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  Mark 1:41 pm on April 28, 2006 Permalink | Reply  

  Being Heard 

  Think carefully about your last major disagreement with someone you care deeply about. Could the argument have been handled any differently? What might have happened if both parties stopped pushing their own agendas, and focused intently on listening to the other?

  We may have lots of skills for listening to one another, but have we ever thought about what it’s like to feel heard? What are the proven changes in relational dynamics when both parties feel as if they have been understood completely by the other? Does behavior change when people know others deeply know? Could peace be just around the corner?

  There is an innate fear deep within each of us that we are only being taken at face value by the world around us. We yearn to share the real story; give the definitive rendition of who we are. How many prisoners truly believe (and tell anyone who will listen) that they were wrongly accused? How often are divorces blamed solely on the spouse not present for the conversation? Each person at some level cries out with everything they have for divine appreciation. As Philip Yancy proclaims, “We are angels stuck in the mud; mammals trying to fly.” They are human, yes – but they see in themselves the potential for something more. Sure they see their problems, but they go to extremes to paint you another story. Call it saving face, or preserving integrity – but as long as people (even strangers) keep listening, people go to the grave in hopes that their story is heard.

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  Mark 12:22 pm on April 27, 2006 Permalink | Reply  

  The Dream of Wholeness 

  “Wholeness is…understanding the whole story.”

  Wholeness is a luxury most people cannot afford (or even desire) in the culture I live in.  I report that today’s North American culture finds more satisfaction and essential needs met in staying full, paying the bills, and demanding high levels of entertainment to surround you and yours at all times.  The American Dream has become for some the American Greed – we are senselessly driving after a life of satisfaction, to the neglect of wholeness.

  Rather than endlessly pursuing our own dream of a large mansion, big buffer-zone lawn, and a tall, white picket fence, why not pursue wholeness.  The dream of wholenss is one of understanding the whole story.  Living beyond your own borders, you begin to hear, witness and comprehend the stories of many others.

  Isn’t it true that even experiencing the same event a group of people will walk away with variations on the story of that experience?  Par example, the four Gospels are specific stories on the same experience, and each one is to be celebrated not as the event itself, but as the story that allows us to relive an event through another’s eyes.  In story, we forget for awhile our own agendas, and live in the world of another.

  Experiencing multiple “worlds” will begin to give you a fuzzy picture of what wholeness looks like.  (Why else have 4 Gospels?)  A complitation of multiple stories, synthesized and woven together is realized only through a group of people from diverse backgrounds.  This is not the “averitas” of Postmodernity; it is not looking for the common ground, but higher ground!

  Where is the common truth found and enjoyed in our healing as we discover (not our commonalities) but our differences?  Can we truly be “one in Christ”, learning to enjoy our diversity?  Does Christ place himself in the way of this dream of wholness?  No.  He is the common event, and we each have a story to tell from our experience.   The cosmic Christ (a la Colossians) peers down and covers all Creation, and all time – and he touches each person, each community.

  To truly be whole is to truly understand the whole story.  Listening is the key to wholeness.   Wholness is the doorway to knowing Christ completely.

  Wow…going deep today.  Gonna go eat some icecream now…

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  Mark 2:03 pm on April 26, 2006 Permalink | Reply  

  The Wide Gulf 

  One of my good friends whom I have had the pleasure of really spending some quality time with over these past many months is in conflict with his local faith community which is sending him into a downward spiral of depression and spiritual doubt; and it pisses me off.

  Yesterday he called, his voice shaking, saying that he felt totally “backstabbed” by the church that he has been a member of over the past year.  He is still a fairly new Christian, with a new blossoming family (with kids!), and deeply entrenched in the poverty culture here in town.  More than anyone else I know, this kindhearted man is able to traverse the social classes, and become committed friends with just about anyone from any background.

  He was recently promised a position of responsibility and importance in one of the ministries at this church.  This ministry reflects one of his deep passions in life.  Unfortunately, this position was appointed to him by another who was deeply engaged in the lower-class social structures, and before long other members of the community were looking over shoulders, worrying about consequences my friend might have on the ministry, and asked him to not to take on this responibility.  This being his first chance at leadership in this church, this request came as a deflating surprise for him.  Disillusioned, he is ready to leave and not come back.
  What really irks me is that this has more to do with trust than anything else.  It is the rich’s distrust of the poor, and the poor overly trusting a system which favors the rich. There is a deep fear among many church leaders (not just this example) that the church as we know it is nosediving in our culture.  I pray that it is.  My friend has no outlet for contributing back to his church family, because he doesn’t use the same system of “contributions” and “gifts” that the key players in this church engage in.  When he talked to me yesterday, he felt completely abandoned and hoodwinked by the “powers that be” that he once thought were family.

  So I asked him what his next steps were – he said he was ready leave and not come back.  He confessed that the relationships that he thought were mutual were not willing to accept service, but rather were only interested in giving it out.

  ISN’T THAT JUST WHAT SO MANY OF US ‘RICH’ CHRISTIANS DO?

  Listen to this man’s heart, and hear what it says.  Listen to how it crushes his spirit awakening inside, and how it completely negates the “every member ministry” described in the New Testament.   One thing I pray for is an avenue for a new spiritually sustaining community that he can contribute to.  He and I plan to talk about the possibilities tomorrow.  Whatever happens, I’m just hoping this Christian, instilled with the gift of the Holy Spirit, can share his gift of service and ministry somewhere where he can be acknowledged and blessed, not stifled.

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  miller, and Erin are discussing. Toggle Comments

   
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    Erin 2:53 pm on April 26, 2006 Permalink

    Actually summer is going to be a lot slower. Right now is our busiest season. We have school groups coming out of ever crook and crany. Summer is when we get to take a breather and our vacations!

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    miller 10:35 am on April 27, 2006 Permalink

    i’m with ya bro. i hate what you just described! i pray he does leave. i hope that the system that perpetuates this kind of crap dies soon.

    are we ready to replace it with a righteous community?

    i think so.