waking up to our idols (a version of God made in our image)
I love stories where a character is seemingly "stuck" only to find, create, enter a turning point that leads to their freedom from an enslaved existence. Check out Menomena's Evil Bee - what resonates in you through the artful story?
As a community, we've been exploring the idea of "Suspended Space." We are a group consciously letting go of judgement and fear - in order to attempt to see everyone and everything as instruments of our transformation. As we do this - we hope to have open arms to each other (no matter who you are/I am) and see more of God in all of creation and in everyone.
This past sunday our conversation was around - Suspended Space to Unearth our Idols. A reading of Exodus 32 - helps us see that we create a version of God - that we might very well be lulled into sleep (see assembly line in the Evil Bee vid) believing our version or understanding of God is fully GOD. He's much less graspable than we can ever be okay with. In our effort to make God into something we can relate to - we idolize hime (we make versions of him that are only in part Him - if at all Him).
Where have we idolized God? - believing we can capture God in our own expectations, or the entitlement we feel (consider the American Dream), or in our need to have control over our life. Inherent in our expectations of God our sense of entitlement for the life we want and our obsession for control--we fashion God to perpetuate our life--as we sleep along, lulled by making God in our image.
True suspended space, as I understand it, makes room for us all to unearth these idols - see our idols as the death bringers they are - and find freedom (the image of the 2 bees flying into the sky to find a real flower and a real connection w/ each other) to a life alive with the Living One. Let's AWAKE!
“I don’t think it always seems like we have an actual, real, live, full relationship with God . . . God is the most profoundly alive, unfixable thing there is. A presence so enormous, so permeating, so thorough, that it’s mistaken for absence.” - Debbie Blue, From Stones to Living Word
a bicycle dismantled . . . a life retreived
This past sunday was a Film&Dialogue format for The Gathering. We had the great opportunity to view Jitensha (Bicycle). It was a great conversation around the way all of us experience certain seasons of "dismantling". It's in these often slow downward descents that it seems our life is slipping through our fingers---unable to grasp and control anything. We talked about God being in those moments--not just waiting on the other side with wholeness for us. The ways we see God must not be limited to pleasant sunrises and brighter days. We also talked about the movement from isolation to connectedness. We find at the beginning of the story, Mamoru (main character), has completely cut himself off from everyone. And through the journey--his "life being retrieved" includes the awkward vulnerable inclusion of others in his life.
Here are a few of the questions that we worked through last Sunday. I encourage you to continue the conversation here . . .
"Dear Thief, Whoever you are just take the whole thing! I don't get it, this bit-by-bit business! It's all yours. - Mamoru"
*What is the significance of 'bit-by-bit' in both dismantling and retrieving life?
"This is the world in which you live...-God"
*why is this statement important even for us? what does the story speak about being present?
*when have you gone through a similar dismantling - desperation - retrieved process?
*why do you think God is seen in the dismantling or darkness of life?
*how do you see God in the journey or unfolding in his/our rebuilding process?
*how does a story like this give us hope and grace for ourselves and others? how does it reduce our tendency toward labeling/judging?
are we seeing the whole story?
We often obsess and focus on the boundaries we create to the story of God. The boundaries of who it applies to and who it excludes. The boundaries of what it must look like in the life of others and what it cannot look like. Our expectations of where God is and where He must not be. and on and on---our energies are often on protecting the story---walling it off. But, what if we were willing to let go of our control of the story---"unframing" it--let the beauty of God's story pour out from the walls we build to all of life , all of humanity, all of creation.
POEM: Narrative Theology by Padraig O'Tauma
(listen 03 Narrative Theology - and check out more of his songs/poetry here)
"...the story is just unfolding."
The story of God is present - not something we arrive at, conclude - but, it's in the living---all of us. God is present, working in the NOW, not the "one day".
Are we waiting for answers, conclusions, arrival points---to finally see God?
FILM: The Passion of the Christ
There is a moment in the film where Jesus, bloodied and bearing the cross - turns to Mary and says, "Mother, see, I make all things new." WHAT? REALLY? It doesn't look like Jesus is making anything at that moment---bearing out the death penalty. Doesn't this speak to our expectations. We often think the story of God should look a certain way in our life--around us. And yet, we must let go of our expectations--and judgements of where/when/how God is working.
Are our expectations of God/His story keeping us from actually seeing Him?
