Below are a few writing samples from earlier posts on this blog. These posts especially illustrate the various topics that will be addressed in future writing.  I hope you enjoy them, and you come often.

Sample One: Yale Divinity School: Reading Week – Free Will

Reading Week at my seminary is here.  It is a few days when classes do not meet.  It allows students and faculty to read, write and study unencumbered.  For many, reading days are a mix of studying and having fun.  The word to the wise; however, is that these days are best used for working on ongoing projects.  I am surely free to spend these days I would like.  

It is tempting to spend these reading days by turning on Netflix and watching episodes of the latest drama.  Yup, I’ve been there and done that.  Space stations to the British monarchy, it is not uncommon to find many options of dystopic to historic sagas. 

I love stories.  The development of the characters, the narrative are all entangled.  Watching movies feeds my imagination, but then again so does reading.  It’s a pastime of mine.  Since I am currently in school, I don’t get as much joy out of reading as I would otherwise.

The fact of the matter is that watching Netflix is passive.  I’m becoming more energized in the active, the things that require motion.  One’s will in life surely requires action.  Faith is dead without works – James 2:26.  In the Methodist perspective, faith is shown by one’s actions.  

I learned in my New Testament class that the biblical book of James is often not given much attention, especially in protestant circles.  In the most commonly accepted interpretation of the letter, it focuses on the gospel and works of charity, while the letters of Paul focus on faith and works of Jesus.

Turning it back to stories, I am becoming bored with only consuming the stories offered in movies or tv series.  I would like to create too, to add my voice to the cloud of witnesses.  To do this, I would have to write, turn off or at least down the Netflix.

Once faced with the fact that I actually do want to be productive and to write.  I have to figure out what I want to write.  Some of this is currently due to my status as a graduate student.  Even so, I am not immune to the blank page.

When considering what to write to the end of the writing process, I am as prone to the elements as anyone.  I am blessed to have the opportunity to express myself in a free society and continuing training to learn how to improve.  This being said, I am as vulnerable to the sin of watching too much Netflix and the critics who may say that my writing is anything but up to a high standard.  

So it seems generally speaking in life and the Wesleyan understanding of free will.  We are blessed and gifted surely, God is sovereign, but be are free to choose grace.  Our free will to choose makes grace so much more meaningful.  We are not saved solely by the fact that we are loved by God.  We are saved by our faith.  

Predestination, or the idea that there are those of us who are chosen as saved, leaves us human beings without recourse.  The human condition is to sin.  It is in our walk through the Gospel of Christ and with the Holy Spirit that we learn about the way of living a faithful life. 

The blank white page or even editing of labored page, blotted with words, scribbles and crossing out can cause anxiety for any writer.  When you consider the option of only consuming what is given to you, it doesn’t seem as enjoyable.  Though it can be hard trying, continuing to write, to believe, we are saved by our continuing to put one word infront of the other.  So, this reading week, I will likely watch some Netflix while writing and reading.

Themes: Free Will, Human Condition, Sin, Writing, Letter of James

Sample Two: Baptism

            It isn’t possible for us to remember our baptism in detail.  At least for those of us baptized as infants, as is true for me.  We rely on the remembering them through the sacrament we witness in the communities around us.  I am one of the lucky ones, to be a part of communities of faith, family members who would have me be counted in the number of witnesses of their initiation into the body of Christ.   In my own witnessing, I am asked to recall my own baptism and the covenant that was made on my behalf, when I was not yet able to answer on my own.  I am thankful for those who were a witness to my baptism.  So much so, I beam when I am able to return the favor.  When a baptism is planned as part of a Sunday morning service, I so look forward to officially welcoming the newly baptized into our community of faith, into a life blessed with grace.  Surely, it will be a life of ups and downs, but this person will, we hope, be raised knowing the grace of God through the actions of those of us who witnessed the sacrament.  

            In the Wesleyan tradition, baptism is a response to God’s grace that goes before us, working to make a way, prevenient grace.  We are in kind asked to respond to God’s grace.  When we are a part of the sacrament of baptism, we are responding to God’s working grace in our lives.  Whether we are officiating, the baptized, family and friends/sponsors, or witnesses in the congregation, we are a part of the sacrament.  Each role matters, because, baptism is about the church as well, the body of Christ that the baptized is being accepting into, as one of our own.  As one whom we love, care for and interdependent with in living a faithful life.

