tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14524649985179820862024-02-22T08:02:02.533-05:00TxPreach PonderingsMusings of Dr. Karyn L. Wiseman, a UCC Preacher Gal, Professor of Homiletics/Preaching, Radical Follower of Jesus, Next Church Thinker, Blogger and Social Media Geek, Pastor-Coach, Yankee fan, Native Texan, and Mom to a teenage son!! Life is full!!Karyn L. Wisemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16548203152134155734noreply@blogger.comBlogger128125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452464998517982086.post-14505290021644688882018-06-23T21:03:00.001-04:002018-06-23T21:09:32.827-04:00Not In My Name <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJyirrcOcGrw4InBsCVB9YuppJoAWUbhLQh3nwR3FuDAQL-a-lSXSQKWcTvaUWrIBVcfTwwQPhq4HsssBC-YN6Xq1H5bqxyq8pdo5LYLUSvrTz1zy8Rzxuf59L0NJPpMXkZP3NdqOtF4HB/s1600/p06bh6ch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="720" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJyirrcOcGrw4InBsCVB9YuppJoAWUbhLQh3nwR3FuDAQL-a-lSXSQKWcTvaUWrIBVcfTwwQPhq4HsssBC-YN6Xq1H5bqxyq8pdo5LYLUSvrTz1zy8Rzxuf59L0NJPpMXkZP3NdqOtF4HB/s400/p06bh6ch.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: , serif;">I flew home from a week in Chicago yesterday evening. As I sat on the plane in my usual window seat next to two empty seats, I wondered who my seatmates might be. Soon I saw a Mother and her young son heading my way. The Mom sat on the aisle and her 3-year-old sat in the middle seat next to me. It took a few minutes before the "Little Man," as his mother called him, would talk to me. But he did introduce his stuffed moose, "Moosey," to me through his Mom.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: , serif;">As we were flying, the plane encountered some turbulence. Each time the plane bounced, Adam (I finally got him to tell me his name) reached over for reassurance by holding his mother's hand. A few times the bump was worse than others and Adam would drag her entire arm into his lap for comfort as he held it tightly in his little hands. It was sweet and gave me a smile remembering moments in my own son’s life when all he wanted was reassurance from me with a touch, a smile, a hug, or a simple moment of eye contact.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: , serif;">While watching this play out, I was also poignantly reminded of the little ones who have been separated from their parents along the southern border of our nation since May. Over 2,300 children have been separated from their parents by US Immigration policies. The stories and images are disturbing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: , serif;">Whether you agree or disagree with the “zero tolerance” policy of the administration about the adults crossing the border as refugees or immigrants – I hope we can agree that ripping little kids out of the arms of their parents is just plain wrong. There are really no easy answers, but the fact remains that refugees coming into this nation for asylum need to be handled better. Immigrants can and should be treated with respect and dignity. Putting their children into cages and “tender age” facilities is wrong on every level. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: , serif;">Separating children from their parents is potentially going to scar these children for the rest of their lives. Children are being terrified and there is no mother or father's hand to hold theirs. Every child should be protected from danger and fear. We are causing it right now. This is not ok.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">RefuJesus by David Hayward</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: , serif;">I know we have done wrong by too many in the past, as well – First Nations People, African Americans, Japanese Americans, and others – and we need to continue to atone for those atrocities. Now - this is our moment to say, “Not in my name. Not in our country.” Our nation can be better than this moving into the future.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: , serif;">Jesus calls us to act in the name of refugees as he was a refugee. Jesus calls us to treat one another in the same way we would want to be treated. Jesus calls us to welcome the little children.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: , serif;">Speak out, speak up. We cannot be silent on this. We cannot allow this policy to stand. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: , serif;">Call your Representatives and Senators. Donate to organizations working on this along the border. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: , serif;">Let’s do better. Let’s be better. Let’s all say together, “Not in my name.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Karyn L. Wisemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16548203152134155734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452464998517982086.post-28343952940357075732017-12-22T15:13:00.000-05:002017-12-22T16:11:28.595-05:00This is ME! <div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="14n6d" data-offset-key="245h7-0-0" style="color: #1d2129; white-space: pre-wrap;">
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"This is Me" from The Greatest Showman</div>
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"When the sharpest words wanna cut me down<br />
I'm gonna send a flood, gonna drown them out<br />
I am brave, I am bruised<br />
I am who I'm meant to be, this is me<br />
Look out 'cause here I come<br />
And I'm marching on to the beat I drum<br />
I'm not scared to be seen<br />
I make no apologies, this is me."<br />
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This song blew me away when we saw the movie on Wednesday evening. I was literally unable to stop crying as it was sung by the "rejects and castoffs" that PT Barnum gave a voice, a place, and a home to in the circus. They became family and grew to accept themselves in ways they had not before. The words struck a chord with my soul. I was mesmerized and moved.<br />
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Too often in our world persons are rejected by those who see them as "other" or too different from themselves. This happens to LGBTQIA folks who are seen as sinful or repulsive by their families or friends. It happens to persons of color who are seen as unworthy or less than by a culture founded on white supremacy. It happens to larger people who are seen as lazy or unmotivated. It happens to anyone the "culture" chooses to "other."<br />
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In The Greatest Showman it was the bearded lady, the dog boy, the tallest man, the tattooed woman, and others who were criticized, cast out, rejected, and picketed against by angry townies. It's the ones they don't understand or even view as people.<br />
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In real life it is too often these same folks who are left bruised and battered on the side of the road. The immigrant striving for a better life, the refugee who only wants to find safety for their family, the transgender man or woman wanting to BE who they are meant to be, the gay kid fearfully coming out to conservative parents, the poor farmer who needs a helping hand after a flood, the addict who is trying to stay straight, the black kid waving a toy gun in a park, the lesbian couple holding hands in a movie theater that you scoff at, the Islamic woman trying to walk the street without getting laughed at or taunted, or the island people needing water and power when they have been forgotten after a hurricane.<br />
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In real life the rejection can impact us more than we know. The looks, the stares, the laughs, the name calling, the slights, the oppression seen and unseen, the lack of acceptance, the fear of people in power, the isolation and bitterness - they all get old. They all tear at our spirits. They all make us weary. They all keep us locked in cells if we let them.<br />
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In real life it is often far too easy to turn our backs on the "other." But it is at just these moments when we - as people of faith - are asked to be our best selves and to see the divine in every person we meet. To acknowledge that even if we are different we are siblings to one another is more powerful than the stinging rebukes of others. To bear witness to the divine and speak up when others treat someone as less than or oppress them in any way. To shine a light on the last, the lost, the least, and the left behind as they too are part of the beloved community.<br />
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God has made all of us to be who we're meant to be. We owe no one an apology. We won't hide away. We can't be scared to see the light. We belong in the light. We are the light.<br />
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This is me. This is us. This is who we're meant to be.<br />
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"And I know that I deserve your love<br />
There's nothing I'm not worthy of<br />
When the sharpest words wanna cut me down<br />
I'm gonna send a flood, gonna drown them out<br />
This is brave, this is proof<br />
This is who I'm meant to be, this is me."<br />
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Listen to the song here - <a href="http://This is ME! from The Greatest Showman.">This is ME! from The Greatest Showman.</a></div>
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Karyn L. Wisemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16548203152134155734noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452464998517982086.post-81912852359920969512017-04-15T11:17:00.003-04:002017-04-15T11:17:19.333-04:00In Silence We Await (fixed link)<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; position: relative;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicXK5WVybY5Gk5opvnURLfUkqEGbSU0DwYk6iQtL2xb3Drx6xJRX2KHpYOI4zar-w0s40tbBW8heSlR1Fj9ex2zZJOv4HN0tkgCjTQtKE2E41XGNThjVt2-SvVjz5HnTa8MOpUfSidHC74/s1600/Holy-Saturday.png" imageanchor="1" style="color: #6699cc; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicXK5WVybY5Gk5opvnURLfUkqEGbSU0DwYk6iQtL2xb3Drx6xJRX2KHpYOI4zar-w0s40tbBW8heSlR1Fj9ex2zZJOv4HN0tkgCjTQtKE2E41XGNThjVt2-SvVjz5HnTa8MOpUfSidHC74/s400/Holy-Saturday.png" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Holy Saturday</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">We sit in the pain of death.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">We sit in the sorrow of loss.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">We sit in the stillness of sorrow.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">We sit in the uncertainty of the future.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Black Saturday</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">We stand in the midst of grief.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">We stand in the shadow of the cross.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">We stand in the midst of betrayers.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">We stand in the fear of the empire.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Easter Saturday</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">We walk near the tomb hoping for any sign.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">We walk in the solitude of loneliness.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">We walk in the shadow of loss.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">We walk in the hope of the resurrection.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">But for now we sit and stand and walk in darkness.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Jesus has died. The world sits in that loss.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Holy Saturday</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Today we wait in sadness. </span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Today we sit in darkness.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Today we honor the death of Jesus.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">And in silence we await.</span><br /><br />Karyn L. Wiseman, 2017</div>
Karyn L. Wisemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16548203152134155734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452464998517982086.post-75460557410846423792017-04-15T09:52:00.003-04:002017-04-15T10:16:05.848-04:00In Silence We Await<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Holy Saturday</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We sit in the pain of death.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We sit in the sorrow of loss.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We sit in the stillness of sorrow.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We sit in the uncertainty of the future.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Black Saturday</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We stand in the midst of grief.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We stand in the shadow of the cross.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We stand in the midst of betrayers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We stand in the fear of the empire.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Easter Saturday</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We walk near the tomb hoping for any sign.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We walk in the solitude of loneliness.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We walk in the shadow of loss.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We walk in the hope of the resurrection.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But for now we sit and stand and walk in darkness.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Jesus has died. The world sits in that loss.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Holy Saturday</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Today we wait in sadness. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Today we sit in darkness.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Today we honor the death of Jesus.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And in silence we await.</span><br />
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Karyn L. Wiseman, 2017<br />
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<br />Karyn L. Wisemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16548203152134155734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452464998517982086.post-19616001696392770952017-01-06T10:04:00.000-05:002017-01-06T10:05:25.878-05:00Resistance is Everything ... When Needed<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So, I’ve been thinking lately about resistance. It’s been
part of my thinking for several weeks now. And I have read a lot about it as
well. So maybe one more resistance post is one too many, but I must share.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I spent part of my early adult years watching the Borg on <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Star Trek: The Next Generation</i>. Watching
that TV show, I often heard the phrase, “Resistance is Futile.” The Borg, an
alien race, used this line with cultures they encountered to make it known they
would be assimilated into the collective hive organism that was the Borg. There
was no reason to resist that assimilation. It was going to happen no matter
what.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I heard it enough times that it became part of “the tapes”
that play in my mind. I sometimes would see bad things happening in the world
around me and I would do something to change it. But others, I would think, “resistance
is futile.” I’m just one person. I can’t make a difference.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As I grew into adulthood, I was confronted more and more
often with things that seemed unjust, immoral, or out of balance. Today it
feels like we are constantly gut-punched with bad behavior, violence, and inappropriateness.
I can’t stand back and believe that resistance is futile. I must say something,
do something, and call those doing these things to accountability.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGpK7cOtHZITbJdtIvm-YFXSl23oTeHgLenhLWfjRsu_uYT5RgRSp_m0y-hrpKNsngC6DGWNr1ragiVuKQNJRHBEMmD4hMCUUQbXif41j9DoSbomBlKmP4zjGCsaI4fYgLt7WaeZZ97ZJx/s1600/NEN4lRSu65QXRP_2_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGpK7cOtHZITbJdtIvm-YFXSl23oTeHgLenhLWfjRsu_uYT5RgRSp_m0y-hrpKNsngC6DGWNr1ragiVuKQNJRHBEMmD4hMCUUQbXif41j9DoSbomBlKmP4zjGCsaI4fYgLt7WaeZZ97ZJx/s320/NEN4lRSu65QXRP_2_b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I saw <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Star Wars: Rogue
One</i> over the holidays and was once again influenced by the need to resist those
things that are evil, immoral, or morally bankrupt. In this film, a group of resistance
fighters band together to steal the plans to the Death Star. It is a story tied
inextricably to the first 1977 Star Wars film, which launched a generation of blockbuster
rebellion and sci-fi movies. It shaped me in more ways than I can ever imagine.
