The least of these

How shall we vote then?

2010-06-08T10:57:00.000-07:00

Today is voting day so I thought I'd post the amazing thoughts of Derek Webb because I feel as if he says it best. It's just thoughts so don't get your panties in a wad but seriously, think about it today.

Part 1: A Brief Statement On Matters Of Conscience

Depending on when you’re reading this, we could be on either side of one of the most evocative elections in our country’s recent history. It shouldn’t really matter, as this writing isn’t necessarily about our current election but rather on living an honest and integrated political life. Even so, there is no time for clever stories or introductions. I’ll cut right to the chase: ultimately our problems will not be solved by the right man (or woman) in the White House. It simply doesn’t work that way. We live in a democracy, a representative form of government, where it’s as much if not more our responsibility to love and take care of our neighbors than our politician’s responsibility. Real and lasting change comes from knowing and loving the folks who live in the houses that sit next to ours rather than saving all of our longing and hope for the voting booth.

Now that’s not to say that we shouldn’t make informed decisions, be involved in the process. Of course we should. I mean, if your conscience allows, you can even vote. But that’s tricky, especially in a two party system (but I definitely don’t have time for that).

But in all seriousness, I want to be perfectly clear on this point: it is never advisable, in any decision that you make, to violate your conscience. As it applies to this election, you might have serious moral conflicts with both candidates, and therefore feel as though you must vote in a defensive manner or for the lesser of two evils.

Now let me say before I go any further that that may not be you. And in terms of the body of followers of Jesus, it would likely be sinful if we were all reaching the same conclusions on how to best love our neighbors, so there’s plenty of room for a difference of opinion there. But if that is you, I have a few suggestions:

1. Look through your bible for a mandate that you must vote.

2. When you don’t find one, listen to that conscience of yours. That’s what it’s there for, to be a guide and a red flag when you’re making difficult and significant decisions.

What I’m not saying: you should not vote.

What I am saying: if your conscience is seriously conflicted over both candidates, you are at liberty to not vote.

Part 2: Some Common Objections

Some would say that not voting is giving your vote over to those who seek to use the governmental process for evil. I would actually argue the opposite. By voting, especially when based on just one or two issues, you’re giving your ‘yes’ and ‘amen’ to that party’s entire platform, which likely goes far beyond the statement you’re trying to make on these few issues. This is certainly more perilous and less nuanced than abstaining altogether. No party can co-opt a vote that isn’t cast.

Others would say, ‘Jesus said to “render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s.” Therefore we have a biblical obligation to vote.’ And of course Jesus said that. That’s why I pay my taxes and try to drive the speed limit. These are among the laws of the land. But my conscience doesn’t belong to Caesar, therefore I don’t render it unto him. Caesar cannot force me to violate my conscience. Voting is a legal right, like carrying a gun or having an abortion. And I can abstain from doing anything that I have a legal right to if it violates my conscience.

Some say that we’ll never completely agree with the agenda or platform of a politician, that if we wait for a candidate that we line up with 100% we’ll never vote. I completely agree. There are many issues upon which I can disagree with a politician that don’t amount to a crisis of conscience. So there will always be necessary and acceptable compromises to make when engaging in the system of politics, but never when your conscience is on the line.

Which brings my to the last common objection: our forefathers fought and even shed blood so that we would have the right to vote. While there’s obviously nothing in this statement that I would disagree with, there is a context to consider. Even greater than our forefather’s sacrifices are those of our heavenly Father, who also shed blood in order to stir in us an allegiance greater than that of nation. We have an ultimate allegiance to our King and the Kingdom he’s building in and through us that trumps all others.

In the early 1520s Martin Luther famously stood before a general assembly in Germany, at the beginnings of what’s known as the protestant reformation. In his legendary speech Luther risked excommunication and death in order to keep from violating his conscience when he said, “To go against conscience is neither right nor safe. I cannot, and I will not recant. Here I stand. I can do no other. God help me.”

These matters of conscience are serious and should be considered at great length. I have many friends who have considered the issues of this current election in all their nuances and have chosen to vote for either Obama, McCain, or a 3rd party candidate, and I support them in doing so. Again, we are diverse members of one body in our following of Jesus. It would be suspicious if we all reached identical conclusions to such complex problems. So again, maybe there is no conflict of conscience for you in this election. By all means vote. But if there is, be at liberty not to vote.

Our ultimate hope is not in politicians or powers or governments, but in a day coming when all things will be made right. And our ultimate concern isn’t success but faithfulness. So if you find it necessary to abstain from voting in this election because to do so would be a violation of your conscience, be at liberty to remain faithful and leave the worry of success or outcome to God. He, after all, created governments in the first place.

Peace,
Bethay

2010-05-25T22:19:00.000-07:00

We have a women's group at my church, SWAT Serving, Working, Active Together. Something like that. Anyways, there's a group of us that our leaders, maybe 5 of us and each month we put together a newsletter. Last month I was asked to write monthly editorial regarding singleness, since the leader of the women's group is our pastor's wife and she wanted there to be something for the married women and then remembered (thankfully) the single women in our church. So, I know I have been horrible about updating my blog but at least now there will be at least 1 post a month and here's the first one...

Hello friends!
I’ve been asked to begin writing a column for the women’s newsletter geared towards our single women. But, no worries ‘married gals’ I think you all will enjoy my thoughts, as well. I wanted to use this first editorial as a way of letting you all know who I am. Many of you know me so I’ll try to be creative and share things y’all probably don’t know about me. It’s always fun to play reporter, so here goes:

Who are you?
Bethany Michelle Croney.

What will you be sharing each month in the newsletter?
Well, I really started praying about it once I decided I’d write each month. I didn’t want to just randomly write stuff and it makes me nervous when I don’t have a specific thing to write about so thankfully, as I was praying God really gave me a vision for what my editorial would consist of each month.

So, what are you going to write about?
Hold your horses. You haven’t event asked me about myself.

Um, ok…How old are you?
I turned 24 at the end of March.

