Week 1: The Red Tent

I began my reading adventure with a book that I had heard many good things about, had purchased at one point in time, but have never taken the time to read. The Red Tent by Anita Diamant, captures the attention of the audience by walking the reader through the life of Dinah, Jacob's (from the Bible) only daughter amidst 12 sons. She masterfully weaves Dinah's narrative alongside her mothers stories as well, because  to understand one's own story one must also understand the mothers who raised them.

It was a powerful concept to grasp, understanding your mother's story to fully appreciate your own. Dinah was raised by four mothers and had four stories woven into her own. They helped shape who she became and how she interacted with the world. It made me wonder about how much I understand my own mother. I was raised in an age where sharing personal stories with your children isn't as common. Leaving a legacy tends to be defined more in monetary and societal terms today, and less about being shaped by the stories of those who have come before you. As I was reading this, my mother wanted to spend a day together, and I hesitantly agreed (unbeknownst to her). Within the first couple of hours I found myself getting agitated by the differences in our personalities and closing myself off to the possibilities of where the day could lead. It took a conscious effort to regain an appreciation for her, and also recognizing that she was probably just as frustrated with me-but she was trying. Making the effort to try made all of the difference.

The Red Tent also brought to light a tale that does not get told very often. Many times, Dinah is overlooked and thought of only in the context of being raped. I appreciated Diamant's use of agency for women in that time and her recognition of how some voices fall silent in the course of history. I am not sure if I will be able to think about the 12 tribes of Israel in the same way, but now I have deeper appreciation and connection to the names that fill those pages. Those names that shape our history to this day.

Letter Grade: A
It was captivating, intriguing, and thought provoking. The kind of book that is hard to put down and makes one grieve finishing it.

Twas the Wednesday before Christmas...

My friend Timothy unleashed the Pandora's box of creativity on a night when all finals were completed...each line was built upon the other by a different person, most of which became a dialogue between Brigitte and I. This is what happens when one has too much theological education. 

Hope you enjoy!

Twas the last Wednesday before Christmas and all through the church, everybody came to a start with a lurch
...the hymns were chosen and well prepared, even the potluck was ready to be shared...
The decorations were hung around the altar with care, anticipation of Christ's birth was in the air.

As soon as the pastor was practicing the sermon, there were doubts all around that it wasn't in German
"What will we do?" asked the choir with fear... Pastor said, "Leave it to me and go have a beer."
When what to our wondering eyes should appear! two plates of cookies, mixed nuts, and some beer!

We gobbled them up and drank them all down, not even the curmudgeons were faced with a frown
When out came Santa with a stern look on his face, and said "why is there a mess all over this place?!"
"I came here looking for cookies but indeed have found none, if you want presents for Christmas to the church basement you must run."

And down through the heavens there rose such a clatter, Jesus Christ swiftly appeared saying, "look I've brought batter!"
So we raced to the kitchen to bake Santa a treat, while santa and jesus watched and had a seat.
Then the tributes were picked and started the bake off, only the good Lord will know what will happen if you start to cough...
Then from the corner i heard a harsh squeal- and I yelled at the top of my lungs, "AWWW SHIT JUST GOT REAL!"

Santa and Jesus peered on with a grin, if you can guess which one is real: you just might win
Jesus said, "Santa, how's the misses? I don't see her around here." Santa said, "She's getting her nails done... and waxing her rear."
With a look of astonishment and fingers laced around a spoon, He did not anticipate envisioning THAT full moon.

I went to the corner from which the squeal came, and found Jill with a mouse who was apparently lame.
She said, "Look at this mouse. Tragic, is it not?" Then Jesus came over and said, "Let me see what I've got."
With a wave of his finger and wink of his eye, that mouse began walking, and jumping real high!

"Praise be to Jesus, who healed the mouse who was lame!" "For any of you, I'd do the very same."
It didn't take long to notice that the mouse had found swagger, even the dust bunnies were thinking he looked like Mick Jagger

Then down through the chimney, shimmying with care, Adam Levine and Maroon 5 were now there!
Then the tribute from Bethlehem: meek with a pretty face, whispered, “The cookies are ready, but first, let’s say grace.”
"Bless us lord Jesus, we don't want to be rude, but we baked so that we could offer Santa some food."
The the Adam Levine yelled, "Don't yet scatter! These treats are for all since Jesus brought us the batter."

