echoes from home

Thanks and Farewell

2005-09-09T07:51:00.000-05:00

Today marks the last day I will ever blog on this site. I wanted to thank each and every one of you that has spent time reading whatever has come forth from my brain. Whether my writings gave you encouragement, laughter, confusion, anger, or just made completely no sense, I am thankful for all that I have met (either in person or blogging) through this blog and others. I will still read your blogs every once in a while, but I realize that this chapter has come to a conclusion for me. Thanks again and continue to be a blessing to all. Peace.

A Labor Day Creed

2005-09-06T08:24:00.000-05:00

We believe in the right and duty of persons to work for the glory of God and the good of themselves and others and in the protection of their welfare in so doing; in the rights to property as a trust from God, collective bargaining, and responsible consumption; and in the elimination of economic and social distress.

(from the Social Principles of the Book of Discipline)

What to Make of It?

2005-09-02T10:46:00.000-05:00

I’ve not written on the disaster that Katrina initiated because I’m out of words, especially seeing and hearing second hand accounts of starvation, death, and injustice occurring throughout the city. Why do things like this happen? I have no idea. I have found some solace in a post by another blogger Krister. Even though his answer may frustrate you, I think he is asking some smart questions in the face of easy answers evangelicals tend to pass around in situations such as this.

Read Krister’s response HERE.

In my job, I have the responsiblity to serve and consult clintele from a base of about 400. One of my territories that I cover is the state of Louisiana. I’ve only been able to talk to people from the northern part of the state, and when I have called I usually can’t get through the phone lines because the circuits are tied up. Even though I do not have immediate family living in the flooded area, I feel deeply for my clients and their surrounding neighbors. Restlessness evades my whole being and I become paralyzed with the question, “What can I do?”

Ignorant Pilgrim

2005-09-01T14:22:00.000-05:00

If you could do it, I suppose, it would be a good idea to live your life in a straight line – starting, say, in the Dark Wood of Error, and proceeding by logical steps through Hell and Purgatory and into Heaven. Or you could take the King’s Highway past appropriately named dangers, toils, and snares, and finally cross the River of Death and enter the Celestial City. But that is not the way I have done it, so far. I am a pilgrim, but my pilgrimage has been wandering and unmarked. I am an ignorant pilgrim, crossing a dark valley. And yet for a long time, looking back, I have been unable to shake off the feeling that I have been led – make of it what you will. (133, Jayber Crow)

Wendell Berry is a poetic lyricist. His novel, Jayber Crow, has really been speaking the language of my current life travels. It’s been refreshing to journey along side Jayber even though our paths are from different time periods (not to mention one is a fictional tale). I really enjoy the illustrative metaphor of a pilgrim as to how one lives their life, always on a journey. My pilgrimage is one that has been through those valleys, hilltops, and everything in between. In a way I can righly describe my own pilgrimage as ignorant. Many times I have avoided the straight path as Berry describes and have walked in circles or doubled back. Other times I not known where I was going until I was already at my destination. My dreams and desires have come to rest on mistakes and mishaps. My life's path has come to me or either I to it, with much surprise, anxiety, grace, and waywardness. But as Berry pens, I have this uneasy feeling that I have been led throughout it all.

Apology

2005-08-31T08:41:00.000-05:00

Before I begin with my daily update, I would like to issue an apology to my in-laws. Monday night my mother, father, and grandmother-in-law generously drove 90 miles to visit their daughter and son-in-law for a birthday party. Gina, my mother-in-law, was turning the big 50 and my wife wanted to make a special dinner for them. She even broke out the fancy glasses and cloth napkins. Ooo la la. I was glad they were coming, but Monday was a horrible day. I won’t go into the details of it, but it just sucked. Not only that, I was feeling a little depressed from all the health issues my family is trying to wade through. So needless to say, I was in a crabby mood all night. If I could go back in time, I would have acted totally different. For some selfish reason, I wanted to reflect my crappy day onto everyone else. I think I was like “Debbie Downer” trying to make everyone feel sorry for me in the midst of such celebration and joy. So Gina, Terry, June, and my lovely wife…I’m sorry. Sorry I was a sulking cotton-headed ninimuggens. Forgive me.

A Letter to My Granddad

2005-08-30T08:08:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday Granddad! It’s an honor to say that, especially after a vigorous 92 years you have lived on this earth. I don’t know if you’ll remember that it is your birthday today, but that’s ok because I forgot mom’s birthday this year. So I guess we’re even.

In the 25 years that I’ve known you, I couldn’t ask for a better role model. You’ve been married for 66 years now, just in case you forgot. Every time I’m around you, you speak of grandmother in such a loving way. You’ll still have that shine in your eye when you mention your wife like it was the first time you feel in love. “That sure is a pretty girl over there,” you’ll say as you watch grandmother working hard in the kitchen or just sitting in her favorite chair. You have a dedication that I admire, not only to your wife, but also to living.

You were a Sunday School teacher for 20 plus years and I know those people revered you and respected your wisdom and humor. I could tell. Plus you were an amazing storyteller. I think I will go to my grave never knowing what happened to your partially cut off finger. And in a way that’s the way I want it to be. You told us stories of meeting your future wife, working at Nabisco, fishing, playing golf, hitchhiking, college, living in England, visiting almost every continent and all 50 states, and the war. Even if we had heard the stories before you could still craft them in a way to paint a beautiful landscape of your life; the humor, the reality, the simplicity of it all made you feel warm as if sitting besides a fire during a soft December evening.

You had a patient peace about you, one that I recognized at an early age as we would sit on the dock and cast our lures into the calm waters hoping to catch “the big one.” You were a gracious man, always caring for others and helping those that needed it. I remember when I didn’t have a job for a summer and you helped me get a mowing business going at the lake. You would even help me weed eat at times even in the blazing summer heat.

As I write this letter I realized I have described you in the past tense. Forgive me. You are still a patient man. You are still a great storyteller. You are still a devoted husband. You are still someone whom people revere and respect. You are still a man who is full of wisdom and humor. I apologize for that. I guess I know that you are not the same man you were, at least in the sense of your memory. And that makes me feel heavy. I cried the other night knowing that you didn’t remember your anniversary and knowing that you might not remember your birthday. I wanted to blame someone or something but it was to no avail. I remember seeing my other granddad (Granddaddy C) in the retirement home and him not being able to remember who I was. It broke my heart. It still does. Not that he couldn’t remember my name, but that the fullness of life that was in him and is in you has somewhat slipped through our weakening clutches. We want to preserve people we know and love, framing them in a picture that will never fade or be etched out of our memories. I guess it’s the fear of facing our own humanity. Maybe that is why I cried in Jennifer’s arms for so long that night. I believe that death is not the end of the story. I really do. But I just want to live in the memory of what used for a little while longer. I love you granddad.

Lacking Words

2005-08-26T08:15:00.000-05:00

By then I wasn’t just asking questions; I was being changed by them. I was being changed by my prayers, which dwindled down nearer and nearer to silence, which weren’t confrontations with God but with the difficulty – in my own mind, or in the human lot – of knowing what or how to pray. (p. 52)

Wendell Berry captures my thoughts completely here in this tiny segment from his novel, Jayber Crow. My prayers, for the past year now, have been whittled down into sheer silence. Has this been accidental? I’m to the realization now that it has not been an accident. I used to spill my heart out to God in words and phrases that felt like they moved beyond the breath that eased out of my mouth. Now I sit in silence, almost in bewilderment, and the words don’t seem to surface. It’s not that I feel lonely or lost in my mystical relationship with the Creator. Rather, my words have no form, at least in the audible sense.

Do I ever pray aloud? Sure. At work sometimes they’ll ask me to lead a prayer before the day’s activities. I don’t mind although I find the words that were once easy to say hard to come by. The only prayer that I can seem to speak is the Lord’s Prayer (Our Father how art in heaven….). It is beyond me to comprehend why this transformation has occurred. In the past, my guilt would be produced from knowing that I wasn’t “praying” like I used to. I’m past that now. I accept the fact that silence comforts me more than hearing my own voice.

My Encounter with Donald Miller

2005-08-24T10:45:00.000-05:00

I’m a big dork.

Yesterday was an extremely long day. I go to work all day (8 to 4:30, not to mention waking up at 5:30) and then hang around Nashville until 7 when my class starts and then leave class at 10 while arriving home at 11. Ugghhh. During my break between work and class I sat on Lipscomb’s campus and read some of Wendell Berry’s Jayber Crow. Excellent read. All of a sudden I see this guy that looks vaguely familiar. The closer he gets the more I recognize the guy.

Flashback to Monday night: Jennifer and I had to wonderful pleasure of attending Romeo, Juliet and Jesus, an evening with Donald Miller at Otter Creek (author of Blue Like Jazz). It was a packed house like I thought it would be. He’s talk was mainly pulled from his last book Searching for God Knows What. I read this last year and wasn’t too impressed by it, to be honest. It was hard to top Blue Like Jazz, even though the story of Santa not washing his hands in the mall after using the potty was quite hilarious. After about an hour or so, the audience was allowed to ask a question to Donald. I wanted to ask a question but I think it was just because I could say, “I have talked to Donald Miller.” I guess to impress people. Again, I’m a dork. Well my wife was trying to get me to go up to the mic and ask my question, but I chickened out knowing that my motivation was purely out of pride. Not only did I want to ask him a relevant question, I really wanted to see if he got my CD’s I sent him.

Flashback to last November: Some colleagues of mine were traveling to Atlanta to attend the Ivy Jungle Conference. Miller was going to be teaching an Early Bird Course at the Conference and my friend Dean was signed up to be in that class. I had finished both of Miller’s books and really want to write him a letter. Dork. Not only did I write a letter, I copied a live show from a Wilco concert I had been to because I knew he enjoys their music (writes about them in Blue Like Jazz). Super Dork. Before Dean left I put the letter and the two CDs into an envelope and asked him to give it to Don. Dean came back from Ivy Jungle and completed his mission successfully.

Flash-forward to Monday night: While I was really contemplating on asking my question, I also wanted to ask Don if he received those CDs. In my mind I see the conversation going like this:

Me: Hey Don. I’m the guy that gave you those Wilco CDs back at Ivy Jungle.
Don: YEAH!! (very enthusiastically) Dude those CDs are awesome. I actually listened to them while on the plane to Nashville.
Me: Awesome! Glad you enjoyed it.
Don: I sure did. Hey what are you doing later? You wanna hang out after this?
(This would of course thrust me into extreme euphoria and to the demise of the rest of the audience for being super cool. Mmmmmahahahahaha)

Flash-forward to Yesterday or are we flashbacking here? Anyway, the guy whom I recognize (beginning of the story) is in fact Mr. Miller. I’m sure I kept eyeing him until he felt uncomfortable, but I wasn’t going to back down from this opportunity. So I get up from the swing I was on and say:

Me: Are you Donald Miller?
Don: Yeah.
(introductions and hands shake)
Me: I heard you last night at Otter Creek. Good stuff.
Don: Thanks.
Me: I’m the guy that sent you those Wilco CDs during Ivy Jungle.
Don: Huh? You don’t look familiar.
Me: Well I wasn’t at Ivy Jungle, but had a friend who was there give them to you.
Don: Really? I…..don’t remember ever getting them.
Me: Really?
Don: Yeah, I have the demo’s from Yankee Hotel Foxtrot that someone gave me.
Me: Yeah with the instrumentals and different versions.
Don: Yeah.
Me: I have that CD. But I sent you a 2-disc concert show in Atlanta.
Don: Well….I never received that.
Me: Huh? Oh well. I just knew you enjoyed them so I thought, what the heck.
Don: Well…thanks.
Me: Anyway, good to meet you.
Don:You too. What’s your name again?

I’m sure he was asking my name again so he could be aware that a guy named Clark stalks him somewhat. “Huh authorities? Yes this is Donald Miller. Be on the lookout for a really tall blonde-headed guy who will not leave me alone.” I went to class and found out that he was about to speak in front of Lipscomb and visitors. I’m sure he gave me a shout out during his talk. “If you guys know a Clark, then please call the cops.” Have I said how much of a dork I am?

OK, this is just plain weird

2005-08-23T13:20:00.000-05:00

Pat Robertson, on his 700 Club program Monday, suggested that America should just "take out" Venezulean President Hugo Chavez in fear of his country "becoming a launching pad for communist inflitration and Muslim extremism." ("take out" apparently is Pat's term for assassinate)

"We don't need another $200 billion war to get rid of one, you know, strong-arm dictator," he continued. "It's a whole lot easier to have some of the covert operatives do the job and then get it over with."

I think Pat's been playing too much Splinter Cell on his Xbox, or maybe he has been watching Rambo movies over and over. Wow! Well done Pat. Keep making our "Christian Nation" America the CEO of Assassinators For Hirer Club.

LINK
(hattip: Greg)

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

2005-08-22T15:08:00.000-05:00

Vacation was incredible! Slept in, went fishing, read, played in the ocean, ate lots of seafood, napped. It was just what my wife and I needed.

Thanks to all that gave book recommendations several weeks ago. I will definitely keep those in mind for the future. Since I’m about to start another biblical class this semester, I wanted to take a break from books that make me think too much. Instead I dove into two books, both I’d recommend to you, but one much more over the other. The first was David Sedaris’ book Dress Your Family Up in Corduroy and Denim. Hilarious! I laughed out loud at his poignant storytelling of family life in the Sedaris household. Can’t wait to read his others.

The book that was amazing was a new novel called Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer. I’m not big on fiction, but Mr. Foer crafts such a tale that I’m rethinking reading more fictional literature, especially his first book. Be warned: this book is not light on subject matter. It had probably more weight than any theological book I’ve read in a long while. Foer deals with tragedy and the heaviness of living in a broken world, especially for a child who lost their dad in 9/11. I want to read it again, yet I don’t because I want to preserve the emotions and feelings that arose within me during my readings. So check it out.

St. George Island

2005-08-15T15:12:00.000-05:00

Peace at last. As of tomorrow, I am on vacation to the beautiful and peaceful St. George Island. I'll be hanging with my in-laws, my twin brother-in-laws, and my lovely wife for a week in sunny Florida. Since I work in front of a PC all day, I will be taking a blogging Sabatical of sorts until next week. So for those out there that actually read this (mom, dad, grandmom, occasional google people) hope this week treats you well. Adios.

Scared Architecture 2

2005-08-15T11:43:00.000-05:00

Last week I discussed the value of architecture in creating scared space, whether public or private. In my last post, the extremely artistic Poems and Writings, stated the fact that all our efforts must not be geared towards the outside, rather the focus should be directed towards the inside. While I agree with her insightful remark, I can’t help but wonder how architecture aids us in creating a holy space in our surroundings. It seems as if modernity has striped buildings, especially churches, of their historical aesthetics and mystery. Michael DeSanctis, a professor of fine arts at Gannon University, said that great architecture has always been ‘modern,’ both responding to and challenging the cultures that produce it. If DeSanctis is correct here, then what we need is not a nostalgic need for historical styles of building landscapes. Rather we could accept what the Catholic Church calls, ‘noble simplicity’ which appreciates “the workings of ritual action, for symbol, poetry and art – those things that nourish the soul, keep the heart supple, and point us beyond ourselves.” In doing so, architecture can promote authenticity, beauty, and holiness.

To see some Sacred Spaces in my area (Nashville) follow this LINK.

Sacred Architecture

2005-08-12T15:27:00.000-05:00

Most modern churches look like they were built by robots without reference to the heritage of church architecture or respect for the place; they embody no awareness that work can be worship.

