tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195517202024-03-18T21:35:33.349-07:00Tim's TalkThinking | Reflecting | Respecting | EmbracingTim Graveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16741352267268740594noreply@blogger.comBlogger225125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19551720.post-17569186604001767332012-08-07T08:59:00.001-07:002012-08-07T08:59:42.793-07:00Please move with me.<META
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">You should be forwarded to my new site in five seconds. If not, please click <a href="http://beingtim.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">here</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All old posts from Tim's Talk have been moved to the new location.</span></span>Tim Graveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16741352267268740594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19551720.post-18384032683222091302012-08-04T12:09:00.001-07:002012-08-05T05:53:56.071-07:00Chicken: Free Speech or Justice?<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 19px;">I didn't mean to step into the Chick-fil-A brouhaha but I did. The following is a comment I posted at Rebecca Hamilton's blog, in response to her post, </span><a data-mce-href="http://publiccatholic.com/2012/08/01/its-eat-a-chicken-sandwich-for-freedom-of-speech-day/" href="http://publiccatholic.com/2012/08/01/its-eat-a-chicken-sandwich-for-freedom-of-speech-day/" style="line-height: 19px;">It’s Eat a Chicken Sandwich for Freedom of Speech Day ! « Public Catholic</a><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 19px;">.</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">***</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've been thinking about this post off and on over the last several days. Perhaps, it's because I keep getting notices that someone else has commented. More likely it's because of my discomfort with my last response. I think it was incomplete.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuoLnERpFtELr5F7jh6ax44kBJWrJPUCq5m11c6DOiSS43sJB2ar0kLSLCQ84bX0FvJk7jbY2bA24-QU-Frl6NjR_3Bp0S2orjp-nOA3zGZIziqk5TeYm5ap-6WKOLnrkWgBw/s1600/chicken-face+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuoLnERpFtELr5F7jh6ax44kBJWrJPUCq5m11c6DOiSS43sJB2ar0kLSLCQ84bX0FvJk7jbY2bA24-QU-Frl6NjR_3Bp0S2orjp-nOA3zGZIziqk5TeYm5ap-6WKOLnrkWgBw/s320/chicken-face+1.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image from <br />
<a href="http://newcolumbiaheights.blogspot.com/2010/05/chicken-wars-part-1-pollomio.html" target="_blank">New Columbia Heights blog</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is indeed a free speech issue when mayors and others in elected or bureaucratic positions seek to keep a legitimate business from operating in their city or other jurisdiction. People also need to learn to talk with one another civilly. We do too much screaming and not enough listening.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The owner of any business has the right to express his own religious and political views. Whether he was asked or not is irrelevant; he chose to state them. At this point those with differing perspectives have as much right to express their views as Dan Cathy. He may spend his money how he chooses but as an outspoken business leader he can expect some to choose not to support his business. They may also exercise their constitutional rights to protest in a variety of ways.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This becomes a justice issue when he expresses opinions and spends $5 million on oppression of a minority. Some of that money has been spent on a program to "fix" people who are GLBTQ. That is, he denies that their sexuality is God-given. It is a gift just as my heterosexuality is a gift from God.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mr. Cathy goes further, though, and seeks to deny the rights of those with whom he diminishes. He tells my child, my friends, and my human kin that because of their sexuality -- which hurts no one -- that they are not worthy of the right of visitation as family when their beloved is hospitalized. He tells them that they must pay higher taxes because they are not legally married and so cannot file jointly. He tells them that their loving relationship is less valuable than someone who is married to someone of another gender. He implies that they are less than the beloved children of God.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am saddened by the display of Christians lining up to eat chicken in the name of free speech that hurts so many of our human kindred. Though, I fully support their right to do so it is hard for me to comprehend why this issue which gets marginal treatment (even if interpreted as condemnation) in the Bible, rallies so many to eat chicken. The biblical witness is chock-full of the importance of hospitality and welcome of the other. Jesus is persistent in his call for us to reach out to the poor, the marginalized, and the despised of society.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The body of Christ is not about hatred. It is about love. My friends and family who are GLBTQ do not feel loved by the Christians who went out to eat chicken.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Tim Graveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16741352267268740594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19551720.post-3678150274080089152012-08-02T08:17:00.005-07:002012-08-07T07:53:21.464-07:00Soon<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For some time now, I've been cross-blogging all my posts between Blogger and my Wordpress site. Soon, I will stop the cross-posting. When I do you can find me at <a href="http://beingtim.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://beingtim.wordpress.com</a> or type in <a href="http://www.timgraves.us/">http://www.timgraves.us</a></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> and you will be forwarded.</span>Tim Graveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16741352267268740594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19551720.post-82605601758385932392012-08-01T10:30:00.000-07:002012-08-01T13:40:56.382-07:00Letting Go: Yep, We Need to Go that Far<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mindi Welton-Mitchell writes that the church needs to "let go of the building" in <a href="http://dmergent.org/2012/08/01/letting-go/" target="_blank">Letting Go</a>. She builds her case well but stops short when she states, "I’m not suggesting everyone go out and sell their buildings."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDYmtSmqIx-vmbiTVNxAUSFMPIJvcm2nT_g0hzcRi0pZEDWnXOZQSj3fRkRRmfT1nIOivgb_Ox6FXi2YTceN9dMYN_XB4yRjy5hd9J97R9_eSDEeoaywVGzbZRbokSD9O3v7s/s1600/For-Sale.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDYmtSmqIx-vmbiTVNxAUSFMPIJvcm2nT_g0hzcRi0pZEDWnXOZQSj3fRkRRmfT1nIOivgb_Ox6FXi2YTceN9dMYN_XB4yRjy5hd9J97R9_eSDEeoaywVGzbZRbokSD9O3v7s/s320/For-Sale.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I disagree. We need to go that far.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Until we give up our property, the church will continue to be viewed as -- and in fact be -- hypocritical. When Jesus called his first disciples, "immediately they left their nets and followed him." (Matthew 4:20 NRSV <a href="http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=210838082" target="_blank">Read in context.</a>) They left the security of their fishing business.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They left security and control behind to follow a scruffy messiah who didn't seem to know how royalty should act. Jesus was the President without secret service protection or Air Force One. He took on tasks considered beneath royalty. Jesus washed the filthy feet of guests, went to the outcast, ate with them, touched the untouchable, and in the process gave hope to the oppressed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He did not build a synagogue and call people to him. He walked among the people.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The cost of discipleship to Jesus is ceding control to God. Following Jesus requires disruption of our lives of consumerism to seek justice in a world of unjust actions and systems that oppress. Leaving our safety nets behind, we hear the Spirit along a path that branches away from material security.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Followers walk among the people, learning from and with them. Though we sometimes fail, we strive to be God's loving, empathetic presence in a world of indifference. The church, however, is too often about security. The institution of the church itself possesses capitalism's symbols of success: property and financial investments.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Property has become Christians' idol that keeps us from God. We feed our property-god with new roofs while people sleep under bridges. We slash Educational ministries, missions to those in need, and even Evangelism budgets when our golden calf demands new paint, carpet, or stained glass. With every expenditure we fear opening our doors to those in need will spoil the splendor we've created.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The time has come for the church to leave our nets and business behind and risk it all for the One we claim to follow.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Tim Graveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16741352267268740594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19551720.post-46840639458392933922012-07-27T11:21:00.001-07:002012-07-27T11:28:19.031-07:00The War on the PoorMy wife and I recently downsized to pay-as-you-go dumbphones. I'd like to say that our movement toward a simple lifestyle is the primary reason. (<a href="http://en.search.wordpress.com/?q=Emptying+Barns&site=beingtim.wordpress.com">See Emptying Barns for posts on our journey of letting go of possessions</a>.) But, if I'm honest we've done so to save money. With my continuing non-paid lifestyle, we can use an extra hundred bucks a month. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://beingtim.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/claiborne-towers-implosion-gabriel-smithjpg-aef7c8c57faab3f7.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" class=" wp-image-1197 " height="245" src="http://beingtim.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/claiborne-towers-implosion-gabriel-smithjpg-aef7c8c57faab3f7.jpg" title="claiborne-towers-implosion-gabriel-smithjpg-aef7c8c57faab3f7" width="368" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This photo by Rudy Costanza of the Times-Picayune<br />
created a stir in New Orleans and the Internet.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I thought of this when I heard that an internet bitch session has begun over a photo of a poor child with an iPad. Can you hear the uproar? "I can't even afford an iPad and I pay for people on welfare to have one!" Embedded in this comment and others like it is a judgmentalism about the poor. The poor are lazy, the poor are manipulative, and live in luxury on the back of hardworking taxpayers, goes the judgement.<br />
<br />
Until our contracts were complete with the big corporate phone company, we did not have the choice to downsize to affordable phones. Though our finances dictate that a pay-as-you go basic phone is the wise choice, until earlier this week I carried an iPhone. If you knew my income and saw me with an iPhone you might ask yourself, "Where'd he steal it?" or "I can't even afford an iPhone and I pay for someone on welfare to have one!"<br />
<br />
Or you would if you perceived me as a poor person.<br />
<br />
We have a disdain for those who are poor in this country. We blame the victims of this complex social issue. When we oversimplify it, we oversimplify the role that personal responsibility plays. Yes, personal responsibility matters but poverty has <span style="text-decoration: underline;">far more</span> to do with oppressive systems within our culture and economy.<br />
