QotW

Several "Quotes of the week" that I really like

first from U2's new CD No Line ON The Horizon

I can stand up for hope, faith, love
But while I’m getting over certainty
Stop helping God across the road like a little old lady

Out from under your beds
C’mon ye people
Stand up for your love

Love love love love love…

I gotta stand up to ego but my ego’s not really the enemy
It’s like a small child crossing an eight lane highway
On a voyage of discovery

Also:

Its not if I believe in love
If love believes in me

And from John Philip Newell

I do not believe that the gospel, which literally means "good news," is given to tell us that we have failed or been false. That is not news, and it is not good. We already know much of that about ourselves. We know we have been false, even to those whom we most love in our lives and would most want to be true to. We know we have failed people and whole nations throughout the world today, who are suffering or who are subjected to terrible injustices that we could do more to prevent. So the gospel is not given to tell us what we already know.

Rather, the gospel is given to tell us what we do not know or what we have forgotten, and that is who we are, sons and daughters of the One from whom all things come. It is when we begin to remember who we are, and who all people truly are, that we will begin to remember also what we should be doing and how we should be relating to one another as individuals and as nations and as an entire earth community."

(This came from a response to Tony Jones' Blog Post)

Just some thoughts to think about!

Exploring Framing Stories(Part 2): Trying To Move Forward!

In my last post we looked at the idea of "framing stories" and the 2 general framing stories that are alive in western Christianity. However, what happens once you define and establish which framing story (conventional, emerging or another), and you then find yourself at odds with other framing stories.

Using the examples from last post, the Conventional Framing Story is finding itself more and more at odds with the general public. Why? There are many reasons. What it most generally boils down to is that someone grows up exposed to the conventional framing story, but because of new experiences and education (not meaning formal ness., simply education that comes with experiences) when leaving home and the overwhelming influence of the conventional framing story. In other words, they experience a new and different reality. It can come from college classes, a change in lifestyle, visiting another country, studying global issues, or simply physically removing themselves from the conventional bubble they were accustomed to.

However it happens, more and more people are connecting with the emerging framing story(EFS). Those that cling to the conventional framing story(CFS), fight hard to hold control and power within that context. This leaves those in the new(yet I would argue more ancient/orthodox FS), in a conundrum. They are drawn into these arguments and thus the last 10 years that we have seen this EFS come to fruition has been riddled with debates and arguments. Alas, we are beginning to see that this way of doing things is getting us nowhere.

There is still this problem: we know that there are many people within the Church that are dissatisfied with the form of religion being fed to them, but are unaware that an alternative FS exists. Then there are those outside the Church that are not in connection with anyone who can offer them the emerging framing story. Thus they are left thinking that Christians only care about Heaven, hell, and fire insurance while ignoring the global issues of the day!

However, this EFS seeks to reconcile all of Christ's teachings and Biblical themes in the lives of people. This means that Christ has once again become our example Christian prioritization. Christ was most concerned about helping others. McLaren and others argue that Jesus himself came offering his 1st century contemporaries a NEW FS! In he midst of an empire that marginalized many and enforced their version of peace, the Pax Romana. There were many Jewish sects that fought over the right way to approach this empire that was suffocating them (Pharisees, Zealots, Essences, etc...), however Jesus came in to offer another way...God's way! And this new view offered by Jesus was the only way for which true peace and equality could be achieved. This is the FS that the EFS seeks to work within. One that cares about what Christ cared about, who seeks to follow his teachings and examples of life, not just the afterlife.

But what do we do? What comes next? Here we are with this EFS that is vital and relevant in today's world, and yet most of those that fall under the banner of "Christian" have not been exposed to this new option. Do we continue to fight? Do we campaign? What?

Again, let's look to Christ for an example.

Here was Christ, holding this new FS which was vital to the world, and he went low key. He didn't fight (although he had many chances). Instead he TRAVELED! He went from place to place teaching and showing what this new FS looks like. Along the way, he picked up more and more people who caught on and were captivated by this new FS. Yet, he didn't walk aimlessly. He walked TOWARDS the reality of seeing this FS come to fruition. He traveled TO the cross! Along the way he simply invited others to join in his journey. He never showed hatred, or acted non-compassionately towards those that didn't get or agree with his new FS. He simply, like the "Rich Young Man", allowed them to continue on their way. He allowed them to keep practicing what they felt was right, while continuing to live the life of this new FS.

A life of love,

Of Service

Of Sacrifice

Of Giving

Of Equality

Of Hope

Of Peace....

This is the EFS...The same FS we see in Christ!

Thoughts?

(Painting by Greig Leach: Jesus Washing The Disciples Feet)

Exploring Framing Stories(Part 1): What Are They?

