Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Community & Spanish
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New show Community features a Spanish 101 class at a community college. Pretty funny scenes. The end of last week's show featured two characters doing a Spanish rap (below) - it's funny to me for two reasons: 1) Kellye teaches Spanish, is fluent, and I know a little bit. The words of the rap are just hilarious. 2) My students at Horizon Middle School are always making beats, hitting the table, beat boxing, and starting little rap songs. I could totally hear them doing this.
New show Community features a Spanish 101 class at a community college. Pretty funny scenes. The end of last week's show featured two characters doing a Spanish rap (below) - it's funny to me for two reasons: 1) Kellye teaches Spanish, is fluent, and I know a little bit. The words of the rap are just hilarious. 2) My students at Horizon Middle School are always making beats, hitting the table, beat boxing, and starting little rap songs. I could totally hear them doing this.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
This Present Life
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In the present moment, I cannot know the future, and I cannot do anything about the past. In the present is where I live and act at this point, and I can only be who I am right now. There is no regret for what I wish I had done, and no anxiety or desire about what I want to do in the future. There is only who I am and what I am doing right now.
Competition and comparison are taken away, because I am not looking back to see how I measure up with others achievements, and I am not planning for my success in the future. I can't flip through the catalog in my mind that keeps track of all my past accomplishments and failures. And my "to do" list for the future is nowhere to be found either. Instead, I am simply experiencing the fullness of the present moment.
When I rest in the present, the immediate emotion is gratitude. Disappointment, frustration, fear, embarrassment, and pride don't exist when I focus on the present. Rather, there is a singular enjoyment and a corresponding sense of being deeply thankful for that present moment.
Perhaps there is some hint of eternity in the present moment. No regrets about the "past," and no concern or anxiety about the "future" because it will never end.
There is only life in the present.
In the present moment, I cannot know the future, and I cannot do anything about the past. In the present is where I live and act at this point, and I can only be who I am right now. There is no regret for what I wish I had done, and no anxiety or desire about what I want to do in the future. There is only who I am and what I am doing right now.
Competition and comparison are taken away, because I am not looking back to see how I measure up with others achievements, and I am not planning for my success in the future. I can't flip through the catalog in my mind that keeps track of all my past accomplishments and failures. And my "to do" list for the future is nowhere to be found either. Instead, I am simply experiencing the fullness of the present moment.
When I rest in the present, the immediate emotion is gratitude. Disappointment, frustration, fear, embarrassment, and pride don't exist when I focus on the present. Rather, there is a singular enjoyment and a corresponding sense of being deeply thankful for that present moment.
Perhaps there is some hint of eternity in the present moment. No regrets about the "past," and no concern or anxiety about the "future" because it will never end.
There is only life in the present.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
An Open Celebration
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(or, Another Reason Why I Love the Emergent Cohort)
This evening we had one of our monthly "Celebration of the Faithful" events. It was just like every other cohort meeting in that it was different from any other meeting we had ever had. Everyone brought some food to share, and we set the table and gathered together. It had been several weeks since we had seen each other, and so Zack thought it would be great to just listen to what everyone was going through in life right now.
As each person shared, we listened carefully, and maybe asked one or two questions. After they were done sharing, we responded as a group with a simple affirmation of their chosen-ness in Christ, their purpose and value in life and as a fellow human. It was simple, but it was beautiful.
At one point during the meeting, I looked at the table, strewn with have empty glasses, casserole dishes, wine bottles, chips & guacamole, and various desserts of all colors and designs, and I felt like our group was very rich. We had an immense value in that moment. All sitting across from each other at the table, only about twelve of us, but still feeling like a large group, with incredible value.
We shared for a couple of hours, taking breaks to get ice cream or to say goodbye to some members who had to leave early. But everyone was able to express honestly, slowly, and truthfully what was happening in their life right now.
That in itself - that sharing - was valuable and precious to me. And it was a sabbath moment. A moment of rest, of peace, and of joy.
---
Everyone is welcome to join these weekly and monthly meetings; they are not closed or selective. If you are interested in learning more about the central ohio emergent cohort, feel free to email me (schroeder.jesse@gmail.com) or to visit the website.
(or, Another Reason Why I Love the Emergent Cohort)
This evening we had one of our monthly "Celebration of the Faithful" events. It was just like every other cohort meeting in that it was different from any other meeting we had ever had. Everyone brought some food to share, and we set the table and gathered together. It had been several weeks since we had seen each other, and so Zack thought it would be great to just listen to what everyone was going through in life right now.
