CHIC 2K9 Day 2

Day 2

I am a Professional Lover

Next up on the list of big name speakers was Shane Claiborne.  What a strange, amazing God-loving fellow.  When you initially see him you know there is something different about him.  He has dread locks going to his waste, a bandana, a funny shirt, and funny pants.  He said he made all his own clothing.   He said at one point he was prom king and not that great of a kid.  Then he did a dangerous thing. He read the Bible! Eventually he became an ordinary radical, going around helping those who are less fortunate.

He talked about how he stood up for injustice by sleeping in parks and giving food to the homeless people, even when the authorities made it illegal!  He eventually got arrested for this. Pretty dumb, eh? I thought so too. So being the type of person he is, he got a homeless person to represent him in court.  The homeless man said one statement, "Jesus was homeless ya know."  The judge leaned over and said "I think you guys have a chance."  They won the case when it went to the supreme court and the laws were changed.

Then Shane told of how he made it to Calcutta, India...that is where Mother Teresa does her business.  He called many numbers trying to get her number.  He had to go through the top American nun to get it, Mother Victorious.  haha.  While he was in Calcutta, he befriended a little boy.  While Mr. Claiborne was there, the boy happened to have a birthday.  So he thought of what to give the boy and gave him an ice cream cone.  The kid was so excited that he started to shake.  He screamed "I have an ice cream CONEEE!!! Everyone come and line up!"  So the other children came and lined up.  The boy went down the line and gave everyone a lick. EVERYONE. Think about it.  This boy has nothing. When he was given the gift, he shared it with everyone.  Not just his best friends or the cool people. Everyone. How great is that??

At one point Shane decided to share about a high school reunion he went to.  He had to put down what his job was...Well...he didn't really have one. So. He put down lover.  Shane Claiborne is a professional lover. :p

So the three main things I learned from Mr. Claiborne.  The best things to do with the best things in life is to give them away so others can enjoy them.  Calcuttas are everywhere.  We just need to have the eyes to see them.  The cross, dove, fish, and lion have always been a symbol of Christianity, a chameleon never has been.

So get up, get out and find your Calcutta. Calcutta, Indiana. Calcutta, New York. Calcutta, California.  It could be in your backyard and you just don't realize it.

NOTHING you do can change God's love for you.