passing it on...

So I just read this in an email I've started getting every day with little devotions, and though it was cool as it reflects some of what I think. Therefore, I am borrowing it to share with anyone who would care to read it...

Our Love-Hate Relationship with Church

By Chuck DeGroat

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"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called."
 Ephesians 4:2-4 TNIV

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WE LIVE IN a culture of victimization, and truth is, we’ve all been victimized at some level. None of us asked for the pain the world confronted us with.

But, there is a second reality. We’re all capable of hurting others, too. Only the most self-blinded among us would deny there are times (and they are many) that we rage when we ought to offer grace, or when we long to devour another lustfully or murderously, or when we sit quietly in the face of injustice.

We want so badly for the Church to be the healing place, but it’s run by self-contradictory people, too. Commitment means taking the risk to hurt and be hurt, to join the company of saintly sinners who stay, who don’t flip the channel when they are bored or mad, but who commit to the messy reality of sacred relationships. It is through this imperfect body of saintly sinners that God accomplishes His mission. Maturity is about moving into the mess of relationships, and trusting all that crazy Bible talk about the importance of the body of Christ for our own sakes, and for the sake of the world.

Cruisin'

Well, seeing as I recently went on a cruise and haven't said anything about it on here, I thought it was about time I did...
My opinion is that if you want a real holiday holiday then cruising is the way to go. It's kinda like staying at a resort. You have all you need there, entertainment is provided, and then you go on little trips to other places every now and then.
The best thing, I think, is the enforced relaxation. Like, you just have to relax. On sea days on the ship you can't go anywhere really so you have no choice but to sit down and relax.
You get to know people on the cruise, whether you actually meet them or not, and you see these people most days, but you can also avoid them if you really want to!
You get served three course lunches and dinners and then don't have to pay the bill before you leave the restaurant!
At night they put on big shows. I am a big fan of musicals, stage shows and performances, so getting to go to one every night is a dream come true! However, I wouldn't recommend the comedy magic show. That's all I'll say about that one. And if you're not a fan of crowd participation, it's easy enough to hide in the tiered seating!
Service is impeccable. Your room gets cleaned every day, there's always someone around to bring you a drink, your table gets cleared instantly, and it's almost always with a smile.
No need for hand bags. Cellphones have no service most of the time, and you pay for everything with your cruise card, so it's all you need to carry around.
If you want to get out of the weather or just have a break, there are great movies playing on the TVs in your room.
You get to dress up in themed or cocktail outfits just for fun, and everyone else is doing it too.
You get transported to some fabulous ports, given great advice about making the most of them, and have the option of some excellent tours, at an extra charge.
Well, that's just some of the pros of going on a cruise. I'm converted, and can't wait to go on another one some day. Let me know if you see any good deals.

Jovvies

So, I had a visit from some Jehovah's Witnesses the other day. Seemed like a nice enough couple. The wife stood silently about a metre behind the husband, like any good submissive wife would, while the husband did all the talking. Almost cracked up laughing at the cheesy way he tried to instigate conversation with me... So on the front of the 'Watchtower' magazine is a picture of some brunette girl accompanied by some headline question about stress. He asked me if I was worried about everything going on in the world, and if it made me stressed, and then went on to say that the girl kinda looked like me. Cringe. I informed him that I was a Christian, to which he replied, "ohhhh" in such as way as if to mean, "then I know exactly what I'm going to say to you now". I don't exactly remember what he said next... something about holiness... and then asked me how I go about addressing this holy being that I follow. I said that I call him 'God', to which he replied something to the effect of, "aahh, but with so many different beliefs and beings out there, how do you know you're talking to the right one?" and went on to inform me that I must know that he is called 'Jehovah' and so I must use this name if he is to hear me and respond. I let him know that I didn't quite agree with him on this point, but if he wanted to leave his magazines then he was welcome to. He did so, and I got back to my coffee and hang out time. That's essentially the end of the story, but the whole thing got me thinking, as these types of encounters often do. It makes me a little sad that the use of the name 'Jehovah' is so fundamental to this man's faith that he brought it up as his main argument. I mean, if you believe there is only one true God, then does it really matter how you address him (other than with respect, of course!)? He's going to hear you anyway. I know that God hears me whether I call him by name or not. I'm pretty sure there are much more important aspects of faith that we could've been talking about. It also makes me wonder how effective their door-knocking methods really are. I'd love to read some statistics or something!
On a similar note... because the name thing gives me the impression of people insecure in their beliefs, so much so that they won't be heard if they don't use the right one, it brings to mind another observation. I have a great aunty and uncle who are Jehovah's Witnesses. They were at my cousin's wedding in January. My cousin who is a Christian. I won't mention how they acted about the fact that it was in a church, but at the reception the MC announced that he was going to pray for the bride and groom before they left and instantly my aunty and uncle, who were sitting at different tables at the time, got up and raced off to the bathrooms. I don't know about you, but that screams insecurity to me. I've been to their childrens' weddings and certainly didn't disappear when there were prayers or ridiculously long sermons affirming their faith. That's just not something that would affect or threaten my own beliefs. I don't know. Maybe there was more going on. But whatever. And honestly, it makes me sad more than anything. It was a little amusing too, to observe.