A Franciscan Benediction

May God bless you with discomfort
At easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships
So that you may live deep within your heart.

May God bless you with anger
At injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people,
So that you may work for justice, freedom, and peace.

May God bless you with tears
To shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, hunger and war,
So that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and
To turn their pain into joy.

And may God bless you with enough foolishness
To believe that you can make a difference in the world,
So that you can do what others claim cannot be done
To bring justice and kindness to all our children and the poor.

Amen.

Thoughts on God(s)

I've been thinking a lot lately about the enormity of the universe. I mean, one million Earths could fit inside the sun. One million! That's how small we are. Earth lies 91.4 million miles from the sun. Think on that. The planets are tens of millions of miles apart from each other. And that's just our known solar system. Who knows what else is out there in the universe? There's got to be other stuff; other life.

I think that when we were taught that God is the God of the universe, they were actually meaning he was the God of Earth. Right? All we learn about the existence of God is from the Bible, written by human beings, who lived on Earth. And they didn't live here all that long ago, considering how long Earth has been around. The story of Jesus is compelling. But again, it's the story of a man, who lived on Earth. Nowhere else. And this guy Jesus is God's only son? His only progeny? That seems unlikely if God is so big and is god of the entire universe.

If there are other forms of (intelligent) life somewhere in the cosmos, who is the god of them? Is it our God? And what about their salvation? Could our God have other sons (or daughters) who are tied up in the salvation of other intelligent life? Or are their other gods who are omnipresent over other parts of the solar system?

What I'm saying is that it's not all as simple as I've been lead to believe. I say my prayers, but I confess when I say them that I don't know where God is and if he is only the god of Earth or the whole universe or what?

I hear people say that God knows no bounds and is everywhere and isn't confined to time and space. I guess. I've never doubted how big God is until recently. Is it possible that the whole universe is too big, too immense, for just one god? I'm wondering...

Going on, what is heaven? And who is it for? For human beings on planet Earth? Or for all forms of intelligent life (capable of reason) who inherit salvation? Or is it something mentioned in the Bible, a human book of faith, to give us hope for something after we die?

I don't know, folks. I just don't know. I'll still keep saying prayers and going to church on occassion, but I've got some serious questions. Let me know if you've got answers.

UBC

Since I've moved to Austin, when I make it to church, I go to University Baptist Church. It's a lovely, open and affirming community of faith. A couple of weeks ago, Abel, Casey, Michael and me were fortunate to attend an interfaith pride service at UBC. I intended to blog about it, but Casey is more eloquent than I, so I encourage you to read her post about the service.

Dear New York,

Dear New York,

As I prepare to leave ye for the Lone Star State, an expression of my gratitude is in order.

When I arrived in a Penske moving truck some six and a half years ago, you welcomed me, as you welcome every other twenty-something who wants a piece of the NYC life. My time with you has been valuable. I will leave your five boroughs a changed man. Thank you...

• Thank you for showing me that diversity is essential.
• Thank you for toughening my skin. I curse more than I used to.
• Thank you for teaching me a new meaning of the word "fresh". I am fresh.
• Thank you for showing me that people of God do not look a particular way or seek you in a particular place.
• Thank you for providing an atmosphere where I can understand who I wholly am.
• Thank you for introducing me to learned, compassionate friends.
• Thank you for CCfB (see previous two thank yous).
• Thank you for Manhattan Church.
• Thank you for Praise Team.
• Thank you for your nurses, doctors, and hospital staff who have shown me how to care for the sick.
• Thank you for Calvary.
• Thank you for Bellevue.
• Thank you for 24-hour bodegas.
• Thank you for Nectar Coffe Shop.
• Thank you for Paul, Casey, Caleb, Jeremy, Shaun, Seth, LeRoy, Jeff, and Tulio who provided companionship as roommates and taught me things about life.
• Thank you for Chelsea. Next to Disneyworld, it's the happiest place on Earth.
• Thank you for Brooklyn, and then Queens.
• Thank you for weekend trips.
• Thank you for the Chrysler Building and the Brooklyn Bridge.
• Thank you for the good people at Dunkin' Donuts on 28th and 3rd.
• Thank you for oxtail, spinach pie, perogies, and Brooklyn Lager, which I had never tried before we met.
• Thank you for Broadway.

