Do you poems make?

After reading my monologue My Joy asked me if I’ve writen many poems.  The answer is a simple “no”. I almost never write a poem, but while preaching a sermon I sensed sometimes that it had a subtle poetic sound.  That made it easier for me to remember what I wanted to say when I preached without notes.

“An Ode to a FOOL” is a sermon that turned poetic.  I was so pleased by the number of responses to the monologe that I decided to read the ode again for myself. If you want to read this much longer poem by the person John Lederach called a “word crafter” you may click here and indulge.

On Sunday morning I did something that I said I would never do again.  I taught a Sunday School Class and am considering doing it every other month.  The Uniform Series of SS Lessons has selected lessons from the letter to the Hebrews for us to study.

No one knows who wrote the letter.  My father thought it might have been written by a woman who didn’t want to be identified because women were not taken seriously by the men of that day.  We do know to whom it was written. Some Jews were inclined toward faith in Jesus, but they needed to be convinced that the new way was a better way.  This was a slow process requring years of patient change.

Marty Lehman

Marty Lehman, no relation to me, has written a blog describing the process of change being experienced by our College Mennonite Church. She wrote it several months ago, and the change is slow. Any reader wishing to understand the change may read Marty’s blog by clicking here.  The Mennonite Church is experiencing the same kind of change.  Marty is a woman that needs to be taken seriously. Homogenious Mennonite congregations tend not to welcome changes introduced by diverse new comers. “Every one is welcome” signs are too often deceptive.

Isaac Villegas

Few churches and few pastors have been abused like Isaac Villegas, pastor of the Chapel Hill Mennonite Fellowship in Durum, South Carolina.  His credentials were removed after he married two members who were of the same sex. His recent message of  hope was published by the Mennonite.  You may click here to read it. Look deeply into his eyes and and imagine the image of Jesus, see his love and hope, and see his willingness to suffer   in love for the church. He, too, is a fool for Christ. Wikipedia suggests that fools for Christ often employ unconventional behavior to challenge norms. May more follow the Fool.

Bonding sincere love
is denied by lack of love
filled with too much power