As a photographer, one thing that you consider when taking a picture is what's called framing.  Framing Is deciding how to take the picture that best tells the story that you want to tell.  The picture here is one that I snapped while kayaking down the Colorado River on the Nevada boarder.  I decided that I wanted to capture the landscape and water, but I also wanted to frame the picture so that it told the story that we were kayaking in the middle of the beauty.  I also wanted it to tell the story that I was not alone, so I snuggled my kayak up next to my wife's (as close as we could get) to try and show the beauty and intimacy of our trip.  In other words, the story that I wanted to tell in the framing was that my wife and I were sharing in this beautiful experience in nature.  I know that myself and my wife are outside of the frame, but that is on purpose.  Framing stories don't always give away the full details at first glance.  

My Bible Study Group has been reading Brian McLaren's Everything Must Change on Sunday Nights and discussing it.  I have gotten far more out of the book this second time of reading because of 1) paying more attention to the details, and 2) because of the wonderfully insightful comments that have come from members of our group.  

One thing we talked about last night was the idea of the Framing Story: The story that informs how we understand and interpret life, culture, and religion.  Just like the picture analogy, the way that our story is framed and focused determines how we act and react to the world.  McLaren uses an example of 2 different religious/Christian framing stories.  

Conventional Framing Story: This says that basically we are all a sinful product of the choice of our Adam and Eve ancestors, and that we are all doomed to eternal punishment in hell because of this "original sin" and our "sinful nature".  Therefore, Jesus came to save our souls from hell and give our undeserving selves a chance to go to heaven because he took the place for us on the cross and through his resurrection and defeat of death.  However, this "grace", although offered to all, is only given to those who fall into the "selected category" (this is both the Calvinist view of predestination, and the view that only those who become a part of the selected religion, "Christianity").  "This is the Good News" 

In this framing story, the purpose of Christ was to "solve the problem of original sin, meaning that he helps qualified individuals not be sent to hell for their sin or imperfection.  In a sense, Jesus saves people...from the righteous wrath of God, which sinful human beings deserve because they have not perfectly fulfilled God's just expectations, expressed in God's moral laws.... Those who receive [offered grace] enjoy a personal relationship with God and seeks to serve and obey God, which produces a happier life on Earth and more rewards in Heaven".  (EMC pg. 78-79)

Emerging Framing Story: God created the world as good, but human beings have rebelled against God--both as individuals and groups-- and filled the world with evil and injustice.  God wants to heal humanity and the world from its sickness.  Left alone, humanity would spiral downward in this sickness and evil.  

Jesus came to address the question, "What must be done about the mess we're in?"  This question refers to the general state of the world as well as the specific context of "his contemporaries" living under domination of the Roman empire and the need for liberation.  

"Jesus' response to this says, 'I have been sent by God with this good news--that God loves humanity, even in its lostness,...God graciously invites any and all to turn from his or her current path and follow a new way.  ...You will be transformed, and you will participate in the transformation of the world, which is possible, beginning right now.' This is the good news. Jesus came to be the saviour of the world, meaning he came to save the earth and all it contains from its ongoing destruction because of [humanity]."(EMC pg. 78-80).

As part of his transforming community, we can experience liberation and participate in the liberation of others.  We can be partners in God's "global transformation and liberation," as well as deliverers of hope and justice.  

_--__--_-_

So here we are with 2 Christian Framing Stories.  It's kind-of like the picture.  I have other pictures taken where I zoomed in on the landscape.  The story that those frames tell is that I saw a canyon with  river.  But when I zoomed out and reframed the picture into its original context, we find that there is far more to the story than a pretty landscape.  We see a narrative form that involves a more accurate perspective: that we were actually floating on that pretty river between the canyon walls, which is a completely different experience altogether!

This is the same with looking at these different framing stories.  Many people are forsaking religion and church because they are working out of a different framing story than the conventional one put forward by our religion.  One that perhaps has zoomed in way too tightly in it's focus so that we've only been focusing on a portion of the picture.  Framing Stories are important, and I want to focus more on that in a second post.  

For right now, what do you think about "framing stories"?  What are other framing stories that you see or have experienced?  What does it mean when we are working with multiple framing stories under the same religion?   Where does this mean we go from here?

I know this is 101 for many people, but I am finding more and more people that need to hear this because they haven't heard it before.  I'll speak more about that in my second post.  

Your thoughts!

(Photo by Justin Bowman)

Jesus Sing-A-Longs: More Than Just A Fun Tune?

This is from artist and blogger David Hayward entitled Inaugural Hopes.

It really caught my attention especially as much hate-filled language as we have had floating around in the last year in America. Our politics and religion seem to have become more vocal about their prejudices.  

We place people in nice neat categories such as a race, and think that this one specific category defines who they are.  Yet people are people... they extend beyond and even defy catagorization.  Yet, we label them as this or that in order to take the human element out of our hatred, fear, and judgement!  Its just easier that way.  

Yet...lest we forget, "Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world"!  We are ALL God's children regardless of race, creed, sexuality, religion, etc...

The only label that truly defines us all is the title of "human".  

