Today was my first day back at Parkview church. I haven't been back since before I left for school...that was about 2 years ago. I forgot how much I love Pastor Tim. He began church with this little tune.
bahahaha...makes me laugh every time.
...On a more serious note..
He talked a lot about the church..what we are..and what we are supposed to be.
Churches today have become so overwhelmed with the production of services, how many people are attending, and their own selfish goals that they have forgotten about humility and peace. For thousands of years there have been wars over religion. Who is right and who is wrong has taken priority and dismissed peace, love, empathy, and compassion. There are many religions...thousands of denominations and if everyone could put aside their pride and opinions we could live in peace.
Many people put up a wall to religion because they have been hurt by churches or see how churches have hurt others. I myself have been slowly pushed out of a church and been accused of awful untrue things. I know that it is people who take those actions, people who inflict pain on one another, and people who give Christianity a bad name. We need to accept everyone for where they are at whether they be Catholic, Christian, Hindu, Islam, or Agnostic. We are to be patient with one another, care of one another, and to love one another. Jesus did not teach war and hate, but peace and love.
"With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."
"So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding."
-Jesus
"I try to treat whoever I meet as an old friend. It is the practice of compassion."
"..And, although we can find causes for preferring certain interpretations of religious truths, there is much greater cause for unity, stemming from the human heart. Each religion works in its own way to lessen human suffering and contribute to world civilization. Conversion is not the point. Despite the progressive secularization brought about by worldwide modernization and despite systematic attempts in some parts of the world to destroy spiritual values, the vast majority of humanity continues to believe in one religion or another. The undying faith in religion, evident even under irreligious political systems, clearly demonstrates the potency of religion as such. This spiritual energy and power can be purposefully used to bring about the spiritual conditions necessary for world peace. Religious leaders and humanitarians all over the world have a special role to play in this respect.
Whether we will be able to achieve world peace or not, we have no choice but to work towards that goal. If our minds are dominated by anger, we will lose the best part of human intelligence - wisdom, the ability to decide between right and wrong. Anger is one of the most serious problems facing the world today."
-Dalai Lama
"Instead, we should glorify in the unity of humankind, strengthened and enhanced through the friendly competition of cultures, religions, and other diversities."
-Muhammad Yunus
amen.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
I Feel Like a Muzungu in My Own City.
I have just returned from my trip to Kampala, Uganda and I'm feeling quite gloomy.
Kampala is comprised of rich red soil, rolling green hills, deep blue skies, and enormous potholes that will eat your car. The yellow ball of fire, also known as the sun, beats down on you so hard that you instantly begin dripping with sweat which then pours down your clothes and body until your soaked and smelling like wet socks. It's okay that you smell like wet socks because everyone else does too. Showering is not a necessity.
The city is in constant motion...this motion is a very unorganized motion..a chaotic motion. Chicago is a busy city that, in my mind moves in a horizontal and vertical motion, Kampala on the other hand moves in rays of circular motion. Bikers trudge up hills with bags and boxes piled high upon their seat while cars swerve around the potholes and speed bumps. Matatus speed through barely stopping to pick up and drop of passengers while boda bodas zip, dodge, cut off, cut in, and weave through the traffic. It is a disorganized, not so clean, chaotic, laid back city that I have fallen in love with. I miss the slow internet, waiting for 2 hours to get a meal, being called Muzungu, the traffic, the smells, the blazing sun, the people, and most of all the comfort that I felt.
I love Chicago, don't get me wrong it's a great city, but it's not home anymore. When I look over this past year the two times that I felt most at home and most like myself was when I was in New Orleans and Kampala. I fell in love with both of those cities and when I left them I left pieces of my heart. I feel that each time I travel I am giving a bit of myself to that city and when I come home I feel drained and desolate.
I think the hardest part about leaving Uganda was knowing that I may never get to go back. It's easy to say goodbye to a place when you know you will see it again.
I hope we meet again Kampala, Uganda.
Kampala is comprised of rich red soil, rolling green hills, deep blue skies, and enormous potholes that will eat your car. The yellow ball of fire, also known as the sun, beats down on you so hard that you instantly begin dripping with sweat which then pours down your clothes and body until your soaked and smelling like wet socks. It's okay that you smell like wet socks because everyone else does too. Showering is not a necessity.
The city is in constant motion...this motion is a very unorganized motion..a chaotic motion. Chicago is a busy city that, in my mind moves in a horizontal and vertical motion, Kampala on the other hand moves in rays of circular motion. Bikers trudge up hills with bags and boxes piled high upon their seat while cars swerve around the potholes and speed bumps. Matatus speed through barely stopping to pick up and drop of passengers while boda bodas zip, dodge, cut off, cut in, and weave through the traffic. It is a disorganized, not so clean, chaotic, laid back city that I have fallen in love with. I miss the slow internet, waiting for 2 hours to get a meal, being called Muzungu, the traffic, the smells, the blazing sun, the people, and most of all the comfort that I felt.
I love Chicago, don't get me wrong it's a great city, but it's not home anymore. When I look over this past year the two times that I felt most at home and most like myself was when I was in New Orleans and Kampala. I fell in love with both of those cities and when I left them I left pieces of my heart. I feel that each time I travel I am giving a bit of myself to that city and when I come home I feel drained and desolate.
I think the hardest part about leaving Uganda was knowing that I may never get to go back. It's easy to say goodbye to a place when you know you will see it again.
I hope we meet again Kampala, Uganda.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
This is for Jenna....
So I just finished reading my roommates blog about risks, the new year, life in general and I just realized that there is only one day left in 2008. HOLY CRAP! How have I not noticed the date? Where did December go? Was there Christmas this year? Why have I not looked at a calendar? Did I not see the sun rising and setting?
.STOP.
This is what I am doing...Stopping. The windy city has kept me in perpetual motion and now I am sitting trying to remember the details of my year. I cannot believe how much I have packed into 365 days. (reflecting) Wow 2008 has been a really good year. I have experienced and learned so much. (reflecting) It is now time to take everything I experienced & learned and apply it.2009 is the year to travel and accomplish...beginning with my trip to Uganda....which is in 3 days....I am not prepared...that's probably good not to prepare....I am going to prepare less this year....stop planning my life so much...I got too caught up in planning in 2008.
Wow I'm leaving for Africa in 3 days.
This is fantastic!
.STOP.
This is what I am doing...Stopping. The windy city has kept me in perpetual motion and now I am sitting trying to remember the details of my year. I cannot believe how much I have packed into 365 days. (reflecting) Wow 2008 has been a really good year. I have experienced and learned so much. (reflecting) It is now time to take everything I experienced & learned and apply it.2009 is the year to travel and accomplish...beginning with my trip to Uganda....which is in 3 days....I am not prepared...that's probably good not to prepare....I am going to prepare less this year....stop planning my life so much...I got too caught up in planning in 2008.
Wow I'm leaving for Africa in 3 days.
This is fantastic!
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