Sleep in Peace

We build walls, pour millions into vast armies, and wave flags in order for us to feel safe, comforted, and protected from the enemy.

Truly the desire to protect our comfort goes to far when it impedes on others lives.

So much conflict, violence, and war stems from this need that every human has, the need to know and experience real comfort, safety, and peace.

The biggest and baddest armies and the tallest most looming walls will not satisfy this individual or communal need.

Simply the only way we will experience this is by being in community with God and letting him hold us close to his chest, as he allows his fatherly and maternal characteristics to comfort us and allow us to know utter peace.

If only we could all experience the comfort, safety, and peace that awaits for us in God's arms.

"I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety" Psalm 4:8

"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!"

-The Apostle Luke

Why I Blog.

Within the past few hours some controversy, discussion, debate, or what have you, has been swirling around the reasons for my blog. Comments have been made like: Its creepy. Its impersonal. Its weird. and many other statements that although done in a joking manor made me realize that maybe I should clear up: why I blog.

I blog because unfourtnatley, it is my nature that my mind is always swirling with thoughts, ideas, and commentarary and I have found this blog to be an outlet for all of these.

I keep a journal that is more personal that deals with stuff that God and I are working on together. On this blog I collect the thoughts that are less personal and that I would like to share with others.

This is not meant to separate me from interpersonal/face-to-face interaction with people but to welcome meaningful conversation surrounding anything that I have blogged about.

I welcome all good natured debate, commentary, and criticism that will allow for more conversation and further learning on the subjects in my life that I cannot ignore.

Thank you and I hope you enjoy what I have to say, but then again it doesn't really matter because I enjoy it! :)

Back to Eden

In contrast to a prevailing image of indigenous peoples as primitive or less evolved, paleoanthropologists have found that tribal peoples in the past had stronger bones, lower rates of infant mortality, and fewer dental cavities and signs of degenerative illnesses that today's civilized and immunized people. - Van Jones, Green Collar Economy.

It seems that is not just the human spirit that longs to be made complete. Our physical bodies long to be made whole in an environment that is more like Eden, where our spirit was once utterly connected to God and we did not experience all of the grossness of pollution, pesticides, industrialized food, and violence that racks our present society.

Our entire being, soul and flesh, long to be made whole in a place where we can experience God in an un-adultured state.

To often we separate the flesh (physical) from the spiritual.

Is there not a better way?

Is there anyway not to overload students and professors with the stress of finals? We have lived out of this educational structure for so long that we never stop to think if this is the most appropriate way to learn. Maybe it was at one point, but is it still now? It may very well be, but because this way has been ingrained in students and the institution, we never stop to revaluate what is the best way to educate right now.

"In times of change learners inherit the future; while the knowers find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists." - Eric Hoffer

Refreshing Take on Scripture

"Instead of making the Bible into a parental authority, I have begun to engage it as I would a friend- as one to whom I have made a commitment and in whom I have invested dearly, but with whom I insist on a mutual exchange of critique, encouragement, support, and challenge." Gary Comstock

Beautiful!

swallow the ocean
drink of it's potion
the wheels are turnin' and burnin set it in motion
fire, fire, oh baby i'm up in flames
these melodies are tellin me to see it all the same
i am i, you are you, you are me, we are we
a family on the road to unity
plant a seed, watch it sprout, watch it grow, watch it bloom
get in tune, sun and moon, as we finally break through
to zion.

Peace

Peace is seeing the world through God's eyes.

think about it, I will, and will talk more later.