Challenge to what it is to have faith, part 6

Well here's to chapter five of Jesus>Religion titled With Religion, There Are Good And Bad People/With Jesus, There Are Only Bad People In Need Of Grace. 

Being able to find some way to express how to be a Jesus follower and not and religious person.  This has not been easy.  There's been so much that Jefferson has said in this chapter that has such resonated so deeply.  The discussion question of what is your relationship the Bible and why.  Is one that I don't know that I can fully answer.  And I don't know that it will ever be one that will ever have a final answer.  I have grown more in love with the living word.  

Challenge in what it is to have faith, part 5

Is it religion that I have been living by or is it friendship with Jesus?  Chapter four of Jesus>Religon titled Religion Makes/Jesus Makes Friends.  There has been such a battle that has been on going for some time.  How often have I been doing the religious life over that of a friendship with Jesus?  I am in such need of the love that friendship that can only be found with Jesus.  This has been what has been missing forma long time.  

So, it is a time for me to lay down what I've been hold to. Letting in the light and life giving love of Jesus Chirst.  Who has died in my place.  This is in letting go what the rule and walls that I've built in and around my heart.

Challenge in what it is to have faith, Part 4

Jesus>Religion I have found that the what chapter four was a large challenge.  It's been one that was needed and came at the right time.  Mr. Bethke talked about how there are different ways Christians aren't truly a follow of Jesus.  The last part of the chapter talked about the prodigal son. Which is found in Luke 5:11 to 32.  One of the discussion questions asked what son is the one I'm most like and why.  Lately, I have been much more like the older son.  Who doesn't want to celebrate to celebrate the return of his younger brother.  There's been a time when I was the younger son as while.  This has been more with myself and being willing to let God's grace to come into the darkest parts of my heart and soul.

Miracle Third Day

Miracle, song by Third Day. This speaks to the need for and miracles for our lives.  I love how Third Day lead sing, Mac Powell, tells the story this great song.

Facing the Music by Jennifer Knapp

 How often can you say that you have read a book that moves you?  A few days ago I finished Facing the Music: My Story by Jennifer Knapp.  What amazing honesty and openness that is written about.  Being able to find her way back to music.  Despite the great pain and fear.  Jennifer has been able to speak her truth.  A journey that took her from one part of the world to the other.  Along with many places in between.  Being able to finally come to a place where she can be at peace with who she is.  Even with those who have and possibly still are upset with who she is. 
I can't help but wonder what my story is and what it looks like.  Wondering what it is to be able to speak my truth. 
How can I find my way with all that is going through my hear, mind and soul.  
How can I stay true to who I am.
Yet, what about my faith and beliefs?
I have so many things that are spinning around in my mind.  That I don't know that I can put words to them.  Where that it would make sense.
So, here's a link for Facing the Music.
http://www.amazon.com/Jennifer-Knapp/e/B00JH11HJQ/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1438617151&sr=1-2-ent 

I have deciced to follow Jesus

Semicolon tattoos, faith and mental illness

There are many reasons for getting a tattoo.  Having several myself each has a different meaning and reason.  I have seen many post on Facebook about the Project Semicolon.  Amy Bleuel started Semicolon Project to honor her father who took his own life.  The semicolon is have a symbol to signify a new bring to those who have attempted suicide, those who live with depression,  addiction and self injury.  I find that the outcome of what could have been lead to a long path of darkness has lead to something great.  
Here are links to a few articles.  Along with links to the website for Project Semicolon and the Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
 
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/07/07/project-semicolon-tattoos_n_7745358.html?utm_hp_ref=religion&ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000051
http://www.upworthy.com/have-you-seen-anyone-with-a-semicolon-tattoo-heres-what-its-about
http://www.projectsemicolon.com/
http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

How will....

Seventeen suicides every ten minutes

Johnny Cash & June Carter: I'll Fly Away

How many times does one hear a song that moves them?  I have a handful of songs that do and this is one of them.

Remedy live at Red Clay Theatre Jennifer Knapp

Music....one of the greatest parts of any culture. For me, music is one of the greatest comforts for to me.  During so many times that it has carried me though. Remedy, song by Jennifer Knapp had been one of these songs for me lately.  Like so many other songs I am no t able to say what draws me to this song.  I hope that you enjoy.  

Challange in what it is to have faith part 3

  This video is what Jefferson Bathke is the bases for the book of the same title. 

