mom
Laura J. Chang, b. Dec. 15, 1940 - d. Feb. 4, 2005
It’s always a hard day. I try to ignore it but I admit I’m just always a tad on edge. I usually do my best to keep things going; stay on task… get things done but the sting never really goes away. Miss you mom.
trust this nazi?
“Are you going to be a neo-Nazi type church?”
I’ve been asked this question twice now by people who live in the neighborhood where I’d like to start a missional community.
I said church and seconds later somehow the word Bible got placed into the conversation and immediately they asked if I was on a crusade out to judge people and make them Christian.
Someone dropped this question on me: “How will you treat gay people? I hate people who take the Bible literal and then treat people horribly.” It was a heavy discussion. Angry. Words were bitter. I honestly didn’t have any reason to argue and said “You’re right. The church isn’t good in this area often abusing with their sense of authority. We’ve done a poor job of connecting with the gay community.”
My apology completely deflated the anger in the conversation. And I was grateful because it’s possible I’ll be planting a church right next to her studio. It’s a discussion I’m certain I’ll have the more I step into a context were social justice is the primary value within the culture of this neighborhood. Looking forward to deflating angry assumptions and allowing Christ to be better understood by those who are deeply hurt by the Church.
confession
I overheard a very frustrated man discuss his late bill with a service rep. on his cell phone. He went on for a long time about how hard it’s been to pay his bills. He asked for grace or a pay arrangement that would allow him to avoid disconnection. In 15 minutes the man told his whole life story: Recently moved and unemployed, divorced, unable to pay his mortgage, and wouldn’t be able to pay for service until the end of the week. When he ended the conversation, he threw his cell phone across the table and then took a deep breath as he stared at his bill.
I honestly think sometimes people just need a place to spill their guts; explain their mess and find some sense of grace and direction in the matter.
Who listens to you? Who’s that person or community you feel like you openly confess your day, week, month. I’ve rarely experienced a place where people know how to listen. It’s a rare thing to find and when you find a community that can do it well you can never ever go back to a community that “talks at” you or those that seem to “talk about” you. That’s a horrible community and I’ve heard some really rough stories.