This new film once again takes the watcher to the realm of resistance and
rebellion against an evil empire.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I also followed the Twitter hashtag #TheResistanceWill recently
and was both inspired by and delighted by some of the tweets. Some interesting
posts include:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>#TheResistanceWill
fight every single day for equal rights.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
#TheResistanceWill be fueled by
cookies and milk.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>#TheResistanceWIll
not allow refugees to be turned back.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>#TheResistanceWill
be inspired by love and not fear.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>#TheResistanceWill
be televised, Tweeted, and FacebookLived.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Resistance is essential when confronted with injustice. But
just like in the Star Trek TV show and in Rogue One the sides are not always
clearly defined. The differences between the factions are not always obvious but
resist we must when we see and hear vile behavior, witness inhumanity to
others, and see the effects of marginalization. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We live in a time of violence and injustice. We live in a
time when political divisions are sharper than they have been for some time. We
live in a time when the different “sides” of the inhumanity with which we treat
each other are not always clear. So, we are called to make a stand. We are
called to decide how we will respond.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When our leaders guide us to care for those who need help, I
will support them and work with them. When our leaders guide us to community
building and justice seeking, I will support and work with them. When our
leaders guide us to create support systems for those who need health care and
jobs, I will support and work with them. When our leaders guide us to reform
systems of oppression, I will support and work with them. When our leaders
guide us to support those on the margins with compassion and humanity, I will
support and work with them. When our leaders guide us to build bridges between
races and religions that are different than ours, I will support and work with
them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But when the opposite happens, then things change.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So I commit to the resistance when needed this year. When
they come for healthcare, I will resist. When they come for Medicaid and
Medicare, I will resist. When they come for Planned Parenthood, I will resist.
When they come to abuse the environment, I will resist. When they come for
refugees and immigrants, I will resist. When they come for women’s’ rights to
control their own bodies, I will resist. When they come for my Jewish and
Muslim brothers and sisters, I will resist. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When they come for the marriage rights of the
LGBTQI community, I will resist.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here is what I will do …<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I will call our leaders to accountability. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I will put my money where my mouth is. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I will march for equality for all persons.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I will work for #BlackLivesMatter and #LGBTQIEquality. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I will welcome refugees and immigrants in my home, community
and church.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I will advocate for those disenfranchised by a culture of
greed and wealth. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I will call my legislators about upcoming bills and laws. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I will work with local politicians to make grassroots
changes.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I will help my church members and others act on their faith beliefs.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I will even risk being arrested to advocate for the rights
of others.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I will preach the Gospel of love and grace for all.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I will listen to those with whom I disagree to learn about
each other.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I will continue to use my voice for resistance and change.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I will use my social media sites to do this important work and
ask you to join me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I will resist evil and injustice in all their forms. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Resistance is not futile. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Resistance is everything.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Karyn L. Wisemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16548203152134155734noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452464998517982086.post-6719388163496391222016-12-27T17:16:00.001-05:002016-12-27T17:39:21.757-05:00Mourning 2016 and Hope for 2017<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="9n4jl" data-offset-key="fbe09-0-0" style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBs7-LQ_ixNw2VsACvQJRwiMrm12nD_rPnVGoavTLZqJEIK-yEvVgmAKtiXUdX54lFyKR3MHMZ_2Ve_7rTEc-piOCxkvmWcMQsXK8_x6zAzT1AwgNfaZK_cbbY1u9CIL_K35QbX_Ma8ymj/s1600/15726644_1210204792388527_7802526339389564338_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBs7-LQ_ixNw2VsACvQJRwiMrm12nD_rPnVGoavTLZqJEIK-yEvVgmAKtiXUdX54lFyKR3MHMZ_2Ve_7rTEc-piOCxkvmWcMQsXK8_x6zAzT1AwgNfaZK_cbbY1u9CIL_K35QbX_Ma8ymj/s320/15726644_1210204792388527_7802526339389564338_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span data-offset-key="fbe09-0-0">This year has been tough. We have lost a lot and in that grief we mourn.</span></div>
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I mourn the passing of too many from wars and violence.<br />
I mourn the death of old and young from addiction and illness.<br />
I mourn that too many have been lost to racism and classism.<br />
I mourn that we cannot see ourselves in immigrants and refugees.<br />
I mourn the death of way too many from terrorism and hate.<br />
I mourn that too many families spent these holidays without those they love.<br />
I mourn that misogyny continues to be so prevalent.<br />
I mourn the passing of democracy from foreign tampering.<br />
I mourn the lack of safe water for families in Flint.<br />
I mourn that too many have been denied their basic human rights.<br />
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I mourn that common decency and compassion seem lost.<br />
I mourn that we never seemed to care for Aleppo's children.<br />
I mourn that the end of racism hasn't happened yet.<br />
I mourn that too many have been left behind.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdmG3fBorjmUazPjiZ14tJ8cLfnOUI8vRSQdcaj2Dc9v-QFpZmUZzZORdxQo31Q1DBRo8nYakOj7Tb6A_ObxGvkg97gLVdCEkTef66o5XCdNo3cD_rOKdVS01Dpp1HG0lBYim9R2I_2y_P/s1600/Wright-Aleppo-Children3-1200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdmG3fBorjmUazPjiZ14tJ8cLfnOUI8vRSQdcaj2Dc9v-QFpZmUZzZORdxQo31Q1DBRo8nYakOj7Tb6A_ObxGvkg97gLVdCEkTef66o5XCdNo3cD_rOKdVS01Dpp1HG0lBYim9R2I_2y_P/s320/Wright-Aleppo-Children3-1200.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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But I also have hope ...<br />
<br />
That we will care for each other more than our own needs.<br />
That we will honor all families and their wonderful diversity.<br />
That we will support one another in our different faiths.<br />
That we will show kindness to all persons we meet.<br />
That we will bring about the kindom of God through love.<br />
That we will find the light every day and share it.<br />
That we will reach out in grace to those different from us.<br />
That we will refuse to normalize misogyny and racism.<br />
That we will work together to bring about justice.<br />
That we will spend our energy on mercy and not hate.<br />
That we will include refugees and immigrants more fully into our world.<br />
That we will share our faith boldly with others on the journey.</div>
<div>
That we will welcome the stranger into our families and lives.<br />
That we will love and love and love each other.<br />
That we will find more hope in each other than hate.<br />
That we will live out Micah 6:8 to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I have hope. We're in this together. And together we can bring hope to others.</div>
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Karyn L. Wisemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16548203152134155734noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452464998517982086.post-63294794100619082152016-01-21T17:42:00.002-05:002016-01-21T17:43:54.797-05:00Stepping into Love <div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="js_1wq" style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.38; overflow: hidden;">
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Walking into the JL Zwane Presbyterian Church in Gugulethu Township near Cape Town, South Africa was like diving into a deep basin of love. Singing, welcoming, praising, and preaching were on tap. This is a vibrant congregation of about 1200 members. They have a significant ministry for people<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"> with HIV/AIDS, an after school program for children, computer training for all, and vibrant women's ministry, along with many others. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7n3rgSM0FcplpToUpH98S0nYWEA9k-hqkCQddFiwGQiiqTc7M6iLlbtninTqpQHD0pUbOxu7Q1wbuCbcy3yqZMxepC80DTJwNgtNx_86CzbcpVvS2m6MwVRwGlT57fz_ySDb6DNPli4HH/s1600/IMG_20160110_112811216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7n3rgSM0FcplpToUpH98S0nYWEA9k-hqkCQddFiwGQiiqTc7M6iLlbtninTqpQHD0pUbOxu7Q1wbuCbcy3yqZMxepC80DTJwNgtNx_86CzbcpVvS2m6MwVRwGlT57fz_ySDb6DNPli4HH/s200/IMG_20160110_112811216.jpg" width="150" /></a>The infection rate is very high in the townships. As high as 40% of the residents are HIV positive. And that rate is quickly rising in the 14-29 age group. “We are all affected even if we're not infected.” This is what we heard from one of the pastoral assistants who works with this ministry. It is a significant health issue for the people of South Africa.</div>
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We met with Pastor Spiwo Xapile, Senior Pastor of the church, before and after the service of worship. He is a brilliant man and a dynamic speaker who moved in and out of Xhosa and English so seamlessly that it was astonishing. We got the start of some of his stories and the end of others. But his message was clear -- Jesus did not come to keep the status quo. He came to transform the world.</div>
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The question the pastor asked of us was about inclusion of LGBTQ folks in our own denominations back in the USA. He wanted to know if the church made decisions with that community or about that community?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOWle1Cuo1Oqm0zkSckIGHswoYLfdvp3Dru2it6KuycWWm4QLsnr7SkZz6AIzRxyBF0sxXrxRAnN6S1HRy5Zgr13xSxIqNslaiO98x_zA9FfQ8Q0wDLjNqUcsTuxuvBQ1VMaRjreSq5SDb/s1600/IMG_20160110_114235591.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOWle1Cuo1Oqm0zkSckIGHswoYLfdvp3Dru2it6KuycWWm4QLsnr7SkZz6AIzRxyBF0sxXrxRAnN6S1HRy5Zgr13xSxIqNslaiO98x_zA9FfQ8Q0wDLjNqUcsTuxuvBQ1VMaRjreSq5SDb/s200/IMG_20160110_114235591.jpg" width="150" /></a>This church in Gugulethu is trying to do ministry with and in conversation with -- not for or to -- others. “Nothing about us without us,” said Pastor Spiwo Xapile quoting his favorite theological maxim about social justice ministry. </div>
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When he visits US churches he asks them to take him where they would never want to take him in their communities. “Let me see your worst,” he says. “Show me the places that you are embarrassed to show others.”</div>
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A pastor Spiwo visited in the US was led by one of the church members to see the worst of their city. Afterward the local paper said to his guide, “I never knew that was going on in Pensacola before.” His African-American guide said, “You never wanted to know.” Wow.</div>
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What is the worst we could show about our cities, our churches, or ourselves?</div>
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Are we willing to show our worst in order to acknowledge it? Own it? And work to transform it?</div>
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That's why Jesus came --- to change the way things are. Let's welcome, sing, praise, and preach from and about our worst places so that we might invite Jesus into the process of transformation and new possibilities. </div>
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That is why he came after all.</div>
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Karyn L. Wisemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16548203152134155734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452464998517982086.post-55149347899502173152016-01-21T17:31:00.000-05:002016-01-21T17:31:12.267-05:00Context and Relationships <br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Justice is an active attempt to create the necessary space for everyone and to repair harmony.” From Roads2Bridges by Leon Oosthuizen and Xola Skosana.</span><br />