<br />
Having spent decades in educational and social service agencies, I have known some people who skirt ethics and legalities. Some of them have been poor. Most have been from middle-class or upper-class socioeconomic groups. This is to say we are all human with our faults regardless of our income.<br />
<br />
Judging another by an object they own (or simply possess) is dubious. I have had my eyes opened more than once as I visited the homes of children's families who were poor. I'm not convinced I wouldn't spend a tax refund -- that might be better spent -- on an iPad for my child if I raised her in some of the hope deserts I've visited.<br />
<br />
But, for those who profess to follow Jesus, none of these facts are the reason to refrain from our harsh, disdainful judgment of the poor. Never mind that pesky little ol' passage about not judging others (<a href="http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=210406522">See Matthew 7:1-5</a>), the Gospels (and the Old Testament, too) are chockfull of passages about how we treat the poor. Many argue convincingly that Jesus has a preferential option for the poor.<br />
<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because [God] has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor." <em>Luke 4: 18a NRSV (<a href="http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=210405741">Read in context.</a>)</em><br /><br />Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, ‘You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’ When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions.<strong> </strong><em>Mark 10:21-22 NRSV (<a href="http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=210405945">Read in context.</a>) </em><br /><br />‘But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and herbs of all kinds, and neglect justice and the love of God; it is these you ought to have practiced, without neglecting the others. <em>Luke 11:42 NRSV (<a href="http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=210406237">Read in context.</a>)</em></blockquote>
<em><br /></em><br />
<strong>Just & Loving God,</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Soften our hearts,</strong><br />
<strong> open us to your love,</strong><br />
<strong> that we might breathe it in and,</strong><br />
<strong> breathe out its compassion, empathy, and</strong><br />
<strong></strong><strong> burning desire for justice</strong><strong>.</strong><br />
<strong><br /></strong><br />
<strong>May we leave judgment to you,</strong><br />
<strong> and exude your extravagant love for the poor,</strong><br />
<strong> in our actions and words.</strong><br />
<strong><br /></strong><br />
<strong>Amen.</strong><br />
<br />
***<br />
<br />
<strong>Related Reading</strong><br />
<br />
The author of the original <em>Times-Picayune</em> article discusses<a href="http://www.nola.com/opinions/index.ssf/2012/07/photo_of_boy_in_the_projects_w.html" target="_blank"> the reaction in a newspaper column</a>. An <a href="http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2012/07/rab_072412.html" target="_blank">interesting discussion of what the poor deserve</a> as explanation for the reaction can be found here.<br />
<br />
<br />Tim Graveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16741352267268740594noreply@blogger.com011 Mosier Creek Pl, Mosier, OR 97040, USA45.685614 -121.39300845.6842275 -121.39547549999999 45.6870005 -121.3905405tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19551720.post-27881811808687091852012-07-25T11:33:00.000-07:002012-07-25T11:33:08.938-07:00Zen Ice Trays<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Any drink is improved with ice. I put ice in my drinks in the hot summer, the warm spring, cool fall, and even the cold winter months. At least a couple of times a day the ice trays in my fridge need refilling. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Turning the tap on to a fast, steady stream does a poor job of filling the trays, it not only wastes water as it splatters, but I get wet. There is no fast way to fill the trays.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://beingtim.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/splashing-ice-tray.jpg"><img alt="" class="size-full wp-image-1172" height="393" src="http://beingtim.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/splashing-ice-tray.jpg" title="splashing ice tray" width="525" /></a> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Instead of whining and complaining about my lack of an icemaker, I've turned this time into a spiritual practice. I pause as I approach the sink, turning the faucet on to a near-drip.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em><br /></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>I breathe in and I breathe out. </em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
The water we rely on to live, fills each compartment of the ice tray one drop at a time. I focus on the yellow-green ice tray, the water, and the task at hand. If my mind wanders to other thoughts, I redirect it to the source of life, water. If my emotions shift to impatience,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em><br /></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>I breathe in and I breathe out.</em> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Spiritual practices do not have to include incense, candles, or chanting. They have their place but small, daily practices are what help me to be centered. Filling the ice trays helps me to be present in the moment. I strive in my faith journey to focus on being, rather than doing. My particular challenge is to define myself by who I am rather than what I do. It's challenging in our noisy culture; I don't always succeed. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But, <em>I breathe in and I breathe out</em> for a few minutes everyday as I pause to fill the ice trays.</span></div>Tim Graveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16741352267268740594noreply@blogger.com011 Mosier Creek Pl, Mosier, OR 97040, USA45.685614 -121.39300845.6412125 -121.471972 45.7300155 -121.314044tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19551720.post-75994506490941705902012-07-21T11:58:00.002-07:002012-07-21T11:58:55.925-07:00It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's God! No, That's My Wife.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM9q145IjHb1fm7yOIEEA7WZYJ0gO58i4T5ATf3uCBs21xxMT9qnE9U0pUagdA6_uuCYSBaoz8e4ZnNY5lLR0loNChJVNx_t8EWG4oyzWRFaZ3zg_sz9lU_NHFSGZ2E0er7Oc/s1600/33.001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM9q145IjHb1fm7yOIEEA7WZYJ0gO58i4T5ATf3uCBs21xxMT9qnE9U0pUagdA6_uuCYSBaoz8e4ZnNY5lLR0loNChJVNx_t8EWG4oyzWRFaZ3zg_sz9lU_NHFSGZ2E0er7Oc/s640/33.001.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No, I'm not really suggesting that my wife is a god. That heresy is even beyond me. I suggest that it is in deep love that we glimpse the nature of the divine.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is our double-trinity anniversary. My beloved, my <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imzadi" target="_blank">imzadi</a>, my soulmate and I were married thirty-three years ago today. In our three decades + three years the following are ways in which I've glimpsed the one I call God in our relationship.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Presence. </b>Since the day we committed ourselves together Maggie has been present. When not able to be physically together she is within me. Even during my seminary years when we were separated by 350 miles and weeks, she would text me about little things in her day, seek my empathy, to check on something with which she knew I struggled, or to rejoice in my successes!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Unconditional love.</b> Maggie's love for me is unconditional. Even when I don't deserve it, she offers me grace. Though, sometimes she must cool down, her love for me never wavers. The slammed car door as I drop her off unsettles me but not to my core. This is because I feel the depth of her love even when she's angry with me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Sustaining love.</b> In the 70s, Harry Nilsson sang <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATg8CdRD68E" target="_blank">"I can't live if living is without you."</a> The love that Maggie and I share sustains us. Her love transforms me. I am not the person I would be without her. I could more readily give up food than the love of my beloved.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Reciprocal love. </b>She needs me as much as I need her. I don't know why; it makes no sense to me. In the giving to her, I find a boundless supply of love. There's nothing I wouldn't do for her. I know that the same is true of her love for me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Knows me & sees me.</b> Maggie's love, like that of God, is inexplicable. She loves me not despite my faults and annoying habits but through them and, because of them. What is more inexplicable than that?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Calls me out.</b> Because Maggie knows me at the soul-level, she also knows when I'm taking the easy path. She sees when I've been sleeping, she knows if I'm awake, and knows if I've been bad or good. She's also not afraid to make it crystal clear that I need to be the person I'm capable of being.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Takes my side, protects me. </b>When the world hands me lemons, Maggie makes the lemonade for me. I know that no matter how bad a day I've had she will take my side. She will wrap me in her arms and hold her fist to the world at the same time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Never gives up on me.</b> Ask our kids. We've been known to have some metaphorical "knock down, drag outs" in our time as a married couple. Throughout it all, Maggie doesn't give up on me. She can sometimes get pissed -- beyond pissed -- but we always reconcile our differences and do the work necessary to heal our conflict.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, though my imzadi is not God, it is within our relationship, within the nature of her love for me, that I so often glimpse the extravagant love of the One.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Related Posts</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.timgraves.us/2012/02/core-secret-of-our-marriage.html" target="_blank">The Core Secret of Our Marriage</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.timgraves.us/2012/02/keeping-covenant-when-storms-roll-in.html" target="_blank">Keeping Covenant When the Storms Roll In</a></span><br />
