A New Conversation ~ Part 1

We can talk at each other or we can learn a new way of conversation. The choice is ours. I believe that we need a whole new way of communication because the current mode has degraded into argument, demonizing , degrading, demoralizing each other. The time for labels and labeling has past. We need to find a new lingo. Not only do we need to exercise and develop Critical Thinking but so we need to do the same with Critical Awareness.
Learn to communicate in Holistic and Organic terms and to shy away from divisive and dualistic terms.
I.E.: It is not "them and Us", it is just "us".
The starting point? Just meditate on what comes to mind when you read the following terms. Then, ask yourself; "What has driven my paradigms on this word? What has 'colored my lenses' and influenced my bias?"
That is critical Thinking. Critical Awareness is meditating on the forces, both external and internal that have driven and reinforced those perspectives.

Okay, here is a partial list. (I highly recommend starting a journal on this.)

Conservative
Liberal
Straight
Gay
Religious
Spiritual
Orthodox
New Age
Eastern
Western
Christian
Atheist
Muslim
Buddhist
Taoist
Pagan
Republican
Democrat

No hierarchy is intended in the list above. It was totally free-form/associative. And, like I said, it is only partial.
I have seen the effects of what polarization has had upon our community. How it isolates first and then escalates violence on all levels and in all modes.

If we are to grow, if we are to find a different road that leads to peace, one that embraces diversity and agrees to disagree, yet not sacrifice relationship; Then we need to define a new conversation.
This humble post is just a beginning. Yet an ocean begins but with a single drop of rain.

Brokenness ~ Conclusions

Some musings, offered up to contemplate upon. No definite answers other than like every thing else, it is a Journey of discovery, of healing and of "taking out the trash". In other words, I still am dealing with a boat-load of crap myself and expect to be 'til Papa consumes the transformation by transporting me to the final destination . . . ~ Selah ~

"None of us leave this stage scar-free. Not even Yeshua.
But the Good News is that the show is not over and you are not alone.
The Author and Finisher of your Faith has written Himself into your story . . . and you into His."
~ MLC ~

Shadow and Shadows . . .
 Most of the crap we deal with is due to a listening problem. We fail to listen to our Shadow (Jungian Psychology nudge here) and listen to the wrong shadows; the shadows of hurt, angst, accusations. The shadows of lies, expectations, illusions and false assumptions. The Religious Matrix does little to help, if not most the time re-enforcing the lies and increasing the burdens through "accountability", obligation and performance. All of which GSF (Guilt Shame Fear) is the main tool. We get so caught-up in the vortex of "coulds-shoulds-oughts" that we miss the still, quiet voice who whispers to us of Unconditional Love and Acceptance.

Needed on this Journey are close, intimate journey-mates who know you well enough and love you enough that they can speak into your life. We all get out of sync and off-centered now and then. It is a blessing to have even one such friend who can step into your whirl-wind/hurricane to bring focus, "centered-ness" to you without "Collapsing the Quantum Wave Function" (I.E.: Judging you). Someone who is willing to come out into the depths of the water where you are even though they are scared of the deep water just as much as you are.

Along with this, is a growing awareness of Papa's Love, with which Truth and Light travel together in.
This simultaneously involves clearing the foundation of the clutter that the Religious Matrix has crapped upon and by "taking out the trash" we ourselves have collected through the years. Talking to Papa/Yeshua/Ruah Kodesh. Listening to our Shadow, learning it's language. Allowing access for Papa to walk with us through the "Interior Mansion" (Teresa de Avila nudge here) of our soul, our psyche.

Learning to look your fears, your failings, regrets, embarrassments and shames directly in the eyes and laugh.
Laugh at them and laugh at yourself. The greatest lie is that you are the only one who goes through this.
I highly recommend Dr. Brené Brown's book "I Thought It Was Just Me (But It Isn't)

Truth in Strange Places
Don't be afraid to explore. One of the greatest guilt-trips and fears that the Religious Matrix (and just about any other organized institution/belief system) places upon us is that of questing . . . of questioning, of travelling and exploring the status-quo, the realms of psyche and spirit (the short-coming of the last part of that statement is that it makes it sound dualistic, which I don't believe in dualism. Body, Psyche and Spirit are not separate or divided. In the reading of scripture, you will see that the Original Intent and Final Outcome are the same; Life Incarnate).

Listen to other people's stories, even though they may be travelling a different path. Even Paul the Apostle was familiar with the sayings of "poets" of different cultures. ("For ‘In him we live and move and have our being', as even some of your poets have said, ‘For we too are his offspring.’" Paul’s Speech at the Areopagus). Just always include Papa in your Journeys. Learn to hear His voice, trust His guidance and listen to what He may be saying to you through others.


