Jerusalem

Family,
I write this note as i come to the end of my time in Palestine. It has been, without question, one of the most eye opening experiences i have ever been a part of. And i hope and pray that i can bring back to you just a sampling of what i have learned. Ironically, it was Kendra who brought to my attention a common thread throughout all of my blogs, and i will get to that soon enough. But for now, know that i thank you so much for this opportunity, and i am blessed to have a church family that not only allows but encourages their pastor to follow God's call, no matter where it may take him. So thank you.

Perhaps one of the greatest twists in my life comes from what i am recognizing as key to who i am. I say that, because i was not raised with the understanding of "community." No. It has been something that i have longed for, deep within myself, even if i couldn't define it or name it, until now. You see, sisters and brothers, at the core of the Gospel, in its purest and most effective foundation, is the truth that we were meant for community.

And the best thing about this truth is when we discover a community, true community, where people care for each other, eat together, share their resourcse, live together, in short, simply be present in one another's life, when that happens, the power of God sweeps in and transforms all that are present. I have experienced this reality over the last two weeks. I have seen, no i have felt the pureness of people living together, regardless of blood relations, caring for one another. And i have witnessed the power of God in those relationships. It would be enough to talk about it as the ideal, but i need more. I don't want to go back to some living where i only care for myself and my family. I dont want to sit at my table, with only my family there. And i dont want to spend another day, without my sisters and brothers of the faith, joining me in this journey we call life.

And that's where Kendra comes in. She recognized, before i did, the common thread in all my posts. I need community. I desire community. I am looking for community. People breaking bread together. Living together. Being Jesus for each other. I need this. And if i need this, someone who professes a deep faith in Jesus, than how much more are those who have never experienced the risen Christ?

Jesus responded to a question about following him with a teaching about a farmer putting his plow to the ground. "You can't look back." I can't look back. More than that, i can't go back. I am not the same person. I have a different view of the world and the plight of these people. I have sat down, at their tables, shared food and drink, and i have known the power of authentic community. If someone has felt the beauty of life; they could never go back to the mundane. I have felt that beauty, and i must follow where God leads. I believe that path is into community with each other at a level none of us have ever imagined.

I feel the time is right, but it takes all of us turning away from this American lie of me first and materialism and ownership of goods. That doesn't help. I am not against private ownership, but i am for communal sharing. Let's live together. Let's share our lives, our families, and our faith. I now understand why Acts talks about the power of community, because that, my friends, is where God resides. And that, in our fractured dark world, is where the blessedness of Creation shines brightest. Will you join me? I hope so. I will be the one with my eyes looking forward on a path yet determined but blessed by God. But the path, the journey, is only Godly, if you all join me. Amen.

See you soon. I miss you tons. Though i don't miss the cold nor the snow. It has averaged around 50/60 during the day and about 35\40 at night. So very nice and manageable.

Salaam. And i have learned a new blessing from Art Gish, someone deeply connected in the Church of the Brethren, Allah Kireem. It means God is generous. And He is. Alleluiah!