With that proclamation the organ did chime, and the rest of Maroon 5 brought salt and a lime.
Then Jimmy Buffet sauntered in with free will, and they all began singing "Margaritaville."
Santa, Jesus, and the performers were happy, although not all the tributes seemed equally sappy
They knew it was nearly time to take their last breath in an annual celebration and fight to the death.

The tribute from Joppa said, "Do we have to do this?" Santa said, "Well, you could just kiss."
"Ewww" shouted the tribute from Judah, if I wanted to do that I would have prayed to Buddha
Jesus said, "lean in real close- i don't want to hear it, but make sure you leave a little space for the Holy Spirit."
The tribute from Hebron with wild exhilaration puckered up his lips in great anticipation
The tribute from Moab applied some lip balm while the tribute from Canaan read us a Psalm.

Then Jimmy Buffet yelled, "No this is wrong. Why don't you all just let me sing a song?"
Jesus pondered this moment and that invitation, it seems his purpose in life was for their justification
The tributes were saved by his body and blood, even Noah was jealous for he endured the flood

In the church that night a new decree had been made, Jesus brings a light that will never fade
The meaning of Christmas was suddenly clear- Salvation through Christ so that God would be near
The people rejoiced and began to tell their friends, it is a love so amazing that it never ends.

The cookies, the treats, they were all just fine, but at the heavenly banquet we're invited to dine.
So, come one, come all, and hear the tale, it's a journey so crunchy but never goes stale.

The story's for you, if you believe it or not, but Jesus will still love you... even if you're a snot.
Here ends our tale of the last Wednesday before Christmas. We hope you enjoyed it and we ask for your forgiveness.

Challenge Accepted...

I am continually searching for the next book to read. Being a student means that I read all the time, but very rarely find time to read novels or works of inspiration outside of the classroom.

While procrastinating studying for the test that I will be taking in 4 hours, I came across this list 100 Books You Can't Put Down

It contains childhood classics, modern mysteries, and all around good books! I have only read around 15 of these and am currently reading number 16. My challenge will be to read at least one of these a week and write a book review on here to reflect on life, love, and the pursuit of happiness...

Here begins a journey of sorts...

Book Review: Click 2 Save: The Digital Ministry Bible

Warning: Do NOT read the paper back copy while in extreme heat! The binding will loosen almost instantaneously causing loose pages to flee everywhere. 

Click 2 Save: The Digital Ministry Bible by Elizabeth Drescher and Keith Anderson is a really fascinating resource for the Christian Public Leader. It offers an in depth view on a variety of social media platforms, how they can be utilized, and an opportunity to envision yourself using them. Though very simplistic, I appreciate how they make Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube accessible to even the most anxious techno-phobe. I also really appreciate their emphasis on utilizing social media as a means for relationship building. These platforms are not meant to be the end-all conversation, but simply a new way to approach it. The worksheets at the end of each chapter encourage communities of people who may be curious about social media to envision together. This book would be a great resource for congregations imagining who they are and where God is leading them, because it opens the doors of conversation and allows space for others to give their input. 

One key aspect that I have been ruminating on is the role of social media in our day to day lives. I started college in 2005, when Facebook was something that had just begun and was only open to those with a college email address. It quickly became the way that people stayed connected (mind you, this was also the same time that I received my first cell phone), and since then it has grown to include many different networks and capabilities.  

Now, as I am currently still a student, referencing Facebook in lectures and normal conversation is completely acceptable. It is no longer just "Facebook stalking," but a means to have a quick conversation deeper than the brisk, "How are you? Good" (one breath) as you are walking. It has also become a way to share worldly information, a way to grieve when someone passes, a way to support those going through joyful or tough times, along with "just keeping in touch." Recently, I ran into a woman from my home congregation 2,000+ miles from home. As we said hello, after not seeing each other for a very long time, she introduced me to her friend and gave a very accurate summary of where I was in life. We had not spoken in a long time, but because of Facebook, she remembered more details about myself than I did. Thankfully, everything she said was wonderful and painted a fun and quirky picture of this 26 year old standing in front of them.

Yet, it begs the question, how are people perceiving me? How are people perceiving the pages that I manage? What is the driving identity that is being portrayed here? Drescher and Anderson discuss these questions and invite the reader to map out the specifics of the churches mission and vision alongside what they see when they Google or find their church on other social media platforms. What does the public picture look like and what do we want it to look like? Are we in touch with the gospel? Do we welcome visitors with an easily accessible site? 

