Friday Five: Healing Spaces

RevGal Deb authors today's Friday Five blog prompt. She writes: So, with the events of the violence and tragedy from the Boston Marathon fresh in our memories, I thought it would be good for us to focus on where as RevGalBlogPals, we find healing, peace and strengthening. As a chaplain, there are days where I never seem to catch my breath, and invariably, those are the days that I need it the most! So with all this in mind, share with us these healing things:

1. A piece of music -- Bobby McFerrin's "Psalm 23" (video above).  An amazing and generous church choir sang this at my ordination 20 years ago.  This version celebrates women throughout history.  

2. A place -- Nature.  Just about any nature venue. Digging in the dirt.  Beach. Mountain. River. Farm. Orchard. 

3. A favorite food (they call it "comfort food" for a reason) -- The family tradition -- enchiladas!

4. A recreational pastime (that you watch or participate in) -- Playing games with family and friends.

5. A poem, Scripture passage or other literature that speaks to comfort you -- Romans 8:38-39. Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.


BONUS: People, animals, friends, family - share a picture of one or many of these who warm your heart.

What else could it be?  Here's the most recent pic of my precious grandchild:

For the love of Daniel and for all of creation: Let there be peace on earth.

Lenten Photos Day 1: Who Am I?

As part of my Lenten practice this year, I have decided to participate in the Lenten 40 Day Photo Challenge at rethinkchurch.org.  The idea is to take a photo that is about the word or phrase of the day. It is supposed to require paying attention and being intentional, which sounds like a spiritual discipline to me!

Who Am I?

Today I am:

• Starting the day a concerned mom and grandmother 
• An early riser in Baton Rouge; commuter to New Orleans
• Interim Pastor at Central St. Matthew UCC in NOLA
• In need of a hair cut and a massage
• The recipient of ashes twice in one day
• Offering ashes from the (covered) Carrollton Ave. campus front steps during cold rain at noon (pic taken there)
• Singing and praying there, too, with some who came by.
• Enchilada cook at lunch (nothing new there!)
• Relieved about good medical test results for a loved one
• Messaged and encouraged during sermon prep
• Preacher for our NOLA clergy-sponsored service tonight
• Face-to-face with "the Chicago thing" . . . again.
• Peaceful about "the Chicago thing" . . . really
• Reasonably satisfied about the preaching tonight
• Gluten-free in a gluten-filled Communion world (it seems)

I'm Wearing Purple Today

Today is "Spirit Day" and I'm wearing purple to speak out against anti-LGBT bullying.  It is also a  reminder to me to speak up whenever I hear language that demeans anyone for any reason.  I am thankful for organizations and groups who have brought LGBT human rights issues into the mainstream and advocated for equality for all.

GLAAD (The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation ) amplifies the voice of the LGBT community by empowering real people to share their stories, holding the media accountable for the words and images they present, and helping grassroots organizations communicate effectively. By ensuring that the stories of LGBT people are heard through the media, GLAAD promotes understanding, increases acceptance, and advances equality. Go their Wear Purple page to show "Spirit Day" purple on Facebook and Twitter.

The Human Rights Campaign works for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender equal rights.  Find out what actions are taking place in your state by clicking on a drop down menu on the home page.

I'm especially grateful for the Jesus followers who are the United Church of Christ.   The UCC has historically been a pioneer faith in issues of justice and equality, including marriage equality for all.  Geoffrey Black, general minister and president of the UCC, was one of the national religious leaders who signed the Clergy Against Bullying Statement. 

Yearning for God celebrates the "It Gets Better" You-Tube project

Anktangle celebrates the beauty of purple in pictures.

Kristin at Halfway to Normal proclaims "Not up for debate:  Acceptance and love for all"!  Amen!

And Geaux Tigers!  Today, I wear my purple LSU Tiger shirt in solidarity with teens who didn't live until it got better for them. 

Peace. With justice.  Now.

Not ashamed of the gospel

Does this look like an anti-war protester? Or a DFH? It's actually a picture of a faithful and courageous Christian leader who is not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Yesterday, Rev. John Thomas and Rev. Linda Jaramillo, both national leaders in the United Church of Christ, were arrested for attempting to deliver to the White House a petition for peace in Iraq. The petition carried some 60,000 signatures, including mine, I'm happy to say.

Mainline church leaders have never been asked to the White House, nor has the president of the United States found time in his schedule to grant even one meeting that mainline church leaders have requested.

In 2003, as war in Iraq is promoted, President's schedule "too busy" to meet with mailine church leaders

Methodist leaders encourage Bush to repent

Yet, he has been very accessible to, and influenced by, the likes of James Dobson and the (far) religious right.

Bush meets with Religious Right to get support for Iran policy

As a disciple of Jesus Christ who seeks to be a peacemaker, I am inspired today, and energized, by the witness for peace that led to the arrest yesterday of John Thomas and Linda Jaramillo at the White House gates.