The name of this blog, Swinging from the Vine, was inspired by John 15 (specifically verse 5) “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
She stands on the edge
the stubby toes of her sneakers touching the horizon
the great beyond reaches into her soul
pulling into the abyss
while she, working hard to be strong, pulls back
arms flailing, reaching for balance
heels digging in
stubby toed shoes creeping forward over the edge
the great beyond calling
fingers stuck in ears, trying not to hear
fearing to let go
fearing to remain
but a girl cannot be separated from her soul
so over the edge she goes
stubby toed shoes and all
"thoughts about a subpoena" |
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Some of you might remember that back in December, my neighbor came to my door bloody from being beaten up by her husband and son.
Apparently, a jury trial is being held in June for the husband and I have been issued a subpoena to appear as a witness.
This is dredging up all the memories from that day and subsequent weeks and new thoughts are emerging. Many involve guilt and how much more I could have done, SHOULD have done and said at the time and in the aftermath.
I realized last night when I couldn’t sleep that I have a lot more guilt about this than I thought. If you think of it, prayer would be appreciated.
"Rose Madrid-Swetman » Change, Power, Access" |
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Rose speaks to the issue of power more specifically in the evangelical church construct. Since I’m on that theme, I thought I’d share the love.
I believe when this kind of change is on the horizon, the people that hold the power must be willing to step aside and make room for those very ones that have been without access. This means when you have an all male board of directors, a few of them would give up their vote to qualified women. It means that if you are a woman with access to power in the existing system you lobby for the women who are as our founder would say are, “doing the stuff” and you hand them the mic so to speak. Does this come with a cost, you bet it does. This kind of change does not come without the cost of someone giving up their “rights” their “place” for the sake of the “other” think Jesus.I am hopeful that our movement can have the courage to make the necessary change structurally to give women access.
Rose Madrid-Swetman » Change, Power, Access | Random Thoughts, Stories of Life, and Questions About the Journey.
Tags: power, women, church
"our hope in times of darkness" |
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Today we remember Saint Athanasius
Amongst many other accomplishments, at the first Council of Nicaea (325), Athanasius argued against Arius and his doctrine that Christ is of a distinct substance from the Father.
Pope Athanasius I of Alexandria (c. 293-May 2, 373) also known as Saint Athanasius the Great and St Athanasius the Apostolic (Greek: Αθανάσιος, Athanásios) was a theologian, Bishop of Alexandria, a Church Father, and a noted Egyptian leader of the fourth century.
Lord, may I never take the gift
of freedom for granted. You gave
me the great blessing of freedom of
spirit. Fill my spirit with Your peace and
Your joy.
I remind myself that I am in the presence of the Lord.
I will take refuge in His loving heart. He is my strength in times of weakness. He is my comforter in times of sorrow.
John 16:20
Jesus said, ‘Very truly, I tell you, you will weep and mourn, but the world will rejoice; you will have pain, but your pain will turn into joy.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end.
(sacred space)
Tags: prayer, saints, trinity