I've been reading Wendell Berry's essay "Christianity and the Survival of Creation" during my lunch breaks and bathroom visits. It has been rather encouraging and poetic to read from a simple farmer in Kentucky describing the need for art and work in our lives. (those terms are not what I thought they meant) The above quote made me reminisce about my first few years in college. Not college life per say, but the year and a half I spent in my dorm, the architecture building, and everywhere else in between creating and re-imagining structures, plans and ideas. It was fun, yet challenging especially my first year into the program. One of my first classes that introduced me into the world of architecture was architectural history. Just to give you an idea of how incredibly hard this class was, we studied for our test by looking at slide show slides in their actual size through a glass window, while about 30 other students looked on. That was our reference for the Renaissance columns to flying buttresses of the Baroque period. Most of the structures we observed were cathedrals along with public buildings and judicial courthouses of such.

If you have ever been to Europe or outside of the US, you'll probably notice these large massive cathedrals jetting out from the skyline. Not only do they look rather lonesome stretching toward the heavens, inside its the same story: empty and hollow.
Even though I'm not suggesting we rebuild all our buildings, especially churches to re-conform back to our rich heritage of architecture, but I think there is room to speak of scared space in our meeting places. Whether a religious place such as a church or synagogue, or a public place like a urban cafe, I think value and holiness can be found in the angles and designs of our structures residing in the land.

More thoughts to come later. Yours?

Wendell Berry on Dualism

2005-08-11T13:51:00.000-05:00

“Dualism manifests itself in several ways: as a cleavage, a radical discontinuity, between Creator and creature, spirit and matter, religion and nature, religion and economy, worship and work, and so on. This dualism, I think, is the most destructive disease that afflicts us. In its best known, its most dangerous, and perhaps its fundamental version, it is the dualism of body and soul. This is an issue as difficult as it is important, and so to deal with it we should start at the beginning. The crucial test is probably Genesis 2:7, which gives the process by which Adam was created. “The Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed in to his nostrils the breath of life: and man became a living soul.” The formula given in Genesis 2:7 is not man = body + soul; the formula there is soul = dust + breathe. According to this verse, God did not make a body and put a soul into it, like a letter into an envelope. He formed man of dust; then, by breathing His breath into it, He made the dust live. ‘Soul’ here refers to the whole creature. Humanity is thus presented to us, in Adam, not as a creature of two discrete parts temporarily glue together but as a single mystery.”

Thus, as Berry continues, we can make a duality of our one living soul by disassociating with the breath of God as our common bond with one another and with other creatures. More over, we can create duality in disowning the dust element of each one. Our bodies and this earth are not to be abused or neglected because of the forthcoming eternal bliss called heaven. By no means. Heaven is not a warehouse of “souls” disembodied from our flesh and bones. “But to despise the body or mistreat it for the sake of the ‘soul’ is not just to burn one’s house for the insurance, nor is it just self-hatred of the most deep and dangerous sorts. It is yet another blasphemy.”

from Berry's essay "Christianity and the Survival of Creation"

Donald Miller

2005-08-11T08:02:00.000-05:00

I love my wife. We’re about to take a week vacation to Florida with her family next week. I need a break from work and just life around Middle Tennessee. The Monday after we get back, we were going to attend a function at her school. At least, that is what was scheduled. She wasn’t excited about it and neither was I seeing as how we were “required” to attend, more her than me. Most of the teachers from the school she teaches at would be there along with their significant other. Needless to say, we were not looking forward to it.

Before I knew about this exciting evening, I had been planning on us hearing Donald Miller speak that same night. Well after I got the free tickets (thanks Phil), my wife told me about the function at her school. I was bummed. Last night she surprised me by telling me that she wanted us to go hear Don and not go to the “required” school meeting. Elated described how I felt. So August 22nd my wife and I will be sitting in Otter Creek Church hearing Blue Like Jazz author Donald Miller. Thanks Jennifer.

Fire Drill

2005-08-09T14:11:00.000-05:00

I'm used to posting in the morning time, especially when I arrive to work early. As I was getting out of my car I noticed everyone in the building was pouring out. "Alright! I get to go home early," I thought. Yeah right. We had another fire alarm go off in the building. The perpetrator? VBS cookies.

So in the event of me getting to work on time and work making me do 3 people's job while getting paid for one person's work load, I only have time to post links of things that interest me, and hopefully you too.

LINK of an article about emerging church in the Philadelphia Inquirer

The Message Thing

2005-08-08T13:33:00.000-05:00

I hate blogger. He ate my post.

If you haven't read this op-ed piece by Jim Wallis that appeared in the New York Times last week, then have a look see. Go here

Race in the Emerging Church

2005-08-05T09:16:00.000-05:00

It was from the most unlikely individual that the Nashville Emergent Cohort heard from yesterday about race in our current context. Before discussing race and race relations in our quaint setting at the Flying Saucer, we watched Dave Chappell and his interpretation of President Bush. The 5-minute clip was not only boisterous but also hilarious. Beyond the fact that Chappell was cracking us up, he was opening our worldview to seeing race in a whole new way. As ridiculous as Black Bush seemed to us white folks, it made us imagine how ridiculous White Bush is to many black folks.

From there we spoke mainly about church matters when it comes to this delicate issue. Many weighed in their thoughts, opinions, and convictions on the matter, most of which were helpful for me. Basically we started by asking the question, “What is our current context within our churches, lives, occupation, etc?” I must add that we didn’t focus just on the issue of black and white or Hispanic and white, but of overall class and socioeconomic boundaries that exclude and are neglected by the majority. By understanding our context, we can then ask ourselves if our communities are diverse or homogeneous.

First I think it’s important to distinguish what diverse means regarding the church context. It’s easy to announce to the body, “We need to be more diverse.” If one is involved with an all white or all black or all whatever congregation, hopefully they already are diverse. Sure the people might look the same color, but I’m willing to bet you have people that scatter the diverse economic scale of society. Regardless, if our community (not churches) is a colorful patchwork quilt, then one wonders why churches can’t be the same. We can all shop at the same mall, buy gas at the same station, and eat at the same restaurants, so why can’t this sociological fact be a reality in churches. Back to our meaning of diversity: While we recognize that diversity lies beyond the color realm, we can also say that just having different shades of people in one room isn’t true diversity. Saying you want to be diverse and include other races in church can be like saying, “We can all be diverse and unified enough to sit on the same toilet, but we will still worship or do things the Westernized Anglo way.” Is that true diversity? How can we celebrate our different histories, traditions, rituals, and cultural understandings if we are “doing church” in the colonized-Western style led by a baby booming white staff? What gifts from other races, classes, etc. can we include in our understanding of being church? What are we willing to give up in response to embracing some of these gifts? So you have a Hispanic minister or Inner-City minister on staff. Is that true diversity? Isn’t that just reaching a certain demographic that we white folks are too afraid to venture out among? And isn’t that certain demographic excluded from the main body?

Please read this coming through the eyes of a middle class Southern Protestant young white kid (such a hybrid are we all). I assume, like others said yesterday, the posture we must take is that of a servant. Jesus was a pretty good model, I’d say (understatement). We must reinforce that even though our “neighbor” (not geographical mind you) might not be inside our walls on Sunday, we should still be good servants to them and their communities.

My TBN Obsession

2005-08-04T08:59:00.000-05:00

I have a dirty confession to make. I’ve hid this for so long and yet I feel the need to come clean. Forgive me if this offense anyone, but I can’t withhold it any more.

I watch TBN.

That’s right. Trinity Broadcast Network, you know the one with Benny Hinn and TD Jakes and the poofy haired lady. I don't watch it all the time of course, but there are days when I start watching something and find myself enthralled in the program. I’ve mentioned this secret before when I wrote about Kirk Cameron’s late night show. Well yesterday during commercials of King of the Hill, I wanted to fulfill my curious nature by seeing what was happening on TBN. So I tuned in to see a white preacher lady sitting around 5 African American males. For the next 10 minutes I was drawn into their discussion and before I knew it, the credits were rolling on King of the Hill. So why was my attention attracted to TBN’s program that day? Let me explain.

The white preacher lady was named Paula. She was dressed very nicely and listening attentively to this scholarly black gentleman as he was describing how faith works and we can’t detect God with our senses. Or something like that. What kept me listening was Kirk Franklin. If you don’t know who Kirk is, he is a gospel musician. I don’t really like contemporary Christian music and to be honest, I didn’t like Kirk’s mainstream hit, “GP Are You With Me?” But he was a familiar face on the screen so I wanted to see what he had to say. Kirk was speaking about mega-churches and how he doesn’t see mega-Christians come from those institutions. His quote that perked my interest was: “We got mega-churches, but where are the mega-Christians? Where is Jesus in the work place; Jesus in the marriage; Jesus at school; Jesus in the ghetto?” Now I’m not, and I don’t think Kirk was trying to say, “No more mega-churches” although I’m uncomfortable with them. I understood his point about how mega-churches can warehouse praiseful people yet distribute people who don’t know what Jesus looks like outside of those walls.

After Kirk was finished, several other brothers decided to weigh in their opinions or discuss something totally different. I’m not really sure what the other people were saying because they were using large words that I couldn’t follow. I think basically they were speaking about the majesty of God or having a revelation from the word (word being the Bible not Christ, I think). Anyway, Kirk chimed in again and said, “The problem is brother, those folks in the hood, Tyrone and LaQuisha, and most in our churches don’t understand the language you’re using.” It seemed as though this guy was pulling words out that made him sound enlightened, but all it did was turn me off…and confuse the mess out of me. Not only that, you could tell these finely dressed preacher folks were smooth talkers and had rhyming catch phrases that made people in the audience scream and holler. Yet Kirk was not a talented speaker. His voice cracked, he stuttered at times, and his thoughts were not all presentable in a slick point-by-point presentation. He spoke about discipleship and authenticity, even saying that from age 9 to 27 he was addicted to pornography. You could hear a pin drop when he said the “p” word. He was real to me. He wasn’t trying to impress me or persuade me, he was just trying to say how there are too many Sunday Christians in the world.

Maybe those TV-Evangelists can teach me something about the glory of God or the majesty surrounding the Almighty YHWH. Even so, I can’t help but wonder if talking in “sophisticated rhymes” is helping people live lives oriented towards the Kingdom. I’m sure that they are doing good work; at least that is what I want to believe, instead of hearing that they are just money hungry preachers preaching a gospel of “health and wealth.” I hope that more people hear what Kirk is trying to say. I hope.

Rambo's Offical Shirt

2005-08-04T08:39:00.000-05:00

Funny shirts on this site.

I think the guy below needs to cover up with one of these.

The Significance of Eschatology

2005-08-03T08:05:00.000-05:00

*Warning* Theological Musing Ahead *Warning*

Our triune God has displayed his presence, mercy and grace in the formation of the world, the events of the crisis, Israel’s history, the voices of the prophets and poets, the Messiah’s life and death, the outpouring of the Spirit, and then continuum of God’s agents in the world (the church). We have witnessed a story that is beautiful and rich with history and meaning. But our story is not finished. It is on a trajectory to continue towards the final fulfillment of God’s Kingdom. In a sense God has been calling the story (history even) as well as his people forward into the future to embrace each other and God’s ultimate dream for this world.

In reading Scripture, most of the authors speak about the movement of history towards the eschaton (end times). From Isaiah’s prophetic voice announcing that the lamb will lie down with the lion and swords beaten to plowshares to the ‘renewal of all things’ language of Paul, we can see that history has a purpose and a goal to which it is moving towards. Some may boil the eschaton down to the ambiguous writings of John in his vision Revelation. While this letter has rich metaphors and a deeply convicting message, we should be wary of our curiosity to look for ‘the signs of the end times.’ Not that our curiosity should be stifled in anyway in re-imagining the eschaton motif, but our efforts should focus on the coming of God in the here and now. To further explain this idea we look to the language of the “old age” and the “new age” in the New Testament. Until Christ’s entrance into the world, the old age had been moving along just fine from the beginning of the crisis in our story. Even though creation was still considered good, it was deeply wounded by harmful activity such as shame, hate, violence, selfishness and a host of other viruses that still plague the human race. As we saw in the creation narrative, God created all things with room to grow and progress towards its initial eschatological goal. God stepped into history as a person and ushered in a “new age,” one that would look totally different from the present aeon. And so from that time on, Jesus showed people how to be human in the new age (intended humanity), and what ethics constitute as Kingdom living. Jesus was himself the eschatological human, one that all would hopefully emulate and practice living such as he did. Moreover, the forming of the body of Christ, not to mention the pouring of the Spirit, was intended to be the foretaste of the eschatology. The ethics and activities of the church flow from its identity in the new age.

The implications of the eschaton to our church are unfathomable. Besides having our theology entrenched in the idea of eschatology, our lives should be oriented towards God’s dream. Jesus prayed for God’s Kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven. We would do well to follow his example. Our attitude concerning the ‘end times’ should avoid the pop-culture’s view of the rapture where we hope we aren’t left behind and face the antichrist from the Middle East named Nicholas. Let us be mindful of what Peter said, “We wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home.” Since God will refine all things on earth, we should view the things around us as redeemable and worthy of our attention (i.e. environment, poverty, economics). God will bring about the Kingdom on his time, but in the meantime we are agents of this eschatological presence in the here and now. May we embrace creation and all that are in it and live out God’s telos, inviting all along our journey.

Sufjan in Nashville

2005-08-02T07:51:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I bought tickets to see Sufjan Stevens at the Mercy Lounge on September 23rd. I'm really excited about this show, mainly because his music is very ingenuitive and smart. His new album is called Illinois and is an entire record about.....the state of Illinois. Sufjan is trying to make a record about all 50 states; so far is has Michigan and now Illinois covered. I hope he continues with this crusade because while this task may seem impossible to complete (as the critics claim), he is creative and daring enough to try. On a side note, I heard that the David Crowder Band has covered Stevens' song on Seven Swans (A Good Man Is Hard To Find).

Hope I win my free copy, after all the mental anguish I have had to endure in my 25 years on this earth.

Embracing the 'Other'

2005-08-01T09:17:00.000-05:00

How can I create space for ‘the other’? I’m currently reading Exclusion & Embrace by Volf and his writing has made me reassess this question. How can I live out the concept of “you are not only you; others belong to you too?” How do I, or we as a society, construct a dichotomy of “them” and “us?” Can we boil the problem down to an equation: we are moral and civilized; they are the wicked barbarians? Who are the “we” and “they” in this statement?

Without rehashing our shameful history, barbaric conquest, colonization, and enslavement of non-Europeans legitimized the myth of “spreading the light of civilization.” It becomes ironic how the undeniable progress of inclusion fed off the practice of exclusion. But if we level all boundaries that lead to inclusion, does that mean we create disorder? The absence of boundaries creates nonorder, which is not the end of exclusion. In essence it seizes to cultivate life no more. So as Volf says, “A consistent pursuit of inclusion places one before the impossible choice between a chaos without boundaries and oppression with them.”

I’m faced with this simple drawing from a child this morning. But this is not an image conjured up by an imaginative youngster; rather, this picture was drawn with simple crayons and paper depicting the horrific acts of the genocide seen through the eyes of a Sudanese child. The power of exclusion is all too real for these people. But do I respond by excluding their attackers? Granted, I know the Janjaweed’s injustice is great and needs to be stopped. I am not trying to justify their act by any means. But could I embrace one of them? That is what I’m trying to understand this morning.

Update

2005-07-29T14:26:00.000-05:00

Well I updated my sidebar links, for those that care.

I spent about an hour at work today reading this blog. I placed her on my sidebar hoping that her series will continue. All I can say is this is messy but fruitful and hopeful.

Link (read all 7 posts if possible)

Work has been insane this past week. Much of my thoughts are drained by the daily mundaneness of work and the fever pitch of trying to match sales goals from the previous year. Needless to say, we won't make our fiscal budget again. On the bright side, I did find out yesterday I'm on some promotional video that is being sent to all our accounts/customers. So I guess I'm a second-rate movie star. Yes, my life is complete now! I just finished up Systematic Theology so my brain is pretty much a mushy substance with large theological words gasping for air. It is nice to have one month to relax and not worry about papers or tests or reading (even though I do enjoy some of what they ask us to read). Well, I hope for a nice weekend to all.