STORY: Peter's own improv in Acts 10
Peter has a dream that is in contention to all he knows of his Jewish tradition. In light of the dream, he says, "But God has shown me something in recent days..." - it was enough to redirect his way of life against all that he had framed God in by---his diet, his view of "outsiders" - all falls when he's willing to see God beyond the boundaries of his tradition.
Are we attempting to control the story of God?
Am I even willing to let go?
Household Baking Evenings
Next week, April 6-8, we are bringing back our Household Baking Evenings. For more info about host homes please contact jandjjudd@gmail.com. The following are some ideas about items you may choose to bake with your group---or post some more HERE.
(post from Easter 2009)
Around our house, we enhance special days with making some great meals. Whether you are a family - or roomates - or on your own - let's join households and enhance special season of Easter with food and some shared moments, HOUSEHOLD BAKING EVENINGS!
<this sunday> we'll get you to sign up at the available homes. IF you want to open your house or apartment - comment here, or email gary@fusionokc.com.
RECIPE IDEAS (add your own in the comments!)
RED EARTH CAKE
(REVISED FROM LAST YEAR)
The Scrivner Family (mine growing up) always commemorated some spiritual maturing "markers" in our life with this cake. The symbolism of RED - with WHITE icing spoke to the cleansing work of Christ's sacrifice. Not only is it symbolic - it's a freaking great cake!
CAKE
1/2 c. Crisco
1 1/2 c. sugar
1 egg
4 Tb. cocoa
1 tsp. red food coloring
4 Tb. hot coffee
2 c. flour
1 c. buttermilk
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. soda
ICING
1/2 stick butter, softened
2 c. powdered sugar
3 Tb. half-and-half cream
1 tsp. vanilla
In mixer, cream sugar and Crisco; then add egg and beat. In a separate bowl, mix cocoa, coloring and coffee to smooth paste. Add to creamed mixture. Sift dry ingredients and add alternately to mixture with buttermilk. Stir in vanilla. Pour into 9x13 greased and floured pan and bake at 350F for 20-30mins. Frost with Powdered Sugar Icing.
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RESURRECTION ROLLS
(great Kid's Recipe)
Crescent Rolls - *Grands works great* (1 Tube)
Large Marshmallows
Tb. Cinnamon
Tb. Sugar
Separate rolls into pre-cut triangles. Give each child a triangle and marshmallow. Mix Cinnamon and Suger in a shallow bowl. Place marshmallow on triangle. Sprinkle a pinch of spices over the marshmallow. Wrap dough around marshmallow and seal all edge/openings completely shut. Bake according to package directions or until golden brown.
Symbolism: (Matthew 27:57-61) - This is symbolically intended to represent the preparation of Christ's body for the tomb. The dough represents the cave/tomb - the spices represent the spices that prepared bodies of the dead. The marshmallow represents Christ's sacrificed body. Read on in the story about the Resurrection, Christ was not in the tomb! Our Easter refrain is, HE IS RISEN! Once the "tombs" are golden brown - pull them out of the oven, and ask the kiddos in the house (once they've cooled) to open up the "tombs" and see where Jesus is--- The rolls will be EMPTY. A great reminder of the essence of our Easter celebration . . . "HE IS NOT HERE, HE IS RISEN!"
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Hot Cross Buns |
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| Servings: | 24 |
| Author Notes: | A traditional favorite on Good Friday in England, Hot Cross Buns are a spicy currant or raisin studded yeast bun, topped with a "Cross" of lemon flavored icing. While Christians have adopted the cake and the symbolism of the cross, it wasn't always so. To Pagans, then as now, the cross was/is representative of the sun wheel, which symbolizes perfect balance at the time of the Spring Equinox.Hot Cross Buns were probably originally used in ceremonies and rituals and the Christian Church attempted to ban the buns, although they proved too popular. Left with no alternative but defeat, the church did the next best thing and "Christianized" the bread with Queen Elizabeth I passing a law which limited the bun's consumption to proper religious ceremonies, such as Christmas, Easter or funerals. |
| Ingredients: | 1 cup milk 2 tablespoons yeast 1/2 cup sugar 2 teaspoons salt 1/3 cup butter, melted and cooled 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoons nutmeg 4 eggs 5 cups flour 1 1/3 cups currants or raisins 1 egg white Glaze |
| Instructions: | In a small saucepan, heat milk to very warm, but not hot (110°F if using a candy thermometer). Fit an electric mixer with a dough hook. Pour warm milk in the bowl of mixer and sprinkle yeast over. Mix to dissolve and let sit for 5 minutes.With mixer running at low speed, add sugar, salt, butter, cinnamon, nutmeg and eggs. Gradually add flour, dough will be wet and sticky, and continue kneading with dough hook until smooth, about 5 minutes. Detach bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let the dough "rest" for 30-45 minutes.
