Flooded

It's flooding in Milford and schools are closing early today because of it; some of the streets are impassable -- you can't even go downtown! Sometimes I feel like I am flooded and shut down as well. Freedom comes at such a price, and before I am free, I will find the price is even higher. Right now the task before me looms large and seems bigger than I am able to cope with. But I draw strength from my God and my friends. And I am blessed to have made a new friend, at least by phone, last night. The journey to freedom is to be shared, and I hope to share my journey, my struggles and my joys with another human being and I pray God will give me that person soon, if God hasn't already done so.

it's too late - carole king

Carole King - Tapestry

Happy Cinco de Mayo

This is NOT the Independence Day of Mexico, but the day in which the Mexican army defeated the French in battle. It's a day for all oppressed people to celebrate standing up to their oppressors. Think of the American Revolution. Think of the Stonewall riots. We must fight our own personal battles as we struggle to be free. The journey to freedom is not easy, but it's not one to be taken alone, either. Together we can choose to live in freedom, refusing the shackles that others have placed upon us, and ridding ourselves of the chains we have put on ourselves. It's worth the price we pay. I am reminded of the slogan on New Hampshire license plates: Live free or die!
Beckett

Personally

As I consider my journey to freedom so close to the fortieth anniversary of the death of Martin Luther King, Jr., I ask myself if I am working only for my own personal freedom or for the freedom of others as well. Those who know me, understand that I write things which can only be fully understood by knowing who I am in my totality. Disclosing myself completely is not something which I can do on this blog, but I can do it on a one to one basis with trusted friends; who indeed reveals of themselves in a forum such as this? I can help others break the chains of fundamentalism on this blog, but I seek a freedom that goes beyond that -- the freedom to speak my truth without fear of incurring the wrath of my superiors. The day may come when I dare to infuriate them with my own personal truth, but that day is not today; it is for a tomorrow which I hope will not take another forty years to come. I love my God, and my God loves me, but there are those who would deny that truth. And I am well aware that I must speak the truth in love; it is perhaps the most important thing I can do for those who agree with me, and for those who vehemently and violently disagree. I cannot be free so long as any of my sisters or brothers is imprisoned, not by chains, nor by iron bars in a cell, but imprisoned by the god of fundamentalism, the god of hate, I choose to serve the God of love, the God of freedom, the God of Jesus of Nazareth.

God's Love is For All -- Me Included

I caused my parents a lot of trouble, I suppose. Again and again they told me that if others saw me at home, they wouldn't like me so much. Looking back at my childhood, I don't think I was that bad of a kid. Not an angel, but not really bad. I don't think I've ever said anything so hurtful to my own children. My parents, though, added to my low self-esteem, as did the Bible, the Word of God. God told me how bad I was, so then I had to agree with my parents, no one would like me if they really knew me.

I'm 50 years old now, and I know better. I know God is love, and that God's love is great enough to extend to me. I know that people can and do like/love me for who I am, even when they know things about me that I tend to keep hidden. So God's love extends to you, whoever you are reading this.

On my journey to freedom, I know God is right beside me, every step of the way.

Chuck

Judy Garland - Somewhere Over The Rainbow

When life is too mcuh for me, I might pray or read the Scriptures. Or I might simply listen to Judy Garland sing "Over the Rainbow." This is argualbly her best rendition of her signature song.