Friday, February 26, 2010
Saturday, February 20, 2010
What moves you? -Peter Morales
What moves you?
We only find ourselves when we lose ourselves in service to something that transcends us.
By Peter Morales
Winter 2009 11.1.09
I once had a fantasy of giving everyone in my congregation a stole. It was not a practical idea, so one Sunday I resorted to giving everyone an imaginary stole during my sermon.
The point I was making was that each of us has a ministry and that we have a ministry together. More importantly, I truly believe that each of us needs to find that ministry and act upon it in order to be whole. We usually think of our needs in terms of things we want to receive from others—nurture, respect, understanding, love, support. Yet we also need to give.
I want to be clear. We don’t just “want” to give of ourselves. We need to give of ourselves. One of the great lessons of all religious traditions is that we only find ourselves when we lose ourselves in service to something that transcends us.
We think of people coming to a congregation because of their spiritual needs. True enough. Yet one of the greatest needs people bring is a need to give of themselves. When I served as a parish minister, it took me a while to fully appreciate this. However, as I spoke with hundreds of people joining our church over the years, I came to see that their need to give was perhaps the greatest need of all. As we spoke with people at our new membership classes and after they joined, we heard over and over about how they wanted to find a place in the church where they could roll up their sleeves and get involved.
This need to give expresses itself in many ways. I remember one woman who had a passion for connecting with the elders of the church. She wanted them to feel connected and respected. She loved to hear their stories. What a gift she was to our church! I know others who feel called to human rights work. The pain of the most oppressed people in our world calls to them, and they work tirelessly for compassion and justice. I know a number of adults who love children and find joy in nurturing our children as they grow.
I am convinced that we too often fail to recognize how much our children, youth, and young adults need to give. Hanging out is not a spiritual practice. Joining hands to work for something we care about is. Service is an essential part of faith development. We need to do so much more to engage the idealism and energy of our young people.
If this movement we love is going to thrive, we absolutely must help all our people find their ministries. This is not about doing something out of a grim sense of duty. This is about helping each other get in touch with what we truly love, what truly moves us.
What moves you? I mean what really touches you at the very core of your being? Are you called to comfort those in pain? Are you called to help make worship a more moving experience? Is music your ministry? What will you do when you let love guide you? What do you need to give?
Imagine your congregation where the love, idealism, passion, and energy of its people are unleashed! Imagine your congregation helping all its people join together to organize and direct their shared passions. Imagine our entire movement when all this wonderful energy is unleashed.
Find your ministry. Put on your imaginary stole. Give yourself away. May our deepest love guide each of us and all of us.
We only find ourselves when we lose ourselves in service to something that transcends us.
By Peter Morales
Winter 2009 11.1.09
I once had a fantasy of giving everyone in my congregation a stole. It was not a practical idea, so one Sunday I resorted to giving everyone an imaginary stole during my sermon.
The point I was making was that each of us has a ministry and that we have a ministry together. More importantly, I truly believe that each of us needs to find that ministry and act upon it in order to be whole. We usually think of our needs in terms of things we want to receive from others—nurture, respect, understanding, love, support. Yet we also need to give.
I want to be clear. We don’t just “want” to give of ourselves. We need to give of ourselves. One of the great lessons of all religious traditions is that we only find ourselves when we lose ourselves in service to something that transcends us.
We think of people coming to a congregation because of their spiritual needs. True enough. Yet one of the greatest needs people bring is a need to give of themselves. When I served as a parish minister, it took me a while to fully appreciate this. However, as I spoke with hundreds of people joining our church over the years, I came to see that their need to give was perhaps the greatest need of all. As we spoke with people at our new membership classes and after they joined, we heard over and over about how they wanted to find a place in the church where they could roll up their sleeves and get involved.
This need to give expresses itself in many ways. I remember one woman who had a passion for connecting with the elders of the church. She wanted them to feel connected and respected. She loved to hear their stories. What a gift she was to our church! I know others who feel called to human rights work. The pain of the most oppressed people in our world calls to them, and they work tirelessly for compassion and justice. I know a number of adults who love children and find joy in nurturing our children as they grow.
I am convinced that we too often fail to recognize how much our children, youth, and young adults need to give. Hanging out is not a spiritual practice. Joining hands to work for something we care about is. Service is an essential part of faith development. We need to do so much more to engage the idealism and energy of our young people.