Return bowl to mixer and knead until smooth and elastic, for about 3 more minutes. Addcurrants or raisins and knead until well mixed. At this point, dough will still be fairly wet and sticky. Shape dough in a ball, place in a buttered dish, cover with plastic wrap and let rise overnight in the refrigerator (see note at right if you're in a hurry). Excess moisture will be absorbed by the morning. Let dough sit at room temperature for about a half-hour. Line a large baking pan (or pans) with parchment paper (you could also lightly grease a baking pan, but parchment works better). Divide dough into 24 equal pieces (in half, half again, etc., etc.). Shape each portion into a ball and place on baking sheet, about 1/2 inch apart. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let rise in a warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 1 1/2 hours.
In the meantime, pre-heat oven to 400° F.When buns have risen, take a sharp or serrated knife and carefully slash buns with a cross.Brush them with egg white and place in oven. Bake for 10 minutes, then reduce heat to 350° F, then Bake until golden brown, about 15 minutes more. Transfer to a wire rack.Whisk together glaze ingredients, and spoon over buns in a cross pattern. Serve warm, if possible.
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Communion Bread (from Heather)
2 cups organic flour (plus more for rolling, etc.)
1/8 cup organic olive oil
3/4 cup water
1 tsp - 1 tbsp kosher salt (it has coarser crystals)
organic olive oil spray (optional)
Preheat Oven to 450 degrees.
Mix 2 c, flour, 1/8 c. olive oil, water and salt together in a bowl until combined. I like to use a fork to mix. Knead dough with floured hands, adding flour as needed until dough is no longer sticky. When it becomes a non-sticky, self-contained ball that no longer clings to the bowl, you’re done.
Lightly coat rolling pin in flour, and roll out dough onto a floured surface until approximately 1/4 inch thick. Transfer to a baking sheet covered in wax paper.
If you want, cut into shapes or pattern using a knife or cookie cutters. May help to lightly coat knife with flour, or even sometimes to wet knife (I realize these seem to conflict - but I am still experimenting!) b/c it creates a smoother edge. Score dough with a knife (butter knife works) so it is easier to break later. Use a fork to poke holes in the dough. This prevents air bubbles. You can make a pattern with this as well.
Spray bread with olive oil spray or apply a thin coat of regular olive oil.
Bake at 450 degrees for approximately 11 minutes (may be more or less - my oven is weird). I bake until bread is dry and starts to turn golden brown in spots. Remove and let cool.
HAPPY BAKING!!!!!
Considering Local Food with Chef Ryan Parrott
Paul Baird (@paulbaird) sat down with Chef Ryan Parrot (@chefrp) last week to discuss FOOD. During the Lenten Season (The Forty) we are encouraging the consideration of "BOUND" asking the questions: "what enslaves you?" and "what ways do you enslave others?" We're thinking about the everyday ways we our choices might be binding another---maybe not out of our own hatred for them, but out of our own ignorance to the price others pay for our choices. In the video interview--Ryan helps us consider our everyday practices of buying---and the implications of those on health, local growers, and big box grocers.
What everyday choices about food could you consider changing? Check out these local efforts to make a difference!
www.oklahomafood.coop
www.keepitlocalok.com
www.regionalfoodbank.org
* VOTE BY MAR 18 * www.WeCanEndThis.com
Thank you to Chef Ryan Parrott for sharing your thoughts on the importance of local food. Check out Iguana Mexican Grill!
bio excerpt: ...Chef Ryan has a straightforward no frills style of cooking. Focusing on flavor rather than flair, and technique rather than style. He is proud to be residing in Oklahoma City with his wife, and five children, and is deeply rooted with many charity organizations, including The Arts Council, March of Dimes, Regional Food Bank, Canterbury Choral Society, Harn Homestead, The YMCA, MS Society, and Oklahoma City Museum of Art.
