During the viewing of the short film I've now mentioned a few times . . . David Fleer suggested to me that a Q and A be added at the end of the film. I'd spent five minutes or so introducing the film discussing the concept Dallas Willard calls "vampire Christianity"--the reduction of the meaning of the life Jesus (which Willard famously writes, "The tendency to only want Jesus for his blood" ignoring the tenor of the life and teachings that got him crucified in the first place).
After the short film--an eighteen minute re-hearing of the King Story in Jim Crow South (think: MLK as America's Moses set to Springsteen) . . . I fielded several questions and comments. Brian McLaren, of all people, told an incredible story about two different generations and their wrestling with the legacy of apartheid in South Africa.
At the very end of the discussion, with a room full of scholars, preachers, theologians (including Brueggemann, McLaren, Cleo LaRue, etc.) . . . one good man stood up and asked a very honest question. "Don't we run the risk of making racism worse when we continue to tell the stories of Jim Crow South and Martin Luther King?"
It was, as I said, a good question.
Immediately my mind went to two places at once. First, I thought of Elie Wiesel, who had just lectured at Rochester College/Church on the power of language for reconciliation (and the role of memory) . . . and I thought the reason Darfur can happen today is because we've forgotten the Holocaust of the twentieth century.
My mind simultaneously went to a different place. I thought of my beloved friend, James ("Doc") Shelton--one of the most respected high school basketball coaches in Nashville. Doc and I became friends when I was a grad student at Lipscomb. He has deep roots with two of my mentors (Rubel Shelly and John York).
So this is the gist of what I said . . . "If Doc Shelton (an African-American leader in Nashville) were to answer your question, he might remind all of us that Christian institutions (such as David Lipscomb) were the last to integrate in major urban areas all over the U.S."
"Moreover, I've yet to meet a minority in this country who wants to completely forget the past. So, and I mean this with all the generosity I can muster . . . we cannot forget. And sometimes our questions betray our own bias, forcing us to ask better questions."
There are many facets to the gospel. Some of those facets include: personal forgiveness, faith, hope, and love. Some also include race, gender, and economics, and spiritual formation.
Different seasons call for different emphases. In all of those . . . be it addiction, divorce, sexual abuse, abandonment, pride . . . the way to the future runs through the past. We must always remember, lest we cease to be human. For it is in remembering that we remain human. Remembering the stories of God preserved through the church (called the Bible). Remembering the grace poured out in our lives.
20 October 2008
19 October 2008
Film, CTS
The short film I made for the Lipscomb Preaching Conference went well. I will write more about it later. It's incredible what can happen when you mix images, words, music, and powerful rhetoric together. It's like cooking a gourmet meal. Add the right ingredients with a delicate touch and . . . voila!
---
I was able to spend precious time with the York Family today. They have been a blessing, source of wisdom, and spiritual friends since 2002. I count my life richer for having shared so many memories and conversations.
---
In the morning, I begin a course with Walter Brueggemann on Pentateuch (think: first five books of the Bible).
Here are the main reasons I wanted to do my doctoral work at Columbia Seminary.
1. Charles Campbell: One of the more influential thinkers in recent times (for his field) . . . he's now at Duke.
2. Barbara Brown Taylor: my favorite writer and preacher on the planet. Period. I'm supposed to take a writing course with her in the summer of 2009
3. Walter Brueggemann (word is this might be his last course): Seriously. The Bill Russell of Old Testament theology.
4. Diversity of students: we will have pastors and ministers from all over the world, from virtually every branch of the Christian faith.
5. Challenge: Besides Princeton (which just did away with their D.Min.) CTS is one of the more integrative programs I'm aware of. They are passionate about practical theology and deep reflection.
---
I was able to spend precious time with the York Family today. They have been a blessing, source of wisdom, and spiritual friends since 2002. I count my life richer for having shared so many memories and conversations.
---
In the morning, I begin a course with Walter Brueggemann on Pentateuch (think: first five books of the Bible).
Here are the main reasons I wanted to do my doctoral work at Columbia Seminary.
1. Charles Campbell: One of the more influential thinkers in recent times (for his field) . . . he's now at Duke.
2. Barbara Brown Taylor: my favorite writer and preacher on the planet. Period. I'm supposed to take a writing course with her in the summer of 2009
3. Walter Brueggemann (word is this might be his last course): Seriously. The Bill Russell of Old Testament theology.
4. Diversity of students: we will have pastors and ministers from all over the world, from virtually every branch of the Christian faith.
5. Challenge: Besides Princeton (which just did away with their D.Min.) CTS is one of the more integrative programs I'm aware of. They are passionate about practical theology and deep reflection.
The Beauty of Family
Mom: "You know the Bible says, 'Spare the rod and spoil the child.'"
My brother: "I guess that means I'll have to turn the other cheek."
(From Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove)
16 October 2008
Baby Graves, Film, Music, Flannery O'Connor
The excitement we've felt from our family and friends has been encouraging. Thanks to everyone who wrote an e-mail, commented on the blog, posted a note to Facebook, left me voice-mail/text. We are truly blessed to have so many people who are sharing life with us.
---
Tomorrow, I present a film I've been working on for almost a year at the Lipscomb Preaching Conference. My good friend and tech whiz, Sean Stockman, helped me put this video together. I think it's one of the best projects we've worked on together.
When David Fleer asked me to do this I said "yes" without hesitation. I'm fascinated with the relationship and connection of images, music, and film. I'm convinced that part of the church's future (especially regarding preaching and teaching) is to a) understand the way in which the medium is the message and b) the way in which various mediums can be used to further the cause of deep spirituality, grace, love, hope and justice.
I did some of this at the Nashville ZOE Conference a few weeks back if you are interested. Knight Media Group handles all the CD distribution (615.459.8087).
---
The reading I take with me is a sacred selection. I thought about taking this classic. But, after reading a bit, I did not think it would get the job done as I move in and out of Nashville and Atlanta. So, I went with a writer Thomas Merton once referred to as a truly legendary writer "for all time and all generations," (my paraphrase). I'll be taking Flannery O'Connor with me.
---
Tomorrow, I present a film I've been working on for almost a year at the Lipscomb Preaching Conference. My good friend and tech whiz, Sean Stockman, helped me put this video together. I think it's one of the best projects we've worked on together.
When David Fleer asked me to do this I said "yes" without hesitation. I'm fascinated with the relationship and connection of images, music, and film. I'm convinced that part of the church's future (especially regarding preaching and teaching) is to a) understand the way in which the medium is the message and b) the way in which various mediums can be used to further the cause of deep spirituality, grace, love, hope and justice.
I did some of this at the Nashville ZOE Conference a few weeks back if you are interested. Knight Media Group handles all the CD distribution (615.459.8087).
---
The reading I take with me is a sacred selection. I thought about taking this classic. But, after reading a bit, I did not think it would get the job done as I move in and out of Nashville and Atlanta. So, I went with a writer Thomas Merton once referred to as a truly legendary writer "for all time and all generations," (my paraphrase). I'll be taking Flannery O'Connor with me.
08 October 2008
We Bring Good News
Kara and I have been on many adventures together over the last several years. We’ve lived in Michigan (twice, once while dating, once while married), Nashville (Seminary and College), and Abilene (ditto).
We’ve traveled to many different places in the United States, usually catching a Major League Baseball game (Wrigley has been, by far, our favorite so far).
We’ve been to Hawaii and hit as many beaches as we could find. We just recently spent time in Paris, London and Uganda asking the question that’s been the theme of my life, “What is God up to anyway?”
We’ve been in the slums of Cass Park, finding ourselves in all kinds of unimaginable conversations and homes. We’ve broken bread with some of our homeless friends who are now, by the grace of God, off the streets. We even buried a few of our friends whose relationships, short-lived as they were, blessed our lives in gospel ways.
We’ve traveled deeper in our friendships with our small group of which we say all the time, “We are learning to do life together.” As a church family, we've traveled the path marked "missional" learning from our mistakes.
But, we are now about to partake of a journey that will, in most ways, be all-together different than the other journeys mentioned.
Baby Graves will, by the goodness of God, join us on May 1st, 2009. Kara is eleven weeks pregnant for those curious . . . though you’d never know because she’s so skinny. If you happen to be at the Rochester Hills Public Library this week and find all the “baby name books” are checked out . . . now you know the whole story.
More (funny) stories to come . . . Is that a basketball in Baby Graves' hand?
We’ve traveled to many different places in the United States, usually catching a Major League Baseball game (Wrigley has been, by far, our favorite so far).
We’ve been to Hawaii and hit as many beaches as we could find. We just recently spent time in Paris, London and Uganda asking the question that’s been the theme of my life, “What is God up to anyway?”
We’ve been in the slums of Cass Park, finding ourselves in all kinds of unimaginable conversations and homes. We’ve broken bread with some of our homeless friends who are now, by the grace of God, off the streets. We even buried a few of our friends whose relationships, short-lived as they were, blessed our lives in gospel ways.
We’ve traveled deeper in our friendships with our small group of which we say all the time, “We are learning to do life together.” As a church family, we've traveled the path marked "missional" learning from our mistakes.
But, we are now about to partake of a journey that will, in most ways, be all-together different than the other journeys mentioned.
Baby Graves will, by the goodness of God, join us on May 1st, 2009. Kara is eleven weeks pregnant for those curious . . . though you’d never know because she’s so skinny. If you happen to be at the Rochester Hills Public Library this week and find all the “baby name books” are checked out . . . now you know the whole story.
More (funny) stories to come . . . Is that a basketball in Baby Graves' hand?
Home: Return of the Prodigal Son
Last week, I mentioned the acclaimed novel, Home.
Click here to read an excellent review of what might be one of the better novels of the last decade.
An excerpt:
“Home” is a book full of doubleness and paradox, at once serene and volcanic, ruthless and forgiving. It is an anguished pastoral, a tableau of decency and compassion that is also an angry and devastating indictment of moral cowardice and unrepentant, unacknowledged sin. It would be inaccurate to say that the novel represents yet another breathless exposé of religious hypocrisy, or a further excavation of the dark secrets that supposedly lurk beneath the placid surface of small-town life. When Robinson writes that “complacency was consistent with the customs and manners of Presbyterian Gilead and was therefore assumed to be justified in every case,” she is not scoring an easy, sarcastic point. There is real kindness and generosity in the town, and its theological disposition is accordingly tolerant and charitable.
These ugly facts complicate the beauty of “Home,” but the way Robinson embeds them in the novel is part of what makes it so beautiful. It is a book unsparing in its acknowledgment of sin and unstinting in its belief in the possibility of grace. It is at once hard and forgiving, bitter and joyful, fanatical and serene. It is a wild, eccentric, radical work of literature that grows out of the broadest, most fertile, most familiar native literary tradition. What a strange old book it is.
Click here to read an excellent review of what might be one of the better novels of the last decade.
An excerpt:
“Home” is a book full of doubleness and paradox, at once serene and volcanic, ruthless and forgiving. It is an anguished pastoral, a tableau of decency and compassion that is also an angry and devastating indictment of moral cowardice and unrepentant, unacknowledged sin. It would be inaccurate to say that the novel represents yet another breathless exposé of religious hypocrisy, or a further excavation of the dark secrets that supposedly lurk beneath the placid surface of small-town life. When Robinson writes that “complacency was consistent with the customs and manners of Presbyterian Gilead and was therefore assumed to be justified in every case,” she is not scoring an easy, sarcastic point. There is real kindness and generosity in the town, and its theological disposition is accordingly tolerant and charitable.
These ugly facts complicate the beauty of “Home,” but the way Robinson embeds them in the novel is part of what makes it so beautiful. It is a book unsparing in its acknowledgment of sin and unstinting in its belief in the possibility of grace. It is at once hard and forgiving, bitter and joyful, fanatical and serene. It is a wild, eccentric, radical work of literature that grows out of the broadest, most fertile, most familiar native literary tradition. What a strange old book it is.
07 October 2008
Voices
One of my students at RC (an excellent thinker and deeply spiritual leader) . . . Shalmar Hylton . . . read this to our class recently. I think it is absolutely brilliant.
"All nature speaks with an articulate voice: everything in it is song, music and sound. All beings whisper, sigh, hum, quaver, chirp, roar, howl, bellow, groan, shriek, weep or murmur. The song of the crickets, the cicadas and the frogs, and the whistling of which the stripped squires greet each other, and all the other voices of the fields are one great prayer. This is the reason for the silence observed by those contemplative monks who have dedicated their voices to the choral chant. They know that every voice is a prayer."
- Ernesto Cardenal in To Live is to Love (page 28)
"All nature speaks with an articulate voice: everything in it is song, music and sound. All beings whisper, sigh, hum, quaver, chirp, roar, howl, bellow, groan, shriek, weep or murmur. The song of the crickets, the cicadas and the frogs, and the whistling of which the stripped squires greet each other, and all the other voices of the fields are one great prayer. This is the reason for the silence observed by those contemplative monks who have dedicated their voices to the choral chant. They know that every voice is a prayer."