Jesus>Religion had been such a great challenge in what it is to have a true authentic faith.  Once, in causes people to ask what is it that brings peace and joy.  This has not been easy to work through while I was in the hospital. The post titled Tough few weeks talks about this in more detail.  The question that has been one I have been about Jesus' relationship with the law made new.  How this influences  my understanding of the expectations for the Christian faith communities and how my understating of the outward codes of these communities.  This is from the discussion questions at the end of chapter that is titled, Why I Still Think Jesus Hates Religion (and You Should Too).  I don't know that there's a concrete answer to this.  This has lead to questions about what it is to belong to a community of faith.  What it is to have a personal living faith and what it is my part within this local community.  That is part of the larger Christian community.  I am not sure really how this looks or that words can be used.  In a way that makes it seem small or cheapen it.

Tough few weeks

It has been a tough many weeks for me.  I have longed to be able to get back to posting here.  Yet, I've had to take a time out of sorts, to take care of myself.  I have bipolar disorder and is not always easy to live with.  I had a major in many ways a set back.  That will take a lot to explain and I feel that isn't what the heart of what I want for this blog.  Yet, at the same time want to share a small part of this journey.  That is very hard and much of the time draining.
So, in a nutshell I stared to have some pretty troubling symptoms of bipolar.  That I haven't ever had before. I stared to hear what seemed to be voices that where not there and could not be made out as to what was being said.  Seemingly, at the same time life lost its appeal and joy.  The desire and deep longing to live far out lasted the darkness.  I was in the hospital for about week and half.  This week I'm home and doing the outpatient program.  This has been my first week.
Here are a couple of YouTube videos that I hope that will be helpful.

Revolution Church

https://medium.com/52-churches-in-52-weeks/lgbt-wwjd-b13493f61db9
What is it to find a place that is truly safe to be fully who one is. Safe to say I don't know if God is real.   Jay Bakker as a pastor who has found a church that is such a place.  I find great comfort in his serous.  Which he prefers to,call talks.  The above above link is an article about Jay's church which he started in Altanta, Georgia.  Then was in New York, New York and know is in Minneapolis St. Paul, Minnesota. Here's Revolution's website http://revolutionchurch.tumblr.com.  Where Jay's talks are posted.   Something else that's worth a listen is This Radio Cast.  Which can be found on iTunes.

Challenge in what it is to have faith part 2

I had to take several days to chew on what I've read in Jesus>Religion chapter One Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up.  It has gotten me thinking.  The questions at the end have been such a great help.  Especially, the last one which basically asked why the focus for Christians are on what 'righteous' deeds rather then the needs of those who are in need.  This has been something I have to figure out who it is that are in need.  Are the one who are in need who are typically thought of or not?  I don't know how to really how to fully answer this fully. 

Challenged in what it is to have faith part 1

I started reading Jesus>Religion Why he is so much better than trying harder, doing more, and being good enough, by Jefferson Bethke.  Being only part way though chapter one so far.  From what I've read its been a great.  So, far it had been a challenge and I hope that it will continue to be.  It has been awhile since I have read a book that has caused me to question what faith is and what it is that I believe.
Here is Jefferson Behke's website:
http://jeffbethke.com/
He also has a podcast with his wife.  I yet to listened to it yet.   There is a link to this on his website.

Leaving the Evangaelical church for the Episcoplian Chruch

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/10/rachel-held-evans-episcopalian-evangelical_n_6842872.html?utm_hp_ref=religion

Here's a story of woman who has left on Christian faith tradition for another. 

This Is Radio Cast Jay Bakker and Hanry Rollins

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/this-is-radio-cast-jay-bakker/id972865347?mt=2&i=336756984
Enjoyed this greatly. Hope that all enjoy. 

Journaling a benfit

 I have found that the great comfort and a sense of relief in keeping a journal. It is more then just keeping a blog.  For, me it is in keeping a journal by putting a pen to paper.  Being able to have a way to put thoughts down.  By keeping them in has caused more harm then good.  I know that this is true for me.  I hope that the following article in the Hoffington Post helpful.

http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/6648884?utm_hp_ref=healthy-living

Ones Story

There has to be a way knock down the walls that keep people apart.  What will this take?  Listening to someones story and loving them for who they are.  Taking your own prejudices to being able to see past that.  For, these are some of the most harmful to a group people.  Today, so many who identify themselves as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered experience this by those who profess to Christians.  Are we not called by Jesus to love are neighbors. In Mark 12:28 to 34 says;
One of the scribes approached.  When he heard them debating and saw that Jesus answered them well, he asked Him, "Which command is the most important of all?" 
"This is the most important," Jesus answered:  
Listen, Israel!  The Lord your God, is One.  Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind and with all your strength.  
"The second is: Love your neighbor as yourself.  There is no other command greater then these."
Then the scribe said to Him, "You are right, Teacher!  You have correctly said that He is One, and there is no one else except Him.  And to love Him with all your heart, with all your heart, with all our understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself, is far more important then all the burnt offerings and sacrifices."
When Jesus saw that he answered intelligently, He said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." And no one dared to question Him any longer.   
In the following video Jennifer Knapp tells her story.  She was at one time a Christian singer and when she came out as a lesbian.  She tells of her story.
 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/14/jennifer-knapp-tedx-talk_n_6681150.html

