All God!

Friends, I have some exciting news about God moving through my annual conference. While at Taize, I felt led to approach the Bishop of the GNJ conference about the possibility of having some of the youth and young adults from my conference partner with his conference to go on the Taize trip next year. Taize has been such a great experience, and has helped so much in my discernment process, I want to share that with others.

So today before my meeting I emailed my bishop proposing that we think about making this connection and seeing what could come of it, not really expecting a reply any time in the near future. A few hours later I had an email from her secretary saying that the Bishop had read the email and was ready to make it happen.

Then in my hotel lobby in Nashville who should I run into by the Bishop from the GNJ conference, so we had a few moments to chat about this as well.

Friends, this is all God. God is opening doors left and right and is on the move. Please be in prayer with me about how God would like to have my conference involved in Taize.

Taize: Theologically Perplexed

Theologically I have been perplexed while at Taize. One of the ordained elders on the trip from the conference was quite rude to everyone on the trip, which made me question how one can be a pastor wile being so cynical that it is just mean.

I also am questioning whether worship can be forced, as it was during times on this trip. And if worship is required what will the consequences be?

Taize: The Jigsaw Puzzle

As I thought about my call while at Taize, I saw a giant jigsaw puzzle where I only have a few of the pieces and no complete picture to aspire and work towards. I feel as if I have all of these desires placed on my heart by God - to learn massage therapy, to be an ordained elder, to write, to travel the world, to get a PhD, to learn sign language, and to be a community organizer yet I cannot see if or how they are to fit together. I just need to let God put the puzzle together and let the picture emerge.

Taize: Time

On one of our last days, all of the American gathered with a Brother who was from America. We were discussing how to live out Taize and a lot of people were talking about changing how they spend their time - especially eliminating time on the cell phone or on the internet. And I came to the realization that I don't want to change that aspect because God is using my facebook time, emails, and phone calls to touch others. I just have to continue to use my time for the Kingdom/ Kindom purpose.

Taize: Wilderness

Question: How can I encounter God in my wilderness?

Answer (paraphrased): We look to be transfigured with Christ on the mountain top, when really lasting change happens in the valley. - Hector

Taize: Experiencing Prayer

I had many amazing times of prayer at Taize and many blessed conversations about prayer with my small group. The pastor in our group seemed to dismiss some peoples prayer experience including my own. A group of us went off for a time of silent meditation and all found that we had the same experience - we had no need for words because we were so fully in God's presence. Yet, she encouraged that we think about centering prayer instead. The thing is, we weren't distracted. I had no other thought about anything or anyone other than God during my time. In striving to be a pastor see missed the moment. This was such a teaching moment for me not be so wrapped up in a role that I lack a beginners mind.

Taize: Speaking Christianese Part 2

One of the other Christian statements that I have been troubled by this week is "hate the sin and love the sinner." After talking to many of my friends who have had this thrown in their face, especially about their sexuality, I have began to see it through their eyes as a damning statement. We are called to love, not judge.