- Ernesto Cardenal in To Live is to Love (page 28)
Scot McKnight
Scot McKnight reflected on his recent time with us at ZOE. He has one of the best blogs I've seen. Check it out.
His lectures were full of theological depth, humor, pastoral sensibility, and missional conviction. He fit well with what ZOE is trying to do among Churches of Christ: bridging the Gospel and Culture in innovative and faithful ways.
His lectures were full of theological depth, humor, pastoral sensibility, and missional conviction. He fit well with what ZOE is trying to do among Churches of Christ: bridging the Gospel and Culture in innovative and faithful ways.
The Boss
Bruce Springsteen, arguably one of the most influential musicians/artists of the last twenty-five years, gave a free acoustic concert at Eastern Michigan University yesterday in hopes to register college students for the upcoming election.
It was a remarkable event. We (Kara, Sara and Nate Barton) got 20 feet from the stage. He played for 30-40 minutes. We did not pay one dime.
He dedicated Devil and Dust to the troops still working and serving in the Middle East. That was a "thin space" moment. Especially when he uttered these words: "Now every woman and every man/They wanna take a righteous stand/Find the love that God wills/And the faith that He commands/I've got my finger on the trigger/And tonight faith just ain't enough/When I look inside my heart/There's just devils and dust"
03 October 2008
Hall of Fame Coach
It was such an honor to play for him. I wish I could be there for it. I was there for his 500th win (one of the highlights of my playing days) . . . tonight will be special.
Right now, I know what he's doing. He's trying to figure out how he can get out of giving an acceptance speech.
Coach: We're proud of you and we love you a great deal.
01 October 2008
Home
When it comes to reading, I can be a bit of a snob. By "snob" . . . of course . . . I mean I'm selective. I read what I'm told to read by my teachers. I also have entrusted my reading to a select group of people who bat around .900.
One of my inner-circle reading friends suggested I check out this novel a few years ago. It blew me away . . . I think I read it in two days. Which, for me, is not normal.
Then I found out that the author of this novel was one of Barbara Brown Taylor's favorite writers. BBT is one of the best writers in all of Christianity. Period.
So, another novel by MR just came out. I picked it up on Saturday. It is doing surgery on me. Scot McKnight recently reminded me of one of my favorite sections in the novel.
“There is a saying that to understand is to forgive, but that is an error, so Papa used to say. You must forgive in order to understand. Until you forgive, you defend yourself against the possibility of understanding. Her [Glory’s] father had said this more than once, in sermons, with appropriate texts, but the real text was Jack, and those to whom he spoke were himself and the row of Boughtons in the front pew, which usually did not include Jack, and then, of course, the congregation. If you forgive, he would say, you may indeed still not understand, but you will be ready to understand, and that is the posture of grace.”
The book is called Home. Check it out. You won't regret it.
One of my inner-circle reading friends suggested I check out this novel a few years ago. It blew me away . . . I think I read it in two days. Which, for me, is not normal.
Then I found out that the author of this novel was one of Barbara Brown Taylor's favorite writers. BBT is one of the best writers in all of Christianity. Period.
So, another novel by MR just came out. I picked it up on Saturday. It is doing surgery on me. Scot McKnight recently reminded me of one of my favorite sections in the novel.
“There is a saying that to understand is to forgive, but that is an error, so Papa used to say. You must forgive in order to understand. Until you forgive, you defend yourself against the possibility of understanding. Her [Glory’s] father had said this more than once, in sermons, with appropriate texts, but the real text was Jack, and those to whom he spoke were himself and the row of Boughtons in the front pew, which usually did not include Jack, and then, of course, the congregation. If you forgive, he would say, you may indeed still not understand, but you will be ready to understand, and that is the posture of grace.”
The book is called Home. Check it out. You won't regret it.
The Blame Game
We see it all the time.
Ministers blame elders. Elders blame ministers. Both blame church members. Church members blame ministers. Church members blame elders.
Spouses blame each other, sometimes, even the children. In-law's blame the son-in-law. Grandchildren blame the aunt or uncle.
The assembly line blames middle management. Middle management blames the executives. The executives blame the other way.
At university's . . . faculty blame administration. Administration blame staff. Staff blame faculty. Students blame administration. The vicious cycle continues.
Rarely when something goes wrong do various factions of any entity stand up and take responsibility for their own individual contributions to the mess. This has happened in Washington and Wall Street. It happened during Katrina, and the onset of the Gulf War.
Right here in Detroit and Metro Detroit, the demise of the auto industry and scandal surrounding former Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick. Everyone wants to create a scapegoat.
G.K. Chesterton (well-known thinker/writer from the U.K.) famously once wrote in to a London Newspaper regarding the turmoil that consumed Europe in the early stages of the twentieth century.
Regarding leadership . . . I'm interested in surrounding myself with people who are willing to a) own up to their own shortcomings and weaknesses b) come together to draw upon the strengths of the group and c) courageously carve a path forward in hope.
The blame game is out-of-control. We are a society of "it's someone else's fault."
And I'm one of the reasons.
Ministers blame elders. Elders blame ministers. Both blame church members. Church members blame ministers. Church members blame elders.
Spouses blame each other, sometimes, even the children. In-law's blame the son-in-law. Grandchildren blame the aunt or uncle.
The assembly line blames middle management. Middle management blames the executives. The executives blame the other way.
At university's . . . faculty blame administration. Administration blame staff. Staff blame faculty. Students blame administration. The vicious cycle continues.
Rarely when something goes wrong do various factions of any entity stand up and take responsibility for their own individual contributions to the mess. This has happened in Washington and Wall Street. It happened during Katrina, and the onset of the Gulf War.
Right here in Detroit and Metro Detroit, the demise of the auto industry and scandal surrounding former Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick. Everyone wants to create a scapegoat.
G.K. Chesterton (well-known thinker/writer from the U.K.) famously once wrote in to a London Newspaper regarding the turmoil that consumed Europe in the early stages of the twentieth century.
You want to know what's wrong with the world?
I am.
Sincerely,
G.K. Chesterton
Regarding leadership . . . I'm interested in surrounding myself with people who are willing to a) own up to their own shortcomings and weaknesses b) come together to draw upon the strengths of the group and c) courageously carve a path forward in hope.
The blame game is out-of-control. We are a society of "it's someone else's fault."
And I'm one of the reasons.
30 September 2008
ZOE Nashville
There are very few conferences Kara and I get to attend together. Actually, there are very few conferences either of us would necessarily want to be at together. However, this weekend is the exception. One of the highlights of the year, ZOE Nashville is this Thursday through Saturday at Woodmont Hills Church. Thursday and Friday is the leadership conference. Friday and Saturday is the worship conference.
I'm leading sessions"mission in the city" (scripture intersecting the urban context) and "preaching/teaching as public leadership" (with emphasis on media and film). In all, seven sessions.
First on the agenda Thursday morning . . . Kara and I will eat at Pancake Pantry. One friend told me recently, "They have special assessment programs for people with Pancake Pantry fetishes!" If there is a rehab place in America for people addicted to Caribbean pancakes, book me a reservation.
I'm leading sessions"mission in the city" (scripture intersecting the urban context) and "preaching/teaching as public leadership" (with emphasis on media and film). In all, seven sessions.
First on the agenda Thursday morning . . . Kara and I will eat at Pancake Pantry. One friend told me recently, "They have special assessment programs for people with Pancake Pantry fetishes!" If there is a rehab place in America for people addicted to Caribbean pancakes, book me a reservation.
26 September 2008
Emerging Artist at Rochester Church
A few years ago, Chris Lindsey and I created EA at Rochester Church. EA (known as Emerging Artist Night) was created to give both Rochester Church artists and artists from our local community a space to demonstrate their talents and gifts inspiring all to see ourselves as artists. Two theological convictions drive this experience. First, God is an artist. This is the first lesson we learn about God in Genesis. Second, God chooses to reveal himself locally. God is not interested in abstract descriptions for he is a God that is about moving into real spaces and neighborhoods. Because our church is primarily committed to being in the Rochester Community--we have to reach and develop artists who help us to understand true beauty, justice, spirituality, and relationships.
Wednesday night was another EA night. It was powerful. From new songs to film, to another great sessions with Peter LeClair and Carmen Paradise (a.k.a. The Marvins)--it was a night to remember. Peter unveiled a new song, Mr. Foolish 2, inspired by my encouragement for them to watch The Notebook (of all movies) during our mentoring sessions prior to their wedding. We also had a special guest--my friend, Paul Blackburn from Gomez Band, showed up to play a little guitar. Kara and I had dinner with Peter, Carmen, Paul, Rachelle (and Rachelle's mom) afterwards and talked about life, love, music, spirituality, marketing in America, life in the U.K, Lars and the Real Girl, and Bono (of course).
Here's a video from Gomez. I love this song.
Wednesday night was another EA night. It was powerful. From new songs to film, to another great sessions with Peter LeClair and Carmen Paradise (a.k.a. The Marvins)--it was a night to remember. Peter unveiled a new song, Mr. Foolish 2, inspired by my encouragement for them to watch The Notebook (of all movies) during our mentoring sessions prior to their wedding. We also had a special guest--my friend, Paul Blackburn from Gomez Band, showed up to play a little guitar. Kara and I had dinner with Peter, Carmen, Paul, Rachelle (and Rachelle's mom) afterwards and talked about life, love, music, spirituality, marketing in America, life in the U.K, Lars and the Real Girl, and Bono (of course).
Here's a video from Gomez. I love this song.
24 September 2008
Senate Prayer
Please join me in prayer . . .
We acknowledge God as Creator and Sustainer of this world.
You have charged us to be good stewards of your creation and your children.
We confess our fragility in this project for we sometimes fall short of this vision.
At times, we vote out of fear.
At times, we don’t tell the truth because the truth won’t get us what we want.
At times, we spin reality, hoping our creative tales will buy us one more day.
Hear our confession today.
Republican, Democrat and Libertarian—we pray to the same God, read from the same holy texts, and attempt to interpret the same constitution. Yet, our understandings of You, our implementation of holy texts and our convictions regarding the constitution are varying, often at odds.
We pray you would comfort those who are broken, distressed, and without hope.
We ask that you give those of us who have been blessed the courage to live our lives as a blessings to everyone around us.
Help us to take our jobs seriously, knowing that work is a gift from You.
Help us not to take ourselves too seriously, lest we think our passions and beliefs are the most important.
As we work today, remind us that “the future belongs to the creatively maladjusted.”
As we work today, remind us that we are all caught up in “an inescapable mutuality.”
As we work today, remind us that there is no greater love than that which compels one human to lay down their life for another.
You created us from dust, and to dust we shall return. That you have breathed life into all of us is something we cannot ever fully comprehend.
This knowledge dares us to live a life worth believing in.
Amen.
We acknowledge God as Creator and Sustainer of this world.
You have charged us to be good stewards of your creation and your children.
We confess our fragility in this project for we sometimes fall short of this vision.
At times, we vote out of fear.
At times, we don’t tell the truth because the truth won’t get us what we want.
At times, we spin reality, hoping our creative tales will buy us one more day.
Hear our confession today.
Republican, Democrat and Libertarian—we pray to the same God, read from the same holy texts, and attempt to interpret the same constitution. Yet, our understandings of You, our implementation of holy texts and our convictions regarding the constitution are varying, often at odds.
We pray you would comfort those who are broken, distressed, and without hope.
We ask that you give those of us who have been blessed the courage to live our lives as a blessings to everyone around us.
Help us to take our jobs seriously, knowing that work is a gift from You.
Help us not to take ourselves too seriously, lest we think our passions and beliefs are the most important.
As we work today, remind us that “the future belongs to the creatively maladjusted.”
As we work today, remind us that we are all caught up in “an inescapable mutuality.”
As we work today, remind us that there is no greater love than that which compels one human to lay down their life for another.
You created us from dust, and to dust we shall return. That you have breathed life into all of us is something we cannot ever fully comprehend.
This knowledge dares us to live a life worth believing in.
Amen.
22 September 2008
Prayer for the Senate
Tomorrow morning, I'm offering the opening prayer for the Michigan State Senate in Lansing. Alan Sanborn, a state senator who is a part of our church family, recently invited me.
In your estimation, the culturally savvy Christian engaged with the world, . . . what would you pray about were you in my shoes?
In your estimation, the culturally savvy Christian engaged with the world, . . . what would you pray about were you in my shoes?