There are far more questions than answers, and in that lies the beauty. This is not something that can be solved in one sitting by one person, but it is an opportunity to learn and grow in community--both online and in person. 

Here is to creating safe, healthy, and fun conversations about where we see the gospel in the world.  Cheers. 

An Opportunity to Reflect

About two months ago, I began this journey into blogging as a class assignment/spiritual practice. It seemed to be the fitting avenue for a final project, for a course on media and technology in the realm of theological education. No brainer, right?

I began with some hesitancy, as outlined in an earlier post, because my experience with blogging has not always been positive. Yet, I was still oddly intrigued by other bloggers and how much I seek out the voices. Thus began the adventure...

I have learned....

I am really not that interesting. 

My ego gets really excited when I receive over 8 views in one day. 

Thoughtful reflection about life events is really fun, and profoundly beautiful.

Somedays, I just make stuff up.

Linking other sites and Youtube videos is extremely easy, for example: How I survived this Project

Photos were not so easy...

...Ok, maybe easier than I thought. 

Having a place to reflect on books has been awesome.

The book reviews were the most viewed posts. 

Also, thinking publicly has presented many new ways to view the world. 

And finally, I still don't think I am that interesting. 

End Result: I'll probably keep the blog because I really enjoyed having an outlet to process different ideas. It will be even more exciting if/when people begin to comment on various posts. Maybe someday it will help me refine my blogging capacities. In the book Click 2 Save, which we had to read for class, it advocated for simply playing with the various social media platforms. The authors used very detailed approaches of how to dive in, and then they encouraged play. This may be how we release the fear and anxiety that comes with social media, by simply playing until we understand. It is also a beautiful model for ministry, when something is unfamiliar to immerse ourselves in something new, so that we may be transformed. 

Book Review: Healing the Heart of Democracy by Parker Palmer

I received  this book about a year and a half ago, when Parker Palmer was leading a book reading in Minneapolis, MN. I sat in awe as he poetically wove the "broken hearted" issues that America faces and how we can approach them. Also, I must have appeared to be one of those "young people" who had been dragged along because my face was in my smart phone. However, I was not texting, facebooking, or wishing I was elsewhere; in fact, I was taking diligent notes while being in the presence of a beautiful soul who chose to speak.

The book sat upon my shelves and made the cross country journey that I embarked on last year, with good intentions to allow it to be the next on the list. It never quite got there, until I began a spiritual practice of reading while on the treadmill. In my opinion, best spiritual practice, ever!

Healing the Heart of Democracy subtly and concretely addresses the tension among American discourse. Palmer speaks of the tension that we feel as one marked by fear, shame, and anxiety. He names it as "broken hearted," because how else do people respond once their dreams have been broken? When one is broken hearted there is a process of grief and unknowing that occur. He then calls the reader to be broken hearted "openly", meaning to allow themselves to enter into the conversation without judgement or assumptions. By openly processing those moments of pain or confusion, it allows the person to grow and become strengthened. It is also not easy to be open to these moments. People tend to have fight or flight mentalities, in times of stress, and openness does not come naturally. How do we open ourselves up to one we feel oppressed or wronged by? Or vice versa?

For me, this book has been a beautiful way to think about approaching conversations-especially around political hostilities. This past year I heard more anti-Islamic conversations than I ever care to again (and have a strange feeling that I will hear more), and this book gave me ideas of how to approach the beautiful people I am conversing with, without diminishing their character, and also holding firm to my belief that Islam is not inherently bad or evil, but merely a religion that tends to be misunderstood in modern America.

However, I probably would not utilize this book as a book study with a congregation. I can find nuggets of information and beauty, but there were also moments of feeling talked down to. I did not appreciate the chapter recap at the end of every chapter, it felt as though it assumed I was not reading intently. The overall feel of the book felt like it teetered between intellectual conversation and a push into a spiritual practice (without explaining the what or why). That is not something I am willing to enter into with a group of people.

Book Review: An Altar in the World by Barbara Brown Taylor

“What is saving my life now is the conviction that there is no spiritual treasure to be found apart from the bodily experiences of human life on earth. My life depends on engaging the most ordinary physical activities with the most exquisite attention I can give them…what is saving my life right now is becoming more fully human, trusting that there is no way to God apart from real life in the real world” (Taylor, xvii).