            Although, I do not know what baptisms may be in my personal and professional future, I do know one from my past that elicited great emotion that I hope to encounter again.  Two pastor friends of mine were having their daughter baptized. They asked if three people from the congregation would come to help pour the water into the font.  

            Those who had gathered were a part of the two congregations, family, and friends.  Hearing the water poured, taking the pitcher in my hands, tilting it gently steadily until gravity did the rest.  Even though I only knew a few people from the congregation I was a part of, I knew I was connected to these people.  Now, connected to this girl, daughter of my friends of God.  She is cared for, loved and with hopefulness, raised by example into a faithful life, nurtured by the spirit and the water.

            It may not be possible for me to remember my own personal baptism; however, that really seems like a moot point.  Each baptism that I am a part of reminds me of God’s grace working in my life; always present, working toward the things that are possible, or even seemingly impossible without the help of God.

For more information on Methodist theology and liturgy of baptism find “By Water and the Spirit at http://www.umc.org/what-we-believe/by-water-and-the-spirit-a-united-methodist-understanding-of-baptism

Writing Sample Three: Hawaii on my Mind

Hawaii is especially on my mind over the last few days. I ate the leftovers of a Hawaiian pizza calzone last night.  Hawaiian pizza is a favorite in our house.  Pineapple on pizza is an acquired taste for some. For me, it is delicious.

We have been enjoying the Little League championships tournament this week.  Today, the Hawaiian team plays Caraçao for the championship.  The Hawaii team won the national championship.  The Caraçao team won the international championship.  It is so much fun to see how much enjoyment the kids get out of playing. 

Hawaii has such a rich history, highlighted by the many unique state holidays.  These came up on the site that outlines numerous national holidays. Discoverer’s Day replaced Columbus Day for the state, celebrated on October, 10. Hawaiian statehood is celebrated on August, 19.  Kamehamela Day is celebrated on June, 11th. Kamehamela ruled Hawaii from 1782 to 1819. He is known for uniting Hawaii. Prince Jonah Kahio Kalanianaole Day is celebrated on March, 26th.  He is known as a territorial representative to the U.S. Congress, winning ten times (https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/prince-jonah-kuhio-kalanianaole-day).  He submitted a bill to make Hawaii a state in 1919.   Hawaii didn’t become a state until 1959. 

There is a proverbial miniature pineapple plantation here in the home garden.  Over the last few days a number of our pineapples have been eaten by ground animals.  Half of the pineapple is left as a sad reminder that we will not be able to enjoy it.  One little pineapple has survived.  It made its way to the kitchen and was given as a gift. 

Did you know that it takes about 18  months for a pineapple to grow?  When it is bright yellow it is ripe. Take any pineapple top from a pineapple you’ve consumed and plant it in a pot or the ground outside.  Another pineapple will grow. I have not tried growing my own pineapple yet.  

Cutting a pineapple is not as intimidating as you would think.  You hold onto the crown, cut the “skin”,  then cut off the top and finally the fruit from the hard center.  I saw in a video that you can hit a pineapple on a hard surface and the little triangle can come out without cutting it.  I think that must take some practice.  

If you’ve seen the series “Somebody Feed Phil” on Netflix, you know he visits Hawaii in the last episode of his fourth season.  He eats his way through destinations all over the world and is pretty amusing.  Well, in Hawaii he met with locals and enjoyed rotisserie chicken (huli huli chicken) and ate traditional Hawaiian dishes (like poi). 

If you’ve seen a shaved ice cart, shaved ice came from Hawaii too.  It’s not like any other slushy or frozen drink.  You can have it in nearly any flavor and often comes with any juice you can think of.  The last cart I saw had Santa and Mrs. Claus waiting in line at a car show in June in Florida. 

A story more relevant to now is that there will be a really big launch from NASA tomorrow.  The Orion rocket will head to the moon.  I always think of astronomy when I think of Florida and Hawaii.  There are uber large professional telescopes in Hawaii.  One is positioned on the summit of Mauna Kea, a sacred mountain.  According to an associated press article, a protest in 2019 from native leaders has led to the creation of the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority that recognizes the voice of native practitioners. With everything happening here, seeing the rocket launch tomorrow will still be extraordinary.