Dorie Morgan’s Rising Up
Navigating Twenty-Something Suburban Life
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Archive of "Bristol" Category
Update: February 19th, 2010
My friend Evan Curry does these periodic updates about what is happening in his life. And for awhile I laughed at these updates. I vowed I would never do an update like one of his. Because in my mind I was a “serious” blogger. And then after further reflection, I remembered that Evan is also a serious blogger (and he blogs about things I barely understand).
So here’s an update on life in Bristol.
Highlights:
- As I write this, I have a kitty in my lap and another kitty on my feet. Which means that both of our rescue kitties not only trust me but are also starting to get along better. I’ve learned that caring for someone other than myself is important but sometimes it is better to practice on the cats. I have no expectations for their behavior and I’m never disappointed. Only happy when they choose to curl up on my lap.
- A year ago today, my grandfather passed away. It has messed with my head more than any other event today. I’m still not sure I’m entirely okay but I’ve become a lot better at putting one foot in front of the other.
- Our little church plant that could is the little church plant that does. We’ve started the paperwork for incorporation. We’ve been bringing the homeless to services. Our home groups (small intentional groups) have been flourishing.
What I’m Reading:
- I may have read Cassandra Clare’s “Mortal Instruments” this week. While not heavy reading, I did enjoy losing myself in a story for a few days. Note: If you liked Twilight, you might as well just go out now and pick up the three books in the “Mortal Instruments” series.
Looking Forward To:
- Our Ash Wednesday/Sunday service at Redemption this week.
- My friend Susan and I have decided that now is the time to start work on opening a coffee shop in Bristol. I’ve dreamed about this for years and we’ll see how it goes but I’m excited about the potential.
- Brian’s oldest sister is getting married in May and we get to go to a wedding in Vegas.
Have a good weekend.
We are not having a baby – It’s better than that.
I usually try to stop myself when I have a “brilliant idea” to blog about “my faith”. I have no problem writing about the church I attend or things that happened in my Sunday School class but I’m really afraid when we cross over into the heavy stuff.
Of course, they are several factors behind this.
1. The first is that I failed miserably in my one and only attempt to write about where I was with my walk with God and I cried every time someone new linked to me to mock me.
2. The second is that I am very fearful of being labeled a “Christian Blogger”. I think there are more than enough Christian bloggers out there and if I’m going to tell you what I believe, its probably going to happen in my kitchen over dinner and not on the internet.
3. But the biggest reason is that I am not always a very good Christian. I do dumb things and I sin and I don’t want to put anything out there that would reflect badly on other Christians who are very good at being Christians. I don’t have illusions of grandeur in that I would damage the whole Christian community by my failures but I do fear that I would damage one child who is not physically related to me by my failures.
(By the way, that last reason is the largest failing of Christianity in my opinion. We have no problem talking about the sins of those who are not saved but we are really afraid to talk about our own big sins. We confess our road rage and our stolen office supplies to accountability groups but very rarely do Christians come to the group as a whole and talk about their jealousy, their hate, their resentments which pepper their lives. There are church communities that are able to have real confession and accountability and I have so much respect for them but I also realize they are the exception and not the rule.)So I keep my mouth shut. Of course there is a problem with this: something big happens and you want to share it with the world but you still really haven’t made the sweeping declaration of faith that logically comes before the big announcement. Sure, the sweeping declaration of faith isn’t really necessary, you’ve been dropping hints the whole time, but you still recognize that it has to be done just in case people were not paying attention.
Here goes: My name is Dorie and I am Christian. I believe in strong faith-based communities rooted in geographical areas. I believe with a missionary spirit in your own home time. I believe God calls us to do his good works in Jesus’ name. I believe Jesus died for my sins and I am forgiven. (I also believe in predestination but I haven’t worked it all out in my head in a way that I can easily and lovingly explain – I am not a theologian).
Which leaves us with the heart of what needs to be said, the big announcement instead of stating the obvious.
We’re planting a church. We’re planting a church in Bristol. We’re planting a church because it turns out it was more than just me that felt called to Bristol. We’re planting a church because we are called to love this community as God loves us.
(For me, the above paragraph is the spiritual equivalent of “We’re having a baby” only Brian and I are not having a baby, we are having a church and other people are involved whereas baby making would be an act that would just be us.)
For the last three months on Sunday nights, a group has been meeting in our living room to share a meal and share worship together. I’ve loved every minute of it, even when I was too tired to get off of the couch. Some of the people I’ve known for a while, others were new faces that are quickly becoming dear friends.
I know it is going to take a lot of work in the months and years ahead but that’s just what happens when you build a community, whether it be online or in person. I am just blessed to say I am on the journey.
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