REALITY SEEPS IN

So...it is the 7th week of class already. It is amazing how fast this is going. BUT...this week the reality of school has definitely seeped in. It is as if all the professors got together had a meeting and decided that we were all not working nearly hard enough for the 15 grand we are spending. Everything is piling on. Okay Greg...DEEP BREATHS. Good news is that I convened Chapel for the seminary on Tuesday and it was a huge success. Those of you who know me will know what I mean when I say...GOD SHOWED UP! I am thankful for the gifts that God has given me in crafting and leading worship...may I never be complacent with the time we set aside for worship of the Divine.

So...this week, as the deconstructing continues we learned that David, probably did not kill Goliath. I know you literalist out there might have just thrown up a bit in your mouth...But alas...Scholars question the position of the legend in the canon as possibly being added to the story to elevate the David Dynasty. Plus...There are two other places in the Hebrew Bible where there was a Goliath that was slain by one of David's mighty warriors. Amazing how even now, many rewrite history to make their personal situation bearable. Whatever...So sunday school is screwing us all up....

But really...is it important in the grand scheme of the wonders of God and Christ. Like I said last week....TRUTH BEYOND THE FACTS....Ain't seminary fun.... Blessings to you all and for those at CLC I will see you Sunday as we celebrate the Holy Spirit's work in our lives and the lives of our dear church.

Another Sunday come and Gone

I hope this reading finds you and yours fulfilled from a day of worship and rest. The world is a crazy place and we all need a little Jesus to empower us through another week. This morning, I attended the First Congregationalist Church of Berkeley. It was a beautiful place that reminded me of some of the large Baptists churches in the south...very clean lines, beautiful stained glass windows. After I arrived, from the LOOKS of the place, I anticipated a glorious worship. Perhaps it was my own mood or desire to truly connect, but I can honestly say, I did not. I have no doubt that there were those in the sanctuary who did connect with God and I am thankful for that. But isn't it interesting how God can let you know where you belong and where you do not. Although this was a completely inclusive and affirming congregation, I did not hear the name JESUS on time. It is almost as if they were trying NOT to say his name. Don't get me wrong, I firmly believe that these folks are doing the WORK of Jesus...alot of social ministry to the poor and disenfranchised. Just what Jesus calls us to do. But me personally, I need to hear HIS NAME. So...the church hopping continues. Next week, I am going Lutheran back in Vegas...gotta get my Jesus fix. But the week after that, I think I am gonna search out a congregation that is not afraid to offend those who do not wish to be Jesus Freaks. AH...the discernment process continues. It is a big week...lots of papers, tests, evaluations about to happen. I still believe with all my heart that I am to be in this very special place. I just need to surround my self with people who also need JESUS to make the academics of this place make sense. I hope you heard the name JESUS this weekend. There is power in that name...There is peace in that name...There is Hope in that name. Here's to Jesus!!!!!

observing your sabbath

I am becoming more and more convinced that God fully intends us to keep a sabbath. I am not so sure that God is just talking about Sunday and keeping that Holy for worship. We should be worshiping in all that we do, Sunday is the celebration. I am talking about our own personal sabbaths. Those days when we simply do not commit ourselves to anything. In Seminary it is hard to do that. There is always something to read (as you never do get caught up) always something to write, always something assimilate. I have not been faithful in keeping a sabbath since I have been at PSR. Yes...I have gone to church worship services every Sunday, but that has always been followed by getting to the library or cramming for a class, or reading or writing. So what is that day going to be for me...I must find it!!!!

It would be nice if I could continue my Sunday from worship to something else that feeds my soul, but I don't think that is going to happen. I must find another day!!!! It looks like Saturday is gonna be the day. Even on my frequent trips back to Vegas and Community Lutheran, I am going to strive to maintain that Sabbath. This will take discipline, but as I practice those things that center me with God, I know that I can make this happen. God is so great. The by product of keeping my sabbath will be that I am taking care of myself physically and well as spiritually. I hope you have a sabbath of your own to keep. Oh that it could be Sunday..to continue to commune with God. If not Sunday, I pray that each of you find a time to just BE. Let God speak to you in the nothingness. Let us all be surprised at what God does!

HE/SHE/IT/GOD/GODDESS/DIVINE/HOLY ONE

HEY FOLKS....so, I received, from more than a few of you, replys that either question my use of pronouns, or simply say GOD IS NOT FEMALE.