<br />Tim Graveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16741352267268740594noreply@blogger.com011 Mosier Creek Pl, Mosier, OR 97040, USA45.685614 -121.39300845.6842275 -121.39547549999999 45.6870005 -121.3905405tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19551720.post-51192638034425319652012-07-19T14:28:00.001-07:002012-07-19T14:28:04.445-07:00Sacred Ground<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.’ </b>Exodus 3:5b NRSV (<a href="http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=209732214" target="_blank">Read in context.</a>)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My mother taught me that God is everywhere. Most Christians would agree with her; the One we call God can meet us anywhere. Indeed the sacred surrounds us, enveloping us. Each human being even reflects the divine (<i>Imago Dei</i>), according to most followers of Jesus.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We often co-create sacred spaces with the divine, the one I call God. In churches and other places we invoke the spirit with candles, prayers, or incense. (I often burn incense and light a candle to remind me of God's presence. They help me to remember that my gifts are from God.) Some indigenous people burn cedar or sage. Most faith traditions of which I am aware have ways to draw our distracted human minds to focus on the One, on the sacred. These rituals are not limited by location.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But there do seem to be places in which God's presence is palpable. As I've been hiking the Columbia River Gorge this year, I have happened upon places that draw me in, call me to prayer and meditation. Some of these places are simply pretty spots where the artistry of the Creator's brush compel me to awe.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMPwrV954BTPy5BCTghVoux97gT-UkkuAOZCGiiyMPSDwBNOYEb2pucbViwzpFWnUGuFOrD668iCPLOSOThD18HPtWcIHOnaKhfntgYKtXV2ZsxyaN2OGYMKGb8kQnhJUjqSc/s1600/Mosier+Falls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMPwrV954BTPy5BCTghVoux97gT-UkkuAOZCGiiyMPSDwBNOYEb2pucbViwzpFWnUGuFOrD668iCPLOSOThD18HPtWcIHOnaKhfntgYKtXV2ZsxyaN2OGYMKGb8kQnhJUjqSc/s640/Mosier+Falls.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Some of these places are simply pretty spots where the artistry of the Creator's brush compel me to awe." <i>Photo by Tim Graves</i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Others have been co-created by human beings. Another person has felt compelled, for reasons I am unaware, to modify the location. The zen rocks along the Coyote Wall trail, for example, demand a sabbath along the journey to the peak.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnOM_GofL2E8VdPnrHfTR_MlzTGsOaYuw4LCgZtDKPPEDS9E7G8Q4gSFnQMVODPHsF5JY9eNdYn7eoIkCfDNjXdh4oYn2y0-WCvGvQ92ujOUc54dZvhEWyv7UPeqf-JDwTFPU/s1600/coyote+zen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnOM_GofL2E8VdPnrHfTR_MlzTGsOaYuw4LCgZtDKPPEDS9E7G8Q4gSFnQMVODPHsF5JY9eNdYn7eoIkCfDNjXdh4oYn2y0-WCvGvQ92ujOUc54dZvhEWyv7UPeqf-JDwTFPU/s640/coyote+zen.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Coyote Wall Zen rocks are flanked by Mt. Hood. <i>Photo by Tim Graves</i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sometimes the sacred ground I encounter is long, narrow, and winds through Mother Earth's majesty. The experience of putting one foot in front of the other -- of the journey -- is itself holy. Being present on that trail as it wanders through the forest, meadow, or along the river, the One walks with me. The God who loves extravagantly heals me, prods and challenges me, and reminds me that the majestic unfolding realm of God includes each of us.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWlXHiPaMdZeZOXC6U6VmO4OeSgjsnhp5dLlV1wjX95myhcJ0s29cLmsQlE3dBUms7Z2Yx7PnhqcE1jyxsFAWmqP68m3WQpDTUSP0hz2wZ8KncXwN_GZ8NYV8F4moc-E_lNkU/s1600/trail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWlXHiPaMdZeZOXC6U6VmO4OeSgjsnhp5dLlV1wjX95myhcJ0s29cLmsQlE3dBUms7Z2Yx7PnhqcE1jyxsFAWmqP68m3WQpDTUSP0hz2wZ8KncXwN_GZ8NYV8F4moc-E_lNkU/s640/trail.jpg" width="276" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Photo by Tim Graves</i></td></tr>
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<i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Note: As I begin the long-term project of creating a spiritual guide to various trails within the Columbia River Gorge, I will be highlighting Sacred Ground that I encounter on my hikes.</i><br />
<i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></i></div>Tim Graveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16741352267268740594noreply@blogger.com011 Mosier Creek Pl, Mosier, OR 97040, USA45.685614 -121.39300845.684920500000004 -121.39424199999999 45.6863075 -121.391774tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19551720.post-84755888488447457732012-07-17T10:04:00.002-07:002012-07-17T10:04:49.364-07:00Idolizing the God of Moderation<div style="text-align: center;">
<i> </i><text-align: "center;"=""><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Then God said, ‘Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.’</i></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So God created humankind in his image,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">in the image of God he created them;</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">male and female he created them.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Genesis 1: 26-27 NRSV (<a href="http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=209542305">read in context</a>)</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Living closer to nature, we live closer God. By slowing down, we see the subtleties of creation. We see the nonstop transformation of the world. There are deaths and resurrections all around us. Dry creek beds, surging waterfalls, ice storms and debilitating heat all come to an end. The Divine energy pulses and vibrates throughout it all. (This is also reflected in <a href="http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=209542496">Ecclesiastes 3:1-8.</a>)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We experience and observe the resurrecting nature of the One I call God in Creation. It is where we can take our rightful place as one creature among many. We are called to practice a dominion over the earth that reflects the image of God (Imago Dei) within us. That god does not control us. The One who loves us with abandon and feels our every emotion creates and transforms with us. Without pausing, God prods us to reflect God's loving creating nature.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijeIsp8O9YAoHqCw8w8AR_bjgG2DnzXLTrNpMUB5Gey6UDj6HTAHDmQegOVoDoKkB70q-g59V-qGbLTs8O6UfN1FBo6dkmh1yVAoo2yarRM0Sq5L9BCes3RIBnDDf38oFwyNY/s1600/flower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijeIsp8O9YAoHqCw8w8AR_bjgG2DnzXLTrNpMUB5Gey6UDj6HTAHDmQegOVoDoKkB70q-g59V-qGbLTs8O6UfN1FBo6dkmh1yVAoo2yarRM0Sq5L9BCes3RIBnDDf38oFwyNY/s400/flower.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nature is filled with death and resurrections. <i>Photo by Tim Graves</i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Responding to this call requires empathy. Empathy with the salmon struggling upstream and with our kindred humans fighting for dignity and justice. Without empathy we fail to reflect the Imago Dei.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yet, we idolize a god who does not feel or transform. We isolate ourselves from the opportunities to empathize and love.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In our modern world of air conditioning we forget that a little sweat is a good thing. Instead of feeling the warm summer blowing on our face, we insulate ourselves. If we feel moisture on our skin with the thermostat set to 78, we sequester ourselves at 72 degrees. We live in a world insulated from the nature of God and one another.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Moderation and comfort are our idols. But without the highs or the lows, the anguish and the exuberance, we do not experience the One who is always creating, the One who dances in joy and weeps in despair with us, the God of the ancient Hebrews who heard cries and responds in mercy. The God who grows through the crack in the asphalt demanding that beauty win, that love win.</span></div>
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Tim Graveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16741352267268740594noreply@blogger.com011 Mosier Creek Pl, Mosier, OR 97040, USA45.685614 -121.39300845.6842275 -121.39547549999999 45.6870005 -121.3905405tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19551720.post-42874221494958716592012-07-15T10:50:00.000-07:002012-07-15T10:51:17.134-07:00Extravagant Community<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I cringe when I hear Christians respond to the</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> "spiritual but not religious" by extolling the importance of community. Yes, we all need community for spirituality. We are social creatures. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each <br />
as any had need. Acts 4:35 NRSV <i>Photo by Tim Graves</i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But, while there is truth in this response it is based upon an unproven assumption. That is, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">that the "spiritual but not religious" lead the lives of hermits never talking with friends about their faith journeys. The <i>community-defense</i> also assumes that community must take an organized form. It does not.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">More troublesome about the <i>community-defense, </i>however, is that it allows followers of Jesus to avoid our own failings. Too often churches are not places of community. Community is about caring for one another in deep ways. It is about assuring that everyone has their basic needs met. The reality is we spend more time worshiping consumerism and capitalism than we do sharing with our neighbor--even those within our churches. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Too many churches have within their midst those struggling in very real ways while others live in relative laps of luxury. Aside from this being contrary to the teachings of our purported savior, the attitude of the relatively wealthy community members disturbs me. In my experience, when help is provided it comes with strings and pettiness. We reflect the resentment of a culture that elevates rugged individualism to idolatry.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Within this context of blaming the victim, we operate not out of extravagant love but out of begrudging duty. We do not believe that Jesus fed the whole crowd with a few loaves and fish. We fear that if we give too much to someone, even someone within our own community, there will not be enough for us. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jesus answered, ‘The first is, “Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.” The second is this, “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” There is no other commandment greater than these.’ </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Mark 12: 29-31 NRSV</i> (<a href="http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=209372359">Read in context.</a>)</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.<b> </b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Acts 4: 32-35 NRSV</i> (<a href="http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=209372799">Read in context.</a>)</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Trustworthy God of Abundance,</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>You give extravagant,</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b> undeserved grace.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>We give out of love,</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b> limited by our human fears and worries.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Help us to trust in your abundance,</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b> help us to love you as you love us.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Help us to give lavishly to others,</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b> within the koinonia,</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b> and to the whole human family.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Amen </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>Tim Graveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16741352267268740594noreply@blogger.com011 Mosier Creek Pl, Mosier, OR 97040, USA45.685614 -121.39300845.6842275 -121.39547549999999 45.6870005 -121.3905405tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19551720.post-44269529557385935192012-07-12T10:39:00.002-07:002012-07-12T11:16:58.055-07:00A Trip Up the Mount<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A trek along the rocky trail through the cool damp woods,</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiavrgRgyS8GMNWnDTrTbI2it-_-mgfu9-YBFG6rQJsQBqVOfBuleDKo9OMlywVKMNOdFOKt6cACub64VpEy82pFCXoToSoEAb2QPaeHkPXyP3TgdVugi_fLqdnc4x_t-eQnf4/s1600/woods.