Boy howdy. That last bit is a timely reminder for me. Do not focus on the echo of hurt, either. I somehow wanderered too close to the edge of Bad Memory Canyon yesterday. Gonna throw myself a rope today and ride my new electric bike.
The hurts are gaping, and, like a vacuum, I get sucked in. Not today, eh? Today is fresh air and friends and that warm tint in the air. Onward. Swords (and palm fronds) up, and I love you, man. All we have is right now. Not even today. Just now.
In the Orthodox church, the palm fronds were pre-made into crosses by the kids, but in the Episcopal church we got palm fronds and then had to learn how to make the crosses. I had to be retrained every year.
I agree about the musical. The John Legend show that was on TV several years ago was fantastic.
Yesterday the Priest giving the sermon offered this question which I found interesting: What caused the citizens of Jerusalem to call for Jesus to be crucified just one week after giving him such a warm welcome? So throngs waving palms welcomed him only to then wave their fists and tell Pilate to nail him to a cross…..upon arriving home with our fronds we did what we’ve always done, entwine one on our crucifix. Oh, and your last few lines REALLY struck a nerve!
Well, if you can't get to church all the time, Susan, you certainly have a wonderful, Latinx-style home altar, to stop by and reflect from time to time! That's what we Puerto Rican recovering Pentecostals - the Agosto's - do (although a Latinx "praise and worship" church has just moved down the road from us here in West Hartford, taking over an old Covenant Church and filling it up with music, joy and lots of young, energetic Hispanics; we could walk to it too!).
Yes, been there three times - Christmas Eve the first time, wonderfully surprised; second time - senior pastor preached his heart out and had me yelling back affirmations, like old times! Third time, a week ago Sunday - guest preacher, not so great, but before he came on a liturgical dance said all I had to hear that day about love and perseverance. In fact, I quietly walked out on the preacher (I was alone and sitting in the back so I could leave inconspicuously); no need to hear his platitudes after young people's liturgical dance said all I needed to hear. Probably be back on Easter. Still haven't walked there yet though. A three minute drive!
Whoa. Never heard of BunJesus, but now I think I need one. ❤ On reflection, that leap of faith from the cross may be less blasphemous and more profound than it first appears. (Luke 23.46?)
I dragged my son to a more recent showing of it, with the original Jesus, and he said afterward that he think it might have meant more if he'd been on heroin.
I don't know if you read children's books, but if so, I recommend teacher and poet Stanley Kiesel's The War Between the Pitiful Teachers and the Splendid Kids, in terms of what to do with hurt. (Style note: It's surreal and wild. Not at all solemn.)
I'm taking it you're going to an ELCA Lutheran church. Missouri Synod and Wisconsin Synod Lutherans, the other likeliest sorts, got plenty of rules.
Usually there are calls for participants in enquirers' or new members classes when the priest hd reason to think that a group of six or so will stick with the classes-- not necessarily join at the end. But other arrangements can be made: ask the priest. Probably ideally make an appointment to ask the priest.
Every local church is a thing unto itself, but in ELCA and other mainline churches generally, the idea of such classes isn't indoctrination, but facilitating informed choice.
Now I'll look at other comments, which I normally do before commenting, and find out that I'm just reiterating what others have told you. :D
I urge you to check out this book by my brilliant brother-in-law, Ross MacDonald. He's a wicked funny talented guy. And he knows what Jesus would craft. https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/what-would-jesus-craft-diy-for-the-irreverently-devout/2015/11/03/ff47b004-8231-11e5-9afb-0c971f713d0c_story.html
I love him already. Thank you for the recommendation.
Boy howdy. That last bit is a timely reminder for me. Do not focus on the echo of hurt, either. I somehow wanderered too close to the edge of Bad Memory Canyon yesterday. Gonna throw myself a rope today and ride my new electric bike.
The hurts are gaping, and, like a vacuum, I get sucked in. Not today, eh? Today is fresh air and friends and that warm tint in the air. Onward. Swords (and palm fronds) up, and I love you, man. All we have is right now. Not even today. Just now.
In the Orthodox church, the palm fronds were pre-made into crosses by the kids, but in the Episcopal church we got palm fronds and then had to learn how to make the crosses. I had to be retrained every year.
I agree about the musical. The John Legend show that was on TV several years ago was fantastic.
Oh! Wasn’t it? I was crying on my couch.
Yesterday the Priest giving the sermon offered this question which I found interesting: What caused the citizens of Jerusalem to call for Jesus to be crucified just one week after giving him such a warm welcome? So throngs waving palms welcomed him only to then wave their fists and tell Pilate to nail him to a cross…..upon arriving home with our fronds we did what we’ve always done, entwine one on our crucifix. Oh, and your last few lines REALLY struck a nerve!
Stay strong, my brother.
Well, if you can't get to church all the time, Susan, you certainly have a wonderful, Latinx-style home altar, to stop by and reflect from time to time! That's what we Puerto Rican recovering Pentecostals - the Agosto's - do (although a Latinx "praise and worship" church has just moved down the road from us here in West Hartford, taking over an old Covenant Church and filling it up with music, joy and lots of young, energetic Hispanics; we could walk to it too!).
Have you visited it yet? I'd be sorely tempted...
Yes, been there three times - Christmas Eve the first time, wonderfully surprised; second time - senior pastor preached his heart out and had me yelling back affirmations, like old times! Third time, a week ago Sunday - guest preacher, not so great, but before he came on a liturgical dance said all I had to hear that day about love and perseverance. In fact, I quietly walked out on the preacher (I was alone and sitting in the back so I could leave inconspicuously); no need to hear his platitudes after young people's liturgical dance said all I needed to hear. Probably be back on Easter. Still haven't walked there yet though. A three minute drive!
If you hand a goofball a palm frond
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSdCAcJQlR3VzziS7cxPOlHrTDL3vEdeztlt65REXUaLg&s
That is awesome in every way.
Whoa. Never heard of BunJesus, but now I think I need one. ❤ On reflection, that leap of faith from the cross may be less blasphemous and more profound than it first appears. (Luke 23.46?)
That's what I try to tell friends and family who are offended by it. Of course, those friends and family members are always free to look away...
I never thought of it as blasphemous! Good grief.
New Year’s Eve 1976 I saw the show at the Bushnell. It was amazing but I think if I saw it again, in person now, it might mean a whole lot more.
I dragged my son to a more recent showing of it, with the original Jesus, and he said afterward that he think it might have meant more if he'd been on heroin.
I immediately moved him up on my prayer list.
lol! 😉
I don't know if you read children's books, but if so, I recommend teacher and poet Stanley Kiesel's The War Between the Pitiful Teachers and the Splendid Kids, in terms of what to do with hurt. (Style note: It's surreal and wild. Not at all solemn.)
I'm taking it you're going to an ELCA Lutheran church. Missouri Synod and Wisconsin Synod Lutherans, the other likeliest sorts, got plenty of rules.
Usually there are calls for participants in enquirers' or new members classes when the priest hd reason to think that a group of six or so will stick with the classes-- not necessarily join at the end. But other arrangements can be made: ask the priest. Probably ideally make an appointment to ask the priest.
Every local church is a thing unto itself, but in ELCA and other mainline churches generally, the idea of such classes isn't indoctrination, but facilitating informed choice.
Now I'll look at other comments, which I normally do before commenting, and find out that I'm just reiterating what others have told you. :D
No worries. It's an ELCA church. I suppose I cannot stray too far afield from the word "evangelical."
:D