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Working for justice means addressing the glaring income inequality issues around the globe. Justice is not justice while so many people have nothing. Poverty is not just a lack of material goods like food and clothing. It is about a lack of dignity and opportunity. These were some of the important things we heard in South Africa.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On Monday, January 11, we met with 15 pastors from the Township of Khayalethu, outside of Cape Town. We spent time talking about ministry concerns and about the church today - both in South Africa and in the US. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The population in Khayalethu is officially 1 million, but the reality is more like 2.5 million people in the township. Many live 8-10 in one bedroom homes. It was eye opening to say the least.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We shared who we are, our jobs, and what we love most about God as a way to begin to get to know one another. The answers were similar - just as you might expect.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A sampling of the answers about what we love most about God included: God’s love for all, grace, forgiveness, we are never alone, God meets us in our broken and messy places, bigger than we can possibly know, changed my life, is enough, is a graphic artist, loves me even when I don't love God, takes a side for those who are oppressed, God walks with us always, and is full of surprises.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyFXbQ3C2R4KGKDUFmBC6fwrdeSETlHrqIZrVrsm9YsyXZopnIIr-Qar_QeZwPEaMUMkx7sO8k2owfvCRHgtuCJtByRKoMvtKBBOjqO13_IPOnWLqYslhpVRFvnvxgCA1KSrcWb70uGjQZ/s1600/IMG_20160111_124846591_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyFXbQ3C2R4KGKDUFmBC6fwrdeSETlHrqIZrVrsm9YsyXZopnIIr-Qar_QeZwPEaMUMkx7sO8k2owfvCRHgtuCJtByRKoMvtKBBOjqO13_IPOnWLqYslhpVRFvnvxgCA1KSrcWb70uGjQZ/s320/IMG_20160111_124846591_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The love for God and chance to share the faith led to breaking out in praise and prayer several times. It was powerful and profound. Beautiful music. Amazing spirit in that room. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We formed small groups and talked about the differences and similarities between our churches. Our South African brothers and sisters expressed concerns about the high level of frustration of pastors, having no buildings, receiving no stipends or salary, receiving no support from the government or authorities, and multiple communication issues. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We talked about the variety of gifts that pastors have and the ways the church is filling the gaps of the people - food, services, mental health, addiction, and children's ministry are important parts of their ministry. Many are bi-vocational. They wanted to talk about administration problems - it is more holistic than filling out ministry reports and more complicated without resources. This was an interesting conversation to me.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We shared about the struggles many people experience without basic human needs being met. “How do you minister to people who are hungry without feeding them?: asked Pastor Denny. “We feed them physical food and spiritual food.” It is often not enough but we come back each day and start again. They rely on each other’s ministry as well. They refer their members to ministry programs at other churches when possible. </span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu0ELqsq7OWORCEM1GlcI7-gP2pwlcEoXcrLPyctTx62lXu3I6-yo-6lmg2IzE_f5Yn6vL6RyKHiyYMV6jqR7fkzqs1Nmgk0afbRwnVsHDS8iFHkTsmzk7Pg3ZrPLoP0V_rZPNP3Rlgj68/s1600/DSC_1017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu0ELqsq7OWORCEM1GlcI7-gP2pwlcEoXcrLPyctTx62lXu3I6-yo-6lmg2IzE_f5Yn6vL6RyKHiyYMV6jqR7fkzqs1Nmgk0afbRwnVsHDS8iFHkTsmzk7Pg3ZrPLoP0V_rZPNP3Rlgj68/s320/DSC_1017.JPG" width="320" /></a><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We talked about our passion for ministry. Structure continues to be an issue - most have no buildings. Learning new things and having time for it all is tough. We shared that sometimes being stuck with an aging and decaying building can be crippling for a ministry as well. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Context and relationships. That is so important. And that is what our conversation kept coming back to. Context and relationships.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was clear that we can't just talk about how tough things are in the midst of ministry in poverty plagued areas. We have to provide resources and training to offer a way out. Hope is great but if there is not something concrete that helps someone move out of poverty and acquire skills to get new jobs then it is pretty empty and false. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Conversations between the 14 of us and the 15 pastors was fascinating in that there were clear similarities. But the level of frustration for our South African ministry partners is not about upkeep of old buildings, but it is about having no resources but the hands and feet of the pastors on the ground.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBxgS58kpVGAMOmeUqaX0YaSA8bPobUTBFwwLT-Sz4L7Zk4IRjGN96pJF_17WSOQyAisBro3iCVGH8hJh2oKH2qFOBeof9sqvKWHCXQ8YRfUVeKuglsKNrKg16BjYqig-7tUq5dB1YGJv/s1600/DSC_1022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBxgS58kpVGAMOmeUqaX0YaSA8bPobUTBFwwLT-Sz4L7Zk4IRjGN96pJF_17WSOQyAisBro3iCVGH8hJh2oKH2qFOBeof9sqvKWHCXQ8YRfUVeKuglsKNrKg16BjYqig-7tUq5dB1YGJv/s320/DSC_1022.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The ways we face similar issues was astonishing. But I have never been in a church surrounded by razor wire to protect the facility from crime in the area. </span></div>
<br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The ways we love the Lord and serve by being present with the people is the most important thing I learned in this time together.</span>Karyn L. Wisemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16548203152134155734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452464998517982086.post-38827168605940340492016-01-21T16:58:00.001-05:002016-01-21T16:58:29.931-05:00African Animals and Audacity<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgallaRXtW7jiJUUY1SilHPT06wwZEKFxrqBUy_h1aKbqKNnCiK9F_kDFvPSH0ThYxB9wEVncQpgaEUug4YFBYNB6oTSi3d1cgYLaNgtV37xjzemypTEJzJo6GAszurJC9EGvGGsEa8zqrM/s1600/IMG_20160113_173543084.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgallaRXtW7jiJUUY1SilHPT06wwZEKFxrqBUy_h1aKbqKNnCiK9F_kDFvPSH0ThYxB9wEVncQpgaEUug4YFBYNB6oTSi3d1cgYLaNgtV37xjzemypTEJzJo6GAszurJC9EGvGGsEa8zqrM/s320/IMG_20160113_173543084.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; white-space: pre-wrap;">While in South Africa, I was privileged to go on two game reserve drives -- on two photo safaris. One at Tamboti Lodge and a second at Mongeno Lodge. They are both on the Denoking Game Reserve. It was a unique chance to see the Big 5 -- the lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and hippo -- We saw three of the five. And it was glorious.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Derrick runs Tamboti Lodge and took us out on our first night in the bush veld. He told the same story about impalas five times. They have a “follow marking” on their tail that looks like the letter M. He told us that McDonald’s sponsors then on the reserve. He meant you see them around every corner -- like the Golden Arches. It wasn't even funny the first time. But he also shared with us his immense knowledge of the game reserve in vivid and passionate ways. He clearly loves sharing this experience with others.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Niko and Darnikko were our driver and game tracker, respectively, on the Mongeno game drive the next day. Darnikko rode up front in an unprotected tracker seat and used hand signals to relay animal track information to the driver. It was a unique system that led to us seeing more game than we expected. They were a profound team. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsl4h-E9VS6PjRFluOZX1uzZkggWvWYZIw8fQXtd-Lg2oos8YwlLvjgzyDuNAcEpHrGtT8Oy9oS_sD8X97n9coDsvAGHbr0ROxiTaygJeyyhBHk8TKH9yuGqXrSUMMCMHp2C6ojarsMeHD/s1600/DSC_1290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsl4h-E9VS6PjRFluOZX1uzZkggWvWYZIw8fQXtd-Lg2oos8YwlLvjgzyDuNAcEpHrGtT8Oy9oS_sD8X97n9coDsvAGHbr0ROxiTaygJeyyhBHk8TKH9yuGqXrSUMMCMHp2C6ojarsMeHD/s320/DSC_1290.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What we saw on our two game drives was tremendous and magnificent. We got to see a cervil, two cheetahs, two white rhinos, multiple giraffes, several elephants, many antelope (impalas, waterboks, springboks, elands, etc.), lots of warthogs, six hippos, flying/jumping monkeys, tons of unique birds (including fish Eagles and kingfishers), too many zebras to count, and numerous cape buffalo. We saw 3 of the big five. And we also saw two very rare cat sightings in the wild - the cervil and cheetahs. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was an experience that is hard to describe. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was determined to see African elephants for my mother-in-love, Jane. And on the first drive we did not see any elephants. It had disappointed me a little bit. Can you imagine being a bit disappointed seeing zebras and giraffes in the wild. Don't get me wrong, I was super excited. But I was a little sad not seeing an elephant yet.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The next day at Mongeno, we tracked lots of animals as we drove around the reserve. Then we heard trees crashing near us and an eagle-eyed member of our group saw a glimpse of an elephant. Nikko drove around a bit and we saw them through the trees. So we stopped and waited. And they did not disappoint. Two brothers were eating their way through the bush. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxOASPkpglH2P0P7r9Wn56EgER1tiiTlMMwFq3fQ38z5ms1YwNLwTYWN1CAnEjVhZIdEEY0oQHcI4gzGEnUaNQo2pvFFQm_69r1LiU2ZZLwqzoZ9f1VViZW49snCoRx2HHeQvMTyE_tXTM/s1600/IMG_20160114_111249948_TOP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxOASPkpglH2P0P7r9Wn56EgER1tiiTlMMwFq3fQ38z5ms1YwNLwTYWN1CAnEjVhZIdEEY0oQHcI4gzGEnUaNQo2pvFFQm_69r1LiU2ZZLwqzoZ9f1VViZW49snCoRx2HHeQvMTyE_tXTM/s320/IMG_20160114_111249948_TOP.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When they came into full view I was dumbstruck. They were massive and beautiful. They were powerful and inquisitive. They were spectacular.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They began getting closer and closer to the truck. I had my Nikon 3300D loaded with the telephoto lens. It was set on the multiple shot sport setting so I was shooting pictures as fast as I could. Then they were too close. So I pulled out my cell phone and just kept on taking photos. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If the guide had let me, I could have reached out and easily touched the elephant closest to our bush vehicle. It was just two feet from me. I got the picture of a lifetime. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And it happened during the trip of a lifetime. I went to South Africa to learn and listen. I went to be part of a social justice group exploring race and culture in South Africa. And I experienced more than I can express in this or any post. It was an audacious trip. We did more in 12 days than I usually pack into a month. But audacity is what it takes when tackling the tough issues of our day.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nikko, Darnikko, and Derrick are facing the realities of life in a still evolving South Africa. They are facing poachers and preservation issues daily. They also represent the best of South Africa. Darnikko has been trained as a tracker since he was a child. But he was also the black South African sitting in the most exposed spot on the truck.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The audacity of a black man giving directions to a white South African is still new. But it happened despite the oddity in the arrangement. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The audacity of our vehicle stopping right on the road where two mature elephants were busting down trees with their trunks and waiting for them to come closer was mind blowing.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6GyHI4MGAh7pMr-bevB02WDs2opQy1VHtOc7YC5aZUvXeuFuE32_6gCA-r4EBE09o7AKyB4R83QEoZxZ1TGy5Puhyphenhypheneoag8qiv3fKidnJKSGaVAOBDvQazm63JlLGMnZDPxKoCNyGYrNVl/s1600/DSC_0075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6GyHI4MGAh7pMr-bevB02WDs2opQy1VHtOc7YC5aZUvXeuFuE32_6gCA-r4EBE09o7AKyB4R83QEoZxZ1TGy5Puhyphenhypheneoag8qiv3fKidnJKSGaVAOBDvQazm63JlLGMnZDPxKoCNyGYrNVl/s320/DSC_0075.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I will remember coming face to face with an elephant for the rest of my life. But I also came face to face with South Africa and have gained so much from the experience. I am humbled by the audacity of going there. I am amazed by the audacity of people living into the realities of a new South Africa. I am blessed by the chance to interact with cultural icons, pastors, advocates, historians, entrepreneurs, guides, drivers, service directors, and so many others v on this trip. The audacity of it all blows my mind.</span></div>