“what we believe emanates from who we are.” – Peter Rollins
I think I'm truly tired of mission statements, lists of beliefs, and value systems because they often seem less than honest. The idea is that we put up some "ideal" to shoot for but mostly don't live by it. So, when we don't live these "ideals" out BUT make sure everyone knows what they are--our life speaks to the false nature of those ideals---revealing that the whole thing must be a sham. Rollins, in the video below, talks about our "idealized self" versus who we really are. His words are so challenging---saying, if we are honest--we don't live up to these missions, beliefs, and values but its in the way we live that reveals what we believe, aspire to, and value. Wouldn't we be more honest if we just admitted that our lives are lived like we don't believe (most of the time). I think I just hope for a little humility in me--and us. One that might as well answer the question this way...
Q: As a Christian, Do you believe in God?
A: NO. OR at least, most of the time I don't. I aspire to, though...
"If you say you know God and don't love, you are a liar."
"What we believe emanates from who we are." - Peter Rollins
Peter Rollins is coming to Austin on March 31. We are working on a carpool - if you are interested, email us gary@convergenceokc.org. AND we're trying to get him to OKC - tweet him up @peterrollins and tell him you want him in OKC!
Trophy by Jerrod Smith during the forty
In this season of the forty, as we are pouring over 'all that enslaves us and all the ways we enslave others' I hope we are willing to even consider all the ways we have been bound by our limited view of God. Are we willing to live free from a view of God that He is even leading us to let go?
Jerrod Smith [www.jerrodcreates.com] created a piece that leaves me with much to consider. We've returned his piece to our gallery space - in hopes that it would stir something in the observer--to wrestle with the image. Check out the video we did a year ago - where Jerrod was gracious enough to share some insight about his beautiful and haunting eight foot work of art.
and please check out more of his artwork at www.jerrodcreates.com - he continues to be a leading local artist in our creative city.
ideas for reading through the forty
The season of Lent, we acknowledge that we are desperate for, and ready to undergo a smashing of our current conceptions - it's a moment when we, together, are willing to shift our lens, our direction, and way forward. Here are a few books we recommend to make aware of the possible smashing & shifting that God may lead you to undergo. Check 'em out:
The Bible as Improv: Seeing and Living the Script in New Ways by Ron Martoia
The Orthodox Heretic by Peter Rollins
Everyday Justice by Julie Clawson
MORE:
Boundary Breaking God by Danielle Shroyer
Intimacy with God by Thomas Keating
entering the desert…freedom from the ego
Sunday night we explored what the Lent journey might look like. For the next 40 days (beginning Ash Wednesday) we will consider "all that enslaves us and all the ways in which we enslave others." How aware are you that you are BOUND (enslaved)? When we look at the practices of confession, giving, and fasting - do we see those traditional Lenten practices as sacrifice or a way of freedom?
Take a look at this representation of Jesus' 40 days in the desert. Where do you see freedom?
When we say "freedom", as westerners, we often think of Flag and Rights and Individualism. But, what is at the heart of our longing for freedom?
Albert Nolan, Jesus Today, asks, Are we seeking a freedom of the ego, rather than freedom from the ego? Freedom of the ego is no freedom at all. It is a step toward "binding us with new chains of egotistical self-centeredness. What is wrong, is not the desire for freedom, but the mistaken idea that our egos can set us free."
new site up . . . more coming
check out the new site - it's up, but more content is coming. We'll be adding blog posts throughout theforty (lent season) HERE at the new convergence blog. Hope you will join us online or in the many ways we gather locally (in okc)... this new convergence blog focus on continuing the conversations and shared life we are doing in and around the Plaza District of Oklahoma City.
Convergence is a community embracing restoration through awareness, hospitality, and solidarity.
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DURING THE FORTY...
OTHERS:
* Engaging Advent (Xmas 09)
* My Year in Review (Jan09)
* Awareness Retreat (Fall 09)
* Awaken Retreat (Spring 09)
* Metanoina: forty days (Lent) to face a fundamental shift
* Community Is . . .
Categories of Posts
- AWARENESS (21)
- BEAUTY (6)
- COMMUNITY (9)
- HOSPITALITY (2)
- SOLIDARITY (8)
- STORY (10)
currently reading…
The Bible as Improv: Seeing and Living the Script in New Ways
Ron Martoia
The Orthodox Heretic: And Other Impossible Tales
Peter Rollins
Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening
Cynthia Bourgeault
Jesus Freak: Feeding Healing Raising the Dead
Sara Miles
The Voice New Testament
Thomas Nelson
Jesus Today: A Spirituality of Radical Freedom
Albert Nolan
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