Joe's Journey

Yesterday I was listening to a person's testimony who had endured an abusive hellish life but has since found peace and healing. I'm glad for said person but must admit that I choked at some of the conceptions the individual had of how God was working in their life. I'll stick to discussing one. The lady shared how her husband became abusive and beat her and God saved her from dying from the violence. And on top of that, even though her car was stolen at the same time, God protected the car from getting "even a scratch" on it. So her god let her get beat  but intervened to make sure the perpetrator didn't fully kill her. And God made sure the car that got stolen didn't get any scratches or dents. The stereo equipment was stolen but that gave the woman silence which helped her grow closer to God. Sorry but that strikes me as a really weird god.  I tell my kids all the time, I don't care if your toy breaks or gets muddy, I can always get a new to...

I've heard the story of Mary for decades but that thought had never crossed my mind! I was attending an advent service at Christ Episcopal church this morning where the pastor was preaching on Luke's account of Mary.  He was artfully making the point that Mary "Meek and lowly," was truly an amazing and powerful woman.   As his discourse on Mary unfolded, he highlighted Mary's cooperation with God in Operation World-Salvation. Specifically, he referred to the fact that Mary consented to Gabriel's briefing of God's plan.  What struck my mind immediately was the counter point.   Wait a minute?  Did she consent?  Was this Mary's   #me too  moment? What was the nature of Mary's consent? " Mary answered, “I am the Lord’s servant. Let everything you’ve said happen to me.” In my job, we teach the CERTS model of healthy sexual relationships.  Does Mary's encounter with the divine pass the test? Consensual:   The e...

Why does a guy who has lost his Christian faith go to three different churches on one Sunday?  For good reasons: 1. Christ Episcopal Church in Williamsport        I have been to this church once before for a Wednesday Eucharist service. I came because I know Veronica (Rector) and Kyle (Lay pastor).  I worked with them on a community mission/service project in Jersey Shore. I shared my faith transition with them and they get it and they accept me where I'm at. I came because the sanctuary is beautiful. Stone on the outside. Gold, brass, high vaulted cielings point your soul upwards. I came for the liturgy...it believes for you when you don't believe. I came for the choral singing...how I miss singing, how beautifully they shared their sacred sounds. I came because I needed to be an an affirming community, okay with doubts, questions, okay with homosexuals, okay with not worshiping the Bible. 2. City Alliance Church in Williamsport      ...