What are you doing here in Modesto?
I graduated from Fresno State last May and was led to move back here to my hometown to direct a ministry house on the West Side of Modesto. Right now I’ve been living with my mom to help her out but soon I’ll be moving back in. Right now the hope is that one day the house will be a leadership development program in which young people will move in for an allotted amount of time in which they will be developed as Christian leaders in our community.
For now I am serving at our church in the homeless ministry on Tuesdays as well as networking with different organizations and folks in the area, finding places where God is at work with the least of these.

What is your favorite verse?
I think my favorite verse changes often, depending upon my mood, my situation, etc. But for now it is Ephesians 3:16-19
I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge- that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
I LOVE the imagery of this verse. Rooted in love. Could you imagine that? That your very foundation is love, everything about you (your actions, words, what you buy, etc.) comes from those roots of love which comes from CHRIST! Good stuff.

Okay, now back to the editorial…what is your subject?
I LOVE to read. Last summer I read a book called Dating Jesus: A story of fundamentalism, Feminism and the American Girl by Susan Campbell. This book is my inspiration. Y’all should read it! Anyways, Pastor Chuck and I have this on-going joke about setting me up for an arranged marriage. Pastor is supposed to be searching for the guy right now and once he’s found him we’ll plan the wedding and voila! Despite our joking we believe that arranged marriages can work, especially if both are sold out to Jesus and willing to allow Him to work out any kinks, just like He should be allowed to do in a dating relationship and into a marriage. As I was thinking about my own relationship with Jesus I feel as if Jesus and I had a bit of an arranged marriage. I used to say that I was born and raised in the church. Whenever those doors were open I was there. So, in a sense I was “forced” * into this relationship with Jesus. (*I rarely complained about going to church and even if I did I would have gone anyways. My mom used to tell my cousin that he didn’t have to go to church, he got to.) There was no discussion about my attendance in church, just like there’s no discussion with the women and men in the Middle East who turn 16 and are married up. But I had to decide whether this was really for me. I had to decide if I was going to make my faith my own or live off my mother’s faith.
Jesus and I had a tumultuous relationship at times. I was always a good girl; didn’t complain about going to church, did what I was told, served in the youth group, led bible study, etc. but there were moments in which I was just going through the motions. Doing whatever it took to keep everyone happy. And then college happened. As I left I remember being told not to let them ruin me, don’t let that liberal college take away your religion. It did the exact opposite. After 2 years of resisting and continuing to go through the motions God pushed me into InterVarsity (IV), where I met a Jesus who became real to me for the very first time. I had spent so many years living with a man who I never really looked at. I knew him, I knew he was there but I had never really been intimate with him. I had never looked past myself to REALLY get to know him, just glimpses here and there. But IV revealed a God who cared not only about me but about the whole world and wanted ME to care about that world too. I’m sure I’ll share more about this journey throughout the next several months so I’ll stop here with this part of my story.
I was thinking about all of this stuff as I was considering what I could write about for you all and I ended up talking to a good friend who goes on dates with Jesus. She takes a day, or a few hours at least once a month in which she sets aside for her and Jesus. This isn’t supposed to take the place of your daily times with Jesus but as all you married gals know your husband (nor you!) would be okay with just seeing each other day in and day out without setting aside some time just for you and he to get away, catch up with each other, enjoy one another’s company without the distraction of everyday life. So, that is what I’ll be sharing each month with you all. You all will be a kind of accountability group, if you will. I’ll go on my date with Jesus each month and report back to you all how it went! And I pray that through my experiences you all (singles and married) will also begin taking time to go out with Jesus. There really is enough of Him to go around 
I’m excited about what God has in store for the women of MFWB! I pray that you will be challenged, provoked and moved by something I may share and please, please feel free to share your feedback with me. Trust me, you will not agree with everything I say. And guess what! That’s okay! We don’t all have to agree on everything. You may (ok, you probably will) disagree with me at times and that is really okay too. I love peaceful dialogue so feel free to come and talk with me about anything you have questions about each month. I look forward to being with each of you every month, so be sure to make a good cup of coffee next June as you sit down to read the women’s newsletter!
Shalom,
Bethany Croney

I’m sorry that I want to be fed honey but spew out venom.

2010-03-22T20:53:00.000-07:00

I seriously have soo much to talk about and simply don't want to sit down to write it all out. But today I happened upon a really awesome youtube video and wanted to share it, plus mention the book that I finished months ago!

My friend Lauren from the Pink House got me interested in slam poetry so now I LOVE it! And this youtube video I found is spoken word by Chris Tse. He apologizes for being a christian. I think a lot of Christians (more conservative ones) may be offended by this video, but I've realized how important it is to say 'i'm sorry,' whether it's warranted or not.

I was so affected by reading Don Miller's Blue like Jazz when he set up a confessional booth at his college and when ever folks came in to sit down, instead of them confessing their sins, Don confessed the sins of the church. And then in another book I read, Lord, Save us from your followers Dan Merchant talks about setting up a confessional booth similar to Don's at a Gay and Lesbian parade in which he apologizes as a Christian for not sharing Jesus' love to that community. I think folks like these are revolutionaries. If only we'd, as Christians, be so quick to seek forgiveness, to humble ourselves instead of boasting about our righteousness.

On to my book.
Under the overpass; A journey of faith on the streets of America by Mike Yankoski 224 pages.
This book just continued my desperate desire to serve and be with the poor in our country (and maybe someday in another part of the world). By the 2nd page Mike has said something that I've thought many, many times before, "But we were created to be and to do, not merely to discuss. The hypocrisy in my life troubled me. No, I wasn't in the grip of rampant sin, but at the same time, for the life of me I couldn't find a connecting thread of radical, living obedience between what I siad about my world and how I lived in it. Sure, I claimed that Christ was my stronghold, m peace, my sustenance, my joy. But I did all that from the safety of my comfortable upper-middle-class life. I never really had to put my claims to the test." So, this guy and his friend leave for 5 months. Thestart at the rescue mission in Denver, CO then off to the streets of Washingto, DC.; Portland, OR; San Francisco, CA; Phoenix, AR; and fnally San Diego, CA. It's fascinating getting to read from his Christian perspective, dealing with the church while being homeless. It's sad that rarely did the church step up in their interactions with church-folk.