Barbara Brown Taylor skillfully entwines the mundane activities of everyday life and creates a moment of sacred around them. She utilizes practices that can be found in the daily life of any human being, such as walking on the face the earth, wearing skin, encountering others, getting lost, saying no, and being present, as spiritual disciplines that one can learn and cultivate. Her poetic use of traditions, world religions, and everyday life draw the reader into a world where anything can bring one closer to God. She also utilizes practical applications that can be done with communities of people, making this book an interesting tool in relation to interactive sermons and bible studies. It is a call to celebrate life and the mysteriousness of the divine that captivates the soul. In many ways, it sparked glimpses into my own experiences and drew them deeper into my sense of identity. My word of warning: don’t read if you are not able to underline or write in the margins, my copy is now filled with life, pen markings, and ideas for ministry.

**Side note: We were to write book reviews for my Senior Preaching Course this semester, and I thought I'd share.** 

The RLP Playlist

I am currently a senior at an ELCA seminary.

This means that I have spent the past three and a half years learning about the faith and traditions, pushing myself to experience new ways of leadership, and over analyzing nearly every detail of who I am and who God is calling me to be. It has been marked, along the journey, with essays, interviews, projects, and many wonderful conversations. The pinnacle, of course, being a year long internship to really understand what life in ministry looks like.

Overall, I am convinced, now more than ever, that I was created to be a pastor. I have even begun using those Lutheran buzzwords like they have always been a part of my vernacular...However, this break through in identity formation does not make these final processes any easier. The paperwork that will go to congregations, once I am "approved", is due by Sunday.

In these moments of petrified uncertainty, I am seeking the wisdom of those who have come before me, who will come after me, and who are all-around inspiring. Here is the playlist that is marking this phase of the journey:

 Party in the ELCA by Taylor Wilson.
A journey into the ELCA candidacy process would not be complete without this gem!


We Didn't Start the Fire by Billy Joel.
We didn't start the fire, contrary to what Neal and Will think. Jesus did. See Acts 2 for details.

Free to be Me by Francesca Battistelli.
I'm not perfect, but living this beautiful life in the power of the Spirit. Even though there have been great doubts along the way, I knew I'd make it here at some point.

God is not a White Man by Gungor.
My seminary journey was marked by many conversations about inclusive language. One of my BFF's joked about playing this during worship on internship. I really wish we would have!

I Love You and Buddha Too by Mason Jennings
Dear Jesus, I love you. I really do. This is not going to end up in my paperwork, but those who find me entering their community as pastor are going to see that God is bigger than I can understand.

Brave by Sara Bareilles.
Emmy just made my day by simply showing up at the campus center. She suggested this song. Beautiful!

Africa by Toto.
An oldie, but nothing gets me more excited about ministry than blessing the rains down in Africa. Plus it makes for an amazing dance party!

The Stable Song by Gregory Alan Isakov.
Simplistic beauty. Profound Words. If I could write a sermon as poetic as his lyrics I would be a happy camper.


The Lutheran Song by Lost and Found.
Similar to Adam Sandler's Hanukkah Song but all about the Lutherans. We're proud, but not too proud.

Awake My Soul by Mumford and Sons.
The title should say it all, but in that moment of thinking that there is nothing else, this song brings more to life. "In these bodies we will live, in these bodies we will die. And where you invest your love, you invest your life."

Royals as Performed by Puddles.
I just really love his voice and how goofy this is.

Given Us a Heart by ???
Ok, so this may not be the real title of the song, but it is the video that my internship site made for me. As I reflect on this journey, I couldn't help but watch this video--yet again. I miss them!

Defying Gravity as performed in Wicked.
Nothing feels more powerful than the thought of seeing everything we have been working for come to fruition. We are defying gravity.



Eye of the Tiger by Survivor.
I had no idea who sings this, but it provides a great tune for 2 Timothy 1:9. "God saved us and called us with a holy calling. Not according to our works, but according to God's own purpose and grace. This grace was given to us in Christ Jesus. Before the ages." If you worked at Luther Park Bible Camp in Danbury, WI in 2007 or were a camper affected by this theme song, you know what I am talking about.

Nothing's Gonna Stop Us by Starship.
From the 80's movie Mannequin. Classy. I'm almost done with the paperwork, so nothing is going to stop me now!

