I grew up playing sports. Full disclosure: Maybe the concept of true teamwork was a foreign idea to me at times, especially because I was, for all intents and purposes, more of a loner the rest of the time - but still. I learned the concept of sportsmanship and realize that its purpose goes beyond the field or court, but should direct us on how to successfully interact with others, even when they play for a different team.. That concept is sorely missing from some Facebook postings on what transpired, or didn't transpire as it were, related to the "End of The World/May 21" prediction set in motion by a fringe Christian association in the US.
Do I believe that we will know when the end of the world will arrive? I do not. HOWEVER. I do not find myself to be in a position of superiority to those who do, either. Most of what I know of this situation, honestly, is from Facebook posts (as that's the closest I get to the "pulse" of what's happening in the US, aside from the online news I read)
I am disappointed with some pages that attempt to represent the "Christian Left" in an attempt to counterbalance those who often dominate the popular idea of what it means to be an American Christian, the "Christian Right".
There's a lot of "nanny-nanny boo-boo-ism" permeating the pages of the those who strive to represent the Christian Left. I'm completely down with Freedom of Speech. As a matter of fact, I keep a portable soapbox in my pocketbook for any occasion that avails itself for me to jump on it and ramble on BUT. I also agree with Spiderman's Uncle in his apt description of what to do with great power (in this case, I mean the power of Freedom of Speech)
With great power lies great responsibility
Additionally, If you're not adding anything thoughtful, personal or well-intentioned into the marketplace of ideas, maybe you should just be quiet and get on with living your own life. That's my take on the cultural adage known to many of us "If you don't have anything nice to say, keep your mouth shut". Sometimes un-nice things MUST be said, but they'll drop dead on the floor if not done in a thoughtful, well-intentioned way.
And now I'll put my soapbox back into my purse for the time being.
Anybody can throw rocks - anyone can create meaningless "soundbites" and anyone can jump on the reactionary bandwagon wagon and draw knee-jerk conclusions or even revel in the misguidance of others....but is that who "we" want to be?
I will quickly tell you that I don't want any part of that "we" - none. Don't we have enough reactionary freakazoids??? And what makes us different if we do the same things?
So, I think it's best to be a good sport - not to revel when a game is won; not to taunt the other team with jeering chants afterwards...it's not about being right or wrong, winning or losing, but focusing on the kind of "we" we want to be and then actually trying to do it.
H. Jackson Browne, "Life's Little Instruction Book"
I believe that. Many of us try to carry our good hearts and desire into the world after being inspired in church. We all know how long this likely lasts - until something happens that destroys that inspiration or until it just wears off (usually around Sunday evening :-)
Just kidding, but just as a Sunday morning church service inspires us for an undetermined amount of time, the time spent between Sunday and Sunday has an impact on one's concept of religion, as well...very often affecting the way we hear the message on Sunday mornings and for sure, in the ways we practice what it is we think we hear. In my case, the way that I've spent the time between Sunday and Sunday for most of my life (no joke) was listening to music. Rock and Roll music. From the very beginning.
This morning during devotionals (I mean actively listening to my iPod while getting ready for work) I realized that there are quite a few songs of various genres that I have always associated with my faith. Later on I would realize that some really cool things happen to me as a result of that. For your consideration (and perhaps listening enjoyment) I will share them with you (and hopefully the links will stay active!
First on the list is, hands down, Love Reign O'er Me (the Who, Quadrophenia) It's the first go-to song when I need to remember that love comes from above...just like rain.
Only love
Can bring the rain
That makes you yearn to the sky
Only love
Can bring the rain
That falls like tears from on high
I guess Pete Townshend speaks to me or something - because Let My Love Open the Door (Empty Glass) is a constant reminder that Jesus has...
....the only key to your heart
I can stop you falling apart
Try today, you'll find this way
Come on and give me a chance to say
Let my love open the door
It's all I'm living for
Release yourself from misery
Only one thing's gonna set you free
That's my love
Speaking of Jesus, what an awesome reminder of His love and sacrifice! Yes it's Prince and no I'm not kidding. I Would Die 4 U
You're just a sinner I am told
Be your fire when you're cold
Make u happy when you're sad
Make u good when u are bad
I'm not a human
I am a dove
I'm your conscious
I am love
All I really need is 2 know that
U believe (sorry - you know Prince is on top of his music business and there are no original videos with him singing this song anymore :-( this one is fun, anyway)
In the early '90's I was pretty busy. I was raising my awesome daughter as a single mother and I was working...hard. In a restaurant. One day in the bar, a customer and I were discussing the video on the TV. He was a Catholic and he made the point that this song by Sting isn't about a human love affair, but the most important love in our lives. If Ever I Lose My Faith in You It's always been a blessing to me how some things happen right when you need for them to happen.
You could say I lost my sense of direction
You could say all of this and worse but
If I ever lose my faith in you
There'd be nothing left for me to do
This list is hardly complete, in fact it merely scratches the surface of the way that I experience my faith through music, but when this happened today, I knew I needed to share.
Today after a briefly irritating chat with a friend from home who tends towards negativity but is trying (I hope) to cultivate some love in his heart - this song popped into my head...weird because I would have changed the station had it come on the radio, but into my head? Carly Simon was on frequent rotation in the Blackburn household of my childhood. I think we had all her 8-tracks (yep). I thought I was tired TO DEATH of her music, but I had to Google the lyrics. Ah. I see. Thank you.
'you showed me how, how to fill my heart with love How to open up and drink in all that white light Pouring down from the heaven I haven't got time for the pain I haven't got room for the pain I haven't the need for the pain Not since I've known you
A gentle reminder...much appreciated. Maybe you think I take things out of context, or maybe I selectively hear the lyrics that match my beliefs...but that's my point. I'd rather take a song out of context than....something more significant. And it seems to work for me...why? Because in addition to all that love I try to nurture in my heart, something else is already in there...and I believe it acts as a receiver :-) Eric Clapton sang about it in (of course) I've Got aRock and Roll Heart
I guess there's nothing left for me to explain Here's what you're getting and I don't want to change ...I don't want to change! I get off on '57 Chevys I get off on screaming guitar
Like the way it gets me every time it hits me I've got a rock and roll - I've got a rock and roll heart
What does all this mean? I believe that when God is in your heart, you'll experience Him where you are.
He is always with me.
And He speaks to me through something that is also in my heart.
Hi everybody! :-) I am posting the link for my first "real" newsletter that is published on the Presbyterian Church (USA) website. Please read if you'd like!