Although now that I'm on the topic of homelessness, I can share my new friend. My church fixes sandwiches every Tues. morning and we head over to the park and pass them out to the folks there. I noticed this one guy probably in October, maybe even September. He was always there to get a sandwich. He'd eat there and then normally head off in the direction of downtown. I started specifically saying hello to him and that moved to a hug every time I saw him and usually a short conversation about the weather and how he was doing. I wish I could remember the time line of all this but somewhere in there I decided I'd make him a crocheted scarf. By the time Christmas came he hadn't been to the park. The first few weeks of January he wasn't there when I was and then I missed a couple Tuesdays and I heard he was there! Finally we were both there on a Tues. It was raining so he just took the package and had to leave. I had attached a short note saying Merry Christmas so the next Tues. it was raining again and he slipped me a letter and then had to leave again. That began our friendship and our letters back and forth. Now we normally see each other 2 or 3 times a week and I'm super excited because his birthday is a day before mine so I'm treating him to fried chicken (a fundraiser at my church this Sunday) to celebrate our birthdays together. Hopefully I'll take pictures and post them for y'all...or for you, Candy :)

Okay, that's all for now. Let's hope for another update soon!

Peace y'all.

a weekend and a baptism....

2010-03-01T21:08:00.000-08:00

It was a very full weekend for me. I can't really remember what Friday consisted of but Saturday I was up early to head over to the church and help set up for our ladies luncheon on Sun. We set up tables and made a backdrop for Amanda to stand infront of to speak and finished wrapping up journals that all the women were going to receive as gifts. Then I headed over to the grocery store to get the stuff for the desserts that I was planning on serving at my Open House later in the day. I am still a member of Procrastinators Anonymous. Sometimes I doubt that will ever change, sadly. I went and had lunch with my mom and we started baking brownies, which we took over with us to my place and finished cooking chocolate chip cookies. Folks started comin over at about 2 and the last of them didn't leave till past 5. There were people who didn't come who I wished really would have put in the effort, but the folks that were there were the ones who needed to be there. It was the coolest that my 2nd cousin David showed up and then I got a good visit with Renee and Kevin. That made it all worth it!

Sunday ended up being quite eventful. Rosanna got up at the end of the service and surprised us all by giving her testimony and then getting re-baptized, along with Jeff. As I watched them both getting baptized I was really reminded of how important and beautiful baptism is to the Christian faith. As far as I know there isn't any other religions that do baptism, but as Christians it's vital to our faith. Of course, the most well known and awesome baptism story is Jesus' baptism; 13Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?"
15Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented.
16As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. 17And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."

I think that Jesus was baptized as an example for us and this was also the sort f "send off" for the very beginning of his 3 years of ministry in which he called out His disciples and showed Himself as the Son of Man. But I think it's different for us, as His followers. Baptism is death and resurrection. We die to the old creation; our sinful nature dies and in it's place, as we're raised out of the water, we're resurrected as new creatures. 'Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come' 1 Cor. 5:17 I seriously got this beautiful image in my mind as Rosanna and Jeff were being baptized as all this grime, caked on dirt and muck were being washed away as the came out of that water. Jesus provided a way, in His death (taking on of all that dirt) and resurrection (a washing), to be LIKE HIM through baptism. I read a book where the girl described her baptism and she was wearing a white gown. I really like that.

Jesus' blood cleanses us. During this time of Lent it's been so easy for me to just go about my day, not get on FB or Twitter, fast on Fridays and go about doing what I always do but lately I've really been convicted about truly setting aside these 40 days to contemplate and meditate about what this season is really about; repentance.

http://rachelheldevans.com/lent-calvin

I really love the way this blogger writes about Lent and our response to our Heavenly Father. I especially appreciated when she said, "For if we are worthless to God, our sins agaist him are inconsequential; if we are but pesky isects or venomous sertpents, our rebellion would not grieve him." I read a book that used the metaphor of a family out on a picnic. Mom and dad has set up this delicious feast of amazing food and it's a beautiful day. Mom makes a plate full of all the yummy items that she made specifically for her child, things that he enjoys and sits the plate in front of the child. Instead of going for all the goodness in front of him, he grabs a fistful of rocks and dirt, pushing it into his mouth as his parents sit horrified, finally finding their voice to tell him to stop but he continues. Soon his teeth are chipping, blood is pouring from his ripped open gums. There's lots to say about this metaphor but the thing that I thought about while reading the above blog was the fact that God desires the very best for his kids, he's a daddy offering what we want and how often I reach for things that aren't His best, things that hurt me. He doesn't sit there and say, "I told you so" when that happens, He grieves. It hurts Him. So, I think that Lent is a time in which we intentionally decide to enter into a time of repentance for those moments we chose the rocks and dirt, instead of the delicious feast and as Rachel said, "It is the beginning of restoration and redemption and all the beautiful things that God does through people who know they came from dust."

It was also cool reading this blog and getting to the quote from the liturgy and remembering being apart of that on Ash Wednesday!

Okay, well this is a nice long post that's been long in coming! I hope you enjoyed it.

Shalom!

Pictures!

2010-02-22T22:06:00.000-08:00

512 at sunset
Isn't it beautiful?

I especially love the colors here.

I took those pictures awhile back but I didn't have a way to upload them to my computer till this week...so voila!

And now here's a picture of my hairy legs! Be prepared. If you don't think you can handle see a woman's legs be hairy then you better just stop now and don't scroll down! It's only one picture but more will come. I'm pretty proud of them my self, but I think the hair is probably going to go in the next week. I actually really do love the feel of smooth legs. But no worries, the hair will come back next Winter. And knowing me the hair will probably reappear throughout summer time when I get lazy and remember these last 4 months in which I never touched a razor and never spent time in the shower lathering up my legs and attacking them with a blade.