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<br />Karyn L. Wisemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16548203152134155734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452464998517982086.post-28462074845938199102016-01-08T11:05:00.000-05:002016-01-08T11:33:07.531-05:00South African Animal Encounter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcCH6A0NuVizTqSe47GR8gCQ_VePxNcYZwewtc8NgAYLMbzOus3p340uX87jiEnv9QPNd9ACIeGehWR6ByF4Kbssl48PnH1_d-fWjnRWvadndSmOx27_BFJLaD76RtYm-E6bgMaKrxvdkb/s1600/12540643_10153379098201915_958836674062831005_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcCH6A0NuVizTqSe47GR8gCQ_VePxNcYZwewtc8NgAYLMbzOus3p340uX87jiEnv9QPNd9ACIeGehWR6ByF4Kbssl48PnH1_d-fWjnRWvadndSmOx27_BFJLaD76RtYm-E6bgMaKrxvdkb/s320/12540643_10153379098201915_958836674062831005_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-5a920047-21ef-561c-1df5-429e5f3c2ce3" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Today we went to an interactive cheetah experience outside of Cape Town on the way to Paarl. It is a preservation reserve that trains and supplies dogs to help farmers protect their property from animal attacks and to teach farmers about cheetahs in order to stop them from trapping, poisoning, or killing the cats. As a result this organization protects cheetahs and educates people about these amazing animals. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We got a package deal to meet and interact with adult cheetahs, cheetah cubs, and meerkats. It was R435, which was about $35. It was a chance of a lifetime so I gladly handed over the Rands (South African currency). </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There were a couple of sets of 18 month old cheetah cubs. Mandiba and Majik (both males) in one enclosure. And Romeo and Nikita (male and female) were in another. My group visited Romeo and Nikita. They were lying down resting and we carefully approached them from behind with our escort. We did this after a short training discussion and after clipping on a tag saying we understood the dangers of entering the enclosure with these animals. Sobbering. And delightful. Feeling the power and grace under your hand as you patted these magnificent animals was astonishing. Feeling the movement of his body when Romeo purred was exciting. I've never experienced anything like that. I am having trouble even finding words to fully express how it felt.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Then we went to visit Ebony - an adult cheetah. And I was struck by how well the big cat and her handler interacted. They have worked together for a long time. He knows her personality, her moods, and her movements. She knows his voice, his touch, and his smell. But they also work with other cts so that no one cat imprints too much with one particular handler. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When she got unsettled due to a sick cheetah being cared for nearby, the handler immediately removed us from the enclosure. I felt safe but wary when we were allowed to re-enter her space. I still can't believe this kind of experience is even possible.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Last up but not least by any stretch of the imagination was meeting Sebastian, a feisty and fresh young meerkat. Sebastian was kept illegally by a family when he was little and has developed a fascination/fetish with crotches, cleavages, and shoes. Oh my.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But cuddling is his main thing. He made the sweetest noise when happy and let you know if he wanted to be tickled under the chin by raising his head and touching your chin with his nose. He burrowed down into the crook of my arm and was quite content to stay there most of the time. It was so much fun. I felt pure joy. Just unadulterated joy. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I am not really a pet person. I have significant allergies. So normally I would not get close to cats or animals with any type of hair. But today I just wanted to soak in the experience. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On this trip, I have tried food that I would not normally eat, drank beverages I would not normally order, and let the moments just develop as best I can thus far. I'm loving the adventure. </span></div>
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<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Being away is not the only time I try things that push me out of my comfort zone. I try them often. But being here in South Africa is opening me up to new and interesting things in a very different way. I want to be this open all the time.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In South Africa they say “I'll do it just now.” It doesn't necessarily mean right this minute. It means sometime in the future. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It reminds me that in Texas we say, “I'm fixin’ to.” I'm about to do it. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In taking on new things and bringing our best selves forward in new situations - at home or away - we should do it “just now.” And now. </span></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How about you?</span></div>
Karyn L. Wisemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16548203152134155734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452464998517982086.post-22099682800164703112016-01-06T17:58:00.002-05:002016-01-06T18:04:25.024-05:00Robben Island - South Africa Trip<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfZPlFg_Ls7WL9Ys7KgKycCffvFI9BeMZONGyt2OUDU9a5jbZV29jZEPLc2A608i-rzmGvlXR-YK7Pbk7MwjFFp50gKpRgAamGtqf9hNAivWEWhJCY3gF7JLuPoyJoLl4VJd0RZ-1fo9av/s1600/12509706_10153375912131915_3197400653344100910_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfZPlFg_Ls7WL9Ys7KgKycCffvFI9BeMZONGyt2OUDU9a5jbZV29jZEPLc2A608i-rzmGvlXR-YK7Pbk7MwjFFp50gKpRgAamGtqf9hNAivWEWhJCY3gF7JLuPoyJoLl4VJd0RZ-1fo9av/s320/12509706_10153375912131915_3197400653344100910_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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The boat ride to Robben Island took 40 minutes. We saw a couple
of whale fins and lots of birds. The view of Table Mountain on the boat over
was obscured by dense fog. Seabirds dipped and frolicked on the waves. Kids
chatted excitedly with their parents and siblings along the way.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzjlHitk3neK0yHU2tHtrGGYhKq7FpSzLDiMdCuSdeJdnP1iH7zMNqtW2sP_pu1opQdIDcJUqiB5-F_WbgNG6u2LSS0B_tzsL5-FYZ5F0Uwyf_PnuaVkE_-UGuUsmFDUyKBqM1zAiV0xJF/s1600/10410802_10153375922161915_1598945430113930866_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzjlHitk3neK0yHU2tHtrGGYhKq7FpSzLDiMdCuSdeJdnP1iH7zMNqtW2sP_pu1opQdIDcJUqiB5-F_WbgNG6u2LSS0B_tzsL5-FYZ5F0Uwyf_PnuaVkE_-UGuUsmFDUyKBqM1zAiV0xJF/s320/10410802_10153375922161915_1598945430113930866_n.jpg" width="240" /></a>We had talked about what we would see, read about the apartheid
era, and learned about the prison itself in preparation for our trip. But
nothing prepares you for your arrival on the island, walking through the front
gates, and being led through the story of political imprisonment by a former
prisoner of Robben Island. Our guide was named Sparks. But during his seven
years of confinement, he was only called by his prisoner number, 5683. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Nelson Mandela was prisoner 46664. He was the 466th prisoner to
be imprisoned in 1964. For 27 years his name was not spoken by the prison
authorities. His cell was 2x3 meters. He had no socks, shoes, or coat. He had a
T-shirt and shorts. Summer, winter, rain, wind - did not matter - black prisoners
were given nothing more.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I sat under the grape arbor where Mandela wrote and hid his
manuscript for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Long Walk to Freedom</i>.
It was such a surreal moment. I am still processing it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We went through the prison and heard the stories of apartheid
era political prisoners from an insider’s perspective. Beatings, solitary
confinement, and 30-day porridge rations were the punishments of choice.
Hearing Sparks tell this story was even more than I can describe.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Walking by and photographing Nelson Mandela’s cell was one of
the most profoundly moving experiences of my life. I cannot imagine surviving
27 years in that place, with those restrictions, and with that kind of
resiliency. <o:p></o:p></div>
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We stopped at the limestone quarry where Mandela and others
worked. We saw the stack of stones placed in remembrance of the 38 men who lost
their lives in that quarry and saw the cave where he wrote and talked about his
manuscript during his lunch breaks. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Coming home was one of the roughest boat rides I have ever been
on. The boat tossed and turned, crested and dipped. But being on the rough
water was still a sign that I was able to leave the island when I chose. I have
never lived in the kind of fear, terror, isolation, and oppression that Mandela
and many others lived with in South Africa and that many continue to live with
today in the US and elsewhere. This is due to my privilege. as a well educated, white, American woman. Today was a stark
reminder of that privilege and the work we still have to do.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="normal">
It is indeed a Long Walk to Freedom.<o:p></o:p></div>
Karyn L. Wisemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16548203152134155734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452464998517982086.post-34583486697694232592016-01-06T06:43:00.002-05:002016-01-06T17:06:57.235-05:00Macro Day at Table Mountain<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0a4WL7WklHpfaki3B-x3RQ90GNy_Ciu57eZ67gIRbzaWbdIATO14NyV1JIFDa5weKACqdE8YabccuhljPzKn2X9-90QqShsBIv5ppT9YWLt7bgnMNXiNWud5vEkr1gcJbSSBKhJhibElI/s1600/IMG_20160105_121415035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0a4WL7WklHpfaki3B-x3RQ90GNy_Ciu57eZ67gIRbzaWbdIATO14NyV1JIFDa5weKACqdE8YabccuhljPzKn2X9-90QqShsBIv5ppT9YWLt7bgnMNXiNWud5vEkr1gcJbSSBKhJhibElI/s320/IMG_20160105_121415035.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZr5QSlERn3tFfj8_0WTCxMPcYJYtKxhi4IxyYpHM4oxYEKphJhCLFE1sO8lW3_apCkMMXlFpUMtrrutpWpOAE6QNFcJ3Ug0hlb761RXgDtA7VhVJJh5Aw6EzKPAEdvQSUFlDA8Olaru6N/s1600/IMG_20160105_132128101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZr5QSlERn3tFfj8_0WTCxMPcYJYtKxhi4IxyYpHM4oxYEKphJhCLFE1sO8lW3_apCkMMXlFpUMtrrutpWpOAE6QNFcJ3Ug0hlb761RXgDtA7VhVJJh5Aw6EzKPAEdvQSUFlDA8Olaru6N/s320/IMG_20160105_132128101.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN46HQMTjyeuiwzsGkX3NTjwF3OzphgkMIoDlVTUF2F4VoianlJdK5mQ9sEJsFkFEla4AfW-AlKs6XSxudK8ezbJS8w7GZLC2HZm3GvJephbYOLCMiqpHEOZ0tINz55m_6zaZCeLAIwoeL/s1600/IMG_20160105_095116388.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN46HQMTjyeuiwzsGkX3NTjwF3OzphgkMIoDlVTUF2F4VoianlJdK5mQ9sEJsFkFEla4AfW-AlKs6XSxudK8ezbJS8w7GZLC2HZm3GvJephbYOLCMiqpHEOZ0tINz55m_6zaZCeLAIwoeL/s320/IMG_20160105_095116388.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-5e9d86c8-16b7-bda4-c27e-ec265411d559" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; vertical-align: baseline;">After arriving at the airport in Cape Town we received a wonderful singing welcome by a youth group from a nearby township church. It was an emotional and embodied experience. I was invited by a young woman to dance with them and remembered again how bad my dance skills actually are. But being part of that welcome was both freeing and humbling.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; vertical-align: baseline;">We then headed up to one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World - Table Mountain. We rode up 1,000 meters in a cable car to start our journey around one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; vertical-align: baseline;">The view of Cape Town was quite stunning. Seeing the city from above on a macro level was so interesting. The ocean and waterfront from above is gorgeous. But the townships where so many are forced to live by economic inequity and history were also visible and quite obviously different from the rest of the city. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; vertical-align: baseline;">Most of this trip will be about micro experiences but this big picture view was a vivid and visceral way to begin. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; vertical-align: baseline;">My goal is to not forget the macro view as we immerse ourselves into the micro stories of this beautiful country. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; vertical-align: baseline;">May we all be open to see the macro and the micro around us. The view can change our perspective and the lives of all involved. </span>Karyn L. Wisemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16548203152134155734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452464998517982086.post-43576912081791275022016-01-05T14:48:00.000-05:002016-01-05T14:49:26.303-05:00Travel days ...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6kVCyRtObTyG6aOyQLyeMzW_p2i41aCjNNcGJTW9b-ESp3OmUrP-ehIm-l1zBaBuX7ESWlCM2a0iv31Z7RnUunUm710M_6jVnUyD8szM94cOf9OYhnkzvwSrONhtS7X-R_gjUa8EjgSYY/s1600/934115_10153374226151915_1929216360159313525_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6kVCyRtObTyG6aOyQLyeMzW_p2i41aCjNNcGJTW9b-ESp3OmUrP-ehIm-l1zBaBuX7ESWlCM2a0iv31Z7RnUunUm710M_6jVnUyD8szM94cOf9OYhnkzvwSrONhtS7X-R_gjUa8EjgSYY/s320/934115_10153374226151915_1929216360159313525_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="normal">
Well, it’s Tuesday morning and we're about to land in South
Africa. I've been on flights for 19 hours since Sunday evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I've showered in the Frankfurt airport. I've
been drinking enough water to float a small ship. And I've heard more languages
spoken around me than is typical in my realm of experience. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="normal">
I've watched six movies, read two books, and surfed the net.
