I just finished reading the book Born Again by Charles Colson https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Colson, who was involved in the Watergate scandal that brought down President Nixon. I have decided that I want to read books by or about people who have committed crimes, been convicted, gone to prison, and went on to make something of themselves. Born Again is not a book I would have thought I would read. I am off put by self declared Christians who witness to Christ but have less than honorable lifestyles, and then publicize it. That is a personal journey, in my mind. When I first moved to Lubbock, it was not uncommon that I was approached by someone who would ask me "Have you accepted Christ?" And when I would say yes, not one asked me to pray. Which let me know that they were about changing me and not about living in Christ. They were involved in power, not prayer.
Well, I read Born Again with an open mind, an open heart, and an open spirit. It was a powerful read. Charles Colson journey in Christ lead him to develop "Prison Fellowship" https://www.prisonfellowship.org/. This is a wonderful organization. And a great legacy. I am thankful that I read this book.
We are saddened and shocked at the killings in Paris by ISIS http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/11/16/us-france-shooting-idUSKCN0T22IU20151116#aUdSsHG2hFY7YAcr.97. The violence in the world is needless and insane. That the world can be held at bay, as fear hostages, by ISIS is a little insane. There have been so many terrorist attacks and to what end? The radicalized Muslims give the real religion of Islam a black eye. Like "Christian radicals" who belong(ed) to the Klu Klux Klan, these radicals do not represent religion. They represent bigotry, hate mongering, greed, lust for power, lust for domination over people who are unable to protect themselves.
That the world has not been able to eradicate ISIS demonstrates the weakness of the political position of failure to commit. I do not believe in violence and war, but I am not sure how else ISIS can be fought. My wish would be that Western and Middle Eastern Countries alike would unite for their own safety and security, demonstrate a united front and destroy ISIS.
Meanwhile, we must reach out to France. We must let the French people know that we stand with them, support them in their adversity, and support their efforts to take back their lives. We do this with prayers, vigils, and support of their efforts to help the Syrian refugees and fight ISIS.
We must let the French people know that we will not forget their suffering on 11/13/15, that we will not forget the fatalities, the other victims, the survivors of the acts of terror on this date. Because the French people truly are survivors.
November 20, 2015 on the news, we learned that Parisians were in the streets en masse and at the exact time of the first shots of the disaster, a large noise was made, and lights came on, and the French people told ISIS that they will be STRONG!
Hurrah for the people of Paris! Hurrah for the people of France!
I was looking for a movie to attend this past weekend, and I saw the icon for Woodlawn http://woodlawnmovie.com/, a football player standing in the end of a tunnel leading to a football field. I like sports movies, so I did some checking. It turned out that Woodlawn was less a sports movie, and more a Christian movie. So, as I was poking around looking at trailers for the movie, I stumbled upon the Liberty University Convocation http://www.liberty.edu/news/index.cfm?PID=18495&MID=168708 with Sean Astin and other members of the cast and crew of Woodlawn. And, uncharacteristically for me, I watched it. And liked what I saw.
I like sports movies. I appreciate movies about the civil rights movement and the efforts to bring segregation and equal rights to the minority groups in the United States (which we have not done very well, by the way.) So this movie hit home for me on two levels. I tend to shy away from "Christian" events, because they sometimes have a feel of fanaticism, and fanaticism scares me. But as I listened to the Convocation, and to Sean Astin, I realized that I was very much like him. I tend to be judgmental of "evangelism" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evangelism. And, sometimes, evangelism is not inappropriate.
I tend to think that people who spout the word of God and give endless testimony to Him are just wordsmiths, and except for working in their church, are not very Christian in their approach to every day life. They may not walk their talk outside of their church, in other words. But, then I think, do I?
I am unchurched. I try to conduct myself in a Christian way when dealing with people in my life, whether it is friends, co-workers, colleagues, or acquaintances. I am not always successful. I am imperfect and always need help to be better. At work, I often find myself facing an enigma posed by a patient, and a deep breath, and a moment to reflect often gives me an inspiration that I believe comes from God. I am not that wise or well educated.
I am an introvert, and sometimes in public situations, I wilt rather than do the right thing. Or call up my indignation and rant and rave instead of being calm and collected. (I am getting better at that.)
Woodlawn was about all of that. About learning to face our challenges. Learning to face our fears. Learning to face the difficulties we have in our lives. And learning that we can be good Christians while engaging in secular lives. On so may levels.
I would very much encourage you to go to see this movie.
Someone I know and love has promulgated the benefits of Progressive Christianity http://progressivechristianity.org/. It sounds good. But I am a skeptic regarding beliefs, faith, and how people define Christianity.
I shy away from judgementalism, holier than thouism, conservative ideology, fanaticism, and any belief system that is exclusionary and hateful.
I need to explore Progressive Christianity more.
When I was at the Fall Festival today, there were two authors who advertised themselves as Christian authors. One author said he was a mystery writer, and when he has to "bump people off" he does it in a nice way. He said his books had no racy scenes, no vulgar language, and no gore. I almost bought a book. I did not. I do not object to the "cleaner" writing, although I can handle a certain amount of blood, guts and gore. I do not like graphic killing scenes, nor violence against children and animals. I do not like a book that has a theme of domestic violence.
What kept me from going back and purchasing a book was the second author I spoke to. She wore her Christian writing like a badge. It made me decide that I did not want to support anything that even hinted at the conservative Christian right. I do not mind Christians, but so many of the conservative Christian right are so conservative, they are very rigid, inhumane, unforgiving and judgmental. So, I am writing about being judgmental of them. I just do not want to support that brand of conservatism.
I am so blessed. My co-workers are so caring and supportive, it is amazing. Some months ago, one of the psychologists started talking to me about my back problems, the pain, and the relief I get under certain circumstances. He has talked to me about the circumstances of his wife and daughter, who also have intractable pain. He often takes me aside, gives me hope, suggestions, and ideas about treatment, then apologizes for taking up my time. I knew he had a private practice outside of our work environment. I found out today that his private practice is focused on pain management, although he takes on other clients. This man is giving me his professional guidance in a very casual way, apologizing for taking up my time! Wow, what a blessing and gift it is to know this man!
I have recently been unfriended by 3 people on Facebook. I can guess who and I can guess why. I am not surprised. I have accepted posts from very many people who have political and "Christian" view points that are very conservative and small minded, even very hateful, very different from mine. I did not want to unfriend these people, because my hope was that by exposure to more open-minded, openly loving posts, they would learn to see that their conservatism was hateful, demeaning and despicable. I am sorry that these same people have not learned that love is open, enveloping, encompassing, and unconditional. My love for these people is unconditional, as I accept them even though I detest their politics and their conservative, hateful, narrow-minded "Christianity." They are not Christians. They are imposters wrapped up in Biblical quotes and "holier than thou" postings. They do not mean to be imposters, they just have not learned love, acceptance, or unconditional love.
I have mixed feelings. I am so grateful that these people have unfriended me, since our outlooks are so disparate. I am so sad that these people have unfriended me, because maybe they could have learned something about love and acceptance that they do not yet know.