21 September 2008
Tables
Recently I (with the help of generous church supporters) purchased three eight-foot tables. The tables cost $76 a piece. Three tables plus tax . . . $237. The tables aren't much to look at. They are white with gray legs. The tables are plastic. Much lighter than the old wooden tables which still collect cob webs and spilled apple pie in many churches and synagogues all over this country. As we loaded up for Cass Park, I scribbled, in elementary-esque handwriting (due to awkward grooves clearly not designed for writing) Cass Park.
Today, we put those tables to use in Cass Park.
On these tables rested chicken, potato salad, cake, snacks, lemonade, water, pop, toothbrushes, deodorant, plates, forks, napkins, spoons and knives. Plastic utensils of course.
Without these tables, the afternoon is awkward and artificial. Without the food, social power games of old rear their ugly head.
With the tables (and the excellent food) . . . conversations break out, prayers rise up from the sidewalks, stories are told and re-told (and told again), friendships are renewed. Laughter then replaces a scowl, and despair gives away to hope. The trees are a bit greener. The sun is slightly brighter. The air, a little more pleasant.
Christianity is a strange religion indeed. Brilliant but strange.
God takes the ordinary things of life and turns everything upside down. Water. Blood. Food. Wine. Feet. Fishing. Perfume. Bread. And . . . of course tables.
"Want to change the world?" I can hear Jesus ask his disciples. "Pay attention to your tables."
18 September 2008
WE HAVE DONE IT OURSELVES
Lao Tsu once wrote:
Go to the people
Live with them,
Learn from them,
Love them.
Start with what they know,
Build with what they have,
But with the best leaders, when the work is done, the task
Accomplished,
The people will say,
We have done it ourselves
---
Last night, during our mid-week service, several of our college students participated in our Can I Get a Witness? series; discussing their six-week immersion into life in Uganda with the Jinja Mission Team. They told stories, read poems, testified to the difficulty of being American in Africa, bore witness to the love and hope springing forth from poverty and H.I.V. . . . I could not be more proud of these emerging leaders and their commitment to live for the sake of others. "Don't ask what the world needs. Instead, ask what makes you come alive . . . because what the world needs is people who've come alive."
Go to the people
Live with them,
Learn from them,
Love them.
Start with what they know,
Build with what they have,
But with the best leaders, when the work is done, the task
Accomplished,
The people will say,
We have done it ourselves
---
Last night, during our mid-week service, several of our college students participated in our Can I Get a Witness? series; discussing their six-week immersion into life in Uganda with the Jinja Mission Team. They told stories, read poems, testified to the difficulty of being American in Africa, bore witness to the love and hope springing forth from poverty and H.I.V. . . . I could not be more proud of these emerging leaders and their commitment to live for the sake of others. "Don't ask what the world needs. Instead, ask what makes you come alive . . . because what the world needs is people who've come alive."
17 September 2008
Silence and News from U2
Richard Foster recently had this to say when asked "what is the discipline that you think we need to be exploring more at this point?"
Solitude. It is the most foundational of the discipline of abstinence . . . The evangelical passion for engagement with the world is good. But as Thomas a Kempis says, the only person who's safe to travel is the person who's free to stay at home. And Pascal said that we would solve the world's problems if we just learned to sit in our room alone. . . .
And of course, you can't be alone unless you've learned to be with people. Solitude teaches us to live in the presence of God so that we can be with people in a way that helps them and does not manipulate them.
---
New Testament scholar and close friend Greg Stevenson recently shared this breaking news on the U2 front regarding their upcoming album (and future in general).
‘This is our chance for us to defy gravity once again, ‘ explains Bono, calling in from a break in recording sessions in the south of France. ‘ We have what it takes, we have the songs, new rhythms and a guitar player who is not ready to re-enter earth's atmosphere until he's taken a slice of the moon!
Solitude. It is the most foundational of the discipline of abstinence . . . The evangelical passion for engagement with the world is good. But as Thomas a Kempis says, the only person who's safe to travel is the person who's free to stay at home. And Pascal said that we would solve the world's problems if we just learned to sit in our room alone. . . .
And of course, you can't be alone unless you've learned to be with people. Solitude teaches us to live in the presence of God so that we can be with people in a way that helps them and does not manipulate them.
---
New Testament scholar and close friend Greg Stevenson recently shared this breaking news on the U2 front regarding their upcoming album (and future in general).
‘This is our chance for us to defy gravity once again, ‘ explains Bono, calling in from a break in recording sessions in the south of France. ‘ We have what it takes, we have the songs, new rhythms and a guitar player who is not ready to re-enter earth's atmosphere until he's taken a slice of the moon!
12 September 2008
Believe What is Already True . . .
I've found myself drawn to this quote over and over again this week.
"We don't serve God to gain His acceptance; we are accepted, so we serve God. We don't follow Him to be loved; we are loved, so we follow Him. It is not what we do that determines who we are; it is who we are that determines what we do . . . To live the victorious Christian life you have to believe what is already true about you,” (Neil Anderson in Victory over Darkness).
"We don't serve God to gain His acceptance; we are accepted, so we serve God. We don't follow Him to be loved; we are loved, so we follow Him. It is not what we do that determines who we are; it is who we are that determines what we do . . . To live the victorious Christian life you have to believe what is already true about you,” (Neil Anderson in Victory over Darkness).
10 September 2008
Teacher Man
Today is Kara's first day of substitute teaching. She started a graduate degree in education recently and decided to get out of the bank world and into the classroom.
As she left this morning, I was reminded of my one-year stint as a substitute school teacher in the Metro Nashville Public School System while I was finishing seminary. Nashville Public Schools is an interesting outfit. The overwhelming majority of students are minorities for, unlike Metro Detroit for instance, most of the white kids in
Laotian. Hispanic. Kurdish. Black. These were the four major groups I interacted with the year I taught in
These kids are bussed all over the city, to sit in the classrooms which used to be filled with the more affluent white children. When Jim Crow Segregation fell in the South, the complexion of the school system changed. Some say Jim Crow didn't die; Jim Crow just went under-ground.
I will never forget one of my first teaching experiences in MNPS.
I reported to an elementary school on the east side of town in a well known Hispanic- Latino section. I was to teach First Grade.
I reported early (I frequently left our apartment early for fear that the engine in my Dodge would overheat, leaving me stranded and unable to get to the minimal paying job) and began to take attendance. These kids were shy. More so than most six and seven-year-olds.
We stumbled through the beginning, the Pledge, and the morning story-time. Late in the morning, I took the students to music class. One of teachers struck up small talk with me.
"So, how's the morning going so far?"
"Pretty good," I said mustering the most bravado one could hope for in light of the fact that as a substitute, I was a recognized, ordained, labeled Outsider.
"So, do you speak Spanish?"
"Me? No. I ummm . . . I had four years of French. No Spanish though."
"Wow. How are you connecting with the kids? You do know that it's an ESL class?"
In that moment, I ran the call letters E-S-L through my head a dozen times. ESL, ESL, ESL . . . I know that code. It's code for . . . oh my . . . it's code for English as a Second Language. My face must have turned into the same face I make when I drink sour milk.
"Oh, sure. It's a little difficult but were managing," I whispered with a lump in my throat.
Immediately, I turned around, walked back to my classroom. It turned out that I was "teaching" (if you could call it that) a class with students who barely, if at all, spoke English. No wonder I'd received large smiles and blank stares the entire morning.
Oh mon dieu. Que pasa?
09 September 2008
He Sent Them to Galilee . . .
“Only novels know of time machines reversing the tides of the centuries. The myth of a return to the golden age is more pagan than Christian. Christ did not leave his disciples with a promise to lead them back to the Garden of Eden. He sent them to
05 September 2008
COME AS YOU ARE
Christ Church Macomb (our first multi-site effort for the Rochester Church) launched in March of this year. I'll never forget that Sunday for it was a day to remember for many reasons.
I had been planning to spend all week (immediately following the launch day) in Cass Park with several students from Rochester College for an Urban Plunge. This is our annual urban spiritual formation retreat, one of the highlights of the year for me. Because we were coming from Cass Park, where we'd just fed almost 300 people, I decided to invite a few of my homeless friends to the opening worship gathering of Christ Church. I thought they would enjoy it . . . and I thought it would be good for the folks present at the launch.
About halfway through the time of worship, a friend tapped on my shoulder. "They need you in the men's bathroom right away."
"What's wrong?" I asked.
"They need you now."
Kara was sitting with me. Sitting next to her was one of our friends from Cass Park, Aleeya. I told both of them, "I'll be right back."
As I approached the bathroom, some of our students explained to me what had happened. One of our friends from Cass Park decided to make the most of the excellent facilities. Frank, an older man with a deep Caribbean accent almost impossible to interpret, was now standing mostly naked (work with me here) in the bathroom, in front of the sink, giving himself a make-shift bath.
Later, Ashley Harrison would report the reaction of the school janitor (CC:M meets in an elementary school) who, many of us have determined, talks exactly like Joe Pesci. "Ashley," in his high pitch tone, ". . . Ashley . . . this can't happen. He's naked."
Ashley handled the situation like a champ.
Eventually we got Frank dressed, disaster averted. The funniest part of this entire story happened a few days later when I e-mailed the leadership team of CC:M with a simple one line response: "Team: CCM's tag-line all year has been 'Come as you are' . . . I suppose Frank really believed this."
Sunday is the re-launch. I don't think Frank will be there. If he shows up, however, we'll make room. There's always room for Frank in this family.
I had been planning to spend all week (immediately following the launch day) in Cass Park with several students from Rochester College for an Urban Plunge. This is our annual urban spiritual formation retreat, one of the highlights of the year for me. Because we were coming from Cass Park, where we'd just fed almost 300 people, I decided to invite a few of my homeless friends to the opening worship gathering of Christ Church. I thought they would enjoy it . . . and I thought it would be good for the folks present at the launch.
About halfway through the time of worship, a friend tapped on my shoulder. "They need you in the men's bathroom right away."
"What's wrong?" I asked.
"They need you now."
Kara was sitting with me. Sitting next to her was one of our friends from Cass Park, Aleeya. I told both of them, "I'll be right back."
As I approached the bathroom, some of our students explained to me what had happened. One of our friends from Cass Park decided to make the most of the excellent facilities. Frank, an older man with a deep Caribbean accent almost impossible to interpret, was now standing mostly naked (work with me here) in the bathroom, in front of the sink, giving himself a make-shift bath.
Later, Ashley Harrison would report the reaction of the school janitor (CC:M meets in an elementary school) who, many of us have determined, talks exactly like Joe Pesci. "Ashley," in his high pitch tone, ". . . Ashley . . . this can't happen. He's naked."
Ashley handled the situation like a champ.
Eventually we got Frank dressed, disaster averted. The funniest part of this entire story happened a few days later when I e-mailed the leadership team of CC:M with a simple one line response: "Team: CCM's tag-line all year has been 'Come as you are' . . . I suppose Frank really believed this."
Sunday is the re-launch. I don't think Frank will be there. If he shows up, however, we'll make room. There's always room for Frank in this family.
04 September 2008
Random
Christ Church Macomb is moving to a new time this Sunday. Join us for a great morning of worship and testimony followed by a block part from noon to three p.m. Worship begins at 10:30 a.m.
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My friend in Nashville, Lee Camp, is continuing his interesting work of bringing together religion, music, art, and literature (among other things). Check this site out.
NOTE: I had the wrong site for the Lee Camp link. I apologize, it's now fixed!
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My friend in Nashville, Lee Camp, is continuing his interesting work of bringing together religion, music, art, and literature (among other things). Check this site out.
NOTE: I had the wrong site for the Lee Camp link. I apologize, it's now fixed!
02 September 2008
Priceless
Kara is quite the organizer.
Recently, she went through a bunch of drawers, boxes, and files . . . in that process I found a card she'd written to me a few years back. Here's an excerpt:
". . . [T]o try and put into words the experience and feelings of the past two years is impossible. Yes, some days are rough, but if I could only live two years, it would be the last two. You have showed me a new and true part of myself, I have learned to love deeper and live out loud 'louder' since falling in love with you."
I would not trade these moments for anything under the sun.
Recently, she went through a bunch of drawers, boxes, and files . . . in that process I found a card she'd written to me a few years back. Here's an excerpt:
". . . [T]o try and put into words the experience and feelings of the past two years is impossible. Yes, some days are rough, but if I could only live two years, it would be the last two. You have showed me a new and true part of myself, I have learned to love deeper and live out loud 'louder' since falling in love with you."
I would not trade these moments for anything under the sun.
31 August 2008
TRUTH IS STRANGER THAN IT USED TO BE
One of the big (if not biggest) debates happening in philosophical/religious circles is the nature of truth. There are all kinds of complex words one could throw in at this point . . . but that only caters to a select few. Suffice to say, the discussion of truth is paramount . . . especially if a church is serious about entering into culture (where people are currently "at") to offer a word of grace, forgiveness and hope (Paul called this "the ministry of reconciliation").