Edge of Glory by Lady Gaga.
On the brink of completing the paperwork, we're living in the now but the not yet.

Current Addiction

My current addiction is this beautiful Youtube video.

Curious??

I dislike the song, quite a bit, but I love who is singing and how they are presenting it!

This has no relevance to anything life related, just a fun video for a Tuesday morning.

Enjoy the Day!

Catching Fire

On Thursday I was one of the lucky ones to see the Catching Fire premiere!

Now, in all honesty, I saw the first one about a week before seeing the new one. It was alright. Nothing overly great, in my opinion. But a good movie. Kids killing each other kind of freaks me out.

However, after seeing the second one, I am hunting down the books to read them! If, for nothing else than, discerning the theology behind the scenario. In the second movie, the victors, Katniss and Peeta, are called back into the arena because the dictating president wants to squelch the public power that they have achieved. The fact that two kids from the backwater district 12 can make a difference is throwing off the social norms and the people are rebelling.

Their goal throughout the movie is to find allies along the journey-something that is not always easy to do when trained killers and disastrous elements occur at any moment. Yet, they find strength, love, and (most importantly) hope in each other and the mission that they share. I was awestruck by the victors from another district, one young man and one older woman. She volunteered to keep the other girl safe from reliving the Hunger Games, and he in turn, took care of her. As they ran through the tropics, he would carry her on his back because of their connection and the love they shared. They also had an overarching sense of hope for what was to come after the games--even though she knew she would not make it out alive. It was a beautiful display of affection and the power of people working together.

It begs the question, is there anything that hope cannot do? If we lived to provide hope for the future, how can we change the world? In what ways does hope manifest itself in our daily lives?

Somedays, it is as simple as a Cheap Trick Song...

My adolescence has been plagued by this quotation from the 90's hit movie, 10 Things I Hate about You (or at least I think that was the teenie bopper movie that I developed too much love for...).

Somedays, it is as simple as a Cheap Trick Song...
I want you to want me...
I need you to need me...

This was/is the phrase that runs through my head when it comes to relationships. It is simplistic, to the point, and hits those raw emotions. I want you to want me. The phrase says it all, right?

Currently, amidst a relationship discernment moment, I realized that this hinging phrase for my life may be complete crap. I don't want you to want me...

I want me to want me
I need me to need me...

My role in the relationship, especially one trying to discern if it is a long term one, is not one of passivity but one about becoming fully present in who I am, so that I may be fully present with you. In seminarian geek speak, this is the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives: to be fully present to what God is doing in our lives that we may be unified in our differences. My wanting you to want me does not mean that I need to give up those fundamental building blocks of who I am. But, maybe, in relationship we can become more fully ourselves and fully present in the moment.

Ok, so maybe this phrase isn't complete crap because a person can be fully themselves and want someone to want them. However, I needed this reminder yesterday and today. I need to recognize my own passivity when it comes to new relationships and climb out of that to embrace authenticity.

Clinging to the Cross or to the Cell Phone?

In times of distress, fear, or uneasiness, the Lutheran tradition teaches us to cling to the cross of Christ. He will bring comfort, hope, mercy, faith, and love. 

Yet, as a girl of the 21st century, I find it so much easier to cling to the comfort of my smart phone. In times of distress, anxiety, fear, and stressfulness, my hand is glued to that magical button that awakens the power of the internet, the contact to close friends, and the ability to figure out what ever may be happening in the world. 

In times of not wanting to be present in the moment, it brings comfort and the opportunity to escape. In moments of broad communal distress, the Twitter feed becomes a way of processing. In the urges for the presence of people, in a moment I can become connected. However, it is not always this positive, euphoric tool. When I am waiting for that person to call me back, the moments inch by exceedingly slow. When my mom leaves the voicemail saying that my dad is in the hospital, I feel the need to become more connected. 

Can the crucified and resurrected Christ be present today in unconventional ways? I recently listened to a video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4WKle-GQwk) about how a man found Christ through the internet. He was suffering from a terminal illness and through the power of people of rallying for him to get a lung transplant he found Christ. The power of the cross became manifest in the lives of strangers whom he will never meet. The gospel message of love beyond all odds shone through as a deep entrenchment of community. 

