And ONE More Thing

I forget what thread this was on, but a really cool dude by the name of "ultraman" aka Nathan aka Homiebear, said this....

"boxes" are always assumptions. How can you think outside of this box if you insist on saying that is is foundational?-ultraman

I loved this. It has been an ecouragement to me lately. Because of some things going on in my life I have had to once again rip outside another box. I've had to make myself think outside of it. I've learned in the last several years I have to always push myself to think outside of what is called "foundational", because as soon as I say something or a beief I have is "foundational" I find out it wasn't, it was just another box I tried to define God in. If anything this past year has taught and in my silence of not blogging as much is that God is always calling us outside the box and its up to us decided if we are going to tear out of the box or just stay nice and warm inside the one we've always known.

Almost Right

So my friend Lydia posted something on TheOOZE from my friend Ann. Its most excellent. However, me being the ever so critical one I'm going to point out some things that were missing from this list. Here is the link. click here

Ok, so you "read" it. I'll say this, its pretty dead on, but I'll say this as well. It forgot some major things in my eyes. For one, no picture of people just gathering? Come on, that is like the number one thing for us "PoMos"/ECers. Not all gatherings have all the fancy stuff, the prayer walks. I know at TheOOZE one of our fave things to talk about is just gathing at a pub and talking out stuff. I guess to say, not all who fall under the banner of "PoMo"/EC worship in a building setting.

Next and I have to say, I'm REALLY disappionted....what about the negative way we use PDC and Rick Warren? huh? huh? I have fought hard for my negative use of those words and I want that added to the list. And I'm not the only one who has fought for the negative use. *stick out tongue*

And...aaaaaaaaaannnnnnnnnndddddd what about Don Miller? HELLO??? Blue Like Jazz???? Searching For God Knows What???? Oh, can such a wonderful writer that has spoken to SO many of us be looked over?

Even add to that, Derek Webb!!! He is like a modern day prophet to the church through music. Speaking the things most of us think and know!

See the thing is people only scratch the surface of this whole "PoMo/"EC" thing. So many of us that can be put under that banner show once again, we cannot be pegged down, we cannot be defined. So there take that you blogger who blogs things!!!!

Yes, some of this is tongue and cheek. I loved the blog, but still come on..... ;)

AHA!!!!!!!!!!

Drew Costen, a friend of mine posted this at TheOOZE......

This may sound crazy, but when I read that I think: Good, then we’re getting somewhere…

Speaking only from my own experience, these times when you get the most confused, when you seem to have the least grasp on the answers, are the times when you are really progressing. I know it sounds all backwards and counter-intuitive, but I think what Justin is describing is great and totally spot-on. Because I think there comes a point where if you aren’t confused then you simply aren’t paying attention, or you’re possibly lying to yourself. Seriously, it’s only people who are actually trying to figure things out who become confused. While nobody wants to wallow in uncertainty forever, I think it’s really healthy and natural. And it’s also sort of awesome to reach these small breaking points where it seems like every turn you make meets with criticism or failure. Because what that does is strengthens you against needing outside validation. Everybody makes you feel guilty or says you’re doing something wrong? Now’s the time to really assess for yourself if that’s the case and what needs to be done about it.

This was after he quoted from a blog. Hit the link to read the entire post. At any rate this is my response to him and I thought I would share it here.

I know this will be shocking for you, but I welled up in tears as I read this. I think some where deep inside me I knew this, but felt guilty for even putting words to it.

So often I keep hearing people say, "where there is confusion, there isn't God". The thing is, I've found in my confusion and uncertianity that is where I find him. I feel safe and at peace, because I know some where his will, if you will, is there. That when I think I have this "mother" figured out, my life gets shaken and I find myself back in uncertianty.

And as you say at the end, I'm finding it becomes more and more about God and I. No one fits in the math. I'm not looking for what others want or what the easy answer might be, but I'm in honest relationship with him. It looks messy, it looks like my spiritual life has some how gone to "pot", but it hasn't, I'm in growth and I'm being honest. How often when we are in the "know" do we become cocky and if we look no growth, no new strength in our faith. I guess I've been living in the deep question for about a year now, maybe longer, sometimes I think I must look so weak to others, but then I look to God and I see I'm stronger.

good stuff, Drew! Thanks!!!!

I created a Slide Show! Check it out!

Just A Personal Word

Alright, so I'm doing this public and it will embarrass the fire out of her, but I don't care. ;)

Jade, thanks for our talk today. You have no idea how much it floored me and helped me. You are an amazing person and I want you to know you gave me strength today.

You Say

I have recently gotten into Saving Jane. Anyway, I only get the songs I like, but a friend I passed a song to me when I passed one to her. Anyway, you ask where I'm at. Well, here I am....

You Say

Saving Jane

I've been calling and calling for you

But you answer and I shut my mouth

I've been searching and for you, but myself

I don't want to be found.

You say

I am

You say let go

You say belief

But it's not that easy for me

You say wait

You say right now

Don't you see your already one foot at the ground

You say

I've been wicked and wild and wrong and I've wondered the price of my shame.

I've been hiding my face for so long it's a wonder that you know my name.

You say come home

You say I'm here

You say there's some things you just can't control.

You say let me

You say belief

Why do you search for the answers you already know?

You say

I am the way and the light and the truth

Don't be mislead by the flight of your youth.

Have faith in the things you can't see to belief. what if you had faith in me?

You say rest here

This is your home.

Don't you see that you knew I was here all along?

You say

Angela Shelton

Hey y'all. Many of you know how I feel about Angela Shelton and her movie "Searching For Angela Shelton". Anyway, it is now going to be shown on
Lifetime April 22, 2006. I really suggest y'all watch if you can. Its really an amazing movie and eye opening. So please, please mark it on your calender.
Here is what the Lifetime website says about it:

Filmmaker Angela Shelton journeys across the United States meeting other Angela Sheltons in an effort to survey women in America. She discovers that, like her, 24 out of the 40 Angela Sheltons she spoke to have been victims of violence. The Angela Sheltons teach the filmmaker about forgiveness, faith and the power of the human spirit, no matter what your name is.

Anyway, I hope y'all look into it.

Later!