Here's my thigh

Here's me on Ash Wednesday. It was really exciting. I got to celebrate Ash Wednesday for the first time this year. I've been observing Lent now for 3 years or so but this was the first time I'd been part of a Ash Wed. service, ash cross and all! And I took the whole house since it was supposed to be our house meeting, so that was cool too. We all went to an Anglican church down town. The service was cool. I've never gone to a church who does liturgy and afterwards I realized that I really enjoy that. I think others just think of the Catholic Church and all their ups and downs and reciting Haily Marys but I think it's more than that. Funny enough I've even ended up reading several things about liturgy and how important it is after that service so I'm planning on going back there for Palm Sunday, the end of the 40 days of Lent.

But anyways, I just wanted to get these pictures up before I got busy again. I'll write more later.

10 years...

2010-02-15T21:28:00.000-08:00

Okay, so this update has been a long time coming! Seriously, I'm such a crazy procrastinator.

It's an issue.

I don't like it.

Anyways, Since January 1st I've been wanting to write an update on the end of a decade, so here goes:

2000: I graduated the 7th grade and entered into High School! I stepped into 9th grade with my best friend Candy and we spent 4 years there together, experiencing it together. I can't say we did anything crazy. I don't even think we went to any school dances or functions. We did fall in love with our science teacher, Mr. Moyer and thought up of a crazy love triangle between him and 2 other teachers. I fell in love with my math teacher, Mr. Smith and actually enjoyed math for a little while there. I endured my first encounter with a school yard fight, with none other than my best friend's cousin. That was crazy.
During those 4 years I really didn't do anything worth writing about in long detail. Did well in my classes, spent some time on the Modesto Area eXpress until Candy got her first car, went to church a lot, took care of my grandma, had my cousin live with us on and off, spent a whole lotta time at Candy's house making dinner with her and staying up till all hours of the night talking about everything from the mundane issues in life to seriously crazy subjects. That brings us to graduation from highschool in 2004

2004: Enter COLLEGE. I got accepted to Fresno State along with Candy (yes, she's very evident in the past decade of my life). I went into college with 2 slipped discs that appeared in my senior year of highschool. Thankfully it didn't affect me too badly, except for random pain. Very quickly I declared my major as a Deaf Education major. Candy and I lived in the dorms for 4 years. That was some fun times. We spent many a night, Candy on the top bunk, me on the bottom, talking into the wee hours of the night and eventually getting up to get a late night snack of yummy nachos at Roberto's.

2005/2006: I joined InterVarsity and Jesus seriously rocked my world. I learned of a God who cared about the world and He wasn't just blessing America. And I encountered a Jesus who was subversive, resisting the status quo of our culture. I started going to a bible study in the dorm and quickly became part of leadership, eventually leading my own bible study in my junior year

2006: I was adopted into another family; the folks up north at Liberty Hill Christian Church. I met Paul, the pastor who has become my papa and his wife Shelley and soo many other amazing people. They sent me off to Guatemala with an extra $700 after having just met them. I spent 3 weeks in Guatemala with my friends from IV. It was an amazing experience and just solidified my desire to love and care for the poor in our world.

2007: I headed into my junior year of college and that summer I went to Bulgaria in Eastern Europe with Free Will Baptist young people. We spent 2 weeks at an English camp for Bulgarian students. I also turned 21 this year and had my first boyfriend. I met him up North. It was a short relationship, maybe 3 or 4 months and most of that was spent on the phone because of the distance between us. Don't really want to get into the details of this tragic relationship. But then later that year I began a new relationship with my estranged father. I had actually sent him a letter the year before after finding my uncle and my dad called on Father's Day of 2007, ironically enough while I was celebrating with my Papa Paul. That began the process of getting to know one another again since we hadn't seen each other since I was 3.

2008: Still in school. My buddy left me this year to go to Japan for a semester. It was hard but I enjoyed being able to fully give myself to IV and the friends I had there. I also had some roommate issues but thankfully it ended out that I got my very own room for most of a semester in the suites. That was really sweet! I also got rejected as an intern with InterVarsity after going through a length application process, but instead got accepted into the Pink House Program in the inner-city of Fresno! Which was really cool because in the beginning of the school year (while Candy was gone) I had read Irresistible Revolution and fell in love with Shane Claiborne and caught on to his vision of the Kingdom of God. In August of 2008 I moved into a big pink house with 10 other folks, serving at the Pregnancy Care Center, meeting amazing folks doing God's work with the poor and marginalized, beginning awesome relationships with people with the same heart beat as mine and falling in love with Fresno's inner city.

2009: Started the second half of my stay at the Pink House. I was very very sad to move out as I was called back into Modesto, where I moved into Modesto's inner city; The West Side. I moved into a house with 3 other girls at the time of my move in and a desire to see the house(s) move into more of a ministry program. I met Kevin who lived in the guy's house and became good friends with him as we began to dream of what the houses could look like. Two of the girls moved out and 2 new girls took their places as 2 guys (including Kevin, which was hard) moved out, leaving Cole and Gilbert alone in the guy's house. Spent the rest of the year figuring out what my place was in the house and dealing with being back in a place that was soo very different from Fresno in every way.

2010: And that leads us to our present year. I can't believe how fast these past 10 years has gone by and despite the fact that a lot of that time was merely spent "living, " I have done a lot. I am now officially directing these ministry houses and still trying (and probably will for awhile) figuring out what God desires here and what He wants done. I am also still figuring out what it means to live in a city where not everyone has the same vision of relationships and stewardship. But I'm just trying to allow God to work in my heart, continue to change me and mold me into what He would have me to be. And I'm still just as tight (probably more so) with my best buddy as I was 10 years ago.

Hope you enjoyed the walk through the last 10 years of my life.

