Interested in reading more about the pulse of Christianity in France? Want to grow in your French comprehension? Looking for a current resource for students, your personal library, or research?
May I introduce you to Horizons Evangeliques, France's new Christian magazine which promises to be an excellent theological, practical, and intellectual engagement between faith and the French, and hopefully you!
Visit the website for subscription information.
Personal note: The pastor of the Compiegne church is part of the writing/editing team!
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
As a Christian
I came across the following as I read on the way back from a Le Moulin outing to Amiens (pictures to follow at some point). It comes from an Epistle to Diognetus, a respected pagan some speculate may have been a Greek emperor in the 1st century:
Christians do not distinguish themselves from others by their country, their language or their dress.
They do not belong to any particular city, they do not make use of special dialects, their way of life has nothing particular about it.
They do not set themselves up, as many others do, as champions of a human doctrine.
They do not distribute themselves in Greek or barbaric cities according to pre-arranged divisions.
They conform to local customs as regards clothes, food and life-style while bearing witness to the extraordinary and truly paradoxical laws of the spiritual republic to which they belong.
They live each in their own country but like strangers in the house.
They fulfill all their duties as citizens, and put up with all their tasks, but like strangers.
Every strange land is their country and every country is for them a strange land.
In the same way they are in the flesh but they do not live according to the flesh.
And so we find that as citizens of the city of Zion to come, we are particularly crafted in our being and faith to be the most mobile of human creatures. Our attachments to "home," land, and nation rank far below second place as we hear the call to go and make disciples and go and love our neighbors, those who become our neighbors. We see too that within enclaves composed of ourselves, "the paradoxical laws of the spiritual republic" lose meaning and indeed, lose existence. So we find it strange to return home. We find it unsettling to speak only of "Christian" subjects in "Christian" settings--thus Gospel, justice, love, and grace should once and always be on the tips of our tongues and in the reach of our hands in how we live and for what our blood courses. And we find that a place and people can become in many senses as our own, adopted through our citizenship which claims the globe and our loyalties which disregard all that would keep us nationally and spiritually secure.
Christians do not distinguish themselves from others by their country, their language or their dress.
They do not belong to any particular city, they do not make use of special dialects, their way of life has nothing particular about it.
They do not set themselves up, as many others do, as champions of a human doctrine.
They do not distribute themselves in Greek or barbaric cities according to pre-arranged divisions.
They conform to local customs as regards clothes, food and life-style while bearing witness to the extraordinary and truly paradoxical laws of the spiritual republic to which they belong.
They live each in their own country but like strangers in the house.
They fulfill all their duties as citizens, and put up with all their tasks, but like strangers.
Every strange land is their country and every country is for them a strange land.
In the same way they are in the flesh but they do not live according to the flesh.
And so we find that as citizens of the city of Zion to come, we are particularly crafted in our being and faith to be the most mobile of human creatures. Our attachments to "home," land, and nation rank far below second place as we hear the call to go and make disciples and go and love our neighbors, those who become our neighbors. We see too that within enclaves composed of ourselves, "the paradoxical laws of the spiritual republic" lose meaning and indeed, lose existence. So we find it strange to return home. We find it unsettling to speak only of "Christian" subjects in "Christian" settings--thus Gospel, justice, love, and grace should once and always be on the tips of our tongues and in the reach of our hands in how we live and for what our blood courses. And we find that a place and people can become in many senses as our own, adopted through our citizenship which claims the globe and our loyalties which disregard all that would keep us nationally and spiritually secure.
Monday, June 23, 2008
News Bytes
Below I've linked you to some interesting resources and articles as of late. I'm not stirring any political pot, because that's not my job. Nonetheless, for an American living in France, these articles have served me well to understand some conversations I've had here concerning U.S. elections, namely that I've noted the French don't realize Republicans exist, which has amused me to no end. I have repeatedly had to clarify for people, "It's not just about Obama and Clinton." Oh? they say. Oui...oh.
I would like to add this as well. Americans could learn a thing or two concerning environment care from the French. While a popular trend here and a growing trend of concern in the states, I personally find I recycle more, waste less, always carry a re-usable bag in my purse, am addicted to my bicycle or feet, and think about energy use increasingly more since living in France. If you ask for a plastic sack, they'll say, "Tsk, tsk, l'environnement." And if you don't turn out lights, they will come behind and do it for you. Needless to say, one learns quickly to be mindful of the small things which add up to make a difference.
CNN's Eye on France
I have not watched or read much of this CNN Special, but I recommend it nonetheless if you're looking for the latest coverage on France's shifting cultural and political role in Europe and the world.
Race, France, and U.S. Elections
Maureen Dowd's latest op-ed concerning Carla Sarkozy and her surprisingly positive effect on Sarko's popularity.
Roger Cohen on Obama and France
I would like to add this as well. Americans could learn a thing or two concerning environment care from the French. While a popular trend here and a growing trend of concern in the states, I personally find I recycle more, waste less, always carry a re-usable bag in my purse, am addicted to my bicycle or feet, and think about energy use increasingly more since living in France. If you ask for a plastic sack, they'll say, "Tsk, tsk, l'environnement." And if you don't turn out lights, they will come behind and do it for you. Needless to say, one learns quickly to be mindful of the small things which add up to make a difference.
CNN's Eye on France
I have not watched or read much of this CNN Special, but I recommend it nonetheless if you're looking for the latest coverage on France's shifting cultural and political role in Europe and the world.