Learn to question yourself . . . the "truths" you have believed and have been taught, both at home, in the family and in the larger arenas of life. Not out of defiance or rebelliousness. God does not mind questions. God is secure in who God is. You just might find that your daring to ask will reveal a "truth" you thought was once His really wasn't. Same goes for the "truths" your family of origin and the institutions told you to believe. You will be likely to discover His truth where you would least expect it. Ask the woman at the well or those who traveled on the road to Emmaus. Ask Cornelius who tried to follow the truth as best he knew it and was surprized to find it in clearer form come knocking upon his door!


Don't be surprized that the RM and it's adherents will warn of dangers and try scaring you away from pursuing that. Realize that most of them are sincere. And don't be naive . . . we all can be deceived and can walk empty paths. But that does not limit Papa from meeting us on any path. I am always amazed how Papa steers me back. I'm also amazed the places I encounter His voice and "nudgings" in. Learn to become aware of the nudges, winks and kisses of The Divine. The Divine truly conspires to bring you into Love, Light and Wholeness.
But it is a Journey that will take you the rest of your life . . . and into the next.


We all have trash that needs taking out. Rooms of the Interior Mansion that need a good thorough cleaning and arranging. Take it all in stride and realize that you are a human-in-training. As is everyone else.
Your scars just may turn out to be the healing someone else needs.
Breathe baby breathe.
Shalom on The Journey.

Directions

"Have not posted here . . ." is how it usually starts. Too many things to go into to account for the lapse. Not that it is necessary to do so. I still plan on blogging here, but have been working on a new creative via wordpress. I have been thinking about doing such for a while.

"Pioneerseer" was a prophetic inspiration from my days in the Charismatic~ Pentecostal "Matrix/ICOR" structure. A LOT of "prophetic words" in those systems. Most of them hype, though well intended, being geared to assure service in and to the system. A few however, I believe to be the genuine article. And though I have journeyed beyond those institutional structures, I have no regrets nor bear any grudge.There was some good stuff from all that.

But "Journey", "Paradigm", and "Story" have whispered more and more strongly to me.
For it is a Journey of following Yeshua I am on. You never know where The Wild Goose may take you . . .

So keep an eye here but please visit my new "Coracle", which can be found floating about here

Shalom on The Journey . . .

Brokenness Part 3: Detox

In the big disconnect, I find within myself a cynic-critic curmudgeon who kicks-in with all sorts of bile and gall when ever I think or interact with those still "involved with the system/Matrix".

The problem is not them; it is me. "Loving without agenda and judgement" sounds like such an ideal place to be. But I confess that there is crap within me that needs to be dealt with.

However, it is a process. I cannot wait until all the crap is "gone" before I set out.

For if I do wait then the Journey never starts.

So, though I do not care much for this thought, Detox is something that is a continuing process on The Journey.

Embracing our brokenness is a challenging thing. It is scary. Because to do so is to make ourselves vulnerable. Being vulnerable means the possibility of being hurt. Being misunderstood. And a portion of our brokenness comes from being hurt. Both by our own self and by others. In an attempt to avoid pain we close off, clam-up, shut-down or numb. But in doing so we rob ourselves and others of the very Light and Healing that we need.

In his book "Abba's Child: The Cry of the heart for Intimate Belonging", Brennan Manning shares;

"In a futile attempt to erase our past, we deprive the community of our healing gift. If we conceal our wounds out of fear and shame, our inner darkness can neither be illuminated nor become a light for others."

And elsewhere in the same book;

"Accepting the reality of our sinfulness means accepting our authentic self. Judas could not face his shadow; Peter could. The latter befriended the impostor within; the former raged against him."

Accepting our shadow, embracing our brokenness; Such a hard, scary thing to do.

But since Yeshua accepts us exactly as we are and "not as we 'should' be", why not yield to that Divine Love and accept that acceptance?

Brené Brown puts it this way; "We are hard-wired for challenge (trouble). And we are flawed. But we are worthy of Love and Acceptance."

For we are God’s masterpiece (poema; work of art). He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10 (New Living Translation)

We are a poem in the making, a work of art in progress. Healing is found in the sharing of that process with others in The Journey.

Peregrinatio pro Christo Musings on "Easter" Sunday

Easter being in quotation marks as , according to Christo-Pagan friend of mine Easter happened on March 20th this year. Today is Resurrection Day. And there-in lay the biggest truth and the greatest Gospel: Love Won!

"Hallelujah I'm a Heretic . . ."

(from a song I've started to write but haven't quite got around to finishing . . .)

Ah well, guess I missed the chance to join the heretic club back in 2008, just before the vote in California on Prop. 8

We had been invited to a friends b-day party. A ton of their friends were there. One couple were discussing the up-coming vote and their frustration over the "Christian-Right" political/propaganda backing of the bill. In their frustration a small amount of ire was directed our way (my wife & I) as we had just shortly come out of ministry school and they were aware of that fact.

