Uphill idealist

Its Friday and you can guess the kind of week it's been if I'm writing my Monday post on Friday. In the last month there have been some great changes and shifting in my vocational life and it makes me realize how much my vocation had to do with my life overall. Letting go and holding on: The month of July seems to be a month of great letting go. I've experienced the death of my family dog, the passing of one of my dearest spiritual mentors - Grace Connors, and the ending of my time of ministry with Westminster Presbyterian Church due to economic reasons. Sometimes we have the choice to let go of people, work or things. This time has been composed mostly of things passing away with little choice from me. Pets get ill, elderly people reach their physical limits, and budgets - well they run out of funds. In these cases - there is not much choice I have except in how I choose to react to the massive change around me. I've started to grasp the idea of how to cope with all th...

This blog is a creative conversation between David Bowie's lyrics in his song "Changes" and me. I imagined what I'd say if we sat down over coffee and the topic if change. You're here and I didn't expect you quite so soon. Give me a minute please. Still don't know what I was waiting for And my time was running wild A million dead-end streets and Every time I thought Id got it made It seemed the taste was not so sweet So I turned myself to face me But Ive never caught a glimpse Of how the others must see the faker Im much too fast to take that test The test is how I react to your presence with and around me. Do I freeze in fear or do I quickly turn my feet and land ready to meet the unfamiliar ground beneath. Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes (turn and face the strain) Ch-ch-changes Dont want to be a richer man Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes (turn and face the strain) Ch-ch-changes Just gonna have to be a different man Time may change me But I cant trace time. Strain and change pus...

I was recently amazed to learn about all the training and preparation service and guide dogs are required to go through. After pups are one year old they are assessed for intelligence, temperament, aggression and sensitivity to touch and sound. The dogs are scored in character and temperament and if they pass they are deemed that they are ready for formal training, not ready and have to try again, or are unsuitable is a guide dog. If initially found suitable as a service animal, the dogs then undergo a four-month training program. During this time they will learn and have to be confident in: Walking in a straight line without sniffing. Walking on the left hand side slightly ahead of the trainer. Stopping at all curbs. Waiting for a command before crossing roads. Stopping at the top and bottom of stairs. Avoiding head high obstacles. Avoid spaces too narrow for a dog and person to navigate. Board and travel on all forms of public transportation. Take the trainer to an elevator button. L...

Hide and seek was one of my favorite games to play as a child. My favorite place to hide was the hamper in my Mom and Dad's bedroom. It seemed like the best hiding place in the world. It was dark, cool and cozy. I could even peek through the woven wicker to see if anyone was coming to find me. It was a fun adventure playing, hide-and-seek, but only if my hiding places was within the safety of my hamper hideaway. In the account in Genesis 28, Jacob is in a life and death game of hide-and-seek. Before Jacob had this dream of a ladder, angels and God and headed out on his journey, he had pretended to be his older brother Esau in the presence of his elderly and almost blind father Isaac. Esau was so angry with Jacob that he had vowed to kill Jacob – so Rebekah their mother sent Jacob away to stay with her brother to hide away until Esau was no longer angry. Jacob intended to hide away in a safe corner of the world until he heard word from his mother that it was safe to come back home. ...

Over the last year or so a group of Buffalo Christians, coined Relevant Worship Ministries , have been taking steps to go beyond the comfort zones of their churches and reach out in love to the people in the city of Buffalo. This summer, they've been participating in "Chalk Thursdays at the Square". The idea is simple and beautiful. You come downtown, you write and draw on the sidewalk, you make friends with the people hanging out there and over time you build friendships, offer help and support where you can, and try to follow through with loving your neighbor as you love yourself. After checking out the weekly photos and group news on Facebook, I decided to take a field trip with Heather and Heidi to help out and learn more about this city outreach. We all met around 7 pm at Liberty Square. There were tons of people there as they have concerts downtown every Thursday evening. There were various organized groups all along Main Street. Some were protesting the war in Iraq...

How often do we ever get the chance to chat about really makes us angry? I'm not talking about, " The SUV driver cut me off and then pulled right into the mall!" or " They didn't have my favorite _______ at the store and I'm really ticked!" kind of mad. I'm talking about the kind of angry that we get when we see, witness, or experience something that requires an action or reaction from us. At book club a little while ago we were discussing the passage in Mark where Jesus trashes the temple. Jesus is really ticked off in this situation, so we asked each other why this was. Thanks to a little thinking and pondering of the story, as well a one of our attendees knowledge of how the Jewish Temple was set up, we've gathered these particular insights as to why Jesus was so angry with what was going on. The area that the money changers and sales was taking place was a place that was supposed to be reserved for "All the nations" to come and pray...

Would of, should of wish I could of. Wanting hindsight now. Mis-match, dispatch. Relationship re-hash. Should have learned by now. For all the chime and consideration, for all the time and tears... It all comes out in the wash, my friend, and what don't disappears. Let it go, don't let it muddy the laundry. Let it go don't let it bleed. Let it go, for all the wonder. Let it go and let it free. Trapping, trying so much striving. Wanting to lead the plow. People, problems you can solve em', Watson has nothin' on you now. For all the rhyme and reiteration, for all the chimes and cheers... It all comes out in the wash, my friend, and what won't colors years. Let it go, don't let it bleach the laundry. Let it go, don't let it fade. Let it go, to all the thunder. let it go and let it rage. Grief and forgiving for that old living. Coming back to life again. Past regrets only fix is not repeating again. For all the tears and transportation, for all the peers and...