I wonder if we should add a few more lines to the verse of the song? It has failed to keep up with our growing prejudices.  "For God so loved the world" surely exceeds simply primary colors!

Thoughts?

O Little Town of Bedlam

An Advent thought:
Advent: Attempting to relive the expectation of the future birth of the child that has already come each and every year. And who says that Christians aren't mystics?

art from ASBO Jesus.

Heavenly Motivation

This post is inspired by several things: ongoing thoughts and discussions I've been having, track #3 on Brett Dennen's newest CD, A book I've begun reading to review for The Ooze, and the teaching/video from church this morning (Listen Here).

I've grown up with the idea that Eternal Life, and the cross+resurrection was the FULL motivation and message of Christ's time on earth. When immersed in Conservative evangelical thinking growing up (not picking, just an observation), it seems that the focus is, as Rob Bell puts it in a recent interview, "focusing on only the last few chapters of the story." It seems that it is easy when focused SOOOO much on the Eternal Life angle, one forgets that there is more to the story of Jesus and God that precedes the "Easter Story".

Wade Bradshaw (in the book above) promotes that Heaven is the motivation for Christian living. He's not the first to mention this. I've heard countless sermons talking about how eternal life in Heaven should make us live in a different way. However, I don't think I completely agree with that. Is the hope of Heaven supposed to be our motivation? When Christ talks about the Kingdom of God and eternal life, was he trying to use that hope to motivate people to live in a correct way? Perhaps the answer to this is both, "yes" and "no", or simply "it depends".

Here's where my thoughts have gone of late. What if we took away the cross from the story of Christ? What if we took Eternal Life off of the table all together? Would there be anything left life changing? Would there be any reason left to follow Christ or to choose to worship God?

Would Jesus still be "worth" following?

Now look at how we think...the idea that Jesus has worth or value usually comes to most of us because we believe and are grateful for what God has DONE for us. It isn't because God is God, but because God gives us ______. I think of the phrase, "God has delivered me". Sounds like some sort of package or exchange; like, "I'll worship you God in exchange of your giving of _____."

That just doesn't seem to be how it should be. See, Jews worshiped God long before Jesus and the Cross came along. They simply thought that God was WORTHY of worship. The disciples followed Christ without the promise of eternal life up front. There was something about following Christ that offered a better life in general. It's almost like he wasn't GIVING us something, rather it's as if he was unlocking the potential within us. The potential to live a better life, to build the Kingdom of God on Earth, and to better the lives of others. Heaven, whatever that is to each of us, was just icing on the cake so to speak. I don't think it was meant to be a motivator, rather a support. Hope gives us support in the hard and tough times in our lives. Yes, hope can motivate, but I'm not convinced that this was the main purpose of Heaven. I've seen many people in the hospital utilize hope, but it, more often than not, brings them peace rather than motivation. Actually following that logic, after hearing some of the stories I have heard by a hospital bedside, the hope of Heaven as a motivator would not encourage them to cling to life or to fight in order to keep living. Although it can motivate, I don't think that it is the reason for hope. Heaven and eternal life is NOT the primary motivator, rather, wanting to live a life of contentment, purpose, and calling should be.

I think that's one reason that I talk to many evangelicals who could care less about ending world poverty, fighting diseases like AIDS, and taking care of the environment. When you think that the point of Christ/God's message is the cross, heaven, and the return of Christ to, "make a new heaven and a new earth," then why worry about those passing issues. The focus of life for so many who obsess on the "last couple of chapters" is DEATH! Death to get to the afterlife and "converting" others to think this same way is the way to live life? That just seems a little off compared to the full story of God and Christ.

If Christ came to give life and hope...then perhaps we should not be focusing so much on the afterlife, but the path in front of us that journeys through the present life.

(photo, "Road to heaven" by john @ lightproofbox)

Poverty Wordle

see it bigger here

Cartoon Of The Day

Fishers of Men
Art by David Hayward

What is more astounding to me, is what's missing that you think WOULD/SHOULD be there!

thoughts?

God Bless America

Saw this as a new PostSecret and it rips my heart out.

Back

Front

$700 Bil. Bailout. I'm sure that this person will have their groceries delivered to their door next week!

The Greed Creed

From jonbirch @ ASBO.
Your thoughts?

Cartoon Of The Day

This is from a talented blogger David Hayward, who describes himself as an "artist trapped inside a pastor's body". I frequent his blog often and he has ministered to me in the past year since I was ejected from a church though his humor and artistic gifts.

This is not a holistic approach to Coldplay's "Viva La Vida" song, but it does make one pause and think. I think this can be applied to many things going on in the world today (hence why they wrote it), but this was a thought-provoking application.

This goes well with Nick and Josh's Podcast with Peter Rollins. I highly suggest listening (to all of them), but I esp. like this one!

Ok, enough plugs... thoughts?

Wordplay

This pic/ word-art is a result of a my friend and I playing around on the magnetic board in the Spiritual Care Dept. @ WakeMed. We were just goofing off and all of the sudden something profound appeared in front of us.

