Reblog...

I'm Not a Christian, But I'm Coming to Your Church This Sunday

Thomas Weaver » 

Okay I’m not a Christian, but I’ve finally made the decision to come to your church this Sunday. Don’t expect much from me though. If something comes up I might not, but right now I’m planning on it. I feel like I need to go, but I’m not sure why. I want to tell you a few things about myself before you meet me.

1.  I’m not going to understand religious language or phrases so be aware of that when we talk. I don’t understand slain in the spirit, God is moving in me, covered in the blood, I need to die to self, you just need to be in the Word, what you need is a new life, etc. If we have conversation filled with religious talk, I’m probably not going to understand half of the words...and maybe think you’re a little crazy.

2.  When you ask me how I’m doing, know that I don’t trust you. I’m probably going to lie and tell you I’m fine. It’s not that I don’t want to tell you; it’s just that I come from some pain and am not sure if I trust you yet. How about you tell me your story first? If I like you and get the vibe that you’re not trying to capture my soul or anything, I’ll tell you mine.

3.  I’ve got pretty rough language and I can be bitter and angry about some things. If I sense in you a mindset of superiority, I’m out. If you are just waiting for your turn to talk instead of truly listening to me, I’m not going to be interested. Don’t expect me to be exactly like you.

4.  Don’t make a big deal of introducing me to everyone you know. I understand a couple of people, but please; don’t set up a welcoming line. I’m just there to check it out; I need a bit of space.

5.  I’m going to be looking for genuine interest in me. I don’t want to feel like your personal salvation project or be a notch on your “I saved one” belt. If this Jesus is who you say he is, then I’m looking forward to seeing him in you. That’s how it works, right?

6.  I’m going to have questions. I need truth, not your preferences or your religion, so can you just tell me what the Bible says?

7.  I need to feel welcomed. Is there a time limit or something on my visit before I’m supposed to feel unwelcomed? I mean, I’ve been to other churches and there seemed to be a push for me to make up my mind or something. How long until I’m unwelcomed?

Thanks for hearing me out. I’m pretty sure I’m going to come this Sunday. But I might not.

Wise Words, from Current Friends and Ancient Sailors

You should listen to this while you read... (it was on my Pandora when I did)



I have to totally credit my friend Lindsey for posting this wonderful poem by Sir Francis Drake (her words at the end, too), but I had to repost it - I've been awol from blogging for a pretty long time - not necessarily because I had nothing to say, but mostly because so much was happening in such a small amount of time that I didn't know what to say, what to chew on some more, what to throw out there, and what to keep in my head for a later date.  I guess that the result (nothing) doesn't seem very productive, but it also meant I was just waiting for something that would sum things up, which I think this does quite well.  In as much of a nutshell as I can muster, these things happened:


The semester finished up.
Last dance concert (my choreography) at USC.
Final exams, presentation in Russian and Dance History.
I found out where I'll be from September-June: Hello, Belgorod, Russia.
(It's not Siberia!)
I also found out an interesting fact about Belgorod: this fun thing called an Anti-Missionary Law.
(more about Belgorod later)
I graduated COLLEGE.  Like, I'm done.
Anya came all the way from Russia to see me graduate and hang out in Greenville for a few weeks.
(Oh, how God handpicked that girl and her family for my life and His purpose, I am certain)
Last life group x2 - God is so faithful and good, but that's hard.
I said goodbye to people in Cola that I'll hate to not do life with all the time.
(I don't believe in ex-roommates.  I'll miss Monday nights, Tuesday mornings,
Wednesday evenings, and Thursday chats.  I'll miss Chinese dinners and walks by the rivers and 
homework nights and horseshoe days and Cool Beans and studio time and E-wood Sundays.)
The Lord gave a long-awaited answer to a question I'd been asking this semester.
(It was good, and our God is SO faithful - praise Him!)
God provided and grew and strengthened leadership for those taking my place.
I went to Charleston, took a nap on the beach, experienced the crash of waves with my eyes closed.
(kinda like following God when you don't see what's next, but you know it's there, you feel the wind on your back and the sand in your toes, and you trust)
I moved home.
I told my brother goodbye for the summer.
(He gives and takes away... I'm sacrificing without such a wonderful person for Woodlands Camp ;-)
It seems every sermon or Bible Study in the past two weeks has had to do with End Times, Heaven, and related topics.  
(another reason why this poem is so appropriate)
I sent in my application for Ballet Mag's Teacher Training Workshop, though it means I'll be pinching pennies all summer.
I've wrestled and settled and wrestled again with why this dance thing keeps holding on, what I'm supposed to do with it, confused how it all fits, but knowing that I'm not supposed to give it up...
I got on a planning kick for grad school.
(yes, already...)
And, I read Lindsey's blog today... 

Disturb Us, Lord


"Disturb us, Lord,
When we are too well pleased with ourselves,
When our dreams come true
Because we have dreamed too little,
When we arrived safely
Because we sailed too close to the shore.


Disturb us, Lord, when
With the abundance of things we possess
We have lost our thirst
With the waters of life;
Having fallen in love with life
We have ceased our dreams of eternity,
And in our efforts to build a new earth
We have allowed our vision
Of the new heaven to dim.


Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly,
To venture on wider seas
Where storms will show your mastery;
Where loosing sight of land,
We shall find the stars.


We ask you to push back
The horizons of our hopes;
And to push into the future
In strength, courage, hope, and love."

~Attributed to Sir Francis Drake, 1577


Dream. Live. Dare. Go boldly to answer God's calling. Stay thirsty for Him... To do without is like a ship in a sea of doldrums.