Race, France, and U.S. Elections
Maureen Dowd's latest op-ed concerning Carla Sarkozy and her surprisingly positive effect on Sarko's popularity.
Roger Cohen on Obama and France
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Week in Review
Since a picture is worth a thousand words, today, you get lucky. I'm posting pictures from various events, etc. of the last 1-2 weeks. I have little mental capacity to write anything lucid nor the physical energy to keep my eyes open long enough to do so. This week has been full of late nights and early mornings, days full of so much moving that at their end my feet are numb. Literally numb. I've planned only a picnic lunch and a L'Arche foyer dinner tomorrow, so it is my off day to pack, organize, and make my apartment look like I'm moving out in...5 days!!!!!!!!!!!
Without further ado...(btw, these are out of order b/c I'm a tech idiot and not taking the time to sort them all around)
My friend Mahina and her friend Martin provided our live entertainment!!!
Teaching the natives line-dancing.
6/21--7a.m. bike ride along the Oise River and into the fields
Without further ado...(btw, these are out of order b/c I'm a tech idiot and not taking the time to sort them all around)
6/20--Set-up for the American party at Le Moulin
Setting up with staff
They surprised me with gifts that participants created, this painting by Gerard
being a particular favorite of mine.
being a particular favorite of mine.
My friend Mahina and her friend Martin provided our live entertainment!!!
The music drew quite the crowd, a big hit!
Teaching the natives line-dancing.
Attempting Texas two-step
6/22--Baptism at Compiegne Baptist Church
Pastor Pierre is the bearded long-haired on the left.
6/22--Fete de la Musique (Music party) later in the day
BBQ following the Fete de la Musique,
i.e., minus 2 hours I was at church from 10:30am until 8:30pm
i.e., minus 2 hours I was at church from 10:30am until 8:30pm
6/17--Madame Bataille correcting my French for my goodbye words at L'Arche.
6/17--GBU Prayer and Worship Night
Passing the leadership baton
6/21--7a.m. bike ride along the Oise River and into the fields
6/14--7a.m. 30 km bike ride in the forest to Pierrefonds, local castle town
6/14--Jean-Stephane and Chloe headed to tennis lessons
Later in the day, football lessons with Chloe and Loick.
J-Cool
My first strawberry clafoutis for a L'Arche foyer dinner
Saturday morning market, a habit I will miss greatly in America.
6/16--Monday morning Le Moulin planning meeting
Valerie, Martine, Francis, Benedicte (L to R)
Valerie, Martine, Francis, Benedicte (L to R)
6/12--Dinner at the foyer Le Demeure
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
"Mentioned in Passing"
Mentioned in Passing
In Memory of Anne-Marie Osborne Aycock Posey
June 14, 1914-June 17, 2008
It comes in waves, almost steadily
Mimicking morning sun’s rhythm
Surprisingly yet surely
The ebb and flow
Of life and death
Of what was and shall not be again
Hands that mixed and made with deftness
Pie shells for family and neighbors
Packed peas for the winter months
Canned tomatoes and stored up jams
Whipped up the only pies I’ve ever liked
Tickled my ears while I laid on her lap
She woke me at 7am on many a weekend morning for fresh bacon and eggs
Gathered family year after year into her home for every holiday
Held up dress after dress for me to try on
Let me nervously drive her car before I was old enough to do so legally
(the same car I still drive today)
Told story upon story of life on the farm
From World War I to Depression to II to Korea to Vietnam
Cared for and buried a father, a mother, a husband, my Poppy, her sister
Now she too joins them
And in this we find cause to rejoice
That generation after generation gather round a Throne
We’re not sure,
But the Bible says maybe we won’t have our families and spouses after passing
But my sister says, “Well……”
And I respond, “Yeah, there’s that too…”
The ambiguity
But we can hope
Jesus will be enough for her we know
But wouldn’t it be sweet
For Mamaw and Poppy to worship Jesus together
I think they would like that
And most of all, I think God would too
"I like to think of heaven as the holding place until
We’re released back onto this earth made New
As it was meant to be
As we were meant to be"
In Memory of Anne-Marie Osborne Aycock Posey
June 14, 1914-June 17, 2008
It comes in waves, almost steadily
Mimicking morning sun’s rhythm
Surprisingly yet surely
The ebb and flow
Of life and death
Of what was and shall not be again
Hands that mixed and made with deftness
Pie shells for family and neighbors
Packed peas for the winter months
Canned tomatoes and stored up jams
Whipped up the only pies I’ve ever liked
Tickled my ears while I laid on her lap
She woke me at 7am on many a weekend morning for fresh bacon and eggs
Gathered family year after year into her home for every holiday
Held up dress after dress for me to try on
Let me nervously drive her car before I was old enough to do so legally
(the same car I still drive today)
Told story upon story of life on the farm
From World War I to Depression to II to Korea to Vietnam
Cared for and buried a father, a mother, a husband, my Poppy, her sister
Now she too joins them
And in this we find cause to rejoice
That generation after generation gather round a Throne
We’re not sure,
But the Bible says maybe we won’t have our families and spouses after passing
But my sister says, “Well……”
And I respond, “Yeah, there’s that too…”
The ambiguity
But we can hope
Jesus will be enough for her we know
But wouldn’t it be sweet
For Mamaw and Poppy to worship Jesus together
I think they would like that
And most of all, I think God would too
"I like to think of heaven as the holding place until
We’re released back onto this earth made New
As it was meant to be
As we were meant to be"
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
