Being Christ-like Christians

"I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."
-Gandhi





I came across this quote the other day, posted by a friend who I believe is agnostic. She often posts some pretty harsh comments railing against Christianity, but this one really got me. You just really can't argue with it. It is uncomfortable to read such a statement and realize the profound truthfulness in it.

I live in the Biblest part of the Bible Belt. It used to make me uneasy to hear people proclaiming their faith in God anywhere and everywhere, but now I have either gotten used to it or come to respect it. I'm really not sure which. Anyway, I live in a community where the "Christians" make themselves loud and proud.

I have noticed however, to some, that Christianity is like a sweater that they put on and take off depending on the weather. Some of the most vocal Christians I have met, have also been the first ones to criticize and demean when a celebrity comes out as a homosexual. ***Okay, disclaimer here---- I am and have always been a staunch supporter in the rights of gays, however this is not a soap box issue; this is a tenant of Christianity in my opinion. These "Christians" claim the Bible condemns homosexuality and that these people will undoubtedly go to hell. I am not a Bible scholar by any means, but I do know a few things. 1) God's greatest law above all else is to love one another and 2) no one on this earth has the capacity to know how God will judge another person.

There was a popular Christian campaign years ago; WWJD? That is What would Jesus do. I still use those 4 letters often when I reach a moral dilemma. Ok. So you are a God-fearing, Christ worshipping person. You want to enter those pearly gates with an express ticket when your number is called. You are confronted with the reality that a friend is gay. What do you do? You choose to discontinue contact because his lifestyle sets your moral radar off?? But, what would Jesus do? Our Christ would embrace that person. He would acknowledge the suffering he must be going through. He would pray for and with his friend. Jesus would show love.

I want that express ticket through the gates like everyone else, but I know so little. I admit that freely and openly. But I know Christ. I know the way to Him is to emulate Him. The way to emulate Him is to love. Love everyone; especially those who you think are impossible to love. By doing this, we can all prove Gandhi wrong.

Take Me out to the Soccer Field

Because we had so much empty space to fill in our lives, we decided to sign up the 3 year old for soccer. Well, that's not exactly true. Our soccer complex recently started a U4 division, (that is under 4 for all of you non-soccer savvy peeps) and since their practices just so happens to coincide with one of the 20 times we are at the fields each week anyway, we decided to give it a shot.
Patch has grown up on the fields. Soccer has been a huge part of our family since well before he was conceived and he was only a few months old when he went to his first game. He has watched as Louie and then Charlie have toddled their way up and down the field chasing after those balls. When he began walking, he insisted that he, too, had some little ball out there to kick around. A few seasons ago, our league began to phase out the old uniforms for a new style. As Lou and Charlie got their new duds, Patch became the happy recipient of their cast offs. He was so enamoured with them that he would often sleep in them or wear them to school despite the fact that he could fit at least two of his little friends in there with him!!
So the chance to get him out there, intentionally and purposely was really exciting. His first practice was this past Monday. He got his official U4 soccer tshirt (with smiley face soccer ball emblazoned on it) and was assigned his "country"- Italy. Then the head coach called all the little players to sit on the field and listen for instructions. Forty-five 3 and 4 year olds gathered around and hung on this man's every word. They sat still and listened intently to what they would be doing. It was surreal! These little people were so excited to be there, that they weren't gonna risk the chance of having to leave by misbehaving in any way!!
The countries all split up, (so much for the United Nations, huh?)and went out to "practice." This included everything from playing duck, duck goose while dribbling a ball, to playing freeze tag. Essentially they were learning skills the only way kids that age can...through trickery!! But it was fantastic, and they had such a great time!
By the end of practice Little Man was whooped but so very happy! He woke up bright and early the next morning asking if it was another practice day!

Who am I anyway?

So once upon a time I created a blog to chronicle the daily comings and goings of the Hearns; thus Hearn Happenings. Somehow it has metamorphisized also into a vehicle for my spiritual and philosophical meanderings. (which as we all know has caused some disruption in the world of close minded people...) Anyway, I have recently come to learn that there is a website entitled Hearn's Happenings. (the difference being only an apostrophe and an S. Who knew? The latter website it turns out is a website a teacher has created for her elementary students. I decided to rename my blog in an effort to prevent those sweet, impressionable young minds from happening upon my mindless rants. So...currently I am the Blog Formerly known as Hearn Happenings...paying homage to the artist formerly known as, you know...that guy. But I am open to ideas...

The kids have been back in school for a month now and tomorrow is Labor Day. Although the official end to summer is still a couple of weeks away, the summer "as we know it" has come to an end.
Due to the recession's unwelcome presence in our life, this is the first summer in a long time where we vacationed solely at home. Both Tucker and I commented on how much we enjoyed ourselves despite the lack of out of town plans and our busy work schedules. We really made an effort to hang out a lot as a family at the pool and in the yard with the occasional weenie/marshmallow roast. We learned this summer, that vacationing is not about packing a suitcase and traveling by car or plane. We were able to channel that vacationing spirit at home with each other, being silly and cheering each other on.