Deconstructing & Reconstructing Missions

2005-07-28T07:55:00.000-05:00

Both times I have been to the Nashville Emergent Cohort, I have been strengthened and challenged by the men and women around the table. Our facilitator is a youth worker named Dixon Kinser. Not only does he fit the "emo-rgent" mold, he is one smart cookie. His past two posts on his blog have been very helpful for me in regards to the idea of short term missions.

I don't want to take anything away from what Dixon said so I'll just say that you all should read his posts. The first looks at our current state of missions especially short term mission trips, and deconstructs what might hinder the true formational aspect of what missions mean. From the ashes of this demolition he constructs a healthy view of the term 'missions' and how churches can communicate this old idea in a different paradigm. Follow the links for more.

Deconstructing Short Term Missions Link

Reconstructing Short Term Missions Link

Searching for the Wrong Eyed Jesus

2005-07-27T08:39:00.000-05:00

From Bob's website (previous post) I came across a documentary named Searching for the Wrong Eyed Jesus. Basically it is a roadtrip through "blue country" or the America South. Alt-country singer Jim White takes the audience through prisions, churches, barber shops, truckstops, city fairs, mountains, and swamps. People tell their stories and testimonies behind a backdrop of the rural south and a southern Jesus. These stories ground their identities and explain their place in this world. White sums it up well when he says he's "trying to find the gold tooth in God's crooked smile." The film is stated to have a great lineup concerning various musicians like White, the Handsome Family, Johnny Dowd, and Lee Sexton.

While I haven't seen the film, it is playing in selected theaters. Actually it is showing right now at the Belcourt theatre in Nashville. But this film I think begs the question: How does our socio-environment shape the way we see religion, espeically the way we look at Jesus? I wonder if we could say that the North-East-South-West geography could be a social structure of the "stations of the cross." Meaning, at every "station" is a sign, a plaque, a monument signifying faith. Who hasn't seen a billboard on the highway, or a picture on a Big Rig, or a Jesus Fish in the landscape of Americana giving direction to the non-believer. The South uses a much different typography of faith than say the Northwest or New England area. The faith of the South is portrayed as a private, personal experience made public. We could even say that it's publicizing them. I think that even this faith gets boiled down to mass-producing products for commerical consumption, like the Christ shirt using the Crest toothpaste emblem. While this may be seen throughout the US, I think the South has an undercurrent that bleeds a southern smiling God with the gold tooth.

Post-Rapture Radio

2005-07-27T08:01:00.000-05:00

Before I started work yesterday I had an email awaiting in my inbox. It was from a Bob Carlton, a fellow I do not know. His email concerned a book that he desperately thinks needs more attention. The book he was recommending was called Post-Rapture Radio: Lost Writings from the failed Revolution at the End of the Last Century. Although Bob doesn't work for Jossey-Bass (the book's publisher), he said that this brave little book might run the risk of getting lost in the mix of thousands of other books. Russell Rathbun, the author of Post-Rapture, writes through the eyes of a genuine American preacher named Reverend Richard Lamblove.

I haven't read the book, but did read a chapter from it yesterday. Bob sent me the chapter called "Sermon: Confessions of a Post-Evangelical, or Jesus in a Suitcase." It tells of how the Rev Lamblove used to carry Jesus around in a suitcase and would have a change of clothes for him depending on where Jesus went and who he was around. Very entertaining yet written with conviction. If you want to read the short chapter, just email me because I don't know how to place it as a link on my blog.

Random Thoughts

2005-07-26T07:59:00.000-05:00

I had several topics I wanted to write about this morning, but I thought I'd cover them quickly since work is going to be crazy today.

Last night I became the husband of the century. Well maybe not, but I'll claim myself to be. Yes my friends I watched the movie that I have specifically avoided all my life since I knew girls did not posses coodies. And it was my decision to watch it. My wife even tried to convince me that I wouldn't like and I'd be bored. She even gave the option to play Tiger Woods golf on Xbox with me. Yet I knew that I wouldn't have lived until I saw every woman's classic cult film Steel Magnolias. And to be quite honest, it wasn't bad. I think it honestly portrayed Southern women at their best....and worst. Weezer cracked me up.

Lately I've been in the mood to listen to some John Prine. If you haven't heard any Prine, I'd suggest you give it a try. He is a veteran singer-songwriter who has had a steady career for almost 30 years. His song's are simple yet poetic and portray a sense of common Midwestern Americana. His new cd is called Fair and Square and is his first solo album in 10 years.

Thanks to everyone chiming in with their book recommendations. I'll definitely need a book when I go to the beach with my in-laws next month. As I finish my class, I found this book at work, Exclusion & Embrace by Miroslav Volf. I hope to hear him at the Emergent Theological Conversation in February at Yale. That is if I am able to beat 100 people at registering first.

Since our church prayed 2 weekends ago for the genocide happening in Darfur, I've had several conversations with people in our church about the situation over there. Glad to know people care and are socially aware.

La Marche De L'Empereur

2005-07-25T08:04:00.000-05:00

I love Sunday afternoons. Especially when there is not much work to be done. Since there wasn't any school work waiting for me after lunch or cleaning we had to do around the apartment, my wife and I enjoyed a matinee in Nashville. We saw this movie, March of the Penguins. My wife was incredibly excited because she loves penguins and once she saw the previews for this movie she wanted to see it. I like documentaries, but I wasn't as excited as she was, but I was happy she was excited.

I must say, this was a really good movie. I didn't know much about penguins before I went, but this film educated me on several things. Plus the filmmakers did a fantastic job of capturing these "tuxedo wearing" creatures in their natural habitat of Antarctica. The film portrayed a triumphant and tragic look at life through the eyes of these birds. From the movie, you could tell that penguins felt the emotions of pain, grief, joy, and love. Kudos to Luc Jacquet for making a touching film about the journey these penguins take each year to create life amidst the harsh elements of nature.

Book Recommendation?

2005-07-22T09:02:00.000-05:00

Since I am on my last week of graduate classes for the summer and will have a one month hiatus until the fall starts up again, I am asking you to recommend a book for me to read. I have some suggestions in mind but would like your input.

So what book or books or even author(s) should I read in the coming month?

A Fable: Mzee and Owen

2005-07-21T12:11:00.000-05:00

Not many stories in our society are as heartwarming and delightful as the one I'm about to tell you. Reading through the muck of news such as the London bombings, Karl Rove, Iraq, Darfur, and a host of other tragedies, it is hard to see goodness in our world. Its like looking for a fresh daisy in a toxic landfill out in the middle of the desert. But once in a while you come across a story that seems as though it were pulled from the library shelf in the fiction aisle or straight from the mouth of wise ole Mother Goose. Not only is this story true, its packed with meaning, but I'll figure that out.

Our main characters are a 130 year old tortoise named Mzee and an orphaned baby hippopotamus named Owen. Quite the odd couple with amazing stories, they are the best of friends. How did they end up together in Haller Park in Kenya?

Owen lived in Africa along the Sabaki River which flows into the Indian Ocean. Before the monstrous impact of the Tsunami on December 26, the Sabaki became flooded. Owen and his family were separated in the ocean right before Christmas. Even though the Sabaki is in Kenya and was 4000 miles away from the direct impact of the event in Sri Lanka, the coast of Kenya was impacted 12 hours later by the waves. Owen got stranded on a coral reef in the ocean. Villagers from all over began to help save this massive beast from his struggle. Finally, a rugby player by the name Owen tackled the hippo and helped get the 600 pound hippo to safety. Hence, the hippo was named after his courageous rescuer. Since Owen was just a baby and wouldn't be accepted into another hippo family right away, LaFarge Eco Systems agreed to provide a home for the lonely animal in Haller Park. Owen was scared, frightened, and alone tied down in the back of a pick up headed to his new environment. What awaited him was an unlikely friend found in a very old tortoise.

Mzee grew up on an island near Madagascar over 130 years ago. He made his way to Kenya in an unorthodox fashion. After being kidnapped by Aldabra pirates for food, he escaped from being eaten and traveled around the coast of Africa until he wound up in Holler Park. There he encountered a wild, fearful tortoise that sought Mzee's security and guidance. The tortoise was unsure of his new friend. Owen continued to follow Mzee around even though the shelled creature wanted nothing to do with his company. After the first night when Mzee went to sleep, he awoke with Owen snuggled up right next to him. From then on, the two were inseparable. Owen and Mzee continue to spend their days together in the pond, feeding and patrolling. Owen nudges Mzee to come for walks, and Mzee sometimes even follows Owen. The two are an odd match, but many have witnessed the amazing companionship the two have developed over the past 6 months. Dr. Paula Kahumbu, who is the general manager of LaFarge Eco Systems, even has a blog discussing the pair of animals.

Cultivating Kingdom Behavior

2005-07-20T08:32:00.000-05:00

On my monotonous drive home each day after work, I'm comforted by my car radio. The only problem is I have to drive with the windows down, for without AC I could easily melt. The volume knob on my radio is usually at half full blast so I can hear past the roaring sounds of traffic and passerbys. Yesterday I listened to NPR most of the way home. I usually don't do this mostly because public radio announcers have a calming voice and even though my windows are down and it is quite noisy outside of my metal moving box, I can doze off to their librarian "inside" voices. During their program All Things Considered, I listened to a commentary by Anisa Mehdi on the late Algerian Trappist monk Christian de Cherge.

In case you are unfamiliar with the monk like I was, let me give you a short background on this godly man. Christian grew up in Algeria to a French military family who were Christian colonizers. Following in his father's footsteps, Christian became a soldier in the Algerian army. Once there he met a Muslim policeman named Mohammed. Even though they quite different, they soon became friends and would take long walks discussing life, politics, and theology. One day Mohammed saved Christian's life by stepping between Algerian rebels and his friend. Although they let both men pass, Mohammed was found dead the next day. Mohammed's death changed Christian's life forever. From that time on Christian became a Trappist monk in the Altas Mountains and strove to dedicate his life to God and peace.

After the death of his beloved friend, Christian wanted to continue to dialogue with Muslims. He would invite Muslims to the monastery not to cultivate Christians, but to cultivate honey, fruit, and friendships. They each tried to sow understanding of God's will and create a model of behavior of the Kingdom of God. They didn't have to believe each other's theology; they just needed to uphold the essentials of their ideals: show mercy, be just, give charity, love one another and love God. In the words of Christian de Cherge, "May God's secret joy be brought forth by our common humanity amid our differences."

Haunting Invisibility

2005-07-19T08:27:00.000-05:00

This past weekend was the national weekend of prayer for Darfur. If you read this blog or read the paper you've probably known that a national crisis is happening in the land of Sudan. Genocide has claimed more than 400,000 lives, not to mention the senseless violence that has left women raped, men emasculated, families and communities destroyed.

Many may remember Rwanda, especially if you saw Hotel Rwanda, and the atrocities that occurred between its people. A large difference between what is happening in Rwanda and Darfur is that women who are raped are not killed like they were in Rwanda. Rather, they are returned to their communities as outcasts, creating a class of invisible people. Rape has become a weapon of war used by the Khartoum government that keeps the Sudanese Liberation Army and the Justice Equality Movement from controlling any territory in Darfur.

These women are being virtually erased from their own people, tribe, and culture. Thanks to Susie Albert Miller, I ran across some haunting artwork that portrays their suffering plight. Beverly Collins, the artist behind these images, says, "In them I see a beauty that is free and willing to flaunt itself in the face of challenging and demoralizing conditions and circumstances. Although the the women are virtually invisible, as denoted in the absence of their faces, the fabrics and colors they adorn themselves with are full of life and the reflection of light." She goes on to say that the injustice inflicted upon the Sudanese women are a metaphor for the emotional , physical, and economical rape people experience in all the corners of this earth and the heroic steps victims of these acts take to survive.

Last Sunday I asked my church to pray for these people. I didn't know how many knew of the crime that has been ongoing in this region. I didn't know if anyone would care or would continue to pray or be aware of the problem after church. I certainly wasn't the person to speak up on such matters knowing my own failure and hypocrisies. But I asked everyone to face SE in the direction of Africa and had people express healing, acceptance, love with their bodies while we prayed. I'm no Bible expert but there seems to be examples of others expressing their prayers physically than just through speech. I hope that justice will arise out of the ashes of humanity's blindness.

For Beverly's sake, I erased the pictures. Go to her site to see more. Thanks.

Napoleon Dynamite Action Figures

2005-07-18T13:44:00.000-05:00

"Buy me, and all your dreams will come true." - Pedro

Thanks Jen Lemen

2005-07-18T09:26:00.000-05:00

Ever since I started blogging over a year ago, I have encountered many people over the spectrum of this earth. People from the same state as me to people overseas have encompassed my "online" community for the past year. I've listened to them unveil their spirits more than I choose to, on more than one occasion. While I've never met many of these people in person, they have been a voice that I have enjoyed especially regarding the emerging church. One of those voices is signing off after almost 2 years of blogging. Her first post poignantly set the tone of her blog.

"my friend dj said i should just let it all hang out, uncensored and let the words say whatever and let it be whatever, who cares? since i find myself up in the middle night with my mind racing over various heretical thoughts with no one to share them with, i figure it's time again to take my soap box back to cyberspace. here goes...."

Thanks Jen Lemen for your unashamed vulnerability, your poetic rants, the artwork, and your recipes that my wife and I have yet to indulge in. Peace on your new journey.

PBS: Emerging Church

2005-07-18T09:13:00.000-05:00

Even though PBS in Nashville hasn't aired this special coverage on the Emerging Church, I thought I'd post the links to the transcript to the 2 part report.

Part One

Part Two

Extended interview with Brian McLaren

Pieces of April

2005-07-15T08:42:00.000-05:00

The other night I saw a vision of what the fulfilled Kingdom of God might look like. No, it didn’t involve people suddenly disappearing out of thin air, or witnessing individuals getting thrown into the burning lake of fire. This vision didn’t come from a midnight’s summer dream, or solemn meditative state in a far off monastery. Rather it came from the last hour of a movie my wife and I watched on the television.

Around 9 each night we relax from housework, reading, writing papers, and take the time to rest in each other’s presence. For some reason we get a movie channel with our cheap basic cable, leaving us curious as to what movie will be on when we turn to that particular station. That night we started watching a movie called Pieces of April. Now we started in the middle of the picture so all previous characters or plot or storyline were unbeknownst to us. Typically, I don’t enjoy watching a film from the middle till the end. It’s like the guilty pleasure of reading the last few chapters of a large novel or entering in the wrap tunnel on Super Mario Brothers. But there was something different about this movie that made my wife and I captivated by the kooky characters and their environment, not to mention the filmmakers use of HD filming to add to the tone of the story.

Without giving too much away, April Burns (Katie Holmes) invites her dysfunctional family to Thanksgiving dinner at her minuscule apartment on New York's Lower East Side. As they make their way to the city from suburban Pennsylvania, April must endure a comedy of errors - like finding out her oven doesn't work - in order to pull off the big event. Even though the family is quite fearful of meeting their deranged daughter for the holiday feast, they end up arriving along with some unexpected guests. The guest list includes April’s Chinese neighbors that don’t speak English, April’s African American boyfriend (Derek) who has a bloody lip from a fight with a white gangster (April’s ex-boyfriend), and two motorcycle riders that gave half of the Burns family a ride out to the East Side of NY.

Before the credits role, we witness a host that is at wits end knowing nothing about how to prepare a simple meal, much less a Thanksgiving meal. But what struck me was that these diverse people, some meeting each other for the first time, ate a meal together in a small shabby apartment in the poor urban district of New York. Reconciliation came to the Burns family as they posed for a family Christmas card in the drab lighting of their great feast. So how does this envision the Kingdom of God? Well, maybe this was a modern day parable of the wedding feast that Jesus spoke of.

