He Is Coming ...

So Brian McLaren updated his schedule. It looks like he is coming to Houston - June 1st-3rd. What do you think about trying to get some formal groups together and perhaps we will have enough of a group to host some kind of dinner or evening with the big Mc himself. Any ideas?

Are You Hopeful?

Yesterday I engaged in an interesting discussion about women who are single and use sperm donation to become mothers. You can read some of the discussion on Po Bronson's blog. Po wrote a fascinating book called Why Do I Love These People. The book chronicles the challenges and triumphs of all things family.

In the middle of the debate, it occured to me that my worldview was kinda bleak. This idea bothered me when I went to bed last night. It was with me like the film on my teeth this morning. I brushed. It did not go away.

I am training myself to note when I have a overly emotional reactions. I have a habit of brooding over ideas for days often getting really angry. I used to own cat that helped me realize when I was in a funk. He would mock me for them. He would sit and stare at me. I knew in his little kitty soul he was questioning me. Okay, so maybe it was normal cat behavior!

Now that I do not have a cat, I try to examine myself when the mood hits. I usually find that the reason I am so annoyed is that there is some truth that I am missing.
So goes with the discussion of sperm donors.

I was angry at the women that would so easily toss a man out of the equation. I even posted about it on the blog and in so doing found myself writing about the evils of living in "our culture."

I know that it is proper Bibleez to speak of everyone not in our assembly as the "the world." Words have meaning. When we (followers of Christ) speak of others (non-followers) with this type language, it alienates us.

I am a sinner.
The downtown drunk is a sinner.
The church elder is a sinner.
The stripper is a sinner.
The happily married couple are sinners.

There isn't a me and a them. God loves us the same. We each have fallen short and it is only by his Grace that we can redeemed.


Okay, so having grace should fundamentally change the way I view people. I should have MORE compassion, not less. I should be MORE hopeful, not less. Isn't there a reason why they call it the Good News?

In this debate about women and sperm donors, I have not been the hopeful one. Where others saw promise for the mothers; I felt scorn.I should be full of hope for these mothers even if they choose to have children without husbands.

There is nothing more transforming than to have and raise a child. Parenthood can be the gateway for greater faith. Being a mom has helped me grasp forgiveness in a new way. My 2 year old recently tore the ALT key off my new laptop. Before being a mom, if a child had done that to my laptop, I would be writing you from a cell near Andrea Yates.

Being a mother has taught me to respect the soul of another human being. How many times have I been angry and spoken to my son with a not-too-nice voice? In that moment I see his broken spirit in his eyes and the quiver of his lip. It's those times that I fully understand my ability to mold a human being. It is humbling.

We are called to be the city on the hill. Our city should be Disneyland. It should be Disneyland, minus the long lines and $8 hamburgers. Our light that shines is one of joy, hope, and a confidence that YAWEH is in control.

A Place of Refuge

I am writing from Texas Children'’s Hospital where I am spending the morning with my oldest daughter. She was due for a round of tests. Nothing traumatic really when compared to what some of the people are dealing with that are roaming these halls.

Our first stop was the waiting room where I immediately cozied up to the television. I don't know why but tv is always more interesting in waiting rooms and airports. There are plenty of other things to do. I brought a book and crayons and my laptop. Eavesdropping happens to be my favorite pasttime but somehow nothing could take my attention from the morning show.

A story was airing about Dana Reeves. In case you missed it, Dana Reeves is the wife of Christopher Reeves. She died the other day from lung cancer. The story was about their incredible love. She was devoted to him throughout all of his illness and completely loved him despite his diminished capabilities.

Its an amazing story. It would be so easy to take another path when you partner is completely changed. It made me wonder if her story is the exception or the rule. I know that when a child dies, frequently the marriage ends as well. But is that true for the illness of a spouse?

My neighbors are in this cycle. He has battled prostate cancer. They have traveled the country seeking the best care. They even lived in a motor home in Atlanta while he sought treatment. Amazing really.

We had a few minutes between tests and we decided to visit the Children's Chapel. As we stepped inside, I was immediately overwhelmed by the architectual details. At the front of the chapel was a skylight. Light poured down cascading over a waterlike backdrop of glass. The skylight represents God's light, love and blessings.

The ceiling was full of cascading lights reminiscent of something you might see in a planetarium. The lights were constantly changing. They were shooting meteoritete type lights that would come alive with brightness followed by a gentle fading. It would go dark for a brief moment then the cycle would repeat.

Despite being awestruck, I managed to get us seated directly behind two praying women. don't know what brought them to the hospital but I am certain it was not a battery of innocent tests like those that had brought my daughter and I there. One woman in a peach tee-shirt was pleading with God. I could not hear everything she said but my heart ached with her as I heard her say, You are the Resurrection. You are the Resurrection.

Feeling somewhat out of place, we got up to leave when I saw the Tree of Hope. The tree was a place where visitors could write their prayers and place them on the tree. I couldn't help myself from reading them. One read like this:

It's me, God
The doctors gave up on him last night.
Heal his lungs.
Make him a miracle

I wonder what happened to the 13mth old with cancer or the 14mth old that "was too young to be here." I felt a mixture of helplessness and gratitude for having been spared the pain of illness so far in my life. Would I have the strength and dignity of Dana Reeves or the faith of these praying women?

I pray God's blessings on all of those children. I pray for peace for the parents. I pray for healing. I pray for the medical bills to be paid. I thank you God for four healthy children. Be with these families that face unbelievable challenges. I hope somehow they find you and the peace that passes all understanding.