Hi, I'm Lanelle and I'm a Jesus Feminist

Feminism: the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes 

The phrase "Jesus Feminist" has been floating around the web for months as a gracious, creative woman named Sarah chose to write a book. The book is titled Jesus Feminist ... and it is being released today.

This title is causing a tremendous wave of criticism and uproar... As if words cannot be properly understood any longer.....

With that, I declare myself a Jesus Feminist. 

I am Jesus Feminist because...

All people were created in the image of God & Jesus died on the cross for all of us.

God is the one who knits together and gives good gifts. I am not broken for being born female. I am not broken for having a mind, gifts, talents, and abilities...

Love and Respect are real 

Because the whole law is fulfilled in one word "you shall love your neighbor as yourself"

People die every day without hearing the truth and name of Jesus.
Whole families die every day all around the world for a lack of water and food

Women die every day as a result of withheld medical care 

Girls like Malala Yousafzai are brave enough to risk everything for an education

Women in third world nations are changing their communities by working together

Because women are still treated as property and rape is still common

Because women in our senate worked together against our government shutdown

Because I truly believe women need to step up and stand up and stop throwing their lives away - Boys need fathers not just baby-daddys

Because lists of what women can and cannot do just make me ill. Scripture is already written - do we need man-made lists?

Because I am thankful that my grandmothers generation fought for the right to vote

 We are the light to the world

Because way back in Numbers God gives a provision to women when making a vow before the Lord.  God could have simply said that women cannot make vows. What I see in this passage is a loving father who desires women and men to be in relationship with him.

Because I have three daughters. They are very important to me, and I hope they are never derailed by the war of words and definitions. My desire is that they would fix their eyes on Jesus and pursue him wholly - no matter what call he places on their life - no matter what people think - no matter what the institutional church says. Throughout scripture there are stories of men and women recklessly and fearlessly living life. That is what I want for all of our young men and women.. our sons and our daughters ... That is why I am a Jesus Feminist.

This post is part of the BEAUTIFUL Sarah Bessey's synchroblog to celebrate the release of her amazing new book, Jesus Feminist. Calling men and women to stand together for God's Kingdom come. Find the original post here.

Falling Back

This morning time fell back, and took my sleep with it.

Tis the season of the chill - of the woodsmoke and the rain - the whole of it all preparing for dormancy. Tis the season of books, boots, and blankets. I'm already plotting a visit to warmer climes..

On books. I'm reading Barbara Kingsolver "Flight Behavior" and Lauren Winner "Girl Meets God" - Annie Dillard "Pilgrim at Tinker Creek" is next up on the kindle, and my copy of Jesus Feminist by Sarah Bessey will arrive on Friday (I hope!)

I'm reading the old testament - taking time to consider the lives of the israelites as they wander through leviticus, numbers, and deuteronomy. My goal for this fall is to read the whole old testament. I'm burned out on Paul, honestly, and his church instruction. I wanted to get back to the roots of it all.

I pulled an old friend off the bookshelf to rebuild some rhythms. I think my house is as homey as its going to get and I need to find a way to settle into it. You are 18 months in, Lanelle, 18 months in. 18 to go, give or take, before you can consider the walks and trees of a neighborhood house... learn to live in the moment you are in. My old friend? Oh yes, Disciplines for the Inner Life.

Today is communion sunday. Communion in this place is hard, as it seems I cannot pause deep enough to find the sacrament in the method. Ah well. this is where I am and here I stay until further notice.

The eldest is on an adventure all alone. Sixteen years old, cash in her pocket and a passport in her hand... she traveled alone by train to see her friend in Tacoma. A mere 3 hour train ride, but for the momma - buying adult train tickets with her girl - its a jolt.

Not impressed with the thought that that I'm edging toward 40 and an empty nest. In the midst of this, how can we fathom that?

When we were on fire

"Looking at the tops of clouds, their puffy lacy-ness, just makes me think of how many years God was the only one to see the world and clouds from such a height." March 2006

There was a day before that day - the day when my christian naivete burst like a balloon and the hard reality of living as a small town christian woman lay before...