A Wal-Mart World

2005-07-13T11:31:00.000-05:00

Did you know that 1 out of 115 people in the United States are employeed at those blue low-price forts? Did you know that if it were a nation, it would be one of the world's top 20 economies? John Dicker has a new book out that looks at this corporate giant called The United States of Wal-Mart.

Where I live, there are no other real competitors except Krogers, Food Lion, and Buy-Lo. For those who live near a Cosco, I found this article quite interesting. Link.

Unity Via Marginalization

2005-07-12T10:18:00.000-05:00

"The church cannot be a sign of unity if it achieves unity by marginalizing those who do not fit. Unity at the expense of the weak is not a sign of Christ's hopsitality welcoming all into God's household."

A peron I know, N, teaches a girl’s high school Bible study class on Sunday mornings at Church X. She has enjoyed meeting with this group of girls as they have discussed many topics. One girl in her class, who is 17, is pregnant. But the catch is, she isn’t married. (Cue thematic music: dun dun duuunnnnnnnnnnnn)

So seeing as how she is going to keep the baby you would think that she needs lots of materials to prepare for the baby’s arrival. That’s what baby shower’s are for, right? Well this church will not have a shower for her at the building. They even will not make an announcement or put it in the bulletin to tell others when a shower could be, outside the building. The reason? I’m sure you can figure it out. The odd thing is, they had a shower for an unmarried woman in the past, but they decided not to do it again. The reason? Someone got mad and left the church.

(possible ranting ahead. you’re welcome to stop reading)
So I guess if someone isn’t happy with showing love to someone who was either raped or had sex before she said, “I do.” then we can dismiss them? Makes sense right? I mean if I don’t like what you’re doing then I can just leave and find somewhere else that will not put up with this behavior. Therefore, the church can assimilate itself to bring back the one single person who left and say, “We will never do that again. Sorry. Won’t you come back now?”

Isn’t this a massive tumor that is being avoided?!? Why is the person in the pew that probably has church doctrine down pat more important than a teenage girl that is desperately in need of love and support?

I quoted Letty Russell at the very beginning of this post. The reason why is she is a lesbian theologian at Yale Divinity School. She probably has been more marginalized than most have been in life, especially in regards to church. Even though I might not be crazy about her lifestyle, she speaks with a prophetic voice that needs to be heard.

Remembering Our Unimpressiveness

2005-07-11T10:34:00.000-05:00

"we gather in public which is a new and (i believe) import practice for us. by gathering in a public space (especially outdoors) we are scaled down to human size and we get a better sense of just how small we are. it is the opposite effect of gathering as church in a massive sanctuary with thousands of people where the whole world is shut out and all of God (it might seem) is inside with us. it seems to me that one of the best things we can do as humans is to be conscious of being restricted to a particular place while considering the cosmic scope of God's loving, missional reach. this practice will slowly engender an awareness of the unrelenting and gracious movement of God's embodied love from the particular to the universal...and back again."
- communality

"The church is never far from the insignificance of Jesus and his band of unimpressive followers. It is always setting out from the particular in the direction of God's incalculable gift of everything." (p.18, Bible and Mission)

From the Mouth of Thunder

2005-07-08T14:53:00.000-05:00

I'm posting this in order to see what kind of response is generated from my friend's musings. I'm not as politically minded as Thunder is, but he brings in some excellent observations regarding our concept of who the terrorists are and why they take desperate action. Well enough of my ramblings, read on.

How Understanding Dictates Action
Let me first state that what happened in London this morning was awful. Now let me say something about response to it.

George Bush stated that terrorists have evil in their hearts. That to me is a succinct statement about how he understands terrorism. Terrorists are evil, essentially living bogeyman. Terrorism can only be solved by destroying evil, thus the US response to terrorism is largely done through its military.

This seems wrong to me. I don't think terrorists are evil, I think that they are desperate. They have no method of telling the rest of the world to stop what it is doing to them economically and culturally, so they attack to make sure we know they exist and that they are pissed. I don't want to justify it, but I do want to understand it for what it is so that I can respond appropriately.

How should we respond? Peacemaking. We educate, we feed, and we listen to them. We try to understand why they would oppose McCulture infiltrating their way of life. We try to find new ways forward that both liberate oppressed women and preserve the essence of their culture. We stop killing them with free trade and give fair trade a chance. We stop supporting Pakistani and Saudi government that dominate their people. This would be more difficult and require more of us than a military response, but I think it would foster genuine change and an end to terrorism.

Because leaders like Bush postulate a bogeymen rather than a desperate group of people, they cannot understand this kind of approach. Let us hope that their violence doesn't make them more desperate.

Book Tag via Neil

2005-07-07T14:42:00.000-05:00

1. How many books have I owned?
Not many. 100-200 maybe. Since I've been in grad school, my book count has risen greatly.

2. What was the last book you bought?
I purchased The Life of Pi for my Mom and The World is Flat for my Dad as birthday presents. For myself, I bought The Sacred Way a few weeks ago.

3. What was the last book you read?
Well...I'm currently reading 6 books at this time (4 for class, 2 for enjoyment) and several essays (for class). Authors ranging from Grenz, Cottrell, McLaren, Hicks, Jones, Hunter III, and Placher.

4. What are FIVE books that have meant a lot to you?
All of these are contextual and in no particular order:
The Mystery of God's Will by Charles Swindoll: Came into my hands at the right time.
Mere Discipleship by Lee Camp: Not only was this revolutionary, but so was his ecclesiology class last fall.
Selected Writings by Dorothy Day: this Catholic woman can write with conviction and artistry.
In the Name of Jesus by Henri Nouwen: given to me by my mentor Mike Stroud. Every page drips with humility and holiness.
McLaren's trilogy: the first unraveled my faith, the second made me ask myself if i wasn't a Christian if i believed this stuff, the last about corrupted me. Man I'm glad he wrote those.

Honorable mention: Foster's Celebration of Discipline, Willard's Divine Conspiracy, and Kimball's Emerging Church.

5. Tag five people who haven't played yet.
Daniel Greeson
Tony Peterson
Jason Isabell
Chris Benjamin
Gilbert Kerrigan (this will make you blog again, hopefully)

London and G8

2005-07-07T11:24:00.000-05:00

If you are a person that prays or believes in prayer, keep a few things in mind...if you don't mind.

One is the current tragedy in London. This hits home because my folks just got back from London like a week and a half ago. I really don't know why junk like this happens in our world, so I wish I had something smart or healing to say about this situation.

Second is the G8 Sumit that is meeting right now in Scotland.

Back in the Saddle

2005-07-06T08:20:00.000-05:00

I've returned from my 4th of July mini-vacation in Texas. My wife and I flew down Friday and hung out with grandparents, parents, sibling, cousins, aunt, uncle, niece, dogs, and cats. We were west of Dallas in a town called Grandbury where my aunt and uncle live right off the Brazos River. It was a weekend of 'firsts' for me: first time to ride a jet ski, drive a boat, waterski, and tubing. Saw some nice fireworks and enjoyed some tasty Texas BBQ. Tennessee needs to stop eating that pork junk and get with the brisket program. Glad we were on the lake most of the time because it was 100 degrees during the day and like low 90s at night. So thanks to all that were in attendance (thanks mom & dad for flying us down) and hope to do it again next year.

EC: Emergent Confessional

2005-07-06T08:03:00.000-05:00

Thanks to Gavin (via Jim) for putting this on his blog. Even though I'm no church leader or paid minister, I can say much of this is true in my inner-core.

Intro:
What follows is an admission of unhealthy patterns I have developed as I have 'surfed the edge of chaos' toward a 'missional, continually converted, connecting, equipping, aqua church' that 'stands on the threshold of the future between gospel and culture,' practices a 'virtual, ancient-future faith' and 're-imagines spiritual formation,' embraces 'leadership on the other side,' and exerts 'irresistible influence' while becoming 'an unstoppable force' in the world. I have realized there is 'a future for truth' and entered 'the dance of change' and connected with others to 'generate hope' as 'a peculiar people.' I have become 'blue like jazz' while learning to 'let my life speak.' However, I am 'less ready than I realized' and not as 'generous' or 'orthodox' as I sometimes let on. I am better at deconstructing the present than 'shaping the things to come.' In fact, I have reached 'the tipping point' of true confession regarding the dark side of my emergent sensibilities.

1. I have used 'new' language to cover up 'old' behavior.
My sinful tendencies and patterns are not all that different from twenty years ago when I was into 'doing theology' and implementing church growth strategies. It's nice to think that I have a prophetic imagination in a de-centered culture, but really I'm consistently angry and pissed off about unmet expectations. It sounds great when I deconstruct the systems and strategies of a mechanistic worldview, but I am often nurturing a critical, judgmental attitude. I can speak of organic environments and missional patterns in a way that feeds my ego and supposedly keeps me at the cutting edge. I can describe the 'double-loop liminality' of those attached to the world of Christendom, but I, too, struggle with bouts of fear and anxiety. Perhaps I have gained some awareness of cultural transitions and emergent dynamics in recent years, but I still have to continually release the grip on my own baggage: anger, judgment, fear, and pride. If I don't, I bring pain to those with whom I serve and limit the possibilities of shared life and ministry.

2. I have allowed a big gap between my intentions and my behavior.
I can converse ad nauseum about the comprehensive nature of the gospel: the gospel is a way of life, the gospel bears witness to God's reign, the gospel embraces the practices of Jesus (and his early followers), the gospel challenges prevailing social and political systems, the gospel calls for the sharing of life and ministry with the poor, the gospel confronts self-protection and autonomy, etc., etc. I have consistently had good intentions about faithfully modeling and proclaiming this gospel. But, to be crass, how I spend my money, how I use my time, where I live, and who I hang out with say more about what I really believe than well-crafted words. There have been too many times where I have called people to the life I intended to live, not to the life I was actually living. It is only in recent years that I have made some of the lifestyle changes that bring a greater capacity for wholeness, generosity, love, and simplicity. Rather than passively benefiting from systems of injustice while declaring a radically inclusive gospel, I have taken small steps to live in a way that challenges these systems.

3. I have missed significant 'life signs' in traditional (i.e. 'modern') ministry systems and models.
I have spent so much energy reacting to and challenging hierarchical leadership, Sunday morning vendor events, programmatic ministry, centralized decision-making, personality-driven youth ministry, segmented ministry areas, project-oriented mission, etc., etc. that I am sometimes surprised that people are actually being transformed in this framework. I have dismissed most denominations as being totally irrelevant, yet my recent work as a congregational coach has opened my eyes to the informed theologies, historical practices, and culturally-engaged attitudes that are being creatively carried into the new world. There are some struggling denominational urban congregations that are far ahead of some 'growing' suburban, emergent churches when it comes to sustained, yet adaptive cultural engagement.

4. I have been drawn to innovative concepts, creative language, and imaginative interpretation and undervalued the immediate, particular, daily opportunities to simply love God and others.
I have gone through periods of time when I've been captured and consumed by 'big picture' issues and visionary possibilities. I have played out imaginative scenarios for missional engagement in a postmodern, post Christendom, post-Einstein, post-whatever world, but more often than I like to admit, I have not been fully present with my family, available to my neighbors, or responsive to the needs of my friends. Only recently have I begun to experience the deep joy of being firmly rooted in a particular place and time with a particular group of people. I have become more alert to a major myth of modernity: the 'clean slate.' When it comes to relationships, we don't have multiple 'do-overs.'

5. I have overestimated my role as a 'change agent.'
A subtle grandiosity can enter the hearts and minds of those who think they understand the cultural landscape and feel called to being a 'prophetic presence.' In their desire to have 'an impact' in a given context and be 'a catalyst' of transformation, they can fall into the trap of trying to convince others so that they 'get it.' I have fallen into this trap. I have used relational, organic, emergent language to bring about pre-determined outcomes and then wondered why there was so much resistance. I have been selectively 'authentic' so that the changes I wanted would become reality. As one who has become incredibly sensitive to the leveraging strategies of others, I still catch myself trying to 'make something happen.' This remains a 'dark side' area that continually needs the light of truth-telling friends.

ONE Concert pt. 2

2005-06-30T12:26:00.000-05:00

I had a great time on my lunch break at this event. Sure only 55 people showed up and only 40 signed the declaration to President Bush, but it was encouraging to hear voices unifying to make one voice for one cause. Derek and his wife Sandra were excellent. Both sang a Dylan song, one of which I wanted to post the lyrics to but can't seem to find them. The song was called "A New Law" and it was extremely sarcastic yet poetic. Derek ended his short set with Woody Guthrie's "Washed in the Blood of the Lamb." He mentioned how living in Jesus-land (Nashville/Middle TN) was hard because issues like these are not focused on. Moreover, Jesus spoke about such things very unashamedly. Derek said the government should be following the church's lead in issues like these rather than the other way around. The Tennessean has a nice little write up about the event. Read here.

I missed Dan's (from Jars of Clay) speech. Didn't even know that is who he was. I was extremely impressed with a 21 year old Belmont senior named Danica Mercer. She spoke for 5 to 7 minutes on the importance of this issue, but one thing that jumped out at me was an Africian term that meant "we are people becuase of people." Translation: their identity is grounded in a communal sensitive culture rather than our Westernized individualistic ideals. I can't remember much beyond that, but it was good stuff. Made me wonder about this question Christians ask to seekers: "Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus?" What happens when we view life through our Africian brothers and sisters' lens and say in effect, "Do you have a communal relationship with Jesus?"

The World Is Flat

2005-06-30T11:52:00.000-05:00

Last night my pastor and I hung out at Starbucks for a few hours just talking. He mentioned to me a book that he was reading called The World Is Flat by NY Times columinst Thomas L. Friedman. From his comments it sounds like an interesting read. Because of the .com bust (among other things) and all the fiberoptic cables and digital and satallite communication that were being installed because of this trend, the world now has become more globalized than ever. The playing field is leveled making international trade and in/outsourcing easier but has been al-Qaeda's friend in solidifying a violent Muslim identity via the internet and satellite television. Those looking forward to a planet of Wal-Marts and Dells will be charmed. Those who do not, well, welcome to the postmodern flat world.

Revolution of Values

2005-06-29T15:46:00.000-05:00

Will write tomorrow about the ONE concert I attended during my lunch break today. For the time being, here is a great quote from Dr. King about a revolution of values.

"A true revolution of values will soon cause us to question the fairness and justice of many of our past and present policies. A revolution of values will soon look uneasily on the glaring contrast between poverty and wealth. With righteous indignation, it will look across the seas and see individual capitalists in the West investing huge sums of money in Asia, Africa, and South America only to take profits out with no concern for the social betterment of the countries, and say: 'This is not just.'"

- Martin Luther King Jr.

Group Lectio Divina

2005-06-28T08:22:00.000-05:00

Since working for a collegiate ministry the past two years, the people over there will sometimes call me and ask me to speak at their weekly devotionals. I'm not the best speaker in the universe but I'm familiar with "giving a talk." For the past year I have been rethinking the idea of preaching/speaking as more formative and participatory. I know that most of these kids have heard numerous sermons in their lives, not to mention that fact that they are lectured to each day on that campus. So when I was asked to speak last night, I knew what I didn't want to do; a conventional 3 point lesson on the way to be a better Christian. But in the words of Jerry, "Not that there is anything wrong with that."

What I decided to do was introduce the students to lectio divina (sacred reading). If you're like me, you have tried to develop a regular quiet time, or 'QT' for short, to spend some time with your Maker. As we probably all know, we fail at this task, whether it is feeling guilty for not doing it or just not being disciplined enough or not getting anything out of the 3 chapters from Numbers we just read. From there we disregard QT as surface spirituality and our reading/praying doesn't transform us into the people we want or need to be. Knowing this, I challenged these college students to embrace the mystery of silence and meditative reading.

