Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Hook-ups; What's Love Got to Do with It? by Heidi Jakoby

“God is love”, “love is a second hand emotion”, “love is temporary madness”. "Love is patient and kind”. O.k. I am confused. Where does love fit into the world today? Where does God fit? How do “hook-ups” and love fit together? Yesterday I was watching the Dr. Oz show and he was talking with Mom’s and their teenage daughters. The question was asked "why are so many teens having anal sex?" One of the teens said, “now relationships start with “hook ups” the physical first so teens get bored and then try anal sex.” What has happened to love in relationships? (Dr. Oz Show video)

It is interesting to think that there are people who are trying to connect physically with another person before connecting emotionally or even before loving the other person. Why is loving someone so difficult? Is it too difficult to get to know someone and to create a relationship, a friendship before moving on to the physical? I just wonder which will endure.

Some friendships endure for a lifetime and others come and go, but how do we love one another and how do we spread love if we avoid experiencing it, because it can hurt and your “heart can be broken”. In 1Corinthians 13:1-13 1Corinthians 13:1-13  (the Message) it states:

I'm bankrupt without love.
Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.
Love doesn't strut,
Doesn't have a swelled head,
Doesn't force itself on others,
Isn't always "me first,"
Doesn't fly off the handle,
Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn't revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.

There are so many phrases here that are about putting others before ourselves, the sense that love is selfless. As I read this I see that love is always cheering you on, cares for you more than anyone else. Love is humble, and puts others first, love is calm and forgiving. What do you think love is? How would you describe love?

Is there comfort in the quote, “God is Love”? Can you image a love like what is described in 1Corinthians 13:1-13?

What do you think of the statement “ love is it a secondary emotion”? Then what is the primary emotion?

I hope you take time to listen to these two songs and read the quote below:

God is Love by Lenny Kravitz (listen, lyrics)

What’s Love Got to Do with It by Tina Turner (listen,  lyrics)

"Love is a temporary madness. It erupts like an earthquake and then subsides. And when it subsides you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have become so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of promises of eternal passion. That is just being "in love" which any of us can convince ourselves we are. Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident. Your mother and I had it, we had roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossom had fallen from our branches we found that we were one tree and not two." From the movie Captain Corelli’s Mandolin

Don’t forget to join us on Skype Thursday at 7pm Jan 28th our contact name is “bythewaycommunity”. If you cannot join us please leave your comments here.


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Monday, January 18, 2010

be refreshed, be free . . . by Kari Henkelmann Keyl

Getting un-stuck can be such a pain. Sometimes you just can’t find the right words to express yourself. Or you can’t get your feet out of bed to get the day started. Sometimes it seems like your whole life is frozen. Like you wish you had a giant “Refresh” icon to click, to get a brand new try at making connections.

Being refreshed… sounds so good. Just give me a bit of sunshine, an energy boost, a new sense of urgency for living. New Year’s resolutions can sometimes function that way.  Sometimes companies or families or individuals write mission statements, to articulate a vision that will inspire and get things moving again.

I’ve been impressed by the “Six word Memoir” movement started by the online magazine, Smith, encouraging you to tell your story in 6 words.  (See Smith's 6 word challenge ).  Now that’s not necessarily like finding your reason for being, but it does get you thinking about what’s going on at your very core. Here's one that was recently posted on Smith’s site:
“Born weak. Reborn strong. Thank God”.  Sounds refreshing alright!

I keep playing with my six word memoir, but it usually comes out something like this: “God's bridge-building, to me, through me”. Those six words tell the story of how I'm living fully when I'm attempting to build bridges: between different people or different ways of thinking, for example. And in the middle of that bridge-building is where I find God, or probably, where God finds me.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day seems like a great day to get unstuck, to come up with a driving principle, a reason for being… since we’re celebrating the life of one who had such passion for changing his world and knew the words to say to refresh those who were oppressed.

I’ve been musing on what might be Dr. King’s six words. “Fighting non-violently for God’s freedom dream” is one that I’ve come up with.

The Savior that Dr. King believed in had a freedom dream, too. Take a look at this story from when Jesus was just jumping out of the starting blocks. He’d been baptized. He'd been tempted to ditch the whole mission.  But now he was ready. He unleashed his refreshing energy on the stuck people of his hometown. Check out the story: Luke 4:14-21

What might Jesus’ six word memoir be, based on this grand opening story? How about: “God’s freedom for those squashed down”. Notice he didn’t just announce that the refreshing freedom was coming soon. He said it’s here. In my words, in my actions, in the person I am. God is here. For you. Now.

That’s what I’m hearing when I read that passage. In this very moment, when I’m trying to write a blog that might somehow bridge someone closer to God, I have God’s freeing power. Though I started off this post totally stuck (could you tell?) and at a loss for words, God’s energy began to flow when I admitted my stuckness and accepted God’s freeing lead.