We talked about how it can mean different things for different people, but it actually has two meanings for me. One is from what I've discovered about myself during my CPE time, and another about what I've encountered while working with people at the hospital.

Mark Liked the word "Serenity" better than "Compassion" because that was what spoke to his life more.

What about you. Does this have any meaning to you? Any other word you would (re)place in this wordplay?

Also check out some Wordles I've made at the bottom of my column on the right.

Thoughts On Unity And The Cross

Art by Paul Soupiset

I've been thinking a lot over Lent and Easter about the idea of Christian Unity. This is a theme heavy on my heart, because it is so very lacking in the framework of Christianity these days.

We are soo divided over doctrine be it the theory of atonement, Biblical inspiration, or social issues like homosexuality. But there is a commonality between all who call themselves "Christian"...and that is Christ; esp. Christ on the cross. Now I know that some would say that Christ did die on the cross, but the story of his death and resurrection is metaphorical and not historical. So the other side says "we can't call you a "Christian" because you don't believe what I believe." But the other side says, "Why not? to be a Christian is to 'follow' Christ and live the life God created us to live, and Christ taught us to live. We are 'little Christs' which is a better translation for 'Christian'."

Just to clarify, I personally believe in the death and resurrection of Christ.... But I'm trying to look at things from multiple sides.

No one that I have known or read denies the crucifixion of Christ. I know that both of these sides (and all in-between) can't seem to reconcile their beliefs, but there is a sense that when we celebrated Easter, we were all standing around the empty cross (whether we were looking at it as he was raised, or that it was just empty and the Christ had been removed). We were all looking at the cross and could all celebrate the NEW BIRTH (a very common theme in the Bible) of a movement...one that we would eventually call "Christianity". I know many would argue, "you can't celebrate Easter because we are celebrating the resurrection!", but those on the other side would say, "we are celebrating the meaning of Easter, and the tradition of the death and resurrection theme of Easter. We are celebrating the history of the tradition, and what it means in our own lives."

Yet instead of uniting us, we (as the picture shows) put a lock on Christ and the event of the cross. Mostly, I find it is the side that believes in the traditional Easter (resurrection) saying, "no, this is our holiday, and you can't celebrate it and call yourself a 'Christian' unless you've done/believe A, B, and C!" How can we deny others to come to the foot of the cross? Who are we to say such a thing??? We spend so much time trying to divide, and in this instance (as an example, but I think we do this a LOT), push others away from the cross!!! What would Christ say to that?

I know it happens from both sides, but I see less tolerance and acceptance on the more traditional than the historical. Either way, I think we let ego get in the way of the spirit!!!! I'm as guilty in my life as anyone, hence why I spent so much time thinking about this before posting.
___________

But back to unity. I prayed this Lent and Easter for more Unity in the coming year. I pray for more discussion and less militant debate. I pray for less name-calling, and more embracing. At my discussion group last week we were talking about the ability to end poverty, world hunger, economic issues, etc... and a statement was made that hit me so hard.

I asked, "Is there hope for religion to solve the world's problems? Is it possible that a religion like Christianity can alleviate something like world poverty." The answer I got was this from several people (collaborative paraphrase): "no...it can't. It hasn't and it never will because the religious institution (constructs) is made built in such a way that it is naturally divisive. It draws lines to separate, no attempt to unite. Religions of the world have had how many years to unite and alleviate problems in this world? And they have yet to do so, because all they can do is draw lines and dig in."

I'm sorry to be pessimistic, but to an extent, I have to say that statement is true:/
_________________

Another thing that I wanted to share was something I read in Cokesbury Catalog; a statement by one of (if not THE) best renowned Old Testament Scholar, Walter Brueggemann. He States:

"What i am really interested in is the wrestling with the Bible in the church in the culture wars and the fact that the Bible is odd and does not fit any of our conservative predispositions or any of our liberal impulses.

I think the Bible puts us all on edge and reminds us of our idolatries. But what strikes me is how people who disagree can be together around the Bible. A personal note on that is that i reflect from time to time the spectrum of places to which I get invited to speak. I'm on the liberal Episcopal circuit with Marcus Borg, but in the spring I'm speaking to a Nazerine college. I think the reason I have access across the interpretive spectrum is that I try to stay close to the text and give people room for their own hearing of the text. As best we can, we have to try to hear the Bible without imposing our particular slant on it too soon. This is not easy, but we have to work at it. We have to give each other room and I think that is what it will take to recover energy for our mission.

What that gathering around the Bible requires is for EVERYBODY to give up CERTITUDE(Emphasis mine). Our lust for certitude is fed by the depth of anxiety that is in our society. for the church to name the anxiety so people can see what's going on is a big step toward moving toward the Bible in a way that lets us stay on edge.

If the anxiety is unnamed, you have to find ways to tone the Bible down, or it just feeds the anxiety. But if the anxiety is named and hailed, we have a chance of being addressed.