I tend to find a similar form of comfort in my cell phone. I may not have a terminal illness but in moments of deep vulnerability I cling to my smart phone. I seek out whatever emotion I need at that time, and pray that I do so in appropriate ways. And I am becoming more and more clear, that this is not false idol worship, but instead an opportunity to engage my Christian heritage in a new way. It becomes a way to be present with my faith, culture, and daily life all at the same time. Maybe that was  the purpose of the cross in the early Christian church, to become a symbol of faith, culture, and daily life-all at the same time. A way to experience the life, death, and resurrection of the messiah. The prince of peace. The gift of the Holy Spirit. The trust in God's grace. The undeserved love and forgiveness from God. 

Satire and the Public Institution

At the seminary that I attend, I have been a part of many conversations regarding the role of satirical writing. It began at the beginning of the school year when one of the first pieces of seminary literature that I picked up was the school's satirical newspaper. The front page article was written with, what felt like, edginess towards the seminary's current predicaments. It called out key concepts of the seminaries identity and questioned their validity. All in all, the article stung.

It made me wonder, what is the role of satire in a public institution? I think of the modern day popular satirists, namely John Stewart and Stephen Colbert. How can their approach work so well, and this one just hurt? Through conversations with friends, we determined that good satirical writing stems from a place of respect, commitment, and love. This article attacking identity, did not. Therefore, it leaves a jarring discontent among those who care for the institution.

Since that article, two more issues have this satirical newspaper have come out. One issue sought to name an issue on campus by "playfully" raising a "hypothetical" situation that called out the character of the student classes....comments are left for the writer of that article only...

The current issue, is not as biting as the last two, but still calls out the character of people around campus in undeserving ways. This satirical newspaper has been distributed everywhere and is one of the first things that visitors pick up--like I did at the beginning of the school year. From my personal opinion, newspapers such as this instill a lack of trust and division in community. It is an unhealthy medium to release anxiety and frustration that does not promote healthy communication.

I'd be interested to hear more stories of how satirical writing is utilized in other institutions and venues. Is it ever appropriate and healthy? Does prolonged usage damage community in the long run? Can satire be effective for talking about tough issues of pain and hurt effectively?

"Hanging Out, Messing Around, and Geeking Out"

Lesson of the day: Don't write an abbreviated version of the syllabus to figure out assignments.

Definitely read the wrong book for class discussion today. But, I did find a fascinating chapter in A New Culture of Learning: Cultivating the Imagination for a world of Constant Change, by Douglas Thomas and John Seely Brown (http://www.newcultureoflearning.com). In chapter 8, they discuss how social media has changed the ways people interact with one another, calling the three phases of the framework "hanging out, messing around, and geeking out." These three phases directly correlate with fundamental development building blocks in a persons life: identity, embodiment, and indwelling.

Prior to the digital revolution (and my experience here is limited), identity was formed by the people one spent time with, embodiment was how they lived out the social role that was constructed, and indwelling were lessons along the way. In high school, a person could be highly influenced by peer groups and that could have a radical impact on the person's life. For better, or for worse, the social media craze has changed who people interact with and how they interact.

So, people seek out these social constructs; Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, SnapChat, Pinterest, etc. seeking identity, community, and the opportunity to be "in the know."It allows people to find their passions and follow them, even if their passion includes pictures of cats in tights (http://www.boredpanda.org/cats-wearing-tights-meowtfit/).

It makes me curious about how the world that I will teach and preach in is changing. What will be the best ways to share the gospel message in a digital culture? How can we access the benefits of technology without breaking the bank? Where do we draw the boundary between deep exploration and a waste of time?

Do we Fear Big Brother or Little Brother?

I often find myself in transit.
Moving from home to school to work.
Organizing my mind from classwork to paperwork to real work.
Readjusting my perceptions of the world we live in as I learn more.

How does  this question play into our roles as "Christian Public Leaders?" If we are the public person being watched and doing the watching, how does this interface with our preaching and teaching?
Most of this transitional time is spent in the car and my newly found best friend-NPR. As I was driving to the gym the other day I encountered a fascinating interview. The person being interviewed was a press correspondent for the President and he made an interesting observation about how smart phones have completely changed the ways people communicate. Now, instead of just the White House Press marking the President's every move, the average person has the opportunity to let their opinions weigh in. He raised the question, "We fear "big brother" watching our every move, but what about "little brother?"(those social media outlets that document a person's life).