As we sat outside enjoying an unusual pleasant evening in humid Tennessee, I read Isaiah 43:1-2 several times, very slowly asking them to savor a word or phrase in that passage. After a short period of sharing, we dived further into this passage as I asked how God was speaking to them. Finally, I read it 3 times very slowly enjoying each word on the page and let the students discover what God was calling them to do. I'm sure it was very difficult to focus at times, especially being outside surrounded by ants or loud locusts or car stereos driving by. But this method freed me from having to entertain the audience or impress them or memorize my lesson. It was participatory, formative (I hope), and an avenue for opening up to God's quiet voice in the gentle breeze.

I wondered how it went over, especially when I saw a guy in "deep meditation" on the swing (aka: sleeping). But some people came up to me and said that they enjoyed the practice and might even try it by themselves. I say this not to pat myself on the back (I can't do that in reality even), but I guess I'm glad people know that there are different ways to read the Bible, instead of reading it as a newspaper or novel.

"What's the use of a carved god
so skillfully carved by its sculptor?
What good is a fancy cast god
when all it tell is lies?
What sense does it make to be a pious god-maker
who makes gods that can't even talk?
Who do you think you are -
saying to a stick of wood, 'Wake up,'
Or to a dumb stone, 'Get up'?
Can they teach you anything about anything?
There's nothing to them but surface.
There's nothing on the inside.

"But oh! God is in his holy Temple!
Quiet everyone - a holy silence. Listen!"

ONE Concert

2005-06-27T09:15:00.000-05:00

If you're in the greater Nashville area this Wednesday afternoon, say around 12-1:30, come and support the ONE campaign to make AIDS and poverty history. This is a free concert in Centennial Park at the Bandshell. The artists that will be performing are Derek Webb, Sandra McCracken, and Taylor Sorenson. Come and support this cause and if you haven't already, come and sign the ONE letter to President Bush in lieu of the G8 Summit.

In similar news, I watched Nightline Friday night, which I never have done so I felt like a mild dork. The reason: George Clooney and Pat Robertson talked about fighting global AIDS and poverty. They are both focusing their efforts and voices around this monumental issue. I'm not a big Robertson fan, but he said some things that I resonated with, especially when he was talking about sending aid to Darfur. The aid was coming from a Jewish guy to Robertson's group (mainline evangelical) and was being distributed to a Catholic aid station. I applaud the effort to fight AIDS and poverty even if those involved are not Christian or tied to a distinct faith belief.

I really believe that fighting poverty and hunger and defeating the structures (principalities and powers) that bondage people in society is what Jesus proclaimed during his life. Is this social justice? Yes. So is the gospel primarily a social gospel? Well maybe but I tend to think of it wholistically. His message was to proclaim the captives free, to release the prisoners, to heal the lame and bring forth good news to the disenfranchised. "Repent for the Adventure of God is here. If you want to pilgrimage the trek you must realign your life for I bring you a new way of living, of being human. Live out God's dream for this world, mirror the final consummation, the eschatology that brings ultimate unity and harmony towards the Trinity and it's creation. Do justice to all, love unashamingly, and live humbly before your Father."

Extremely Funny Post

2005-06-23T13:56:00.000-05:00

Wow! This post had me laughing out loud. Chris crafts a story unlike any I could spin.

If you want to read about a kid in the middle of church having to....uhhhhh....expell the immoral brother, then follow this link. This is too funny.

Fulfilling Evening

2005-06-23T10:37:00.000-05:00

I had the privilege to experience 2 wonderful gifts yesterday after work. One was seeing and visiting with an old friend Zack Stroup. Zack is a someone I look up to very much. He truly lives in the moment and seeks be alive in all his endeavors. He's planning on hiking the Appalachian Trail in April with another friend of ours, David Jones (whom I saw last night as well). When asking questions, he honestly wants to know the answers, but not just the answers. He desires to hear your heart and your soul speak not just the simple words that leave your lips. He is a kindred spirit and a great pilgrim in this journey. I'm glad to enjoy his presence when I can. I know God is among us when we commune together.

Our meeting was centered around the second experience: hearing Randy Harris at Otter Creek church. I could listen to him all day probably. Using the Prodigal Son story in Luke 15, he talked about living simply in a complicated world. Basically Randy told us that Jesus uses the first 2 stories in chapter 15 to set up the prodigal narrative. Even though we have a tendency to stop at the son returning home and having a party thrown in his honor, we can forget that this story is not that bright. Rather it is very dark because the older son is anger that his sibling is back and there is no punishment that ensues from the boys' father. Why was the story told? Some people didn't like the sinful company Jesus was hanging around. Why are we like the older brother? The church likes to figure who's in and who's out, who's invited to the party and who's not, who deserves to be and who doesn't. But aren't we called to throw open the doors and party?!? Why do we make Christianity so complicated? What will it take to be a church of the prodigal? It won't be easy or clean, but it sure will simplify things.

Randy also said something to this effect: I wear this cross around my neck but usually wear it on the inside of my shirt. I'm not sure what people think when they see it. Do they see someone who will bash them over the head with the Bible, or will they see someone who will lay down their life for them?

The Sacred Way

2005-06-22T12:20:00.000-05:00

I picked up this little dandy Monday from our lovely bookstore across the street. Hopefully my purchase will allow the Jones family to buy separate jars of peanut butter and jelly instead of that Goober mess. Ever since I stopped doing a conventional "quiet time" a year ago and began to start up reading each morning about 2 months ago, I felt the urge to go deeper with my connection with this mysterious God. Granted I'm not looking to move to a mountain top or shave my head and sit on a pole for the rest of whenever, but I am thirsting for more. As Tony says, "You can listen to innumerable sermons and read countless books, but the true transformation happens only when you practice the disciplines that lie at the heart of faith." These disciplines are a way to bury myself so that God can mold me into his image. I appreciate that Tony invites all to practices these, whether Christian or not.

I'm not new to these practices but haven't given them my full attention. Sure I've dabbled in lectio divina and service and fasting, but I've done it with a mind set tiggered on consume, consume, consume. Even though I know I'll fail, I want to regain my identity in God alone and not let my identity be centered around my job, my possessions, etc. I want to, no I need to experience what St. John of the Cross calls, "the dark night of the soul." So this is a journey I'll embark on not as a pastor, or a councilor, but as a married man who works 8 hours a day and is trying to finish school. A man who will try to find God in the mundane muck of life. A man who will probably fail again and again at being disciplined and focused. A man who deeply wants to loved by God and transformed by him, in order that I may be a better blessing to this world.

(cr)Happy Anniversary

2005-06-21T11:43:00.000-05:00

I'm celebrating (not really) another anniversary. A year ago today I started my boring job of a telesales rep at the publishing house. Since that time I have driven over 20,800 miles from home to work to home, sat in front of a computer screen for 1,950 hours, made well over 5,300 phone calls, and have taken orders, complaints, or questions from over 1,500 people.

This is my world. Jealous?

Seeking Repentance

2005-06-20T13:21:00.000-05:00

For the last couple of years I have been enmeshed with this conversation/movement called "Emergent." (or maybe its the emerging church.....heck i don't even know). I'm looking forward to the recent directions it is taking and the future path that I will travel with it. Either way, I have felt my faith be loosed, unravel, laid bare and almost lost at times. I have been gathering up the pieces and beginning to reassemble them but not as concrete slabs stacked one on top of the other. Rather, they are more like a web of belief (as flimsy as it may seem) that is interwoven in the fabric of my life. During this transition, I have asked myself deep questions as well as meaningless ones. I stood as one who was angry with the institution that man built called "church." My trust in their leadership and style and values and goals were trampled under my "revolutionary" new epiphany. Now I could dismiss those that were "modern" and begin to live out a faithful "postmodern/emerging" live, separated from those mechicalistic, colonial driven, so-called Christians.

Even though I hailed myself as "Enlightened" (how ironic), I began to see myself as one bringing disunity upon what God had deemed good. Actually, the credit goes to my wife who helped me see this ugly root that was beginning to form within my core. It was almost as if my negative reaction towards modern Christians/church was a reaction from being in conversation with Emergent, something I'm sure it didn't intend.

Now I'm not trying to pretend that I don't get mad at Christianity (myself included) or the institutional church from time to time, but I am learning and striving to honor all types of ecclesiastical forms, whether high or low expressions of church (aka: deep ecclesiology). I once heard someone describe this in a child/parent metaphor. The child might not agree with all his parents believe or taught him/her, but they honor they parents and see that their identity is rooted in the name given them. And so it is with us. Sure we may not appreciate a lot of what moderism has done to the body of Christ, but we are products of it and should realize that she is not our enemy. Instead, she has been a guide and a pilgrim along this journey and we should honor her and not ignore the name she gave us. Our intention should not be reactionary towards what someone else deems as right or good or even negative, but we should live out our legacy in the context we (or God) see fit and appreciate those that went before us as well as those going along side us who march to a different beat.

Jesus as Emerging

2005-06-17T12:40:00.000-05:00

Warning: Theological blabber ahead. Big words to make me look smart.

These thoughts are being carried over from my original post on “Creation as Emerging.” In my previous post, we discussed the idea of creation being seen in light of the word “good.” The term might be better understood in light of its original Hebrew mindset rather than a Greek understanding of the word. With that said, creation was considered good by God, meaning there was room for growth. Instead of understanding creation, in our Greek influenced reading of good, as static, perfect, constant, we should view creation as robust, dynamic, expanding.

So could we take this Hebrew view of “good” into our Christological understanding? I would say yes, but I need to explain. Was Jesus sinless? In my belief I understand him to be without sin. Could Jesus have sinned? Well that’s another entry for another day. If Jesus could be sinless, does that make him perfect? For me, I don’t think we should claim a view of Jesus as perfect in the Platonic sense of the word. Rather, he is growing, maturing, learning as a human being embodying the image of God in flesh. He “learns obedience” and is “perfected through suffering” (Hebrews language). So instead of Jesus being goodly perfect, maybe he was perfectly good (thanks Josh for the bad grammar). He is portrayed more in terms of his other worldly goodness than his other worldly perfection. Maybe the perfect person is the one who is good in every situation and context.

I say this because it can seem like churches paint Jesus as from some other planet, gazing beyond the person in front of him and never hesitating or struggling with temptation. I believe Jesus was fully God and fully man. Granted this is a huge mystery that baffles my tiny insignificant brain, but I think we should really show the human side of Jesus as much as we show him as this “perfectly” divine creature. So to be fully human (as Jesus was/is) is to reflect the image of God, thus the one who does not sin is more human than the one that does.

Smile!

2005-06-17T10:48:00.000-05:00

What in Clark's CD player you asked. Well, currently I've been jamming out to Brian Wilson's masterpiece Smile. My dad introduced to the Beach Boys way back when we as a family would take vacations and my dad would turn on the oldies station. From there I familiarized myself with such greats as the Beatles, Elvis, and all those Mo-Town groups. But I loved the harmony that Brian and company sang on each song whether it was about girls or cars or that little old lady from Pasadena. In my opinion, I think Brian Wilson is a musicial genius and icon (ok so drugs may have made him crazy, but he's still one of the greatest musical composers of pop music).

This album was supposed to come out back in 1966 when Wilson said this album was going to be "a teenage symphony to God." After Rubber Soul (Beatles) came out Brian Wilson was inspired and wrote the fantastic work of Pet Sounds. So the Beatles get inspired and begin work on St. Pepper. Brian Wilson soon began to collaborate with Van Dyke Parks to make, as some would predict, "the greatest rock accomplishment ever." But it would not be. Wilson suffered from nervous breakdowns and was heavily influenced by drugs, not to mention the rest of the Beach Boys couldn't understand let alone begin to play an album as complicated as Smile. So Wilson destroyed all the Smile tapes and locked himself in his room for 2 years. Honestly Wilson thought the album would bomb. Now its almost 40 years later and I have to say this avant-garde musical piece is terrific.

Jolly Old England

2005-06-16T13:35:00.000-05:00

At the moment my folks are enjoying their frist overseas experience in jolly old England. I'm super excited for them becuase they never really treat themselves to a vacation, besides coming up to see me or traveling to see my sister which really isn't an offical vacation. So I hope that they have safe travels, enjoy themselves, and meet some interesting people, not to mention bringing me back something cool like Paul McCartney. My dad, the super organizer of any trip, has been amassing a folder for the last few weeks packed with sight-seeing places, train schedules, how much things will cost, exchange rate, places to eat, where Tony Blair sleeps, etc. I just hope my mom doesn't pull out the fanny pack for this trip. Yikes! Dude packing some serious heat.

The Art of Mixed Tapes

2005-06-15T14:50:00.000-05:00

Just read a nice piece by Thurston Moore, lead singer/noise maker from the band Sonic Youth, about the past art of mixed tapes. (article) He recently wrote a book called Mix Tape: The Art of Cassette Culture. Mixed tapes came before this new revolution of iPods or mp3s and introduced the advantage of being your own producer, rearranging songs that fit a certain mood or situation whether that be a party or a gift to a friend or lover. I think the mix tape generation had to go through the same junk that internet file sharing has gone through, but probably not has harsh as a band (cough*Metallica*cough) suing your pants off. I value the free environment of sharing music, yet I can say this knowing I'm not an artist trying to survive in the cut-throat industry called the music biz. I truly think people will buy the music if they enjoy, but then again I'm an optimist. Jeff Tweedy once said that the artist really isn't the full owner of the music, but shares ownership with the audience that listens to it because they interpret and mold the music into their own experience.

So here's a toast to mix tapes. Anyone remember a certain mixed tape you made for yourself or a crush or just a friend? I remember my Granddad making me some mixed tapes of bluegrass and the comedian singer Ray Stevens. This was my first introduction to guys like Marty Stuart, Bill Monroe, Charlie Acuff, Dave Macon as well as "The Streak." While away one summer in Oregon, my wife (then my girlfriend) sent me a mix tape of "Cheesy Love Songs." Nothing like blasting some Lionel Ritchie and Michael Bolton on my tape deck in the middle of Oregon State University.

Ode to the Zen-Master

2005-06-14T13:20:00.000-05:00

Phil Jackson is back! He was just resigned to be the LA Lakers coach for the next season. Who helped this transaction? His longtime girlfriend, Jeanie Buss who is the executive vice president of business operations and the owner's daughter. Will Jackson win his 10 title with Kobe and Co? Unless they get some help in the middle, they don't have much of a chance in my opinion. He's a good coach, but not a miracle worker. Unless that Zen stuff he teaches is miracle savy. Hmmmmmm. Maybe magical beans might do the trick. He is a rather large man, you know.
"Fee Fie Foe Fum,
I smell a deal worth millions."

21st Century Lepers

2005-06-13T13:13:00.000-05:00

I really enjoy Kristof's pieces in the NY Times Op-Ed section. Sunday's piece was an awesome write-up about an inspiring woman, Mamitu Gashe, who has overcome such tragedy and suffering to be a blessing to those that suffer with her, even though she is illiterate and has a 3rd grade education. She is a prime example of what a co-creator is and how one becomes an apprentice of their master. Fascinating read.

Recently I found out that there was a Peace and Justice League in Murfreesboro. I know nothing of their group except their mission statement:

Murfreesboro Peace and Justice League is a community based, nonprofit, nonsectarian organization committed to working for peace, justice and a better world through the power of non-violence and peaceful conflict resolution. We endorse policies that promote renewable energy sources, environmentally sound technologies, and respect for the interdependent web of life. We dedicate ourselves to upholding civil liberties, to confronting oppression and to achieving social, political and economic justice for all people, without exception. We join together as individuals and groups for education and empowerment to accomplish these goals.

