Enlarge my territory

 Today as I sat on one of the park benches by Butler University I watched two squirrels at war. One was in the acorn tree and the other was in a crab apple tree. The one from the crab able tree went into the acorn tree to collect acorns. The one in the acorn tree was not happy about the intrusion and chased the un-welcomed visitor up and down the tree until he ran out and went back into his(and i KNOW it was a 'him'...there were quite obvious external features.lol) crab apple tree. As I reflected on the action of these two squirrels, I thought of how territorial we can become at time as human beings. When someone else is interfering with our territory we become defensive most times. For a long time Jamaica has been my territory but now that I am here in exile, although my location has changed I have brought with me, my territory. And I dont no one to mess with my territory. What is my territory? my songs, my thoughts, language of Zion. In this sense, the children of Israel also brought their territory with them when they were made captive in Babylon....thats why they found it difficult to say YHWH's song in a strange land. They found it difficult to translate their territory in the context of the Babylonians. Eventually however their territory was enlarged and they learnt to live with the new environs. I pray that as I continue to sojourn in this strange land, the I AM will seek to enlarge my territory beyond the shores, the songs, the language of Zion.

Put on yu clothes! its time for war!

Its that time again when Mr Heat and Mr Cold are at war for the dominant place in the atmospheric ecosystem. Guess what? Mr Cold the merry old soul seems to be winning thus far! Man! the place is getting cooler....too cold for what I am generally use to. I am not in layers yet, but from Saturday night I have had to back out my long sleeve clothing {OJ you knowing what I talking 'bout.lol.}. So its now bye bye to all the short sleeve shirts I enjoyed when I just came here (makes me wonder why I even brought any in the first place). Anyway guess what? Its time to put on mi clothes because its time for war!!! But even during this time of war, I mindful of the fact that whether in cold or in heat, in snow or rain Masa God a God. God will speak through the cold as he does in the heat.

Derailed!!

Today I woke up at 9:00am....this has been the case for a couple of mornings well except on Mondays and Wednesdays when I have an 8:30 class (which most times i'm late for - only by 3mins the most). Maybe I am still jet lagged or Im just not a morning person. I prefer to believe it's the latter. So i got up 9am, completed studying for philosophical theology class for 12noon. When I got there only to hear that the class was cancelled. I immediately headed back to my room and slept. Now that Im awake I feel sooo refreshed. This is the usual routine of my days.....wake up, go class, sleep and of course intersperesed with the regular routine of bathing, eating, cooking ect ect.... Zion is a heck of a place! Its like prison here. Although this sort of thing would be more or less my daily routine back home at least there will be other little activities to do. Dont you get what I am trying to say??? I have been derailed!! My whole system, my whole life. In the meantime what do I do? I just rely on God to continue to 'hold mi right hand'. And as God continues to hold my hand, I know I have nothing to fear...'tingz already beta'..So Im not really worrying. God  'rails' me back every time, and will continue to do so.

Rain Rain! Dont go away! Please come again another day!

Rain Rain on the dry thirsty land! Today I saw rain (real rain - tropical type rain) for the first time in over a month! I was really really appreciative of that. By the way talking about over a month...on Sunday I celebrated my 1 month anniversary in the 'strange land'! I totally forgot and tomorrow I will be counting down exactly three months till my return to the Caribbean Isle. Anyway back to the rain. It was really nice to see the rain falling and to be able to run to my room and straight under the blanket and sleep through the rain! It was awesome , reminded me of my childhood days in Westmoreland whenever the frequent summer thunder storms came. I hope this rain is symbolic of the break of the drought period in my life that I have been for the month I have been here. I have been reaaaal thirsty! Thirsty for hugs and kisses and smiles and warmth. But the rain fell!! Let's see what happens in the days to come.

No Church Sunday

Well...my bicycle has not been returned as yet...I have a good feeling to 'put fiyah a mus mus tail', but ill refrain from doing so. Today is Sunday and I am home. No church for me today. The lady who was to bring me to church fell ill suddenly so I get to stay home. From morning I have just been keeping still and knowing that Masa God a God. Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place (my home). God isnt confined to a dwelling made with hands. God is everywhere - "the earth is the Lords and the fullness thereof and all that dwells therein". So even on this traditional 'church day' I have stayed home and experienced the presence of Masa God. Well I have some readings to go do now for Miller's Philosophical Theology class tomorrow (thats another headache - just joking)....later.

Teif! teif! teif!

