Fasting Slowly

Good to have spiritually savvy friends, even better to follow their savvy spiritual directions. The latest counsel comes from a dear friend and colleague who listened with expansive compassion to my most recent Tourette's Syndrome-like outburst about...stuff.

This "stuff" would be news detritus delivered several times a day to my Google Reader from blogs like Whispers in the Loggia, The Deacon's Bench, Pontifications, John L. Allen, Jr. for the NCR. I also read whatever horrifying news Pew has collected about religion.

My friend gently suggested I fast from reading any and all news about the Church for at least three days. Three days? Interesting choice of time frame. I'm having difficulty doing this for more than three hours. Odd. I fasted from all secular news from 1989 to circa 1994. Okay, so I was shocked to learn that Sammy Davis, Jr. had died. Wars, famine, bad human behavior, bad movies, drug discoveries, food scares, drug recalls? I knew they'd cycle around again. They have.

Why-Oh-Why am I having such a tough time fasting from news about religion? It's not like my church ever decides anything in fewer than 400 years. Still, I should heed her advice because there's not enough Zantac to counteract the effects of my morbid fascination with current events in the domain of religion. God knows I'm already taking handfuls of that as I write about the first century church.

Book Review: Blinded: The Story of Paul the Apostle

Having started out a zillion years ago as an aspiring illustrator (crow quill pen & ink!) you'd think I'd have paid more attention to the "graphic novels" trend. Up until now I haven't.

Artiste sour grapes? Writer why-can't-they-read-narrative-text hissy fit? Who knows? In any event, I've seen the light with a book titled, Blinded: The Story of Paul the Apostle.

Last night, my book signing seat was next to Steve Ross', author-illustrator of Blinded. What initially drew me to his table was a pile of sketches, work-in-progress work. One thing led to another and I ended up devouring Steve's book right then and there.

This was very Holy Spirit timing. In Blinded, Steve's compelling graphics and taut text make familiar stories come newly alive. I woke up this morning kicking myself (ouch) for not buying a pile of his books and getting them signed by him. I did, however, leave with a signed original pencil sketch that has already proven inspiring on a number of levels.

The book? A great gift, especially during this Vatican-proclaimed Year of St. Paul.

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Hanukah

On this year's Gregorian calendar, Hanukah shows up on December 22, which means it begins at sundown on the last Sunday of Advent.

Although this Jewish faux holiday has nothing to do with Christmas, that doesn't stop Jewish organizations from participating in the December selling season. And so, I was not especially surprised to receive from Aish.com an ad for an Amazing Collection of Hanukah Menorahs. What stopped me in my click-read-delete tracks was this come hither ad copy: Looking for that beautiful menorah that says it all?

These days, I'm studying the 1st century events that separated Hebrew and Gentile followers of Jesus into two separate religions, events that included Roman carnage. As a result, I've been pondering the phrase, "says it all." Nothing beautiful comes to mind. Yet.

Brawling Monks!

This morning's headline story from Jerusalem, Monks brawl at site of crucifixion, should not have perked me up but I confess to you, my sisters and brothers, it did. According to this report, Armenian and Greek Orthodox monks came to fisticuffs at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.

The tussle took place at the Edicule, an edifice marking the site of Jesus' tomb. In fact, the entire church site is divided among six Christian sects who apparently cannot resist fighting over turf rights. This latest skirmish had to be handled by Israeli riot police in assault gear.

And why did this perk me up? I feel an odd sort of sociological thrill whenever I encounter evidence for how the formal institution of church subverts faith. These events help refocus my attention on Almighty God.

Image from: www.bibleplaces.com

An Author's Life: The Slump (VI)

Maybe switching to Diet Coke and pretzels wasn't such a great idea. I could be making this up but writing was easier when Diet Cream soda, Cheez Doodles, and salami were involved. Now, not so much.

The work of moving heaps of words into sentences, maneuvering sentences into paragraphs, and piling paragraphs into text is exhausting. According to the blueprints, the structure should hold, but that doesn't stop me from wanting to ram a bulldozer into the whole thing.

This slump is predictable but that doesn't make it any easier. Nor does writing about the Jewish roots of Christianity at this point in time. Just my luck it's the Vatican-declared Year of St. Paul. Everyone around me is woo hoo St. Paul. I'm having a meltdown while reading Galatians and spending money in therapy talking about it to my Jewish Conservadox therapist.

To make matters worse, I discovered earlier this evening that the tiny white pellets on my couch were not pretzel salt but the innards of my lap desk cushion. I think I need to get back to the Doodles tomorrow.

Life as a Personal Aide: On a Roll (VI)

Ruth's accessible van was delivered yesterday from a dealer in Georgia who specializes in these things. Her blog post about it is up.

So what if the van arrived four days after we piled Ruth, her manual wheelchair, and all the stuff she needs to be a properly-hydrated kick-butt attorney into my inaccessible car. The van is here! Not that I've seen it. I'm still physically recuperating from Monday's adventure via the acupuncture, napping, Diet Coke, and pretzels cure.

And as I'm starting to perk up, I'm realizing how dramatically this accessible van will enhance her quality of life. Mine too, because now Ruth will be able to follow through on her annual holiday promise to me.

No more excuses! This Advent, she can drive while I aim the camera to capture images of ADA parking lot violations at shopping malls. This is going to be our best holiday season ever.

This is America, so be free to vote!

I'm hoping to wake up Wednesday morning to discover that indeed "hope does not disappoint" (Romans 5:5) and that prayers for change have been answered.

My own discernment process has been enhanced by the thoughtful, balanced, and simply beautiful prayer posts of A Concord Pastor. Please treat your mind, heart, and spirit to the prayer he has crafted for today's Monday Morning Offering XIX.

Weekend Edition: All Saints and All Souls

Does anyone not know my next book is about what Christians really need to know about Judaism's legacy? This is basically all I think or talk about these days...with time out for making trenchant observations about ADA issues.

And what does Judaism have to do with this weekend's observance of All Saints and All Souls? Not much, except I found myself wanting to honor the venerable Jewish tradition of inquiry (read: arguing) when I recently heard a priest say the two holy days really didn't have anything to do with one another.

At that point I so longed to be in a synagogue where I could've leapt up out of my seat like I was at a game show to challenge the Rabbi. (Not that many contemporary Jews avail themselves of this option.) I, of course, was in church listening to a priest, but would dearly have loved to generate some conversation about this equation:

(we're all) saints + death = souls + eternal life = saints

I'm offering it here for you to ponder while listening to Becker's gorgeous litany of the saints, posted by A Concord Pastor complete with music and text. As for me and my house, this will be playing on continuous loop all day.