And I've played with babies and met people traveling for business and pleasure.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="normal">
I've done all of this knowing one thing … I am on a grand
adventure. In one hour (as of this writing) I will land in Cape Town, South
Africa for a two-week immersion into the systems of racism and their impact on
the lives of the people who live in the midst of significant poverty and
oppression, which too often live hand-in-hand. We are doing a humanitarian,
social justice trip with some basic tourism thrown in. And we hope to bring
back learnings from the reconciliation process in our own work in the US. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="normal">
Travel is something I have done before. But mainly it has been domestic
travel. International travel is not something I have done much. My wife and I
went to Russia 16 years ago to adopt our son, we've gone into Canada and Mexico
for day trips, and I went to Haiti in 1980 with the General Board of Global
Ministries’ UMCOR Division. But this is different.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="normal">
This time I am traveling for both personal and professional
reasons. This time I am flying way out of my comfort zone and that is
intentional. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="normal">
What are you planning in 2016 to move out of your comfort zone,
to further the work of the kindom, and to bring about positive change in your
life and in the world? <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Small steps or big steps - taking that first step is what’s
important. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Me? I'm going to leap. Join me on the journey. <o:p></o:p></div>
Karyn L. Wisemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16548203152134155734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452464998517982086.post-59254747047368093352016-01-01T11:40:00.000-05:002016-01-06T18:04:46.839-05:00South Africa Trip - Pre-Trip Notes<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyvK2ObcMOEhavqjLieCKayg2sGRCeMgk6mKbVGmLSNvdGEa1tNEqc_AE5I2NJchs741oIJA3yxxkHdBniKQ6o0sc2n_rNsGQza_foQG9DOc_nCWnBx3_TxNmnbI8-x5kqzdV10hpxuxNm/s1600/sf-lgflag.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyvK2ObcMOEhavqjLieCKayg2sGRCeMgk6mKbVGmLSNvdGEa1tNEqc_AE5I2NJchs741oIJA3yxxkHdBniKQ6o0sc2n_rNsGQza_foQG9DOc_nCWnBx3_TxNmnbI8-x5kqzdV10hpxuxNm/s320/sf-lgflag.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
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I am heading to South Africa on Sunday, January 3, 2016. I
will be traveling to Johannesburg, Cape Town, Robbin Island, <span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Pretoria/Tshwane,</span>
Soweto, <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Stellenbosch/Paarl, </span>Dinokeng Reserve, and Pilaneberg game park. I
am traveling with a group of 14 people on a humanitarian/social justice tour. <o:p></o:p></div>
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“Travel is organized through Mission Vision Tours with the
intent to engage conversations of race and racism, systemic oppression of
groups of peoples, and to explore solutions to such injustices.” (From MV Tours
Humanitarian Travel Letter)<o:p></o:p></div>
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We are meeting with authors, pastors, Truth and
Reconciliation Commission members, spending a day with kids from an orphanage,
swimming in the Indian Ocean, spending time at a game reserve, hiking the
mountains near Franschhoek, and swimming in the mountain pools.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I
am delighted to be going.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4mdRHy3a1cEC04IbVFI9qcE5-Qe4SyaBJiHEs7eK7pEViOBIpKABE8w1bith-56HYg1V0gGi_I37VIOWx1a2smfSHUj399nwMiPHEBib_1ZvFB_zkZwJxLN1NEJ1YcpanYp2hzvp_QkT6/s1600/table+mountain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4mdRHy3a1cEC04IbVFI9qcE5-Qe4SyaBJiHEs7eK7pEViOBIpKABE8w1bith-56HYg1V0gGi_I37VIOWx1a2smfSHUj399nwMiPHEBib_1ZvFB_zkZwJxLN1NEJ1YcpanYp2hzvp_QkT6/s320/table+mountain.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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While I have taken some significant time off from my blog,
this occasion gives me the chance to start again – for at least the two weeks
that I am away – and take you on this journey with me. I will post pictures,
blog about my thoughts and experiences, and keep my family up to date about how
things are going. <o:p></o:p></div>
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One of the things that I am most excited about is hearing
the stories of those living in South Africa who have experienced the pain,
racism, and systemic oppression related to Apartheid and post-Apartheid South
Africa. I think there is much to learn. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I look forward to opening up my heart and
mind to hear what they have to say. I want to sit there and soak in all that I
can. <o:p></o:p></div>
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This trip will help lay the groundwork for one of my next
book projects about social justice preaching. And I think there are some
interesting parallels between the US and South Africa in the ways people of
color have been treated. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I invite you to follow along if you wish and to experience
this amazing culture through my eyes. I have much to learn and am extremely
grateful for the opportunity.<o:p></o:p></div>
Karyn L. Wisemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16548203152134155734noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452464998517982086.post-12754992383040308302014-11-27T12:21:00.001-05:002014-11-27T12:21:49.754-05:00Gratitude<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m7yFeuTd-1o/VHddDbTbt8I/AAAAAAAAI9M/QYWWZAOTIfA/s1600/thanksgiving.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m7yFeuTd-1o/VHddDbTbt8I/AAAAAAAAI9M/QYWWZAOTIfA/s1600/thanksgiving.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Gratitude is more than just giving thanks, it is about finding joy in the things that make up our lives. It is about finding happiness in the simple things. It is about being present in all of the moments of our lives - good, bad, happy, sad, loving, angry, faithful, frustrated, etc. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">I am grateful. I am joyous. I am present. I am happy. But most of all, I give thanks for my life, for my faith and vocation, for all of my family and friends, and for the moments that make me understand how blessed I am.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Happy Thanksgiving.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span>Karyn L. Wisemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16548203152134155734noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452464998517982086.post-24600400511495678852014-05-31T22:49:00.000-04:002014-05-31T22:49:20.917-04:00Finding Me Again<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0C89QVEVx_4/U4qUEMYKovI/AAAAAAAACRw/yAw2_L168gw/s1600/busyness.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0C89QVEVx_4/U4qUEMYKovI/AAAAAAAACRw/yAw2_L168gw/s1600/busyness.jpg" height="251" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="Body">
Busy, busy, busy. It's our
religion almost. We kneel at the altar of busyness. We pray to the calendar
gods.</div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
We sing the songs of schedule. We sit in the anxiety of too much to do
and too little time to do it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span lang="DA">Because of this reality, t</span>here are so many things that get in the way of
taking care of ourselves <span lang="DA">– </span>work, spouse, family, house/home, TV watching, paying <span lang="DA">bills, social media, laziness, busyness, </span>paperwork, <span lang="DA">denial, etc. </span>With all of this to do -- we too often put our
own needs in last place. We take care of others, we take care of our loved
ones, we take care of our homes, we take care of our work, and we take care of
our financial obligations <span lang="DA">– </span>but we leave ourselves and our personal needs out of the equation.<span lang="DA"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span lang="DA">It</span><span lang="FR">’</span>s a problem for many in our
culture today. We have placed the needs of everyone and everything else above
our own.<span lang="DA"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
It happens to people in
every profession and life circumstance. It happens in the lives of clergy and
religious leaders, a group I am part of and work with, way too often.<span lang="DA"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
And it especially happens in the lives of women. We
are expected by outside forces to always put others before ourselves. It
affects us emotionally, spiritually, and physically.<span lang="DA"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
I allowed it to happen to
myself. Even though I teach about self-care <span lang="DA">– </span>especially for women and clergy <span lang="DA">– </span>I allowed my own life to
spiral into one that did not focus on my own health, body, spirit, and
emotions.<span lang="DA"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
For decades I have dealt
with a weight issue. I started putting on weight after high school. I had
seriously injured my knee and my ability to be more active dried up. I went to
college and put on the freshman 15 like almost everyone else.<span lang="DA"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
Then I got into a bad cycle.
My knee hurt so I did not exercise. I did not exercise so I put on weight.
Putting on weight had an adverse effect on my knees. Because of the pain and
inactivity I was in a negative spiral that I felt helpless to control or to
change.<span lang="DA"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
When I turned 50 I came to realize that I was over 100 pounds overweight, had two bad knees, was on several
prescription meds, and was living a very inactive lifestyle<span lang="DA">. </span>However, I was <span lang="DA">– </span>by all accounts <span lang="DA">– </span>a happy and highly
productive person. I had a great job, fabulous friends, and an amazing family.
If anyone asked if I was happy <span lang="DA">– </span>my answer was emphatic, <span lang="DA">“</span>Of course, I am. I have everything I need to
give me joy.<span lang="DA">”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span lang="DA"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Body">
But deep down I now know
that I was suffering. I got looks from others insinuating that I must be <span lang="DA">“fat </span>because I’m <span lang="DA">lazy.” </span>I endured the
glances when I entered the aisle of a plane for travel that told me what they
were thinking, <span lang="DA">“</span>I hope she<span lang="FR">’</span>s not sitting beside me.<span lang="DA">” </span>And I heard the soft whispers when I went into
stores that did not accommodate my size when I was purchasing a gift for
someone else.<span lang="DA"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
It was hard <span lang="DA">– </span>but I pretended it wasn<span lang="FR">’</span>t happening. I refused to hear the voices of others and the ones in my
head telling me that this was not a good way to live. I ignored the cry of my
body to be honorable to it. And I continued to claim that I was happy. I guess
that I was convinced that I was "happy enough" and that was all I
deserved.<span lang="DA"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVkrc0irkBEA7tCSH1QzaXSALd2UfM1WQAqhQGOjkoW91DGtCRIi22lspjS_AD9XLQiTadhTcm0_Uq2VS4hk5SGA-0ZyyBLSoJH5ntm5Nofw7mEVahkchfZ5wi9Xr_aP1YgA4F8g0mSvtw/s1600/happy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVkrc0irkBEA7tCSH1QzaXSALd2UfM1WQAqhQGOjkoW91DGtCRIi22lspjS_AD9XLQiTadhTcm0_Uq2VS4hk5SGA-0ZyyBLSoJH5ntm5Nofw7mEVahkchfZ5wi9Xr_aP1YgA4F8g0mSvtw/s1600/happy.jpg" height="400" width="282" /></a></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
Then I had an experience
that brought me to my knees. I was too big to ride an amusement park ride with
my son and I sat there weeping while he rode it without me. It was too much. I
could not bear to miss another moment with my family due to my inactivity,
weight, and lack of mobility. I deserved better.<span lang="DA"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
So I asked for help. I went
to my doctor, got a nutritionist, and hired a personal trainer. I created a
team of encouragers, supporters, experts, and guides for the journey. And I
changed my life. Over the past year I have lost 100+ pounds, I have changed how
and what I eat, and I have embraced the reality that I deserve a fuller life. I
have begun exercising regularly and I have done everything I can to turn my
life around. I have utilized every avenue available for me to use to change my
life.<span lang="DA"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
And in the process I found
me again.<span lang="DA"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
I found the me that has
energy to live life to the fullest. I found the me that wakes up excited about
the day. I found the me that honors the gift of life God has blessed me with as
a healthier, happier person. I found the me that could do things again and not
be limited by my knees or my weight. <span lang="DA"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
I had ignored the symptoms
and the signs. I did not see it. But as I lost weight and began to live more
fully <span lang="DA">– </span>I
discovered that part of me had actually gone missing as I put on the weight. <span lang="DA"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
Miraculously and thankfully,
I have found me again.<span lang="DA"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
I find that my connection
to my work is deeper and more fulfilling. I find that I am closer to my family
and able to do more things with them. I find that I am more confident than ever
before. I find that my faith is deeper as I live into a life that honors more
faithfully who God calls me to be. And I have found a level of joy that makes
me feel so blessed and happy.<span lang="DA"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
So why am I telling you
this? I'm not telling you this to make anyone feel badly about their own
journey with weight or self-care or anything else. I’m not telling you this to
judge your life or say that you need to do what I have done. I’m not telling
you to in any way make you feel less than a precious child of God that you are.<span lang="DA"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
I'm telling you this
because it has been an amazing journey and I feel compelled to share it. <span lang="DA">I</span><span lang="FR">’</span>m telling you this because I refuse to get into
this place of denial again. I<span lang="FR">’</span>m telling you because I want
you to live into your best self <span lang="DA">– </span>whatever that means for you. And I<span lang="FR">’</span>m telling you this because I care about your journey as well<span lang="DA">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span lang="DA"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Body">
My journey to fully find me
and be all that God intends for me continues. But right now I can truly and
absolutely say, with no reservations or denial, that I am really happy. And I
can say that I am living a life that gives me abundant joy.<span lang="DA"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QCSNv2v81x0/U4qRJxXB4wI/AAAAAAAACRc/3B18pq-gWwo/s1600/happy+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QCSNv2v81x0/U4qRJxXB4wI/AAAAAAAACRc/3B18pq-gWwo/s1600/happy+4.jpg" height="250" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
I celebrate with you if you
have found this and are living a life of happiness and joy where you are right now.<span lang="DA"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
And for those of you still
struggling to find you or to find that happiness and joy - I pray for you to find it for today
and always.<span lang="DA"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="Body">
God bless. <span lang="DA"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Karyn L. Wisemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16548203152134155734noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452464998517982086.post-61456073396760494802014-03-21T15:34:00.000-04:002014-03-21T15:34:22.019-04:00Being Set Adrift for God<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4IVknZsMvAs/UyySnSL6owI/AAAAAAAACPA/dATOceN-fmo/s1600/boat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4IVknZsMvAs/UyySnSL6owI/AAAAAAAACPA/dATOceN-fmo/s1600/boat.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
(I have taken a break from blogging for a while but several events lately led me to post this and get back into the task of blogging.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I am not
afraid to admit that I like control. I don’t like other people controlling me
or telling me what to do. I never have liked it (just ask my Mom or Dad). Despite life requiring that I allow others to
lead in many situations, I enjoy having elements of control over my own life.
In the midst of chaos I like to exert as much control over the situation as I
can - so that the chaos begins to ease as much as possible. I don’t think that
I am alone in this. Most of us like control. It’s human to want things to be
fixed and static but life often does not work that way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Trying to
exert control in times of discernment and reflection can be even harder.