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiavrgRgyS8GMNWnDTrTbI2it-_-mgfu9-YBFG6rQJsQBqVOfBuleDKo9OMlywVKMNOdFOKt6cACub64VpEy82pFCXoToSoEAb2QPaeHkPXyP3TgdVugi_fLqdnc4x_t-eQnf4/s640/woods.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> leads me across a meadow of swaying grasses and wildflowers.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSkY3BRCdvfhPL8BSva_dQz0mhbtOsv1tE-120zuj8eMMOpeAiH8oR1qF2o3c72Xe5uAHPBHI2jAla9Mnd6SzUKfRKhgcW9XGePhXjTeNhX4UJm9F4Ew-68oWH2iDCiW8jtFQ/s1600/grassy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="339" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSkY3BRCdvfhPL8BSva_dQz0mhbtOsv1tE-120zuj8eMMOpeAiH8oR1qF2o3c72Xe5uAHPBHI2jAla9Mnd6SzUKfRKhgcW9XGePhXjTeNhX4UJm9F4Ew-68oWH2iDCiW8jtFQ/s640/grassy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Finally within sight of the summit, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> the walls of earth fall away leaving me vulnerable to craggy rocks,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> above the emerald river.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLyLKnHqwP2Kje0V8vot-xiO3P8h-XxaFHpx63LS-KQMAmwOXcFHh5UwnBhJ7uETOgaDKwAGMFf-3bRrY624ghjC6OpHMt_8o-nLBpnGCO48jzApqCqnOt5nMqQ2iMCG8qiU0/s1600/narrow+swath+again.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLyLKnHqwP2Kje0V8vot-xiO3P8h-XxaFHpx63LS-KQMAmwOXcFHh5UwnBhJ7uETOgaDKwAGMFf-3bRrY624ghjC6OpHMt_8o-nLBpnGCO48jzApqCqnOt5nMqQ2iMCG8qiU0/s640/narrow+swath+again.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The sun above rises predictably toward mid-day,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> warming my skin in the cool morning.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Blowing and gusting winds from the west,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> threaten to take,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> my hat </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(or life) with one swift powerful burst.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXhBtkQPQ8E3oyi3dw66UU8-N8wImXk2yvEHnN9oQ3nd6gfimcJW79M0tSezS0z3m-Cv-1n7AFkiJIykdflCSM7JVD8MbXZlMWlya_DZw06MBUHLwgB5T0Tuyg1OZleiJaEL4/s1600/windy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXhBtkQPQ8E3oyi3dw66UU8-N8wImXk2yvEHnN9oQ3nd6gfimcJW79M0tSezS0z3m-Cv-1n7AFkiJIykdflCSM7JVD8MbXZlMWlya_DZw06MBUHLwgB5T0Tuyg1OZleiJaEL4/s640/windy.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fearful of a trail-less descent, I continue my climb baboon-style,</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgb98iQQGIYB7T0Ww-7xH2g9-a53GyAci33x3nHq-mDVI2ptt9idNZ3c40gRNFh18MlwDmeDpUFSpuMlMvhbdhcxhR3LFaTsnRZVXENS-b4gJSnlWffIEL0sHFxK9OXJGhGio/s1600/baboon+style.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgb98iQQGIYB7T0Ww-7xH2g9-a53GyAci33x3nHq-mDVI2ptt9idNZ3c40gRNFh18MlwDmeDpUFSpuMlMvhbdhcxhR3LFaTsnRZVXENS-b4gJSnlWffIEL0sHFxK9OXJGhGio/s640/baboon+style.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> finally sitting before reaching the apex.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJrKSxlbZ8qTCUrzc_1v38EKOrVxc3LWJ9mFO3uKw5iULY7v77XlFK5z2IUEdLYsrL1R6tjOHLB3GAz6Y8CPtj3S3SSJMGQ09SoSHFNx92pTDkz28TWWB4YADvJnVc-B2_5CA/s1600/sit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJrKSxlbZ8qTCUrzc_1v38EKOrVxc3LWJ9mFO3uKw5iULY7v77XlFK5z2IUEdLYsrL1R6tjOHLB3GAz6Y8CPtj3S3SSJMGQ09SoSHFNx92pTDkz28TWWB4YADvJnVc-B2_5CA/s640/sit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The rock beneath my bottom is, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> hard, jagged, and solid.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Between sky and heavens,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> I exist on a narrow swath of earth.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Encompassed by the cloudless azure,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> I rest in the home of the eagle,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> the creature who soars closest to the Divine.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The topmost crest taunts me with its proximity;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> it is only twenty-five steps away.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSFo4JcvN-rUGgREhPdUxyXe-gUPD3cZMusZkyABH5GFoRKQc4pUQMUag_5dhyphenhyphenOfHQT_65j82X1ULfsiMi4he9xEK3r3Jk3bNNuRikf_k0MRwDnZ7Bz2FLmGT2PP_ob_TSv_w/s1600/taunting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSFo4JcvN-rUGgREhPdUxyXe-gUPD3cZMusZkyABH5GFoRKQc4pUQMUag_5dhyphenhyphenOfHQT_65j82X1ULfsiMi4he9xEK3r3Jk3bNNuRikf_k0MRwDnZ7Bz2FLmGT2PP_ob_TSv_w/s640/taunting.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The windy breath of God,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> whispers in my ear that peaks are not journey.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ahead, a few paces beyond reach, is the land where the birds meet the One.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> It is where God,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Yahweh,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Allah,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Father Spirit,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Jehovah,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> the Holy One communes with the winged.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5f7u46A8ZLq1S0HGDm0eUMfO630w6vAvKF2l83DJt3u1MeonVNGIR1MZaTGmH49HHZKkQyTVYicK7tg6ThdczAGshqRXHacwOn3rAwv7Hz5ZZmENGnnoQsdJRBuMpFUMgw_g/s1600/azure.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5f7u46A8ZLq1S0HGDm0eUMfO630w6vAvKF2l83DJt3u1MeonVNGIR1MZaTGmH49HHZKkQyTVYicK7tg6ThdczAGshqRXHacwOn3rAwv7Hz5ZZmENGnnoQsdJRBuMpFUMgw_g/s640/azure.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The pinnacle above the raging waters, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> atop the weathered rocks, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> and guarded by billows that move my body against my will,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> is the place where love culminates.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yet it is not time to reach the One.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is time to follow,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> to rest,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> meditate,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> to learn to be</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Vulnerable.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Desirous.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Frustrated.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I sit.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBghW1Q1-XCoFSj3dG-vID0OMIDYKYQgAiY4OOeuMQDRmdOCobVrRRxsS_iGl-tu3CZ3822r-nqI2EVDrWyke0suji6tt8thai1-iUbUURzs0SunMuKofFVf9aD7iKJ2QDwaE/s1600/narrow+swath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBghW1Q1-XCoFSj3dG-vID0OMIDYKYQgAiY4OOeuMQDRmdOCobVrRRxsS_iGl-tu3CZ3822r-nqI2EVDrWyke0suji6tt8thai1-iUbUURzs0SunMuKofFVf9aD7iKJ2QDwaE/s640/narrow+swath.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I yearn for the view from above,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> the vista that answers all. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Like the wanderers, I whine in the wilderness.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> At least as a slave I had regular meals, I rage!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I contemplate opposing the very gusts of the One,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> to be reminded that on this precipice my humanity could cease.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPoPz2yLGJKiWTTP9Xlrcvh-HeEVGFjXwgp7N8xOQG7s0ypnvrSXWNE_B3aT1db1voXZ7EV_rOpzvFcUJZzDOiMYWvjEaqXC99OetwBmeVp4b4NynIAA-RhV_Sp3MN_GYXJ5Q/s1600/within+sight+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPoPz2yLGJKiWTTP9Xlrcvh-HeEVGFjXwgp7N8xOQG7s0ypnvrSXWNE_B3aT1db1voXZ7EV_rOpzvFcUJZzDOiMYWvjEaqXC99OetwBmeVp4b4NynIAA-RhV_Sp3MN_GYXJ5Q/s640/within+sight+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Stopping. Being. I trust.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> I listen to the heedfulness, the spirit within, that tickles my core and spine,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> and prevents my bodily ascent.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I sit on solid rock in the land of broad-winged birds,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> and feel the extravagant, loving breath of God on,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> my neck,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> my face, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> and my heart.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And I journey.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFI2OTxjbPbbwNxS38gGuHZjoa5awHbRvm_YiumwdbDmSltE63nHiQKh5T254HfJO2Gz_6_J91MiySsKAnuNZhhPj13AkC_XDfMr439555R35LKTJFz36oxJZRsOdsYxGPj2M/s1600/thepeak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFI2OTxjbPbbwNxS38gGuHZjoa5awHbRvm_YiumwdbDmSltE63nHiQKh5T254HfJO2Gz_6_J91MiySsKAnuNZhhPj13AkC_XDfMr439555R35LKTJFz36oxJZRsOdsYxGPj2M/s640/thepeak.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Tim Graveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16741352267268740594noreply@blogger.com011 Mosier Creek Pl, Mosier, OR 97040, USA45.685614 -121.39300845.6412175 -121.471972 45.7300105 -121.314044tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19551720.post-54991149689133250432012-07-05T08:45:00.001-07:002012-07-12T15:36:10.363-07:00Good Soil Among the Rocks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><b>‘Let anyone with ears to hear listen!’ </b><i>Mark 4: 9 NRSV</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In our too-human rush to judgement, we can miss the central point of the teachings of Jesus. In the parable of the sower, Jesus emphasizes the receptivity of the soil - of our hearts - to hearing the Good News of love for all. He does not suggest the sower should withhold seed. Rather, he describes what we see all around us. Not all seeds or love we share take root. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nonetheless, Jesus calls us to plant seeds of love extravagantly. We may fear there is not enough love, withholding seeds from those we deem unworthy or bad risks, but this is not what Jesus teaches. It is not our role to pre-judge others and withhold our love-seeds from the rocks. To do so, is to assume that we know where the Realm of God will take root and blossom. Sometimes the seed planted among the rocks, finds good soil where we least expect.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig4LkG2eJ8_g7y7iPrRVx1OjNUMfJJ1AwB0qX94uy2UP2p7g0gcVxSm5fmVkB78A0szdktmgBkoNETF2YEgenH2IR9dOUFM7z7fZuMJb5yoR87p0qX8f31G6C0_kt355An8kU/s1600/Beauty+in+the+Rocky+Soil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="369" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig4LkG2eJ8_g7y7iPrRVx1OjNUMfJJ1AwB0qX94uy2UP2p7g0gcVxSm5fmVkB78A0szdktmgBkoNETF2YEgenH2IR9dOUFM7z7fZuMJb5yoR87p0qX8f31G6C0_kt355An8kU/s640/Beauty+in+the+Rocky+Soil.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><i>Photo by Tim Graves</i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Again he began to teach beside the lake. Such a very large crowd gathered around him that he got into a boat on the lake and sat there, while the whole crowd was beside the lake on the land. He began to teach them many things in parables, and in his teaching he said to them: ‘Listen! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and it sprang up quickly, since it had no depth of soil. And when the sun rose, it was scorched; and since it had no root, it withered away. Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain. Other seed fell into good soil and brought forth grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.’ And he said, ‘Let anyone with ears to hear listen!’ </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mark 4: 1-9 NRSV</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> (</span><a href="http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=208501822" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Read in context.</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">)</span></div>