My Favorite Things

(Okay,ya'll know the tune. Sing with me...)


Cowlicks on babies and bubbles in bath tubs
Hot greasy french fries and dimly lit beer pubs
Soft worn-in bedding all ripe for some zzzzzs
These are a few of my favorite things

Cloudless blue skies over endless gray oceans
Lazy day weekends and Grandma's old buttons
Watching my children dance around as they sing
These are a few of my favorite things

When my job stinks
When the kids fight
When we're over drawn
I simply remember my favorite things
And then it won't last too long!!

B.O.B. (I just love that Bob!)

Life is tough stuff. Get up in the morning feeling like you didn't sleep only to realize that you're already running late. Turn the shower on and let the water heat up while waking up the youngins. Youngin #1: "Ahhhh, No!" Youngin #2: "I can't get up, I don't feel well." Youngin #3: "I tink I had an askadent, mommy..." Youngin #4: " Go Away!!!
Ok. Lovely. Get those creatures up and somewhat moving and return to the shower where
you hope to enjoy some momentary silence. Crap! The razor is in the cabinet! Exit the shower, sopping wet, (towel is still in the linen closet)track water to cabinet and grab razor. Head back to shower. Resume shower. Cut ankle shaving.
It's 7 a.m.
Life is tough stuff.
Sometimes I feel like one of those lab rats scurrying through the maze to find the cheese. I keep running into things and getting turned around. I finally see the beloved cheesy prize clear in the distance and as I head towards it, some pretty, skinny, little yuppie mouse strolls from around the corner and snatches my reward. Nice. Back to the rat race.
So the Big Guy in charge, and by that I'm referring to God not Tucker, must have seen me banging into walls, because he has offered me a little "out" from the maze.
A couple of times a month, myself and some other ladies get together for a night of beer, friendship and giggles. We go to a local restaurant that has a bazillion types of beer, and as we sample, we laugh and get deep and laugh and eat, drink and laugh. This fellowship has been instrumental in helping me realize that perhaps life is not a rat race. It is a test and a challenge, but God gives us the tools we need to make it through.
So our little group has come to be known as B.O.B; that is Bonding over Beer. None of us have been friends very long but we have come together earnestly to support one another and relax. There is something so comforting in knowing that I am not alone in the craziness of motherhood, and that no matter how extreme a story I have to tell, there is usually someone who can top it.
So, tonight I am going to hang out with good 'ol Bob. It hasn't been too long but I sure did miss him!
Cheers!

Traffic Jam Ponderings

I was on my way to work this morning and got stopped behind a car with a lone bumper sticker. The sticker read: God doesn't believe in atheists.Because I knew this would linger in my mind, I strained to see the verse that was apparently referenced. Romans 1:20. Hmm...
Although I was raised in a church-going family, it has been fairly recent since I have come to know the fundamentals behind Christianity. The love of Christ in my life is overwhelming, and when I question everything else, the one constant is knowing that Christ loves us more than can be imagined.
"God doesn't believe in atheists." This is what I know: 1)Atheists are people who do not believe in the existence of God. 2)God wants us to glorify His name and spread the Good News. 3) We are ALL God's children.
In my heart, I felt at odds with the sticker. An atheist's lack of faith in God does not equal God's lack of love in an atheist...does it???
So I immediately looked up the Bible verse on my Blackberry to see what basis the sticker claims to make such a biting statement. This is what I found:

New Living Translation (©2007)
For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.

Okay.

All people have evidence of God right in front of them. The problem, in my mind, is that we live in a society where waking up to blue skies and remarkable anatomies is not enough. People feel that the presence of sadness negates the possibility of God; that a "miracle" is needed for proof. I understand these feelings. I had them for a long time. But the miracles happen everyday- ALL DAY LONG. The Bible says this is proof enough that God exists, therefore it is impossible for one to accurately say "they don't know God." And if we know God, we must glorify His name.

So, let's go back to that darn sticker that started this all. "God doesn't believe in atheists." I find this fundamental flaw. God believes in ALL of his children- bad or good. He loves us and we were created in His image. Just as a mother worries about her wayward child and prays for a safe resolution in his life, so does God for us. Christ asked His Father in heaven to forgive the very non-believers who crucified Him. He loves us despite our failings.

I pray for the atheists, not because I think that God is not in their lives, but because THEY DON'T KNOW IT! But I know, just as a mother would never turn her back on her child, our Savior will forever love all of His children.


I am obviously no learned theologian, and I can not even claim to know for sure the "accepted" explanation for such a claim as the one the sticker makes, but this makes as much sense to me as breathing air.