Equal rights in all site for all people

It is unfair that those who are in loving committed relationships are defined benefits.  Just because they are of the same sex.  Where has the love another person gone? Despite what someone believes to be wrong. This could be your son, daughter, niece, nephew, grandchild, aunt or uncle.  Even a parent.
http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/indiana-woman-who-fought-same-sex-marriage-ban-dies-cancer-n302581

Hate for those who are differnt then you

 

What is it to love those who don't follow our set of what is right or wrong?  Holding up their live as sinful.  Seeing only through the lenses of what faith says is right and wrong.  That 'they' are going to hell.  When was the authority of be judge become ours and not God's?  Jesus would call out the religious leaders out on this very thing.  Not being love to those who are not following the law as they do.  Anyone who is a sinner is not welcome at their tables, homes, or at the temple.  For, they were seen as dirty.  The very same people that Jesus spent time with everyday with.  Sharing life with them.  Showing what love really is.  In Matthew 5:43 to 48 this is what Jesus says;

"You have heard it said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'  But I tell you, love your enemies, ad pray for those who persecute you, that you be children of you Father in heaven.  He causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.  If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?  Are not even the tax collectors doing that?  And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more then others?  Do not even the pagans do that?  Be perfect therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect?"

Hate leads to darkness and to death.  And to not seeing a person as a person.  Who is loved by the Father.  A child of him and created in his image.  He loves each of us.  Despite ourselves.  What we believe is right or wrong. 

Brian Training May Help Calm the Storms of Schizophrenia by NPR

http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2014/11/03/359655855/a-new-way-of-thinking-about-schizophrenia-could-lead-to-new-treatments

Ruby Wax: What's so funny about mental illness?

Being able to have humor mixed in with mental illness is a must. Laughter and humor I find helps with breaking down walls of any kind.

Stigma

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/9vkUMXaJDM4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
http://youtu.be/1hE1jlVHCBA

Stigma is harmful for all. 

Bring Change 2 Mind

The stigma of bipolar and any mental illness is so great.  There are so many who are in the public eye who have started to speak out about this.  Which is so great.  It is my hope that this will help to change the way those, who like me, live daily with bipolar.  That it is nothing like an illness that you take this for drug for ten days and you'll be healthy.

It had been a journey to find what it is to be me once again.  In finding who I am as a woman with bipolar and how to like in what I call my normal.  If there is such a thing as normal.

Betty White is priceless! I love her reaction to this flash mod for her birthday.
http://wqad.com/2015/01/19/viral-video-betty-white-gets-a-flash-mob-for-her-93rd-birthday/

Connection between the gut and bacteria

http://www.spring.org.uk/2015/01/the-unexpected-connection-between-gut-bacteria-and-depression-and-anxiety.php?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+PsychologyBlog+%28PsyBlog%29

I wonder.

Life is.....

What will be of this life

Will there be anything that will 

Be of lasting memories

What moments are lasting

Moments that are not

What joy will there be

In life that is well lived

What is a well lived life

Life that is not well lived

Who is it that say that life 

Well lived

Not well lived

Faith in God

Faith in anything

Peace and love

Joy or sorrow

Lost or found

What moments define one

That makes us

Good or bad

Loving or not

 

U2's Still haven't found what I'm looking for

My Journey: Men of Atalissa

My Journey: Men of Atalissa: http://hulu.com/w/IFNM
This sadness and breaks my heart that people can mistreat others.  Just because they feel that they can. Since these are men who very much like childern.  Worthy to be given the same right to be respected and to have a place in this world.

Men of Atalissa

http://hulu.com/w/IFNM

 This sadness and breaks my heart that people can mistreat others.  Just because they feel that they can. Since they see the other is not able to understand what their right to live in safety and being able to have the freedom to choose what they want. Men of Atalissa is power and moving.  Showing how being able to know live as they want.  Doing what they want.  Whatever and however they would like. 

Faith and Mental Illness

http://www.pe.com/articles/mental-757891-health-illness.html
Mental illness in the faith community has it seems been at odds.  I hope this is changing for the better.  There is more then eight stigma that comes with having any of the many, many mental illnesses.  What so many need and long for is love, acceptance, and not judgements.  Judgements that often are hurmful. Education is so important to what it is to live with mental illness and what can be done to help so many.