This morning I got up as usual, pushed back the blinds and looked out.....something that was usually there was misiing....what is it? I thought to myself...ahhh!!!! my bicycle!! They damn niggaz stole my bike!Im so pissed...Ill say more when i am more composed

All in colours!

Yesterday the Sweeny Chapel was decorated with all the peoples, languages, ornaments and yes their gods too! from the different nations represented at CTS as we celebrated Global Christianty with a Eucharistic Service.  As I sat and looked on and participated in the service, I remebered the chourus of a certain song that my fellow Cursillistas know very well..."All in colours and so muct all love be of every bright colours..."  All the colours of this world come together to make one perfect complete portrait. Look at the rooster or the peacock and their feathers. All in different colours but combinded together they make one fine rooster of peahen. All the colours are accepter also. Thats exactly how I felt in chapel yesterday. I felt equal among equals. I could freely wear my afro-caribbean religious garbs without unhelpful crticisms. I added to the 'colours' and it was well appreciated. Had I worn such garbs in my own home country there would be remarks of me being rebellious, obeah wuka, scientist, among other things. Well maybe I am. But here my 'colour' is accepted. I am truly and authentically Anglican,...but just one with a different 'colour'.  Talking about 'a prophet being honoured in his own country'(Jesus the Christ). Jesus' 'colour' was not accpeted by his own, his won received him not . The Samartian woman did though. Would to God if the experince I had yesterday was the same case everywhere in the world, even my own town. Would to God if I could truly 'go out from this real world into the real world....' as the Rev Dr Lorna Shoemaker dismissed us with.

daren on they that minister the Holy Eucharist....

Last Thursday I attended an episcopal celebration of the Holy Eucharist at the college's chapel. As I sat there I was made to reflect on the question Cranmer and Augustine reflected on centuries ago.... does the worthiness or unworthiness of the minister affect the effect of the sacrament? As a point of reference to help to reflect on the question, I was led to the great 39 articles of the Protestant Church of England. It was crafted by Cranmer who did so under Calvinist influences.  Article 26 speaks to the matter:

"XXVI. Of the Unworthiness of the Ministers, which hinders not the effect of the Sacraments.
Although in the visible Church the evil be ever mingled with the good, and sometimes the evil have chief authority in the Ministration of the Word and Sacraments, yet forasmuch as they do not the same in their own name, but in Christ's, and do minister by his commission and authority, we may use their Ministry, both in hearing the Word of God, and in receiving the Sacraments. Neither is the effect of Christ's ordinance taken away by their wickedness, nor the grace of God's gifts diminished from such as by faith, and rightly, do receive the Sacraments ministered unto them; which be effectual, because of Christ's institution and promise, although they be ministered by evil men.

Nevertheless, it appertaineth to the discipline of the Church, that inquiry be made of evil Ministers, and that they be accused by those that have knowledge of their offences; and finally, being found guilty, by just judgment be deposed."

My original position which I have grown up with, has strong leanings towards Donatism. But After reflecting on the Eucharistic service and the article, my positions have been adjusted. Who IS really worthy? "All like lost sheep have gone astray and turn everyone to their own way". "Lord I am not worthy to receive thee..." (The Bible)

It is only through the grace and mercy of God that we are made worthy. "It is he who 'made' us and not we ourselves". If then one minister is removed from administering the sacraments because of evil then ALL need to be removed. At the same time I draw a line because there must be some discipline and order. If the 'wickedness' of the minister affects the life of the congregation then she should be removed. She is there to point beyond herself to that which ultimate concerns the people. When she fails to this because of her evil deeds then she should be 'disposed by just judgement'.

The Urban poor...

Today I had the course 'Church and Urban Poor. For this week's class Dr Lindley took us to a homeless shelter for homeless families called Dayspring center. I learnt some new things that I didnt know before. Did you know that 45% of homeless people in the US are families? Did you know that the average age of homeless people in the US is 9years old?? I discovered these and many other shocking revelations. As I heard the different statistics, and heard the different issues I was made to reflect on my home, Jamaica. Before no I never knew there was such thing as a homeless family (except of course by virtue of fire or hurricane).

September to remember!

September has just began and so has the work! Today I had my last class for the week. I have classes from Monday to Thursday. After going to all my introductory class what I am seeing in front of me is a large tempestuous ocean and I need to get over to the other side. How shall I? But I am reminded that with Chirst in tha vessel we can smile at the storm as I go sailing on! I will cross over.... I am determined to hold on to the end! With God's help and the people whom God will send in my life to journey with me over the ocean's journey...I will prevail!...............