Roman snobs

Genesis 2:25
And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.

To find more bible stories illustrated in lego-please see The Brick Testament

So. Went to 'couple's bible study' last night. We studied Romans 8:18-28. Feel free to peruse at your leisure.

The group is a mixture of couples, all manner of socio-economic status and educational background. There is mixture of marriage health too. Mr. Hall and I have master's degrees and can be classified as firmly middle class. Plus, we are still madly in love. I say this not to brag, but to be thankful for the opportunities I have had. I am also thankful that I had the fortitude and wherewithal to take advantage and make the most of those opportunities. I am not where I am by accident.

That being said.

Studying the bible is simple and hard at the same time. There is a lot of geography, culture and customs I am wildly unfamiliar with. Also, the wording can be bit like Shakespeare. A casual read through is not enough to break open the poetry, beauty and meaning. Hence the need for a structured bible study class.

Now, I remember way back in grade school when I first read Shakespeare. It was revolutionary to me. I never struggled with breaking the prose apart. I ferociously swam through the sea of iambic pentameter. I grooved on it like no other.

This has proved advantageous as I begin my bible study. But, it's also a disadvantage. I am over educated. I have been a student of the arts and a seeker of knowledge my whole life. As a result, I find myself getting all snobby during these sessions. This is no good.

I think that when people think of Christain people, they automatically think of them as simpletons. When I tell people I am a Christain, I am perceived as less smart. My IQ points are lowered. I know this is true because I do this with my Christain brethren. Oh yes, it's true. I judge the people in the group. Sometimes I think of them as simpler than me. I'm not proud of it, yet there it is.

But here's the thing. Faith is not grown with the smart side of the brain. Analytical prowess can help me digest the bible but it is only a tool for my heart. Reading and studying the bible is not an intellectual exercise for me. It's heavy lifting to strengthen my faith.

And I can say this, it feels awesome. I feel relief as I study this book. I feel swelling of my heart and my happiness. I feel myself becoming a better wife, Mom and nurse.

Fall brings anew

I didn't quite expect to be this way today. Well, this way the past week. But after I got dipped, and after multiple women's bible study nights and consistent church going, I feel a fundamental change happening. A change in me.

It's subtle, but it's there. It's all for the good though. I feel calmer, closer to the earth. There is less verbiage bouncing in my brain and I am here again.

It's affecting how I take in though. Like the shows I watch, the stripper stories from coworkers. All if it is affected. I've managed to play both sides for a while now, the angel and the devil. But the ugly is much less fun now. Less cheeky.

I feel like I'm leaving chunks of me behind. The chunks that were not really fun anyway. It's so weird all this changing. I should have known though. One can't get dipped and remain the same.

So, bare with me was I begin anew.

Thank you for letting me ramble on. :)

There was a poodle there last night

He kind of looked like this poodle here.


Last night I went a woman's house with 10 other ladies. It was a gathering of 'The Women's Group' from church. We ate finger sandwiches, drank lemonade and watched a video of a woman preacher. The video lasted about an hour.

Then we talked a bit. Although, the actual discussion happens two weeks from now. But, being women, we talked about how we felt and what the message meant to us. And it dawned on me-this was the first time I have ever gathered with a group of people and talked about my growing faith. It first time I said these things out loud to someone other than my husband.

This rocked my world in no small way.

At the end, when we were all gathering our purses and putting on our sandals. One of the ladies came up to me and said, "This is my first night at this group, how long have you been coming?"

Then I said, "This is my first night too!", and I smiled.

Then she looked puzzled and said, "Oh Wow! I really thought you had come before, like you already belonged."

And on the way home it struck me, I already do.

:)

"We're in a weird demographic," says Mr. Hall

Went to the women's ministry breakfast today, at my church. The Tribe Called Hall officially HAVE A CHURCH NOW. After searching high and low we picked the one with the rock band in front.

It was a very pleasant breakfast, there was discussion on Esther. She is woman who was scared to speak, but was called upon to speak nonetheless. She fasts and prays for three days and this is when she is given the courage to speak up. Because she was called to speak by God and God will provide the equipment to get the job done. The pastor's wife was reading the story and telling us how it applied to her life.

She hates public speaking. Which is ironic considering her husband's job. "But," she says, "I feel called to stand here and speak to you. To share and to celebrate all that we are as women. Because God has given us special gifts and talents.", she said. And she went on to explain the special gifts and it felt really good and nurturing. I truly agree that softness of women is our strength. And that was the message today.

It was very nice. I was with my new mommy friend and there were crepes.

Then I got kind of salty. I mean, there I was, at a table of lovelies, all chatting away about kids, cruises and camping. Then I started talking about yoga. Because someone had mentioned it. Then I was struck by how such a seemingly universal practice is a like a foreign novelty in this town.

GAAAAH!!!!!

Then there were rumbles of stupidness because when people live a sheltered life they fear what they don't understand.

And my jaw dropped when I figured out this included yoga.

Who fears yoga?

It was my new mommy friend. And I was so angry because we had been getting on so well. I mean, she wasn't a total fit, but still. I thought that because she was a teacher she would have some knowledge of the outside world. That eastern philosophy and yoga is not a threat to Christianity but can enhance a person's relationship with Jesus and God. I know it does mine.