Following where God leads us in our lives can be a scary and intimidating
process. Exerting control in those circumstances is often problematic. Giving
up control to God is hard for many of us, but we feel like it should be done
and should be easier. It’s often not. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I work with
seminary students (folks preparing for pastoral ministry in some form) and
often meet with them to talk about their ministry and life discernment process.
I also have the opportunity to talk with quite a few prospective students who
are still trying to determine what God is calling them to do and be in their
lives and any potential ministry. I have come across a number of persons who
denied their call for decades because they did not or could not give in to the
discernment process and acknowledge their call into pastoral ministry or some
other discernment issue in their lives. Giving up control and allowing God to
lead is indeed hard – despite how faithful one is. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Recently, a
guest lecturer was preaching in our chapel. She shared an ancient Celtic
tradition of setting sail in a rudderless boat, relying on the wind of the Holy
Spirit to guide you as you discerned who God was leading you to be and where
God was sending you to share that state of being. As she explained the process,
I came to understand that one who is discerning their life direction embarks on
a journey to see where God is directing them by being set adrift to catch the
winds of the Spirit – with no way to pilot the boat themselves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0_N50iTgpHY/UyyTMBCugPI/AAAAAAAACPI/gWFFwne_opY/s1600/canoe_set_adrift_seascape_painting_by_poucher_seascapes__landscapes__110b916a229e728e487f750b6ea6fe1e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0_N50iTgpHY/UyyTMBCugPI/AAAAAAAACPI/gWFFwne_opY/s1600/canoe_set_adrift_seascape_painting_by_poucher_seascapes__landscapes__110b916a229e728e487f750b6ea6fe1e.jpg" height="292" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canoe set Adrift by Poucher</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The image
was both refreshing and terrifying at the same time. It was a refreshing image
to contemplate. Being set adrift to go where God directs us is powerful. Giving
into the will of God is a profound thing that can set a person free from the
bonds that are keeping them from fully being who they are called to be. Giving
into the breath of God and go where the wind takes you opens up potential
ministry and life experiences that no one could ever imagine on their own. Being
able to launch yourself on that kind of adventure would take a lot of fortitude
and guts. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">That’s where
the scary part comes in – letting go of your own need for control and to actually
stop trying to control the boat is important. The very fact that the boat is
rudderless means there is no directing the boat on your own. Of course, left to
my own devices, I could probably use my hands or feet to push/pull/navigate the
boat. And I would likely want to do just that. But that’s not what we are
called to do in discernment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The task is
to stop trying to control things. We are called to let the Spirit lead and to
go where God directs us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And that’s
tricky. The easy thing is to say to ourselves or others, “Just have faith.” But
the reality is that letting go is against our human nature. That means even
having faith is not all that we need to get us to let go. We have to “own up”
to our reluctance to give up control and allow God to blow us where God will.
And we need to acknowledge that it is not the easiest thing for us to do. We
should not beat ourselves up about this when we fail and try to steer some of
the way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Discernment
is tough. So is living into the will of God. But we are called to live into
this anyway – to find a way. Being honest and working through the discernment
process patiently is paramount. Give yourself some grace when it’s not easy.
And try paddling as little as possible when you are in that rudderless boat. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It’s ok. God
loves us anyway – even when we fail. And the Spirit will continue to blow to
guide us even when it is harder to let it guide us.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Let’s make
this promise to each other and to God – we’ll keep our hands and feet inside
the rudderless vehicle as much as we can and enjoy the ride.</span></div>
Karyn L. Wisemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16548203152134155734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452464998517982086.post-10212289755676544112013-12-31T20:43:00.001-05:002013-12-31T20:43:48.335-05:00Everything changes as we age … even resolutions!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RkgY7rYln4w/UsNyisbfYDI/AAAAAAAAAsA/0nqsqBR_LZE/s1600/Beautiful-Happy-New-Year-2014-HD-Wallpapers-by-techblogstop-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RkgY7rYln4w/UsNyisbfYDI/AAAAAAAAAsA/0nqsqBR_LZE/s400/Beautiful-Happy-New-Year-2014-HD-Wallpapers-by-techblogstop-23.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Over the
past few months, my parents have gone to the funerals of a number of their very
close friends. Recently, one of their friends was hospitalized with an unknown
heart condition and it worried them greatly. When I asked how they were taking
all of this – they reminded me that getting old often means going to funerals
and dealing with loss – alongside all of the other things in their lives.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I remember
my grandmother, as she aged, saying that calling the final decades of her life
the “Golden Years” was just not right. She said that phrase was absolutely
insane. “Getting old is not the most enjoyable ride,” she told me. She had
great times, continued to travel, and enjoyed her family. But losing one’s
independence, needing others to care for your needs, dealing with loss and
illness, and spending more and more time with doctors was not much fun.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I am now in
my 50s and I can honestly say that it is the best time of my personal and
professional life. I am far from old – physically, emotionally or
intellectually. But my knees are a bit shot – too many skiing accidents growing
up – and I am on a few more prescriptions than I would like to be on. So I am not as healthy as I wish I was – but I
am working on that. And I am working hard on it – have been for months. This is
a life change – not just a couple of week’s living up to some faint end of year
resolution.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Growing
older is inevitable and I am happy to get to do it – like they say, “the
alternative to living is not much fun.” Maybe it isn’t always pretty but it is
living.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Growing
older is also a huge blessing. As my grandmother told me, it means we get to
learn from our experiences, watch those we love grow up and become their own
persons, and spend significant time enjoying our lives. Yes, we’ll have to deal
with the other stuff - and there is
often “other” stuff to deal with - but getting to live, laugh and love is an amazing
gift.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As we enter
into 2014 tomorrow, we are often asked or even intimidated into making lists of
resolutions for the New Year. I used to succumb to the pressure of resolutions
to remake my life – as if it sucked before. And I made promises to myself that
I knew I could not live up to. I was doomed almost as soon as I made the list.
But I have learned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This year, I’m
not gonna promise anything that does not feed me spiritually and emotionally. I’m
not gonna make a list of things that I am not able to do and then feel badly
about failing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So here are
my 14 for 2014 – in no particular order:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">1. Love my family even more deeply and
enjoy every moment I get with them (ok, I have a teenager so every moment seems
too drastic). How about most of the time?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">2. Support my friends and family in good
times and bad.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">3. Love myself – despite any perceived flaws.
Because I am awesome. Seriously!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">4. Never be afraid to say no when I need
to (hmmm … setting myself up again?). Better? </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">“Try not to be afraid to say no when I need
to.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">5. Try to let go of the judgment of
others. Their view is not as important as mine.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">6. Make the most of my life by laughing more
and trying to live without regrets.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">7. </span><span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Spend more time on my faith journey by
reading and praying more often.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">8. Do things to stay healthy – for me –
not because I’m bullied by others’ perceptions of who I ought to be. 9. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Work for justice and inclusion in all
I do.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">10. Don’t take too many selfies (ok, this
is easy since I don’t do it now).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">11. Have fun being true to my calling and
myself.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">12. Don’t say yes to too many writing
assignments. Guard my time.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">13. Try to laugh at Monty Python even
though I don’t get it (I’ll likely fail at this one).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">14. Love – just love.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">That’s a
list I can get behind. It’s a list that helps me age into this next year more
happy and healthy. It’s a list that is about faithfulness and self-acceptance.
It’s a list about love and family. It’s a list I can live with – regardless of
my age.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So a happy
and healthy New Year to all of you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Live, laugh,
and love your way into and through an amazing 2014.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">All my love –<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Bradley Hand ITC"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Karyn<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
Karyn L. Wisemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16548203152134155734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452464998517982086.post-87593893358022898902013-11-30T16:44:00.000-05:002013-11-30T16:49:20.999-05:00All is Lost? Not hardly!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VMEt7qY1W0c/UppZP0tUffI/AAAAAAAAArQ/1__1EoMIXRY/s1600/All-is-Lost-poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" height="225" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VMEt7qY1W0c/UppZP0tUffI/AAAAAAAAArQ/1__1EoMIXRY/s400/All-is-Lost-poster.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">These past few
weeks many in The United Methodist Church experienced just the latest moments
of pain and anguish at the hands of our church. The trial of Rev. Frank
Schaefer for celebrating the wedding of his son, Tim, to his partner several
years ago was held in Pennsylvania this month. It was a gut-wrenching trial, conviction,
and penalty phase. It had to have been an unbelievably painful moment for Frank
and his family – and was, as well, for many persons and groups working for full
inclusion in the UMC.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Previous to
this, the Council of Bishops asked for charges to be filed against retired UM
Bishop Melvin Talbert for performing the wedding of two men in Georgia. The
request to file charges was another blow to many who have felt blow after blow
in the church. And there are more trials, most likely, on the horizon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">They have
brought about yet more instances of anger and frustration for many in The
United Methodist Church. And it has been another time of crying out in
righteous indignation and “hearing” the absurd silence of too many in the
church. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Also this
past week, I sat in a mo</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">vie theater watching the Robert Redford movie </span><i style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">All is Lost.</i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> The movie is about a man
fighting the elements after his yacht is damaged while sailing alone in the
Indian Ocean. It is, in my opinion, a cinematic masterpiece. The images - both
under and above the water - were stunning to the point of almost being
overwhelming. The acting job by Redford is a tour de force. I sat breathless
for much of the movie. It was simply incredible.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The movie is
at the same time one of the loudest and the quietest movies I have seen
experienced.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The crashing
waves, spooling lines of rope, surging storms, spilling cargo, billowing sails,
and howling wind are so loud at times that it makes the listener uncomfortable
– but not because the volume was loud. It was because of the impact of the
sounds.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The reason
for this heightened audible impact was because the main character, Redford,
only speaks three times in the entire movie. The sounds from other elements of
the film are even more profound due to the absence of speaking from the only
actor ever seen on screen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VCldErK6Kdk/UppZQJFFX-I/AAAAAAAAArg/868ygbU92O4/s1600/All-Is-Lost-2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VCldErK6Kdk/UppZQJFFX-I/AAAAAAAAArg/868ygbU92O4/s400/All-Is-Lost-2013.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Redford only
speaks three times in the entire movie –<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">First he
speaks into a radio he is trying to repair and pleads for someone to hear his
SOS. He says it over and over several times asking for anyone to hear his cry
of desperation. His voice is raspy and dry. The suffering he has already endured
is evident. He is pleading for help. He
is asking for someone to hear his plea. But it is clear that no one hears his
cry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">LGBTQ folks
in the UMC have cried out for years for someone to hear their pain. Cries for
help and change have gone unheard and unheeded by too many in the church. We cannot even seem to be heard enough to
agree that we disagree on the issue of homosexuality in our church. It’s as if
the apparatus we are using to cry out is broken and the message is unable to
get to those who need to hear. Or maybe they hear, but choose to ignore the
anguish because they are so certain in their own positions on the issue.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Second he
cried out in rage when his predicament becomes worse and worse – crying out in
a loud voice “Fu#k” with all of the righteous indignation he could muster. We
are beyond that point in the UMC. There is no way to know how many LGBTQ
persons have felt our denomination, how many pastors have left over our position
on sexuality, or how many person called into ministry have said way will they
venture into our system. Many do so in deep pain – crying out with all of the
righteous indignation they can muster. The strains are loud right now – on both
sides of the debate. But the painful anguish of those excluded is pushing our
church and I for one will continue to cry out with them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vvF0cIZF3JY/UppaQ6SUNUI/AAAAAAAAArs/teZ77M0P11M/s1600/ship.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vvF0cIZF3JY/UppaQ6SUNUI/AAAAAAAAArs/teZ77M0P11M/s320/ship.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The final
time he speaks in the film is crying out to a passing ship, “Here! I’m here!