As each person shared, we listened carefully, and maybe asked one or two questions. After they were done sharing, we responded as a group with a simple affirmation of their chosen-ness in Christ, their purpose and value in life and as a fellow human. It was simple, but it was beautiful.
At one point during the meeting, I looked at the table, strewn with have empty glasses, casserole dishes, wine bottles, chips & guacamole, and various desserts of all colors and designs, and I felt like our group was very rich. We had an immense value in that moment. All sitting across from each other at the table, only about twelve of us, but still feeling like a large group, with incredible value.
We shared for a couple of hours, taking breaks to get ice cream or to say goodbye to some members who had to leave early. But everyone was able to express honestly, slowly, and truthfully what was happening in their life right now.
That in itself - that sharing - was valuable and precious to me. And it was a sabbath moment. A moment of rest, of peace, and of joy.
---
Everyone is welcome to join these weekly and monthly meetings; they are not closed or selective. If you are interested in learning more about the central ohio emergent cohort, feel free to email me (schroeder.jesse@gmail.com) or to visit the website.
This is the kind of song I want to sing in church
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One Day - Matisyahu
see the music video on youtube here
Lyrics:
One Day - Matisyahu
see the music video on youtube here
Lyrics:
sometimes I lay
under the moon
and thank God I'm breathing
then I pray
don't take me soon
cause i'm here for a reason
sometimes in my tears I drown
but I never let it get me down
so when negativity surrounds
I know some day it'll all turn around
because
all my live I've been waiting for
I've been praying for
for the people to say
that we don't wanna fight no more
they'll be no more wars
and our children will play
one day
it's not about
win or lose
we all lose
when they feed on the souls of the innocent
blood drenched pavement
keep on moving though the waters stay raging
in this maze you can lose your way (your way)
it might drive you crazy but dont let it faze you no way (no way)
one day this all will change
treat people the same
stop with the violence
down with the hate
one day we'll all be free
and proud to be
under the same sun
singing songs of freedom like
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Missing Students
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I've been teaching for about three weeks now at Horizon Science Academy Middle School, on Morse Rd. in Columbus. It is really good; I am teaching technology/computer classes, and I've enjoyed my time there. But today, it really hit me that I miss my students.
In my time at GCCS, the best part was the students - by far. Kellye and I would often wonder what it would be like to leave the school, and we knew that more than anything, we would miss the students. But then we would remind each other that there are good students with good hearts everywhere you go, no matter what school you are teaching at.
I certainly believe that is true at Horizon. There are some great Middle School kids there (for those of you who know how I felt about Middle Schoolers while at GCCS, you know what a stretch that statement is for me!!) But they are sweet, funny, hard-working, dedicated, intelligent, and really a lot of fun. But they aren't my students.
I had a moment today when I realized that I was "homesick" in a way - I missed being with the students that I loved. I missed laughing with them and getting all their tough questions. It was a real moment of nostalgia and sadness.
I think that's ok. It affirms how much the five years Kellye and I had at GCCS meant to us. And thankfully, our time there hasn't ended. I am grateful for the time (although much briefer) we are able to spend with students at sports games and other events.
In case you didn't know, you guys mean the world to us. Seriously.
In my time at GCCS, the best part was the students - by far. Kellye and I would often wonder what it would be like to leave the school, and we knew that more than anything, we would miss the students. But then we would remind each other that there are good students with good hearts everywhere you go, no matter what school you are teaching at.
I certainly believe that is true at Horizon. There are some great Middle School kids there (for those of you who know how I felt about Middle Schoolers while at GCCS, you know what a stretch that statement is for me!!) But they are sweet, funny, hard-working, dedicated, intelligent, and really a lot of fun. But they aren't my students.
I had a moment today when I realized that I was "homesick" in a way - I missed being with the students that I loved. I missed laughing with them and getting all their tough questions. It was a real moment of nostalgia and sadness.
I think that's ok. It affirms how much the five years Kellye and I had at GCCS meant to us. And thankfully, our time there hasn't ended. I am grateful for the time (although much briefer) we are able to spend with students at sports games and other events.
In case you didn't know, you guys mean the world to us. Seriously.
Monday, September 21, 2009
New Format and Title
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I've been playing around with templates for blogger for the past few months, and hopefully I've landed on one that I can stick with for a while. I've also decided to give my blog a "name" which is a big deal for me because I'm very indecisive and not very creative. I've been thinking about this name for awhile, and I'll try to explain it a bit here:
Moving Away from the Mirrors
When I speak of "mirrors" I am referring to other people in life by whom we judge our own appearance, accomplishments and worth. Obviously a mirror is something we look to in order to see ourselves. Often we use other human beings, some we know very well and others we may not know at all, in order to "see" ourselves.
