on the right road. But how could this be? I didn't see any signs that indicated the road was closed ahead. What to do now?
How often do you find yourself in a situation like this? God has given you some directions and you set off and everything is fine. You travel along doing what God asks and then right in the middle of sanctity you fine insanity.
What did you do?

Young Adults

A great deal of the work I do is with young adults. I'm convinced that if anyone needs help on this journey to peace it's young adults who are at the crossroads of so many decisions. I wrote an article to speak to the things that plague this generation and what the Church's response should be. Take a look. Let me know what you think.

http://www.churchmagazine.org/issue/0809/cen_millennial.php

Follow the Leader

Playing "Follow the Leader" was so much fun as a child. You walked around mimicking everything they did and when somebody messed up, you laughed. Playing "Follow the Leader" as an adult is not quite as much fun. First we have to find out who the leader is and where he/she is going. We have to determine if they have the skills to lead and whether or not we can follow where they lead. As we move toward the November 2008 elections for a new US president, many of us are again playing "Follow the Leader." Who will you follow? In the movement towards peace, we must follow the one who leads like Christ, who is concerned with the welfare of the marginalized and the poor, the voiceless and the forgotten. Follow Christ our Leader and you will find Peace.

Movement Disrupted

On our journey, we don't often think of the role others play. We mostly focus on what we need to do to achieve our goal. But this journey towards peace involves a number of people. Some who help us and others who hinder us. The sad part is those who hinder us are usually very close to us and have previously bought into the journey. Somewhere along the way, they drop out and our movement is disrupted. What are we supposed to do now when those close to us get in the way?

It's hard to imagine that God would have it this way, yet it happens, over and over again. Courage. Courage to keep on the path toward Christ's Peace. Courage to walk in that direction even when others do not. Courage to believe that what God has revealed will fuel the journey. Movement disrupted but not stalled.

Do you need help restarting your disrupted movement toward peace? Let's talk about it.

Moving Past Old Stuff

It never ceases to amaze me how old stuff creeps into the present just when things are going well. What is it about moving forward that the past gets jealous of? Why does this jealousy seek to creep in when you least expect it? That happened to me just this weekend. Past joys that became hurts poked their heads up trying to convince me to forget the pain and just remember the good. Like I'm stupid. The great thing is that God has so lifted me to a new playing field that reach of that past was just too short. I felt good walking past my past.

Pressing Forward

Adversity abounds and we cry, scream, and perhaps throw things. Some of us even shut down. We often question God's reasons, foolishly thinking that we can understand the reasoning of GOD. As we seek answers to the unanswerable, I want to say that it is important for us to press forward. Not knowing the outcome is no reason to stand still. Not understanding the reasons is no reason to stand still. The situation not working out your way is no reason to stand still. Press Forward. We can only understand once we get on the other side.

Disruption in the Move

Sometimes our move towards peace causes disruption where we least expect it. It is clear to us what must be done, and we take for granted that it is clear to others. Naturally if we understand it, so do they. The truth of the matter is our movement disrupts the status quo. No matter how small the change, we cause disruption. Knowing that, some of us don't move as we should. And when we don't, what God wanted to do doesn't happen. Making the move: focus on what God asks of you and trust that He will give you the tools necessary to deal with the disruption.

Still Moving

This past Saturday, someone told me that they were inspired by what I wrote and wondered why it was taking me so long to post something new. I didn't have a good answer besides saying that I didn't think anyone was reading. I was wrong. So much has happened since my last post that it is just crazy to try and cover it now. I can say that I am still on the move towards peace in Christ. As the first full week of Lent passes, I have found that I am in a great place. I'm happy with my life. I'm broke, and not worried. I give where I can and keep moving in the direction God is calling me. Though happy, what God asks is not always easy and sometimes just downright difficult. Do you feel like me? Do you struggle with what God asks? Do you find yourself wondering what happens when you move away from God's call? Let's talk about it.