While I am still not an official "friend" to the Emergent ("friend" meaning a $50 membership member), I am trying to live by their rule/order. (Read their Rule) One of the rules of life is participating in at least one issue or cause of justice and peace at all times. Even though I try to make people aware of the situations in Darfur, the G8 Summit, the war in Iraq on this blog, I feel that I'm not doing enough. So hopefully this league can be something that I can participate in and put flesh around my ideologies of peace and justice.

Creation as Emergent

2005-06-10T07:40:00.000-05:00

Warning: Theological jiber-jab ahead. Written for my class with Dr. Hicks.

After the wonderful creation motif written in Genesis, we witness a crisis in the story. Before we beginning thinking about the crisis we term “the fall” may we profit from discussions about the world inside the garden. Its maker deemed creation “good” and in the end (the 7th day) the Creator said it was “very good.” We would be wise to note that Hebrews and Greeks understood words very different. In this case, the word “good” could mean perfect in a Greek’s mind while a Hebrew would interpret the term as robust, dynamic, and room for growth. So was creation not complete after the 6th day? Well, we could answer this both yes and no. Yes it was complete in the sense that God rested and enjoyed what he created. Between humanity, creation and the triune God there was peace, harmony, tenderness and love in the garden (otherwise known as shalom). We can also answer “no” to the question by affirming that God wanted creation to emerge into something beautiful on its own. The purpose of humanity was to work along side with God as co-creators, caretakers and apprentices in the world. So we have a story where creativity is being developed right before the eyes of God and his creation in hopes that it will continue. But in our story, humanity as we know it does not continue in this creative goodness. Even though the world and humans and everything that has God’s fingerprints on it are still considered good, it is not where it needs to be. So what happened?

The crisis in our story happens between humans and their creator. As most of us remember in the story a serpent tempts Eve to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. While most would say that humans did not follow the “Garden Rules” I would say that it is much bigger than that. Humanity is tempted to think that God does not trust them and is withholding valuable stuff, whether knowledge or materials or experiences. Likewise, the breach in their relationship continues to develop into stronger resistance against God’s love and community. Furthermore, the crisis evolves into a culmination of evil that puts the proposed goodness at risk. Throughout the first few chapters in Genesis, humans experience pain, loss, death, war, greed, ugliness, betrayal, chaos, and hate, all of which was never intended to grow from the initial goal of creation. Healing is needed as human’s relationship with nature, God and each other has been mangled.

But the creation narrative does not end with a single event in the garden or God seizing as it were creation. Going back to the term good in the mind of a Hebrew brings us to the idea of a God that seeks for creation to move forward with its original intent: co-creating with the Creator and bringing balance and shalom back into the world we experience. God created a vibrant world, not a static world, to dance, move, create new ways of being so that goodness would grow and become something bigger and better than experienced in the garden. Thus our role in this creation is to create (co-create) reconciliation, goodness, hope, love from the clay we each use, however different your clay is from mine. May our community embody this creativity out among the fields of creation as God draws us closer into the Kingdom of God.

In the News

2005-06-09T07:56:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, an Israli researcher challenged the popular claim that Jesus did not die of blood loss, but rather from a blood clot. (read here) Professor Benjamin Brenner wrote in the Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis that Jesus of Nazareth condition resembled pulmonary embolisms, which leads to sudden death, stems from immobilisation, multiple trauma, and dehydration. Professor Brenner even says that Jews from Jesus' region, northern Israel, may have been at a particular risk to suffer from this fatal blood clot.

In other news, medical science have made another startling discover concerning the death of another biblical character. Researchers have claimed that Lot's wife died from high blood pressure.

And Justice For ALL

2005-06-07T13:44:00.000-05:00

Lots of ideas running in my head this afternoon. Wanted post about the Darfur situation as well as the upcoming G8 Summit on July 6th. If you don't know what the G8 Summit is for, it is 8 of the world's wealthiest and most powerful countries (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the UK and the USA) teaming together in Scotland to hopefully alleviate poverty, hunger, and economic debt that is affecting over ONE billion people, half of whom live in Sub-Saharan Africa. I would advise checking out their site and signing the letter to President Bush to show the need for such relief and aid in poverty-stricken regions around the world.

Along the lines of Darfur, our government is taking its sweet time to bring justice upon that land. Kristof writes another opinion piece about Bush's current cabinet and policies that are ignoring the genocide happening in Darfur. His closing comments say it all: "Mr. Bush values a frozen embryo. But he hasn't mustered much compassion for an entire population of terrorized widows and orphans. And he is cementing in place the very hopelessness he dreads, by continuing to avert his eyes from the first genocide of the 21st century."

In regards to these injustices happening in our world, I think we need to speak out against such hate and disregard for human life, especially the church. For those who are going to be in the Washington DC area this summer, check out Worship in the Spirit of Justice. Every Sunday throughout June 12 to July 10, Cedar Ridge Community Church will have a worship service dedicated to peace and justice in Africa in order to be prophets to those in power. If you want more info, check out their site.

Happy 1 Year Anniversary!

2005-06-06T08:25:00.000-05:00

It's been a great first year of marriage. My wife is a wonderful companion, excellent cook, great at making me laugh, and really has a heart for the poor in spirit/life. I hope the next 70 years of our journey together are as fun, inspiring, joyous, challenging, and exciting as this first year has been. Love you babe!

Tension as an American Christian: pt. 2

2005-06-03T12:54:00.000-05:00

I seem to have hit a nerve with some people on this issue of nationalistic pride/culture and religion, specifically Christianity. I wanted to write some thoughts for Memorial Day but was traveling with my wife from the lovely town of Chattanooga. We had a wonderful 2-day vacation to celebrate our 1st year of marriage together.

Since we were away I wasn't around a computer to post my responses to Fridays post. I'd like to follow up with a small part 2 of this on-going discussion. While my previous post may make me seem to be anti-American or one that despises all our Westernized culture has produced, that’s not the case. I am thankful for the land, which I was raised. I am thankful that I can sit here at a computer and hack away at meaningless words that become public property once I hit "publish." I am thankful for the men and women who sacrificed more than I'll probably know to protect their families and future generations (thanks to your brother, Grandma). In no way do I desire to deflate their willingness and attitude of service to their country. I am thankful to know and see diversity all around me. I am thankful to be free to think for myself. Thankful to be able to explore religions, culture, languages, and opinions. In no way am I anti-American in that I despise this land, its history, our ancestors and their courage and sacrifice.

The tension I have is pledging my allegiance to a land that has become obsessed with consumerism, power, individualism, and greed. Maybe I'm old school here, but I value diversity, equality, harmony, community, peacefulness, and love. I struggle to live a non-violent faith and lifestyle in not only America, but also in this entire cosmos. If I offended anyone, I deeply apologize. Really my initial post wasn’t about the flag itself, but more along the lines of how one lives a faithful life living in our context, mine being America. I know this whole issue of patriotism and discipleship is a sensitive issue especially during this time of war, and granted I don’t know all the answers to this tension. But I know when I was baptized, I took part in a civil disobedient act that said I pledge my complete allegiance to Jesus the Christ and nothing else. No more. No less. How I live this out in the tension is what I'm striving to do.

Tension as an American Christian

2005-05-27T11:19:00.000-05:00

Yesterday after I posted my entry on Kirt and the Gospel, I received a call at work from a customer of mine. Now for work purposes, I'd rather not reveal my exact employers, but I'll tell you (for those that don't know) I work at a publishing company that services churches. So a customer from my base calls me up and wants to order something that they can put in the sanctuary of the church. What to know what it was? It's an American Flag. No big deal right, I mean we do live in America and its ok to show our patriotism. Well, I don't think its as easy as that.

Don't get me wrong, I have no problem with the flag itself. I don't really pledge my allegiance to it but I see it more as a sign of freedom I guess or how this country had its ups and downs like all other countries in this world and how we are continuing (or should be) to seek ways to live together in harmony. And yes I'll probably never burn the flag not because I think its sacred but because I think its stupid to burn stuff anyway.

But I do have a problem when we mix God and country together in one batch. I've written about this before, so I don't want to repeat myself, but putting the American flag in our assemblies is sending a message that God is on our side or that America is a Christian nation which are both bogus ideals. Even singing "America" in church is just downright weird in my opinion. It even seems to have political party implications (religious right/Republicans) if you know what I mean. I think Lincoln said it best when he asked not if God was on our side, but if we were on his side.

So when I placed her order I felt very uneasy during our transaction. I wanted to hear why they wanted a flag in their church. I wanted to tell her that there are other symbols she could put in her church that portray redemption, creation, Kingdom ideals other than the country's flag. Of course I didn't because I'd probably be fired if I did. But I second guess myself this morning as to whether I enhanced this molding of church and empire by ordering her an indoor American flag.

Oh by the way, has anyone seen the "Christian Flag?" Look familiar? This is scary.

The Gospel According to Mike Seaver

2005-05-26T14:38:00.000-05:00

Since I'm baching it (bachelor for a few days) while my wife is out of town, I can't sleep well. So I watch TV. I had the pleasure of watching Ryan Adam perform on Letterman last night. He resembled a somewhat Refined Woodsman. While scanning through the channels my attention was caught by Mike Seaver, otherwise known as Kirt Cameron to you folks in reality. But I didn't catch ol' Mike on Growing Pains hanging with his pal Bonner, but on TBN (Trinity Broadcasting Network). Now I have to admit, I watch TBN on occasion because I think its entertainment especially the Benny Hinn show. (Oh yeah, note to self, don't watch TBN real late at night or else you'll wind up cutting them a check and send it to them the next day out of your own sleepy haze.)

Anywho, on this particular program Mike and a friend of his with an Australian accent (we'll call him Aussie) were going around to people in Las Vegas and asking them if they would play Russian Roulette for 10 million dollars. If they said that they probably would do it, then suddenly they opened a briefcase filled with 100 dollar bills and a revolver and would reemphasize, "Are you sure you would risk your life for 10 million dollars." Now some usually relented their first response after they saw the gun, but a few said 'bring it on.' As I continued to watch, Mike and Aussie were talking about the need for salvation. Hey we all need salvation in our lives right? The only problem (well not the only problem but the main one) was they were attempting to converse with people using scare tactics. First you scare the "hell" out of people and then they will listen to you about Jesus which will lead them (or really their soul) to heaven. It seems like a very extreme pendulum swing if you catch the cut of my gib.

Mike and Aussie felt it necessary to lay a foundation of HELL before they even progressed in the redemptive story. One scene had Mike talking to this man on the street and the camera was right up in this gentleman's face and Mike was laying out the "courtroom scene" about being guilty of a crime and the Judge telling you that nothing can be done to escape your fine and you are sent to this eternal punishment of bad stuff. I'm sure this might be familiar to you all or maybe you have actually encountered a guy or girl like Mike before.

Now, I don't know Mike or Aussie or anyone from TBN for that matter, but I just can't help but shake my head in sadness that people are hearing a warped view of the so-called Gospel in the form of scare tactics and reductionism not too mention individualism. How long O Lord?

Blogging Authenticity

2005-05-24T12:49:00.000-05:00

Recently, I've been struck with the idea of being authentic with my blog. This has been an outlet for me for the past year and I've enjoyed it for the most part. I've tinkered with it, I've changed templates, added pictures, links, RSS feeds, etc. Saying all that, what does it mean to be authentic in the blogging sphere?

For me, it was important to include voices from every area of life. That meant reading and linking those who were mommies, daddies, friends, strangers, pastors, writers, poets, musicians, homeless, gay, single, married, students, conservatives, liberals, unemployed, rich and poor. Even though these pilgrims might have a different perspective on life, I should always be listening so that I may learn from them. I'm grateful for the electronic community that has brought me in contact with bloggers such as these. They bring an added flavor into my world and challenge me to look beyond my own lens at how life can be lived.

There are other authenticity issues to be previewed on blogging, but this is just one that I see as essential. What do you think?

The Communal Trinity

2005-05-23T14:11:00.000-05:00

*Warning: Theological wording ahead. Proceed with caution.

How much of the Trinity is understandable? You know the whole three-in-one or one-in-three talk. Maybe someone tried to explain it to you by using a metaphor such as a tree (root, trunk, branches) or maybe as H2O (ice, water, steam). I wonder how much of the Trinity is reflected your theology or even missiology? Is it a non-negotiable dimension of the gospel? Before, I would have said, "Uh, the Trinity is neat, but don't expect me to explain it." While I still believe in the divine mystery of a Trinitarian God (Father,Son,Holy Spirit), I'm beginning to realize how it can shape our view of God and our view of ecclesiology (the church). Allow me to flesh this out a tad.

The Trinity is a community that mutually shares divine nature with one another (3 different persons, but one). The Economic Trinity, then, is each "person" as revealed in the unfolding story and work of redemption. (Father functions in the divine program for creation, Son functions as revealer of God and redeemer of humankind, Spirit functions as completer of divine will) Therefore, there is equality in the relationship between the Persons of the Trinity. Each is not welding for power or prestige between the other, but shares in united love. Yet they do not withhold their love from the created order; rather their love for one another extends beyond their realm unto all creation. They share in the same telos (goal, eschatologically driven) and seek to invite those made in their image to participate in the new reality, a new way of being despite the fact that those who are invited are of inferior status. Doing so reveals the vulnerability of this divine community knowing full well that any could prostitute this lovely invitation.

Could this image of Trinity help the church evolve into a organic community that shares responsibility, loves all, invites everyone into a new way of being?

Thanks

2005-05-19T15:20:00.000-05:00

I wanted to take time out to thank those at the Emergent Seminarians Breakfast/Conversation this morning for including me. I obviously am not as intellectual as these guys and girls are but they were extremely hospitible to me and for that I'm greatful, seeing as how I didn't pay to come to the EC and missed a tad bit of work this morning. (I should use this "errand running" excuse more often) My tribe as a whole is very far from engaging emergent theologies so it felt like a breathe of fresh air to drink up what these young voices had to say. Sometimes I feel as though churches of Christ are like Eastern Europe when it comes to evolving. My times spent in Romania is a prime example. When I was there, it seemed like I had stepped back in time some 10, 15 years. In my heritage change is not easily taken, making our strides almost 2 steps forward and 2 steps back. I do not want to give up on the institutional church or my tribe just yet, even though I'm becoming more aware of the need for monastic urbanism. But I am thankful for those voices (like those this morning) that make my theology start learning how to swim instead of floating on.

Thanks again Adam, Jake, Will, Mark, Alan, and the two lovely ladies whose names I have forgotten.

Happy Birthday Blog!

2005-05-18T13:40:00.000-05:00

May 18, 2004 I penned these words on this blog:

Hi. I'm Clark and I'm a blogger. Yikes! To know all the implications of that is scary, I guess. So after much deliberation and thinking, actually I just had to defeat the laziness plague, I am adding my thoughts and ideas to the blogger community that resides in the time space continuum. I hope I can stick with this, but I make no promises. Anywho, thanks and enjoy.

I've enjoyed expressing my thoughts, opinions, concerns, successes and failures. Mostly I enjoy the comments people leave and their thoughts. I glean insight from you folks. So I want to thank those that read, those that comment, those that don't really understand what the heck I'm trying to say.

So if you would, comment and let me know who you people are so I can visit your blogs and thank you. Peace.

Proceed with Caution

2005-05-17T14:03:00.000-05:00

*Warning: this post may gross you out. Proceed with caution.*

My appointment yesterday was with my regular doctor. My wife mentioned that I needed to get a physical done since I haven't had one in a lengthy while. I checked out alright (pending the blood test comes back ok). The one thing I did mention to the doc was one of my toenails looked a little gnarly. In fact it has been looking like that for a few months now and hasn't cleared up. Well he tells me that my toenail has a fungus meaning I'd have to take medication for up to 6 months to clear it up. If it doesn't clear up in 6 months, then I'd probably have to take it again. So what is the cost of this wondrous fugi-removal medicine? $340 smackers!! What the mess!?! $340 for a stinking pill that I take every other weekend for 6 months. Needless to say I'm not going to buy the medicine (not for the sake of affordablility but for the sake of ridiculousness). I think I'm going to try some holistic treatment for my alignment like soaking my foot in green tea or rubbing Vicks Vapor Rub around it. Anyone got a home-remedy to share?

