buttons

Who knew you could make a necklace out of old buttons!?

a wonderfully articulate letter from a friend going on a trip to South Africa to serve with a team doing a listening tour on racial reconciliation

I think that it is important for me to briefly articulate how humbled and thrilled I am at the opportunity to be going to South Africa with all of you and take part in a delegation committed to listening and learning about their tumultuous and redemptive narrative. For too long I've avoided or have simply become neutral regarding the important conversations dealing with the realities of living in a racialized society. This has been in part because of the fabric of the majority culture's systems and institutions that run so rampant that it can go undetected to someone like myself who has been covertly taught that if gone unchallenged I'll remain “on top” as a white male. Justo Gonzalez, a proponent of liberation theology, suggests that “We have not been told because we did not wish to be told.”

I'm realizing that the more I read the gospels and fall in love with Jesus Christ, the kingdom that he came to establish didn't look anything like the one that was expected or anticipated. If I desire to "bring the kingdom" that Christ taught his disciples, I must know, resonate with, and earn the right to be in solidarity with the oppressed, the marginalized and the "other." I see this opportunity of going to South Africa as a way of moving toward a greater consciousness of issues that I know I must become more aware of in order to have a better understanding and language to boldly speak out on behalf of those whose voice is not always honored or welcomed at the table. Bishop Desmond Tutu reminds me that the work of reconciliation is one of action: “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.”

-Paul B

they are back...

Our worst nightmare came true.
We thought we were in the clear.
The skunk we blogged about a few months ago DID, I said DID have babies and we witnessed them wandering near our side yard this morning in the dreary pouring rain. Probably sleepy & confused about whether it was day or night.
Perhaps they were even flooded out of their home due the inches of rain the last few days.

Moth balls and rags of bleach... what do we do!?

Pastor Jeff

Jeff officiating his 1st wedding on Jamestown 2 weeks ago!

God Group Get Away

Uncle Bob

My Uncle Bob was by far the most interesting and unique individual that I have the privilege to call family.

He had a love for simplicity, conversations, old VW's, egg nog, running, shrimp, music, strangers, friends & family.

Stomach cancer took his life very suddenly a few weeks ago. Although I didn't get to see Uncle Bob all that often, he was someone I felt very close to.
Someone I was so blessed to know.
Someone I was honored to call family.
Someone I learned a lot from.
Someone we can all learn a lot from.

Diggin these tunes for a few months now....

PassionPit