If this movement we love is going to thrive, we absolutely must help all our people find their ministries. This is not about doing something out of a grim sense of duty. This is about helping each other get in touch with what we truly love, what truly moves us.
What moves you? I mean what really touches you at the very core of your being? Are you called to comfort those in pain? Are you called to help make worship a more moving experience? Is music your ministry? What will you do when you let love guide you? What do you need to give?
Imagine your congregation where the love, idealism, passion, and energy of its people are unleashed! Imagine your congregation helping all its people join together to organize and direct their shared passions. Imagine our entire movement when all this wonderful energy is unleashed.
Find your ministry. Put on your imaginary stole. Give yourself away. May our deepest love guide each of us and all of us.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
stolen quote...
It takes more courage to reveal insecurities than to hide them, more strength to relate to people than to dominate them, more 'manhood' to abide by thought-out principles rather than blind reflex. Toughness is in the soul and spirit, not in muscles and an immature mind.
- Alex Karras
- Alex Karras
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Badass-ery from Roland Buris...
This comes from a NYTimes article...
“I recognize the long hours and tense negotiation have left some nerves and tempers frayed,” Mr. Burris said in his wind-up. “That’s why I come to the floor today, although our work keeps us away from our family and friends for much of this holiday seasons, I see no reason why we can’t share good cheers with one another right here in Washington. So in the spirits of the season, I would like to share my own version of a classic holiday story with my good friends on both sides of the aisle.”
And with that, he began:
“It was the night before Christmas and all through the Senate, the right held up our health care bill, no matter what was in it.
The people had voted a mandated reform, but Republicans blew off the gathering storm. We’ll clog up the Senate, they cried with a grin. And in the mid-term elections we’ll get voted in.
They knew regular folks needed help right this second. But fund-raisers, lobbyists and politics beckoned.
So try as they might, Democrats could not win, because the majority was simply too thin.
Then across every state, there rose such a clatter. The whole Senate rushed out to see what was the matter.
All sprang up from their desk and ran from the floor, straight through the cloakroom and right out the door.
And what in the world would be quite so raucous, but a mandate for change from the Democratic caucus?
The president, the speaker, of course Leader Reid, answered the call in our hour of need.
More rapid than eagles, the provisions they came and they whistled and shouted and called them by name:
Better coverage, cost savings, a strong public plan.
Accountable options. We said yes, we can.
No exclusions or changes for pre-existing conditions. Let’s pass a bill that restores competition.
The Democrats all came together to fight for the American people that Christmas Eve night.
And then in a twinkle, I heard under the dome, the roll call was closed and it was time to go home.
Despite the obstructionist tactics of some, the filibuster had broken, the people had won.
And a good bill was ready for President Obama. Ready to sign and end health care drama.
Democrats explained as they drove out of sight, better coverage for all, even our friends on the right.
And I say to all my colleagues in this season Merry Christmas. And a happy, happy, new year. Thank you, Mr. President and I yield the floor.”
“I recognize the long hours and tense negotiation have left some nerves and tempers frayed,” Mr. Burris said in his wind-up. “That’s why I come to the floor today, although our work keeps us away from our family and friends for much of this holiday seasons, I see no reason why we can’t share good cheers with one another right here in Washington. So in the spirits of the season, I would like to share my own version of a classic holiday story with my good friends on both sides of the aisle.”
And with that, he began:
“It was the night before Christmas and all through the Senate, the right held up our health care bill, no matter what was in it.
The people had voted a mandated reform, but Republicans blew off the gathering storm. We’ll clog up the Senate, they cried with a grin. And in the mid-term elections we’ll get voted in.
They knew regular folks needed help right this second. But fund-raisers, lobbyists and politics beckoned.
So try as they might, Democrats could not win, because the majority was simply too thin.
Then across every state, there rose such a clatter. The whole Senate rushed out to see what was the matter.
All sprang up from their desk and ran from the floor, straight through the cloakroom and right out the door.
And what in the world would be quite so raucous, but a mandate for change from the Democratic caucus?
The president, the speaker, of course Leader Reid, answered the call in our hour of need.
More rapid than eagles, the provisions they came and they whistled and shouted and called them by name:
Better coverage, cost savings, a strong public plan.
Accountable options. We said yes, we can.
No exclusions or changes for pre-existing conditions. Let’s pass a bill that restores competition.
The Democrats all came together to fight for the American people that Christmas Eve night.
And then in a twinkle, I heard under the dome, the roll call was closed and it was time to go home.
