Three cheers for an institution that doesn't automatically force a political stance on its students. Three cheers for education that in reality is encouraging "kids (to) make their decisions on their own as to what their politics are and what they believe.” Expecting students to support national political agendas isn't freedom, it's bondage.
Well done, Goshen, well done Mennonites.

Of course, you won't be able to retrieve these comments--since I'm sure there is no internet in heaven, as evil as it is.
And, just so you know, I wrote this comment hours ago as well.
Thanks for this--even if it just just a teensy-weensy bit twisted.
And enjoy hangin' out with Newt and Andy and the rest of the boys. I'll be over to visit soon.

After ranting a bit elsewhere about the inappropriateness of 'celebrating' and rejoicing, I started thinking about what it was probably like when Hitler died. Of course, his death wasn't at the hands of his enemies, and they surrendered within the next couple days, so the rejoicing was over more than just the death of this one man.
But I find it interesting analyzing my own feelings about the two different deaths. Hitler's death is history to me, something I learned about at school. bin Laden's death is current. Somehow in my mind WWII was a 'good' war, a 'necessary' war, a 'declared' war. Hitler was bringing bondage to people who had otherwise lived in freedom, and the allies were trying to liberate them again. (Of course, that is the story told by the winners.) But I see the 'war on terror' as something instigated more by G W Bush than bin Laden. And because I have that (potentially misinformed) view of the present conflict, I see Mr. Bush at least as guilty as Mr. bin Laden in acting like a terrorist. And I therefore kinda see that in a more universal, global sense, the death of bin Laden is just another demonstration of America's terrorism. I don't know the actual numbers, but it looks like the deaths caused by America and its allies are many times more than those of 9/11.

I guess I am trying to process why I might feel different about Hitler than bin Laden. And I haven't yet got that figured out. And the reasons are probably contrived. And maybe people shouldn't have celebrated Hitler's death either. Like most issues, it's bigger than just the present circumstances.

I'm not saying my premise is more right than anyone else's, but the prevalent attitude seems to say that 'bin Laden--all bad, America--all good; and I don't think that is the whole story.

I think being passionate about something is OK (see Jim's comment above!).

But at the same time, I also struggle with trying to be generous in my understanding of other points of view. And I know that is the land I need to move into. Passionately. Somehow I need to fight for the rights of others to hold their opinions that are different than mine (even if I used to hold those same opinions).

At the risk of being a 'Bible thumper' who tosses a verse or two at any situation (whether appropriate or not), here's what Paul says about 'the flesh' and 'the spirit'. He definitely separates things like: love, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,gentleness, (and the rest)
from things like: enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions; and it's pretty obvious to me which are operating in this situation.

Galatians 5:
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality,
20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions,
21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Certainly a church deserves to know how its purposes and philosophies match with its leaders. But disagreements and discussions need to be handled with love, patience, kindness, goodness etc., not with dissensions and divisions. I can only hope in Chad's case that it was an open discussion, filled with love and understanding--but I wouldn't be surprised if it wasn't.

I have a dream that one day the church will act as the true followers of the Christ they say they worship.

"First off I don’t blog in order to make money, it’s something I do anyways, much like using toilet paper. "
So, you blog as a means of removing the crap that would otherwise be still attached? Eeewww!
But perhaps true for some of us.

I like this, cause I tend to enjoy something that gives the presumed leader a run for its money. It only makes sense that something will come along that out iphones the iphone.

That is incredible! It touches on so many levels--the skill, the emotion, the creative genius.
Thanks for sharing this!

"You know I believe it
But I still haven’t found
What I’m looking for"
To me, this says we (or at least many of us) are looking for more than something to believe in, a theology that satisfies the mind.
People are looking for relationship, for connection. Whether in a deep, eternal, philosophical sense, or on a day-to-day level. And it takes more than theology to accomplish either.
I think I am closer to finding what I'm looking for. I see and experience glimpses.
Yeah, it includes something to believe in, but it also intensely includes the heart.

Thanks, Lon. Excellent insight. Although many people may ultimately see the dream as it is unfolded, that isn't the case at the beginning. It takes the initial dreamer with stardust in his eyes to form those castles out of nothing for the rest of us to catch a glimpse and come on board. "we need you to help us see the invisible."
Weewian, good point. The dream may need to ferment and germinate in your spirit before God knows you are ready to let loose. It's such an awesome time when you know God is releasing you to let it out, to start gathering some more support.
You go, girl!!! (I just knew I had to say that, but had to check out to see if, indeed, you are female!!)
"God is on the move, and that we're simply invited to join Him. " I love that! The helps relieve some of the pressure to perform.
The dream is His, He chooses to share it with a few choice people that He knows He can trust. So, when the moment of release comes, you know it is safe to begin to move with God.