Let me use a baseball analogy here to illustrate how different people perceive truth. I did not come up with this, it's pretty common.
The first umpire says, "I call balls and I call strikes." Let's call this the naive objectivist viewpoint. This view is as arrogant as the next, though most in this camp would not admit this the case. The naive objectivist believes that truth is universal (for all times and places), transcending "particularities." For instance, for many years, sophisticated culture believed that the universe revolved around the earth (how convenient!) . . . now we know better for the earth, in fact, revolves around the sun.
The second umpire says, "It's not a ball until I call it a ball. It's not a strike until I say it's a strike." This is the arrogant subjectivist perspective. In this view, truth is always relative, contextual to my own understanding and/or experience. This understanding of epistemology (how we know what we know, or how we arrive at what we know) is suspicious of overarching stories (sometimes called metanarratives) which make absolute claims about reality. Why? Because for too long, these overarching stories have been used (e.g. science, religion) to silence minority voices, kill innocent people, inflict pain upon people who would not "convert" to a particular system.
The third umpire says, "I call it like I see it. If I think it's a strike, that's what I'll call." I like this view because it offers a third way. It rises above the first umpire because it admits that I make truth claims out of my own experience. I cannot NOT be me. It critiques the second umpire because it ultimately wants to make some kind of conviction about reality and life; some kind of moral structure to one's life.
One wise thinker is often quoted (at least by me) for his summary of this entire discussion. "I believe in absolute truth (also known in Christianity as God) but not in my ability to understand God absolutely."
If you think the previous is "bunk" at least this might provide you a framework for understanding how many in North America approach religion and values. How people arrive at "truth" means everything for how Christians do evangelism, church, gospel, faith, and community.
More on that to come.
Let me use a baseball analogy here to illustrate how different people perceive truth. I did not come up with this, it's pretty common.
The first umpire says, "I call balls and I call strikes." Let's call this the naive objectivist viewpoint. This view is as arrogant as the next, though most in this camp would not admit this the case. The naive objectivist believes that truth is universal (for all times and places), transcending "particularities." For instance, for many years, sophisticated culture believed that the universe revolved around the earth (how convenient!) . . . now we know better for the earth, in fact, revolves around the sun.
The second umpire says, "It's not a ball until I call it a ball. It's not a strike until I say it's a strike." This is the arrogant subjectivist perspective. In this view, truth is always relative, contextual to my own understanding and/or experience. This understanding of epistemology (how we know what we know, or how we arrive at what we know) is suspicious of overarching stories (sometimes called metanarratives) which make absolute claims about reality. Why? Because for too long, these overarching stories have been used (e.g. science, religion) to silence minority voices, kill innocent people, inflict pain upon people who would not "convert" to a particular system.
The third umpire says, "I call it like I see it. If I think it's a strike, that's what I'll call." I like this view because it offers a third way. It rises above the first umpire because it admits that I make truth claims out of my own experience. I cannot NOT be me. It critiques the second umpire because it ultimately wants to make some kind of conviction about reality and life; some kind of moral structure to one's life.
One wise thinker is often quoted (at least by me) for his summary of this entire discussion. "I believe in absolute truth (also known in Christianity as God) but not in my ability to understand God absolutely."
If you think the previous is "bunk" at least this might provide you a framework for understanding how many in North America approach religion and values. How people arrive at "truth" means everything for how Christians do evangelism, church, gospel, faith, and community.
More on that to come.
30 August 2008
Same Kind of Different as Me
I won't spoil the plot . . . but, if you get a chance, check out the book Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore.
All I'll say is this. I was exhausted last night. I picked up to read a few chapters and ended up staying up halfway through the night to finish. I laughed, cried (but hey, I watch Chick Flick's . . . remember?), and I felt a sense of deep hope for this broken world.
It begins outside a burning plantation hut in Louisiana... and an East Texas honky-tonk... and, without a doubt, in the heart of God. It unfolds in a Hollywood hacienda... an upscale New York Gallery... a downtown dumpster... a Texas ranch. Gritty with pain and betrayal and brutality, it also shines with an unexpected, life-changing love.
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In the spirit of Elie Wiesel (see posts from last week), I've decided I'm not going to blog about politics until after the election. There are many reasons, some good, some not so good . . . however . . . the venom being unleashed by Christians (right and left) is disturbing and I don't want to contribute to that in any way these next twelve plus weeks. So, that's my promise. I'm fasting from blogging about politics. If you are Republican, Democrat or independent . . . please show humility and grace to those around you.
All I'll say is this. I was exhausted last night. I picked up to read a few chapters and ended up staying up halfway through the night to finish. I laughed, cried (but hey, I watch Chick Flick's . . . remember?), and I felt a sense of deep hope for this broken world.
It begins outside a burning plantation hut in Louisiana... and an East Texas honky-tonk... and, without a doubt, in the heart of God. It unfolds in a Hollywood hacienda... an upscale New York Gallery... a downtown dumpster... a Texas ranch. Gritty with pain and betrayal and brutality, it also shines with an unexpected, life-changing love.
---
In the spirit of Elie Wiesel (see posts from last week), I've decided I'm not going to blog about politics until after the election. There are many reasons, some good, some not so good . . . however . . . the venom being unleashed by Christians (right and left) is disturbing and I don't want to contribute to that in any way these next twelve plus weeks. So, that's my promise. I'm fasting from blogging about politics. If you are Republican, Democrat or independent . . . please show humility and grace to those around you.
29 August 2008
Lipscomb and Nashvegas
Thursday night, I had the honor (and scary proposition) of speaking at the opening graduate chapel for the students in the (ol' alma mater) Hazelip School of Theology. It's an exciting time around Lipscomb, there are so many things a changin'. The faculty is as good as any other faculty in Churches of Christ. I would highly suggest anyone considering going back to do graduate work in theology or ministry . . . do your homework and see what Mark Black, Terry Briley, John York, Philip Camp, John Mark Hicks, Lee Camp, George Goldman, David Fleer, Earl Lavender and company are dreaming for the future of theological training.
Lee gave a charge to all of the students near the end of our time of worship. It was brilliant. I'm going to try and get my hands on it soon.
---
This morning, I hung out with Doug Sanders. I thought I had a heart for the city. Doug took me from housing projects to shelters to a meeting regarding the incredible work being done by ROCKETOWN (Michael W. Smith's brainchild). I met several men and women who've given their life to working with people who lack a voice in mainstream culture. I could not believe how many of the workers, directors, and homeless people knew Doug by first name . . . the second he got out of his car, "Doug . . . what's up brother?"
Doug is going to help me with the leadership track (Th/Fri) for the upcoming ZOE Conference Nashville. If you haven't signed up for ZOE Nashville . . . the clock's ticking.
26 August 2008
Leadership
If you have a chance to read Wade Hodges blog today on church leadership, do it.
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After my freshmen year of basketball at the college level (which, no matter level that is, is so far removed from the world of high school sports) I decided that I wanted to transfer to a different school. Partly because I thought I should've played (I red-shirted that year), partly because I wanted to get out and see more of the "world"--something I'd get to do for grad school by living in Nashville and Abilene. I went to my coach, Garth Pleasant, who I've written about on this blog in the past . . . and the conversation went something like this.
"Coach, I want to be up front with you. I'm thinking about going to ______ instead next year."
"Really?"
"Yes. I've thought this over" (I'd pondered this decision for all of two weeks) " . . . and I think this is what I'd like to do."
"Well, I'm really surprised to hear you say that. We have big plans for you. We want you to be here. We think you have a chance to be a really good college player."
Something clicked inside of me in that moment. In my immature mind, I thought leaving was the answer. I thought my surroundings were the result of feeling depressed. The truth is always much more complicated than that. The truth is that what I was really looking for affirmation, for someone to say, "we value you" and "you have a place here." Instead I masked that need for something else.
This happens on college campuses all the time. Happens in marriages, at churches . . . we think that if our circumstances change, our hearts (and general disposition) will follow. This simply isn't the case. If it's true that "the hardest place to live is right where we are", as one great thinker has written, than "right where we are" is the only place God can break into our life.
It's also a reminder to us "leaders"--sometimes people aren't following us because we've simply failed to ask.
I decided to stay and play for Coach Pleasant for four more years. Four of the best years of my life.
---
After my freshmen year of basketball at the college level (which, no matter level that is, is so far removed from the world of high school sports) I decided that I wanted to transfer to a different school. Partly because I thought I should've played (I red-shirted that year), partly because I wanted to get out and see more of the "world"--something I'd get to do for grad school by living in Nashville and Abilene. I went to my coach, Garth Pleasant, who I've written about on this blog in the past . . . and the conversation went something like this.
"Coach, I want to be up front with you. I'm thinking about going to ______ instead next year."
"Really?"
"Yes. I've thought this over" (I'd pondered this decision for all of two weeks) " . . . and I think this is what I'd like to do."
"Well, I'm really surprised to hear you say that. We have big plans for you. We want you to be here. We think you have a chance to be a really good college player."
Something clicked inside of me in that moment. In my immature mind, I thought leaving was the answer. I thought my surroundings were the result of feeling depressed. The truth is always much more complicated than that. The truth is that what I was really looking for affirmation, for someone to say, "we value you" and "you have a place here." Instead I masked that need for something else.
This happens on college campuses all the time. Happens in marriages, at churches . . . we think that if our circumstances change, our hearts (and general disposition) will follow. This simply isn't the case. If it's true that "the hardest place to live is right where we are", as one great thinker has written, than "right where we are" is the only place God can break into our life.
It's also a reminder to us "leaders"--sometimes people aren't following us because we've simply failed to ask.
I decided to stay and play for Coach Pleasant for four more years. Four of the best years of my life.
25 August 2008
As I prepared to preach at Rochester Church yesterday . . . these words were on my mind: "For grown-up people are not strong enough to exult in monotony. But perhaps God is strong enough to exult in monotony. It is possible that God says every morning, 'Do it again' to the sun; and every evening, 'Do it again' to the moon . . . It may be that he has the eternal appetite of infancy; for we have sinned and grown old, and our Father is younger than we." --G.K. Chesterton
I know I've posted that before . . . but I love this depiction of God.
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I was able to watch the U.S. Men's basketball team defeat Spain (thanks to modern technology). What an incredible game. One has to give credit to Spain for constantly coming back just when it looked like the game was over. If not for some guy who speaks fluent Italian (Kobe), Spain might have the gold instead. That was a fantastic game to watch. I still think this team is a notch down from the original Dream Team of 1992.
I know I've posted that before . . . but I love this depiction of God.
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I was able to watch the U.S. Men's basketball team defeat Spain (thanks to modern technology). What an incredible game. One has to give credit to Spain for constantly coming back just when it looked like the game was over. If not for some guy who speaks fluent Italian (Kobe), Spain might have the gold instead. That was a fantastic game to watch. I still think this team is a notch down from the original Dream Team of 1992.
23 August 2008
Wiesel Continued . . .
I don't quite know how to describe the Elie Wiesel event from this past week. Patrick's recollection contains a great story.
The auditorium was at capacity by 6:30 p.m.--Wiesel didn't enter the room until 7:20 p.m. When he finally entered, the entire room (about 950-1000) erupted in sincere applause. There's something special about having a force like Wiesel in a smaller, more intimate setting. I suppose it would be similar to listening to Eric Clapton play in a smaller venue, or hearing Maya Angelou recite her work in a high school auditorium. The venue was large enough for the event to feel important, small enough that the audience felt like participants, not spectators (as happens in church most Sundays).
As for the speech . . . Wiesel stood in one spot the entire 50 minute presentation. He weaved rabbinic wisdom and story-telling, with personal wisdom and lessons regarding "the power of language for forgiveness and reconciliation." There were times he strayed into philosophical fields and historical nuance, but, for the overwhelming majority of his speech, he kept the diverse crowd within reach.
There were too many great quotes to list in their entirety (e.g. "I am defined by me relation to you. If I honor you I honor God. If I dishonor God I dishonor you." Or . . . "After the Holocaust, of any other profession, writers committed suicide at a higher rate than any other profession. Why? Because, writers need words to make sense of their life. And survivors of the Holocaust shared one conviction in common: we had no words for the abandonment we'd experienced." Or . . . "A handshake sometimes has the weight of a poem." Or . . . If Auschwitz did not end racism in the West, what could?")
Wiesel shared several incredible stories of his work in reconciliation with well-known world conflicts and leaders. One story lingers in my heart . . .
Following Nelson Mandela's release from prison, Wiesel held a reconciliation conference in which he invited the then President of South Africa, along with Mandela. After listening to Wiesel and Mandela describe the brutality of ethnic genocide and institutional racism, the young president stood up and declared to the entire audience, "I was born into apartheid, it's all I've ever known. My fervent wish is that I now am able to attend its funeral."
