Unity

A thing Jesus did not say:  "Come follow me.  Until you hear me say something or see me do something you disagree with."
Cheryl Mound is a member of the United Church Women of the United Church of Canada.  I don't know her.  But I read her devotional.  She was up on January 2, 2012 in "These Days" (a quarterly devotional magazine produced by the Presbyterian Publishing Corporation).  I read Cheryl's words on January 2 and have been returning to them regularly since.
"God calls us to live in a faith community as Jesus did.  We are not meant to walk alone or to avoid debate among ourselves.  Others are there to travel with us on the journey.  When we walk with others, God walks with us.  As this year unfolds, let us take opportunities to live as God intends."
In that brief paragraph something came together for me that for whatever reason had been jumbled up to that point.  Yes, God is relational within God's own being - an idea we try to put words to when we talk about the Trinity.  And, yes, God created us to be in relationship with God and with one another.  And I think these ideas have always been core ideas for me.  But never so vividly or concretely.
We live in a divisive time in the denomination I'm a part of (the Presbyterian Church USA) and in the larger world - our present political climate could be exhibit A.  And somehow, division came to seem not only possible, but in some instances preferable.  As though the highest value we could aspire to would be some sort of imagined purity - we will walk only with those who agree with us at every point.  There is an allure to this.  Purity isn't a bad thing.  It's almost certainly preferable to impurity.
There are though, I believe, multiple problems with this approach to our relationships - the main problem being if we keep it up we won't have any relationships. Really.  We will either at one point or another find a reason to part ways with nearly everyone OR we will learn to never say what we really think, feel, believe in our heart of hearts so as not to lose contact with those about whom we care.  The former is a progressive winnowing process.  The latter is a progressive dishonesty process.
I am thinking that Cheryl Mound has it right. We are not meant to walk alone.  And we are not meant to avoid debate among ourselves.  We are meant to walk in relationship and to honestly share what we believe about God and faith and matters of importance.  We are also meant to listen to others as they walk with us and share about God and faith and matters of importance from the place where they live.  And we are meant to have conversation, dialogue and debate about those things.  And in that conversation the other may learn and we may learn and we may both find ourselves in someplace we had not imagined and would never have visited on our own.
I cannot categorically state that there are not instances when the healthiest thing for a person or group of people to do is to part company with another person or group of people.  However, with a great nudge from Cheryl Mound I'm increasingly likely to say that working at the relationship with tenacity and perseverance and faith even when (and perhaps even more so) it's a challenge is the healthiest alternative available.

Top 10 (+7) Of 2011

Inspired by my son Cameron's blog for his high school news magazine I've decided to throw together a top ten list of songs for 2011.  To be truthful, not a great year for music, but there are some bright spots.  At least one qualifier, I've got nothing against Adele, I just don't hear her right I guess.

Top Ten of 2011

1.      Brighter Than The Sun – Colbie Caillet

Bringing back Fleetwood Mac type vibe and that’s a good thing.

2.     Tonight, Tonight – Hot Chelle Rae

Perfect pop confection.  Flawless.

3.     This Is Country Music – Brad Paisley

What the title says.  Cliché upon cliché reminds that cliché begins somewhere in truth, which is what country does better than any genre.

4.      Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall – Coldplay

These guys are magic.  Physically unable to make bad music.

5.      Good Life – One Republic

A guilty pleasure I think, but a really sonically pleasing one.

6.     You and Tequila – Kenny Chesney (with Grace Potter)

Kenny Chesney and Grace Potter do what you would least expect – understated.

7.      Back To December – Taylor Swift

       Lovely.

8.      Paris – Grace Potter and the Nocturnals

“If I was from Paris I would say….”  Not understated at all.  Big time fun.

9.     You and I – Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga pulls off the unlikely, only Gaga could do it, task of suggesting mid 70’s Elton John, sounding like the lost Shania Twain single, and building in a Brian May signature moment. 

10   Mean – Taylor Swift

Another great song by a great songwriter.  Most of us just live through pain, heartbreak, joy, ordinary events, etc.  Taylor Swift lives through it and then writes a great song about it.

11  Edge Of Glory –Lady Gaga

Clarence Clemons last great moment.   The Big Man was on the charts when he left us.

12.  Crazy Girl – Eli Young Band

Not quite as good as the best off of “Jet Black and Jealous”, but still a cut above most country folks.

13.  For The First Time – The Script

A pop song about making a relationship work in a tough economy.  Wonder how this found an audience.

14.  Moves Like Jagger – Maroon  5

While it’s unlikely anyone actually has the moves like Jagger (except Mick himself), this song is catchy like Maroon 5.

15. The One That Got Away – Katy Perry

Music sounds like Katy Perry, lyrics sound like Taylor Swift.

16. Superheavy – Miracle Worker

Mick chimes in with “There’s nothing wrong with you I can’t fix!  I comea runnin’ with my little bag o’ tricks.”  That guy still has the moves like Jagger. 

17.  Modern Love – Matt Nathanson

Thoughtful pop that sneaks up on you by not trying to hard.

To check out Cameron's list...

http://ww2.bullittschools.org/BEHSLiveWire/index.php/2011/12/31/12-31-2011-all-you-need-is-love-2-best-and-worst-songs-of-2011/