Here! Help me!” The United Methodist Church often seems to be a gigantic passing
ship not even aware of those who they have left behind. But I know many who are
keenly aware. And many who are working hard to make their voices and their
stories heard and known. We have Bishops, District Superintendents, pastors,
laity, and leaders from all kinds of positions in the church whose hearts and
minds are being changed to be receptive to the cry for full inclusion in our
church.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In the end,
the voices of those calling for inclusion are getting louder and louder. The
media sees the UMC as a bully right now. Many are decrying the fact that
despite the rules, a father celebrating the marriage of his son and his partner
should not result in a church trial. Many are looking for our church – one of
the last mainline Protestant denominations to embrace inclusion – to be who we
say we are, United. Many are calling on our church to live out our doctrine and
theology of grace. And many are pleading with rasping voices for our motto, <i>Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors</i>, to
finally come into reality.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">All is not
lost – justice will prevail. Because I believe that grace is bigger than
exclusion and inclusion will win in the end.</span></div>
Karyn L. Wisemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16548203152134155734noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452464998517982086.post-74591922673943336302013-10-21T18:55:00.000-04:002013-10-21T18:55:04.047-04:00Preachers Learning from Longtime Listeners<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YrWLUEVki20/UmWvXnjDQQI/AAAAAAAAAqI/cqOuMG-_u7Y/s1600/thanks-for-listening1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YrWLUEVki20/UmWvXnjDQQI/AAAAAAAAAqI/cqOuMG-_u7Y/s320/thanks-for-listening1.jpg" width="192" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">This past month
I had the great joy of going to West Texas to see my family for a week. It was
a delightful trip which allowed me to spend some significant time with my
Mother and Father, who I do not see nearly often enough. I also spent some time
with their collection of amazing friends and family of choice - folks who play,
eat, worship, travel together, and look out for each other since many of them do
not have children who live in the local area.</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">One of the fun
parts of the trip was doing some teaching for my Mom (Dad did not ask soon
enough). I taught her Sunday school class and her Women's Bible Study group.
The Sunday school class was part of their lives when my son, Shelby, was
adopted from Russia. And when we came home with him, they threw a "Papaw Finally
Has a Grandson Baby Shower” (he had 3 daughters and 4 granddaughters at that
point). Up until a few years ago, my son still used the red Radio Flyer wagon
to play with and to haul things around the yard. It was literally used until
the wheels fell off. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">The Women's
Bible Study group that my Mom teaches has been meeting weekly to study together
for 43 years (my Mom is the youngest one in the group). One of the original
members was present for that lesson on Tuesday and she remembered Shelby
running around the house when we were in Texas visiting some 13 or 14 years
ago. It was all fun and I got to relive some great memories.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">But one of the
things I wanted to do while I was there was to talk about the task of preaching
and the lessons we can learn from listeners. In the SS class, the average age
is about 75. These folks have been listening to sermons for decades. Like many
of us, they have heard a variety of preachers, seen several different preaching
styles, and had many varying reactions to those preaching moments -- some good
and some not so good. So after doing my preaching "spiel" I asked
them this question:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"If you
could tell new or practicing preachers one thing about preaching from a
listener’s perspective, what would it be?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">I got some
great answers that I want to share with you. These are the words of wisdom from
folks who listen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">First, “don't
talk down to us.” Just because you went to seminary does not mean you know
everything. We read and study, too. Don't assume we are not as smart as you
are.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Second, “use
good grammar.” You did go to seminary so you should be able to speak properly.
If you are using some kind of notes - make sure they are grammatically correct.
If not, practice your sermon with good grammar.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Third, “if you
are going to use humor - make sure it’s appropriate.” Don't make fun of people
or use off color jokes. And don't tell "funny" stories if they are
not appropriate to your context or very appropriate to the sermon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Fourth, “tell
us stories.” We remember them better - especially if they are tied to the text
and help us connect better to God, the world, and to each other. If your story
teaches us a lesson and is engaging, we will remember it even more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Fifth, “bring
us good news.” There is so much bad news right now and we need a word of grace
and hope. We need to hear about love and what's possible. We need to be
challenged and engaged, too. But don't be negative or judgmental every week.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Lastly, “know
that we want you to do well.” We want to listen and take a lesson, image,
story, phrase, etc. with us when we leave. Help us get that from your message.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Listening to
these listeners was fun and exciting. Learning from them is something we can
all gain much from. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Are you
listening to your listeners?</span></div>
Karyn L. Wisemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16548203152134155734noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452464998517982086.post-52873800254476325302013-10-04T14:35:00.002-04:002013-10-04T14:35:07.242-04:00New Book Released<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpgeRv-P4O00UPogZWjQgNGMMbrhXdfCG9OE9fmny6NTB0gOfYt8xm5HGy8rIT7gCh3SFJJQ7mRLoSEKI-9Va2Ge-4Zg3KMfliiPTkazoux8wn2dEGVsmg8HnFVdRyYwIGkotxdplTfW9R/s1600/i+refuse.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpgeRv-P4O00UPogZWjQgNGMMbrhXdfCG9OE9fmny6NTB0gOfYt8xm5HGy8rIT7gCh3SFJJQ7mRLoSEKI-9Va2Ge-4Zg3KMfliiPTkazoux8wn2dEGVsmg8HnFVdRyYwIGkotxdplTfW9R/s320/i+refuse.png" width="216" /></a></div>
My new book,<i> I Refuse to Preach a Boring Sermon: Engaging the 21st Century Listener</i>, was released yesterday by Pilgrim Press. The book is available from them - please call their customer service staff at 800.537.3394. You may order online at <a href="http://www.uccresources.com/" target="_blank">www.uccresources.com</a>. The book will also be available on Amazon but there is a glitch with it right now that they are ironing out.<br />
<br />About the book --<br />
<br />
Preaching is the centerpiece of worship, meant to inspire, empower, and engage. Preachers, with the best intentions, have preached sermons that did not connect with the audience, left the listener uninspired, confused, or simply bored. <i>I Refuse to Preach a Boring Sermon: Engaging the 21st Century Listener</i> encourages preachers to be creative, to take risks and to adapt to tough realities. From imagery to technology, Wiseman offers new techniques that will enable any preacher to creatively energize their sermons.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here is what others are saying about the book --</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Among pastors these is a commitment
to speak the Gospel in a way that engages worship participants with holy
imagination that changes the way they see everything in life. This is a
non-negotiable. It is required of us. It is, as Wiseman reminds us here, <i>in
our hands!</i>" -- Paul
Nixon, author of <i>I Refuse to Lead a Dying Church!</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Wiseman knows what it takes to preach
to the network generation, and she encourages preachers to create sermons that
are dynamic, energized, imaginative, and <i>connected</i>.
<i>I Refuse to Preach a Boring Sermon</i> is
the perfect “go-to” resource for the postmodern preacher.” -- John S. McClure, Charles
G. Finney Professor of Preaching and Worship, Vanderbilt Divinity School</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“If churches are riddled with bored-again Christians
suffering from a semiotic breakdown, this resource is filled with practical
approaches and creative angles that will wake up the preacher, and move the
sleepiest congregation from bored to death to born to life." --<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Leonard
Sweet, best-selling author and chief contributor to sermons.com</span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Finally,
someone confronts the problem of boring sermons head-on. While Wiseman attacks the underlying causes
of boring preaching, she also succeeds in loading every page with up-to-date,
workable, ideas. Paying attention to what is here will make preaching truly fun
again, for preacher and hearer alike.” -- Joseph M. Webb, author
of <i>Preaching Without Notes</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I hope you get a lot out of this book - as I wrote it with preachers and church folks in mind.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Best wishes --</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Karyn</i></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
Karyn L. Wisemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16548203152134155734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452464998517982086.post-11070312116563041492013-09-30T16:08:00.001-04:002013-09-30T16:08:42.038-04:00Where’s Your Ethical Line?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tR7GgcrSD_Q/UknZL3BX-xI/AAAAAAAAApg/ElSrpoBzwnY/s1600/prisoners.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tR7GgcrSD_Q/UknZL3BX-xI/AAAAAAAAApg/ElSrpoBzwnY/s320/prisoners.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We saw the
movie Prisoners this past weekend and I squirmed in my seat more than once. The
movie is a tense psychological thriller about the lengths a father will go to
when his daughter and her friend go missing while walking one day. The tension
is palpable throughout the movie and the premise is one of my worst nightmares
as a parent.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When I was
in high school, our band director and his family were on vacation in Colorado.
Their teen son went on a walk to go to a nearby store and was never seen or
heard from again. I remember all of the drama when he first went missing. It
was a tragic story that caused many parents in our West Texas community to watch
their children a little more closely.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As a parent,
it would be an unimaginable nightmare to not know where your child is. Once or
twice, my son failed to get home on time or answer his phone for an extended time
period and for just a bit I felt panicked. It was an overreaction but real for
me for a bit. I cannot imagine having a child go missing and not have any idea
where they were. And it happens … too often for too many parents.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And that is
the premise of the movie – parents dealing with a missing child.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But the
other piece of the movie is the question of how far a parent will go to find
that child. The movie asks, “What would you be willing to do – even beyond the
law – to get answers in that search? Would you be willing to harm another human
being? Would you step over that line if you thought it would bring your child
home?” There are many morality issues in this film that push the viewer to the
extreme. As I sat watching, I could not help wondering what I would do if my own
child was missing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Our band
director spent thousands of dollars to set up a phone system that followed them
everywhere they went – in the late 1970s. They went back and forth to Colorado
for months searching for their missing son. They continued to search for years.
Their lives were changed forever. And they never got any answers as to what
happened to him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In the
movie, the dad clearly crosses a moral and ethical line (even the trailer gives
that much away). And the viewer can’t help but wonder how far they would go in
similar circumstances. I, too, began to wonder where my line is.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Truthfully,
I have a pretty high doctrine of humanity. That means I am one of those people
who expect the best out of people. I assume folks will do the right thing and
that they will be their best selves. I got this doctrine from my parents – so I
blame them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sometimes it
means I get disappointed by the failures or behavior of others – and myself.
But I would rather err on the side of trusting others and expecting their best
than the alternative.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So as I sat
there in the movie, I knew to the core of my being that I have a fairly high
moral compass and would struggle to ever justify harming another human being –
even to get information about my own missing child. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I was raised
in a home with faithful parents. I was taught from an early age to “<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Do unto others as you would have them do
to you.” (Luke 6:31) I would not hurt another human being to get information
about my own child … at least that’s what I think. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I believe that there are limits – ethical limits – that bind
us as humans one to the other and should keep us from harming others for our
own purposes. I’m an idealist – I know that. There is evil done to others for
personal, selfish, and ridiculous reasons daily. I love my son but my faith
leads me to only do unto others what I would have them do to me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I watch over my son the best ways I can. And I pray for his
safety. I teach him to be aware of his circumstances as he navigates a major
metropolitan city on his own. I protect him the best ways I can. But he is a
young man who needs to venture out and be his own person. And we have taught
him well. Beyond that I have no idea what else to do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Would I harm others to protect him? Wow – that’s a hard one.
But if someone attacked him and I was standing nearby I think my “Momma Bear”
would probably come raging to the surface.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Would I harm others to get information if he went missing?