I am heartened by the new generation of evangelicals that is pulling back from right-wing craziness and I imagine the rising generation of liberals is likely not to be so shrill and imperialistic. So I have this hope that we may be arriving at a new posture, so we can practice the unity of the church, to which we are ALL called (Emphasis mine). That does not mean that we have to agree, but it means that we have to LISTEN to each other as we are all addressed. "

Look at his new book here!!!

I for one am really heartened and challenged by this great man's words. If we can't center ourselves around the cross, then we all go to the Bible as our MAIN source for Christian living. Regardless of our interpretation...perhaps acknowledging THAT can be a start???

____________________________

I'm not the smartest person in the world...all I know is that I long for unity within our world, and ESP. within our faith. If we want to help people find a better way to live, and we believe that Christ is a better way to live than the way the majority of people are living, then we need unity! If we want people to acknowledge Christ and his "way" (however you interpret that), then we cannot deny them access to the cross! If we want to change this world to mimic the Kingdom of God that Christ speaks of (in whatever way you interpret that), then we have to rally around our sacred scripture, no matter our interpretive differences, and stop attacking, but begin to dialog! Let our anxiety be known...confessed if you will. To God, and to each other!

It's time for us to take the lock off the cross and once again allow access to "all who are thirsty."

The Art of Consumption

Art from chris jordan...
Josh Brown posted a link that I caught today. I too had seen some of this before, but am blown-away by this art. Even though I have posted one of my fav. pics here, you need to go look through Jordan's page to see what else makes this art so great!!!

link: The Art Of Consumption by Chris Jordan

This one is called:
Skull With Cigarette, 2007 [based on a painting by Van Gogh]

Passion Via Moleskine

Some visuals for reflection on the passion of Christ

Happy Easter

Art by Paul Soupiset

UPDATE: Also a set of prayers from Scott McKnight's Blog....

O God, who for our redemption gave your only-begotten Son to the death of the cross, and by his glorious resurrection delivered us from the power of our enemy: Grant us so to die daily to sin, that we may evermore live with him in the joy of his resurrection; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

or this

O God, who made this most holy night to shine with the glory of the Lord’s resurrection: Stir up in your Church that Spirit of adoption which is given to us in Baptism, that we, being renewed both in body and mind, may worship you in sincerity and truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

or this

Almighty God, who through your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ overcame death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life: Grant that we, who celebrate with joy the day of the Lord’s resurrection, may be raised from the death of sin by your life-giving Spirit; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

___________________

May the Spirit of the cross...of Easter....put a spirit of unity in our hearts so that we may be find each one brothers and sisters in Christ regardless of theological differences!

A Postmodern Prodigal

“The Prodigal Son” by Tamara Paetkau
DISCLAIMER:

I want to make sure that this is understood. What I am about to type is NOT an interpretation of the story In Luke 15: 11-32 that we traditionally refer to as the "Prodigal Son". (A better title that is in most modern-day Bibles is "The Lost Son" in order to show that story's connection to the the two previous parables usually entitled "The Lost Sheep", and "The Lost Coin").

What I am giong to do comes close to allagory, although that is not my intent. An allagorical view/interpretation ruined the meaning of this passage for centuries. But again, I am not attempting an interpretation. My goal is to try to help others hear how this story could be (and is) connecting and reflecting the reality for many people.

I have sat on this entry for some time, thinking about it, praying about it, and talking with others who have helped validate and encourage this parallel between the story in Luke 15, and the reality that many people are facing in their faith and lives. First, this story is a PARABLE! Parables were stories that had some deeper meaning. Often they were story-puzzles that took people from something they were familiar with (farming, fishing, laboring, plants, animals, etc...), with which they would IMMIDIETLY connect, to some sort of twist, lesson, or conundrum on which they were to ponder. They usually go something like this:

Familiar story item/job/character----->new cultural/universal teaching---> Personal absorption and application.


I draw heavily on the SPIRIT of a parable, and try to focus there. This post centers around two similar questions: Since the power and longevity of parables START with us connecting to them, how then are many people today connecting with this timeless parable? How are many Postmodern people finding THEIR story in the story of the Lost Son?


Let's examine the story from a POV that many have expressed to me:
_____________________________

There are 3 Characters to the story: The younger son, The older son, and The father.

The majority of the tale centers around the younger son who goes up to his rich father and asks for his inheritance. The story never really gives the answer as to WHY the son wants to leave. I think that's one purpose. It leaves the door open for our own experiences to answer that question. The biggest reason this is considered the most beloved parable of all time (within the Bible and out) is because we can connect with this story in some personal way. How many times have we heard this story and looked at the son and said, "that's me!"?

We don't know what happened to make the son ask for his inheritance before his father's death. We do know this was a HUGE insult in that culture for a son to make because it was basically saying to the father, "I don't care about you or having a relationship with you. All I want is what I would get if you were dead, because I feel my life would be better with you dead than it is now with you alive!" At its most simple understanding, we find here a broken relationship. What happened? Who knows? All we know is that he would rather be ANY place but at his home with his family right now.