<br />Tim Graveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16741352267268740594noreply@blogger.com011 Mosier Creek Pl, Mosier, OR 97040, USA45.685614 -121.39300845.680068 -121.4028785 45.69116 -121.38313749999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19551720.post-70464099170079059272012-07-03T14:38:00.001-07:002012-07-12T11:55:14.992-07:00Wings<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>You have seen . . . how I bore you on eagles’ wings</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b> and brought you to myself. </b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Exodus 19:4 NRSV (<a href="http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=208351112">Read in context.</a>)</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvAi9D_3HWuZJiFijUHC09abV34elsKCfHYst6CRz15rpnEn3PcGCKYBgR6FLHAbjnm6C6QSyikWusO5lkVhjbcEU65oCKNAkUJ-fxgmqUg641RFXxLcw_692xmkUmuqT7xWw/s1600/IMG_8704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvAi9D_3HWuZJiFijUHC09abV34elsKCfHYst6CRz15rpnEn3PcGCKYBgR6FLHAbjnm6C6QSyikWusO5lkVhjbcEU65oCKNAkUJ-fxgmqUg641RFXxLcw_692xmkUmuqT7xWw/s640/IMG_8704.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><i>An eagle as seen from Coyote Wall in across the </i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><i>river from Mosier, Oregon. Photo by Tim Graves.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Their broad, protective wings surround me in the the sky above the tiny Oregon town in which I live. I've seen them - as many as seven in number - surveying the town when I return home in the early evening. In the early morning I've seen them circle in a spiral to the surface of the river to catch a fish. When the winds for which the Columbia River Gorge is famous, bring out human windsurfers and kiteboarders, these magnificent birds can be seen rising thousands of feet above colorful kites and sails to catch the wind currents. Watching, they seem to float in mid-air in even the most powerful gale. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I walk along the Columbia, I eye the shore where they sometimes perch just beyond human reach. When I journey to hike t</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">he Coyote Wall and Labyrinth trails across the river in Washington state, they follow me reassuring me that I am not alone nor far from home. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And, today, a feather lay across my path reminding me that the One is blessing my journey.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Tim Graveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16741352267268740594noreply@blogger.com011 Mosier Creek Pl, Mosier, OR 97040, USA45.685614 -121.39300845.3311045 -122.024722 46.0401235 -120.76129399999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19551720.post-32946099254157285292012-06-26T11:13:00.002-07:002012-07-12T12:21:30.696-07:00What if?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh29XOm7TK9-rBQiEGaWTHQK1Lln3W4_MpN2DxynNuUlvfJACCN0lPioHCBttCjHOgQzHlurbrik1ViQDUTpf6JWf309scT5or0GTrjWiKbucrfkop-ddlDBOsVVxKMWOFQsBg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-06-26+at+5.41.12+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh29XOm7TK9-rBQiEGaWTHQK1Lln3W4_MpN2DxynNuUlvfJACCN0lPioHCBttCjHOgQzHlurbrik1ViQDUTpf6JWf309scT5or0GTrjWiKbucrfkop-ddlDBOsVVxKMWOFQsBg/s320/Screen+Shot+2012-06-26+at+5.41.12+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What if following Jesus isn't about the big things? What if it is about the small things we do: kindness, forgiving, smiling and laughing, listening, and even self-care? What if it isn't about professional ministry or earning a living but about a way of life lived in humble service? What if this service lacks vestments and collars or professional titles but is marked by our giving of ourselves emotionally, physically, and spiritually? What if the barely noticed, little things we do out of love are what God calls us toward? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What if it is in each of these moments we allow God to speak through us? What if this is truly following Jesus, the One who took <i>the very breath of God (1)</i> into himself, and breathed it out into a broken world? What if we can be <i>the very breath of God</i>?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It could change the world.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="p1" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="s1"><i><b><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">...and the Spirit of God was moving over the face of the waters.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></b></i></span></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="s1"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Genesis 1:2a RSV</span></i></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/rsv/genesis/passage.aspx?q=genesis+1;genesis+2:4">Read this in context.</a></span></i></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>****</i></span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="s1">(1) Robert Alter, <i>The Five Books of Moses,</i> Kindle Book edition, loc. 994. <i>Robert Alter translates the Hebrew rua </i></span><span class="s2"> </span><span class="s1"><i>as breath. It is variously translated as wind, spirit, and breath.</i></span></span></div>
<br />Tim Graveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16741352267268740594noreply@blogger.com011 Mosier Creek Pl, Mosier, OR 97040, USA45.685614 -121.39300845.6842275 -121.39547549999999 45.6870005 -121.3905405tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19551720.post-55385521502378134392012-06-19T10:29:00.002-07:002012-07-12T11:57:45.309-07:00I Couldn't Have Picked Anyone Better!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of amazing things about fatherhood is that my adult children have increased the size of my family. I'm not talking about grandchildren; that joy may come in its time. I'm talking about my children's significant others.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As my daughter and son have found life-partners, I've been blessed by a doubling of my children. It wasn't until Frances and, now, Breetel joined our family that I felt the depth of my father's words the first time I brought my beloved home. He said, "We couldn't have picked anyone better for you." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWKAXiGP1_DGrO21IfH9XrLIjH6R5mNmrewexbNKO_EhaGa2HEQUs_RyKMWhBOis-TslOPqZt2u_LEAFMor5edio9vD4CJ_XY0-_NWIE9hufiM0wyTuR4PiGblnsas9UCAe38/s1600/MyKids.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWKAXiGP1_DGrO21IfH9XrLIjH6R5mNmrewexbNKO_EhaGa2HEQUs_RyKMWhBOis-TslOPqZt2u_LEAFMor5edio9vD4CJ_XY0-_NWIE9hufiM0wyTuR4PiGblnsas9UCAe38/s320/MyKids.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My amazing children...all four of them!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My daughter and son are remarkable, phenomenal individuals. (This is a fact not a father's pride.) Still, the love of another, somehow reveals a depth, a wholeness that I never saw in Isaac or Jessica before. Their love is more than a skin-deep affectation. Their love has added a vibrancy to who they were before.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Love is powerful in all its forms. Love transforms, makes us each more than we were. It defies the laws of physics. There is always an abundance and extravagance about love. Love reveals the Divine within us and in our relationship with others.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #010000; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22px;"><b>"...and the greatest of these is love."</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010000; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22px;"> <i>1 Corinthians 13: 13b NRSV (<a href="http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=207125178" target="_blank">Read this passage in context.</a>)</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #010000; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22px;"><i><br /></i></span></div>Tim Graveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16741352267268740594noreply@blogger.com011 Mosier Creek Pl, Mosier, OR 97040, USA45.685614 -121.39300845.6842275 -121.39547549999999 45.6870005 -121.3905405tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19551720.post-74673404540689998342012-06-14T12:54:00.000-07:002012-07-12T12:21:30.730-07:00It's All Made Up Anyway!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis9zqXkxyfvwfKOZnRL9bzQVFxj7TPYibppaoWKZfBOtsylTZ5fiGW_V98gKElqNejeZLPuX0crT2Zy_sK-6_lE4rW6LOcyktK_vVFunmTAe4HpX-p8Wd8EfqgrhABoVNQZEE/s1600/Holy+TrinityAnthony+J.+Kelly+CSsR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis9zqXkxyfvwfKOZnRL9bzQVFxj7TPYibppaoWKZfBOtsylTZ5fiGW_V98gKElqNejeZLPuX0crT2Zy_sK-6_lE4rW6LOcyktK_vVFunmTAe4HpX-p8Wd8EfqgrhABoVNQZEE/s320/Holy+TrinityAnthony+J.+Kelly+CSsR.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Painting by Anthony J. Kelly. Image retrieved </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">from <a href="http://jesuslovesgays.blogspot.com/2012/05/holy-trinity.html" target="_blank">Rev. David Eck's blog.</a></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"The Holy Trinity is all made up, anyway!" My friend thought I was joking. I wasn't and I'm not. I'm not an atheist; I believe in God. I'm even trinitarian with a higher sense of the Holy Spirit than many other mainline Christians. Still, it's pretend.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I perceive a divinity that connects us, that flows through us, and encourages us to lovingness. Our stories and theologies -- including trinitarian theology -- reveal truths that are beyond the rational, scientific explanation. They are not, nor were they ever intended to be literal, historical retellings of facts. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Through the Christian biblical narrative, however, God continues to speak. For me, Jesus is,</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"<span style="line-height: 22px;">the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you have really known me, you will also know the Father." (John 14:6-7b CEB <a href="http://www.commonenglishbible.com/Explore/PassageLookup/tabid/210/Default.aspx" target="_blank">Read this passage in context.</a>)</span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 22px;">This is the path upon which God has lured me. This is the only way for me to be the loving, unique person that God created me to be. It is in the life of Jesus, that I enter into a relationship with the love that underpins all of creation. It is in the human Jesus that I learn how to be who God calls me to be.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 22px;">Jesus functions as a gate for me (<a href="http://www.commonenglishbible.com/Explore/PassageLookup/tabid/210/Default.aspx?txtPassageLookupMini=John%2010.7-10.10" target="_blank">John 10: 1-10 CEB</a>). However, just as it is naive and ineffective to expect all children to learn via only one modality (e.g.; visual, auditory, or kinesthetic), it is naive to think that God's love only opens through one gate. The arrogant teacher is one who thinks there is one -- and <u>only</u> one -- way to reach all children. This assumes the gifts, skills, challenges, and experiences of each individual is the same. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 22px;">Arrogant Christian spirituality, is one that projects its own gifts on all. When we do this we deny the truth reflected in Paul's writings to the Corinthians. That truth is that as we seek to follow the One, we each have unique roles and gifts.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Certainly the body isn’t one part but many. If the foot says, “I’m not part of the body because I’m not a hand,” does that mean it’s not part of the body? If the ear says, “I’m not part of the body because I’m not an eye,” does that mean it’s not part of the body? If the whole body were an eye, what would happen to the hearing? And if the whole body were an ear, what would happen to the sense of smell? (1 Corinthians 12: 14-17 CEB <a href="http://www.commonenglishbible.com/Explore/PassageLookup/tabid/210/Default.aspx?txtPassageLookupMini=John%2010.7-10.10" target="_blank">Read this passage in context.</a>)</span></span></blockquote>