2010, let's do it again

2010-01-02T21:19:00.000-08:00

I'm definitely not into the whole New Year's resolutions because I know they're NEVER kept but I read a great blog from one of my favorite authors and he talked about writing resolutions within the context of your story. Instead of setting lofty (unattainable) goals he encourages folks to consider setting a goal relative to their narrative. I'm including an excerpt from his blog so you can get the picture a little better.

I’ve discovered something better than resolutions. If you’ve read A Million Miles in a Thousand Years, you know I’ve reorganized my life into stories rather than goals. I don’t have any problem with goals. I like goals and still set them. But without an overarching plot, goals don’t make sense and are hard to achieve. A story gives a goal a narrative context that forces you to engage and follow through. People who are in great shape and have their finances in order probably don’t set goals to be in good shape or get their finances in order. They probably set goals of running a marathon or paying off their house. In other words, they think in narrative rather than goals. The goals get met in the journey of the story.

Sadly, I haven't read his book YET but I like this idea and really it's not a new concept. I spent many semesters in water aerobics thinking of short-term and long-term goals that could be measured, attained, etc. So, my best friend and I have already begun the no-shave test. We're not shaving our legs or our underarms. I think I started somewhere in the beginning of November but I know my friend and I officially decided to stop shaving in the beginning of December so it's definitely been a full month for the two of us. My hair is definitely visible! And my underarms are quite full and luxurious :) Didn't think you'd ever hear those terms used to describe underarm hair on a woman, huh? But someday my friend and I hope it won't be odd at all! And to begin this revolution my friend began an amazing blog. Go check it out! http://hairyleggedgirls.blogspot.com/

This same friend and I are also ending the consumption of pork and beef. We're both resigned to the fact that this idea may not last very long. We both love beef and pork and have fond memories of dining on both quite often together, but we'll see.

I have joined a gym and I've realized that when I'm regularly working out I don't eat as poorly as when I'm not working out so that may help to keep me away from the pork and beef. We'll see.

While writing this blog I realized that I wrote down my resolutions for 09 on my LJ. Here's my resolutions from last year:
1. Write in my LJ at least once a week. I'm doing good on that one so far
Hah, that didn't happen. Since I've had this new blog here at blogspot I haven't even been able to write a blog a week. Sadness.
2. Noemi and I hung out on Wed. and we decided to do the workout and diet thing together. We've decided to be each other's accountability partner.We have a document on google that we each write in every day. We record what we ate that day, our exercise routine (We have to work out 5 times a week, for a minimum of 30 mins) and we've also decided to write down 3 things that we're happy about for that day. We also decided to meet once every 2 weeks to go on a long bike ride. Today was our first time and it went really well. We ended up at the park for lunch and I admitted that I really want to look good for a wedding I'm attending this summer. So, we've decided my goal is 50 pounds by August. And I say, 30 by graduation in May but Noemi says I can do 30 by March. So, we'll see.
I don't remember exactly how long this lasted but I don't think it lasted too long :( But, I would like to at least document my weight again, until I either forget about it or get depressed, whichever comes first. Oh, and I'm sure I didn't lose 30, maybe gained it even.
3. Spend at least an hour in quiet time: A chapter of Proverbs a day, Oswald daily reading and prayer.
This actually lasted awhile but not all year.
4. I have a friend who writes down each book that he's finished in his LJ with the amount of pages he read and then at the end of the year he adds it all up. I really want to see how much I read in a year so I'm also going to start doing that and recording it here.
This actually last all year!! And here's the page accumulation of all my books that I read in 2009! 5988!!!! Whoo Hooo! Let's see if I can top that in 2010

So, there it is. Not too good about keeping the resolutions in 2009 (despite the fact that I said that I don't even try to keep resolutions, obviously I'm a liar) so we'll see how it goes by setting attainable goals in 2010.
1. Be proud of the enormous amount of hair that my body produces, whether I shave it or not.
2. I know I might not be able to last a whole year without pork or beef but I at least want a time where I won't eat it so I'm going to abstain from pork and beef for 6 months!
3. Keep a weight/health chart, especially while not eating pork and beef and see if that makes a big difference on weight loss.
4. Start reading Oswald's daily devotionals again. I've been wanting to so now is the best time to start again!
5. Continue writing down the books I finish and how many pages I read.

Here's the the new year. It should be full of ups, downs and curves.

Coming out...

2009-12-05T23:31:00.000-08:00

I will admit that I've been ashamed at times of this little secret. But those closest to me know the truth on my thoughts and now world, you will too.

I have not shaved my legs for at least a month now. Sadly I didn't note the last time I shaved my legs but it's becoming very apparent that I'm not shaving now. Although the picture that I took doesn't do it justice and only helps to spur me to continue to NOT shave.

So, there it is. Hopefully the next picture I put up you will actually be able to see the hair better and I'll take the picture with something other than my cell phone. And thankfully I am not alone in this endeavor to stand up against this idea that women must shave their legs in America; My best friend Candy is joining me in this rally cry! We unite, our hairy legs and all. And GASP! Hairy underarms too!

Please ACT!

2009-11-12T10:27:00.000-08:00

Please pray for Uganda!

2009-11-12T07:41:00.001-08:00

There is an incredible follower of Jesus who advocates on behalf of the homosexual community in Chicago, Andrew Marin. If you haven't heard of him then I would urge you to go to your local bookstore, or the local library if you're low on funds, and read his book, Love is an orientation. Or you can check out his ministry's website here, http://themarinfoundation.org/ or read his thoughts on his blog, http://www.loveisanorientation.com/

Just recently Andrew began spreading the word about a huge injustice that is happening in Uganda and I beg you to continue to read this post and move into action! The following is some information about a bill that the Ugandan government is trying to pass from the facebook group concerning this issue, http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=198541255168

the orgnaisations said the draft bill’s proposals will result in gross human rights abuses and hamper the fight against HIV/AIDS as gay people will fear to come forth for HIV testing, counseling and treatment if they are found HIV positive.

Homosexuality is already a crime in Uganda, but the Minister of Ethics and Integrity, Dr. James Nsaba Buturo has been complaining that the law is inadequate to curb homosexuality that is reported to be on the increase in Uganda.