Maybe I'm a tad ventish because my wife is going to spend a week in Florida with her folks and the Emergent Convention in Nashville is happening this weekend and for the second year in a row I am not able to go. Although it is happening from just a few blocks away from where I work........hmmmm.

Seeing Goodness

2005-05-16T13:51:00.000-05:00

I've got to cut this short in lieu of an appointment today.

This weekend I had significant conversations with 3 people that I know, but haven't seen a quite some time. All three dialogues showed me that there is goodness in the world, and I'm glad these people are alive. They inspired me to seek out goodness and compassion in my own context. They don't read this, but for the sake of anonymity I'll refer to them as C, J, and M.

The first conversation surrounded the inner city situation in our town and in other places such as St. Louis and New York. C was extremely passionate about mentoring inner city youths in New York. He plans on moving up to NY after he finishes school and getting involved with the urban environment.

In my second discussion, I heard from J about how he has been to the edge and back. A few months back J was a living with his girlfriend, engaged, and ready to move and buy a house all while attempting to finish school. Not long before they were engaged, his soon to be bride left him, moved in with another fellow and is probably expecting. If anyone was in this position, one would have to be crushed. J was, but there seemed to be a renewed sense of him. He seemed different than the past few years I have known him. He said that life is......good. He felt as if he had another chance in life and was excited to be alive.

Finally, M told me her current work with the pregnancy center as a volunteer. She said that she really has connected with several of the girls there. The work is generally stressful, but she wants for the mothers to know that people do care about them and their baby, even if they have been raped or they don't know who the father is or if they are minors.

These 3 random people that I encounter this weekend portrayed glimpse of a breaking in Kingdom. It felt good to be alive and witness a breath of goodness in this world.

I Heart Huckabees

2005-05-13T12:18:00.000-05:00

Probably the most interesting and thought-provoking movie I have seen in a long time was I Heart Huckabees. My wife and I went on a date last night that included dinner at our favorite local Italian place and renting a movie. I had wanted to see this film since it came to the theater but didn't have a chance to watch it. The movie is an existential comedy that covers several philosophical ideas such as the meaning of life, the connectedness of all humanity, and identifying reality. Even though the picture leaves the audience with more questions than answers, David O. Russell co-wrote and directed an enjoyable film that makes the audience think, yet laugh at the same time. Metaphysics and philosophies swirl throughout the film like the delightful music of composer Jon Brion. At times the characters seem to echo Solomon's poetic cry in Ecclesiastes that life is meaningless, random, and hopeless. Suffering cannot be evaded in one's existence, so one has to enter their own egocentricism to elevate the pain. Other times the characters seek out is the interconnectedness of all matter, meaning everything has equal value, therefore "everything you could ever want or be you already have or are." From this idea their worldviews and identities are deconstructed to see all of life like fabric on a blank: connected. Overall, it was a humorous film that was extreme smart (or extremely dumb). I can't say whether or not you should see this film cause it won't be for everyone. And trust me, just cause I liked it doesn't make me smart in the least sense. Nevertheless, I enjoyed it.

Change or Die?

2005-05-12T14:17:00.000-05:00

Thanks to Jason Clark via Tim Keel for this article.

Change or Die?
Sounds pretty harsh doesn’t it. Several doctors and business executives discussed why people refuse change and the factors that help engage change. “Behavioral change happens mostly by speaking to people’s feelings,” said one doctor. In a study of heart patients who were told they either stop their behavior or suffer the consequences (like death), the majority didn’t change their behavior. Since death was just too frightening to think about, these patients would return to their old style of living. Researchers noticed that the doctors motivated their patients with the wrong catalyst. Instead, medical professionals should counteract this negative stance on changing behavior and seek for the patient to live a joyful live. Not only do doctors motivate people by saying they will live longer, but they will actually feel better by doing normal things like talking a walk, or making love. Joy then becomes a more powerful motivator than death.
For more please read the article. It has some great applications for discipleship in my opinion.

Fair Trade Certified

2005-05-11T13:17:00.000-05:00

One of my co-workers won a radio drawing Monday for free bagels and coffee at his workplace. So today he invited us all in to share his prize. While I munched on my blueberry bagel, I noticed my coffee cup was Fair Trade Certified. Here is the statement next to their logo:

When you ask for Fair Trade coffe, your choice guarantees that farmers receive a fair price, ensuring great coffee for you and a better life for them.

I had never seen this before, but became very curious. Since this morning I checked out a site on Fair Trade supported by Oxfam. From there I read an opinion piece by Coldplay's frontman Chris Martin about the inhumane trade rules for 3rd world countries such as Ghana. Basically, these farmers (think 18 year old boys or single moms with children by her side) cannot compete with the market thus selling their crops many times for less than it cost to produce them. Personally, I don't know what to do about this issue, other than make it known that we are enjoying others labor for a price that is inhumane and unjust. I guess I should refuse to drink coffee that isn't fair trade certified. Maybe thats a start.

A New Kind of Urbanism

2005-05-09T16:30:00.000-05:00

Props to Jonathan for the link.

A current thinker for Radical Orthodoxy, Jamie K.A. Smith wrote an article a few years back discussing the state of the emerging church. The idea in his article for a new urbanism was very refreshing. He talks about how the emerging church should be partnering their concerns with the redemption of these urbanized cities. Where modernity has laid many of neighborhoods and ghettos by the waste-side in the metropolitan areas, postmodernity in the church's context should be for rebirth and renewal in the "least of these" environments. Churches seem more interested in moving to the safe side of suburbia rather than living among their urban neighbors. Not only are some shying away from these areas, the underlying idea of the socio-economic barrier dividing these two (urbanized central and suburbia) can at times be stark. Not to mention its members and the dividing economics seen there. For more info read his article. Smith tells it better than I could.

Manute Bol: Being a Blessing

2005-05-06T15:01:00.000-05:00

Not to many times do you hear the name Manute Bol in conversation. For those NBA illiterates out there, Bol was a 7 foot 7 inch giant hailing from the Sudan region in Africa. Sure he had the second most blocks in league history in only his rookie season and played 11 seasons in the NBA, but he was probably most known for his freakish height. I mean the first time he dunked a basketball he got his teeth stuck in the net.

What some might not know about this unique human being is his involvement with his country during a nasty civil war pitted against southern non-Arabic tribes. Bol spent about 3 million dollars he earned in the NBA to help free the country of its fighting, enslavement and famine. After a shaky peace treaty from rebel factions and the Sudanese government, Bol moved to the capital to work with the same people who had fought his own people. Furthermore, officials promised him a job in their government to seek reconciliation. The only problem was he had to go against several of his principles and convictions to be hired. Opting not to do so, he lived in fear of the government because they feared that he would leave the country and continue his anti-governmental activities. Interestingly enough, Bol lobbied in Congress 3 months about the fertile terrorist grounds in Sudan in the early 90s.

Finally Bol returned to the states, only his fame was eradicated from him as well as his funds. Broke and saddened by what he had witnessed back home Bol continued to give back to his people. In 2002, Bol boxed in a celebrity-boxing match against William “The Refrigerator” Perry of the Chicago Bears. From the match he collected a cool $30,000 that was entirely donated to a Sudanese relief fund. He works with his charity, the Ring True Foundation, which helps Sudanese refugees, mainly living in the United States. Most of these are the Lost Boys, young males who have lost their families in the war torn region of Sudan.

In his native dialect (Dinka) Manute Bol means “blessing from God.” He now resides with his wife and child in Connecticut, living off the generosity of his friends. He is not living the high life, in the sense of living in a massive mansion, driving fancy cars, and wearing designer suits. But he is living the high life of being a blessing to others.

Dehumanization in War

2005-05-05T15:36:00.000-05:00

Herbert from the NY Times does another follow up to his previous article about the dehumanization and glorification of war in Iraq. Read here.

The Shins: Review of 5/4/05

2005-05-05T08:28:00.000-05:00

Last night I attended the Shins show at the Mercy Lounge in downtown Nashville. The Mercy Lounge was a splendid venue, very spacious and clean. Because my wife isn't a big fan of my music, I met my friend Bill there at the venue.

The opening act was a 6-piece band out of New Zealand called the Brunettes. Before the show I had heard nothing about them. Let me just say, "WOW!" They were a lot of fun. Sure the lyrics weren't in-depth with songs about a record store or guys that sup up their cars, but their music was bright and cheery. And talk about multi-instrumentalists, these guys (and girls) were playing like 2 or 3 instruments each song, not to mention clapping at the appropriate moments. The last song, a tribute to those loveable twins (Mary Kate & Ashley) brought the house down. During the middle of the song, the lead singer was the only one playing and singing because the other band mates were putting on some sort of hat or mask. When they turn to face the audience, they are all wearing a mask with the face of those Full House cuties. It was hysterical.

As far as the main act went, I enjoyed the Shins very much. They had some good energy, not to mention some crazy mishaps in the beginning (broken guitar string and fallen keyboard). I couldn't stay for the entire show because I have to wake up at the booty crack of dawn each weekday to get to work, but I caught about 10 songs probably. James Mercer can really sing and hit those high notes. He looked like Kevin Spacey, not to mention the keyboardist resembled Chris Katan and the bass/guitarist was a carbon copy of Joe from Fear Factor. Most of the songs were played verbatim like you would hear on the album. But the energy was great which made it all the better. I'm glad I went to see them. No regrets.

What I remember of their playlist (not in order):
Pink Bullets
When I Goosestep (Wicker Park soundtrack)
Turn a Square
Know Your Opinion!
Caring Is Creepy
Girl Inform Me
Girl on the Wing
Pressed in a Book
So Says I
Mine's Not a High Horse
Fighting in a Sack

Emergent Cohort: Nashville

2005-05-04T12:54:00.000-05:00

Well I must say, I had a lovely time dining and meeting each one of you at the emergent cohort today in Nashville. It was great to gather with fellow bloggers, teachers, counselors, and pastors to discuss the nature of life in an emerging context. I couldn't have asked for a better lunch hour.......

except
except

I couldn't find the stinkin cafe!! I mean when I am looking for 203 Louise Ave and there is not one, something aint right. So I park in a medical plaza parking garage 2 blocks away and try my luck on foot. Up and down on Louise Ave I went. I even asked several patrons if they had ever heard of this particular cafe or street address. No dice. I finally call the cafe and the owners give me directions, to which I can't seem to understand. I walk a few block back to my car only to see that my lunch break is quickly coming to an end. I finally give up my search and head back to work where I eat my lunch at my desk, alone. (did I fail to mention spilling a nice amount of Spirit on my pants) After several week of anticipating this meeting, I miss it because of a silly mistake plus my ignorance of downtown Nashvegas. Gosh my life is pathetic.

The Justice of Humanity

2005-05-02T10:20:00.000-05:00

In a discussion with some friends on Sunday, we pondered the meaning of the word "poor." We were talking about Jesus and how he hoped to bring good news to those "poor" people. For me, my interpretation of poor is very limited to homeless people or those in the slums. But a few insightful ladies talked about being poor as a fact of someone who is suffering, or someone who is lonely, or a woman who couldn't have children (back in Jesus time, barren women were seen in a bad light, as if God cursed their womb). For the Pharisees, someone who was "poor" was probably someone who wasn't morally in line with them (aka: sinners), like tax collectors or prostitutes.

Several times in the Gospel of Luke Jesus is eating and partying with these "poor" people. Not only that, he treated them as equals. He saw them for who they were, human beings. We challenged each other to treat all we meet as a human being created in the Divine's image.

So it hurts when I read this editorial in the NY Times this morning. Our military, who we seem to praise and pray for courage and strength, don't treat these precious Iraqi citizens as human beings, but as worthless scum. Especially when a sergeant kills unarmed Iraqi who are detainted in a fenced in area for the reason of throwing rocks at his buddy. The sergeant's response:

"Well, I saw them bloody my buddy's nose, so I knelt down. I said a prayer. I
stood up, and I shot them down."

Granted this (hopefully) doesn't happen all the time, but this war, like all war, has shown the ugly side of the human condition. But like these soliders, I have failed to be good to the "poor" as well. Have mercy on us Lord.

Fall Creek Falls

2005-04-30T10:47:00.000-05:00

Fall Creek Falls

2005-04-30T10:45:00.000-05:00

Fall Creek Falls

2005-04-30T10:04:00.000-05:00

Almost Done

2005-04-29T13:42:00.000-05:00

I have 4 more classes left until my Masters is complete. This summer I'll be in a webclass called Systematic Theology. Dr. Hicks is tough I've heard but I should learn alot. This is my reading for the summer.

The Faith Once For All - Jack Cottrell
Theology for the Community of God - Stanley Grenz
Essentials of Christian Theology - Stanley Grenz and William Placher, eds.
Yet Will I Trust Him - John Mark Hicks
The Story We Find Ourselves In - Brian McLaren

Also Dr. Hicks is teaching a short-term class this summer (full week) on Postmodern Theologies. I really wish I could take this course because it would really help put the whole "postmodern" thing in context. The course will focus on theological strategies: Postevangelicialism (Stan Grenz), Radical Orthodoxy (Smith), Paleo-Orthodoxy (Thomas Oden), Deconstructive Theology (Carl Raschke), Postliberalism (George Lindbeck), Neo-Evangelicalism (Millard Erickson), Reformation Tradition (Michael Horton) and Anglo-American Communal Praxis (Nancey Murphy). Man, Daivd Lipscomb is turning in his grave.

Piety or Justice?

2005-04-26T16:46:00.000-05:00

"But seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness"

Throughout my life, I have tried to read the Bible. I'm not very good at it. Once I did that "Read the Bible in a Year" thing with the little pamplet that keeps you on track for a daily reading in both Testaments. I've tried to meditate when I would read. Other times I would underline important words or sentences, sometimes even paragraphs. Sometimes I would read it just to read it and feel good about my relationship with God. I would also ignore the book, but feel a certain shame for not lingering in its presences each morning or evening. I have several Bibles even though I'm not sure why that is. Some have been worn and have collected many memories throughout the years; while some have set on my bookcase collecting dusty. I like the Bible. It doesn't give me all the answers to life's mysteries, but it shows me a story of beauty.

I've stopped reading my Bible for almost a year now. Now my classes (theology) require that I read it so I do, but in regards to a "quiet time" or alone time, I quit that. Mainly because I was tired of placing my "quiet time" as a leverage to my relationship with God. If I did read and pray, I would feel close to the Divine; if not, then I shamed myself and felt guilty.

That being said, I guess I have always thought that one should focus on their own relationship with God as some sort of individual "best friend" ideal. Lately (more like a year now) I don't see that as being completely the goal (telos). Yes, I should try to draw close to God, but that is not exclusively bound to individual "quiet time." Drawing close to God might surface through me drawing close to my neighbor. Seeing them and treating them as if they were Jesus.

So when I read this verse, I immediantely think that I should pursue some sort of pious righteousness, for my own gain. But what if this righteousness didn't mean personal piety, but meant justice. Justice to my neighbor, to our environment, to economic systems, to war and poverty and genocide. Justice even to myself. Maybe God's dream (kingdom) is for justice to surround this planet, for all to be treated equally and love to reign.

I'm sure I'll read my Bible again, maybe each day, maybe scatered days. And when I do, I'll not feel as if my life depended on it.

Dave on Radiohead

2005-04-25T13:45:00.000-05:00

Dave Matthews of the Dave Matthews Band really digs Radiohead, according to his interview in the April issue of Rolling Stone. Here's what he had to say (thanks Thomas):

"Every time I buy a Radiohead album, I have a moment where I say to myself, "Maybe this is the one that will suck." But it never does. I wonder if it's even possible for them to be bad on record.