We only get one brief shot to make a difference in this world. Most of us might not have the opportunity (or burden) to impact the world to the degree of Elie Wiesel. I am certain however, that with our very words, we can create and heal more worlds than we'd ever thought possible. I left the Wiesel event with more hope than I've had in a long time. Enough hope to think that God might do his best work in the midst of human chaos and suffering.
The auditorium was at capacity by 6:30 p.m.--Wiesel didn't enter the room until 7:20 p.m. When he finally entered, the entire room (about 950-1000) erupted in sincere applause. There's something special about having a force like Wiesel in a smaller, more intimate setting. I suppose it would be similar to listening to Eric Clapton play in a smaller venue, or hearing Maya Angelou recite her work in a high school auditorium. The venue was large enough for the event to feel important, small enough that the audience felt like participants, not spectators (as happens in church most Sundays).
As for the speech . . . Wiesel stood in one spot the entire 50 minute presentation. He weaved rabbinic wisdom and story-telling, with personal wisdom and lessons regarding "the power of language for forgiveness and reconciliation." There were times he strayed into philosophical fields and historical nuance, but, for the overwhelming majority of his speech, he kept the diverse crowd within reach.
There were too many great quotes to list in their entirety (e.g. "I am defined by me relation to you. If I honor you I honor God. If I dishonor God I dishonor you." Or . . . "After the Holocaust, of any other profession, writers committed suicide at a higher rate than any other profession. Why? Because, writers need words to make sense of their life. And survivors of the Holocaust shared one conviction in common: we had no words for the abandonment we'd experienced." Or . . . "A handshake sometimes has the weight of a poem." Or . . . If Auschwitz did not end racism in the West, what could?")
Wiesel shared several incredible stories of his work in reconciliation with well-known world conflicts and leaders. One story lingers in my heart . . .
Following Nelson Mandela's release from prison, Wiesel held a reconciliation conference in which he invited the then President of South Africa, along with Mandela. After listening to Wiesel and Mandela describe the brutality of ethnic genocide and institutional racism, the young president stood up and declared to the entire audience, "I was born into apartheid, it's all I've ever known. My fervent wish is that I now am able to attend its funeral."
We only get one brief shot to make a difference in this world. Most of us might not have the opportunity (or burden) to impact the world to the degree of Elie Wiesel. I am certain however, that with our very words, we can create and heal more worlds than we'd ever thought possible. I left the Wiesel event with more hope than I've had in a long time. Enough hope to think that God might do his best work in the midst of human chaos and suffering.
22 August 2008
Cardboard Testimony
When you get a chance, watch what Richland Hills Church did recently in their gathering time recently. What a powerful reminder that all of us have a story of life, death, and resurrection. I'm grateful that Churches of Christ have a church like Richland Hills which is willing to re-imagine and re-think the task of reaching those who don't know Jesus. The mission drives everything they do.
21 August 2008
Wiesel
I'm about to enter our auditorium where, in one hour, Elie Wiesel will speak about reconciliation to a room full of Gentiles (some Christian, some not) and Jews. I am looking forward to this more than Michael Jordan's last game against the Pistons (as a Bull) in 1998.
Here are some of my favorite lines from Messengers of God:
"In the face of injustice, one may not look the other way. When someone suffers, and it is not you, he comes first . . . to watch over a man who grieves is a more urgent duty than to think of God," (57).
"According to Jewish tradition, creation did not end with man, it began with him. When He created man, God gave him a secret--and that secret was not how to begin but how to begin again," (32).
"Leaving the calm of the desert, Moses plunged into the whirlpool of history," (190). And, commenting on God's decision not to let Moses enter the promised land, "Who knows? Perhaps God's decision not to let him enter the promised land was meant as a reward rather than as punishment," (199).
UPDATE: Wiesel was fantastic. I'm absolutely speechless. If I find the words, I'll write more later.
Here are some of my favorite lines from Messengers of God:
"In the face of injustice, one may not look the other way. When someone suffers, and it is not you, he comes first . . . to watch over a man who grieves is a more urgent duty than to think of God," (57).
"According to Jewish tradition, creation did not end with man, it began with him. When He created man, God gave him a secret--and that secret was not how to begin but how to begin again," (32).
"Leaving the calm of the desert, Moses plunged into the whirlpool of history," (190). And, commenting on God's decision not to let Moses enter the promised land, "Who knows? Perhaps God's decision not to let him enter the promised land was meant as a reward rather than as punishment," (199).
UPDATE: Wiesel was fantastic. I'm absolutely speechless. If I find the words, I'll write more later.
20 August 2008
Laughter
Every couple has to figure out how to work through difficult times and disagreements. Kara and I are very open that we sometimes clash due to our unusually stubborn personalities. Seriously, we are not afraid of conflict with each other, and we will challenge each other whenever we see fit.
Having said that . . . it's important, in my estimation, to develop a bond that transcends likes/dislikes/hobbies/gifts. On paper, Kara and I don't have a lot in common (other than the fact that we check "white" on most forms or surveys). We've learned to do new things together (we both enjoyed dance class, and love going to Tigers baseball games) . . .but we're still very different people.
Over the last few years, we've begun to discover what holds us together: we've learned to laugh together. That might sound trite, and it might not hold up under intense theological inquiry but I think it's actually pretty healthy.
Whether it's a quick one-liner (like the time Kara responded, "Don't look in the mirror" when I complained about getting older), or the regular "scare tactic" (recently Kara placed a horrible, ugly mask in the kitchen cupboard right before she asked me, rather innocently, to get her a glass of water). We've learned to laugh at each other . . . more importantly . . . we're learning to laugh at ourselves.
Laughter has been the tangible expression of grace in our marriage.
Having said that . . . it's important, in my estimation, to develop a bond that transcends likes/dislikes/hobbies/gifts. On paper, Kara and I don't have a lot in common (other than the fact that we check "white" on most forms or surveys). We've learned to do new things together (we both enjoyed dance class, and love going to Tigers baseball games) . . .but we're still very different people.
Over the last few years, we've begun to discover what holds us together: we've learned to laugh together. That might sound trite, and it might not hold up under intense theological inquiry but I think it's actually pretty healthy.
Whether it's a quick one-liner (like the time Kara responded, "Don't look in the mirror" when I complained about getting older), or the regular "scare tactic" (recently Kara placed a horrible, ugly mask in the kitchen cupboard right before she asked me, rather innocently, to get her a glass of water). We've learned to laugh at each other . . . more importantly . . . we're learning to laugh at ourselves.
Laughter has been the tangible expression of grace in our marriage.
19 August 2008
The Perfect Time of Year
Today marks the beginning of a new college semester. I love this time of year. Students are back on campus at RC, energy is ever-increasing. RC is under new leadership this year; Rubel Shelly is serving as President. Though we became close in a different context (I interned at Woodmont Hills his final year), I have enjoyed watching the creativity, excellence and life he's already brought to campus.
Rubel's a fantastic thinker, writer, teacher, and minister (I tell people he gets more done by 9am than I do in an entire day). More than anyone I know, Rubel is a pure leader. He has that rare ability to draw people into his vision and convictions and I'm confident that his tenure (however long or short) will be a tremendous blessing for RC. The dozens of men and women who serve as faculty and staff at RC deserve to have such a leader at this critical juncture in the life of the school.
I'm constantly challenged to rethink my own vocation in light of his influence. There are certain things (the "it" factor) you can't buy or get with a degree . . . Rubel has that "thing."
----
Rochester College is hosting an evening with Elie Wiesel (one of the most important voices of the twentieth century in my humble opinion) Thursday night at our church. I read Messengers of God last year and now consider it my "go to Torah supplement"--I can't wait to sit up close as he challenges our community.
Rubel's a fantastic thinker, writer, teacher, and minister (I tell people he gets more done by 9am than I do in an entire day). More than anyone I know, Rubel is a pure leader. He has that rare ability to draw people into his vision and convictions and I'm confident that his tenure (however long or short) will be a tremendous blessing for RC. The dozens of men and women who serve as faculty and staff at RC deserve to have such a leader at this critical juncture in the life of the school.
I'm constantly challenged to rethink my own vocation in light of his influence. There are certain things (the "it" factor) you can't buy or get with a degree . . . Rubel has that "thing."
----
Rochester College is hosting an evening with Elie Wiesel (one of the most important voices of the twentieth century in my humble opinion) Thursday night at our church. I read Messengers of God last year and now consider it my "go to Torah supplement"--I can't wait to sit up close as he challenges our community.
18 August 2008
Monday Reflections
Our vacation in Florida with Josh and Kayci was great . . . exactly what we needed. We are now ready for grad school/doctoral work (Kara at OU, me with Columbia), work, and everything else on the horizon. I'm sure Kara will continue to post great pictures.
I made a little list to remember this vacation/sabbath (a "by the number" if you will) :
(7) Olympic viewing sessions
(6) Snickers Ice Cream Bars
(5) Beach Bullpen sessions (I was Papplebon, Josh was Rodriguez from the Angels)
(4) Body Surfing expeditions with Kara (I'm sore today, do you feel sorry for me?)
(3) Good movies (Dark Night being one of them)
(2) Mini-golf competitions (I'm undefeated)
(2) Great books (Thousand Splendid Suns, Year of Magical Thinking)
(1) Best friend
(0) Regrets
= Sabbath Rest for the busy fall ahead!
---
I'm preparing to teach a new course for Rochester College this semester--Issues in Culture and Evangelism. Instead of doing a lecture-only experience, this course will be a discussion-centered course with heavy reading and dialog. For the course, they will read: The Shaping of Things to Come, Father Joe, Blue Like Jazz, A New Kind of Christian, and The Shack.
I'm sure there will be a great deal of great ideas and reflection coming out of this course. Let's just hope these students are ready to read.
I made a little list to remember this vacation/sabbath (a "by the number" if you will) :
(7) Olympic viewing sessions
(6) Snickers Ice Cream Bars
(5) Beach Bullpen sessions (I was Papplebon, Josh was Rodriguez from the Angels)
(4) Body Surfing expeditions with Kara (I'm sore today, do you feel sorry for me?)
(3) Good movies (Dark Night being one of them)
(2) Mini-golf competitions (I'm undefeated)
(2) Great books (Thousand Splendid Suns, Year of Magical Thinking)
(1) Best friend
(0) Regrets
= Sabbath Rest for the busy fall ahead!
---
I'm preparing to teach a new course for Rochester College this semester--Issues in Culture and Evangelism. Instead of doing a lecture-only experience, this course will be a discussion-centered course with heavy reading and dialog. For the course, they will read: The Shaping of Things to Come, Father Joe, Blue Like Jazz, A New Kind of Christian, and The Shack.
I'm sure there will be a great deal of great ideas and reflection coming out of this course. Let's just hope these students are ready to read.
09 August 2008
Random
If you missed last night's opening ceremonies for the Summer Olympics, find someone who taped/recorded the four hour extravaganza. I was blown away . . . speechless. Kara is the biggest Olympics fan I know--she has the schedule printed out, color-coded, ready to roll.
---
One of our elders at Rochester sent this link to me. These stories, as I pointed out a few weeks ago, rarely make it to mainstream dialog in our churches.
---
One of our elders at Rochester sent this link to me. These stories, as I pointed out a few weeks ago, rarely make it to mainstream dialog in our churches.
08 August 2008
Thin Spaces
This week has been full of "thin spaces"--the place where God and humanity intersect (see Celtic spirituality for more on that phrase).
1. Kara and I spent a few evenings together, hanging out, playing scrabble, reading books, and enjoying the sudden hilarious joke or one-liner (of which she has no equal).
2. Earlier in the week, I ate lunch with some good friends in Royal Oak. None of these friends would consider themselves Christian, yet, they are deeply spiritual people (c.f. they value honesty, friendship, transcendence, and love). We talked for two hours about the existence of God, Jesus, Christianity in relationship to world religions, politics, and an upcoming wedding. I worked hard to "represent" a robust Christianity--whether or not I was effective . . . I have no idea. One of these friends is a successful musician. His band is playing with Dave Matthews Band all summer. During the conversation I asked myself, "what kind of church/gospel/Jesus would it take for this friend to catch a vivid glimpse of God?" I'm still wrestling with that question . . .
3. Kara and I watched Larry King's interview (I absolutely love Larry King, btw) with Steven Curtis Chapman and his family. That was an incredible conversation. The depth and honesty exhibited by the entire family was a great representation of the power of family.
4. Last but not least. We're getting ready for a little "get-away" before the semester starts at Rochester College. Today, I get to swing by B and N, and pick up some new novels.
1. Kara and I spent a few evenings together, hanging out, playing scrabble, reading books, and enjoying the sudden hilarious joke or one-liner (of which she has no equal).