Lord, I hope not. I really don’t think so.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Will I do everything to teach him to protect himself and be
the best he can be? Absolutely.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">My faith teaches me to pray for those who are missing and for
their families who miss them each and every day. And to pray for their safe
return.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The best I can do is to be the best parent I can be and
sometimes that is really hard … but I wouldn’t have it any other way.</span></div>
Karyn L. Wisemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16548203152134155734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452464998517982086.post-64198616380950417282013-09-27T08:53:00.000-04:002013-09-27T08:53:18.194-04:00Trading Powerpoint for Play-dohReblogged from The Wabash Center's Blog<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
12 Surprises When Lecturing Less</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(and Teaching more!) </div>
<br /><div class="entry-content" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: Lato, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px;">
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Karyn L. Wiseman is the Associate Professor of Homiletics at Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia.</div>
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One of my goals is to be as creative as I can be – in my preaching and teaching. I have not always thought that I was creative, but I have come to appreciate my creativity more in the last few years. However, it’s often very hard to convince others of their creativity. Most people, in my experience, when asked if they are creative, quickly answer, “No.” A few years ago I ran across Julia Cameron’s book, <em>The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity</em>. Through it I was reminded that we are ALL created by the Divine Creator to be creative.</div>
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Many of my preaching students answer that creativity question with a big NO, as well. But preaching requires creativity – in crafting a sermon, finding images and metaphors, and presenting the sermon in an engaging and creative manner. Getting students to acknowledge that reality, come to own it, and embrace their creativity has meant trying something new for me as a professor.</div>
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My preaching classes every semester have a “Play-doh Day” when we look at a number of preaching texts and then spend time playing with them to find images and metaphors for preaching. We start by having a conversation for about 20 minutes of a 2 hour class session about creativity and I use a few sections from Cameron’s book as conversation starters. And then I break out the crayons, colored paper, play-doh, and other crafting supplies and the students begin to work on expressing their creativity around those ideas.</div>
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They pick an idea from the text and find a concrete image or metaphor to use in the exercise. Then they have time to create something with Play-doh or crayons that expresses that. I try to create a relaxed environment for this activity by playing music and letting students work casually on their creative expressions. Many students have created some very good art work – stick figures are ok and affirmed – and have found ideas that others in the room never would have thought of. But not everyone finds their groove.</div>
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A big piece of the learning is moving around the room as students describe and show their artwork. Teaching with crayons and Play-doh is an amazing way to teach without lecturing but some will still balk at owning their creativity. But it’s a start.</div>
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<a class="asset-img-link" href="http://wabashcenter.typepad.com/.a/6a016301e4b359970d019aff7d7511970c-pi" style="border-bottom-left-radius: 12px; border-bottom-right-radius: 12px; border-top-left-radius: 12px; border-top-right-radius: 12px; color: #999999; display: inline; padding: 4px 15px; text-decoration: none;"> </a><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://wabashcenter.typepad.com/.a/6a016301e4b359970d019aff7d77a9970c-pi" style="border-bottom-left-radius: 12px; border-bottom-right-radius: 12px; border-top-left-radius: 12px; border-top-right-radius: 12px; color: #999999; display: inline; padding: 4px 15px; text-decoration: none;"> </a><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://wabashcenter.typepad.com/.a/6a016301e4b359970d019aff7d5949970b-pi" style="border-bottom-left-radius: 12px; border-bottom-right-radius: 12px; border-top-left-radius: 12px; border-top-right-radius: 12px; color: #999999; display: inline; padding: 4px 15px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Wiseman_blog2-200" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a016301e4b359970d019aff7d5949970b" src="http://wabashcenter.typepad.com/.a/6a016301e4b359970d019aff7d5949970b-800wi" style="border-bottom-left-radius: 7px; border-bottom-right-radius: 7px; border-top-left-radius: 7px; border-top-right-radius: 7px; border: 0px;" title="Wiseman_blog2-200" /></a><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://wabashcenter.typepad.com/.a/6a016301e4b359970d019aff7d7c6e970c-pi" style="border-bottom-left-radius: 12px; border-bottom-right-radius: 12px; border-top-left-radius: 12px; border-top-right-radius: 12px; color: #999999; display: inline; padding: 4px 15px; text-decoration: none;"> </a><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://wabashcenter.typepad.com/.a/6a016301e4b359970d019aff7df8ef970d-pi" style="border-bottom-left-radius: 12px; border-bottom-right-radius: 12px; border-top-left-radius: 12px; border-top-right-radius: 12px; color: #999999; display: inline; padding: 4px 15px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Wiseman_fb1-200" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a016301e4b359970d019aff7df8ef970d" src="http://wabashcenter.typepad.com/.a/6a016301e4b359970d019aff7df8ef970d-800wi" style="border-bottom-left-radius: 7px; border-bottom-right-radius: 7px; border-top-left-radius: 7px; border-top-right-radius: 7px; border: 0px;" title="Wiseman_fb1-200" /> </a><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://wabashcenter.typepad.com/.a/6a016301e4b359970d019aff7d8188970c-pi" style="border-bottom-left-radius: 12px; border-bottom-right-radius: 12px; border-top-left-radius: 12px; border-top-right-radius: 12px; color: #999999; display: inline; padding: 4px 15px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Wiseman_blog3-200" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a016301e4b359970d019aff7d8188970c" src="http://wabashcenter.typepad.com/.a/6a016301e4b359970d019aff7d8188970c-800wi" style="border-bottom-left-radius: 7px; border-bottom-right-radius: 7px; border-top-left-radius: 7px; border-top-right-radius: 7px; border: 0px;" title="Wiseman_blog3-200" /></a></div>
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Karyn L. Wisemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16548203152134155734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452464998517982086.post-63947127022656581052013-09-17T13:13:00.000-04:002013-09-20T09:50:10.116-04:00Not What God Intends<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jUOJk46U_Jw/UjiMtSS5CGI/AAAAAAAAAnw/TrCwzdS5mMw/s1600/Enough-is-Enough-Poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jUOJk46U_Jw/UjiMtSS5CGI/AAAAAAAAAnw/TrCwzdS5mMw/s400/Enough-is-Enough-Poster.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This is not
the way God wants us to live. It’s just not. There is no way you can convince
me it is. God wants for us to live in peace, to show compassion and love to
others, and to be humble servants showing mercy to our fellow human beings. Some
may say that’s a bold assertion about the desires of God, but I believe it to
the core of my being and it is borne out in scripture. <span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">God does not
want us to live in an environment where mass shootings happen – and happen far
too often. God does not want us to live in an environment where young kids are
killed while playing on their front porches when gang violence comes into their
neighborhoods. God does not want us to live in an environment where handguns in
the home end up being used in domestic violence situations or in shooting
accidents. Enough is </span></span><span style="line-height: 18px;">enough</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We will hear
in the next few days many “facts” and opinions about the Navy Yard shooting
that took place this week in DC. We will hear that “Guns don’t kill people, people
kill people.” We will hear that we have enough gun regulations in our country
and that they simply need to be enforced more fully. We will hear cries for
patience and that the country is not ready for more gun regulations. We will
also hear a huge outcry for Congress to make changes to our gun laws – finally.
We will hear many stories of heroism and loss. And we will hear the pain of a
nation once again wounded by the flying bullets of another mass casualty event.
We will hear pleas to do something so that we can stop them. Enough is enough.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Despite all
of these opinions, cries of pain, and listings of “facts,” for me, the truth
remains – a person with access to guns, multiple guns, and possibly high capacity
firearms fired at others in an act of hate and without regard for the humans he
was hurting. He was able to do that because he had access to guns. Whether he
bought them legally or illegally – he had access to guns that were created for
doing maximum damage with minimum effort. He was able to do that because our country
values the right to own any and as many guns one wants OVER the right to live
safely in this country. Enough is enough.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">I do not
believe this is the way God intends for us to live. God’s vision for earth is a
reign of justice and peace. God’s desire for humanity is to love and live in
harmony. God’s teachings through the Old Testament, the prophets, and through
the teachings of Jesus tell us clearly what we are to do. In Micah 6:8, my “theology
in a verse,” says, “<span class="text"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">He
has told you, O mortal, what is good;</span></span></span><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 115%;">and what does the</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant: small-caps; line-height: 115%;">Lord</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 115%;">require of you</span></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> <span class="text"><span style="background: white;">but to do justice, and to love kindness,</span></span></span> <span class="text"><span style="background: white;">and to walk humbly with your God?</span>”
(NRSV)</span><span class="text"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span style="line-height: 115%;">In John
13:34, we are given a new command to “Love one another. As I have
loved you, so you must love one another.” (NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This is God’s
wish – that we love one another as God loved us – as God loves us. This is God’s
command – that we live together in justice and kindness. Maybe soon we will
learn to truly love one another and learn to value life over weapons of
destruction. I believe that would be living up to the wishes of God. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">May peace
reign in our world. And may love and justice prevail – finally. Because ... enough is enough.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Karyn L. Wisemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16548203152134155734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452464998517982086.post-23607038507750983892013-09-10T21:10:00.001-04:002013-09-10T21:34:14.137-04:00Running on Empty<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Km3iGm0_s3Q/Ui_AqDNa1wI/AAAAAAAAAnU/yfFuLnxZAAg/s1600/running-on-empty1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" height="251" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Km3iGm0_s3Q/Ui_AqDNa1wI/AAAAAAAAAnU/yfFuLnxZAAg/s400/running-on-empty1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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About a week ago a pastor friend of mine posted on their
Facebook page about being exhausted and too busy to rest. One of the comments
made on the post suggested they HAD to take some time away from the church to
rest. The fairly quick response from the original poster was that they had no
time, no money, and no one to cover for them at the church. It was clear from
multiple comments under the post that many are in the same situation. It is not
the first time I have seen these kinds of posts from pastors on my feed or
heard comments from pastors talking like this with each other.<o:p></o:p></div>
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According to several pastoral studies, full-time pastors work on average 50+ hours per week.
Approximately, 42% work more than 60 hours per week. And these are not regular
hours – they are evenings and weekends, include emergency calls or visits in
the middle of the night, and are often filled with stressful human interactions
(contentious meetings, funerals and crisis ministry, strong willed
parishioners, and extreme pressures on their personal life and families).</div>
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Part-time pastors are typically “part-time” in pay only – as
so many part-time congregations expect nearly full-time work for their
part-time pay. Add to this formula high seminary debt, extreme relationship
expectations with congregants, and often low pay (especially in earlier
calls/appointments) and you now have a recipe for potential trouble.<o:p></o:p></div>
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One of my favorite things growing up was the bold talk of my
Dad about how “in tune” he was with his car. He could drive to the edge of the “E”
on his gasoline gauge and he knew instinctively when he had to stop and get
gas. He bragged about never running out of gas. It was a “guy thing,” my mother
would say. But during one family trip, my Dad’s expert knowledge of his car
failed him. <o:p></o:p></div>
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He just knew he could make it to a particular exit to get
gas. My Mom, my sisters, and I tried to tell him he needed to stop because he
was not going to make it. He was certain – even a bit cocky that he knew his
car and he knew where the station he wanted to stop was located. You all know
what happened next – he ran out of gas. And my sisters and I pushed the car to
the gas pump. We have kidded him for years about it. Even though he insisted
that he knew how far his car would take him – he was wrong. We were running on
empty and paid the price – well, his kids did. And he has gotten teased for
decades.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Often pastors do the same thing. They run too long on empty
and pay the consequences. They pay the consequences in their personal faith and
life. They pay the consequences in their relationship with their parishioners.
They pay the consequences in the ways they pastor and preach. And they pay the consequences
in how they feel about their call to the ministry.<o:p></o:p></div>
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But the truth is – many pastors feel the same way as my
Facebook friend. They feel exhausted and overwhelmed but know they have little
time and less money to get away. So what should we do?<o:p></o:p></div>
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First, we should follow the rules of rest and renewal:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">1. </span><span style="font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Take time every day to refresh – pray, read for
fun, go for a walk, go out into nature, take a nap, take a bubble bath, or
something that refreshes you EVERY DAY for at least a little bit – even if it
is just 10-15 minutes it will help.</span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">2. Take a day off every week to rest or play. If
something comes up on that day once and a while, take a different afternoon off
to make up for it if you cannot take a different full day off. Go to the
movies, go on a family date, spend time with your spouse or significant other, or
sleep in.</span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">3. </span><span style="font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Take time off quarterly to rest and refresh.
Take time to go see a friend in a nearby town, plan a retreat at an area church
or retreat center that has low cost housing. Try area universities, seminaries,
or other resources if you are short on finances. Do a spiritual retreat with
colleagues at a local church for a day or spend time with friends.</span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">4. </span><span style="font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Take time off annually for a personal or family
vacation. Swap homes with a clergy colleague in another conference or synod who
is also short on finances. Find low cost alternative trips that are more
service oriented or mission focused. Spend time with your family in larger
chunks of time if you do a staycation – and do NOT give in to the temptation of
answering calls from the church. Trade coverage of your church members and
emergencies while you are gone with another area pastor by offering to cover
while they are gone as well.</span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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I know … money is tight. So is time. Expectations are high.
So are the pressures of ministry. But you have to make the effort to find time –
daily, weekly, quarterly, and annually to do something to renew and refill your
tank. No matter how long you think you can go without refilling – at some point
you will run out of gas and everyone will pay for that.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XzYFbUjBEf4/Ui_B4rgcgZI/AAAAAAAAAng/mt_CXw682Y8/s1600/OB-XC356_gas_E_20130416223132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XzYFbUjBEf4/Ui_B4rgcgZI/AAAAAAAAAng/mt_CXw682Y8/s320/OB-XC356_gas_E_20130416223132.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Honor your family, your call, your faith, your body, and
your congregation – stop early and often to fill up that tank. Don’t run on
empty.<br />
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P.S. A friend suggested that in toxic environments - churches or other ministry settings that are difficult to lead or have toxic personalities to deal with - self-care is even more important. And with the number of churches that are very difficult to pastor, the need for care is even more important. But even doing that cannot make up for these situations completely. It is a step that is important, however.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
Karyn L. Wisemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16548203152134155734noreply@blogger.com1