Uphill idealist

This is a team. We need to work as one. Our focus, function and motivation is centered on the center - the Way. This is a team not a solo act. - no middlemen - no hucksters - no clowns. Standing hand in hand and shoulder to shoulder. Strong and commanding. Understanding. This is a team. Sometimes the burden seems so heavy. The input isn’t equaling what the output could be. The team needs to pick me up and carry me to the sidelines. Let me rest by the Gator-aid cooler… This is my team, my life, my hope. Cover my back while I catch my breath.

The term "collective selfishness", is taken from Chapter 2 of Krista Tippett's book, 'Speaking of Faith'. Here are just some thoughts concerning this idea. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Collective selfishness" is something that Rauschenbusch fought in the heat of Hell's Kitchen. It was 1920, but it was already there. Growing bigger, ever wanting more, never satisfied and this was only the tip of the iceberg. It's purpose was to consume whatever it could: no caring, no compassion, just individualistic and collective greed. It's like the "blob"in that old science fiction film - only you can't stop it by freezing it. It's too hot and aggressive. It's like thirsty cracked soil except it can't absorb the water because it's too dry, too lonely and too weary to remember how to drink. It's has the effect of starvation, swelling the belly and yellowing the eyes;...

So much time and energy in life is spent in chasing after the many things we think we need. Our world is so geared towards servicing our whims and desires, we are shocked and dismayed if we can't find what exactly we are looking for. Even when I go online and shop for books, I find what I'm looking for and more! On my Amazon account, after I log in, a store called "Tara's Store" flashes at the top of the page stating – " We have more suggestions for you!" A personalized "store" has been compiled by the purchases I've made over the past several years, the merchandise I've casually browsed, and the wish lists I've compiled on rainy days all in the name of customer service and consumption. There are literally thousands of potential items in my store that are ready and waiting for expedited delivery for the cost listed in the right hand column next to my blinking virtual shopping cart. At this moment of window-shopping, do I really co...

Steep slopes reach beyond the vision of my eyes. Eagles circle above, never hurried in the sky. Sing to the creator of the mountain. It's mass seems impossible to move. Speak to the crafter of the valley, it's depths reaching further to prove. -We all have a void that only you can fill. -We all have frantic chaos that only you can still. -We all have burdens that only you can take. -We all have worries weighing that cause our hearts to break. -We all have barriers that only you can shake.

Just take hold of freedom. It's right in front of you. Just take hold of love and live. Let go and breathe, let go and sing, let go and live again. Just free from your loss. Free from you pain. Just waiting for freedom to start all over again. Let go and breathe, let go and sing, let go and live again. Just take in your light, take in your peace, take hold of your love again. Take hold of mercy, take hold of grace, take hold and start again. Just...

There are two kinds of friends in the world: Sunny day friends and rainy day friends. This is a statement that my Mom used to remind me of when I was in the midst of drama or conflict with one school friend of another. There are lots of people that we define as friends, but they are really acquaintances. Two men were out hunting in the northern U.S. Suddenly one yelled and the other looked up to see a grizzly charging them. The first started to frantically put on his tennis shoes and his friend anxiously asked, "What are you doing? Don't you know you can't outrun a grizzly bear?" "I don't have to outrun a grizzly. I just have to outrun you!" This story is funny, but it does help define the distinct difference between a rainy day friend and a sunny day friend. The sunny-day-friend is more concerned with watching out for their own health and wellness, than their friends' wellbeing. On the other hand, a rainy day friend is willing to take risks, work fo...

Ian Mobsby, is an ordained NSM Anglican priest licensed to work with the Moot community , an Anglican Church of England Fresh Expression of Church Project in Westminster, Central London. Ian has just completed his second book. "The becoming of G-D" and is coming to the US and Canada for a book tour in the month of June. After meeting Ian last year at an Emergent Pittsburgh event discussing the function of art in the worship setting, we continued discussion specifically concerning Rublev's Icon and the symbolism of this 17th century painting. This conversation resulted in my writing the song "Eucharist" and the lyrics of this song have been included in Ian's new book. Ian has recently confirmed his tour in partnership with Westminster Presbyterian Church , St. Luke's Episcopal Church and various other individual sponsors to include an event in the Jamestown/Lakewood area. Sunday and Saturday's events will be held at the YWCA Lake Lodge in Lakewoo...