Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Permission To Speak Freely




As most of you know, two weeks ago i blogged about *Sally and her situation in a post called James 2:14-17. That post has generated a lot of comments, questions and controversy within the church i attend.

i was asked to remove the post. was accused of gossip and not being a *Christian. the leader who's words i repeated, (and he agreed they were his words) asked that we could have a conversation without it showing up in another blog post.
i think that was a reasonable enough request. i just don't know that i can continue to honor it.
the problem that i have with it is this; why would there be anything you couldn't say to me, about me, that couldn't be shared on a blog post? or that you would be embarrassed to have shared on a blog post. and why does it bug you so much that your words were repeated in the first place?


if we can't be transparent and authentic in church and with the church,



the BODY,



there is something really wrong with this picture.



If the folks who have commented on the blog post have to do so anonymously for fear of retribution and recrimination WITHIN the CHURCH,



there is a problem!



we should not need permission to speak freely!


why should we be afraid that we will not be loved or accepted by the body of Christ?

my good friend Anne Jackson is writing a book called Permission to Speak Freely.
maybe ya'll should check it out.
we should be free to speak our words in love and kindness.

in the real world.

you know.


where unicorns and leprechauns live.





*photo courtesy of Anne Jackson and Permission To Speak Freely. all rights reserved♥

More New Friends♥

K. So the other day I introduced you to my new friend Danielle and her blog, The Design Girl, and the fabulous giveaway she was doing.

Well, since then, one of the gals i've met via @incourage, Sarah Mae, has decided to do an amazing giveaway as well.

Unbelievable, i know.

Just wait til you see what it is.

Click here to see the deets and how YOU can participate.

Now the Awesomesauceness of it all is this: Sarah Mae has introduced me to another new friend. Gussy. i can't believe how blessed i am to meet all of these fabulous, fun, God-loving ladies.

How insanely creative and talented Gussy is. You just HAVE to check out her shop.

Looking for a cute and fun iphone holder? She's got it♥
Need an amazing briefcase or laptop bag? It's there♥
Organizer for your purse? Ditto♥

You're gonna love her schtuff. Just go see for yourself. You'll be glad you did♥

Monday, March 1, 2010

Love

I was reading my friend Carols blog and was struck by what she had to say about "loving one another".

Several years ago someone suggested to me to substitute my name for the word love in verses 4-7 of 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. (which looks something like this)

pamela is patient (sometimes)
pamela is kind (usually)
pamela does not envy or boast (me? nevah)
pamela is not arrogant or rude (guilty as charged)
pamela does not insist on her own way (ditto)
pamela is not irritable or resentful (thats me before 10 am AND caffeine)
pamela does not rejoice at wrongdoing (ouch)
pamela rejoices at the truth (yes i do)

as i write these words, i am convicted by how far i've come and by how very far i still have to go.
i am so very thankful that :

Love bears all things.
Love believes all things.
Love hopes all things
Love endures all things.

LOVE NEVER ENDS.