monster lament

What has cancer taught me? That I am an ordinary man. It has liberated me from any illusion that I am chosen, or elect - that the faith I have embraced since a child has inured me from suffering; that I am deserving of special treatment. So, I come to the church and offer my sacrifice of woe. I run towards God to shelter under the shadow of the Creator's wing. I seek refuge there and wait until this calamity passes . . .
We enter into community because suffering makes us dependent upon one another. And it is there that we learn to forgive each other. In community our sockness, sins, failings and petty squabbling stand out in high relief. The monster from within is exposed. There is no such thing as faith in isolation. Together, the halt and the unlovely stumble toward the dawning of a new day, a day of healing and redemption.
- Greg Randall, "Monster Lament," Geez Fall 2007

Worth the Read

I'm not one of those "Love Thy Neighbor" Christians
Click me.

yet another rock and roll podcast

Hey all,

David and I did another podcast. our podcast skills have definitely improved, although they're not quite as professional as we hope to be someday.

Check it out at http://scmcanada.org/radio. It's like an hour long, but worth it because David is awesome.

Here's the blurb:

The second podcast of SCM Movement Radio, featuring voices on Western foreign policy in Latin America and how students can take action. Includes an interview with SCM Mexico activist Juan Luis Loza, Br. Thomas Novak with the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, and development studies student Anneliese Schoppe. Hosted by David Ball and Bre, with music by Anti-Flag, Bruce Cockburn and Dar Williams.

calmings

but let all who take refuge in you rejoice;
let them sing joyful praises forever.
Spread your protection over them,
that all who love your name may be filled withjoy.
For you bless the godly, O LORD;
you surround them with your shield of love.
- psalm 5:11-12

ahhhhhh . . . this one hurts

We fear so deeply what we think other people see in us, so we talk in order to straighten out thier understanding. ... One of the fruits of silence is the freedom to let our justification rest entirely with God.
- Richard Foster
from Celebration of Discipline

prophets.

I could have been a priest instead of a prophet. The priest has a book with the words set out. Old words, known words, words of power. Words that are always on the surface. Words for every occasion. The words work. They do what they’re supposed to do; comfort and discipline. The prophet has no book. The prophet is a voice that cries in the wilderness, full of sounds that do not always set into meaning. The prophets cry out because they are troubled by demons . . .
If the demons lie within you they travel with you.
Everyone thinks their own situation most tragic. I am no exception.

- Jeanette Winterson, “Oranges are Not the Only Fruit”