Nazarene-dom

WE HAVE A NON NORTH AMERICAN GENERAL SUPERINTENDENT!! That is really exciting. I'm also not displeased at the election of John Bowling; that poor guy. I'd take the first out I was offered from Olivet too. As for number three, here's to hoping that woman G.S. #2 is just around the corner!

Blueberry Heaven

Everyone go here: The Berry Patch, http://www.theberrypatchonline.com/

In the words of Carra: Picking my own blueberries-- Best. Thing. Ever.

Thoughts on American Christianity

I was just reading in Acts 7 where Stephen gets stoned. It amazed me. It's so right on the way that Stephen is portrayed as so faithfully following the example of Jesus. Meanwhile the religious people, not unlike religious people throughout time and place, are angry, gnashing their teeth, and murdering him.

The writer of Acts could not be saying more clearly, "that whole nonviolent resistance thing, that whole obeying God by loving others thing--even if it gets you killed-- yeah, that wasn't just for Jesus."

The pattern the New Testament gives us for our lives is so clearly for a life of peace, justice, nonviolence, and ultimate hope. It tells us about love without fear, and its heroes are never conventional religious people, and are never confined by their religious traditions.

Why don't more Christians in the US know about this pattern in scripture?
Why are so many U.S. Christians not pacifists?
Why are so many U.S. "Christians" hateful to people who don't share their viewpoints?
How did things go so wrong?

Summer = The Worst

Oh summer, how I hate you; let me count the ways:

Numbers 1-34: All the degrees above 70 yesterday's temperature was.
#35: heat rash
#36: black car interior
#37: zapped of energy
#38: the weeds like you
#39: sunburns
#40: bug bites
#41: ticks-- I swear, I'm done with summer hiking

A Good Day

I spent my work day with a bunch of DMin students from St. Paul's seminary today. I did something similar two weeks ago at NTS. I loved it. It's so up my alley. It's so the kind of thing I want to do more often. I will admit it publicly, I would enjoy being a teacher more than I enjoy being a pastor; I have more talent at teaching than I do at pastoring.

I don't know where these kinds of thoughts land a person eventually...I certainly have never wanted to do a PhD or to get immersed in academia. Nevertheless, someday, I hope to teach more and "pastor" less.

Honesty

I respectfully disagree with God for allowing tragic accidents to happen.

Sincerely,

Mindy

The Worst Kind of News

I'm terribly sorry if you are an Olivet alum and you're finding out this way. I found out yesterday that Chris Miller died in an accident on Tuesday.

Chris and I had a wonderful little friendship at Olivet, though we didn't keep in touch afterwards. He was just one of the best people I ever met, and I'm heartbroken at this news.

It is too awful for words. If you're reading this, please pray for Chris' family, especially his wife and parents. He was in this accident with his brother, who hasn't been found yet. I can't imagine losing two children, and I cannot imagine being a 28 year old widow. God help us all.