I look at the achievements of a coworker, and then look at my own life and see my shortcomings. I look at someone who is athletic, intelligent, or witty, and see a lack in my own character. I see a person who is struggling in life, and I think of my security and well-being.
Clearly, the image of ourselves that we see by looking into the mirror of other people is often distorted and rarely true. This is the same in a simple glass mirror - the image is reversed, so it is distorted, even if ever so slightly, and we never get a "true" picture of ourselves. Thus my conclusion, that in my life especially, when I look to other people to get an idea of who I am, it is a distorted and false idea.
Yet, I have an amazingly strong tendency to look to the thousands of mirrors around me in order to get an idea for who I am, who I should be, or who I want to be.
Therefore, my desire in life is to "move away from the mirrors," to stop comparing myself to other people, to resist the urge to see how I match up. Instead, I desire to "move toward the light," which I will explain more in later posts.
You might think that a blogsite is a prime symptom of the type of comparison with other people to which I am so prone. However, giving my blog this title is somewhat of a confession and a promise for me. I don't want to think of this as a tool by which to "show off" for other people, or a means to "prove myself" to anyone. Rather, it is simply a record of my thoughts, a place for me to unload what I'm processing, and I want it to be a true depiction of myself, not an attempt to compare with anyone else.
I've been thinking about this theme of "moving away from the mirrors and toward the light" a lot the past month, and so I hope to write some more blogs about it this week.
I've been playing around with templates for blogger for the past few months, and hopefully I've landed on one that I can stick with for a while. I've also decided to give my blog a "name" which is a big deal for me because I'm very indecisive and not very creative. I've been thinking about this name for awhile, and I'll try to explain it a bit here:
Moving Away from the Mirrors
When I speak of "mirrors" I am referring to other people in life by whom we judge our own appearance, accomplishments and worth. Obviously a mirror is something we look to in order to see ourselves. Often we use other human beings, some we know very well and others we may not know at all, in order to "see" ourselves.I look at the achievements of a coworker, and then look at my own life and see my shortcomings. I look at someone who is athletic, intelligent, or witty, and see a lack in my own character. I see a person who is struggling in life, and I think of my security and well-being.
Clearly, the image of ourselves that we see by looking into the mirror of other people is often distorted and rarely true. This is the same in a simple glass mirror - the image is reversed, so it is distorted, even if ever so slightly, and we never get a "true" picture of ourselves. Thus my conclusion, that in my life especially, when I look to other people to get an idea of who I am, it is a distorted and false idea.
Yet, I have an amazingly strong tendency to look to the thousands of mirrors around me in order to get an idea for who I am, who I should be, or who I want to be.
Therefore, my desire in life is to "move away from the mirrors," to stop comparing myself to other people, to resist the urge to see how I match up. Instead, I desire to "move toward the light," which I will explain more in later posts.
You might think that a blogsite is a prime symptom of the type of comparison with other people to which I am so prone. However, giving my blog this title is somewhat of a confession and a promise for me. I don't want to think of this as a tool by which to "show off" for other people, or a means to "prove myself" to anyone. Rather, it is simply a record of my thoughts, a place for me to unload what I'm processing, and I want it to be a true depiction of myself, not an attempt to compare with anyone else.
I've been thinking about this theme of "moving away from the mirrors and toward the light" a lot the past month, and so I hope to write some more blogs about it this week.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
10 years ago
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My wonderful wife Kellye and I consider our "dating anniversary" to be September 9th, 1999. Which would make today our "10 year" anniversary (of dating).
We were both seniors in high school; overly-confident; eager to fall in love; and lucky to find each other at the right times in our lives.
As I look back on 10 years together, I am convinced that I would not be where I am today, I would not be the person I am today, and I would not have the wonderful life I have now if I had not married Kellye Nicole Eades.
I owe my life to her in more ways that I can begin to blog about.
This is a picture of us from our senior prom.
My wonderful wife Kellye and I consider our "dating anniversary" to be September 9th, 1999. Which would make today our "10 year" anniversary (of dating).We were both seniors in high school; overly-confident; eager to fall in love; and lucky to find each other at the right times in our lives.
As I look back on 10 years together, I am convinced that I would not be where I am today, I would not be the person I am today, and I would not have the wonderful life I have now if I had not married Kellye Nicole Eades.
I owe my life to her in more ways that I can begin to blog about.
This is a picture of us from our senior prom.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
The Ministry of Free Choice
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After several years of teaching in the Christian education system, a contraction became glaringly clear to me, namely that we (teachers, school administration, etc.) were requiring students to participate in distinctly Christian activities and behaviors. For example, students were required to take a Bible class every year, attend chapel once a week, and complete a certain number of community service hours.
