This I Believe

I think it's time that I spoke openly about something that I believe strongly in. Let me start off with a little background.

Most of us are motivated politically by reacting against what we see as great injustice. For instance, as a mostly left-leaning individual and pacifist, I am strongly opposed to the warmongering that the U.S. propagates continually these days. We are beholden to economic and imperial interests and have been for quite some time. That motivates me politically, but not to support. Rather, our nation's horrific Human Rights record mobilizes me to dissent. I simply cannot assent to torture and mass murder performed in the name of the Stars and Stripes. On the other hand, many in the Pro-life camp are outraged at the admittedly obscene number of abortions performed in this country. The antagonism entrenched in this issue prevents honest, productive dialogue that could lead to common interests, such as reducing dependence on Abortion as Birth Control. I think we all could agree on that. But the refusal of many to back down from their absolute stance prevents the left and the right from coming together on this.

That is why I think religion has something to offer.

Some of you might say religion is the problem itself. I disagree. I can speak from my perspective and my perspective only. I am not here to say that ONLY Christianity has something to offer. But I believe that Jesus' message was one of radical God wisdom in the midst of radical political struggle. You may choose to see the Gospel differently. But you cannot deny that Jesus spoke CRAZY TALK! In the midst of xenophobic hysteria, Jesus chose the Samaritan as hero of a parable. He ate and spoke with prostitutes for God's sake (and I mean that literally – for God's sake). And with his actions, he modeled a better way of life. In today's society of increasingly negative emotions and attitudes, I choose to be FOR something. I choose to be for the radical love that Jesus showed us all.

You may be wondering why I am writing this. Why now? Why in this age where the only thing you hear on the news is violence and brokenness? Because no matter how much the world sucks right now, no matter how many children are being butchered in Syria, no matter how many human beings are experiencing ultimate suffering in this country alone – I believe we must be FOR something. And for me, that something is the Kingdom of God on Earth. I believe that all people are created equal, endowed by their creator with so many rights! We must build the kingdom here despite all our doubts. There is simply no other option. We cannot resign ourselves to the world as it is. Because Jesus told me we can do so much better.

Now who's with me?

One Week Anniversary!

Hello all. It's been a week since the wedding, but Naomi and I are settling in to married life pretty nicely. Thanks to all who came and supported us during our wedding celebration. It was great to see so many familiar faces and to get a chance to catch up with you all. We both feel truly blessed to have so many loved ones (and in so many different cities and states, at that). In particular, we would like to thank our parents Peter and Mary Graber and George and Jeanette Leary for their support.

One of the things I mean when I say Naomi and I are “settled in” is that we are both employed and enjoying our jobs immensely. We make communication an emphasis and we show our affection kindly. What's the problem? We live in different states! For now at least. This was always part of the deal, but it is still not fun to be physically separated newlyweds. While I am working at the Kellogg-Hubbard Library in Montpelier VT, Naomi is all the way in Boston MA (we should have just moved there – for all the time she spends there, Naomi may as well live in Beantown). Despite our frustration at not getting to be together, Naomi and I are both very glad that we got married when we did, and that we are going to create a life together.

I'd like to end by giving a plug for a truly wonderful wedding planner and caterer, Grace Schwartzendruber. If you or any of your friends are planning on getting married in the Elkhart/Goshen area of Northern Indiana, you would do well to enlist Grace's help. She was a lifesaver over the months of planning, as well as the wedding weekend itself. For those of you who are married know, there are about twenty-three thousand things you must consider for your ceremony. Grace knows each one of these, and was a huge help for us. I don't believe that we could have pulled it off without Grace. Check out her Facebook page: Plates by Grace!

I do have more to say, but I'd like to keep this blog post short and sweet. I'll try to post another one shortly.