Here's a film I look forward to seeing

Though I suspect watching it may be painful.



for the BIBLE tells me so, the movie


From the movie's website:

Through the experiences of five very normal, very Christian, very American families -- including those of former House Majority Leader Richard Gephardt and Episcopalian Bishop Gene Robinson -- we discover how insightful people of faith handle the realization of having a gay child. Informed by such respected voices as Bishop Desmond Tutu, Harvard's Peter Gomes, Orthodox Rabbi Steve Greenberg and Reverend Jimmy Creech, FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO offers healing, clarity and understanding to anyone caught in the crosshairs of scripture and sexual identity.

Bearsy Bob says check it out.
[Any old fans of Joe Bob Briggs and his movie reviews out there?]
--the BB

My heart looks for you at all times

E-mail on Wednesday, June 19, 2002

My heart looks for you at all times
My ears listen for you
My eyes seek your face
I feel like an ancient psalmist
yearning for God
We are steps on the journey
into life that has no end
love that never dies
Together we roam a path
unaware how vast and glorious
our destination
deep
deep
deeper than fears
deeper than desire
deeper than dreams
rooted beyond knowing
blossom outside all belief
fruit rich
delicious
nourishing
abiding
laughter waits
and tears of joy
at journey’s end
This step we take
hands linked
hearts freebound with all things
wondering, wandering
tasting hints, dying daily
ever newborn
My joy, we are more than stardust
we are God’s glory
shining in the eyes of all
creation

Well, that just sprang up while I was listening to music here in the church office. I guess it is today’s love poem, or prayer, or meditation. I give it to you, smiling, seeing your face before my mind’s eye. Come to me soon.

===============
(c) PES

Since we are on the theme of divine love (and human as well), here is one more.
--the BB

Lighting the Whole Sky

There is an absurd generosity in the Holy One that scatters
Haphazard all the energies and glories of creation, like star nations
Easily flung as diamonds across the velvet night sky.

Surely, we feel, there must be some obligation, some burden, some debt
Under which we must struggle to prove ourselves worthy of such
Nonsensical goodness. The smile of Jesus tells me there is

No burden other than the one we make for ourselves, for God is
Eager to give, to love, to bless, to make fruitful, to set free.
Visions are given to the unworthy and food to the wicked, and
Every gift is only and always that—Gift, free of obligation, a total
Risk taken by the Almighty and Merciful One. We may

Sing the praises of the Giver and share the gifts, or mar
And misuse them with our ingratitude, our fear, our insecurity.
You and I have nothing to prove. Perfection is for God—for us the
Sharing, the striving, choosing, rejoicing in the school of love.

That, the opportunity to know the smallest particle
Or spark of the divine fire, to be kissed by Heaven,

To know the bliss of Eternity in this moment, to be loved
Here in this place by the Source and Goal of all things,
Eating at the abundant feast with all souls, all beings,

Entering into the bridal chamber of God’s love,
And shuddering at the tender caress of the Glorious One,
Reveling in delight, alive and overflowing with life—
That is as close as we can come to obligation. To
Hear the Voice of the Beloved, that itself suffices.

You see, once loved in that way we cannot then close
Ourselves from God or from others, nor from ourselves.
Useless to resist the Divine Lover, with whom is all our bliss.

Our lives, touched by that Fire, cannot then cease to burn.
We become sparks, lighting the universe along with all those
Ever-shining stars. It is not debt, it is desire and delight.

My little efforts, my many failures, seem to undo this mystery, yet
Even when clouds cover the earth, the sun shines and God loves still.

June 28, 2002

(An acrostic from Hafiz, I believe: The sun never says to the earth, you owe me.)
--the BB