<span style="line-height: 22px;"><span style="color: #010000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 22px;">Though Paul wrote to a squabbling community of Jesus followers, to expand this truth beyond Christianity is to hear the voice of God in a new time and place. Paul -- and the other authors of the canon -- wrote contextually. That is, the biblical writers spoke to specific people in a specific era, place, and culture. When we read and study the texts thoughtfully, communally, and prayerfully, we hear God's voice for today. We can find truths.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 22px;">The gospels interpret the life of Jesus as he challenged the prevailing human-defined circle of acceptable behaviors and the people that were worthy of God's love. The Good News of the unfolding Realm of God (love) is that it is for all of us. God's love is expansive and extravagant! The One is love. The One, who I call God, reflected in the Hebrew Bible and the Christian New Testament reveals an arc of loving inclusiveness and justice for all.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To find God through Jesus, does not require dismissing others. On the contrary, to follow the teachings of Jesus is to engage in loving, respectful relationship with others. Other peoples have stories, metaphors, and narratives that describe their experiences of the One, the divinity that I perceive. Just as the Christian Bible reveals truths, the sacred writings (or verbal stories) of Buddhists, Muslims, Jews, Rastafarians, and others reveal truths. They reflect the ways that others have experienced the One. Is it really that hard to believe that the <i>mysterium tremendum</i> that is God, might speak to others in ways that make sense to them?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rather than limiting God, I accept the Trinity as a metaphor that helps me to describe how I experience the One. It helps me to follow the Divine's call on my life. I don't need to idolize it into a literal fact anymore than I need Jesus to be the only way to the extravagant, expansive love of God. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Tim Graveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16741352267268740594noreply@blogger.com011 Mosier Creek Pl, Mosier, OR 97040, USA45.685614 -121.39300845.6842275 -121.39547549999999 45.6870005 -121.3905405tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19551720.post-17415306872129653432012-06-06T11:15:00.001-07:002012-07-12T12:17:56.984-07:00The Journey of the Bent Tree<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Another rainbow crosses the Columbia River as I write this morning. I <i><u>do</u></i> live in a magical land filled with <a href="http://www.timgraves.us/search/label/rainbow" target="_blank">rainbows</a>. It is also a place in which trees are deformed by the same robust winds that lure windsurfers to the area. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCv6zymOXbMdSvD7lPV-XXIbpl85G7WVMG72MuuOcdDW78Uh3ZQLoM7FBj94_5iDe2CT_xwBmASCHncy-HXwYUZlA8gZrI1NCji8uByfqr4rfiAtRrc6se2KsWwNsahxW87Xs/s1600/DSCF0765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="a tree" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCv6zymOXbMdSvD7lPV-XXIbpl85G7WVMG72MuuOcdDW78Uh3ZQLoM7FBj94_5iDe2CT_xwBmASCHncy-HXwYUZlA8gZrI1NCji8uByfqr4rfiAtRrc6se2KsWwNsahxW87Xs/s320/DSCF0765.JPG" title="" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><i>photo by Tim Graves</i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These are not the model Christmas trees, shaped like so many isosceles triangles. Giving up their westward facing branches, they more accurately resemble right triangles. Hunched over, they bend away from the wind.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3AlnxEKRn5f2FQIE0YRKW-JX0HfjYRSoG8brZdoaEFwm4u9XtqJdhwl7TfEFApPimm0MjISq9rHPpJ7Sv_p6DkBHxJfph4DGrl_15E__Dd3bsPRt0Hp7fbK3Xx_J3JMVlSzY/s1600/IMG_3612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3AlnxEKRn5f2FQIE0YRKW-JX0HfjYRSoG8brZdoaEFwm4u9XtqJdhwl7TfEFApPimm0MjISq9rHPpJ7Sv_p6DkBHxJfph4DGrl_15E__Dd3bsPRt0Hp7fbK3Xx_J3JMVlSzY/s320/IMG_3612.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><i>photo by Tim Graves</i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is particularly true of those trees on the edges of groupings, along the river, or at the top of hills. Exposed, they match the persistence of the wind as they reach upward toward the energizing sun. Sometimes damaged, or appearing dead, the trees resurrect in the spring.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglfXirM1dlayRj2501E0G-Uz6l6ZdNIEXL3f00AS-OXJiOD37yi1JolseYYi2E-BWjJOFNX5c2owsz69YKL0LUQ0Qq1DK4gubV0f9cTFtENjna-zuPunl_hj0El-nZnr9lMlk/s1600/DSCF0930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglfXirM1dlayRj2501E0G-Uz6l6ZdNIEXL3f00AS-OXJiOD37yi1JolseYYi2E-BWjJOFNX5c2owsz69YKL0LUQ0Qq1DK4gubV0f9cTFtENjna-zuPunl_hj0El-nZnr9lMlk/s320/DSCF0930.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><i>photo by Tim Graves</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3KJlVToQ6tvo5fmB5efL4r15VjIlBMi5ekkqSCTyItSBhBfTwJCPWrNo2s-MfpiBmk1xRKj3FDk6y9IfgfktMiDbMSWifqXDxs07jLg6jRmraeMhqQBuc3ZBADi-gOlzCXh4/s1600/IMG_4599.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="display: inline !important; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3KJlVToQ6tvo5fmB5efL4r15VjIlBMi5ekkqSCTyItSBhBfTwJCPWrNo2s-MfpiBmk1xRKj3FDk6y9IfgfktMiDbMSWifqXDxs07jLg6jRmraeMhqQBuc3ZBADi-gOlzCXh4/s320/IMG_4599.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><i>photo by Tim Graves</i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The trees remind us that beauty is not found in chiseled abdomens or wrinkle free skin but in the Divine journey.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Though I am barraged by fierce winds,</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>I will reach upward to the One.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Matching the tenacious gale,</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>I persist under blue skies and grey, wet blankets.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>I dance with the wind making him my partner.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>As I journey toward the One,</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>the Divine is already with me,</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>surrounding me in the mossy green of winter,</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>and the purples and reds of spring and summer.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>And when I finally succumb to <i>el viento</i>,</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>I will be the soil that feeds my offspring,</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>living within all those who follow,</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>and seek the divine One.</b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwxNlsWVjMLjX6CpF5wmrhbsJzcCmNlGaSt1jFc63kjDYz-nWDsPuW_1vTUX1phzmklYGeM4CVHAOmmZuycse5dwYxQPspI9nJhWZGe0d-blpkjMfauV0SxXshiSlTCg_tvUo/s1600/DSCF0661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwxNlsWVjMLjX6CpF5wmrhbsJzcCmNlGaSt1jFc63kjDYz-nWDsPuW_1vTUX1phzmklYGeM4CVHAOmmZuycse5dwYxQPspI9nJhWZGe0d-blpkjMfauV0SxXshiSlTCg_tvUo/s400/DSCF0661.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><i>photo by Tim Graves</i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>Tim Graveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16741352267268740594noreply@blogger.com011 Mosier Creek Pl, Mosier, OR 97040, USA45.685614 -121.39300845.6842275 -121.39547549999999 45.6870005 -121.3905405tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19551720.post-15431494689308065242012-06-03T09:51:00.002-07:002012-07-12T15:47:56.214-07:00Hope in Wholeness<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQDGuBpM37PnPIKpGO7Wy5B58PX3lV5ady4FlI4Y5Void-p4vLnQl6_LtAnIEiaTdUBpM9QEtYeK6ie6ikoFoWAWq2ZC0eA6bU8OPFOLvUH1kwc91r-Jm_67mQlx4gqi44ufs/s1600/DSCF0018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQDGuBpM37PnPIKpGO7Wy5B58PX3lV5ady4FlI4Y5Void-p4vLnQl6_LtAnIEiaTdUBpM9QEtYeK6ie6ikoFoWAWq2ZC0eA6bU8OPFOLvUH1kwc91r-Jm_67mQlx4gqi44ufs/s320/DSCF0018.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><i>photo by Tim Graves</i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I get too focused on protesting or on politics, I become discouraged and cynical. I see evil behind every human frailty; I see conspiracies at every turn. I see a battle of good versus evil. Eventually, I become a miserable person. I feel betrayed, impotent, and angry. Hopelessness descends. Despondent, I give up.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Focusing on the One whose love envelopes me and connects me to each grassy blade, each sea anemone, and each human being, results in optimism. I find hope in wholeness. That wholeness -- that for Christians emanates from the Table set by Jesus and manifest in love that overcomes death -- is powered by the extravagant love of the Divine. When I focus and respond to that loving grace, I am compelled to act for justice, love with abandon, and strive to be my best self. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Attuned to the divinity that coarses through you, me, and all of creation, I see see goodness despite human frailty. Filled with hope, I strive to do my part for the whole knowing that I am not alone. Goodness is within every annoying bureaucrat, murderer, and abusive parent. When I respond in love, love multiplies and ripples powered by the One. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At its core this is the Good News, love always wins in the end. It is more powerful than death, conspiracies, or greedy politicians. When we respond from the divine love within us, justice will "roll down like waters, and righteousness an ever-flowing stream." (Amos 5: 24 NRSV <a href="http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=205740953" target="_blank">Read this passage in context.</a>) </span><br />
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<br />Tim Graveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16741352267268740594noreply@blogger.com011 Mosier Creek Pl, Mosier, OR 97040, USA45.685614 -121.39300845.6842275 -121.39547549999999 45.6870005 -121.3905405tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19551720.post-43790330432593484832012-06-01T10:31:00.001-07:002012-07-12T12:22:57.538-07:00Heroic Wife Kills Dust Bunny<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq63DT8eIRI3WDd5-CK_xgwc1VQdlk0qhslwYhxkfyYDDOpR79_P37TQKe9I6vZzySd7XhqfieaoJ8L_oPIGbdrjO5RxYZMn-vtbjQXFd5q4NywrXAmwSaT44Sx5zUVzzxnKU/s1600/450dustbunny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq63DT8eIRI3WDd5-CK_xgwc1VQdlk0qhslwYhxkfyYDDOpR79_P37TQKe9I6vZzySd7XhqfieaoJ8L_oPIGbdrjO5RxYZMn-vtbjQXFd5q4NywrXAmwSaT44Sx5zUVzzxnKU/s320/450dustbunny.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.revmother.org/" target="_blank">Chaplain Magdalyn Sebastian</a> recently <br />
protected her husband from a dust bunny similar <br />
to the one in this photograph. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Mosier, Oregon---Despite differences of opinion with her husband about killing bugs, an Oregon chaplain hunted down a long-legged creature. What she captured and killed turned out to be something very different. </i></span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The chaplain's husband witnessed his wife capture a dust bunny in a tissue. </i><br />
