Stuff

Does the person who dies with the most toys really win? Is the person who accomplishes more in life better than the person who accomplishes less? Accumulating stuff, whether it's toys or accomplishments or accolades, in the long run, doesn't matter. Living out of purpose, not preference is what's really important. Discovering your purpose, that's the trick.

My very favorite British comedies is Good Neighbors. It's about a couple of middle class people, who forsake the "rat race" to discover "it." Through the course of the series, Tom and Barbara Good discover what it's like to live life on their own terms. They also discover how much they need and love each other and their neighbors, Margo and Jerry Leadbetter. It's the relational aspects of life that are missing. People talk to each other, but people don't really know each other.

Recently, a friend sent me an email called, "Getting To Know You." It was simple questions like, "What's your favorite color?" (yellow, blue and silver were my answers) and "Which came first, the chicken or the egg?" (they're both delicious was my answer). It's amazing how little we know about each other. Jesus' example is tells us that people matter. People matter more than ideas. People matter more than theology. People matter more than "the rules" (whatever they may be).

This is what is missing from Bob Jones. They think souls are important, but, what about the people? What are they saving people from? What are they saving people to? More importantly, where does God fit into the scheme? In their zeal to produce "Christian" leaders, they have forgotten people. Can any Bob Jones students ever really develop friendships with their fellow students? Considering the amount of tattling that happens, probably not. They have set themselves up as judges of people. The intimacy of friendship could never really develop - your "friend" might turn you in. And the rewards for turning people in at Bob Jones are great: power and position.

My anger goes deep. The place took an innocent, God-fearing young man and told him that he would never be good enough. That is truly evil. The face of evil. As I work my way through all this, I can't help but feel grateful. Grateful for being saved from Bob Jones and all their evil, vindictive ways. Grateful for being saved from the pursuit of stuff. Grateful for knowing my purpose. Grateful for direction. To Bob Jones, thanks for everything, Dan Keller

Writing

I can't express how great it feels to write effectively. Wednesday night's program was provocative to the people who came and that makes me feel quite good about myself. When I think of how bad I used to write, I can't help but be grateful. Using words to express myself is a wonderful thing. Using my writing to help change people's lives is mind-boggling. The power of words is amazing. I can't believe the gifts God has given me - music, communication, interpersonal relationships (as long as it doesn't get too intimate). This week's topic is repentance. My goal is to find a way to take the "blah" out of this topic. Thank God for Nehemiah training. Thank God for teachers who helped me hone the craft of writing. To Bob Jones, thanks for everything, Dan Keller.

Change

Why are people so afraid of change? Is it that they see power slipping from their control? Is it that they think the old ways were better? Is it that we haven't explained what we're doing well enough? Why am I so full of questions? I know that some grandchildren of long-term members don't want to do the Confirmation Class in its current formation, but I think this way is much better. Everyone who has listened to a detailed explanation thinks it's good. I think developing a relationship with the church is much more important than developing a relationship with the pastor - especially in a United Methodist Church. This pastor probably won't be around when they graduate from High School, much less marry them. My hope is that they will think about the church especially if they feel the need for spiritual guidance - not a pastor. Systems produce what they are designed to produce. The old way took some kids and made most of them marginal church members. The new way, at least, gives the confirmands an opportunity to fulfill some of the membership vows they will make in June. As much as I don't want to admit it, some things they did at Bob Jones were good. I want these kids to have some experience of God. To Bob Jones, thanks for everything, Dan Keller

Winter

This is my fourth winter and, so far, the coldest and snowiest up here. So, I'm sitting here at home doing what work I can and enjoying being in the warm house with Sparky. There's so much to do.

I've initiated email correspondence with the son of the youth minister I had when I was a teenager. Boy, has he changed. I feel so validated about my choice to abandon fundamentalist Christianity for a more loving and liberal version of Christianity. Fundamentalism works until there's a kink in the system, like a divorce or two, a gay child or grandchild, etc. Fundamentalism can't address any modern lifestyle issues with any support, dignity, or, ...grace.

That's what's really missing from fundamentalist Christianity. Grace. For a belief system that preaches grace and grace alone, there's so little of it in those camps. At the heart of fundamentalist Christianity is idolatry. They worship a book. Granted, it's a Bible, but it's still a book. I choose to worship the God of the book. I choose to love all of God's children, not just the people I like. I choose to be the way I was created, rather than hide myself away and compartmentalize my life.

When will people learn that there is no salvation in doctrine? We all need an experience of Christ, but those experiences can be different. The Bob Jones' of the world will say that you need to have their unique experience of Christ. Then you have to believe everything the way they do. If you don't, you're not a Christian. Obviously, I don't subscribe to that line of thought anymore. But, I used to. I used to be as narrow-minded and judgemental as they are. Even now I have to fight my desire to be better than others. Sometimes I make it. Sometimes I don't.

Scripture. Reason. Tradition. Experience. I believe they all work together. God gave us minds and expects us to use them. For me, it's not the truth of the Bible stories, rather the truths of the Bible stories. Fundamentalism by its very nature can't accept that premise. Therefore, if it's not in the Bible, it must not exist. Or, if it's in the Bible, it has to be literally true.

Those days were the winter of my life. But, in winter neat things happen. Animals hibernate. Trees prepare themselves to bud again. Seeds rest in the cold ground. My life's winter was the germination time for me. Had it not been for my fundamentalist winter, I would have never blossomed into the person I am now. I can walk and talk. I can touch and feel. I can taste and smell. I can think. To Bob Jones, thanks for everything, Dan Keller.

my first post

Yesterday was the Murphy's Law of worship services. While I wasn't entirely prepared for AV problems, I adapted and made it work. I enjoyed my afternoon with Elizabeth and Jimmy before their Florida vacation. I love those kids. I'm glad they're not mine! I'm taking the day off (mostly) since I worked 9 hours yesterday and have a heavy week without Kurt at work.

I can't believe all the people throwing their hat into the political ring. I really can't blame them. My dog could do better than the current people in the White House. I'm finally glad that we've seen the world according to neo-cons and have decided we don't like it! It's too early for me to decide, but I really like John Edwards, in spite of the estate in Chapel Hill.

I don't understand conservative Christians - it seems like Jesus said a lot more about giving than getting. But, these are the same people who believe that "sound doctrine" will save people.