dream

dreams

"But there is something that I must say to my people who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice. In the process of gaining our rightful place we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred......And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall march ahead. We cannot turn back.

I have a dream today.
I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together."
taken from Martin Luther King Juniors' speech

these are only some of the word which Martin spoke to a crowd who stood in awe of the thoughts of a man who had faced opposition in many senses.

i was thinking about dreams lately and how our mind forms dreams as we sleep, putting thoughts together as we lay there unconsciously. throughout the day soo many things happen, conversations occur, thoughts are shared, and then our brain "rest". i watched this documentary one time which showed how the brain processes the events which occur and also form our dreams.

anyway, all this to be said...God gave me the opportunity to meet with Jenn last week, and we had an incredible conversation about the significance of dreams. the dreams of one day differ dramatically from the dreams of years to come.
i dream to finish cleaning my room soon.....

i dream of mine to see youth, especially youth in Los Angeles, grow to see eachother in ways which transcend cultural divides.
i long to see a decrease in the number of young girls who have babies and may be in situations which do not provide adequate support.

one of the things which i realized that i loved being with my teens in the groups is the perspective which they had about the ability to dream. and with these dreams to change the world.
in group we were talking about crime in Pasadena, and I was pretty set on thinking thats the way it is.. and thats the way it would stay.
(Rick) fake name: started to talk about how he thought that there was a way that they could start making changes to streets and a certain neighborhood which is in a part of Pasadena where some of this violence occurs. he had created a sketch of how he wanted to design this neighborhood to look differently, complete with architectural designs and and to be a place where him and his friends could be there, be safe and also decrease some of the gangs in the area.
this is one example of a dream which starts out small, and then catapults into action.......

i dream to start a non-profit....
there is more years of preparation and much time and sweat which this will take... but a dream has to start HERE.....

pursuit

i will try, i will wait.
i will love, rather than bitter-ate.
i will trust, rather than stalemate.
i will hope, in the midst of MUCH uncertainty.
i will listen, in the midst of many voices.
i will try to be more patient, and put aside selfishness.

I will pursue YOU.
will someone pursue me

words

"Wrods used as the Prophet used them are not just words, they are words plus-words that bring into being what they say. They are words in the lineage of Genesis. This is what the Prophet did: he gave voice to the voice that spoke, and it came to be. People who were blind to God looked, people who were deaf to God listened. Through the preaching of the Prophet, people who to all appearances were a no-people again became a people of God. They are still are, we among them, living out this people of God identity, continuously sustained and deepened by preaching that is designated by the Prophet as gospel (good tidings)." Eugene Peterson

I have been spending time reflecting upon the way that Jesus used words in the way he interacted with people. I sometimes wonder how much he thought about he words he said, did he sit back and think, well, these are the words that will bring healing?
I do believe in the magnitude of God that His capability is such to bring healing, restoration and vision to the people that Jesus interacted with, regardless of the exact wording that Jesus used when he spoke to people. Yet, a part of me wonders and thinks that Jesus often times was intentional about what he told people. and that often times it was something that they were eager to hear. what it would be like to be less flippant with my words.
I claim to a be a disciple of Christ, yet sometimes when i think about my vocabulary and the things that I talk about, i have to sit back.

do I mean what I say?
do I live what I say?
Do I believe in what I am saying?
How is what I am saying affect others?
Do I believe that words can alter the reality of how we view reality and the Kingdom of God?

attributes of God

in a recent conversation I was struck with thinking about how vast God is. God's being is more infinite than I can comprehend.



although I think that my comprehension is in fact limited, (due to the fact that as a human, my wee little mind can't handle all that i wonder about) these are the attributes which I think are worth pointing out.



God is compassionate, slow to anger, abiding in steadfast love.



These were some qualities which John of Damascus in the 7th century used to describe God.


in relation to Time: without beginning, uncreated, unbegotten…
God's relation to Space: infinite, uncircumscribed, boundless, infinite power
God's relation to Matter: simple, uncompounded, incorporeal, without flux
God's relation to Quality: passionless, unchangeable, unalterable, unseen



one of the qualities which I don't agree with is unchangeable.

I think that God's quality is unchangeable in that in the midst of all that is happening in the world, God's being is capable of holding it all, all the prayers, all the pleadings which come from God's own creatures..... everything. God's being is able to remain constant in midst of all the change which we as humans experience in a lifetime. When this argument is taken too far is when God is described as impassible, meaning that God experiences no pain or sorrow. This stands in opposition to the narratives which are described in the life of Jesus, who serves as the human representation of God. Continously, Jesus requests God's spirit to come upon those who are in need of healing who he meets along his journeys. In all of the stories of healing which occur, God is in fact able to stand in the midst of the suffering, yet God is impacted by it.

something which I have also been thinking about is the difference between referring to God as He or possibly a She.

: I think that I limiting God’s gender to solely male, it is also setting up a patriarchial belief system that is human created. This system which is created also establishes divisions within humanity as well, in forwarding assumptions about God needing to be a male in order to form and serve in a position of leadership.
I think that much of the theology of which I have been exposed to has posited that in fact male leadership is necessary, and I think that males often times do have qualities which are needed in many forms of leadership. Often times their ability to maintain calm and not become as emotionally vested as females is in fact truthful and plays itself out in many forms. I think though that in only calling God male, there is limitations which follow with this, in the sense that in assuming that he rules, all of the characteristics of women are in fact abandoned. And the part of the deal which makes God so unique and majestic is the fact that God is not limited to certain types of qualities, God is all encompassing, God is maternal in nature, loving, compassionate, slow to anger and abiding in love, and also able to conquer all as well. This conquering spirit of God’s nature is in fact the part which allows God to see humanity, and interact with humans in the authority which God displays. Alongside this position of authority comes a balance of other characteristics, including loving compassion which God pours out upon humans as well. This compassionate side is one which does include the characteristics similar to that of loving Father, who is going to demonstrate discipline, yet this discipline is coming from a source and well of deep love.

song of solomon

I found this sermon recently.
seriously, in the midst of a lot of debate about prop 8, and so many conversations about marriage and love, it has been something on my mind and prayers lately. I have to say that Mark Driscoll walking through Song of Solomon is pretty powerful.... and for the most part...i am in agreement with the representation of Christ's love which can be displayed through a relationship as it is presented in Song of Solomon.
http://www.marshillchurch.org/media/the-peasant-princess/do-not-awaken-love

bows of myrtle which are growing in me through God

these verses have been redemptive for me these last weeks: as I am reminded of the source of the water that gives true life.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. AS the heavens are higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will NOT return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace, the mountains and the hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine trees, and instead of the briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the Lord's renown, for an everlasting sign, which will not be destroyed.

Isaiah 55: 8-13

striving

young hopes... dreams instilled
your voice is heard... your dream is real
your light is seen.... your joy is sensed
the day is young.... there is so much to learn
when will it cease... the journey is just begun
humanity sees the negative... YOU see the possibilities
the destination is believed in.... yet not completely in view
what is hope? this is hope.

many will doubt... i will not.
many will question.... i will trust.
many will sneer.... i will smile.
many may spout limitations......yet I will not.
the youth need to hear and see our hope.
they need to be heard.... its not a corny slogan.
its a reality.
the harvest is plenty... the workers are few.
much of the fruit falls to the ground if it is not tended to.
the youth need tending to.

YOU have called. I will listen.