But no. She asked me questions like, "I thought yoga was like, a Buddhist gathering or something. Like you pray to some four armed elephant god or something."

I was so mad when she said this. I mean, yoga is so special to me. It will be a part of my life forever. She didn't understand how she was hurting me by saying what she was saying. But, it was at the end of the gathering and we all went home.

I tell all of this to Mr. Hall. And I get sad because I really really want a bestie. I talk about maybe going to another church, near the local liberal arts university. And Mr. Hall says, "Well, I doubt you'll find what you are looking for at a church babe. We're in a weird demographic, not a lot of liberal artsy people go to a Christian Church." And I thought about it. And it's true.

A lot of artsy liberal folks do indeed frown upon Christianity. I mean, whenever I write these posts, talking about church, I really only get one or two supportive comments in the comment box. People have preconceived notions, personal vendettas and baggage to spare when it comes to Christianity. If I was studying Buddhism the love would flow much easier. But I'm not. So thank you for keeping it civil if not positive.

Because talking about my beginning faith is harder to write about then anything I have written about. It's harder than talking about the times I dated a girl or two, harder then telling about the time I cheated on a man I loved, harder than talking about anything in the world.

And it means so much to me. And so does this blog. So here I am, speaking up. Using my voice.

Thanks for reading.

P.S.

That mommy friend is going with me to yoga. Which means a lot. Let's hope she doesn't freak out by the chicken sacrifices. ;)

Christians (a variety pack of)

It's important to have a sense of humor about things, especially religion. Now, let's bow our head and pray, shall we?



So. I've been to three separate churches in our town thus far. Sampling the Christian buffet as it were. The first one was nice. Awesome Sunday School. But, and I can't believe I'm saying this, I think it was too liberal.

There was a HUGE EMPHASIS on making sure that we knew Jesus was Arab and never spoke English. Which is true. There were political undertones to every sermon. HUGE political undertones. Which was fine. But I don't want to be part of a church that mixes politics with religion. I don't want every Sunday service to be a call to arms. Plus the choir was in the back. This bugged me.



Then we tried The Sticky Wicket Church. It was warmer and nice. We didn't try the Sunday school, though I've heard a lot of positive things about it. The music was plentiful, the colors were warm and it made me feel really good to go.

The sermons were a bit high brow. The pastor obviously had a PHD or some such. Intellectuals do not always make the best speakers. I felt the sermons go over my head as I lack basic knowledge of most bible stories. The music was good though.. It just didn't feel right though. Mr. Hall didn't pursue this church and so stopped going.

THEN, last Sunday . . . We went to a very modern church that had a Christian rock band on the stage. offt!!



I was really overwhelmed by the loud. I was all squirmy as I took in the bright, multicolored spot lights twirling about. I felt the drummer's drum thumping away in my chest it was so loud. And everyone sang for a good half an hour, raising their hands like this:



OH.MY.GAH. It's one of those churches people!! Everyone stands and sways.

I was there because I made friends with another mom who goes there. She had been going there for 10 years. Like me, she's a recovering Catholic. She runs the Sunday School. She and her husband are of the plain sort. Much like most of the population around her. They say things like Yah Der Hey and Super Duper. White bread and mayonnaise. They don't let their kids watch South Park or play Zombie killing games. But this Mom likes me and I find her really funny. So we make friends with them and I like that.

Pfft! I think Mr. Hall and I are starting to relax a bit. Because the more we make contact with outside people, the more we begin to crave it. And even though we were both self-conscious, so overwhelmed with the loud, Mr. Hall really perked up during the service. He became down right chatty afterwards. Cracking jokes and jibber jabbering. Then, THEN he filled out the "New Visitor" card, actually putting our real names on it. He chatted with people and lingered. He wants to go next week to the Church Picnic.

I'm still sort of shocked about it. But, the sermon was on my level. It was relate able and explained in English not latin. And I felt welcome there. And this is what I want the church to be. I want to go and learn and feel God's presence and maybe partake in the fellowship aka the picnic. I want Pancake and Mac to know about God, feel personally attached the bigger forces in the universe.

In the end, this is what all this church going is about. I want to know God. I want an active religious life. So, we're going to the church picnic next Sunday. Cause that's a start!

It has been and will continue to be a strange road my friends. Stayed tuned . . .

Exit, Exiting and Exodus

The sermon this morning, in church, was about exodus.

I really need to get to bible study. Because I am completely lost when they talk about certain books or apostles. Like Luke or Peter or Moses. Was Moses an apostle?

Plus my head was so tired cause the kids woke me up at 6.30 am. And then my thoughts were bouncing all over the place because, well, it's that time again. Could be making a baby as I write this. And then i got all crazy happy thinking about all sorts of stuff along those lines and I missed the meaning of the message. Lost in my thoughts during Exodus no less.

Well, I suppose, if one is lost, best to be lost while in church.

Then, on the way home, after we exited, I heard this song. Which is slamming!!



Happy Valentine's Everyone! Now get out there and hug someone!