International Women's Day

To recognize International Women's Day, I am bringing forward a portion of a post I put up in December. I continue to find Rachel Conrad Wahlberg's words to be both challenging and inspiring - a picture of a Jesus who not only respected women, but relied on them and honored them - a Jesus I would want to meet.

I attended a lecture this morning in one of my classes on "liberation theology" and the "feminist theology" that is closely tied to this. It is an interesting topic. The professor gave us a copy of a "creed" that one feminist theologian wrote. I found it strikingly biblical, and challenging. The author, Rachel Conrad Wahlberg, wrote "The Woman's Creed" in 1978 after reflecting for a time on the Apostle's Creed. I would not use her creed in a liturgy, as it lacks discussion of key elements of faith such as the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ, but I find her conception of Jesus and his relationship to women fascinating. So, I thought I'd share it with you!
I believe in God
who created woman and man in God's own image
who created the world
and gave both sexes
the care of the earth.

I believe in Jesus
child of God
chosen of God
born of the woman Mary
who listened to women and liked them
who stayed in their homes
who discussed the Kingdom with them
who was followed and financed
by women disciples.

I believe in Jesus
who discussed theology with a woman at a well
and first confided in her
his messiahship
who motivated her to go and tell
her great news to the city.

I believe in Jesus who received anointing
from a woman at Simon's house
who rebuked the men guests who scorned her
I believe in Jesuswho said this woman will be remembered
for what she did -minister to Jesus.

I believe in Jesuswho acted boldly
to reject the blood taboo
of ancient societies
by healing the audacious woman who touched him.

I believe in Jesus who healed a woman
on the sabbathand made her straight
because she was
a human being.

I believe in Jesus
who spoke of God
as a woman seeking the lost coin
as a woman who swept
seeking the lost.

I believe in Jesus
who thought of pregnancy and birth
with reverence
not as punishment - but
as wrenching event
a metaphor for transformation
born again
anguish-into-joy.

I believe in Jesus
who spoke of himself
as a mother her
who would gather her chicks
under her wings.

I believe in Jesus who appeared
first to Mary Magdalene
who sent her with the bursting message
GO AND TELL...

I believe in the wholeness
of the Savior
in whom there is neither
Jew nor Greek
slave nor free
male nor female
for we are all one
in salvation.

I believe in the Holy Spirit
as she moves over the waters
of creation
and over the earth.

I believe in the Holy Spirit
as she yearns within us
to pray for those things
too deep for words.

I believe in the Holy Spirit
the woman spirit of God*
who like a hen
created us
and gave us birth
and covers uswith her wings.

*the Hebrew word for Spirit is feminine

So, there you have it. I like this picture of a God who values me as female, who presents important messages to women. I don't have all the answers, I certainly don't subscribe most days to a feminist (there's that awful word again) mindset, but I can subscribe to this God, who values me, who created me uniquely female, and says that there is something beautiful in that.

With Tears

I came across another story in "Let Me Tell You a Story" by Tony Campolo that I simply had to share. Campolo writes:

The story is told of a church in a small town that got a new preacher. Everyone in the town was talking about how wonderful he was. Then the town skeptic asked one of the church deacons, "Why is this preacher so much better than the last one you had?"

The deacon answered, "The last one told us we were sinners, and that unless we repented we would all go to hell."

The skeptic asked, "And what does this new preacher say?"

"This new preacher tells us we're all sinners and unless we repent and accept Jesus, we're all going to hell," was the answer.

The skeptic just shrugged his shoulders and said, "I fail to see any difference between the two."

And the deacon answered, "The new preacher says it with tears in his eyes."

Some Explaining to do....

I was flipping through a wonderful book of stories and verbal illustrations last night, reading again some of the ones I had flagged on my last trip through the book. The book is titled, "Let Me Tell You a Story" and is written by Tony Campolo, who happens to be one of my favorite communicators of all time. So much passion and energy, and never a moment when what he has to say doesn't completely and totally challenge your thoughts.

Anyway, I came across a story he had entitled simply, "Some Explaining To Do" and thought I'd share it with you, because it made me smile, and because Mother Teresa's reaction is similar to things I've thought recently.

When Mother Teresa visited Haiti, she was shown one of the most horrendous slums in the world. She was asked, "How do you explain all of this in light of our claims that our God is a loving God? Why does God let things like this happen?" Mother Teresa answered, "When I see Him, He's got a lot of explaining to do!"
I jokingly say that this is probably why she lived so long. Every time she approached death, I imagine God saying, "Hold up! Don't let her die yet! I don't think I can handle her right now."

The things I've done

Today has been another "recovery" day. The previous couple of days were rather filled with people, intense conversations, and things of that nature. They were both good and bad, stressful and encouraging. But I was pretty tired again.

There are things that I could write about, but I think they're perpetuating some negative thought patterns that I want to beat. I gave them voice on the phone to a friend who lets me call him just to rant last night, and now, for the moment at least, I think I'll leave them be.

So, I spent the day watching episodes of M*A*S*H*. Because I love the show. One of my favorite lines from recent episodes? Frank Burns has just done something that delights Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan, and she comments, "Oh, Frank, you're so above average!" I can't help it - I love it. Witty writing is one of my weaknesses.

I also read a novel for a while in the bathtub. One of my other favorite methods of relaxation. I think I need to find a new novel, though, this one is a bit of an adventure/mystery/thriller and it's a little too much drama for the kind of relaxation I'm looking for. When I called my friend last night to rant, one of the things I said to him was, "I'm tired of all the drama!" So, I'll be stopping at the library sometime in the next day or so to pick up something a little bit lighter to read!

And now, I'm off to work. For some unknown reason I have the truly ridiculous 6-9 shift tonight. Three hours - it's hardly worth my while to leave the comforts of my house. I'm trying not to think about the fact that I'm heading out in the cold to make $27.30 before taxes. It's so not worth my while when I think about it that way! I still like the job itself, but I'm very tired of the politics and a number of my coworkers at the moment. I can't wait to get back from Mexico and start looking for a nice 9-5 or 8-4 office type job!

Mental Health

A good friend who knew I was in need of a laugh this morning sent me this link. Make sure the sound on your computer is turned on. And enjoy!