2. Earlier in the week, I ate lunch with some good friends in Royal Oak. None of these friends would consider themselves Christian, yet, they are deeply spiritual people (c.f. they value honesty, friendship, transcendence, and love). We talked for two hours about the existence of God, Jesus, Christianity in relationship to world religions, politics, and an upcoming wedding. I worked hard to "represent" a robust Christianity--whether or not I was effective . . . I have no idea. One of these friends is a successful musician. His band is playing with Dave Matthews Band all summer. During the conversation I asked myself, "what kind of church/gospel/Jesus would it take for this friend to catch a vivid glimpse of God?" I'm still wrestling with that question . . .
3. Kara and I watched Larry King's interview (I absolutely love Larry King, btw) with Steven Curtis Chapman and his family. That was an incredible conversation. The depth and honesty exhibited by the entire family was a great representation of the power of family.
4. Last but not least. We're getting ready for a little "get-away" before the semester starts at Rochester College. Today, I get to swing by B and N, and pick up some new novels.
06 August 2008
Who's Telling the Story?
I recently came across a story regarding the human brain. The story began by describing the genius of Virginia Woolf’s writing—specifically her propensity to create complex, paradoxical characters in Mrs. Dalloway. According to the author, Woolf had the ability to create real characters who were at one moment full of joy, the next, drowning in despair—and she was able to do so in way that felt incredibly “accurate” to our everyday experiences. Woolf writes from the inside of the “diffused, despaired mind” begging the reader to ask “what is that that holds me together?” If it’s true, as scientists tell us, that there is no single cell that performs the role of the “center”—what is the “there there?” What holds a single human together? Full of contradiction, opposing sentiment—the search for the “glue” becomes the chief obstacle for neuroscientists.
The writer began with this introduction because he was interested in recent discoveries regarding the human brain. It seems that recently, scientists and doctors have made great strides in understanding the relationship of the “right brain” and “left brain” within the human person (a fascinating area to read and research). In order to understand the relationship, doctors severed the nerves or connecting points between each side of the brain in patients who suffered from epilepsy and mysterious seizures.
The discovery made by doctors was remarkable. They found, that if the right/left brain were severed, a person, over the course of time, could actually develop as two people within one. A man, for instance, would fight himself over reading a book. He would open the book with one hand, and shut it with the other . . . turn the light on with one hand, turn the light off with the other hand. Once the mysterious connection between the (now) polarizing regions had been severed, the patients became a person at odds within their own person.
Fundamentally, we are narrative creatures. This is why the writer began with the observation regarding the writing of Virginia Woolf. She knew, decades before these scientists, that humans are complex creatures. Art and science are just now coming together on this issue. I personally think one could go back even earlier to, let’s say, the character of Jacob in Genesis.
Most important in this discussion is the notion that humans are people who primarily learn within the context of a story. We remember in narrative fashion. We react in narrative fashion. We look towards the future in narrative fashion. When the patients mentioned in this study went about the rehabilitation process, they did so within the context of stories—trying to remember where they used to go, who they used to go with, why they used to behave in certain fashion. The only way a human can perform the previous is by remembering and retelling the stories of their lives.
01 August 2008
Changing My Mind
The sign of maturity is the ability for one to admit that he/she might be wrong about certain elements of life. Here's a brief list of things "I've changed my mind on."
Sprite has been replaced by Dr. Pepper (though I'm considering going back).
A marathon is not as fun as a triathlon.
I now enjoy (watching and playing) baseball much more than football.
I prefer liturgy, prayers, and scripture reading to more emotional expressions of worship.
I used to think that leasing a car was foolish . . . but we currently lease one!
Other things I now believe . . .
Mondays are as spiritual as Sundays.
Softball is a legit sport.
Snickers Ice Cream Bars are better than Cookies N Cream.
Chick Flick's can be redemptive.
Rifle is easier to shoot than a handgun.
Knowing God intellectually isn't as important as knowing God relationally.
Formerly I was convinced that a marriage's most important element was "chemistry"--now I believe it is commitment, and the community in which you invest yourself.
Regular t-shirts have replaced the "tank-top" t-shirt.
Cooking on the grill is as satisfactory as going out to eat.
(Some) Churches of Christ have a great chance to thrive in the postmodern world.
Classical music is more stimulating than rock/rap.
Having a college degree is not as important as being a person who knows "how" to think and not "what to think."
Taking the Lord's Supper every week is vital to my spiritual walk.
Sedans are just cool as a truck.
Mowing the yard can be a spiritual discipline (so can eating).
Books are better than movies.
Current T.V. programs are superior (plot, character) than most films.
A.L is better than N.L. in MLB.
Laughter is the best medicine (not serious dialog).
New York is the best city in the United States (NOT L.A.).
Becoming a good writer is one of the hardest things to do in life.
I respect people who, throughout their life, have the courage and ability to change their mind on the little things, as well as the big things (religion, politics, relationships).
What have you changed your mind on?
Sprite has been replaced by Dr. Pepper (though I'm considering going back).
A marathon is not as fun as a triathlon.
I now enjoy (watching and playing) baseball much more than football.
I prefer liturgy, prayers, and scripture reading to more emotional expressions of worship.
I used to think that leasing a car was foolish . . . but we currently lease one!
Other things I now believe . . .
Mondays are as spiritual as Sundays.
Softball is a legit sport.
Snickers Ice Cream Bars are better than Cookies N Cream.
Chick Flick's can be redemptive.
Rifle is easier to shoot than a handgun.
Knowing God intellectually isn't as important as knowing God relationally.
Formerly I was convinced that a marriage's most important element was "chemistry"--now I believe it is commitment, and the community in which you invest yourself.
Regular t-shirts have replaced the "tank-top" t-shirt.
Cooking on the grill is as satisfactory as going out to eat.
(Some) Churches of Christ have a great chance to thrive in the postmodern world.
Classical music is more stimulating than rock/rap.
Having a college degree is not as important as being a person who knows "how" to think and not "what to think."
Taking the Lord's Supper every week is vital to my spiritual walk.
Sedans are just cool as a truck.
Mowing the yard can be a spiritual discipline (so can eating).
Books are better than movies.
Current T.V. programs are superior (plot, character) than most films.
A.L is better than N.L. in MLB.
Laughter is the best medicine (not serious dialog).
New York is the best city in the United States (NOT L.A.).
Becoming a good writer is one of the hardest things to do in life.
I respect people who, throughout their life, have the courage and ability to change their mind on the little things, as well as the big things (religion, politics, relationships).
What have you changed your mind on?
31 July 2008
Theodicy
The relationship of God (and God's subsequent activity) and evil is a subject that I cannot escape in my thought world. Evil, for me, is not merely a subject or intellectual problem.
Evil is evident in the young Jewish girl who's just had both eyes ripped out by a young German solider in a Warsaw prison camp. Evil is seen by the countless African women who've had their breasts cut off in the name of religion. Evil is felt by the thousands of innocent children who've died or live in starvation due to wars being waged by the countries of the world. Evil is experienced up close when Jesus, the embodiment of God and man within creation, is crucified by the religious and political leaders of the day. Evil showed up when 800 thousand Rwandans (the case study for successful Christian evangelism movements) died in one of the bloodiest genocides of modern world history.
Evil cannot be a mere subject, it must be discussed and addressed from within the realm of human relationships.
Recently, a trusted friend handed me Greg Boyd's God at War: The Bible and Spiritual Conflict. It is a "meat and potatoes" book--if you are going to read it, pack a lunch. I finished late last night and was challenged in my personal outlook toward the world. This book got me thinking about some things I've written about in other places.
Regarding death, violence, sickness, decay, chaos, and discord (what Christians are taught to call "sin")--God's response to the obvious reality that humans participate in the brokenness can be understood in (at least) these four ways.
1. There is no God. Humans have created God in order that we might feel better per our existential and spiritual angst regarding identity, community, and belonging.
2. God created the world but is no longer involved. The world is in chaos but cannot or chooses not to do anything about the plight of creation or humanity. The end result is no different than #1 save the fire insurance of heaven.
3. God and creation are one and the same. God's way are a mystery and the in the fullness of time God will make sense of the suffering a) he's caused or b) he's permitted to happen. This sentiment is felt when people can say, after the death of a child, "God needed another angel" or . . . "God's ways are not our ways."
4. God created the world, though He is in some ways separate from the world (not separate regarding geography but in being and essence). Part of his creation (Satan, Devil, demons, powers, forces, dominions, etc.) stands at odds with him and we experience this battle in both the spiritual and physical realm--an important reminder to conservative Christianity which tends to only seem interested in the "spiritual" elements of life (ignoring the material teachings and actions of Jesus) and to liberal Christianity which seems hyper-fixated on the physical realm (ignoring the inner formation of the disciple, and the larger cosmic forces at work in the world).
God decides, by the power of Jesus' resurrection, to create a community of people who engage the "powers of darkness" as agents who foreshadow the coming day when sin, death, cancer, disease, poverty, and abuse are no longer. A community who pray for God's intervention. A community which believes that God is still about the business of victory, triumph, hope, and mercy.
Evil is evident in the young Jewish girl who's just had both eyes ripped out by a young German solider in a Warsaw prison camp. Evil is seen by the countless African women who've had their breasts cut off in the name of religion. Evil is felt by the thousands of innocent children who've died or live in starvation due to wars being waged by the countries of the world. Evil is experienced up close when Jesus, the embodiment of God and man within creation, is crucified by the religious and political leaders of the day. Evil showed up when 800 thousand Rwandans (the case study for successful Christian evangelism movements) died in one of the bloodiest genocides of modern world history.
Evil cannot be a mere subject, it must be discussed and addressed from within the realm of human relationships.
Recently, a trusted friend handed me Greg Boyd's God at War: The Bible and Spiritual Conflict. It is a "meat and potatoes" book--if you are going to read it, pack a lunch. I finished late last night and was challenged in my personal outlook toward the world. This book got me thinking about some things I've written about in other places.
Regarding death, violence, sickness, decay, chaos, and discord (what Christians are taught to call "sin")--God's response to the obvious reality that humans participate in the brokenness can be understood in (at least) these four ways.
1. There is no God. Humans have created God in order that we might feel better per our existential and spiritual angst regarding identity, community, and belonging.
2. God created the world but is no longer involved. The world is in chaos but cannot or chooses not to do anything about the plight of creation or humanity. The end result is no different than #1 save the fire insurance of heaven.
3. God and creation are one and the same. God's way are a mystery and the in the fullness of time God will make sense of the suffering a) he's caused or b) he's permitted to happen. This sentiment is felt when people can say, after the death of a child, "God needed another angel" or . . . "God's ways are not our ways."
4. God created the world, though He is in some ways separate from the world (not separate regarding geography but in being and essence). Part of his creation (Satan, Devil, demons, powers, forces, dominions, etc.) stands at odds with him and we experience this battle in both the spiritual and physical realm--an important reminder to conservative Christianity which tends to only seem interested in the "spiritual" elements of life (ignoring the material teachings and actions of Jesus) and to liberal Christianity which seems hyper-fixated on the physical realm (ignoring the inner formation of the disciple, and the larger cosmic forces at work in the world).
God decides, by the power of Jesus' resurrection, to create a community of people who engage the "powers of darkness" as agents who foreshadow the coming day when sin, death, cancer, disease, poverty, and abuse are no longer. A community who pray for God's intervention. A community which believes that God is still about the business of victory, triumph, hope, and mercy.
29 July 2008
Review of The Shack
A few people emailed me today, suggesting this review of The Shack. I wrote one blog about this work. BTW--people whom I deeply respect (accomplished scholars and theologians included) disagree on the "quality" and "value" of The Shack. If you've read the book, you probably know why.
Here's a piece of that review . . .
Yet in order to give a work a fair hearing, we have an obligation to engage it on its own terms. A "good faith" reading of The Shack involves, among other things, attending to Young's reasons for writing, his intended audience, and its particular literary form.
Young says he wrote the book at his wife's prodding, to explain his 11-year journey of healing with God to their six children. The "shack" in Young's story represents deep personal wounds, both suffered and inflicted. The book is spiritual autobiography (in one web interview, Young says Mack is "basically me") cast in an alternative world, an imaginative attempt to condense 11 years into a weekend of conversations. These are words offered by a 53-year-old father to his children, a fictionalized tale of his relationship with God mended in deep darkness.
Therefore, it's tricky to speak definitively of The Shack's theology. Young could have written a theological treatise, a spiritual memoir, or even a long poem. Instead, he wrote what he calls a "parable" (not an allegory). That should give readers pause about confidently reading off a systematic theology from the book.
Mentoring . . .
Mentoring. . . is a buzz word these days. It's in the same category as "spiritual formation" "postmodern" "missional" "radical" and "emerging"--everyone loves to use these terms but not everyone knows what they are saying when they employ such words. Or . . . not everyone means the same thing.
I am a product of great mentors.
Beginning with my mom and dad (the best mentors I've ever had) . . .
