I did it!

No post until Thursday. Easier than I thought. I kinda enjoy (maybe too much) unloading my thoughts on y'all. Until later, here is something to hold you over. This is the song on repeat in my head these days. (Starts around the 35 second mark.)

Vacay!

Dearest blogging buddies, 

1. I am in Charleston. 

2. I am not going to post again until Thursday or so.

3. Megs doesn't think it will happen. She says my fans will miss me. Is that true?

4. No worries, my loves. I will return. 

5. I need this vacay. I need some rest. I need to laugh. I need to not think about Nashville. Or Vandy. Or the future. 

6. Send me funny stories. Please.

7. Until then, ponder the greatness of this. Because it is so damn amazing. And hilarious. And crazy. And most of all, scary. (It is a little...well...graphic? Please look, but just know it will be a...surprise?)

Sleep, eat, and be merry!

BEAT

Fun Fact Friday

There are only two people in the whole United States with the name BT. (If you don't know my name, sorry. I'm trying to use only initials. Privacy and such. You know, because I'm so damn popular on Blogspot and all.) 

B is the 1318th most popular first name in the States. About 20,000 people have this first name. 62% of those being male. I always tell people B is a more popular guy's name than girl's. See, I'm right!

T is the 1170th most popular last name in the States. About 31,000 people have this last name. 

Go here and discover a fun fact about yourself! Share if you wish! 

And I have no idea if this accurate. It was just something to distract me from finishing this last paper that is due by 5:00 pm today. Did I meant I am driving home today? Therefore I will in my car at 5:00 pm today. Hence why I need to complete this as soon as possible. And oh yeah, I am headed to the great city of Charleston tomorrow with a friend to see other friends who live there. And oh my goodness, I need a break. Rest. Laughter. And a remembering spirit. 

So close to Spring Break I can taste it? See it? Feel it? Need it? 

BEAT

From dust to dust...

No more online shopping. Or browsing. For f-o-r-t-y days. 

I mean browsing is just like window shopping. If you think about it. (Thanks Heather.)

It takes up lots of free time. And when I say free time, it is actually time that I could be studying, writing letters, talking to my family, and maybe (just maybe) praying for peace. 

Let's hope for less procrastination. Some money saved. I can hope. 

Do you know what it is really about? Consumption. 

See, I have been listening in my Constructive Theology II class. So much, so that I am having to write a sermon about it. I am developing a Potluck Theology. Prepare, share, and eat. Think about it, there are very few leftovers at a Potluck. And you rarely leave a Potluck over stuffed. Open table. Enough for all. But not too much. 

It is really about consumption. I have enough. I don't need to wish for more. Look for more. Ponder more. Or buy more. It so easily ends in buying. 

So, no more online browsing. No Etsy.com. No Old Navy.com. No Patagonia.com. No. More. .Com. 

The other thing, I kinda realized how impersonal online shopping is. I don't have to talk to anyone. No one. Don't have to ask how anyone is. No small talk. No contact. Just me tapping away on my keys. Pulling the credit card out of the wallet. Forgetting about the hassle of waiting in lines.  

If nothing else, I still spend my money. At least I will have to look someone in the eye when I say, "No I don't want to sign up for another credit card."

I hear the Creator is reflected in all creation. In people. In their smile. In their good work...of maybe just being. Just connecting. Giving contact. 

I think I've read something about Imago Dei. The image of God found in humanity. Full of value, not because of their function. Beyond doing. Just being. Just connecting. Giving contact. To me.

No online shopping. Or browsing. I have to keep reminding myself of that second part. 

Less consumption. More human contact.  From dust, back to dust. That is how we are all the same. 

Less material. More being in relationship. We are mortal. That is how we are all the same. 

From dust, back to dust. 

BEAT

40 of 365 Part II

One last day to eat your chocolate, drink coffee and tea, Facebook browse, and maybe even blog. I will share my own going without soon. Just wanting to hear from others. And so you know, it can be a time of incorporation. Not just going without. Either way, Lent is upon us. 

40 of 365,

BEAT

40 of 365

Ash Wednesday is fast approaching. The holy season of Lent is before us. One of my favorite times of the year. There is a calmness that ensues. The air is filled with a renewed focus. Concentration. Stillness even. 

Maybe it is because people give up drinking coffee (or sweet tea) and eating chocolate.

Maybe it is because there is lots required of the faithful, of disciples during these forty days. 

Prayer. Repentance. Forgiveness. 

Remembering. 

Going without. 

Coming into peace. 

Living a gospel of hope, even though you know what happens at the end of the story. The really sad events of death. Death of destructive habits. Death of grudges. Death of the one who loved neighbors, strangers, and enemies. 

Living a gospel of joy, even though you know what happens at the end of the story. This is a different type of anticipation. This anticipation faces death, first. Yet, there is joy in that morning sunrise. There is a new creation. 

A calmness. In the midst of preparation. Anticipation. A waiting that requires strength, will power and...hope. A longing for the moment of restoration. Forty days. Forty days to forgive. 

Ash Wednesday is upon us, friends. A new calm. A time to remember. Going without. Yet coming into a...new...peace. 

40 of 365,

BEAT

Georgia on My Mind

On days like this: cold, raining, overcast, and typing my life away. On days like this I have Georgia on my mind. See I keep a wooden sign over my front door that says this very phrase. Everyday when I walk out of my apartment it is a reminder. Now I love Nashville. I love it more and more everyday, but it is not the place for me. Georgia is always on my mind. Yes, that is where most of the family and friends are, but there is more to the story. It sounds so evangelical, but I think of my great home state as my mission field. It is the community I am called to serve...love...challenge...pastor...

It is the question I get most often. Well, after the oldie-but-goodie, "Minister? You? A woman? But you'll go to hell." Okay, okay. I only get that last part half the time. That other question, "Where? Where do you want to be? Where will you go?" Georgia. Where am I going back to? Where will I serve? Where is home? Georgia. It is an easy place to be Methodist. Well, at least pseudo-Methodist. Don't yell at me. I have reasons for saying pseudo. It being easy is not why I long to return. That comfortable, easy feeling is why. Someone has to shake things up. Someone has to talk about holiness, the Holy Spirit...and dare I say that big, scary Wesleyan word. Dare I say...perfection. 

So, today Georgia is on my mind. It was yesterday. It will be tomorrow. I am coming home. Soon enough. And when I do, I hope to create some waves. Maybe they'll want to run me out after a year. That would make for a good story. To dream. Georgia would still be on my mind. 

Home upon home, 

BEAT