Comments for man, i wanted a witty title. http://megshearon.wordpress.com i write. i read. i think. maybe you'll see some of that come up here. Thu, 01 May 2008 04:17:50 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 Comment on what mary oliver, i and many others need to hear from henri nouwen by butterfly http://megshearon.wordpress.com/2007/08/14/what-mary-oliver-i-and-many-others-need-to-hear-from-henri-nouwen/#comment-315 butterfly Thu, 01 May 2008 04:17:50 +0000 http://megshearon.wordpress.com/2007/08/14/what-mary-oliver-i-and-many-others-need-to-hear-from-henri-nouwen/#comment-315 omg i have so been struggling with being gay and being a christain being conddemed for my chocies omg i have so been struggling with being gay and being a christain being conddemed for my chocies

]]> Comment on yesterdays – switchfoot by Chris http://megshearon.wordpress.com/2007/09/23/yesterdays-switchfoot/#comment-178 Chris Sat, 10 Nov 2007 05:37:17 +0000 http://megshearon.wordpress.com/2007/09/23/yesterdays-switchfoot/#comment-178 beautiful touching poetry. beautiful touching poetry.

]]> Comment on still not much to say, but a few recommendations by priest http://megshearon.wordpress.com/2007/09/06/still-not-much-to-say-but-a-few-recommendations/#comment-65 priest Sat, 08 Sep 2007 05:39:10 +0000 http://megshearon.wordpress.com/2007/09/06/still-not-much-to-say-but-a-few-recommendations/#comment-65 love otr, regina, rufus, helen is really into Jeff B, and will have to explore the rest. love otr, regina, rufus, helen is really into Jeff B, and will have to explore the rest.

]]> Comment on what mary oliver, i and many others need to hear from henri nouwen by peter skelly http://megshearon.wordpress.com/2007/08/14/what-mary-oliver-i-and-many-others-need-to-hear-from-henri-nouwen/#comment-61 peter skelly Wed, 05 Sep 2007 00:23:45 +0000 http://megshearon.wordpress.com/2007/08/14/what-mary-oliver-i-and-many-others-need-to-hear-from-henri-nouwen/#comment-61 I am a deep admirer of the writings and lives of both Mary Oliver and Henri Nouwen. Both speak to and echo my experience as a Christian who also happens to be a gay man. Both speak a word of hope to me and hopefully to others who read them. I am a deep admirer of the writings and lives of both Mary Oliver and Henri Nouwen. Both speak to and echo my experience as a Christian who also happens to be a gay man. Both speak a word of hope to me and hopefully to others who read them.

]]> Comment on still alive by priest http://megshearon.wordpress.com/2007/08/30/still-alive/#comment-57 priest Sat, 01 Sep 2007 14:16:39 +0000 http://megshearon.wordpress.com/2007/08/30/still-alive/#comment-57 HEy Meg, got your message the other day and would like to take you up on that soon. thx for the call--i could use some kick-back time. it's been difficult to relax lately. HEy Meg, got your message the other day and would like to take you up on that soon. thx for the call–i could use some kick-back time. it’s been difficult to relax lately.

]]> Comment on reposting the previous poem, and asking a question. by houston http://megshearon.wordpress.com/2007/07/29/reposting-the-previous-poem-and-asking-a-question/#comment-52 houston Sat, 18 Aug 2007 12:55:03 +0000 http://megshearon.wordpress.com/2007/07/29/reposting-the-previous-poem-and-asking-a-question/#comment-52 I think people decide to not welcome others into the church for many reasons. Some are issues of personal comfort, others are social, practical, and many are theological. The theological stances are tricky because it often involves multiple people taking multiple interpretations from the same source (i.e. the bible). I think Christianity can be tricky because it often has two faces, one of invitation and hope for all, but another face of exclusion. I think these are both real aspects of Christian expression. Of those who came to Jesus none were turned away nor were they invited to join an eternal picnic. Jesus’ response always seemed to catch people off guard and ask of them something which was personally demanding. What am I saying in this rambling comment? Than it is often difficult for followers of Jesus to know when to be welcoming and when to be exclusive. I think Jesus presented both as realistic practices. I also struggle with knowing how to exercise these different reactions, but that is a struggle we all have. I think people decide to not welcome others into the church for many reasons. Some are issues of personal comfort, others are social, practical, and many are theological.

The theological stances are tricky because it often involves multiple people taking multiple interpretations from the same source (i.e. the bible).

I think Christianity can be tricky because it often has two faces, one of invitation and hope for all, but another face of exclusion. I think these are both real aspects of Christian expression. Of those who came to Jesus none were turned away nor were they invited to join an eternal picnic. Jesus’ response always seemed to catch people off guard and ask of them something which was personally demanding.

