Inappropriate Conversations

I've been known to sarcastically say "life has dealt you a rotten set of cards" to people who lose track of the blessings they have received in the midst of temporary, and often small, setbacks. For example, I could complain that I've never had the talent to see a musical note on a page and fight the correct tone with my voice. As a music-by-ear singer, I tend to follow others rather than truly joining the choir. On the other hand, I should be grateful for all of the music I've imitated. Thanksgiving, as a day or a state of mind, means being grateful even when circumstances are much more severe.

Different Drummer: Horatio Spafford

Taking the Bible seriously.

Different Drummer: Rob Bell

Rob Bell answering questions

Pride 48 is the weekend of September 6th this year in Las Vegas. I would love to be there, but I can't. Even as recently as a year ago, I'd never considered attending an GLBT pride event before. Why would I, I could have said, not being gay? That, and questioning if there are better ways to defend people from discrimination than going to a meet-up. On the other hand, the absolute best way to tell someone "I am proud to know you, just as you are, and to continue our interactions because I anticipate my esteem of the person you will become" is in person. Face to face. I am proud to know you.

Different Drummer: Janet of CToBM

Elie Wiesel once said: "I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented." I believe I've received similar direction in answered prayer. Too often, though, Christians are silent in the face of bullying and marginalization of those on the other side of privilege. More often than we'd like to admit, Christians join the oppressors. All of this is sinful, the log in our eyes that stops us from clearly seeing others, must less serving them as Jesus taught and demonstrated.

Different Drummer: Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Some poems, like this one, work better visually. "Tithe" can be read in multiple ways -- two of them, crucially. You can read it directly, or as a hymn. Lyrics: @ic_greg Melody: Traditional Season: Pentecost

Jesus woke me up

I thanked him anyway,

He wished me well and

Sunday morning - much to my surprise.

Seeing that my sins

Confused me,

He told me that

Had been quite a burden.

Because He didn't want me

He died for my sins,

We talked about old times,

To build a church

In my shock, I did not

I guess for ten minutes

Or seek people who

Know what to say,

Or more,

Would donate their money.

Initially,

Subsequently,

Ultimately,

I recall hearing in a Sociology course about a form of existentialism so dark that some people never accept they were alive until the moment of death itself. For most of us, even the slightest touch confirms what I'll jokingly call "our suspicion" that we actually exist. A handshake, pat on the back, or a hug can provide powerful validation. It's a mistake to take such an obvious thing for granted. Different Drummer: Leo Buscaglia

Personally, the better answer to a question like "where would I be without God" calls up a lot of powerful memories. I know the Holy Spirit has moved in my life through specific people and situations, which I can recall as vividly as if the intervening decades disappeared. I can name the names, in fact, and I do a couple of times. They are people who loved me in a way that supersedes human understanding, empowering me to do God's will. I have loved. I do love. I will love. Different Drummer: Chris Rice