Ironically, that day I was not on fire. Nor have I yet been. But I'm living at a slow smolder. I've seen the promised land, tasted the fruit, and found it good.

"Now listen, I created you, the way you are - ordained the circumstances of your life and put you where you are because I love you. I don't make junk. You are mine, and if I decide that you are to be in vinyl repair or a turnip farmer, this is my plan for you, and it will be best for you and for my plan. I don't need your help, but I like to be with you. Rejoice in that and don't change until I open the doors. You keep trying to kick them down. Why don't you go to a movie or something and let me run the universe..." This must be from the message version of the bible. Or some graphic novel.

Anyway, as I was saying...

There are things I am ultra passionate about. Jesus was pretty passionate too - so at least I'm in really good company. I'm passionate about mentoring & discipleship - I'm passionate about teenagers, especially fatherless boys but also girls - I'm passionate about grace. Lets just look at the bible and see where Jesus drew boxes around people ... oh, he didn't do that? Then why does his church. I'm passionate about taking care of people. I'm passionate about encouraging people to pursue Jesus, know their kids, and take good care of their mental health. I'm passionate about the people of the whole world coming to faith in Christ. my friends in Nepal, India, Haiti. places that have been incredibly closed off. The word of God ... so rich and beautiful... I am especially passionate about my daughters and the 21st century church. My deepest hope and prayer is that as they mature into womanhood, they will see the church as a place they belong. Not in this community necessarily, but somewhere they will find an open niche for their gifting to be used for his Glory.

Or at least that in their home they will :)

For 48 hours I was heading to haiti

deep and urgent the call was - unmistakable.
so I stepped into the water and I began to walk...
worthiness is not defined by the standards of the world...

and then the edge fell away, and we found the water too deep to continue.

What does a person do with this? I know many (most) see crazy. I see opportunity - pursuit - life.

I know, we prefer things neat and tidy. We prefer savings accounts and retirement funds, logical plans, time. Of all things we prefer time - time to plan, to prepare, to evaluate...

Our unsettled souls desire the speed to distract..

to hide, to escape. 

The Lord says - rest, peace and joy

are found in his purpose. 

One asked, are you at peace?
Absolutely ~ I went to the edge... What was that all about then? So many proper people want to know. Well. I've thought. Perhaps faith? Perhaps relationships? Perhaps deeper awareness? Perhaps simple obedience.

You cannot live without movement, without walking. You cannot stand without risking to fall. Such truth in simplicity.

psalm 140

This weeks bad theology award is given to the phrase "this too shall pass."

Surely this isn't biblical anyway!

In Psalm 140, David reveals to us, by parallel and pause, that evil is present and deliverance is only found in the Lord. If we do not speak honestly about the truth and the reality of evil we are not speaking honestly about anything - especially about the strength of the Lord to be a deliverer. We are not able to deal correctly and in a healthy way with the daily.

Find a moment of silence to pause today. Don't fear it, but embrace it.  Selah.

kaleidoscope

I've been slowly rambling along here.. my thoughts are not as clear as they used to be.

Filters... sometimes mine are more like a kaleidoscope than clear lenses... ever turning the dial to get a different picture... something new to ooh and ahh over, more intent on watching the changing shapes than settling on one and examining it.

last night I was reading the bible, in the book of John.

Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.” Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” (John 6:27-29)

 

Psalms

I'm a lover of psalms. A poetry reading, melancholic, romantic, music on the mind person with a love/hate relationship with people. An impulsive dancing jumping fool.  A words and food and coffee sort of person. a dog person.

The Psalms remind me of David and his rash, imperfect humanness. And they remind me of God and his unfailing, merciful grace and love. They remind me of the singers, of the depth and height and unfathomable. They remind me of Jesus, and Paul, and how Jesus LOVED those disciples who didn't get it but, of course, got it.

I have countless favorites but this is one that I'm drawn to -

Psalm 121
I lift my eyes up to the hills.. (beyond the trees and houses and visible things)
From where does my help come? (not from down here, thats for sure!)
My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth. (truth!)