It belittles Radiohead to describe their music as having "hooks." Their music talks to you, in a real way. It can take you down a quiet street before it drops a beautiful musical bomb on you. It can build to where you think the whole thing will crumble beneath its own weight - and then Thom Yorke will sing some melody that just cuts your heart out of your chest. There's a point on the album Kid A where I start feeling claustrophobic, stuck in a barbed-wire jungle - and then I suddenly fall out and I'm sitting by a pool with birds singing. Radiohead can do all of these things in a moment, and it drives me f**king crazy.

My reaction to Radiohead isn't as simple as jealousy. Jealousy just burns; Radiohead infuriate me. But if it were only that, I wouldn't go back and listen to those records again and again. Listening to Radiohead makes me fell like I'm a Salieri to their Mozart. Yorke's lyrics make me want to give up. I could never in my wildest dreams find something as beautiful as they find for a single song - let alone album after album. And every time, they raise their finger to the press and the critics and say, "Nothing we do is for you!". They followed their most critically acclaimed record, OK Computer, with their most radical change, Kid A. It's not that they're indifferent: It's just that the strength of character in their music is beyond their control.

Seeing them perform makes me even angrier. No matter how much they let go in their shows, they never lose their clarity. There's no point where Jonny Greewood or Ed O'Brien will suddenly look up and say "Where the f**k are we?" There are no train wrecks in Radiohead; every album and performance is wretching. God, these guys have suffered, or they can fake it like nobody else."

Pray

2005-04-22T15:08:00.000-05:00

I usually am not one to post prayer requests or that sort of thing on this blog, but this seems fitting.

Joe, Laura, Sophia and their newly born baby are in need of prayers.

How long O Lord? Save people from oppression and let your justice break into our world. Help.

Monkey See, Monkey Do?

2005-04-22T11:51:00.000-05:00

Evolution is looking pretty sweet right about now. Check out this article about Charile the Smoking Chimp.

Who Own's Culture

2005-04-21T11:37:00.000-05:00

On April 7th, the New York Public Library was the site of a dialogue between Harvard law professor Lawrence Lessig and Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy. The title of their conversation was Who Owns Culture. I didn’t attend this venue but read several articles relating to the event. In regards to the "illegal" free downloading of music, it seems as if Napster’s family tree includes such historical items as the player piano, Edison’s wax phonograms radio, Xerox machines, and the Sony Betamax, the world’s first stand-alone VCR, each of which raised questions of duplicating artistic products. In each case, the law sided with the “pirates,” finding a way to strike a balance between the users of new technology and the rights of songwriters and performers.

Now our “friends” on the bench have deserted the latest pirates. Instead of acknowledging the unstoppable force that is the Internet and allowing the law to adapt accordingly, Lessig observed that there is a “demand imposed by the law that the technology fit the old law,” driven by corporate interests. Over the past few years, the record industry has filed lawsuits against peer-to-peer file shares, 7,704 to be exact. The film industry, following in their footsteps, is about ready to unleash a wave of lawsuits among movie file sharers. Even Jack Valenti, of the Motion Picture Association of America equates opposing piracy with combating terrorism. Is this hyper-intense opposition to new technologies as tantamount to “DDT spraying to kill a gnat?”

If you know much about Wilco, you know that they are somewhat “pioneers” to this whole Internet streaming, downloading music idea. After being dropped by their label, they decided to use the Internet almost as a last effort to make their music available to the public. Once it was out, they toured and realized that many in the audience were singing along with these “unreleased” songs. Ultimately, they resigned with Nonesuch Records, a subsidiary to their former label, and the album that was previously streamed now has gone gold (sold over 500,000 units). So for Tweedy, he would rather have people listen to his art and dislike it, than have people who can’t listen because they can’t afford it.

What I enjoyed about their dialogue was something Tweedy said. “Once you create something and you’ve made it, it doesn’t exist except in the consciousness of the listener….That’s were it is finished. When someone downloads a piece of music, its just that until the listener puts that music back together with their own ears, their own minds and subjective experiences. Each one of you [listener] has about 50% investment in any event of music making. If you listen, you are a part of it.”So I guess the question of who own's culture would be "us."

Lessig makes a valid point that kids indulging in new opportunities born of new technologies need an environment conducive to creation. I’ve had Copyright Law in college and it was an extremely sticky subject at the time. Copyright Law in and of itself is sticky. I don’t think it has any gotten clearer. Are artists starving because their music is online for free? Maybe, I don’t know. I do know that the Internet has introduced me to several artists that I would have never heard of and I enjoy very much, therefore I have bought their albums. One thing I do know is that if Metallica and Dr. Dre (wealthy musicians) are whining about their music being “illegally” downloaded and they are not getting paid, then something is definitely wrong with that picture.

M.I.A.

2005-04-21T07:49:00.000-05:00

Life has been crazy this past week causing me to not be able to blog like I normally like to. In between work, writting an exegetical paper, visiting an Otologist and Dentist (separate reasons), dealing with Vertigo Tuesday (not related to U2), and planning for a retreat this weekend, I haven't had much time to blog.

I signed up for an online class that just might kill me this summer. It should be excellent subject matter (Systematic Theology) but the reading alone will be a load in and of itself. Also I'll be seeing the Shins at the Mercy Lounge on May 4. I really appreciate those who take the time to stop by and read what, as stupidious as they may be, I think about. Thanks. Well, back to the grind.

Are Christians Closet Homophobes?

2005-04-15T12:03:00.000-05:00

In the New York Times today, there is a small piece by Juliet Macur called Standing Up After Fearing Standing Out. I’m writing about this article for two reasons.

First, my hometown of Longview, Texas is mentioned in the write up. Ahhh, I feel proud.

Secondly, and most importantly, I write this as a person who doesn’t have all the answers. I’m probably more confused than confident when it comes to life, matters of faith, what I want on my hamburger, but this story really hurts. Let me explain.

Merry Stephens is a good basketball coach, that is, she was a good basketball coach before Bloomburg High School fired her. Bloomburg, a microscopic town of 375 residents sits in the piney region of East Texas. For five years Merry coached girls basketball at the local high school. During those five years she built a championship caliber team that last year won their area, district, and regional tournament before being knocked out just one game shy of making state. Merry was considered a town hero for her coaching and the town even honored her and the team with a parade. Sounds like a typical small town, feel good story, right?

Well what most people didn’t know and tried to find out was that Merry was a lesbian. Merry kept quiet during her stay at Bloomburg in fear that her sexual preference would cause her to lose her job. She was right. Last December the School Board, in a 4-3 vote, fired Merry for unfounded allegations of insubordination. For Merry, their decision was based on homophobia, not these veiled allegations. Even though she was a great basketball coach in an up-and-coming program, many feared that she would “influence or convert” their child to lesbianism. Listen to one player’s dad:

“I had nothing against her as a person, but if I stand for one lesbian that
means I would be for them adopting kids, and my moral and the Bible doesn’t
allow that.”

So your morals and the Bible say its ok to act unjustly to someone who is different than you? To oppress them because you feel “uncomfortable” with their lifestyle? I wonder if most Christians kid themselves when they say the phrase, “Love the sinner, hate the sin.” Do they (or I) really understand what that means? When someone says love the sinner, and that person they are referring to is gay, then do they really love that person or are they a tad frightened that the homosexual would love them back? Is this statement bunk of its action if people are not even willing to be their friend, for the sake of being their friend and not “converting” them? Are our churches filled with homophobes?

When my wife worked as a probation officer (not how we met), she worked with an openly gay woman. At first my wife was a tad uncomfortable around her because she hadn't spent much time with someone who was so upfront with their lifestyle. I (out of my stupidity) would try to get Jennifer to "evangelize" to her. Over time Jennifer became good friends with her co-worker and would often eat lunch with her and her partner. Finally, I soon understood that she was being Jesus to them and all I was interested in was changing their behavior. I tell all this because I am trying to be someone who loves inclusively. I'm not great at it yet, but I'm desperately trying. Personally, I don’t know the characters in this article and you probably don’t either. I hope I can be someone who loves all people and isn’t motivated by the silliness of fear. I hope that all Christians (heck, everyone) can do the same.

Lake of Fire

2005-04-14T15:17:00.000-05:00

It seems my copy of The Last Word and the Word After That has arrived today. But, I will not begin to read it until I finish my course this semester. Plus I'm trying to finish The Powers That Be as well as The Celtic Way of Evangelism. Boy, aint I an overachiever (translation: geek).

Since McLaren's final book of his trilogy is about the deconstruction of modern man's idea of hell, I eagerly await to see how my views are corrupted by this heretical genius.

During my doctor's visit this morning, I read something very interesting in Walter Wink's book that might correlate to the subject matter McLaren is tackling. Wink talks about the difference between Jesus and John the Baptist message of judgment. In John's preaching, God is depicted as verging on a counteroffensive mission against evil in which all the wicked will be wiped out. God will, in a sense, obliterate them by fire. This should not be taken as saying JB was not important or insignificant in his role in the Gospels. Jesus, by contrast, understood judgment not as an end to itself but as a beginning. The "lake of fire" was not to consume but purify, not annihilate but redeem. Reminds me of a song Nirvana performed:

"Where do bad folks go when they die?
They don't go to heaven where the angels fly.
They go to a lake of fire and fry.
See 'em again on the 4th of July."

For Wink, Jesus roots his judgment in redemption and reconciliation, a deep theme throughout the Biblical narrative. This divine judgment is used not to destroy but awaken people to the devastating truth about their lives. Through this lens, judgment becomes not the final word on a failed life, but the first word of a new creation. And so the end for the wicked or ungreatful is the last word, but there is a word after that.

Coincidence....I Think Not

2005-04-13T13:01:00.000-05:00

This morning I was asked the most random question I’ve heard in a long time: Is your family related to Fletcher Christian of the Bounty?

At first I thought, “OK, what’s the joke?” Then I found out this Fletcher character was a real person and somewhat famous throughout history. After reviewing his history, I became weirded out by some eerie facts of Mr. Fletcher Christian of the Bounty.

First off, Fletcher Christian was born on the same day as I was: September 25. He was born in England and soon became a sailor. He sailed to Jamaica (my honeymoon location) twice with a man named William Bligh. In 1787 a British ship Bounty under Captain William Bligh went on a trade mission to Tahiti. Their mission was to bring in something called Breadfruit for the English. The trip was troubled from the beginning basically because of Bligh's incompetence as a commander (reportedly). He had asked his buddy Fletcher Christian to serve on the crew.

During the trip, Christian was moved up from second mate to 1st mate. By the time the crew arrived in Tahiti, they were totally exhausted. Bligh ordered the crew not to cohabitate with the native women. Many did and didn't want to return to the poverty and harshness of the English people. Christian fell in love with the daughter of the Tahitian chief who became pregnant with Christian's child. They named their child Thursday October Christian (good way to remember your kids birthday), who is the ancestor of almost everybody surnamed Christian on the Pitcairn and Norfolk Islands, as well as the many descendants who moved to Australia and New Zealand. Fletcher was rumored to have either died on the island or escaped back to England.

Hollywood has made a few films depicting the most famous mutiny in history. One of which was Mutiny on the Bounty (1935), which won the Oscar for Best Picture that year. It starred Charles Laughton as Captain Bligh and Clark Gable as Christian.

I dont' know if I'm really related to this Flecther character, but this was just too weird to not write about today. I’m just waiting for Robert Stack's ghost to slowly walk out of a foggy alley wearing his brown trench coat saying, in his resonating monotone voice, “Join me for an intriguing edition of 'Unsolved Mysteries'."

Why the Right Rules and Left Drools

2005-04-12T14:45:00.000-05:00

Does this book really exist?

If It's Not Too Close, They Can't Cheat: Crushing the Democrats in Every Election and Why Your Life Depends on It

Nicely done Hugh Hewitt. (sarcasm) We applaud you in your ridiculous effort to let the party of faith, wealth and national security rule this country and the world. Did Hewitt get the memo that life depends on crushing the Democrats is not found in the Sermon on the Mount? Sheesh. Help us all Lord.

The Emerging Church and the Mega-Church

2005-04-12T13:37:00.000-05:00

During my break at work, I visited a colleague of mine to shoot the breeze. Amidst our dialogue he asked me, “What does the emerging church feel about seeker-sensitive mega-churches?”

Well, I don’t know if I knew the answer, because I wasn’t sure there was a concrete answer to the question. Listening in on many in the Emergent Church conversation, I can’t define what “they” think about those contemporary program-oriented mega-churches because “they” aren’t in a particular movement but in constructive dialogue. (I use “they” adding “myself” in that realm even if I am not a pastor or minister in a church. So my voice my be bunk in the matter.) Saying all that, I can only give my assessment of the whole EC idea and my own reaction to the modern seeker-sensitive churches.

I think that some in the EC would want to pursue a more organic, monastic type of community aside from a mass gathering of individuals. A less polished, media-driven approach to worship would probably be preferred. Inclusiveness, even to women pastors, would probably be highlighted. Heck, there might not even be pastors, as the top-down structure of leadership would dissolve to a more free-forming society of followers. The Bible-Answer Man model would be deconstructed as the pastor/leader/mentor would become apart of the actual community and have (dare I say) friends among the group. “Outsiders” would not only be welcomed, but could possibly change/influence those on the “inside.” Mission would define the practices/disciplines done by the community (missiology defines ecclesiology and vice versa.) The idea of small groups wouldn’t be the end all of ideas for building community. A theology would arrive that would be Kingdom-shaped and not purely atonement-based or heaven-bound focused. Grace would probably be spoken of as pardon and power, instead of just forgiveness. Maybe people would want to see and participate in the sacred in what they already do, instead of adding another “program” to their busy schedule. Redemption would transform the ideals of economic justice, environmental concerns, human equality, politics, public and global policies, formal education and health care. The typical educational model would prove to not be the savior of learning, as more experimental avenues of learning and formation would develop. A “target” audience wouldn’t be important or even discussed as the body engages the world to bless it.

I don’t know if I answered his question or if I became more confused with myself. Either way, there is a lot to learn from our ancestors and those that have gone on before us, even in the mega-churches.

iPresident

2005-04-11T14:29:00.000-05:00

Who's on President Bush's iPod? Well if you care (and you SHOULD), NY Times reports that Bush listens to some country and 60s/70s stuff. Interesting that President Bush has songs of artists that don't like him. For example, John Fogerty's "Fortunate Son" appears on the playlist. (Ironic that Bush allegedly joined the National Guard to avoid combat in Vietnam at the time.) Fogerty was part of the anti-Bush "Vote For Change" campaign that put musical acts on stage to persuade voters to not re-elect Bush. A funny quote from the article said that "if any president limited his music selection to pro-establishment musicians, it would be pretty slim collection." Makes me wonder what would be on Clinton's iPod. Or Lincoln for that matter.

For more, go here. To purchase Clark an iPod out of the goodness of your soul, email me.

My Word Does It Again

2005-04-11T13:25:00.000-05:00

Wow. Can I just say this was a disturbing site.

While I was in our library (at my work place) I was looking up commentaries for my upcoming exegesis paper on Ruth 4. Needless to say, I'm not thrilled to be writing 12-15 pages of redaction criticism on the levirate marriage system in the preexilic period. Yawn. As the studious person I can be, I decided to see what our library had to offer. So I find myself in the back of this dimly lit aisle, barley squeezing between book columns, trying to find books on Ruth. When I look down at the bottom shelf, I notice an interesting object in the shadows next to some books. Slowly I lean down to investigate as the foreign item comes clearer into view. Sure enough the unidentified object at the bottom shelf is a rat trap. Let's just say I didn't stick around to become acquainted with its next victim, that's for sure. Well done work place. Well done.