It made me think about the WELCA (Women of the ELCA) gathering that I attended last fall. In Phoenix, AZ, I ran into a wonderful woman from my home congregation. We said hello, shared a hug, and she proceeded to introduce me to the person she was with. As she was introducing me, she gave a very accurate, current and detailed account of my life. The side note to this story is that we had not spoken over the phone or in person in over a year. How could she know all of these things? Where was this information coming from? Well, it was certainly not my mother. She acquired her information from Facebook. Because of social media, my own posts as well as friends posts, she was able to introduce me to a complete stranger.

Which leads me to the question, how does "little brother" effect the lives of the public person? As I am training to become a pastor (a very public person), I am learning that my words and actions matter in ways I never dreamed possible. Wearing too high of heels can get a scolding. Posting politically leaning articles on Facebook could alienate some voices. The newspaper will spin quotations out of control (yep, been there!).

Assuming that "little brother" is not going away and will most likely become more intense, how do we grapple with it in a proactive way? How do we keep tabs on the good, the bad, and the ugly that arise from people being able to express any and all opinions? At what points have we lost or enhanced communication?

Most importantly, Come

Last night, as I was getting to know a new friend, we spent much of the night talking about the importance of giving back. We both highly regard giving back to the community that gives us so much, and had a wonderful conversation about how giving is not just about monetary donations but requires a person's whole self.

This morning, I came across a beautiful article: http://shelovesmagazine.com/2013/come-margins/. In this article, she talks about coming into those places that are unfamiliar with yourself and recognizing that you are not the savior. You are simply a person, deeply connected to another person. She powerfully writes,

"Come, but don’t come to save. Come to be alongside on a journey. Offer your hand and your own stories of your grandmother, the first college graduate in your family. Your experiences of sports training and team camaraderie, your illnesses and academic struggles. Bring your brokenness, your loneliness, your confusion and doubts.

Come to the margins with your songs and stories, painting and photographs, teaching plans, and financial portfolios. Come with all your creativity and labor and insights and experiences.

Come to the margins bringing your addiction to accumulating stuff, the idolizing of money and appearance. Bring your fear of not measuring up, your envy and greed.

Come to the margins and find joy there, creativity, hard work, companionship, forgiveness, and a great sense of humor. Come and join and see the unique strengths and gifts and, if necessary, with humble wisdom, offer a hand. Receive a hand.

Come to the margins, aware of your own poverty and of how it doesn’t define you and of how it drives you to your knees and makes you desperate for God. Come but don’t use the margins as a place to soothe your conscience."

....

This is a wonderful reminder today that we all bring our own presumptions to every situation. The key is being able to name your own strengths and insecurities without imposing them on others. I am humbled and empowered by this article and pray that I may have the humility to enter into each situation recognizing the other person's humanity.

The Results are In...

My dear friend Allison posted this FREE Ennegram App today on Facebook--score! Long ago, we spent many hours talking about the meanings of the different personality types and became really excited for this diametric. So, needless to say, when she posted her picture I had to post one too. 

When I first heard of the Enneagram, I quickly realized that I was a nine because of my tendencies to avoid conflict, seek peace, and easily withdraw. As I read more about being a nine, there have been multiple realizations and opportunities to recognize my own internal patterns. So far, despite my egos objections, the reports have been pretty spot on. I was thankful, taking the test for the first time, to have my own nine tendencies confirmed. This is especially due to many people saying I do not appear like a nine. My bold and sassy (socialized) persona tricks people occasionally. 

This recent experiment further proves how effective the Enneagram Diametric is in group dynamics. It is helpful to create space for people to learn which number they are and how they interact with others. Once a person is able to own and understand why they do what they do and how they respond, then progress can be made towards strengthening work environments and team building. 

Old, New, Borrowed, and Blue

I seem to begin blog projects with great intentions. As life gets busier, my heart does not reside in this particular digital medium and I tend to lose interest and my grand intentions. In fact, the times when I feel most compelled to blog are when the heart is hurting and I am looking for some type of emotional outlet to release the pain or anxiety. Blogging first became popular when I was in high school, and the ways that it manifested were not always the healthiest.

Since those hormone filled days of expressing feelings without realizing the ramifications of ones words, blogging has taken on a new life in the social media spectrum. Due to a class project, I am here to give it another try and experience this type of online journaling forum. It feels completely foreign but will possibly have some really wonderful effects.

Here is to new experiences.

Cheers.