This is where many people today connect much differently than in past eras. The house/home for many has become "the Church". Something has happened between the Church/church and the person. This could be any number of things: they may have experienced pain, neglect, frustration, and/or abandonment. More and more we see people leaving the Church saying, "I'm not fulfilling my life (from a spiritual POV, although They realize that everything about them IS spiritual) here, and I am at the point that I think that I would be better of if you did not exist in my life." I know, harsh words, but I've heard people say things very similar to me and also to the churches they have left. As for the parable, all we know with the son is that he feels like leaving is his only option. Whatever the reason, the son feels that he is in a hopeless situation.

For many people, they feel like the Church owes them something. The Church promised them great things on which the Church never delivered. This could be any number of things. But the feeling is that they've been giving their time and effort, yet are not treated with respect, marginalized, and their ideas and ideals fall on deaf institutional ears. They begin to feel like their current situation, no matter how hard they try to "fix" it, or make it better, never changes! So they feel like their only option is to leave. This is not necessarily RUNNING (although in some cases I'm sure that happens), but hopelessness. so they find themselves in the story as the younger son...not knowing where they are going, but knowing they can't stay where they are. So they depart.

Notice that what the younger son leaves: a) a (familiar) way of living, b) his WHOLE family (father and brothers...possibly representing God and our "church family"), and c) the physical location of the house itself. He leaves the institution itself! That fact isn't missed on many who are finding themselves in the parable in this way.

We know that the son searches, questions, doesn't find what he's looking for! And for many right now, that's where their story stops! They cannot relate to the rest of the story because this is where they are. In limbo. In Purgatory. In hell. In between. Lost, Looking, and Longing for the satiation of their holistic thirst that involves their spirituality.

But there is more to the story of the son: So he begins to return home humiliated, defeated, and willing to beg and plead to be taken back into the life that he once knew, even if it means being at a lower level than he was before. The idea of returning to that hopeless situation is too much for many people. The pain is too deep or too fresh. The wounds haven't healed and their therapy hasn't ended. However, for others, they realize it's better to return to some semblance of what they had/knew than to stay in the limbo they are in. Some return and find another church that meets their needs and helps them fulfill their life-calling. Others go back and sit in complacency in the same environment that they left before...the hopelessness is still there, but they feel they are out of options. Familiar misery is better than unfamiliar wandering!

Now, here's where the story takes a twist that many are connecting with, but far more that connected earlier aren't. As the son is returning home, the father, who is and has been waiting, gets up and comes out of the house and RUNS to meet his son on the path BEFORE he can reach the house. There are many who sees something in this that was never meant to be there (at least I don't think). They see the father (again, usually representing God) LEAVE the institution! We see him kiss his son, and reinstate him as the son he was. The son doesn't have to even say his humiliating speech he's been practicing, The father is just glad to see his lost son again! The connection that many are making is that The "house" (institutional Ch./Religion) and the father (God) are NOT THE SAME THING!

God is bigger than a ch., The Ch., or even Christianity. The son EXPECTS one reaction from the father, but the father stops him and says, "look, you've got it all wrong... you've always had it all wrong! You've missed something. You thought or was taught that THIS was reality, when in fact I am showing you a NEW reality of myself. It doesn't have to be the way it was, it never had to be that way. This is not about a religion, its about a relationship. See, you expected me to act in one way, but I am THE FATHER, I act beyond your expectations, understandings and teachings. Come live in ME, not in your religion or institution." The father presents a NEW picture of reality different from the tradition/former reality that the son perceived when he left.



As Henri J. M. Nouwen shows us in his book, Return of the Prodigal Son, The real lesson in the parable is not about the son at all, but in the end about the father. A father that shows unconditional love, and unexpected reactions that stem from that love. He says that, yes, "at times we are like the younger son, and at times we are like the older son. However, we are called to be like the father." Inspired by Rembrandt's painting (on left), Nouwen spent years contemplating the parable and its meaning in our lives.

At this point in the story, a new view of "the father" is revealed to "the son", and the father redefines the new life and community in which the son returns. This is evident in the confrontation with the second son...the elder and "faithful" one who stayed behind. He stayed true to the "house" and, in his mind, the father. I think that those who allegorize that in staying and practicing the familiar/traditional is the lesser of the two is wrong. At this point, before the father reaches the eldest son, he has done nothing wrong. For those who find purpose in the familiar house/reality/way of living...well, the father was there all along. As a matter of fact I think that's what the father is pointing out.

The second son allows his jealousy, insecurity, self-absorption, insecurities, or simply not understanding get the way of a great historical event! Instead of seeing the joy that has come with the younger brother's return, the elder bro. now sees his own brother as a threat, even though they both share the same father. It's become about protecting his own reality and way of living, and thus the elder bro. misses the point altogether! The younger brother has reunited with the father, and the father wants the two brothers (now with different views of the father/status-quo/reality) to act like what they are...family! But the brother refuses. And what the father says is brilliant.