Jay Bakker talking at the Sandbox Cooperative

 

http://www.sandboxcooperative.com/

Jay Bakker is on the Sandbox talks for about twenty minutes and then answers several questions. It is about an hours and a half.  I really enjoyed and found it very helpful.  There's so much that had hit home.  So, how often do I not show grace and love to myself.  Then, love and grace to others.  (This is not easy by any means.)  Even when the other person is your enemy. 
Matthew 22:34 to 40 says this:
When the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, they came together. And one of them, an expert in the law, asked a question to test Him: "Teacher, which command in the law is greatest?"
He said to him, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.  This is the greatest and most important command.  The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.  All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands."
Then in Luke 10:25 to 37 says: 
Just then an expert in the law stood up to test Him, saying, "Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" 
"What is written in the law?"  He asked him, "How do you read it?"
He answered:
     Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with 
   all your mind; and your neighbor.
"You've answered correctly."  He told him.  "Do this and you will live."
But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"
Jesus took up this question and said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the hands of robbers.  The stripped him, beat him up, and fled, leaving him half dead.  A priest past 
happened to be going down that road.  When he saw him, he passed by on the other side.  In the same way, a Levite, when he arrived at the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.  via Samaritan on his journey came up to him, and when he saw the man, he had compassion.  He went over to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on olive oil and wine.  Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.  The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, "Take care of him.  When I come back I'll reimburse you for whatever extra you spend." 
"Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?"
"The one who showed mercy to him," he said.
Then Jesus told him, "Go and do the same."
How often have I not be loving to others?  Since, others our my neighbor.  Often there are so many times that I can say hi to some in a store or to just smile.  Then, there is also grace that goes along with love.  Is there any way that I can be one who shows grace to all I come in contact with?  I don't even know where to start or even how to do so. 
Ephesians 2:8 and 9 says:
For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God's gift -- not from works, so that no one can boast.  
What then is it to share grace that is a gift that is freely given by God? This is such a hard thing to do.  So, often I come up short.  Being so hard on myself when I mess.  It is refreshing to hear that I am not alone in this! All this starts with being loving to myself and having grace for myself.  With being this way to myself is the only way that love and grace to be shown to others.  
I pray that this gets you thinking.  About is the link for the Sandbox Cooperative.  
Jay Bakker is the pastor of Revolution Church.  His personal website is http://www.jaybakker.com  and Revolution's website is revolutionchurch.tumblr.com

Faith......

I have often lately been feeling at odds with faith.  Knowing that it is true to have faith in Christ.  Though, not much more then that.

Dear Church why people are....

How often do people feel this way. Not being listened to. Reject instead of loved.  In some way the radical love of Jesus seems to be lost.

http://www.faithit.com/dear-church-heres-why-people-are-really-leaving-you/3/

Dollie Grady

I work in a group home setting with adults with developmental and intellectually disabilities. I love reading hurt warming stuff in articles like this one.


http://www.chickashanews.com/news/hello-dollie-grady-resident-could-be-oldest-in-u-s/article_28a21740-96cf-11e4-8754-e3d135f1ab28.html?mode=jqm

Where's people's thinking????!!!!!

Really, there's people who think!!!!!! This bar thought that what they wrote would be good to bring people in for drink ?!?! I wouldn't even!

http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Chicago-Bar-Under-Fire-for-Controversial-Sign-287539751.html

Sacred Journeys

What is it be on a journey? There are so many types of journeys that we go on through out life.  How can one make a journey that is sacred?  What is it to be seeking for an answer?  For God?  Faith?  There are as many answers as there are people.  Life is one that everyone is on.  What about the ones that we are going on that take effort.
I have been watching the series on WTTW 11, Chicago's PBS station.  It was has and is been very powerful and moving.  I am longing to be able to one day to go to Lourdes and to Israel.   Both have been in this series.  All the shows are so powerful.  What is it to be on a sacred journey at the place that I am.  There are many places that are right here that I go to.   Is the longing to go to Lourdes, Israel, and so many others places.  Is it to just I have been there?  Or for the deep long to connection to why going on a great journey?  Will the true meaning lost?
What is the journey you are on?  What is that you are seeking?


 
 Here's the link for the Sacred Journys
http://video.pbs.org/program/sacred-journeys/

Holiday Blues and beating.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lee-gaitan/five-ways-to-beat-the-hol_b_6324070.html

The Way

http://www.theway-themovie.com/
The Way of St. James is not just a walk from one point to another.  It is journey to find or be found.  I one day hope to make this pilgrimage.  I don't know when this will be.  The movie shows the journey of a father after he lost his son.  The son died on the first day of his journey and his father walks the Way of St. James with his sons ashes. 

The Way of St. James, a Journey Back to Basics