Like Jesus, Dr. King preached that the freedom his people sought was theirs already. God in Jesus had already given them all the dignity they needed. They need not earn it or grab it or borrow it from those in power. They would wear their full God-given freedom for all to see, and fight for the rights that should come to all free people.

God’s freedom is ours. As we live into it, and share it with others, we can find refreshing energy and God’s own power.

Please feel free to leave your own thoughts or 6 word memoirs or hopes for refreshment. And for those who live around Nashua NH, we’ll be gathering at the Crowne Plaza, Thursday, 7pm, to get into these themes in community. All are welcome!

Peace and Freedom,
Kari

P.S. Here are a few more links to check out:
Shed a Little Light (James Taylor’s inspiring song about Dr. King)
NPR slideshow (A gallery of artists' renditions of 6 word memoirs)
MLK Song (a creative mix of Dr. King’s voice and message with music and moving scenes from the 60’s; this was just posted early today and already has been seen by 4000 people.  Not everyone's going to like it, but it does get you thinking.)

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Tuesday, January 12, 2010

New Expedition/ New Year by Heidi Jakoby

    “The founder [of the National Outdoor Leadership School NOLS] Paul Petzoldt, believed one thing determined the success of an expedition more than anything else: expedition behavior.
     EB means being prepared, on time, organized, flexible and humble; seeing the humor in everything; exercising a tolerance for adversity, uncertainty and discomfort; and putting the needs of the group and others on the same level or above one’s own needs. It’s a tall order but while on expedition it has magical results.
     Petzoldt said it’s not the challenge of the environment that defeats expeditions but the quality of the interaction among the participants. This is borne out in research and experience. Successful courses at NOLS are committed to expedition behavior." 
~ from  the January 2010 issue of The Lutheran in an article entitled: "Packing for Your Faith Expedition" by Jeffrey D. Louden.

As the new year begins so continues our life journeys.  How we approach our journey and/or our expedition can help us to grow, learn, move forward or on the other hand stall, or be stagnant.  It is our choice how we want to prepare or what principles we want to use to help guide us. 

In the reading from 1Corinthians 12:1-11 we are told that we all have gifts to share. Each gift is different but important. As I begin my New Expedition for 2010 I know I will travel this year with a variety of people with a variety of gifts. I know that if all those I am travelling with freely share their gifts and abide by expedition behaviors 2010 will be a magical expedition.

Sharing one's gifts freely and openly is a choice, one that is often uncomfortable and unpredictable.  First you need to identify your gifts and secondly you need to use them and that is not always easy.  Even if you know what gifts you have been given -- whether wise counsel; healing the sick; simple trust or clear understanding -- any of these can be difficult to share. All gifts are meant to be shared from a place of love.  Out of love sharing becomes easier.

I discovered a famous poet songwriter Leonard Cohen in his song The Land of Plenty speaks to this idea of journey, love and gifts.

What do you think of the lyrics? How is your New Expedition going so far?

The Land Of Plenty

Don’t really have the courage
To stand where I must stand.
Don’t really have the temperament
To lend a helping hand.

Don’t really know who sent me
To raise my voice and say:
May the lights in The Land of Plenty
Shine on the truth some day.

I don’t know why I come here,
Knowing as I do,
What you really think of me,
What I really think of you.
For the millions in a prison,
That wealth has set apart –
For the Christ who has not risen,
From the caverns of the heart –
For the innermost decision,
That we cannot but obey -
For what’s left of our religion,
I lift my voice and pray:
May the lights in The Land of Plenty
Shine on the truth some day.

I know I said I’d meet you,
I’d meet you at the store,
But I can’t buy it, baby.
I can’t buy it anymore.

And I don’t really know who sent me,
To raise my voice and say:
May the lights in The Land of Plenty
Shine on the truth some day.

For the innermost decision
That we cannot but obey
For what’s left of our religion
I lift my voice and pray:
May the lights in The Land of Plenty
Shine on the truth some day.

As I continue on my expedition this year the EB that I most want to remember is seeing the humor in everything.  I think laughter can help everyone get through anything and I am hoping for more laughter on my expedition.  Which EB do you want to strive to embrace this year?  What are your hopes for this year? How are you going to discover your gifts and share them?

I hope you will join us on Thursday night on our Skype call just contact "bythewaycommunity" and join us live at 7pm January 14th.  Or if you can't join us Thursday leave a comment.

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Saturday, January 9, 2010

Epiphany: a journey.. by Heidi Jakoby

Growing up I have always heard the word epiphany used and I think the best definition I have found comes from the book Stories Behind the Great Traditions of Christmas by Ace Collins

Epiphany is defined as “an intuitive grasp of reality usually through something simple and striking, an illuminating discovery, a revealing scene or moment.” What could be more simple and illuminating but a star that shined both day and night?