(a paraphrase)
Look son, all I've had has been yours all along. What have you done with it? I've treated you both with love....yet you can't even come and celebrate this new thing that's happening over here! You can't celebrate your brother, and in turn, you can't celebrate me!! Simply because I'm not acting the way you WANT/EXPECT me to act. I have defied your understanding/concept of me...But I am the father, not you! I do as I please. Now you can sit here and pout and let your anger sizzle. Sit here and think up all of these reasons why your brother is "wrong" and you are in the right. Think of ways to attack your brother and disown him as family. As for me, the father, I'll be over there celebrating our family and our love. I really want you to be there... for me and for your brother! Your brother came back lost and broken, but I have helped to bring life into the lifeless, hope to the hopeless... all because I can defy your dogmatic expectations! Today is a new day! It's the beginning of a new era! You have in front of you a choice... 1) Please, come and celebrate.... join with us and celebrate a new and diverse family that shares the same father... or 2) stay and pout, build up walls that you can defend, build syntax weapons to attack, but me....I'll be over there celebrating! If you choose to stay here with your anger, bitterness, and stubbornness, then you will not find me here!

So, we entitle this story as "The Story Of The Lost Son". But in the end which son ended up "lost"? There is no reconciliation with the elder son in the story. He is left with the choice. I'm not saying that he has to change his ways of going about loving and living with the father... but he will have to change his mindset! And that's where the story leaves us.

I don't preclude to present application from that, that would turn this retelling into an interpretation. I'm only pointing out that 1) since parables work on a level where we personally connect with them, then 2) these are the different levels at which many people's stories are finding connection within the parable. The beauty of this story is that it has the power to transcend time and become our own story. But as Nouwen states, the story is about us becoming like the father. There are points where both sons are not acting like the father... the question is, where do we find ourselves. I see Christians (both Postmodern and Modern) attacked from both sides. Harmony has left Christianity, and many people are beginning to leave with it. Thank goodness that God is bigger than religion! But when we fight amongst ourselves, we help drive them away! And a life with Christ is a better way to live than with the pigs! A life with the father is a better life than one in the limbo where many people who keep leaving are. Shouldn't we ALL be rejoicing when a brother or sister returns to the father, even if they find a different "reality" of the father than we grew up with?

Please don't hit me with exegetical shots here, I want to hear real thoughts... Again, please don't read this as an attack or an interpretation using this passage... Simply a new way in which this timeless classic is connecting with other people...the same way that it may connect with an individual who is fighting drugs, alcoholism, family abandonment, ridicule, ___________ fill in the blank. This story connects with each of us on a very personal level... and that's the story that I'm trying to tell... a new connection!

In Repair (pt 7): Offering

My friend and mentor TM has an awesome post over in his blog "twist of faith". It is a great post, but since I've read it I am haunted by the ending little story he tells of his daughter! I paste it here (but check out his whole post).

"And I am awed by Bailey's faith. By way of testimony, a couple of Sundays before her baptism, she took an offering envelop and filled out her name and put $0 on the amount line. Then, she wrote the following on the back and placed it in the offering plate: 'I love this church and I never want to leave!'"

Now I know how I like to rant about the Church sometimes (well...a lot, actually), but it's only because I love it so much. Granted, I don't love the institution, and I could care less about the buildings themselves (although there has been many Cathedrals in NY and Europe that have left me breathless), but I love the concept of what the Church should be...and in some cases/places, are!

Bailey's gesture represents how I feel about the Idea of the "church as community". If that church is a good place, a place I can trust, a place that is truly attempting to accomplish God's work of Kingdom Building in this world...then it is a place I want to offer myself fully and completely to! It is a place where I want to sit myself in the offering plate/basket/box and give my all to that community and its work! It is finding those places that I keep saying that is the hard part!

This is how I feel about church membership. I have completely removed myself from what it means in churches (at least in the Baptist world), because it seems to mean nothing more than having your name "on role" so that they may count you among their numbers! At my last 2 churches I separated the dates of me getting hired by the church and the time that I joined the ch. as a member. At my last ch. I did not join for a couple of months after I was hired....on purpose. I (or more specifically and realistically, the pastor (since no one ever complains to the person whom they are complaining about)) received complaints and questions as to why I had yet to join. When my wife and I did join shortly after, I stood up and made a statement about why I had put time in between. It went something like this:

I was hired by this ch. to do a job. I am paid to do that job. But I come before you today asking to be accepted, not as a hired minister, but as a fellow member. I separate these two things because to me, to be a member is to say that I am FULLY dedicated to being a part of the mission and ministry of this community beyond the duties of my job. To be a member is to be an active and engaged part of what it means to be ___insert name of ch. here______! To pull my weight as whatever part of the body I am called and needed to be!

