31 August 2008 by Alice Scott-Ferguson.

Political conventions have me glued to the screen. I love watching the process more than the politics, and catching the amazing atmosphere of the American Dream played out on the platform and held out as the great promise for all who call this land home. OK, so it is, as my fellow-Brits would say “over the top”. The hype that hypnotizes us into believing that just maybe this candidate will deliver this time and the inordinate amount of money, time and resources spent to strut their stuff, certainly lends credence to their skepticism. Then a hurricane bears down on the Gulf and we stand in utter helplessness to change either its course, its velocity or its bad timing as the other party takes center stage. (And no, I do not believe that God is trying to “tell us something”). Because of the Katrina disaster, no politician worth his reputation is going to risk looking like anything but a wholesale advocate of aid and assistance. We cannot judge the motivation of anyone’s heart, but cynicism comes creeping in on the radar and we wonder—well, political expediency is not exactly a stranger to the process. And that is where my man, Ron Paul comes in. He is not bashful to say what many may think, but dare not articulate. While compassionate and caring, he is unafraid to introduce the aspect of personal responsibility in every area of our lives from where we live to how we respond to natural disasters. So, although we watch in helplessness once again, we watch with great hope that the outcome will not mean the disaster of three years ago and hope too, that maybe a little less hype and a little more realism will serve us even better at the next round of political gymnastics.

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15 August 2008 by Alice Scott-Ferguson.

Sometimes I call it Christianity 101. So apparent, so evident, and essential does the transmission of truth appear that I am left stunned and bewildered at the prevalence of its absence in our communications. The trends to defame, denigrate, and play freely and loosely with the facts; to omit and embellish, obfuscate and “misspeak” wreck havoc in relationships and strain trust to the breaking point. How many hurt hearts, ruined careers, and damaged reputations roil in the wake of lies? We who are birthed from the kiss of grace and truth in Jesus Christ—and to whom we are wed in the Spirit—have the ability to tune our antennae to both receive and transmit only the truth. So why don’t we; what is the problem? We do not know who we are. Simply, yet stunningly, that is the truth. When we know we are united to the Triune God and all the vibrant reality that is inherent in that union, then we will act according to our true selves—free from fear—not out of our false selves who are but legends of the Fall.

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26 July 2008 by Alice Scott-Ferguson.

I just finished listening to William P. Young, the author of The Shack, tell his life story—the story behind the story. I was spell-bound. Not so much by the painful account of some of the details of his life, but—like the book—by the wonder of God’s love and his inscrutable ways. So, bear with me for once more referencing this work. When we hear of atrocities perpetrated against innocent children especially, we are outraged and—if we are honest—astounded that God appears silent, detached and impotent. I reflected on this as I heard Paul Young’s account of his sexual abuse and caught a glimpse of how, despite God’s pain as he suffered with his little one, he—the inscrutable—saw in the distance a power-packed little book that would sell over a million copies and be instrumental in changing many people’s perception of who he really is—a loving, welcoming, relational Papa that makes all things work together for good. I am grateful.

See my article of the month—Putting Up With The Pain—for more on this topic.

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13 July 2008 by Alice Scott-Ferguson.

I am delighted that love is finally finding its rightful place in the vocabulary of the Father’s family—the headline under which everything else must be written. The astounding novel, The Shack has swooped into our sterile world of dry doctrine and captivated our hearts with its ring of truth with which the Spirit within us echoes in agreement. We thrill to hear of a Triune God whose primary passion is to join us to him in a dance of love. I believe that this awakening—to the limitless, indulgent, and emancipating love of God—is what he has always longed for us. While there has always been the longing for love to be pre-eminent in the church, we have more often than not foiled its flow with power, politics, and programs. Power that polishes egos and replaces servanthood. Politics that run churches like corporations and programs that fill our days with endless activity while leaving us empty and burned out.
Check out this web site: www.perichoresis.org

Tell me what you think by clicking on the word “Comment” below and to the right.

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1 July 2008 by Alice Scott-Ferguson.

I find few sources of reassurance and solace when I search for Christ-like stances or responses among believers regarding candidates running for office. I find, instead, chronic cases of entrenched and lock-step opinions that denigrate anyone who is not in their camp. Snap judgments that evoke a knee-jerk response at the sight of the letter D rather than an R behind a candidate’s name.

Because it seems that most evangelicals are devoted republicans, then the focus of this ire is usually against democrats or independents. This stunningly schizophrenic mindset is saddening and utterly bewildering to me. Where do we get the idea that in politics we shed our sensitivities—our Christianity—and regard our opponent as sub-human, not meriting civility, respect or even a hearing? This amongst those of us who are to be known for “our love.” Even if we must regard them as our enemies, then we are still commanded to love them. We need to remember that Jesus declared that whatever we do unto the least of the brethren, we do unto Him. And some of the “least” do profess their faith in Christ!

Loving someone means not assassinating their character. Loving others means believing the best of them and loving means covering a multitude of errors. What a glorious opportunity is afforded us in this present political season to be a part of the solution, not a part of the problem; to build bridges of reconciliation instead of gouging out gaping chasms of hate; to bring healing, hope and dignity into an arena of accusation, half truths and hearsay.

Tell me what you think by clicking on the word “Comment” below and to the right.

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22 June 2008 by Alice Scott-Ferguson.

In Timothy J.Stoner’s book The God Who Smokes, he writes in chapter three—A God Who Lets You Drop—“The sad truth about ourselves is that our hearts are idol factories. We are starstruck and mesmerized by the empty promises of a thousand false lovers. The prophets call this insanity spiritual adultery, and likens it to wild donkeys in heat (Jeremiah 2:24). What God is doing in our suffering is exposing the false, the temporary, the rivals who clamor for our love, our devotion, our allegiance. When what gives us significance, comfort, and meaning lies broken and shattered on the ground, we are given a gift—the freedom to give ourselves to Him in whom alone is real life and joy and peace that lasts forever.”

The classic character who epitomizes suffering is of course Job who to me– is everyman. His losses covered every facet of life from status, to health, and even family—areas that every one of us can identify with, if not all at one time. Like Job, we may not ever get satisfactory answers to the “whys” of our lives, but we can, through the tears, glimpse a God whom we have never known before—a Creator, a Savior, a Lover who gives us Himself–not theories or doctrines about Him. How little we hear of this from our pulpits. Does that contribute to what makes suffering such an alien and abhorrent prospect—one to be resisted, denied, and avoided at all costs?

Please contribute to an ongoing discussion of this subject matter by clicking on “Comment” below and to the right.

Thank you

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13 May 2008 by Alice Scott-Ferguson.

A place for open discussion or submittal of comments on my website, monthly articles or discussion items on this Blog.

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