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<i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Said the husband, "I was nagging her to leave the poor bug alone as she reached for a tissue. She defended herself by telling me it wasn't an ant, that 'it's one of those multi-leg things that freak us out.' Of course I had the last laugh." </i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>The wife captured the invading creature only to discover it was a dust bunny. Just lint. She said of the experience, "I wasn't impressed by Tim's sarcastic remark about feeling safer. Maybe he should sweep the bedroom more often!"</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">***</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Not everything is what it first seems to be. Not every perceived threat is real. Like interracial marriage before it, marriage equality for LGBTQ peoples is one of those dust bunnies. It will not harm my marriage of nearly thirty-three years. It will not result in the crumbling of western culture or </span><a href="http://www.timgraves.us/2012/05/hospitality-resurrection.html" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">spur God's fiery vengeance on America</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are presented with choices every day of our lives. Will we respond to others out of love or will respond out of fear and hatred? I choose love. God will undoubtedly hold me accountable for many failures and sins. I am very human. I</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> am convinced, however, that acting out of love will not be one of those sins.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Tim Graveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16741352267268740594noreply@blogger.com011 Mosier Creek Pl, Mosier, OR 97040, USA45.685614 -121.39300845.6842275 -121.39547549999999 45.6870005 -121.3905405tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19551720.post-45893670533120628392012-05-30T15:37:00.002-07:002012-07-12T15:47:56.313-07:00Identity without Exclusion<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I always stumble over the question. You know that simple one, "Where are you from?" Not only have my wife and I lived on both coasts and lots of places in between during our thirty-three year marriage, I moved around a lot as a kid.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The failure to provide a simple answer, I know, confounds people. We use place as a marker of identity. We also use education, skin color, political party, Myers-Briggs score, and religion as ways of labeling and identifying others. We seem to be hard-wired to define ourselves. The problem is that we too often define ourselves in contrast to others. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At their best, identity markers start a conversation. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At their worst, these labels exclude and demonize those who are different. Labeling puts people into a definition. W</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">hen we label others (or ourselves) we diminish the divinely gifted uniqueness of an individual. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Political or religious f</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">undamentalism has a tendency to define itself in contrast to the other. If you subscribe to the tenets of the inside group, you're accepted. If you do not you are evil or, at best, misguided and naive. Fundamentalism preys on exclusion and fear setting impenetrable boundaries around itself.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This approach to identity, can result in grandiose claims that hurt others. For example, Dennis Marcellino said in a recent post that <a href="http://conservativebyte.com/2012/05/the-bible-says-if-you-vote-for-a-democrat-and-were-to-die-thereafter-you-would-go-to-hell/" target="_blank">"The Bible does say that if a person votes for a democrat (the promoters and supporters of sin) and were to die without repenting of that, he or she is going to hell."</a> Marcellino is identifying his beliefs against the beliefs of others. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A positive identity does not rely on putting others down. While I share a professed Christian faith with Mr. Marcellino, I identify my beliefs positively. For example, the primary Christian narrative of inclusive, extravagant love and resurrection helps me to make sense of my experience of the Divine. It gives me hope for the future. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Regardless of someone else's beliefs, I find meaning in the Gospel of Jesus. This positive identification does not dismiss another person's journey or experience. My</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> faith is not contingent upon your agreement or disagreement. (Though, my faith is challenged within the faith by the checks and balances of the Koinonia.) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In our efforts to psychologically and emotionally cope with our changing culture and uncertain times, it is critical that we define ourselves positively. When we define ourselves against others, we risk falling into hatred and dehumanization of others. To fall into hatred or dehumanization of others is to fail to live up to the potential with which we were created. </span><br />
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<b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">‘Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?’ He said to him, ‘ “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.’ </b><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Matthew 22: 36-40 NRSV (<a href="http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=205415624" target="_blank">Read this passage in context.</a>)</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>Tim Graveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16741352267268740594noreply@blogger.com011 Mosier Creek Pl, Mosier, OR 97040, USA45.685614 -121.39300845.6842275 -121.39547549999999 45.6870005 -121.3905405tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19551720.post-3557145137337042562012-05-28T11:11:00.000-07:002012-07-12T15:47:56.286-07:00Theologies Evolve as We Seek the Divine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A tweet by @MattRWilkins crossed my Twitter stream this morning. Wrote Wilkins, <a href="https://twitter.com/MattRWilkins/status/207101267288403968" target="_blank">"Many are redefining the theology of the church today & in so doing they are redefining God. Mark it down, God is NOT up for redefinition!"</a> Wilkins' implications in this tweet are problematic in many ways. I will address five in this post. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>1) He implies that theology is somehow "of God." Quite the contrary: theologies are "of people." </b>Theologies are human attempts at understanding the inexplicable. Much of the biblical witness is a collection of theologies by the original authors. They often vary because God is the <i>mysterium tremendum</i>. They conflict because each of the ancient's experiences of the Divine were filtered through personal experiences, culture, time and place in history, and scientific understanding of how the world works. The same can be said of contemporary theologies. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>2) He implies that the church has unanimity of opinion. </b>The historical record contradicts the idea that "the church" has ever been of one mind theologically. The times when the Roman church had multiple popes, the Protestant reformation, and the Catholic counter-reformation are but a few examples of times when theologies were far from singular. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The only way to argue that the church has ever had one theology is to exclude vast numbers of followers of Jesus from the church. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All who profess Jesus and seek to follow his teachings, however imperfectly, are part of the church, of the body of Christ. We all have spiritual gifts to contribute to the whole.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>3) He implies that the theologies of the church have never changed.</b> As humanity has sought to understanding the spiritual realm ideas have evolved. This is true within Christianity. In seeking to understand the nature of God, for example, followers of Jesus developed </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">trinitarian theology over centuries.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The trinity is a post-biblical interpretation of the scriptures which expands upon themes within the Bible. I tend to use trinitarian language because it helps me describe my experiences of God. This language is not the literal nature of God. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is a human construct designed to understand the Divine. Other followers of Jesus, part of the church, do not subscribe to trinitarian theologies. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>4) He implies that God is silent in our age.</b> To suggest that our understanding of the nature of God was complete at some point in the past, suggests humans can define God. He intimates that God no longer speaks. To do so is to deny the entire Pentecostal movement, the everyday experiences of billions, and to restrict the Divine. A silent God is a dead God.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>5) Most alarming is that he implies that he owns God. </b>In dismissing all but his own theology, and those who agree with him, the tweeter himself defines God. To maintain this arrogance he must dismiss the experiences of those who find the Divine in other ways. He lays a stumbling block before others and acts as the gatekeeper to Jesus' love.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Reading this tweet, I imagined a man standing with his arms crossed stubbornly in front of Jesus. Those willing to define God in the way in which he defines God, are welcomed and hugged by Jesus. Those who do not, are forcibly removed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I experience God differently. The One I experience, stands before us all with open arms. Encouraging us forward, smiling and exuding joy in our mere presence. Like a toddler attempting a first step, if we fall God picks us up, brushes off our knees, sheds a tear with us, wipes our eyes, and wraps Divine arms around us. If we are able to take those first toddler steps, God's face lights up and divine arms of joy wrap around us. Whether we fall or toddle forward, the God I know, whispers in our ear, You are my Beloved.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. </b><i>Romans 8: 38-39 NRSV</i> (<a href="http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=205226604" target="_blank">Read this passage in context.</a>)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Tim Graveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16741352267268740594noreply@blogger.com011 Mosier Creek Pl, Mosier, OR 97040, USA45.685614 -121.39300845.6842275 -121.39547549999999 45.6870005 -121.3905405tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19551720.post-31197258125876359752012-05-28T08:39:00.000-07:002012-07-12T12:32:49.278-07:00The Rainbow of Humanity<span style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">When you say that marriage is only for one man & one woman, that who someone loves is a sin, or to wait for justice, I think you must know a different God than I do. When you say these things I hear that in your eyes, my family, my friends, my most beloved in Creation are somehow not worthy of God's love. Well, I'm here to tell you I worship a God who loves extravagantly. I worship the One who is love. I worship the One who created the rainbow of humanity in all its diversity and promise.</span>Tim Graveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16741352267268740594noreply@blogger.com011 Mosier Creek Pl, Mosier, OR 97040, USA45.685614 -121.39300845.6842275 -121.39547549999999 45.6870005 -121.3905405tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19551720.post-17000369746229433412012-05-27T10:00:00.000-07:002012-07-12T12:37:28.938-07:00Overcoming Our Expectations<i style="font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This originally appeared as part of the <a href="http://www.gladalliance.org/writing-project/archive-easter-writing-project" target="_blank">GLAD Easter Writing Project</a>. GLAD is the Gay, Lesbian, & Affirming Disciples Alliance within the <a href="http://www.disciples.org/" target="_blank">Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)</a>.</span></i><br />