Although I don't really hold to the old ways of membership, I need that place in my life where I can offer myself fully and completely to that community. Fortunately, the discussion community that I'm so lucky to be a part of, has, and is still becoming that place for me. I am fully dedicated to the success (not measured by any traditional markers, but by fulfilling the needs of those who's paths we can cross, whatever they may be) of this group. Still, I keep my eyes open in search of other communities that are doing what they are being called to do, where I will be accepted and loved unconditionally, where I can sit in their offering plate!

Thanks TM for sharing your stories!!!

"Jesus-Still Too Radical?"

Painting by Lars Justine

_________________

This picture has been getting some interesting reactions both online and off. Commissioned by Heavenly Sanctuary for their "Good News Tour". This painting was used on promotional posters with various sayings, and caused not only negative net reaction, but also out-right protests! My fav. saying (thus the title) on a poster is "Jesus-Still Too Radical?".

Obviously people don't like the idea of Christ washing Osama Bin Laden's feet like he did in humility and servitude for his disciples (even Judas who he predicts will betray him in the next section....hmmmmm!!!???). Some people I have showed this to have found it just as interesting (and I'm sure purposeful) that Christ will or has already washed President Bush's feet being how controversial he and this war is.


I personally applaud this painting! I think it speaks in a language that is hard to swallow, although the message is profound!


You can read more about the painting and an opinion over at Greg Boyd's Blog.


What are your thoughts?

The Label Lament

My mom once had a label maker. She went crazy with that thing. Little labels EVERYWHERE. Every container received a label. The container did nothing to deserve it, but simply because it was a container, it received a label. Everything had a title, whether the title fit the contents of the container or not didn't really matter. It could not stop her labeling frenzy. The best day was when that thing broke!

_______________

Don't Label Me

Don't label me.

For you will find

if you take the time,

that I don't fit

within your rhyme.

Don't bait your trap.

You cannot see

what there is inside of me.

Who I am

Who I'll be.

You think you know

every single time

what there is inside my mind.

behind these eyes

all things unwind.

But no one knows

There is no way

But there you are every day,

can't even hear

what I say;

Yet you try so hard

to tie me down

to place me in your circle round.

no box can hold;

no title sound.

What do I do?

What can I say,

So you won't label me today?

I've been set free

to fly away.

To find new places,

to see things anew.

To experience Go; just us two.

I come back

tell where I flew.

Let others see,

let others know

All the things God can show.

If we're set free

new seed we'll sew.

But don't label us

no names you'll find,

even those you shout behind.

There's no title

down our spine.

We are new,

not seen before,

you cannot find us in the store

of all you know;

of all you're sure.

Don't Label Me!

-by justin bowman

_-_-_-_-_

I never claimed to be a good poet, but I felt inspired:)

I'm getting sick of people trying to place me in their perceived bubble and stick their little label on me. Just because you place a label on me, doesn't make what that label says true (accurate). You can throw a giraffe in a lake and call him a swan, but you calling him that won't make him a swan. (I'm not a giraffe either btw:)

the reality of my life is that spirituality is messy, not nice and neat! It's jumping on a trampoline not holding up a brick wall. It's painting on a new canvas with broad strokes, not paint-by-numbers. I'm a TERRIBLE and messy painter (just so you know)!! It's molding and remolding clay trying to find a better model of myself that looks like the person Christ/God wants to mold me into. It's trying to write a symphony, when you only know how to play the guitar. It's breaking out of the general population of prison, only to have the warden put place you back in solitary confinement. It's cold feet before the wedding. It's opening a book that you want to read only to find that the jacket is not really what the book is. It's spring cleaning at my house. It's operating on Window's Vista Ultimate and not being able to run any software. It looks less like Monet and more like Pollock (both are beautiful and both are art BTW).

These may seem like meaningless ramblings and abstract analogies, but those that TRULY know me well will get all of them (my wife for instance). Others that haven't known me as long will not get ALL of them, but will know what I'm talking about with some. But the random reader and those that think they know me, but are too busy labeling me to truly listen, will prob. not have a clue what those mean! You can Interpret what I may mean by those, but your interpretation and the actual meaning may be off. But unless one tries to get to know me, or simply asks, they will go along with their interpretation of my life and misrepresent the original intent.

AND THAT'S THE POINT! I know me, God knows me even better! So just stop already. I don't claim to know you, I don't try to put labels on people. I hate labels!

In the words of the great philosopher/theologian Tom Petty:

"You don't know what it's like,

no you don't know what it's like

to be me."

No one knows what it's like to be me!

A Budding Paradox

Flower in the crannied wall

Flower in the crannied wall,

I pluck you out of the crannies,

I hold you here, root and all, in my hand,

Little flower--but if i could understand

What you aare, root and all, and all in all,

I should know what God and Man is.

--Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809-1892)

Always more questions than there are answers... that's living my life in the gray.