Entries tagged with “school” from Trans-cendental
I'm in seminary because I have an irresistible, irrefusable call to ministry. Despite the fact that I would not choose myself for such a vocation, I cannot seem to resist the compelling force to walk this path. And, rather than telling me how foolish I am, many people who know me encourage me to persevere, saying they see in me something that tells them I have a true calling. Yet every time I try to follow this path, I hit insurmountable obstacles.
When I finally realize how impossible this is for me, a divorced, transsexual lesbian (now in my forties), with yet somewhat traditional and orthodox theology, I come to my senses and stop.
And then comes the intense feeling of loss. Some time later, perhaps six months or a year, I realize I cannot say no to this call. No matter how difficult, how impossible, how ridiculous it is, it is what I must do.
Now I have hit another immovable object. I have to stop. And yet the call is an unstoppable force.
I know the fault is in me. Either I am failing to understand how God is speaking to me, or I am failing in walking the path God has set before me.
And it makes me very sad.
I do not blame God. I blame myself for the failure - even for the failure to see where I have failed.
I cry out for help. I pray that God will grant me whatever I need to do God's will - whatever that will may be. I pray I will be made into the person God has dreamed me to be.
I pray for wisdom to know which way I should go - not the destination, but for the place to plant my next step.
I pray for the humility to accept whatever task to which I may be set.
I pray for the courage to do whatever I must do.
I pray for the strength to overcome the obstacles which I must overcome.
I pray for the acceptance that there are obstacles I was never meant to overcome.
And I pray that my love would always increase, to always care for the others I would find on my way, and for the grace to forgive those who I feel have harmed me, no matter how I felt I was harmed.
I don't know what to do, but at least I have the humility to admit that.
When I finally realize how impossible this is for me, a divorced, transsexual lesbian (now in my forties), with yet somewhat traditional and orthodox theology, I come to my senses and stop.
And then comes the intense feeling of loss. Some time later, perhaps six months or a year, I realize I cannot say no to this call. No matter how difficult, how impossible, how ridiculous it is, it is what I must do.
Now I have hit another immovable object. I have to stop. And yet the call is an unstoppable force.
I know the fault is in me. Either I am failing to understand how God is speaking to me, or I am failing in walking the path God has set before me.
And it makes me very sad.
I do not blame God. I blame myself for the failure - even for the failure to see where I have failed.
I cry out for help. I pray that God will grant me whatever I need to do God's will - whatever that will may be. I pray I will be made into the person God has dreamed me to be.
I pray for wisdom to know which way I should go - not the destination, but for the place to plant my next step.
I pray for the humility to accept whatever task to which I may be set.
I pray for the courage to do whatever I must do.
I pray for the strength to overcome the obstacles which I must overcome.
I pray for the acceptance that there are obstacles I was never meant to overcome.
And I pray that my love would always increase, to always care for the others I would find on my way, and for the grace to forgive those who I feel have harmed me, no matter how I felt I was harmed.
I don't know what to do, but at least I have the humility to admit that.
So the candidates were asked when children should be told about homosexuality. In programs like "It's Elementary", we're not talking about telling kids to be gay, or how to have gay sex. We're talking about different relationships. The fact is that there are kids who have same-sex parents - and it's good to teach kids to not beat up on the ones with same-sex parents, just as it's good to teach them to not beat up on children of divorced parents.
But the way some talk about tolerance, it would seem that it is the worst form of child abuse.
And isn't learning about other people a big part of elementary education? I remember learning about the people of Pompeii and about Umskikuk the Eskimo in Social Studies class. Learning about different people - and to not hate or be afraid of them - is an important part of growing up. After learning to respect people who are different, (we hope) adults will be less likely to attack people based on differences.
Of course, some people are afraid that such programs indoctrinate children into a lifestyle. Perhaps the Pompeii part of 6th grade social studies is what led to toga parties. I don't know - I've never been to a toga party. I have, however, been to Alaska and visited Inuit there. I didn't join them to live there the rest of my life, though.
Perhaps what people really fear is that a broad public school education will counteract the narrow training they give their children at home. It may really be about control - if we limit a child's knowledge, the child will only see limited options as an adult.
"Train children in the right way, and when old, they will not stray." - Proverbs 22:6
So what is the right way? Is it the way of judgment of others, or of love for others?
It saddens me that people who are followers of Jesus need the help of public schools to teach their children to love their neighbors. Parents, teach your children to do what you believe is right - but also teach them the love that Jesus had for others - even (perhaps especially) for those who were scorned.
References:
But the way some talk about tolerance, it would seem that it is the worst form of child abuse.
And isn't learning about other people a big part of elementary education? I remember learning about the people of Pompeii and about Umskikuk the Eskimo in Social Studies class. Learning about different people - and to not hate or be afraid of them - is an important part of growing up. After learning to respect people who are different, (we hope) adults will be less likely to attack people based on differences.
Of course, some people are afraid that such programs indoctrinate children into a lifestyle. Perhaps the Pompeii part of 6th grade social studies is what led to toga parties. I don't know - I've never been to a toga party. I have, however, been to Alaska and visited Inuit there. I didn't join them to live there the rest of my life, though.
Perhaps what people really fear is that a broad public school education will counteract the narrow training they give their children at home. It may really be about control - if we limit a child's knowledge, the child will only see limited options as an adult.
"Train children in the right way, and when old, they will not stray." - Proverbs 22:6
So what is the right way? Is it the way of judgment of others, or of love for others?
It saddens me that people who are followers of Jesus need the help of public schools to teach their children to love their neighbors. Parents, teach your children to do what you believe is right - but also teach them the love that Jesus had for others - even (perhaps especially) for those who were scorned.
References:
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