Okay people out in cyberspace, let me make a few things clear to you if you don't understand them right now. First of all, yes I was a bit frustrated with our community at times, but I think we do have a few things going for us. Like everyone else, I am human and I don't always get everything right all the time (contrary to popular belief). One of my flaws, that I am currently working on, is not being so quick to point out the bad in things and being able to see the good. Some days it is easier than others. So now you know. Also, please don't think this is how we get our issues out in this house, through this blog. Dan, Josh, Jeremy and I all had a great conversation last night over dinner. We do in fact have civil conversations to sort our issues/questions out and we are adults (most of the time) and handle it in a civil way.
Hope you all have a great day.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
My thoughts (Dan)
I think that our house had a good community. It was a little divided, but I don't think that is inherently a bad thing. What I think we all have to remember is that we as individuals are different and are looking for different things to help us grow as Christians. While we didn't do some things that I wish we would have (things like a more scheduled bible study, etc.) I feel that we as a house were led by the Holy Spirit, and therefore are where we need to be as a house.
Going into this internship, I didn't know what to expect. This was my first step out of my parents house, and my first step into my lifelong ministry. I think that not having any serious expectations has helped me see the growth and the change that has happened in all of my housemates.
All of my housemates have their own reasons for being a part of this summer internship. I respect and admire each one of those reasons. The reasons range from aspirations of ordained ministry to the need for a summer job. I believe that we have been brought together to teach each-other and to be taught. I have learned a lot from my friends this summer and I expect to be continually taught by the people in my life.
I cannot say that living in this house has been without its bumps, but I can say that it has been very beneficial. First, I have been able to meet 5 amazing people, and start relationships with them as well. Second, This experience has taught me to be accepting of people where they are and not where I think they should be.
Going into this internship, I didn't know what to expect. This was my first step out of my parents house, and my first step into my lifelong ministry. I think that not having any serious expectations has helped me see the growth and the change that has happened in all of my housemates.
All of my housemates have their own reasons for being a part of this summer internship. I respect and admire each one of those reasons. The reasons range from aspirations of ordained ministry to the need for a summer job. I believe that we have been brought together to teach each-other and to be taught. I have learned a lot from my friends this summer and I expect to be continually taught by the people in my life.
I cannot say that living in this house has been without its bumps, but I can say that it has been very beneficial. First, I have been able to meet 5 amazing people, and start relationships with them as well. Second, This experience has taught me to be accepting of people where they are and not where I think they should be.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Thoughts on community and Slam Poetry
The YLI interns had their ministry day with Jeff Nelson on Friday. We went over to his church, Redford Aldersgate United Methodist Church, and had a bit of a silent retreat. It was great to hear Jeff's heart a bit, but I'll get to that later. During this silent retreat, we went off for 20 minutes at a time, and really just let the Lord speak to us. He spoke to me about the summer, and how I want to take action on certain things when I go back to CMU. The Lord has taught me so much about loving others, whether they are so called lepers, the untouchables. I've learned to really reach out and love them for who they are. Hear their story, see their hearts and really just let God show Himself through the people I have come into contact with this summer. I know I am so much more of a patient person, but I also realize how important community is.
I'm not going to lie. Our house really did not have a great community. But it was because people didn't try. There was a sense of contentment, and it was more than frustrating at times. It really put things into perspective for me though; I was able to see how physical and spiritual contentment can hold people back from progressing any. I don't regret anything that happened this summer, truly. I don't regret anything that I learn from. But I do wish there were things we as a house did differently. Like pray more as a group. Besides dinner. And have a servant's heart as a group. But that all comes with personal commitment I think. I know I've said it a lot, but intentional community is so much different than community itself. Community I think just happens, but intentional community is just what it states. When intentions are present. And so, to the future YLI interns: I cannot stress enough how important being intentional is in an intentional community. Don't just view this summer program as a summer job, but rather view it as a learning experience. It is intended as a way for the Body of Christ to work together with one another, learn how we can serve as a unit and live with God's guidance. But none of this can happen unless 1. First and foremost, you let God be present in the house at all times (accept nothing less!), and 2. Only apply for this if you WANT to be there. Trust me when I say it will make living in the house with 5 other people so much less frustrating.
Oh boy, that was a bit of a tangent, but I think it is truthful. And not truth as in honest, but truth as in what Jesus would line up with.
In other news, Jeff invited us to 1515 Broadway, a place downtown where he does Slam Poetry with Echoverse. It was a really cool experience. I heard one of his poems a few weeks ago at Central UMC in downtown Detroit, but the stuff he shared Friday night was intense. He shared a very touching piece about his mother. As he was reading, I placed myself in the poem and was truly taken back at how beautiful this man could put a simple situation into the most ravishing words ever. By the end, I found myself crying as if this woman he wrote about was my best friend; even though I have never met his mother before.
When I originally got there, I saw my pastor from Brighton First United Methodist Church, which is my home church, along with another couple I knew. It was really great to fellowship with some people from home and update them on what God is doing in my life.
Well, thats all I have for my update today. Expect a big week coming up. Tuesday is primary elections in Detroit, and the church I work at is where a voting booth is. So we have to relocate 30 kids all day. Expect stories... or cries for help!
Until then....
