Bunnies and Balloons
This week will be a week of conversations that need to be held, but I can’t tell you all that will be in store for Kris and me. On our podcast, Cody Matchett and I had a wonderful conversation this week with Elesha Coffman, about her book Turning Points. She’s such a good writer and what we learned about a fun exercise in her teaching … well, I’m gonna try it out next Spring in Houston.
Foto de Katie Shupe en Unsplash
By the way, we have an abundant crop of bunnies this summer, and I’m tired of their endless need to eat our flowers. Somehow the foxes have disappeared from the neighborhood. They used to keep the bunnies in check. Rabbits have no conscience, that’s all I can say. I do, and that’s why we have bunnies. (For now.)
When the rest of Chicagoland was buzzing with cicadas we had no buzzing, but the last few days we hear that familiar buzz. Starts rather small and then goes into a crescendo, or whatever musicians call it (not that the buzz is musical, for it’s not).
One more from our garden. Ever grow Balloon flowers (above)? Well those little flowers, before going on stage to show off their wide purples, can be squeezed and they pop … like a ballon. Whoknew?
We will have two guest posts, and both posts are illuminating and piercing and pastorally so helpful (Monday and Wednesday).
We will read about the contest in America between two types of Christians.
What does a “redemptive peace household” look like? Join us Thursday.
Monday's guest post IS fantastic. I've been reading you consistently for maybe 3 years? You are the wise voice attempting to steer the wayward. A short time ago you wrote about the local church and planted a seed in me that just any church will do. That's been bubbling for awhile and I've slowly come to the conclusion, because of the availability of excellent content in this digital realm, that the local church actually is the old joke that church shouldn't be a social club. It has taken God 23 years to get the mystery out of me what church is. I, like most people, got myself back into the room in the middle of a crisis. With false expectations. God gave me a forward recognizing group of imperfect people to find out about being human, how God designed us. I am now ready (don't forget it took decades!) to be in the local church and not expect too much from it. People do NOT apply Scripture. They get caught up in this cognitive information aspect and live like the sinners we are. Hiding their shadow. They are committed to their ignorance. I think I've healed enough AND formed the confessional safe group outside of the church to be able to let them enjoy their ignorance. The church isn't a better place than a social club. But it is a place where worship and, if your lucky, some praying will be allowed.
We too have a large bunny population this year. I’ve taken to calling my husband Mr. McGregor (of Beatrix Potter’s creation) as he chases the rabbits from his garden. He’s threatened their demise but so far, I’ve been able to protect them. For now.