Please understand, all of you, that the pronouns I choose to use are based on scholarly disciplines. In Progressive Christianity, pronouns for God have been neutered almost completely. We use he/she etc in an effort to make the MESSAGE of the scripture applicable to all. I myself refer to God as my father. However, there are many women and men out there whose childhood picture of father is not so positive. To refer only to MALE gender in talking about God is to leave out a good deal of society that need to hear the message of God. Be assured I will never refer to Jesus as anything but a man. I encourage you to open your hearts a bit to inclusive language. God has many attributes that are both masculine and feminine. You do not have to be a full fledged feminist to see that God basically has NO SEXUAL IDENTITY, beyond the fact that the scriptures were written, we assume through study, by MEN and NOT WOMEN. It really is kind of interesting to look at different passages of scripture through different lenses. (feminist, queer, economic, anthropological etc.) Different gender references are simply an attempt to fully understand who God is. In the meantime...don't forget that God is pleased with all of our questioning. I believe that God smiles every time I write and often giggles every time you read these posts. So in HIS/HER/DIVINE/HOLY ONE name we live out the truth beyond the facts.

Blessings...Greg

I'm So DIZZY....My head is spinnin...like a whirlpool it never ends!

Oh the pangs of vertigo. Many of you know that I often suffer from vertigo. Tomorrow, it will be one week that my head just won't settle down. Learning to live with a "different ability" (not sure what I gain from this ability) is a chore, but one that actually has begun to strengthen my prayer life. Enough of that...just pray for this boy in the Berkeley Hills.

Thanks for the responses on "The Rule of Life." My first draft is done and now it is on to tighten and edit my thoughts. By the way, I got my first seminary paper back this week and I got an "A." Finally some feedback on this journey.

My New Testament Professor, Dr. Benny Liew, gave a wonderful lecture yesterday that struck a chord with me. A nice A Major Chord to be exact. (that is my favorite musical key). He was talking about TRUTH. I have always been sure of the "story" of Jesus. I find it life giving...that the movement leader I follow (more importantly my Savior, just trying to write inclusively) was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life and sacrificed his own life for mine. Those "facts" that are part of the story have and will continue to be debated. But Dr. Benny said something that rings in my dizzy head! "TRUTH OFTEN LIES BEYOND THE FACTS." You see, God did not call me to defend the facts at every turn. He calls me to live out of the "truth." Studying the facts for greater clarity is a maze of "really?!?" But as long as I hold on to the "truth" as I know makes it all the more clear what my truth is. I hope that makes sense....Let me say it this way...You know how every Christmas there are law suits and battle cries about nativity scenes on public property....?...saying Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas? The thing is I, and many of those around all of us, KNOW BEYOND FACTS the "truth" of what Christmas is. So I encourage you to live out of that truth and just kind of smile when you see people trying to change your truth. Isn't God strong enough to take on these battles...I mean He is going to win, (heck he already has won) in the end. Let God take on his battles...We just need to live out of the "TRUTH THAT IS BEYOND THE FACTS."

So I am off for another day in the stacks of knowledge. Know matter what FACTs I received today, I can rest in the heart knowledge that God has it all in control. I can take in the "facts" and rest in the "TRUTH BEYOND THE FACTS. I hope you can too.

Rule of life..or Rhythm of life

In my spiritual disciplines for leadership class we are in the process of deveolping our "Rule of Life." The "Rule" was developed over time by the Benedictine order of Monks. Now before you go running off thinking that the monastics are little robed, nutty, hermits...breathe. Ineed the "Rule" is something that is actually very beneficial for all of us on every side of Christian theology and practice. To form your "rule" all you need to do is write down all of the things that you do on a regular basis...your daily routine if you will. Notice carefully the things that you do out of obligation and the things you do out of choice. My list includes things like...STUDY (goes with out saying), blogging, prayer, going to the grocery, walking the hills of Berkeley, a good morning cup of coffee etc...you get the idea. Now as you look at all of the activities you take part in, even the smallest ones in your mind, look at your intention behind the action. Is it life giving? Is it a chore? Is it something done to nourish your physical body, or to nourish your spirit? The key word in your "rule" will be INTENT. As a spiritual practice, those activities that enliven your spirit, or your "walk with God" are the ones that will become your spiritual Rule of Life. It sounds easy...and it is...but it will take some deep soul searching. Remember...INTENT. Be intentional about your spiritual life...it WILL PAY OFF. For those of you in recovery of anykind, this is alot like your honest moral inventory with a twist. I am home in Vegas this weekend, my first since coming to Holy Hill. For those CLC family members, I will see you in church on Sunday. It will be good to be home with my tribe for refueling for a couple more weeks of school....Remember...INTENT!!!!!!