He says the current law requires the state to prove that a person is indeed engaging in same sex relations, which has been difficult for the police to establish.

Apart from occasional arrests, torture and harassment, no one has been convicted of homosexuality since the law was introduced in Uganda’s Penal code (Section 140) by British colonialists.

The High Court ruled in favour of gays in a landmark case last December that was filed by gay Rights activists, contending that all Ugandans are entitled to the same rights and freedoms, including from torture and discrimination on the basis of sex, gender, ethnicity or other grouping.

The proposed law now seeks to criminalize those who promote homosexuality, including publishing information or providing funds, premises for any activities by gays or giving them any other resources.

The bill also seeks to punish by up to three year imprisonment anyone including heterosexual people, who fail to report within 24 hours the identities of everyone they know who is lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender.

But how all these crimes will be proved and prosecuted is not clear in the draft bill.

Many religious leaders in Uganda and the Family Life Network have been fighting against what they call a proliferation of homosexuality in the country and accuse some individuals and organization of recruiting homosexuals in schools and luring students with money and gifts.

The Gays in Uganda have refuted these accusations arguing that they are aimed at presenting homosexuals as predators taking advantage of innocent children.

You can also read the bill yourself here, http://wthrockmorton.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/anti-homosexuality-bill-2009.pdf

Below is a letter from Andrew. Please join the facebook group, begin praying now! and join us on Nov. 17th as we all pray for this situation and PLEASE write to the public and government officials at the end of this letter. Whatever your beliefs on the subject of homosexuality it's a moot point, this legislation is not biblical.

Hello Everyone,
Thank you all for continuing to spread the message that regardless of one’s theological belief system, this legislation is wrong. Dr. Warren Throckmorton and I are assembling a day of prayer. We know that there are many of you in this group who are not religious, and we are not asking you to do something you are not comfortable with. But for those who do have a faith tradition we ask that on Tuesday November 17th, you take at least 30 minutes to pray for the following:

1. That this legislation be thrown out

2. For protection and peace for our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters living in this oppression in Uganda and around the world

3. That the Ugandan Church realize this legislation is not morally or Scripturally correct – as there has been disturbing news recently coming from some of my contacts in Uganda and Parliament that the Ugandan Church is starting to make official statements in favor of this bill. I will be posting those as soon as they are official.

The world will feel this impact! I know that on the evening of November 17th I have a large group gathering in Chicago that will be focusing our time in prayer for the aforementioned three requests. This Facebook group has members located all over the world, and we have a unique opportunity to gather throughout the globe to lift these injustices to our Creator to make a divine impact. If your belief urges you to do so, please join us in this day of prayer. Thank you.

In the meantime, please also contact the following influencers to voice your opposition to this legislation:

CONTACT:

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni
State House Nakasero
P.O. Box 24594
Kampala, Uganda
Tel: 256-41-343-311
Fax: 256-41-346-102
info@statehouse.go.ug

Prime Minister Apollo Nsibambi
Post Office Building, Yusuf Lule Road
P.O. Box 341
Kampala, Uganda
Tel: 256-41-423-6252
Fax: 256-41-434-1139
ps@opm.go.ug

Speaker of the Parliament Edward Ssekandi Kiwanuka
P.O. Box 7178, Parliamentary Avenue
Kampala, Uganda
Tel: 256-414-377-100
Fax: 256-414-231-296
speaker@parliament.go.ug

Minister of Gender, Labour, and Social Affairs
Honorable Opio Gabriel
P.O. Box 1494
Kampala, Uganda
Tel: 256-41-510-732
ps@mglsd.go.ug

Med Kaggwa, Chair of the Uganda Human Rights Commission
Plot 20/22/24 Buganda Road
P.O. Box 4929,
Kampala, Uganda
Tel: 256-414-348-007/8
Fax: 256-414-255-261
uhrc@uhrc.ug

Directorate for Ethics and Integrity
P.O. Box 7142
Kampala, Uganda
Tel: 256-(0)41-430-1600
Fax: 256-(0)41-434-3177
info@dei.go.ug

Mathisen Gørild
Chair of the Uganda Diplomatic Human Rights Working Groups
gorild.mathisen@mfa.no

Send a copy to:
Jerry P. Lanier, Ambassador to the Republic of Uganda
Embassy of the United States of America
P.O. Box 7007,
Kampala, Uganda
Tel: 256-414-259-791/2/3/5
Fax: 256-414-259-794
kampalawebcontact@state.gov

Send an email and fax to:
Perezi K. Kamunanwire, Ambassador to the US
Tel: 1-202-726-4758
Fax: 1-202-726-1727
pkamunanwire@ugandaembassyus.org

Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda
Permanent Representative of the Republic of Uganda to the United Nations
336 East 45 Street
New York, NY 10017
Tel: 1-212-949-0110
Fax: 1-212-687-4517
ugandaunny@un.int
_________________________________________________________
I pray that we would join in the suffering of the people in Uganda.
Romans 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.

Shalom

Beat swords into plowshares!

2009-11-12T07:29:00.000-08:00

Isaiah 2:4
He will judge between the nations
and will settle disputes for many peoples.
They will beat their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will not take up sword against nation,
nor will they train for war anymore.

I prayed the above passage for the country yesterday. I pray that someday (very soon, I hope) we will never again be in war and instead we will turn the very things that destroy into things that bring about life!

The article below was published yesterday in the Sojourners magazine. I would encourage you anyone reading this to check out the links that he provides, especially the Centurion's Guild.

For God and Country (in that Order)

by Logan Laituri 11-11-2009

Nobody today will be able to celebrate our many veterans without the memory of Fort Hood fresh in our collective conscience. It is a horrible irony that such an inexcusable evil took place so near one of our nation’s most hallowed holidays. As a veteran myself, I reflect quite painfully on the memories of those I knew who never got the chance to become veterans; those who were robbed by lethal force of their chance to return to “the private sector.”