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<span id="internal-source-marker_0.841568837640807"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I walked into the two-year-old room to find the new substitute monitoring a Mothers’ Day card-making project. As I took my seat to watch what was going on, Elsie finished up a card, and reached for another. </span><br /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Elsie,” said the substitute, “we’re only making cards for our moms today. You can get some of the drawing paper if you still want to draw.” Hmm, I wondered how this would play out. I doubted that Elsie would succumb to the sub’s suggestion.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I have two moms,” announced Elsie. </span><br /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“No, you don’t,” replied the teacher. Uh oh, I thought, she’s going to argue with a two-year-old. It’s never a good idea to get in a power struggle with a two-year-old. You will lose.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Yes, I do!”</span><br /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“No, Elsie, people only have one mom...” continued the substitute.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“YES,” the articulate two-year-old raised her voice. “I have my mom Sylvie an’ my mom Tonya.”</span><br /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The substitute teacher looked confused and became silent. Though I didn’t always get involved while observing my teachers, I offered up information she didn’t have. I told her Elsie has two moms. She looked disturbed but immediately gave Elsie another card and muttered, “I didn’t know.”</span><br /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Much of bigotry, whether it is in classes, pop culture, or our churches is the result of inaccurate expectations. In our humanity, we create images of others. These expectations of those around us serve as the template for what we consider normal. The substitute teacher who argued with the two-year-old had a template in her head for families. A family with two moms was outside that image. </span><br /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When we talked about this event afterwards, the substitute teacher apologized. “I just didn’t know,” she explained. She expected that all children are raised in homes by a man and a woman, by a single mother, by grandparents, or even by a single father. Her expectations were inaccurate and limited.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We do the same thing in our churches. We expect that with the right mixture of worship experience, children’s ministry, and mission to the community we will attract families from the church of our memories. We wrongly expect not only stone buildings filled to the brim with people, we expect those people to look like a collection of television show families from the middle of the last century. </span><br /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our image of the church is filtered through memories that are not wholly accurate. We expect that we can create that which never existed. We strive to create alone what can only be co-created with God. When we prayerfully listen and follow God, we can co-create that which God continues to transform and create. However, we too often cling stubbornly to our deformed expectations of the church and one another. We perversely draw lines within humanity of who is worthy to be included and who is not quite human enough to receive God’s love.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But God doesn’t give up on us. The Holy Spirit, despite our flawed expectations, sometimes lures someone through our doors. Too often, if they don’t look like our expectations, we use the lines we’ve drawn within humanity, to collectively chase them away. This is particularly true if the people don’t meet our expectations of gender or sexual orientation. </span><br /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Despite the unfolding of God’s Realm of love, in which the </span><span style="font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Imago Dei</span><span style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (image of God) of GLBTQAI peoples is fully accepted, we see a threat. We hide behind a misinterpretation of the scriptures because others do not fit our image of humanity. We use our Holy Book to chase people away from the church. We put a stumbling block before others to keep them away from Jesus! </span><br /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Instead of seeing the love that the two-year-old experiences from her two mothers, we cling desperately to our image of where parental love can emanate. Instead of seeing the truth in our scriptures, that of an ever-widening circle of God’s extravagant love, we desperately cling to our expectations. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The rational, the observable and measurable capture some truth. We are blessed to live in a world of science and mathematics used to sustain us. To focus only on this one truth, or aspect of the whole, is to perceive the bark as the whole of the apple tree. It is to enjoy the apple without its core of seeds.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Uncloaking the intricacies and mechanisms of Creation does not explain the abundant love which is within, between, and that envelopes us. For that truth we must tap into the spiritual. We must simultaneously go within and beyond ourselves. We must <i><b>be</b></i> long enough to perceive. When we do that, we experience another truth: that the One binds you and I together with the polar bear and the ant, the blade of grass and the artichoke. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>Tim Graveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16741352267268740594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19551720.post-90059762772170857342012-05-24T15:39:00.000-07:002012-07-12T12:42:12.458-07:00Liberation & Loss: What It Means to Follow the Spirit<h3>
<b><i><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Following the Spirit requires loss. Loss of control. It also means giving up things that used to matter. It is also liberating.</span></i></b></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Responding to a "Holy Spirit moment," my wife and I embarked on a journey across the country. We sold our home and became renters. We said goodbye to a dog. We </span><a href="http://timgraves.blogspot.com/search/label/emptying%20barns" rel="" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">gave away all of our possessions</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> but what fit in two cars, moved to Oregon, and sold one car upon arrival. Our response to the Spirit meant becoming more nomadic; we moved three times in ten months. I've simultaneously doubted myself and been confident that I'm on the path upon which God desires for me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are many things and attitudes that I've given up over the last year. I sobbed when my Matchbox car collection sold quickly on eBay. Not a day passes that I don't reach out for my beloved friend Jade who had to be put-down. I yearn to sing silly songs to her, give her too many dog treats, and feel her head resting on my leg.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Selling my car, in my mind, was giving up not only mobility but a sign of my personality. Like a cheating husband who looks at other women, I still fantasize when I see Scion xB's around town. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yet letting go of these and more were necessary to follow the direction the Divine has laid before me. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We would have been in bankruptcy court before Christmas of last year had I not sold my car and emptied my pension to pay bills. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It might seem that I would be in a deep depression but I am not. I did have several weeks of lethargy and blues in the midst of confusion when my literal interpretation of the precipitating "Holy Spirit moment" was shattered. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I doubted my impressions, my intuition, my sense that the Spirit was leading this way because it didn't fit my image of what was to happen. (See </span><a href="http://timgraves.blogspot.com/2011/12/year-end-reflection-leading-malleable.html" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Leading the Malleable Life Amid Hurricane Force Winds</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">). </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Though, I worried during that time that I had abandoned the path I put one foot in front of the other.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Following the Spirit </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">is trusting that which you sense. Our culture's idolization of rationality dismisses remaining faithful to that which we cannot quite see. In some ways it is anti-spiritual and severs an integral part of what it is to be part of humanity and creation. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hyper-rational thinking discounts intuition and trusting the Divine. In <i>The Shack</i>, Wm. Paul Young describes the Holy Spirit through the primary characters eyes:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"But he knew all this as more an impression of her than from actually seeing her, as she seemed to phase in and out of his vision." (Wm. Paul Young, <i>The Shack</i>, p. 85)</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Even during times </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">of discouragement, doubt, and fear, I follow. I whine a lot, yell at God some, but trust that the One who has set me upon this trail will not leave me lost in the wilderness alone. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At times my vision is clear; I know I'm following the Spirit. Much of the time, however, I simply risk believing my impressions as the Holy Spirit seems to phase in and out of my vision.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The result is a generalized sense of contentment. I feel liberated from the impossible task of being in control of tomorrow. Following the Spirit is about being in the present. It is about living, caring, loving, and accepting the One who is within, between, and around us. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When the Spirit dances just outside my vision, I try to trust my intuition and sixth sense. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I fail to trust as fully as I wish I would, I accept that feeling, too. I pause. I refocus. I pray. I make only those decisions that must be made that day. I remember the One who forgives and loves me extravagantly.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Tim Graveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16741352267268740594noreply@blogger.com011 Mosier Creek Pl, Mosier, OR 97040, USA45.685614 -121.39300845.6842275 -121.39547549999999 45.6870005 -121.3905405