Father Up Above, Why in All This Hatred...

 It's Sunday morning and I'll soon be getting ready for church.  One evening not too long ago,  we had our new neighbors over for a glass of red and good conversation.  As we shared who we were with each other, our new neighbors shared that they were "believers". 

We realized we had many beliefs in politics and religion in common as the evening went on. They said they were actively looking for a spiritual community where they would feel at home. I haven't been to what I consider my church, in a long time, but eagerly told them about The Well, a progressive, welcoming, inclusive church in our area.

I'm not going to lie, my faith has dwindled to nothing but a tangled web of questions, punctuated with huge clouds of doubt.  But this niche I'm in, is not unfamiliar.  I've been here many times before, with each visit becoming more profound. It's not a comfortable corner to occupy, nevertheless, here I am. 

Years ago, I read that if you want to completely simplify life, you can divide it into two things: love and efficiency. Or, even more understandable, the mind versus the heart. The logical, organized mind that can divide knowledge into categories that make sense, and the metaphorical heart, which is where all sorts of emotions live. At times, they spar and argue with each other. It's interesting to watch it all play out. The worst scenario is, that nothing is played out, and too many thoughts and feelings are left open-ended and unresolved.

So, at a neighbor's Christmas Party, we were visiting with our new neighbors who told us they had been going to "my" church and really liked it. When I told them I was going to go on Christmas Eve, they let me know that Christmas Eve service was actually this morning. They invited us to go.

Here I am, getting ready soon, to visit this church that I haven't been to in a long time. Honestly, I'm not sure how I feel.  Maybe it'll be the light that the wise men saw which led them to the baby they heard about. A bit of hope in a very dark desert. But that's another blog isn't it?

One thing I really believe is that Jesus once existed here, in the middle east, on our earth. I wonder often what he was really like. Walking around in the desert, no modern conveniences. I strongly believe  that he was nothing like the way American's evangelical churches paint him. 

He was a revolutionary, for sure! And he stirred up a lot of shit with the religious people. I really wish I could time travel and hang out with him. Maybe I can. And so it goes!

"She was his girl,

He was her boyfriend.

She be his wife,

Take him as her husband.

A surprise on the way, any day, any day.

One healthy little giggling dribbling baby boy.

The wise men came three made their way

To shower him with love

While he lay in the hay.

Shower him with love, love, love

Love, love, love

Love, love, is all around

Not very much of his childhood was known.

Kept his mother Mary worried

Always out on his own.
He met another Mary for a reasonable fee,
Less than reputable as known to be.

His heart was full of love, love, love
Love, love, love
Love, love, is all around

When Jesus Christ was nailed to the his tree
Said: oh, Daddy-o I can see how it all soon will be...
I came to she'd a little light on this darkening scene
Instead I fear I spilled the blood of my children all around.
The blood of our children all around.

So the story goes, so I'm told,
The people he knew were
Less than golden hearted.
Gamblers and robbers,
Drinkers and jokers, all soul searchers,
Like you and me!

Rumors insisted he soon would be
For his deviations
Taken into custody by the authorities
Less informed than he.

Drinkers and jokers
All soul searchers
Searching for love love love
Love love love
Love love is all around

Preparations were made
For his celebration day
He said: eat this bread and think of it as me 
Drink this wine and dream it will be
The blood of our children all around
The blood of our children all around
The blood of our children all around

Father up above, why in all this hate
Have you filled me up with love, love, love
Love, love, love
Love, love is all around

Father up above, why in all this anger
Have you filled me up with love"