I am fortunate to be part of a community of fellow former warriors (well, actually, one of us is still in the National Guard) who wrestle alongside me with the political implications of our shared faith. Centurion’s Guild members have all, as part of our communal covenant, agreed that our service is “For God and Country (in that order).” For those who vigilantly watch the news, this statement may alarm you, since Major Hasan, the accused Fort Hood shooter, allegedly made similar statements to classmates — that his allegiance to his religion outweighed his allegiance to America.

As troubling as it may seem, several of us can sympathize with the Major without validating his atrocious decision to use violence. After all, in our enemies, we often find hints of ourselves. It is worth noting that several of us can also identify with being subjected to harassment and ridicule on account of our peculiar religious beliefs, one reason being widely proposed as (at least partial) motivation for Hasan’s indefensible actions.

In Centurion’s Guild we take allegiances very seriously, but we differentiate between our national service and our faith in the God who sent the Son to die (not kill) for us. Where we would agree with Hasan’s principle of distinguishing between one’s national and religious service, we cannot part forcefully enough with the reasoning that violence is an acceptable means of affecting our goals. Frustratingly, we cannot know for certain what summoned Hasan to violence (well, besides his combat orders).

As we go about memorializing those who know full well the formidable debt freedom incurs, let the Church not forget the One who has already paid that debt and the body he has given us to remember that gift. Let us remember to differentiate between church and state, including their distinct histories. As Americans, we may pay our veterans homage, or reflect on Armistice, but the Church has a history that actually looks ahead to God’s final armistice. We even have our own veterans that we would do well to remember, at least one of which we actually celebrate today, Martin of Tours.

Martin is a favorite of ours in the Guild, many of us regarding him as a model soldier. Martin, named after the god of war, was part of an elite force commissioned with guarding the Emperor himself (Caesar Julian in Martin’s case). However, being a catechumen, he felt he could not participate in the bloodshed battle asks of all soldiers. He refused to fight at the Battle of Worms in 336 CE, but offered to be placed on the front lines nonetheless. Before his commanders could rush the seditious centurion off to certain death, the Gauls negotiated an armistice, and Martin was honorably discharged, continuing on to be the Bishop of Tours, in modern day France.

I remember being told, when I was pursuing a path not too unlike Martin’s, that good Christian soldiers obeyed the commander in chief, ideologically fusing allegiances that should have been quite distinct. The person who told me this had quoted, of all things, the hymn “Onward Christian Soldiers” to reinforce his point. Paradoxically, I discovered that there is nothing in it that overtly supports violence, since we are to march as to war, not literally to war.

I mentioned in my last post that when the Church parrots the world’s calls for retribution, we fail to reflect the peculiarity of Christ’s redemptive kingdom, effectively trading piety for patriotism. Derek Webb (an artist I have profound theological respect for) has another avian figure in mind: a mockingbird, with no new song to sing. It was his music that helped me to see that “my enemies are men like me.” I pray the Church has the audacity and the imagination to sing to the world a new song, one so beautiful it honors the patriots as well as the pacifists.

Merry Martinmas, everyone! Just as importantly, I hope you have a happy Veterans Day too.

Logan Laituri is an Army veteran with combatant service in Iraq during OIF II and experience with Christian Peacemaker Teams in Israel and the West Bank. He blogs sporadically and is a co-founder of Centurion’s Guild.

Shalom!

In response to Candy's comment on my last post...

2009-11-06T23:40:00.000-08:00

Candy's questions regarding my last post are in Red and my response is in white.

where on South 9th Street?
A couple blocks past the 9th street bridge. We're on the right side of the street.

Is it at a certain place? or just set up shop somewhere outside? There's a strip of cement that we "set up shop" which is some tables and chairs.

Is it mobile, just moving down the street? I guess we're mobile but we do not move down the street...They set up in the same place every Friday at 10:30am.

Also, "Hot chocolate or a cadillac"? I'm pretty sure I made it clear in the post what a cadillac is; it's coffee with chocolate in it.

YPN = Young People Now? Youth Pastors Network. All the folks who work with youth here in Modesto get together once a week to catch up, talk about struggles, good stuff that goin on, etc.

(Also potentially a point of interest = one of the drop-down searches on Google for "Youth With A Mission" is "Youth With A Mission cult"! Suffice to say, I'm sure the peeps you're working with are cool, but it's very interesting reading about the controversies!). YWAM is not a cult although I'm sure some people would argue that it is.

New Hope sounds pretty cool, as does Chris (you say he journeyed here; where'd he come from?). I'm not going to tell his whole story on here...but he ultimately came from Kentucky, then spent time in Canada, some jaunts in Thailand and is now in Modesto.

Although I suppose I'm not quite clear on the church part- how do they send out the message to non-churchgoing people that they're a community church available for use? Or am I misinterpreting what community church means- is it more along the lines of people from other churches can use it without having to be part of the church? I also feel as if I made this mildly, at the least, clear in my post...the whole example...people in the COMMUNITY can use the church for a birthday. And a church becomes a community church mostly by word of mouth and by getting to know folks.

South 9th Street....

2009-11-06T17:19:00.000-08:00

This morning I joined some YWAMers (Youth With A Mission folks) and hung out on 9th street; the "bad" part of town. Chris, Jimmy, Arlie, Jimmy and Bob (I think that's all their names) go out on 9th street every Friday, along with hot water for coffee, hot chocolate or a cadillac; coffee with hot chocolate and lots and lots of breads and pastries. They hang out there until people stop coming by for something to drink or eat. They've made some really great relationships and it's been the catalyst for deeper relationships throughout the week. I know Chris from a couple of meetings that we've been at together. I've wanted to join them on a Fri. for awhile but I ended up being at a YPN meeting on Thurs. and he was there so he ended up coming by and picking me up. I really enjoyed it.

