I am such a good writer

I met Madeline Albright the other night.

I figured if I ever had an opening that was it.  But it is true.  We had a brief conversation, outside her greenroom, the evening of her lecture at Georgetown University.  She was a kind woman, short in stature but strong in will and demeanor.  She seemed to like me.  I made her smile.

Deep-down, I think Madeline is just like everyone else: she thinks I am adorable.  Oh don’t worry—I am very humble about it.  In fact, I only say this out loud because everyone else does.  I hear it all the time; sweet words– “Man, Kent, you are ridiculously cool.  How can I be more like you?”

Well, to be completely honest, that is not fully true.  Everyone doesn’t say those exact words…  sometimes there is a slight variation.

Usually it is the word “man.”  Depending on their vernacular and diction they might say “I have heard it said,” or “It is true,” and even at times “Sweet Jesus!”  But please don’t worry, each phrase is equally acceptable and correct.

 But here I go again, rambling and loosing focus; I’m such a silly-goose,–don’t you think?  Oh right, let’s refocus–the question at hand is “how can you be more like me?”

Wow, that is deep.  Kind of like me.  Did you know that I like to write short stories and poetry?  It’s okay if you didn’t.  I don’t tell many people.  To be honest, I don’t like to talk about my accomplishments.  You know, the really impressive stuff, like owning my own internet company, being a former all-state athlete or being an under-graduate fellow. 

So how can you be more like me?  Well, I think the honest answer is that you cannot.  Sure, you are a really good person.  But how can you compare to me?   

…

I am learning that I don’t want to be me.  My ego is currently bigger than my body. 

I believe I got to this point by comparing myself to other people.  I am not proud of this statement. In fact, I admit it very reluctantly.  To be completely honest, admitting weakness is one of my biggest faults.  I would say that this is true for all of us.  But then I would only be comparing myself once again. 

I am slowly starting to admit weakness.  Today, it is only a whisper but I hear an echo of truth. 

Oddly enough, I believe the only way out of this pitfall is to continue comparing myself.  But rather than compare myself to you—I am going to find someone better. 

I’ve decide that I am going to refocus on Christ.  I haven’t done this in a while.  I want to look at Jesus again, admit that I still struggle and announce that I too am a sinner.

I figure through this lens my accomplishments won’t amount to very much.  I haven’t said I need God in a very long time.  But I do.  I really, really do.

 …

So let’s stop comparing.  It makes no sense to debate our strengths.  All we are doing is creating division.  Rather, let’s admit our weaknesses.  That is where we unite.  We are all sinners; let us share in the bond of Grace.

Shall you be less like me and more like Christ.

-Peace be with you-
Kent

        

Dancing in the Dark

Have you ever been dancing in the dark?  Me neither, but I’m beginning to think more and more that I might like it.  Around the office at the InterFaith Conference a few folks have compared interfaith work to dancing in the dark.  You are close, and have the same goal in mind but inevitability you’re going to step on your partners foot.

The best we can do is admit our missteps, ask for forgiveness, and begin again where we left off.  A key is to always learn from our mistakes.  To never let a misstep overshadow why we dance.  (sounds like good advice for intra-faith work as well but perhaps more on that later.)

I made space today to call a good friend and mentor of mine from Albion College.  In addition to catching up we talked about the work that is happening there and the interfaith conversations that are beginning to move towards center stage.  I remember sitting in a room a long time ago as the first of those conversations unfolded.  You could say it was really dark then.  I guess my hope now is that by some of us being willing to come together, to dance, we helped to dispel fear.

In the process we created relationships and trust.  And maybe, some light was shed.  I’m not sure if the goal of interfaith work is for us all to dance in the light or not.  If we were to do that, for example, we would have to know each other well.  We would also have to be familiar with the dance.  Familiar enough that missteps were few and the purpose of the dance was clear. 

I pray that as God stretches us here at IFC we are better prepared to be Christian dancing partners.  May our dancing be blessed by God, and may it one day lead us into the light.

 God’s Peace,  Eric :p

Putting the pieces back together- tier one

Eric and I are pissed. At least that is the way we have been coming across.

For the past few weeks we have declared our disgust with the current state of Christianity. More than anything, it is a frustration with our division; how both sides continuously pee on each others yards–trying only to make their own lawn look better. Neither side is willing to compromise, dialogue or even whisper the word unity.

But we are as much to blame. Our personal complaining does nothing to fix the problem. All we have does is create a third isolated, and oh-so-lonely party. It is not proactive; we are nothing but a bunch of Debbie Downers, whining about the current state of society and wishing everyone else would see the world as we do.

We are far too young for this—or at least way too ambitious. So rather than nit-pick and moan, we are going to try something new. We are going to try and describe what a united faith looks like. Or more specifically, what steps can be taken to promote unity and understanding.

Our thesis is an Upside-Down Pyramid. And rather than try and explain the whole concept in a single setting, we are only going to take it one step at a time. Let’s call it baby-steps.

