High School Theology

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When I was in the 9th  grade, the seniors were absolutely  amazing. There was nothing they couldn’t do. 12th  grade boys were tall, handsome, and oh so knowledgeable about life. 12th  grade girls were intelligent, funny, stylish, and friendly.

They were who I wanted to be.

In my adult years, I’ve realized something fun and interesting. The same affinity that I had for the Class of 1987 years ago still exists today. Maybe it’s the  assuredness  about life they exude now that they are grown adults; maybe it’s the calm and insightful parenting techniques I’ve seen them employ; maybe it’s  the very human challenge to balance work and family that I know they encounter every day.

They have a certain knack;  a persona if you will, that I sense almost immediately.

Sound silly? Maybe, but it’s definitely true.

In the same way, older women  are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not slaves to excessive drinking. They are to teach what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands and to love their children,5 to be self-controlled, pure, workers at home, kind, and in submission  to their husbands, so that God’s word will not be slandered.

Titus 2:3-5

While my love for seniors has never waned, I can’t say I feel that same affinity and celebrate the successes for all women. And as a Christian, shouldn’t I? Continue reading

Choose To Love

It was a unexpected conversation with a friend. We both wanted make the world a better place and ensure we are living up to God’s desires for our lives, but we weren’t really sure if we were doing it.  We talked about all the signs we had seen, our spiritual gifts. the need we felt to serve others, and the calling on our hearts. The best way I can explain it is that we each felt called to make the world better, to be better, and to do better.  But we had absolutely no idea what that was. For me, it was exciting and strange at the same time – especially since I had no clue what we were supposed to be doing to acheive this goal. For my friend, it was just weird. And different. And strange. And that led us to an interesting conversation with two simple questions.

Is love a feeling or a decision?

The bottom line was that we knew if God placed the same feeling on our hearts, then the very least we could do is explore them and carry out His wishes. Especially since it led to the conversation where we discovered we both had the same bit of confusion about love. And for the record, we are not talking about hearts, roses, and candies that are associated with Valentine’s Day. We are talking about unconditional, agape love. The kind we are commanded to have in hearts. Yes, commanded.

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Living in Community…Despite My Issues

I don’t need new friends.

I don’t want new friends.

I don’t even want to think about new friends.

I know, I am extrovert. I love people, and I get some of my best energy from those around me.

I’m also an only child.

I got used to being alone as a child.

I got used to doing things my way and being independent pretty early in life.

When I found my tribe, I was happy.

At the age of 45, that tribe is filled with absolutely amazing people.

They are totally amazing. From the college friends to sorority sisters to the people I befriended at the college where I began working at decades ago.

Again, they are amazing. All of them. And in all honesty, I don’t stay in touch with all of them as I should.

So on top of all of that, I don’t want to add to that group of already amazing people.

I don’t need new friends.

I don’t want new friends.

I don’t even want to think about new friends.

But God.

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Ways to Show Love This Month. Right Now. Start Today.

One of my favorite topics to write about is love. In part, it’s because I know that as humans, it is one of the commandments God has bestowed upon us. I also know that love is not a feeling or an emotion, but rather a choice. Love is part of our greater purpose for you and for me in how we relate to each other and the universe and the whole wide world.

It’s just that serious. Especially during the month of February. Trust me though, this post is about God’s love and a general love related to humankind. I am not talking romance…yet. Even though I truly believe it’s not too different because that kind of love is also a choice as well.

Just so we’re clear, I’m not talking about love as a feeling where we see everything in terms of hearts and romance and lilies and rose petals and Chicago-style pizza. I’m talking love as a verb. An action. A decision to wholeheartedly make someone’s life’s easier. A decision to speak up, to change things, to impact the world. Continue reading