Despite the obstructionist tactics of some, the filibuster had broken, the people had won.
And a good bill was ready for President Obama. Ready to sign and end health care drama.
Democrats explained as they drove out of sight, better coverage for all, even our friends on the right.
And I say to all my colleagues in this season Merry Christmas. And a happy, happy, new year. Thank you, Mr. President and I yield the floor.”
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Friday, November 13, 2009
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Monday, August 31, 2009
amused by someones missed connection...
Musings on Mending Messy Endings (The Past)
I'm always wrapped up in my own affairs, afraid to offend and afraid to scare, I'm warped and I'm bent beyond repair, and I should care more about the tears and the tears, but it's rare that I dare to bare my fear for more than a mere moment. I know that slowly I'm growing out of the torrid affairs and the horrid remnants of misguided dares, but I'm still full of fear.
I feel that when you're nearer my sight is clearer, my nights are dearer and and the darkness is less dreary. I don't know if you can hear me, but I know you've been listening to me and all of these bleary-eyed late-night nearly nonsensical clearly tangential ramblings of mine.
I know this is supposed to be a connection I've missed, but I've written this in the hopes that you'll see my words and they won't be dismissed. Lately, and lastly, I think its ghastly how vastly our vision differs, but we've been earnestly basking like dreaming drifters floating past each-other on the same river.
We're on different paths, you and I, though we may try to bridge the gaps, and I believe that perhaps it was a lapse in judgment to dance into each-other's lives as we did.
My admiration for you did exist, and my fondness was not a fib, though you may now doubt my sincerity in this declaration. Trust that it was real, and that you were dear to me, but for me to feel free I felt the need to leave. Indeed, it was not kind of me, and blindly I tried to merely cut you off neatly....I didn't mean to hurt you deeply or completely sever our connection. My affection continues fiercely, but tersely I must convey that no matter what you or I could possibly do or say, you're not for me, and I'm not for you, neither tomorrow nor today. I'm sorry I feel that way.
I don't regret the time we've spent together, only my behavior afterward. I owe you more respect than I've shown you.
I'm always wrapped up in my own affairs, afraid to offend and afraid to scare, I'm warped and I'm bent beyond repair, and I should care more about the tears and the tears, but it's rare that I dare to bare my fear for more than a mere moment. I know that slowly I'm growing out of the torrid affairs and the horrid remnants of misguided dares, but I'm still full of fear.
I feel that when you're nearer my sight is clearer, my nights are dearer and and the darkness is less dreary. I don't know if you can hear me, but I know you've been listening to me and all of these bleary-eyed late-night nearly nonsensical clearly tangential ramblings of mine.
I know this is supposed to be a connection I've missed, but I've written this in the hopes that you'll see my words and they won't be dismissed. Lately, and lastly, I think its ghastly how vastly our vision differs, but we've been earnestly basking like dreaming drifters floating past each-other on the same river.
We're on different paths, you and I, though we may try to bridge the gaps, and I believe that perhaps it was a lapse in judgment to dance into each-other's lives as we did.
My admiration for you did exist, and my fondness was not a fib, though you may now doubt my sincerity in this declaration. Trust that it was real, and that you were dear to me, but for me to feel free I felt the need to leave. Indeed, it was not kind of me, and blindly I tried to merely cut you off neatly....I didn't mean to hurt you deeply or completely sever our connection. My affection continues fiercely, but tersely I must convey that no matter what you or I could possibly do or say, you're not for me, and I'm not for you, neither tomorrow nor today. I'm sorry I feel that way.
I don't regret the time we've spent together, only my behavior afterward. I owe you more respect than I've shown you.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Humboldt quote...
Reason cannot desire for man any other condition than that in which each individual not only enjoys the most absolute freedom of developing himself by his own energies, in his perfect individuality, but in which external nature itself is left unfashioned by any human agency, but only receives the impress given to it by each individual by himself and of his own free will, accoring to the measure of his wants and instincts, and restricted only by the limits of his powers and his rights.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Some of my thoughts...
Here's a fun game... err, at least I'm gonna pretend.
Instructions:
1. Read "Missed Connections" on Craigslist.
2. Keep track of ones you find amusing, or ones that remind you of feelings you've had.
3. Share them in an obscure way...
Instructions:
1. Read "Missed Connections" on Craigslist.
2. Keep track of ones you find amusing, or ones that remind you of feelings you've had.
3. Share them in an obscure way...
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
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