why i'm glad to be lutheran

happy reformation day!!!  one of my favorite celebrations in the church calendar (aside from easter, i suppose), perhaps because it is very specifically connected to lutheranism.  anyway, this reformation day, my computer decided to join in the reform...long story short, i now have a new hard drive and none of my old hard drive stuff (biggest bummers about that: no class notes and no slovak music! :( )

anyway, i was planning on posting this weekend (before my computer decided to reform itself), so here's the post i was thinking about:



this is a message from the presiding bishop of the evangelical lutheran church in america (my lutheran church!).  in it he addresses bullying and makes sure that kids, especially the lgbtq (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans[gender/sexual], and queer/questioning) kids out there, know that they are beloved by god just as they are.  In this day and age where the radicalists seem to be getting more radical and more vocal, it can be hard for people to understand themselves as being beloved children of god, but that is what each and every one of us is.

bishop hanson also included the following links below his message:

Resources - (866) 488-7386

The Trevor Project
The Trevor Project is determined to end suicide among LBGTQ youth by providing resources and a nationwide, 24-hour hotline.  If you are considering suicide or need help, call: 866-4-U-TREVOR (866-488-7386).

BullyingInfo.org
BullyingInfo.org is a project of the Interagency Working Group on Youth Programs (IWGYP) focused on providing tools and resources for youth, parents, teachers and mental health providers to prevent and address bullying.

It Gets Better Project
You can watch more videos at ItGetsBetterProject.com.


something for everyone.  not everyone that participated in the "it gets better" project addressed bullying itself.  the primary focus was on those who are victims of bullying (which is what the first link is for).  i am deeply grateful to bishop hanson for including the second link, which provides resources for those working against bullying.

bullying is not just a problem in our schools, but as a friend told me, it is a problem in our society.  kids may be the most obvious victims of it, but there is bullying throughout our lives, at work, in neighborhoods, in our churches.  bullying is not ok, and we as a country, and especially as christians who are called to love god, love the stranger, love our enemies, and pray for those who persecute us (among other things), are especially called to not only pray for those who are bullied and those who bully, but to work to change that: to bring god's love here on earth in a very real way.