Here is the contradiction: God never requires or "forces" any human being to do anything. At all. Ever.
The way God works is that he gives us many options - some good, some bad - along with the freedom to choose between these options. We live and operate within the choices and the consequences. Miraculously, God works alongside of our decisions and inhabits our lives. But there is something fundamentally contradictory when a person is required to do spiritual things such as worship, serve, or believe - all actions which are rooted in a personal choice and cannot be forced.
I tried to point this out during a meeting with my colleagues, suggesting that we should make some of these requirements optional, specifically the weekly chapel services. Granted, my "pitch" was less than refined, and my logic was coming from my typical "lets-do-something-crazy" side of my brain. Nevertheless, the suggestion of letting students choose whether or not they wanted to worship that week was quickly dismissed.
I remembered those discussions this week because I read a brilliant section of Dallas Willard's Divine Conspiracy. He is discussing Matthew 7:6 in which Jesus says, "Do give dogs sacred things to eat, nor try to get pigs to dine on pearls." Willard rejects the common interpretation that there are some people who are just "unworthy" of the sacred treasures, but rather he points out something fundamentally important that Jesus is explaining: Pigs cannot physically digest pearls, nor can dogs eat a Bible. So it is a waste to "force" these sacred things upon the animal who has no benefit from them. Willard states,
Ministry is not about forcing, manipulating, or shoving the "pearls" of Christianity down the throats of those who are unwilling and can't benefit from them anyway. My role in ministry is to be there, and let the individual make the choice on their own.
Kind of like how God is here now, and lets us choose. Every day.
After several years of teaching in the Christian education system, a contraction became glaringly clear to me, namely that we (teachers, school administration, etc.) were requiring students to participate in distinctly Christian activities and behaviors. For example, students were required to take a Bible class every year, attend chapel once a week, and complete a certain number of community service hours.
Here is the contradiction: God never requires or "forces" any human being to do anything. At all. Ever.
The way God works is that he gives us many options - some good, some bad - along with the freedom to choose between these options. We live and operate within the choices and the consequences. Miraculously, God works alongside of our decisions and inhabits our lives. But there is something fundamentally contradictory when a person is required to do spiritual things such as worship, serve, or believe - all actions which are rooted in a personal choice and cannot be forced.
I tried to point this out during a meeting with my colleagues, suggesting that we should make some of these requirements optional, specifically the weekly chapel services. Granted, my "pitch" was less than refined, and my logic was coming from my typical "lets-do-something-crazy" side of my brain. Nevertheless, the suggestion of letting students choose whether or not they wanted to worship that week was quickly dismissed.
I remembered those discussions this week because I read a brilliant section of Dallas Willard's Divine Conspiracy. He is discussing Matthew 7:6 in which Jesus says, "Do give dogs sacred things to eat, nor try to get pigs to dine on pearls." Willard rejects the common interpretation that there are some people who are just "unworthy" of the sacred treasures, but rather he points out something fundamentally important that Jesus is explaining: Pigs cannot physically digest pearls, nor can dogs eat a Bible. So it is a waste to "force" these sacred things upon the animal who has no benefit from them. Willard states,
"The point is not the waste of the 'pearl' but that the person given the pearl is not helped...Our children or others do not know what else to do with us pearl pushers. And even though they love us...they simply cannot take any more of our 'pushy irrelevance' as they see it, or possibly our stubborn blindness.I remember I used to get really frustrated when students would not respond in chapel. I would just want to "shake them out of it" and so my preaching would deteriorate to blaming and manipulation. After a few years of close ministry to individual students though, I started to take a more hands-off approach. I realized that it wasn't my job to save them, and I didn't really care if they "engaged" or not - or more accurately, if they made an outward show of their spiritual connection in that moment (who can know what is happening in a person's heart or head at any given time?) I slowly came to understand that my responsibility was simply to always be an available resource, whether that meant leading worship, teaching from the Bible, or just being an open ear and offering some encouragement or simple advice.
"What we are actually doing with our proper condemnations and our wonderful solutions, more often than not, is taking others out of their own responsibility and out of God's hands and trying to bring them under our control...God has paid an awful price to arrange for human self-determination. He obviously places great value on it. It is, after all, the only way he can get the kind of personal beings he desires for his eternal purposes."
Ministry is not about forcing, manipulating, or shoving the "pearls" of Christianity down the throats of those who are unwilling and can't benefit from them anyway. My role in ministry is to be there, and let the individual make the choice on their own.
Kind of like how God is here now, and lets us choose. Every day.
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