The problem with Christianity is that we no longer realize what we have in common. We focus solely on our differences. We find it easier to admit what divides us rather than what unites us. But let’s go back to the basics. Let’s talk about what we have in common. And we have one very big thing in common. We all believe in a God as revealed through Jesus Christ.

That is it. Think about it. I know it sounds stupid and dumb. But we believe in the same God. That is huge! And even more so, we believe in the same Savior. It is a powerful revelation to re-realize.

Seriously, think about it. Baptists, Methodists, Evangelicals, Lutherans, Congregationalists, and so many more all have the same root to their faith. It talks about this in scripture. We are one body–meant to function as one body—and the way we can begin this process is by admitting that we all believe the same thing.

I think if we can acknowledge this simple fact we are able to take steps forward. But don’t get ahead of yourself. Remember baby steps. All I am asking is that you ponder this thought. Nothing more. Make it your water-cooler talk. Talk about how you believe in the same God. Think about how you believe in the same Christ.

That is it. This is the first tier of the pyramid. I hope you join us on this journey. We are not trying to reinvent Christianity. Rather we are simply trying to put the pieces back together again. We believe in a faith that is united. Let us walk towards this ideal.

God’s Grace and Peace,

Kent

Eggs and Milk

Eric buys organic groceries.  He says they are healthier.  I think he buys them because they are trendy.    

I buy inexpensive groceries.  It is okay to say—I admit it:  I am cheap, thrifty, a Caucasian lover of coupons. 

Our division arises when we go grocery shopping.  Although we both like to eat, we have different ideas on what we should eat. 

Take our adventure in the egg isle.

“I always buy the free range eggs,” Eric said, eyes driven on his desired prize of twelve.

“Why,” I asked, “because they are in the fancy brown container?”

“No, because they are healthier,” Eric answered both quickly and proudly.  “The chickens are free from cages.  They don’t eat each other this way.”

“But these eggs are more than twice as much as the normal ones!” I spit back–putting my foot down and raising my voice.  “This is not economical!  We are living off a fixed budget; you have to remember we are missionaries now, not middle class collegiate environmentalists.” 

And on our conversation went.  It continued onto the milk and bread isles.  Even maple syrup brought up a catastrophic debate.

….

Last weekend Eric and I volunteered at the 9/11 Unity Walk.  Together, we walked in unison with nearly one thousand individuals from more than ten different faith traditions. 

It was an eye-opening, faith-changing experience.  Our beliefs took action.  We stood for harmony; we walked for peace.  Although we all saw the world differently, we were able to work togethr.

…

Before we left the grocery store, Eric and I had to learn to compromise.  Although we disagreed on what to buy we both agreed that eating was a necessity.

In the end we realized the eggs weren’t that important.  We bought Eric’s bread and my milk.  It could be argued that neither side won, but that evening we both walked away with food in hand.

The Daily Show

When you leave on a spiritual pilgrimage to serve, learn and grow it is pretty natural to think about God, faith and theology.  The problem is that when you have all these thoughts in your head and you go to write a post online you forget to talk about the practical, day-to-day happenings.

So here it is, back by popular demand, the daily life of Eric and Kent:

Eric and I made into Washington, D.C. last Thursday and this is the first day that it has not rained.  The locals say that this is a blessing.  They believe they need the rain to help water their plants.  We are not so sure.  The rain has followed us everywhere we have been.  It has felt much more like a curse than a blessing.

We are staying with a beautiful woman, 78 years young.  She is a spitfire; full of wise adages and liberal leanings. 

We stay in her basement which is much like a basic apartment.  The only difficulty is that we only have a stove to cook with.  This makes us feel like we are primitive pioneers—living by the ways of nature; cooking our food like our ancestors.  The only difference is we still buy our coffee at Starbucks.

We have begun work at the Interfaith Conference of Metropolitan DC.  Our job is to help promote their upcoming 9/11 Unity Walk and Madeline Albright Lecture to colleges within the area.  It only seems natural.  Just when we thought we were getting a break from college, we have been pulled back in.  It is not so bad though.  Thus far we have not had a single test or quiz.

The 9/11 Unity Walk looks like it is shaping up to be an exciting event.  This Sunday members of Islam, Hindu, Judaism, Christianity and other faith traditions will gather together to promote pluralism, demonstrate harmony and stand for social justice.  Together, students, workers and faith leaders alike will march downtown Washington, DC singing, praying and visiting Temples, Mosques, Gurdwaras, Synagogues and Churches.  And if that was not enough, the day will also include Sister Sledge singing “We Are Family” at the National Cathedral!

Well, that is all the basic happenings for now.  We will try to be more regular about what is going on.  And we thank you all for your support, e-mails and prayers.  We feel blessed everyday.

 -Kent-

Ps.  For those of you who are wondering, Eric and I have not killed each other.  In fact we are getting along great.  I know it is a strange concept, but believe it or not we are actually friends who don’t get tired of each other.