Yes, I’m dumpster diving a bit today through my archives, and came across this golden oldie. It was inspired by a brilliant post that Justin had made about how people’s perceptions of Christ can vary. And in fact, how that perception can change in our lives through the years. In fact so much so that in just the couple years since I posted that last one, I’ve encountered some new sides to Christ that I haven’t had before. So here and addendum (the first few paragraphs are end of the last post):

Soon after came House Church/ Organic Jesus. How I love this Jesus. So much blessed intimacy and simple fellowship. Interestingly, Celtic Jesus seems to visit this Jesus quite often. Which is just fine with me! I learned too that with that intensity of closeness can come intense conflict. But how I love this Jesus, free, simple, loving, who could care less about church growth but is serious discipling people even before they come to the realization they love him.

The next one I might call the Jesus of the deep inner journey. The Jesus who is the healer of wounded childhoods and the great shining fulfillment of my middle years.

Little did I know two years ago or so that this Jesus would stay longer than I thought. In fact he broadened and became Jesus of the deep inner journey that shelters from the terrible storms. He became Jesus of the mighty river that flows and brings life to all around and does not care about obstacles. He who is the bigger, deeper, wider Jesus that defies all boundaries. The one who is true King over the world and does not ask for permission to act. Who does not often ask for input and does require obedience. And He is also the Jesus of unfathomable love and Grace that is raising me into a new awareness of who I am in Him.

Now, I’m not saying that this is entirely new. I’ve known Christ’s love and peace and joy for many years. But when storms come (and seemingly never ending)….that stuff get’s tested. And amazingly it get’s deepened. And though suffering is by no means fun…it’s good to know a Christ like this through it.

Slipping into my
dark room,
You clasp my hand.
You clasp my heart.
You raise me up.
Sister Peace!
Welcome back!
Your voice so sweet.
Your lover’s song.
Oh my, it is so dear to me.
Please stay. Please stay.

Came across the above poem that I wrote nearly two years ago.  And thought it would be good to repost.  I haven’t written any poetry for awhile.  No, Sister Peace was not the last one that I wrote.  But it has been a while.  I think I may endeavor to write some more.  But like many artistic efforts, it requires inspiration.  Iow, I can’t just pick up a pen and write.  But poetry is a wonderful medium to express experiences and get things out and on paper.  But like most things it’s just a matter of taking the time.

Recently I joined a Life Transformation Group through my friend Levi.  I meet with Levi and another cool guy, Andrew,  every Wednesday morning at o-dark-30.  *yawn*  And it has been much needed.  Really edifying.  We share simple experiences, struggles, praises, pray for one another…and we burn through scripture at break neck speeds.  And one thing that’s great about this is you begin to see themes and patterns emerging from the scriptures.  For example, ever notice how much the Gospel of John says about believing?  Or ever notice how much triumph through tradgedy there is in Acts?  Wonderful.

One side benefit has been that all the scripture cramming has produced a kind of otherness effect in me.  It’s something that I can’t put into words.  It’s a good reminder that scripture really isn’t like other books.  It really, really is the living words of God.  As N.T. Wright put’s it, the Bible is the place where the Heavens meets Earth (which he actually borrows Orthodox Jewish teaching I think).   Any how, it has produced a wonderful hunger for more scripture.  And it has produced an unearthly peace in me.  More wonder!

I can’t believe how quickly the summer came and went. And now it’s fall again. The weather is cooling down noticably which I am very grateful for. Already the stores have their holiday stuff up. And that’s not just Halloween but I’ve seen some Thanksgiving and even Christmas stuff up. And just like the changes in the natural seasons so soon will come a new Church. Soon it will be Advent which is one my favorite seasons. The coming of the Messiah! God With Us! And all the importance that brings.

As a prelude, I’m sort of starting to prepare my heart for that. Not that we should only prepare for a celebration of the importance of Messiah’s one time a year. But it is, well, y’know, like a booster shot or a glorious reminder. It kind of helps recalibrate and refocus one’s life. Hey I need recalibrating and refocusing. And that’s a good thing.

So I share today, my birthday with some other famous people, some of whom are:  baseball player Mark McGuire, actor Randy Quaid, actress Julie Andrews, and former US president Jimmy Carter.  Well, not shabby.  Not as cool as some other days I’ve heard.  But…I’ll take the company.  Enjoying the day. 

My birthday is tomorrow. And this one is particularly striking to me for some reason. It’s like a sign post that asks “Where are you in your life?”….”is this who you want to be?”…it is a sobering land mark.

Then again, I’m also looking forward to it. It is a joyous occasion. Life is good. And every new day is a gift.  And a birthday is a good reminder of that as well.

Found the following quote from a Wikipedia article on the topic of expressions of religion and spirituality within the MMO Second Life:

Religious organizations have also begun to open virtual meeting places within Second Life. In early 2007, LifeChurch.tv, a Christian church headquartered in Edmond, Oklahoma, and with 11 real world campuses in the USA, created “Experience Island” and opened its 12th campus in Second Life.[80] The church reported “We find that this creates a less-threatening environment where people are much more willing to explore and discuss spiritual things”.[citation needed] In July of 2007, an Anglican cathedral[81] was established in Second Life; Mark Brown, the head of the group that built the cathedral, noted that there is “an interest in what I call depth, and a moving away from light, fluffy Christianity”.[82]

Egyptian owned news website Islam Online has purchased land in Second Life to allow Muslims and Non-Muslims alike to perform the ritual of Hajj in virtual reality form, obtaining experience before actually making the pilgrimage themselves in person.[83]

An LA Times newspaper article has reported that skeptics suggest that believers could find more enriching ways to spend Easter Sunday than tapping out commands to make animated emus pray.[84] This same article goes on to say that some Second Lifers find the idea of virtual worship odd: They would rather spend their online time flying, shopping, or engaging in other activities.[84]

I find this evolution of spirituality within this strange medium completely fascinating!  And I have commented on this topic before several times.  I do feel that this is an expression of people’s innate need for God.  I should say again, that I don’t think that this quasi-reality can in any way replace real life experiences of community/fellowship.  But I DO think that it has the very potential to enhance missions, fellowship, etc.  I should also make a disclaimer that I haven’t yet checked out the links mentioned in the quote. 

Sasha was just watching Yo Gabba Gabba (a REALLY hip show for young kids). And as I passed by I noticed that the Tings Tings were performing a  cover of Happy Birthday. Awesome!

Not long ago I heard this wonderful little spot on NPR. The narrator tells how she rescued a bird from a street in Chicago. The bird was confused by some human meddling into it’s normal migration. And I thought this was a wonderful demonstration of someone fulfilling the role given to human kind as stewards by our Creator. Beautiful!