Going almost a year without writing here is perhaps far beyond delinquent. It occurred to me today that I no longer write anything of any depth. I've recently moved to crafting sermons in outline form rather than manuscript form which means I'm making progress on more casual, conversational sermons. But I'm writing much less. It's not necessarily a "problem" at this point, but I've always had a love affair with the concept of writing - not necessarily the actuality of writing. I fear that if I don't begin writing somewhere, I'll never develop any skill in it.
So, I'm going to try to develop a discipline of writing. For now, this will be the outlet. Who knows where my efforts will lead me...
I'll start simply tonight and offer a brief commentary on the events of the day. Diana Butler Bass has called out preachers across the country to figure out how the tragic events in Arizona (the shooting of Rep. Giffords and others) intersect with the celebration of Jesus' baptism. I'm not one to completely rewrite a sermon on Saturday night. It will make me extremely uncomfortable - and not in a good way.
Perhaps I will try to craft an introduction to the sermon that draws the congregation's attention to the events of the nation in light of what I'm about to say about baptism...I don't know.
What I'm thinking about the connection between inexcusable and inexplicable violence and baptismal theology is that I fear we may never understand the true nature of God's grace. I attended a training this morning in anticipation of a youth event that focuses on our response to the foundation of our lives: that we are loved completely and unconditionally by a God who chose to save us despite of ourselves. I wish we could somehow convince the world that we are dependent on God and each other, not ourselves.
God claimed us as children. That should be our identity; not our political party affiliation. Our outlook on the world should be filled with the grace that God shows to us.