Oh, the couple? A lesbian couple who had been in a monogamous relationship for 15+ years at the time (and are still together today). I understand their frustration and anger. A lot of which I believe is justified due to the actions of dispen-idiotical fundies (there's my inner-curmudgeon coming out . . .). They made some sort of comment as to not understanding the logic of those backing the bill unless it was due to some sort of "Religious Bent", with heavy emphasis on that last part with side-ways glances directed at my wife & I. Again, I wish to point out that their ire was mild, understandable and not violent at all. I ponted out that the only "religious" thing that I do is eat, sleep and go to the bathroom. My wife, Wise Sage that she is, had the better response.

"All I know is that Love Wins".

Gee, we could have beaten Mr. Bell to the punch way back then . . .

(which reminds me, I am delinquent on my Heretic Club dues . . . hence this post)

;-p

And Love DOES Win! Through scripture, Papa God tells us that the Holy Unity conspired before the beginning of time for this day. Literally that neither Hell nor high water (or anything else) would come between His Love and us. Including our brokenness (sin et al).

"For God so Loved the world" (part of it? Some of it? No, all the world . . .)

"namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them." (NASB)

Love Wins. Love has Won. Do we accept that Love as it is offered on His terms? His terms being Unconditional Love; accepting us as we are, not as we should be or could be. But just as we are, even sometimes fighting, kicking and screaming against that Love. A Love that holds us in it's arms in spite of all that kicking and screaming. A Love that is always Present, always with "arms wide open". A Love that understands all our fears, tears and anger. A Love that knows the wounds caused by religion, rules, regulations . . . wounds caused by our own brokenness, our own brutality towards each other.

Our own fear and misunderstanding of that Love.

My prayer is for a deeper understanding of that Love. Just not in the head, but in the heart.

In that deep secret place within us all.

As Deep calls unto Deep.

"Hallelujah I'm a Heretic,

Hallelujah I'm a Bum.

Hallelujah I'm Vagabond

and a Ragamuffin . . ."

He has Risen!

LOVE WINS.

Brokenness ~ Part 2

"Letting go of all i am,

Loosing my life to gain it back again.

Not really sure of who I should have been . . ."

So many directions to go with this, it is difficult to decide where to start.

So I beg your forgiveness in my not going into in-depth detail at this point.

Just some musings . . .

Guilt, Shame & Fear (GSF for short) have been coming up a lot in the things I've been reading both in books and on blogs.

Since "There is now therefor no condemnation in Christ", why do so many Christians (and the Institutions) collaborate with GSF?

I believe as we embrace our brokenness we embrace what Papa God is doing right here, right now. This is contrary to what the world, the Matrix, the Institution and (yes) our Shadow tells us. They tell us to get our act together, to get the right info, the right opinion, the right knowledge and rules and regulations and law and . . .

Yuck, yuck, & puke.

What if we really got the revelation that Papa God Loves us, right where we are at?

Brokenness and all? I mean, beyond just having that in our cranium but having it as an abiding truth in our hearts?

What transformation would that affect? In us, around us?

God works within our brokenness.

That's a lot to meditate upon.

More to follow. But for right now, I invite you to watch this "secular" clip. It's a little over 20 minutes. See if you can find some resonance in it . . .

The Power of Vulnerability

Formed and Informed

from my journal 21MAR2011

" . . . So I give up. I cannot manage or refute or change the opinions of all those who sling their own poisons as to 'this is right, this is wrong and if you don't agree then you are going to hell!'

I want Love to Inform me. I want Love to be the form of my Heart, Mind and Soul.

I want Love to resolve the real offenses and to dissolve the false ones.

I want Love to draw the poison of bitterness & cynicism from my heart.

I want Love to be the satisfaction of my Heart, Mind & Soul.

So today I repent. I turn from trying to solve it all on my own and I turn to Christ for healing; for making my heart right and forming me in Love.

I embrace the Mystery and the Unknowing.

Christ heal me. Christ forgive me.

Renew my mind, Reform my Heart and Refresh my Soul.

I rest in Your finished work.

I give up trying with all my faculties and Rest in the Truth that You are taking care of it all.

It's not about having right knowledge or right opinion or right info.

It's about being informed and formed by Love.

Enable me to live this daily.

Form me in Love.

Amen."

Brokenness ~ Part 1

What is it about Brokenness that seems to be so much of The Journey?

Brokenness
Letting go of all that i am,
Loosing my life to gain it back again.
Not really sure of who i should have been,
But oh, so glad that i found You.
And in You, i find myself again.
Poured out for Christ.

~ by Shepherd Michael

The above is something I wrote several years ago.

About three years ago I posted that this was a subject I would blog about.

Since then, I have avoided it like the plague . . .

But too much has happened lately, both to myself and others, that I can no longer put this off.

For if healing is to occur, then brokenness is something that has got to be discussed

and embraced . . .