I'm not going to lie. Our house really did not have a great community. But it was because people didn't try. There was a sense of contentment, and it was more than frustrating at times. It really put things into perspective for me though; I was able to see how physical and spiritual contentment can hold people back from progressing any. I don't regret anything that happened this summer, truly. I don't regret anything that I learn from. But I do wish there were things we as a house did differently. Like pray more as a group. Besides dinner. And have a servant's heart as a group. But that all comes with personal commitment I think. I know I've said it a lot, but intentional community is so much different than community itself. Community I think just happens, but intentional community is just what it states. When intentions are present. And so, to the future YLI interns: I cannot stress enough how important being intentional is in an intentional community. Don't just view this summer program as a summer job, but rather view it as a learning experience. It is intended as a way for the Body of Christ to work together with one another, learn how we can serve as a unit and live with God's guidance. But none of this can happen unless 1. First and foremost, you let God be present in the house at all times (accept nothing less!), and 2. Only apply for this if you WANT to be there. Trust me when I say it will make living in the house with 5 other people so much less frustrating.
Oh boy, that was a bit of a tangent, but I think it is truthful. And not truth as in honest, but truth as in what Jesus would line up with.
In other news, Jeff invited us to 1515 Broadway, a place downtown where he does Slam Poetry with Echoverse. It was a really cool experience. I heard one of his poems a few weeks ago at Central UMC in downtown Detroit, but the stuff he shared Friday night was intense. He shared a very touching piece about his mother. As he was reading, I placed myself in the poem and was truly taken back at how beautiful this man could put a simple situation into the most ravishing words ever. By the end, I found myself crying as if this woman he wrote about was my best friend; even though I have never met his mother before.
When I originally got there, I saw my pastor from Brighton First United Methodist Church, which is my home church, along with another couple I knew. It was really great to fellowship with some people from home and update them on what God is doing in my life.
Well, thats all I have for my update today. Expect a big week coming up. Tuesday is primary elections in Detroit, and the church I work at is where a voting booth is. So we have to relocate 30 kids all day. Expect stories... or cries for help!
Until then....
The Body of Christ
Greetings all! So It's Saturday night, and I couldn't think of anything better to do than update you all. Great things have happened to me in the past week or so, and here's why:
So all summer I have been in an online advanced composition course, as part of finishing up my coursework at CMU before I student teach. The course wasn't that difficult at all; in fact I sort of enjoyed it. For our last few units, we've been dealing with arguments and proving points and not making generalizations in your statements. As our final assignment, I was told to write a paper on anything I wanted. It had to be something of deep conviction/concern to me, and had to be at least 1000 words long. Not too bad at all. As I was thinking of something to write about, I remembered reading in Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne, and knew that really living out your faith, as well as reaching out and helping others is something I really want to grab a hold of. And thus, I wrote a paper on the Body of Christ. I made a lot of references from 1 Corinthians 12, talked about the early New Testament church in Acts 2, and also mentioned a few other things. Needless to say, I knew I was taking a bit of a risk by writing a paper saying we should follow Jesus, and not the church. So I got my paper back last night and this is what my professor had to say about it:Jessica, Just when I thought I couldn't read another paper --I'm tired of enviromentalism, immigration--then I get your paper! What a wonderful read! This is a really great paper. Just think: if we all followed the teachings of our faith, ANY faith, we would have such a better world. All faiths teach helping the needy and being an active positve part of the community. If only people would really practice their religion! At least you have thought about it, so you are aware, and probably doing your best. Thanks for a great paper!HOW COOL IS THAT?!?!?! I received a great compliment from her, ANNNNND she gave me a 100% on my paper. I'm really really glad that I wrote that paper. I feel I had a lot of self realization through it, and I was able to speak out about an issue that is definitely critical to our society. Plus, that 100% was a great grade to receive as my last assignment in my undergrad!
So all summer I have been in an online advanced composition course, as part of finishing up my coursework at CMU before I student teach. The course wasn't that difficult at all; in fact I sort of enjoyed it. For our last few units, we've been dealing with arguments and proving points and not making generalizations in your statements. As our final assignment, I was told to write a paper on anything I wanted. It had to be something of deep conviction/concern to me, and had to be at least 1000 words long. Not too bad at all. As I was thinking of something to write about, I remembered reading in Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne, and knew that really living out your faith, as well as reaching out and helping others is something I really want to grab a hold of. And thus, I wrote a paper on the Body of Christ. I made a lot of references from 1 Corinthians 12, talked about the early New Testament church in Acts 2, and also mentioned a few other things. Needless to say, I knew I was taking a bit of a risk by writing a paper saying we should follow Jesus, and not the church. So I got my paper back last night and this is what my professor had to say about it:Jessica, Just when I thought I couldn't read another paper --I'm tired of enviromentalism, immigration--then I get your paper! What a wonderful read! This is a really great paper. Just think: if we all followed the teachings of our faith, ANY faith, we would have such a better world. All faiths teach helping the needy and being an active positve part of the community. If only people would really practice their religion! At least you have thought about it, so you are aware, and probably doing your best. Thanks for a great paper!HOW COOL IS THAT?!?!?! I received a great compliment from her, ANNNNND she gave me a 100% on my paper. I'm really really glad that I wrote that paper. I feel I had a lot of self realization through it, and I was able to speak out about an issue that is definitely critical to our society. Plus, that 100% was a great grade to receive as my last assignment in my undergrad!
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