Continuing to my high school basketball coach (who saw more in me than I saw in myself) . . .
Garth Pleasant (one of the best men I've ever known) . . .
David Fleer (who opened me up to Bible as no one has ever done since) . . .
John York (whom I consider one of my closest friends and teacher extraordinaire, he taught me to view graduate school as a gift) . . .
Rubel Shelly (the hardest worker I've ever been around, he challenged me to think about ministry in categories I did not previously have) . . .
Others have greatly influenced me: Doc Shelton (MLK basketball coach in Nashville), Randy Harris, Lee Camp, David Greer, John Mark Hicks, Phillip Camp, George Goldman, Mike Cope (who I listened to on tape from the time I was 18), Patrick Mead, Dr. Loren Siffring, Beth VanRheenen, Diane LaRosa (high school French teacher), Mrs. Hopkins (fifth grade teacher, Air Force pilot), and Mark Brackney.
I stand on the shoulders of those who have come before me.
And now . . . as I am approaching 30 (March 2009), I'm beginning to realize that this is the season of my life in which I now have the opportunity to do the same. Courtney Jenko, Katy Allison, Riley Chowning, Courtney Strahan, Dave Rotberg, Wayne Beason, Stephanie Maurice, Dave Watts, Shaun Hover, Liz Trainor (and others)--I pray that God would use me to raise up another generation of leaders for the cause of Christ.
I am a product of great mentors.
Beginning with my mom and dad (the best mentors I've ever had) . . .
Continuing to my high school basketball coach (who saw more in me than I saw in myself) . . .
Garth Pleasant (one of the best men I've ever known) . . .
David Fleer (who opened me up to Bible as no one has ever done since) . . .
John York (whom I consider one of my closest friends and teacher extraordinaire, he taught me to view graduate school as a gift) . . .
Rubel Shelly (the hardest worker I've ever been around, he challenged me to think about ministry in categories I did not previously have) . . .
Others have greatly influenced me: Doc Shelton (MLK basketball coach in Nashville), Randy Harris, Lee Camp, David Greer, John Mark Hicks, Phillip Camp, George Goldman, Mike Cope (who I listened to on tape from the time I was 18), Patrick Mead, Dr. Loren Siffring, Beth VanRheenen, Diane LaRosa (high school French teacher), Mrs. Hopkins (fifth grade teacher, Air Force pilot), and Mark Brackney.
I stand on the shoulders of those who have come before me.
And now . . . as I am approaching 30 (March 2009), I'm beginning to realize that this is the season of my life in which I now have the opportunity to do the same. Courtney Jenko, Katy Allison, Riley Chowning, Courtney Strahan, Dave Rotberg, Wayne Beason, Stephanie Maurice, Dave Watts, Shaun Hover, Liz Trainor (and others)--I pray that God would use me to raise up another generation of leaders for the cause of Christ.
28 July 2008
A Friday to Remember
This past Friday night I presented a short film I’ve been working on for several months with good friend and video guru Sean Stockman. The film is being created for an important conference taking place at Lipscomb University in October. I’ll also be using the film during some teaching times at Rochester Church.
The conference I presented at on Friday was simply stunning. Black and White ministers from Churches of Christ gathered together to discuss Remembering 1968—a pivotal year in recent American history. The dialog was rich and powerful as I sat with ministers who marched with Dr. King and (white) ministers who were shunned because of their insistence that racism and segregation was an abomination to the way of Jesus. It was, for sure, a thin place—one of those rare moments when the story of Jesus collides with the ways of evil and darkness. Churches of Christ, though filled our own skeletons, boast a rich heritage of social involvement in issues of injustice and discrimination. These stories, however, rarely get told. We were teachers, historians, ministers, doctors, lawyers, social advocates—all came together in order to move our churches forward.
After my presentation, I went with Jimmy Hurd (a minister from the Detroit area) to the famous Bluebird Café in Green Hills. Four singer/songwriters captured our hearts for two plus hours. One of the performers is the author of the southern classic “The Gambler.”
My favorite song, offered by a well-known Nashville artist, was the last song. The chorus line went, “I was a burden . . . .’til the Lord . . . put his hand on me.”
That's my story.
The conference I presented at on Friday was simply stunning. Black and White ministers from Churches of Christ gathered together to discuss Remembering 1968—a pivotal year in recent American history. The dialog was rich and powerful as I sat with ministers who marched with Dr. King and (white) ministers who were shunned because of their insistence that racism and segregation was an abomination to the way of Jesus. It was, for sure, a thin place—one of those rare moments when the story of Jesus collides with the ways of evil and darkness. Churches of Christ, though filled our own skeletons, boast a rich heritage of social involvement in issues of injustice and discrimination. These stories, however, rarely get told. We were teachers, historians, ministers, doctors, lawyers, social advocates—all came together in order to move our churches forward.
After my presentation, I went with Jimmy Hurd (a minister from the Detroit area) to the famous Bluebird Café in Green Hills. Four singer/songwriters captured our hearts for two plus hours. One of the performers is the author of the southern classic “The Gambler.”
My favorite song, offered by a well-known Nashville artist, was the last song. The chorus line went, “I was a burden . . . .’til the Lord . . . put his hand on me.”
That's my story.
23 July 2008
Mere Discipleship
About five years ago, Mere Discipleship hit churches, bookstores, classrooms, and personal libraries all around the country. More than anything, this work (an appropriation of sorts of John Howard Yoder for evangelicals) prompted spirited discussion regarding religion, politics, the life of Jesus, and the role of church in society.
The second edition of MD is out. For this edition, I've written a detailed study guide alongside Lee Camp for the sole purpose of equipping church leaders, teachers, and ministers to bring this important discussion to the place for which the book was written in the first place: the local church!
If you were challenged by the first edition, consider purchasing the second. If you have not read this book, here's your chance.
Click here for a preview.
"What a book. This is one of those books that you wear out carrying around, marking up, and loaning out. Camp's words are timeless, and timely. And the crazy thing is this: the church is actually ready to hear them. In post-Religious Right America, there is an entire generation that is not willing to settle for the dream of America over the dream of God. There is a hunger for a Christianity that is not just something we believe but something we live and embody, a church filled not just with believers and worshippers but with disciples. Lee Camp points us towards a Christianity that is worth believing in."--Shane Claiborne, author of The Irresistible Revolution, coauthor of Jesus for President
The second edition of MD is out. For this edition, I've written a detailed study guide alongside Lee Camp for the sole purpose of equipping church leaders, teachers, and ministers to bring this important discussion to the place for which the book was written in the first place: the local church!
If you were challenged by the first edition, consider purchasing the second. If you have not read this book, here's your chance.
Click here for a preview.
"What a book. This is one of those books that you wear out carrying around, marking up, and loaning out. Camp's words are timeless, and timely. And the crazy thing is this: the church is actually ready to hear them. In post-Religious Right America, there is an entire generation that is not willing to settle for the dream of America over the dream of God. There is a hunger for a Christianity that is not just something we believe but something we live and embody, a church filled not just with believers and worshippers but with disciples. Lee Camp points us towards a Christianity that is worth believing in."--Shane Claiborne, author of The Irresistible Revolution, coauthor of Jesus for President
19 July 2008
Hope
Almost one year ago, our church lost one of our young adults to a life-long addiction. Nic Paradise passed from this life to the next, leaving behind a son, fiance, parents, and two sisters. It was a time of confusion, and darkness.
Today, hope is beginning to emerge from this experience.
Nic's fiance, Liz Trainor, is making great strides at a rehab facility in Arizona as a result of the generosity and love of one family from the Rochester Church. She continues, alongside her grandmother, to wrestle with all of life's questions surrounding identity, esteem, suffering, and relationships.
Today, Carmen Paradise, one of Nic's sisters, will marry fellow musician extraordinaire, Peter Leclair. Both have become good friends over the last year. They've played twice in our Emerging Artist series, and I've gone to local venues to listen to them jam. We will laugh, cry, sing, and listen at the wedding which will take place in just two short hours. And we will begin to believe that as tough and cruel as life can be, hope always has a chance.
If you are in the midst of an addiction, there is hope for you. If you have a spouse, child, or loved one battling the suffocating force of addiction, please do not give up. I've seen far too many resurrection stories in the midst of death to succumb to the notion that "what will be will be."
God still raises people from the dead. This is the hope Christianity has to offer to this world.
Today, hope is beginning to emerge from this experience.
Nic's fiance, Liz Trainor, is making great strides at a rehab facility in Arizona as a result of the generosity and love of one family from the Rochester Church. She continues, alongside her grandmother, to wrestle with all of life's questions surrounding identity, esteem, suffering, and relationships.
Today, Carmen Paradise, one of Nic's sisters, will marry fellow musician extraordinaire, Peter Leclair. Both have become good friends over the last year. They've played twice in our Emerging Artist series, and I've gone to local venues to listen to them jam. We will laugh, cry, sing, and listen at the wedding which will take place in just two short hours. And we will begin to believe that as tough and cruel as life can be, hope always has a chance.
If you are in the midst of an addiction, there is hope for you. If you have a spouse, child, or loved one battling the suffocating force of addiction, please do not give up. I've seen far too many resurrection stories in the midst of death to succumb to the notion that "what will be will be."
God still raises people from the dead. This is the hope Christianity has to offer to this world.
17 July 2008
Savior on Capital Hill
If you are disillusioned with both the Republican and Democratic party . . . this video is for you.
16 July 2008
Why the Elephant is the King of the Jungle
As Kara, Sara, and I were leaving the safari last week in Northern Uganda, we had a thirty second encounter that will be lodged into our memories forever.
As were driving out of the park, we noticed an S.U.V. ahead of us, pulled off to the side of the road. We assumed they were taking photos of say, boring animals, like hippos, zebras, and warthogs (read: sarcasm). As we approached, the Ugandan guide informed our guide that in fact, they had just seen a male and female lion.
At this point, we weren't too excited for we'd already seen 13 lions the previous 36 hours. Oh, how wrong we were.
It turns out, three elephants were chasing two lions across the field near where we were stationed. Sara commented, "I've never seen elephants chasing lions." For someone who'd been on 15 safari's (Sara used to live in Uganda), I was quite impressed with our luck. That feeling would be short-lived.
After losing visible sight of the two chasing parties, the male lion (who must have weighed close to 400 lbs.) came sprinting out of the brush, headed directly for our S.U.V. With his head down, he was running directly for us in fear of the elephants. After about 5 seconds, he lifted his head to see our vehicle. Immediately he tried to stop in mid-stride, forcing him to lose his balance which caused him to slide down the four foot trench that separated him from us.
The lion literally missed hitting our vehicle by six to twelve inches. Had I not slammed the large viewing window, I could've reached out and touched the lion with my bare hand. I probably would've been henceforth forever known as "one-armed-Josh" had I done so. I will never forget the split-second moment in which my eyes met the eyes of the lion. Never had I seen the king of the jungle (not in film, photographs, or video) filled with so much panic. The elephant, as it turns out, is the real king of the jungle.
After the male lion gained his footing, he sprinted to the other side of the road. The female lion came running behind him a short time after. Luckily for us, and the really intriguing element of this little tale, the elephants changed their course before getting to the road where we parked. We saw them casually jog off into the morning mist.
My heart was in my stomach. My stomach was in my foot.
So, what lessons do I take from this? First, I'm a lot lower on the food chain than I often remember. Second, the difference between beauty and danger is a thin veil (or a piece of metal). Third, we as humans feel most alive when we are in situations and places of uncertainty.
I'm glad to be back in suburbia where, as I write this, the most dangerous animal in my yard is a little black squirrel who keeps getting into Kara's flowers. Soon, he will learn his place on the food chain.
15 July 2008
Brian McLaren
About a month ago, I interviewed Brian McLaren regarding church, theology, his new book, politics, etc. To read part of that interview click here. To listen to the full interview, click here.
McLaren is considered one of the leading thinkers on the current and future state of Christianity in the West. He'll also be speaking at Lipscomb's Preaching Conference, for which I'm doing another short film for in the fall. If you can make it, this event will be one of rich dialog and reflection.
McLaren is considered one of the leading thinkers on the current and future state of Christianity in the West. He'll also be speaking at Lipscomb's Preaching Conference, for which I'm doing another short film for in the fall. If you can make it, this event will be one of rich dialog and reflection.
14 July 2008
Chez Moi
Kara and I just returned home tonight. After a month of being gone (grad school and our time in Uganda) I am at peace knowing I'm home.
The last several days were exciting and stressful. We survived one amazing "lion encounter" during safari (more on that to come), a four hour airport shut down in Paris, and yours truly (moi) dancing with Ugandan tribal dancers (photos forthcoming).
My email inbox says 251 (that's just from last Wednesday). My voicemail if full. My stomach is empty.
I think maybe (as Ugandans love to say) . . . I think maybe I'll just go to bed.
