Atomictumor

So, the first real week of life how it is worked out pretty damn well.  Today the boys and I (mostly MastaG) cleaned the house, and later we went to Sumgurl’s kids party with the Cemesto’s crew, and had a great time.

We came home, took baths, and went to bed.

Time for another week.

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Wow, short post, huh?

I was going to discuss the whole phenomenon of religious debate on the ‘tumor, but realized I didn’t have as much to say about it.  I love a theological debate, but I’ve shot through all of the arguments on both sides this month, and don’t know which leg I have to stand on.

Its fun watching you all discuss it.

Its also interesting to know that BJ finds the whole debate moot, she’s got as much of an answer as she’s likely to get.

Good night, folks.  Thanks for helping me through another week.

Today is the first Sunday in Advent, the penitential season of expectation observed by liturgical traditions such as Anglican, Catholic, and Orthodox churches. There are also some Protestant churches that follow a liturgical calendar. These would include the Lutherans, Presbyterians and I suppose some Methodist churches. Liturgics is a broad category that covers many different things as varied as calendars to the colors of the alter dressings and albs that clergy wear during services.

Coming from a Baptist upbringing means I didn’t get this taste of Christianity until lately when I started going to an Episcopal church. Us Episcopalians are also Anglicans and, depending on the church you stumble upon, are big on liturgics. This is all beside the point that today begins Advent when Christians look ahead to the birth of Christ.

Something one of my pastors said today has stuck with me. He mentioned that Advent is a time when we remember how God has acted in our lives. We recall where God has been present to us. It strikes me that this is a wonderful description of worship that is characteristically Judeo-Christian. Worship being that remembrance of God’s active presence in history.

I’ve posted here how I wrestle with my notions of God. Many of you replied and told me to relax and settle back. That attitude of “letting it be” is something I have to make a point to remember to do. Funny how that “remembering” seems like another thing to strive for, but I don’t think it is a counter productive effort.

That letting it be is an attitude towards life. It’s a habit. Habits have to be aquired and I think chilling is definitely a habit. I have to do certain things so that I can cool down. I have to remember to breathe and practice my breath. I have to stretch. I have to sit still and pray.

So Advent begins today and I want to re-member where God has been in my life. I want to put back together what has fallen apart in my head. I want to refocus on those good things that have been pushed aside in my head by everyday sorts of distractions. I’m going to try and be about that letting it be this Advent.

OK, morning post
Will be in the haiku form
No upsetting Joel

Had a nice morning
Pigpen and I went to church
G chose to clean house

I don’t think I’m yet
In a position to force
Church on him, just yet

He did a great job
And told me he felt Mom here
Said he talked to her

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Denomination
Of the church defies haiku
Its just too damn long

Unitarian
Didn’t think that’d work so well
Packs syllables in

Had a guest speaker
Talked about Papa Joseph
Folks groaned about it

Always liked ol’ Joe.
He’s a stand in the back guy
Do good, keep head down

I relate to that.
Romantic stoicism
Appeals to me, some

But I don’t live it.
If I did, I wouldn’t write.
Suffer silently.

I crave attention
But only at arms distance
Not in the ‘real world’
(Pigpen spilled his drink
Water all over my bed
Running around nude)

Joe’s deal is different
He got a knocked up woman
I’ve got a dead one.

But we both got lives
We didn’t expect to have
And by rights, could hate

Except I wouldn’t
Because I still feel lucky
For this life I have.

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Forgot to mention
Pigpen’s cool 10 dollar toy
Is named “Average”