What am I saying in this rambling comment? Than it is often difficult for followers of Jesus to know when to be welcoming and when to be exclusive. I think Jesus presented both as realistic practices. I also struggle with knowing how to exercise these different reactions, but that is a struggle we all have.

]]> Comment on what mary oliver, i and many others need to hear from henri nouwen by megshearon http://megshearon.wordpress.com/2007/08/14/what-mary-oliver-i-and-many-others-need-to-hear-from-henri-nouwen/#comment-51 megshearon Fri, 17 Aug 2007 14:56:42 +0000 http://megshearon.wordpress.com/2007/08/14/what-mary-oliver-i-and-many-others-need-to-hear-from-henri-nouwen/#comment-51 amen, kelli. amen. thanks for saying that. amen, kelli. amen. thanks for saying that.

]]> Comment on what mary oliver, i and many others need to hear from henri nouwen by Kelli http://megshearon.wordpress.com/2007/08/14/what-mary-oliver-i-and-many-others-need-to-hear-from-henri-nouwen/#comment-50 Kelli Thu, 16 Aug 2007 14:27:41 +0000 http://megshearon.wordpress.com/2007/08/14/what-mary-oliver-i-and-many-others-need-to-hear-from-henri-nouwen/#comment-50 Hey Meg-o. That's a moving poem - one worth a re-posting or two! I like the juxtaposition of that poem with its deep sense of isolation and resigned despair with Nouwen's words of hope. And his words are a very good response to her pain. And yet, there's something unsatisfying... I think his words comfort in the way that aloe soothes a sunburn: it takes the hot sensation away for a while, but it is a balm that must be reapplied frequently. Mary Oliver does not seem to doubt as much the presence, love, and welcome of God. These are the things that Nouwen reassures us of - that we are the beloved and welcomed of God. For Oliver the really painful thing is the rejection she feels at the hands of the faith community, those people who should be embodying the love and welcome of God. Reminders of the love of God are definitely important, but it's hard to believe when the community that is supposed to be shaped by God's love rejects people. Hey Meg-o. That’s a moving poem – one worth a re-posting or two! I like the juxtaposition of that poem with its deep sense of isolation and resigned despair with Nouwen’s words of hope. And his words are a very good response to her pain. And yet, there’s something unsatisfying… I think his words comfort in the way that aloe soothes a sunburn: it takes the hot sensation away for a while, but it is a balm that must be reapplied frequently.

Mary Oliver does not seem to doubt as much the presence, love, and welcome of God. These are the things that Nouwen reassures us of – that we are the beloved and welcomed of God. For Oliver the really painful thing is the rejection she feels at the hands of the faith community, those people who should be embodying the love and welcome of God. Reminders of the love of God are definitely important, but it’s hard to believe when the community that is supposed to be shaped by God’s love rejects people.

]]> Comment on henri nouwen by megshearon http://megshearon.wordpress.com/2007/08/14/henri-nouwen/#comment-49 megshearon Wed, 15 Aug 2007 20:51:05 +0000 http://megshearon.wordpress.com/2007/08/14/henri-nouwen/#comment-49 Jesus: A Gospel Jesus: A Gospel by Henri J. M. Nouwen and Michael O'Laughlin (Hardcover - Dec 2001) Buy new: $20.00 $15.60 41 Used & new from $9.13 In Stock Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping. Books: See all 20 items http://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Henri-J-M-Nouwen/dp/1570753849/ref=sr_1_4/103-7744187-3643050?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1187211000&sr=8-4 Jesus: A Gospel

Jesus: A Gospel by Henri J. M. Nouwen and Michael O’Laughlin (Hardcover – Dec 2001)
Buy new: $20.00 $15.60 41 Used & new from $9.13
In Stock
Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping.
Books: See all 20 items
http://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Henri-J-M-Nouwen/dp/1570753849/ref=sr_1_4/103-7744187-3643050?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1187211000&sr=8-4

]]> Comment on henri nouwen by Matt Vaughan http://megshearon.wordpress.com/2007/08/14/henri-nouwen/#comment-48 Matt Vaughan Wed, 15 Aug 2007 20:34:11 +0000 http://megshearon.wordpress.com/2007/08/14/henri-nouwen/#comment-48 I went to Amazon and could not find it under that title. Can you give me some more information that would make the searching process a little easier? Where did you get your from? I went to Amazon and could not find it under that title. Can you give me some more information that would make the searching process a little easier? Where did you get your from?

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