"Home is the place where, when you have to go there,. . . they have to take you in. I should have called it . . . Something you somehow haven't to deserve,"
-Robert Frost.
The last several days were exciting and stressful. We survived one amazing "lion encounter" during safari (more on that to come), a four hour airport shut down in Paris, and yours truly (moi) dancing with Ugandan tribal dancers (photos forthcoming).
My email inbox says 251 (that's just from last Wednesday). My voicemail if full. My stomach is empty.
I think maybe (as Ugandans love to say) . . . I think maybe I'll just go to bed.
"Home is the place where, when you have to go there,. . . they have to take you in. I should have called it . . . Something you somehow haven't to deserve,"
-Robert Frost.
09 July 2008
Christ Plays in Africa and Beyond . . .
WARNING: This blog is a bit esoteric. Coloring books are not available. :)
Understanding the various depictions (translation: christologies) of Jesus in history and culture is one of the most important tasks of the Christian seeker. For instance, I wrote a blog sometime back about different "christologies" in the twentieth century.
In preparation for coming to Uganda and teaching at BBS, I got my hands on Kwame Bediako's Jesus and the Gospel in Africa (thanks to Spencer Bogle for that). I don't have the book with me as I write. However, one thing stands out to me as I write from Jinja/The Source/Manry Estate. Among other images, Bediako describes two images of Christ "playing" (think performing, enacted) in Africa.
*Jesus is the Great Ancestor. He is the One who goes before and and is now among the great "cloud of witnesses" (to borrow from language within Hebrews).
*Jesus is the Physician. He is the One who brings healing to the sick, poor, and suffering . . . especially those with H.I.V. or A.I.D.S. Think the gospel of Luke.
Thinking at the same time about the different ways in which Jesus is "packaged" in America--Buddy Jesus, Best Friend Jesus, Bless Me Jesus, CEO Jesus, Psychologist Jesus--I can't help but wonder which Jesus might get the gospel a truer hearing. The following are six images I'd like to pursue to see if the four gospels match up in any way.
1. Suffering Servant
2. Exposer of Powers
3. Protector of Powerless
4. Parent to the Neglected
5. True Representative of Spirituality
6. Healer of Tribalism
Understanding the various depictions (translation: christologies) of Jesus in history and culture is one of the most important tasks of the Christian seeker. For instance, I wrote a blog sometime back about different "christologies" in the twentieth century.
In preparation for coming to Uganda and teaching at BBS, I got my hands on Kwame Bediako's Jesus and the Gospel in Africa (thanks to Spencer Bogle for that). I don't have the book with me as I write. However, one thing stands out to me as I write from Jinja/The Source/Manry Estate. Among other images, Bediako describes two images of Christ "playing" (think performing, enacted) in Africa.
*Jesus is the Great Ancestor. He is the One who goes before and and is now among the great "cloud of witnesses" (to borrow from language within Hebrews).
*Jesus is the Physician. He is the One who brings healing to the sick, poor, and suffering . . . especially those with H.I.V. or A.I.D.S. Think the gospel of Luke.
Thinking at the same time about the different ways in which Jesus is "packaged" in America--Buddy Jesus, Best Friend Jesus, Bless Me Jesus, CEO Jesus, Psychologist Jesus--I can't help but wonder which Jesus might get the gospel a truer hearing. The following are six images I'd like to pursue to see if the four gospels match up in any way.
1. Suffering Servant
2. Exposer of Powers
3. Protector of Powerless
4. Parent to the Neglected
5. True Representative of Spirituality
6. Healer of Tribalism
08 July 2008
Jinja Wrestling and Church Softball
Today, during one of the course sesssions at the Busoga Bible School, I taught the students about social issues in the first century world of Greco-Roman and Jewish thought. To say my translator (Monda) is good is an understatement.
One of the areas that was most interesting to the students, was the discussion of "honor and shame" in Jesus' ministry--specifically the Gospel of Luke.
The short version goes like this. In Israel, men attempted to gain great honor through education, wealth, friends, skill, accomplishment, family, marriage, etc. The more items on the list, the more honor one would receieve. Thus, Jesus exposes the dangers of culture's built upon honor and shame, by turning everything upside down. He is not formally educated, lives a simple life from the backwoods of Nazareth, associates with the "nobodies" and does very little to promote his family or make important social relationships. Just look at the people Jesus ate with. You get the idea.
I asked what men (not women necessarily for Uganda's culture still sees women as second class, as do some pockets of American culture) do to gain honor. One man, Martin, proceeded to tell me about the wrestling competitions that used to consume life in Jinja. Men from various churches would compete against other men. They would have a tournament of sorts . . . the winner was esteemed as a person of great promise. One more important detail is in order. I asked Martin and another man to demonstrate in the front of the classroom. Their wrestling is much more reliant upon skill and speed as opposed to violence and power.
Martin then, after eloquently explaining this to me, turned the question to me and asked, "Joshua . . . .In America, do your churches ever wrestle against one another?" I thought of some funny answers regarding church polity, doctrinal disputes, etc. but decided not to run down that road. Instead, I simply smiled and said," Martin . . . we have something similiar . . . are you familiar with church softball?"
Never did I think I'd have to explain church softball to a room of Ugandan ministers.
The world can end tonight and I'll be just fine.
One of the areas that was most interesting to the students, was the discussion of "honor and shame" in Jesus' ministry--specifically the Gospel of Luke.
The short version goes like this. In Israel, men attempted to gain great honor through education, wealth, friends, skill, accomplishment, family, marriage, etc. The more items on the list, the more honor one would receieve. Thus, Jesus exposes the dangers of culture's built upon honor and shame, by turning everything upside down. He is not formally educated, lives a simple life from the backwoods of Nazareth, associates with the "nobodies" and does very little to promote his family or make important social relationships. Just look at the people Jesus ate with. You get the idea.
I asked what men (not women necessarily for Uganda's culture still sees women as second class, as do some pockets of American culture) do to gain honor. One man, Martin, proceeded to tell me about the wrestling competitions that used to consume life in Jinja. Men from various churches would compete against other men. They would have a tournament of sorts . . . the winner was esteemed as a person of great promise. One more important detail is in order. I asked Martin and another man to demonstrate in the front of the classroom. Their wrestling is much more reliant upon skill and speed as opposed to violence and power.
Martin then, after eloquently explaining this to me, turned the question to me and asked, "Joshua . . . .In America, do your churches ever wrestle against one another?" I thought of some funny answers regarding church polity, doctrinal disputes, etc. but decided not to run down that road. Instead, I simply smiled and said," Martin . . . we have something similiar . . . are you familiar with church softball?"
Never did I think I'd have to explain church softball to a room of Ugandan ministers.
The world can end tonight and I'll be just fine.
06 July 2008
Jinja pt. 4
Kara and I were able to stay the night last night with Richard and Ida. Richard is the minister for the Jinja Church of Christ, Ida is the "living saint" who ministers and serves in the city and in the villages. When you are around her, you know you are in the presence of holiness.
Aside from the radio blasting all night (Ugandans love to sleep with the radio on, turned up all the way), we slept great. Ida treated us to a feast fit for kings and queens.
This morning, Kara and I joined some of the interns and Sara Barton to worship in Kyabirwa (Cha-beer-a). I preached for about twenty minutes, with a translator. My jokes weren't nearly as funny via translation as they were in my head as I crafted them.
Towards the end of the service, it was mentioned that someone from the church had donated two eggs for the church. Since the "eggs would not fit in the bank" it was proposed that the eggs be auctioned and the proceeds go towards the contribution. Add this to the "things I'd never see in Detroit list."
Two of our students fought tooth and nail over the purchase of the eggs. I believe the eggs went for a handsome sum of twenty thousand shillings.
We are really enjoying our time here . . . not that we ever keep track of it.
Aside from the radio blasting all night (Ugandans love to sleep with the radio on, turned up all the way), we slept great. Ida treated us to a feast fit for kings and queens.
This morning, Kara and I joined some of the interns and Sara Barton to worship in Kyabirwa (Cha-beer-a). I preached for about twenty minutes, with a translator. My jokes weren't nearly as funny via translation as they were in my head as I crafted them.
Towards the end of the service, it was mentioned that someone from the church had donated two eggs for the church. Since the "eggs would not fit in the bank" it was proposed that the eggs be auctioned and the proceeds go towards the contribution. Add this to the "things I'd never see in Detroit list."
Two of our students fought tooth and nail over the purchase of the eggs. I believe the eggs went for a handsome sum of twenty thousand shillings.
We are really enjoying our time here . . . not that we ever keep track of it.
05 July 2008
The Market
Today Mark took me to the market in Jinja (est. pop. 200k).
The sites and sounds were overwhelming. Fish, grains, berries, pineapples, diesel, waste, mixed with sweat, heat, shade, voices, english, Lusoga, buzungu (White persons). You have to always watch where you are walking as a motorcycle might be hiding righ around the way. Trucks come zooming through with a dozen men in the back of the bed.
First glance, it's weird, hectic, chaotic, and downright intimidating.
People on top of people on top of more people.
But then I took the second glance that mystics talk so much about. And then I see him. Over in the corner, I see an older man, hunched over, with creases or crows-feet, around his eyes. He's weaving something together. I imagine myself walking over to him.
"Hello sir."
"Hello."
"How are you?"
"Fine."
"What are you making."
"I'm making tents. My name is Paul. Not here for long. Just here to encourage some friends. Trying to make a little money while I'm here. What can I make for you?"
"Oh," I think to myself. So much more going on than I normally allow myself to see.
"You've already made enough," I stammer walking away trying to dodge the S.U.V. driven by a married couple from Switzerland, on their way to raft the Nile.
The sites and sounds were overwhelming. Fish, grains, berries, pineapples, diesel, waste, mixed with sweat, heat, shade, voices, english, Lusoga, buzungu (White persons). You have to always watch where you are walking as a motorcycle might be hiding righ around the way. Trucks come zooming through with a dozen men in the back of the bed.
First glance, it's weird, hectic, chaotic, and downright intimidating.
People on top of people on top of more people.
But then I took the second glance that mystics talk so much about. And then I see him. Over in the corner, I see an older man, hunched over, with creases or crows-feet, around his eyes. He's weaving something together. I imagine myself walking over to him.
"Hello sir."
"Hello."
"How are you?"
"Fine."
"What are you making."
"I'm making tents. My name is Paul. Not here for long. Just here to encourage some friends. Trying to make a little money while I'm here. What can I make for you?"
"Oh," I think to myself. So much more going on than I normally allow myself to see.
"You've already made enough," I stammer walking away trying to dodge the S.U.V. driven by a married couple from Switzerland, on their way to raft the Nile.
04 July 2008
Jinja Part Two
Kara and I were able to spend today in a village outside of Jinja with Sara Barton. It was interesting to be there as Sara reconnected with old and dear friends. She taught in their new church building. She was truly in her element, speaking lusoga fluently. John and Sara (along with several other couples) came to Jinja (Southern Uganda) in the early 90's to plant churches all over the region. It's incredible to see the fruit of their work some twenty years later: internet cafe, library, Busoga Bible School (training center for ministers and lay leaders), craft store, etc. But the real measure of their work is in the eyes of the people who have been welcomed into a new kind of family; a community built around the stories of Jesus. We've met person after person who talk about "John and Sara Barton, Greg and Jill Taylor, Brent and Heather Abney, Mark and Marnie Moore, Darrin and Becca Smith" as if they were talking about "Paul, Peter, Lydia, Phoebe, James, and John."
---
During lunch, I had a conversation with Alice, a local Ugandan who works with H.I.V. and A.I.D.S. patients. She told me that "Because of the generosity of the United States and other countries, Uganda is one of the few countries in Africa where H.I.V. has been in decline." That was particularly helpful for me to hear as it seems U.S. relations have suffered greatly internationally over the last six years.
---
During lunch, I had a conversation with Alice, a local Ugandan who works with H.I.V. and A.I.D.S. patients. She told me that "Because of the generosity of the United States and other countries, Uganda is one of the few countries in Africa where H.I.V. has been in decline." That was particularly helpful for me to hear as it seems U.S. relations have suffered greatly internationally over the last six years.
02 July 2008
Jinja Part One
Kara, Sara, and I made it to Jinja despite moderate drama (missing luggage, late planes, planes running low on fuel). We're staying with Mark and Lori . . . just enjoyed a great dinner, now engaged in spirited political discussion.
Kara's blog will have photos over the next week or so. Mine will have, big surprise, more words.
Mark's been special to me over the last six years. He and I finished the M.Div. together at Lipscomb in 2005--we've spent many hours talking baseball, postmodernism, history, pipe-smoking, theology, mission, film, and all things Church of Christ. Mark's been a big brother of sorts, offering me priceless wisdom for the task of ministry.
God's world is so much bigger than our lives betray.
Peace.
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