Epiphanies, moments of clarity or Ah-ha moments come in all shapes, sizes and timings. I think some of the most meaningful epiphanies are those little ones that just sneak up on you. They happen when you are just going about your business for the day. What have been some of your Epiphanies?

I really liked the final comment Helen made that: “God is there to help direct us at all turns in the roadways of our lives. We are not alone. That in itself is perhaps the greatest Epiphany!”

God’s presence is a source of comfort for me. Have you notice where God has shown up in your life? Where have you seen God today? Are these God moments epiphanies?

An interesting part of having an Epiphany even though you many have a new fresh understanding it does not mean a change will happen. One needs to choose to change. An epiphany in and of itself only indicates new understanding and may or may not cause a person to change or be changed. In some ways this is like the tradition of making New Year’s Resolutions. You can make a resolution but nothing is going to change unless you take action.

One of my favorite parts of the Epiphany story is the journey of the Magi, their journey to Jesus led by a star. I often wonder what their journey was like. In the passage form Matthew2:11-12 we learn that the Magi gave gifts to Jesus and that their journey took an unexpected turn. Instead of heading home the way they came they needed to find another route. What new challenges and or discoveries did they have by not going home the way they had intended? What have you learned by taking a journey that was unexpected, what epiphanies did you have because you took an unexpected turn?

Please feel free to share your thoughts and comments, and join us sometime in person or by Skype. I hope your Epiphany journey is filled with illuminating discoveries.


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Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Star-gazing, God-spotting... by Kari Henkelmann Keyl

The question January poses for me is: What is there to look forward to after “the holidays” are over? What can brighten our dreary existences now? Valentines’ Day just doesn’t cut it. And Spring doesn’t seem to be making any headway yet.

I myself am quite fond of making a big deal out of the season called Epiphany, which just happens to be starting today. January 6 is a day to remember when some ancient astronomers just had to see what God was up to, given the spectacularly bright star that was making its way across the night sky. They found God’s bright idea named Jesus, and it all came together for them.

So Epiphany is the season to follow those star-gazers’ example and open our eyes to other things God might be up to. Whether we are gazing up into a gorgeous night sky or just staring at the same old computer screen… What epiphanies might be waiting for us? What clarifying insight is going to grab me?

Whenever I'm contemplating epiphanies and revelations, I can't help but think of my favorite scene in Steven Spielberg's movie, Hook.  Captain Hook says to his sidekick, Smee, that he’s had an epiphany (“epiphy-what?” answers Smee), a suddenly clear understanding that his life is over, so he might as well end it. Then minutes later, Smee, who has just interrupted Hook’s suicide attempt (at Hook’s comical insistence), has the true epiphany in the scene (“I’ve just had an apostrophe!” he says, “Lightning has just struck my brain!”). Smee brings hope back into Hook’s world with his brilliant plan to defeat Peter Pan: They will defeat Peter Pan by getting Peter’s own children to love Captain Hook.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPP56_I4IB4)

Even though the two of them are up to no good, they do demonstrate the truth that light sometimes dawns when you are least expecting it. Even when you’re sure your life is over. And yes, it can happen when two less-than-stellar scoundrels put their heads together. How much more can come from truth-searching people putting their heads, hearts, and souls together? That’s pretty much what by the way is up to: giving all of us an online place where we can think and feel and pray together about what moves us and gives us meaning and direction… a place where God shows up.. where people who may have very different ideas of who God is can exchange those ideas and grow together.

Though the Epiphany season starts with the revelation of God showing up in the child Jesus, who welcomes guests from the ends of the earth, the rest of the stories get us into Jesus’ grown-up life as a teacher, healer, liberator. It all begins the day he’s dunked in river waters, baptized along with tons of others. Take a look at the story the way Luke tells it: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%203:15-22&version=MSG
Notice how the crowds are excited but confused: Is this John the One? John’s crystal clear: Nope, not me. I’m just the water-guy; you’re looking for the fire-guy, the one who’ll “ignite the kingdom life, a fire, the Holy Spirit within you, changing you from the inside out”.

And Jesus is right there in the middle of them, not looking much like the fiery blaster that John was describing. But the epiphany is still coming; God’s presence in Jesus becomes clear, as those who’ve been baptized along with Jesus see an amazing vision. The sky opens, a dove swoops down, a voice speaks. No fire yet, but that will be coming later. Jesus’ timing is different than John expected. Jesus doesn’t clean house by force; he draws people into God’s life by the power of his all-giving love.

What epiphanies have you experienced?
What ways has God shown up for you, if at all?
What clarifying visions are you hoping for?
If you’ve been baptized, how does this story of Jesus’ baptism affect you? How about if you haven’t?

Please feel free to enter the conversation in whatever way fits you. If you happen to be near Nashua, come by Applebees on Amherst St./101A, Thursday  Dec. 7th at 7pm, to chat about all this.

Epiphany-watching with you,
Kari


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listening and exploring faith together