To the people who I have known and loved here, I hope to see you down the road.


To my family who I have been away from for the last seven years, I'm coming home. See you soon for dinner.


Love,
Nate

Homeward Bound

After six plus years of living and loving New York, I'm going home.


It hasn't really set in yet, at least not consistently. It hits me at strange intervals and I find myself with tears in my eyes while reading the NYC Subway map or walking through my neighborhood to the grocery store. Leaving Austin to move to New York was one of the hardest things I've ever done. I would be naive to think that it won't be just as hard to leave New York.


Things I'm excited about? I'm excited about working as a nurse in Texas...I've never done that before. I'll see what the culture of caring is like outside New York. I'm excited about living in South Austin again. I'm excited about eating Texas BBQ whenever I want (Pok-e-Jo's!). I'm excited about seeing my family once a week instead of twice a year. I'm excited that Abel and I will be in the same place and not a plane ride apart.


I'm supposed to start work in Austin the beginning of March, so that puts me leaving New York sometime mid-February. I know it's going to be an emotionally-charged next couple of months. I hope it flies by because I'm ready to be in Austin now. I also hope that it goes by slow enough for me to reminisce and appreciate the things I love about New York. Counting the days...

The Case for Gay Marriage

Props to Newsweek for running this cover story, "Our Mutual Joy", in their most recent issue. This article explores the religious case for gay marriage. It's worth reading.

I adhere to a gospel of inclusion, to the belief that God is a God of love, justice, and mercy, that all are welcome at the Lord's table. Gay marriage just makes sense.

Blog Action Day 2008 - Poverty

Today, October 15, is Blog Action Day. Check out the website.

It's easy to become overwhelmed by poverty. Am I doing enough? Can we even make a difference?

I used to think it was important to give money to anyone who asked for it on the streets. Sadly, people who pull out their wallets on the street are easy targets of crime. I no longer advocate giving to panhandlers. It's dangerous.

So, how to make a difference? Get involved with something that matters to you. What is important to you when you think about getting people out of poverty? Is it clean water? Housing the homeless? Educational supplies for impoverished children? Supporting a local orphanage?

There are countless, reputable organizations out there who target each of these specific needs. Pick one that speaks to you and offer them your support. If we each make a difference in a small way, together we will make a difference in a BIG way.

Here are a couple of suggestions:

• Agua Para La Vida (Water for Life)
• Children International

The Fam

I spent this past weekend in southwestern Oklahoma at the Quartz Mountain Resort (yes, resort, not reservation). It was a Jones family reunion which doubled as a surprise birthday gift for my Grammy who turned 75. She had absolutely no idea. We all arrived over the course of a couple of days. Each new carload of people that drove in was a complete surprise to her. The expression on her face and the tears in her eyes were priceless.

We were twenty-four in all. This weekend marked the first time that we have ever all been together. Usually someone can't make a reunion or holiday for whatever reason. But this time, everybody showed. My older brother, Josh, even flew in from Mexico City and then flew out from the reunion to Dubai. But he made it, which I know wasn't easy.

The weekend was filled with babies smiling and kids playing and laughter and love and lots of fried food. It was perfect. I have to confess that, sometimes, I get in a New York state of mind and show up at family gatherings a little defensive. I was worried that such things would get in the way of this trip and was, admittedly, a bit apprehensive about going.

All of that evaporated the minute I put my arms around my family. There truly is nothing in the world as special as the bond of family, whatever form it takes. The picture attached to this post (with my newest nephew, Holt) epitomizes the joy and the peace that filled our reunion weekend. Oh, and did I mention we had t-shirts made? Yep, we're that family now.

Joneses, you all are simply the best. You have all my love, all the time.