Faith

Monday, 28 June 2010 09:54

Written by SeanC

kite Yesterday was a beautiful, warm and windy day in the fields of Madison County. My 5 year old came to me, eager to unfold his latest superhero’s kite. Spiderman had been a huge winner, but used his spidey-sense to detect an opportunity to exploit my son’s weakness and took flight, starting his unmanned voyage across the vastness of America’s heartland, riding on the westward wind.

It was a difficult lesson for Tig. I think he believed that Spidey was the only kite he’d ever have to hold, and love, and cherish. They’d formed a quick bond, over the period of their two flights together. So when the spindle tore loose of his bike’s handlebars, he was thrown into a grievous fit of despair. And when I pulled a second kite out of the closet several days later, a smaller, green crocodile kite, he was overjoyed at the opportunity for a second chance. But it was short lived, as the small crocodile kite had a spinning tail. Unbeknownst to me, spinning tails are a sure sign that the kite will S U C K.

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Faith & Fatherhood: Seize the Day, Boys... Seize the Day

Monday, 07 June 2010 09:41

Written by SeanC

carpe_diem June is a month of great excitement. Summer. School’s out. Weddings. Holidays. In my home growing up, June was full. On June 10^th we celebrated my parents wedding anniversary. On June 17^th we celebrated my Dad’s birthday. A couple of times Father’s Day coincided with his birthday. That was always special. Sometimes my siblings, or a small contingent of them would surprise us with a visit (I have 5 brothers and sisters). And 5 years ago we were all together for a different kind of celebration. On June 7^th, 10 days before his birthday, and three shy of a wedding anniversary, I sat with 2 of my brothers, and watched my dad struggle to breathe, and finally after a seemingly eternal vigil, his body died.

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I don’t remember when the vigil really began for me. I was the 5^th of 6 children, so Dad was already plenty old when I was born. I mean- all parents are “old” but mine was genuinely old. You see, my older sibs were “half” siblings. My Dad was married twice. So while I was the 5^th of 6, I was also the oldest of 2. Dad was 54 years old when he and my mother had me. Imagine that for a second. 54 years old, with a brand new baby. Yikes.

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Faith & Fatherhood: Like a Child

Monday, 22 March 2010 07:47

Written by SeanC

A Word of Preface: My wife and I had an interesting discussion this morning. I've been thinking about it since she left for work. I haven't come to a conclusion yet, and I'd be interested in hearing thoughts from this community (as it is frequently from an altogether different perspective than mine, and an excellent foil!). Please bear with me as it's gonna probably take awhile to get all the way around to my main point... :)

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I took a course in "Liberation Theology" when I was in college so many years ago. It's a rather difficult topic, primarily for the reason that it originates from a social and cultural context that is completely foreign (no pun intended of course) to mine. In fact, that is practically a defining aspect of Liberation theology- it's NON-western-ness.

But there's another interesting aspect of Liberation theology movements that has made a lasting impression on me: the idea of institutional sin. Usually characterized by social institutions that create or uphold injustice as a social norm. Political regimes become an issue of faith. Religious institutions, and the way they broker power or strength become places requiring redemption, rather than offering it.

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Faith & Fatherhood: "Where Do We Go From Here?"

Wednesday, 17 March 2010 09:21

Written by SeanC

(1 vote, average 3.00 out of 5)

Passover. A meal that remembers being spared judgment. A meal that remembers being liberated from bondage to a foreign power. Remembers becoming a unique people. As a religious event, it is the oldest continuously held celebration in human history. And it’s coming.

Passover, a historically Jewish holiday, coincides with Holy Week in Christianity (I’m including Catholicism, Eastern Orthodox, Protestantism, etc in this category, as they are all based on the man, Jesus). The coming weeks will find over half the world in holy fervor, some remember with hurried meals, some with sparsely lit sanctuaries, some in dark, rock-hewn churches. In Indonesia and island nations of the South Pacific men will literally crucify themselves for passion. In Latin America there will be festivals and parades, plays and loud gatherings.

The rest of the world watches.

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Faith & Fatherhood: "Blood on the Doorway"

Tuesday, 09 March 2010 01:08

Written by SeanC

(2 votes, average 4.00 out of 5)

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“Take a bunch of hyssop, dip it into the blood in the basin and put some of the blood on the top and on both sides of the doorframe. Not one of you shall go out the door of his house until morning.” Exodus 12

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“Thank you for the cross, Lord…

thank you for the price You paid,

bearing all my sin and shame,

in Love You came, and gave amazing grace”

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I love to sing. I’ve gotten better at it over the years, so I’m less embarrassed than I used to be. Plus, when it’s your kid who really cares? Like they know the difference anyway. So instead of the radio, or sometimes, with the radio, I’ll sing in the car. I’ll try to get the boys to join me, but usually I just end up frustrated and lose touch with the Spirit anyway.

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