Out beyond ideas...

Sabbatical Writing

Here is a short glimpse of what it is like for me to write.

Sabbatical Wonderings

What has arisen so far on my sabbatical is few “wonderings.”   Your thoughts and insights are welcome.

Can’t say anymore – “Covenant Community Church: Not Your Parents Church”

Why do we create so much busyness and stress?  Stress and anxiety are not the natural state of things, so we must create it for a reason or out of ignorance.

Why don’t I take more intentional time to move into rhythm and flow?  It takes intentional time and space, but not a lot.  How can offer and create this time for Lori? 

How do we flow in a mechanical world?

Why does Spirit manifest the way it does?  How do I not hinder or defile pure manifestation?  Is pure manifestation possible? 

What would it be like to live and move and not create ripples?  Like a bird that soars without flapping it’s wings or a cloud that moves, becomes, floats and disappears with ease and beauty.

How do we create containers of transformation?  What are the ingredients? 

Worship is to safe?  How can we make worship a more transformative evocative container?   Why do I like the word “evocative?”

I get more excited about doing it than writing about it?  Whatever “it” is… and there are many.

We only have one life to live… and if you live it right – its too much!

The Birds & The Bees

So, last night Lori and I finally did it.  Yep,  one would think that we already had done it, but no, it happened just last night.  We had the dreaded... "birds and bees talk" with our two older boys. 
After hearing a few interesting words and jokes from them we realized they where getting some interesting messages about bodies, gender and sexuality.  So in an effort to get our two cents into the plural mix we decided it was time.

When I told the boys in the car driving home from school that mom and I wanted to talk with them after we put Bailey to bed, the first thing Jake asked was, "Are we in trouble, and if so, Hank did it?'    I said no, that we just wanted to talk with them about something,  Jake then said, "is it about... you know what."    At which point I realized we were all a little uncomfortable with the topic.  I call it "something" and he calls it "you know what." 

I have been surprised with my own anxiety and concerns with having the "talk."   I consider myself to be pretty open, free and non-anxious about bodies and sexuality and yet I was aware of some concerns when it came to talking with my kids about it.

To make a long but funny story short.  The night went great. We all got through it with only a little giggling and blushing.  I found an excellent book called, "It's Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex, and Sexual Health.  I would highly recommed it.  It is designed for children 10 and up and has some great cartoon figures and illustrations that are informative, helpful and entertaining.  There are some realy good chapters on hetersexulaity and homosexuality, masterbation and making sexual choices.   I rally appreciated the cartoon drawings of people, they were multicultural and included a variety of body types.   I was thankful for the images of  multiracial couples, gay couples and a cartoon with the women on top!  I even saw a couple where the man was shorting than the women - finally someone who can identify with the oppression of short men!

So, if you have any questions gender and sex feel free to ask Hank or Jake.

Peace,

Jud