And it's funny when God knows what you need to hear. I was able to hear the whole back story on Chris' journey to Modesto (the long story long) and it was really exciting to hear about his church here in Modesto, New Hope. Sometimes I feel as if Modesto is this God forsaken place where Christians just aren't stepping up to the plate but then I hear about churches like Chris' and it gives me such hope! And reminds me to continue to pray and challenge my own church about our role in our community. Chris' church just moved in near the Airport District and a church of only 40 people have decided that they want to be a community-based church. That doesn't mean that the whole community MUST go to that church, but that they are willing to be used by the community, even if that means someone is going to have a big birthday party and they need the use of the fellowship, stuff like that. I LOVE hearing how God is working in such powerful ways here in Modesto and it seriously pumped me up and encouraged me in ways that I'm sure Chris didn't realize while he was telling me his story.

I am excited about continuing to join them on 9th street and I am also really excited to get to know Chris and the other fellas and learn from them. I miss my community in Fresno and the way I was able to relate to them, but slowly I think God is introducing me to people here in Modesto who have the same vision for the city and have God's heart for justice and the poor. I pray that God continues these relationships and that soon I would have the kind of community and support that I've missed since I've been here. Exciting stuff.

Progress is impossible without change; and those who cannot change their minds, cannot change anything. - George Bernard Shaw

2009-10-28T22:41:00.000-07:00

I'm feeling a bit depressed so if that's what you sense from this post then you've been warned as to why.

I hate to admit it but I really don't like when things change in my little world. It's bad enough when you sign onto Facebook in the middle of the day and the format has been changed, after you've been on there several times that morning and it was delightfully regular. But, for me those things I can adjust to rather quickly, it's other things that are changing right now in my life that aren't as easy to get accustomed to.

So, here's a few things that are changing here at the ministry house that I live in;
Patty is moved out.
Devan is moved out.
Kevin is moved out.

That's a lot of people moving. It is especially going to be hard with Kevin gone. I have known that Devan and Patty are moving out and thankfully Patty is just down the street but Kevin just decided to move out. He's preparing to move onto seminary down in L.A and needs to save money so he's decided to say the $325 and move in with his parents until he decides whether he's going to leave in January or in the summer time.

It's kinda crazy that I care so much that he's moving out. We've only known each other since June when I moved back to Modesto, but since then we've spent a lot of time together while figuring out how best to serve the ministry house and in what direction we'd like to see the houses move, plus in all that time just getting to know each other as brother and sister in Christ. And I can say without a shadow of a doubt that he's become a very good brother and friend. I don't care that he says that he'll, "be around" it's not the same :(

And now it shall be interesting to see where the houses go. Kevin and I will continue to work on the logistical paper work but after that is when the real fun begins. So, please pray for God's will in the direction and vision of the house.

And with this whole changing thing...sometimes I don't really like myself changing. It's easier to just be the same, not change the way you think or act. Then people don't have to adjust to your new ideas or the new way you behave. Of course, I don't agree with this. I wouldn't want to go back to the days before college and before God really got ahold of me, but there are those moments when no one gets me and actually make fun of me or get mad at me and for just a second I wonder if it's worth it...but then I have a great conversation with a friend who gets me or start reading the Bible and am reminded of how much I've grown and what God has done in my life and I thank HIM for it!

Vine House

2009-10-27T13:41:00.000-07:00

I love writing down my thoughts and ideas yet it's taken me FOREVER since I established this blog to actually write anything down! I hate when I do that.

But, I am really going to try to at the very least write once a week or so, even if it's just pictures or an article that impacted me. And I am opening up this blog for all to see. I had another on-line journal that only a couple of friends knew about but this one will be "broad casted" so to speak. So, I warn y'all that this is merely my thoughts and reflections. Most likely you won't agree with me always, if ever and that's okay. If you feel the need to tell me that I'm wrong then please do so in a civilized, non-combatant way. I love to dialogue about things, I do NOT enjoy fighting.

Now, on to more important things. I am 5 months into living on the west-side of Modesto. Crazy. Sometimes it feels like I've been in this house for a very long time and other days it feels like I just left Fresno. Those are the days when I miss the Pink House, my amazing community of friends who loved so well. But I know God really does want me here on Vine Street for a purpose and He has slowly revealed some of those reasons even in the last 5 months.

I've been going down to the Vine House for the past few weeks. The Vine House is something completely separate to my house. The Vine House is run by Cheryl Van Horn, a great lady-of-God. She has a group of volunteers who comes twice a week, Mondays and Wednesdays to feed folks from around 9-ish to 11. They offer snack foods, cookies, pastries and coffee. I haven't really gotten to know any of the frequent participants but I have fallen in love with the volunteers. They have become family and probably don't even know it. They are all very sweet. Victoria is one of my favorites. She is a cancer survivor and used to be a drop-in at the Vine House and is now giving back by serving there. Very sweet lady. There's a couple other ladies who are sweet and fun. Then there's Bob who lives in the back of the Vine House. He's an older gentleman and has the most amazing spirit about him. He calls me all sorts of cute nick names and reminds me that I'm a star. He's definitely grandpa material. And Harvey is a preacher! That man can't help but get excited while praying. But Don is one of my favorites. He's a blind man and LOVES to help whenever he can but the best part of who he is (that I know) is when he talks with Jesus. He starts off every prayer by saying, "Hey God" and ends by saying "See you later." I've never heard someone with such child-like faith pray and every time it seems to touch me. His prayers are always shorter than everyone else's and he normally stops just short of crying as he prays for the folks that came to eat that day but I truly believe he's one of those people who has it down on the prayer thing.

I've really been blessed by serving at the Vine House. It's funny when you go to serve and feel overwhelmed by God's love. Good stuff.

Shalom

My attempt...

2008-11-07T00:31:00.000-08:00

So, I actually have a blog already on this site called Live Journal but I'm hoping to mostly write my thoughts and ideas on faith in this blog. I might not write very often and sometimes I may just post other people's ideas that have made me think or have made me sad, it'll all depend on how busy I am really. And mostly this is just for me. If anyone comes upon it and would like to read and comment, feel free but really I just want to have a place to freely write down my thoughts.

Thanks.

Shalom