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Uncommon Devotion

~ God is calling for a prophetic community to emerge, drawn from the nations of the world, that is characterized by uncommon devotion to the compassion and peace of God revealed in Jesus Christ. – D&C 163:11a

Uncommon Devotion

Tag Archives: Faith

When the Nativity makes us uncomfortable

10 Tuesday Dec 2019

Posted by Sean Langdon in Community of Christ, Culture, discipleship, Politics

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Advent, Borders, christianity, Christmas, Community of Christ, discipleship, Faith, Immigration, Manger, Nativity, Religion, Social Justice

“God, the Eternal Creator, weeps for the poor, displaced, mistreated, and diseased of the world because of their unnecessary suffering. Such conditions are not God’s will. Open your ears to hear the pleading of mothers and fathers in all nations who desperately seek a future of hope for their children. Do not turn away from them. For in their welfare resides your welfare.” – Community of Christ Holy Text

This past week there has been an image of the nativity scene at Claremont United Methodist Church in California in where Baby Jesus, Joseph, and Mary find each of themselves in their own cage. It’s a protest visual in response to our governments border policies. To view the image, check out this article from CNN. To use the nativity in this way is provocative, sad, disconcerting, and even maddening, and that is why it is incredibly appropriate. I wish more faith communities were brave enough to make a similar statements. For the purpose of Christ’s message wasn’t to spread a message of rainbows and butterflies with pats on the back for good deeds done. It was to challenge unjust laws and spread a message of Joy, Hope, Love, and Peace in the midst of a society that seemed to contradict that message. It was to bring hope to those who were lonely, oppressed, marginalized, and forgotten. It was to live within a spirit of shalom, not fear.

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Where does it hurt?: Another Day, Another Mass Shooting

08 Thursday Nov 2018

Posted by Sean Langdon in Culture

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christianity, EnoughIsEnough, Faith, Gun Control, Gun Reform, Healing, Hope, Religion, Social Justice, Sugarland

I woke up this morning to see the Huffington Post alert on my phone. Mass Shooting at a bar in Southern California. This one only an hour and half from where I am currently at in Southern California while away for work and some play. I flashback to waking up on June 12, 2016, and seeing the alert on my phone of the Pulse Nightclub Massacre. My heart sinks.

We learn that it was college night at the bar. My emotions flood me as I recall every school and college shooting that is embedded deep in my memory. Of young, innocent lives lost. Of lives full of hope and promise gone in a matter of minutes. In a matter of seconds. Gone. The high school I graduated from suffered it’s own shooting a few years back. Images of the school being evacuated from the same classrooms I once learned in, haunted me. They were similar images I saw as an 8th grader watching the events of Columbine unfold on the television. My heart sinks. Continue reading →

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I See You

24 Wednesday Oct 2018

Posted by Sean Langdon in Culture

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Blogging, Bullying, christianity, Community of Christ, Faith, LGBT, Religion, Transgender

“However, it is not right to profess oneness and equality in Christ through sacramental covenants and then to deny them by word or action. Such behavior wounds Christ’s body and denies what is resolved eternally in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.” – Community of Christ Holy Text

I see Gayle. Who has inspired me with her journey. Who provided beautiful pastoral ministry that was just what I needed while in retreat with others in the LGBTQIA+ community and our allies.

I see Ramsley. Who is strong and courageous in being a voice for themself. Who helps so many new people gain a deeper awareness and understanding because they share their story with all of us. Continue reading →

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Never Forget: 20 Years Since Laramie

13 Saturday Oct 2018

Posted by Sean Langdon in Culture

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Bisexual, Blogging, Bullying, Coming Out, Equality, Faith, Gay, Gun Control, Lesbian, LGBT, Social Justice

On October 6, 1998, Matthew Shepard was beaten and tortured because he was gay. Tied matthew-shepardto a fence in the middle of nowhere, he was left to die. Though he was found 18 hours later, he did pass away on October 12, 1998. Yesterday was 20 years since Matthew’s death.

I was a 13 year old 8th grader at Olympic View Middle School in Mukilteo, Washington, as these events unfolded in the media. As a confused and closeted young teenager struggling with understanding my own sexuality, events like this shaped my struggle for self and communal acceptance. What if I came out, could this happen to me? Could I be beaten and tortured for who I am? Could I be killed? My reality… Yes to all of it. This has been the reality for so many of us through the years.

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Words Matter. Visibility Matters.

13 Monday Aug 2018

Posted by Sean Langdon in Culture

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Bisexual, BiVisibility, discipleship, Faith, Gay, LGBT, Religion, Social Justice, Sugarland

“Words matter. Think about what you say.”

IMG-3338That was the sentiment on the screen as Sugarland sang a cover of “Tony” by Patty Griffin. They went on to share messages like “It is UP TO US to protect all of our LGBTQ kids whether they are our kids, our neighbors’ kids, or our classmates”, “Our homes can be affirming places. Our schools. Our churches. Our communities.”, and “We must STAND UP for them when other don’t and TALK TO and resist those who reject and bully them.” They ended the song with information shared about The Trevor Project and Human Rights Campaign.

Overcome with emotion and pride, I immediately posted this on my Facebook as Sugarland kept on singing:

As if I didn’t already love them, Sugarland just sang “Tony” by Patty Griffin. I was moved by the song as they sang it with these words and more behind them on the screen. As I now read the actual lyrics on my phone, I am even more deeply moved that they choose to highlight LGBTQ suicide among youth in their concert and that they chose this song to do so. 🏳️‍🌈💚💛🏳️‍🌈🧡🏳️‍🌈❤️💜🏳️‍🌈

Pride isn’t about needing to feel special and recognized for our sexuality. It is about being seen. It is about being loved and having safe space to express love. It’s about equality. It’s about bringing awareness to the fact that people are literally dying or hurting themselves because of the hateful words and actions taken by churches, families, classmates, bakers, businesses, governments, and more. Pride is about experiencing freedom. The freedom to be. The freedom to love. The freedom to claim our own truth.

Thank you, Sugarland! You had me on the edge of tears! Deep gratitude for bringing your spirit of equality to the country music community, a community that I love but one that isn’t usually the most supportive of LGBTQIA+ rights.

As I approached this summer, I pondered how I was going to express myself as a human who was part of the LGBTQIA+ community during the various youth ministry events that I staffed this summer. It wasn’t about feeling the need to do it for myself but for everyone else that was present. For the youth who were out and publicly living their truth, it was to be a sign of solidarity. For those who were still hiding an integral part of themselves from the world, it was to be a sign of hope and safety. To know there were others in leadership roles who had a similar identity and who had walked a similar journey as a teen. To everyone else, it was to help normalize same-sex attraction (because guess what… It’s normal.). Continue reading →

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I'm a minister, progressive, Jesus following, music fanatic, friend, son, nature loving, ocean dreaming, Gospel preaching, spontaneous road trip driving, camping enthusiast.

Recent Posts

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  • Merry Christmas – When the Good News isn’t Warm and Fuzzy
  • Bi Visibility Day: My Story
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