Thoughts While Observing Life

I love when I sit back and watch kids doing an activity, and all of the sudden something they've done teaches me a lesson. I truly think that there is endless depth to the ideas of "faith like a child" and how much kids have to teach us!

Yesterday at a birthday party that I was taking photos for, I watched as my wife led some different activities for the group of kids ages 4-6. One of the activities had the kids putting in different ingredients to make something between Silly Putty and Nickelodeon slime. However, as with happens with a bunch of kids and a little chaos, the ingredients weren't measured correctly and it didn't come out like it was supposed to.

But here's the thing that really hit me. The stuff still felt weird, slimy and cool while they were mixing it up with their eager little hands. They were so excited by the most simple of senses: touch. They would say things like, "ewwwwww", "gross," and "that's so cool". But they could not get enough of touching the wet putty-like substance. Did they care that it didn't turn out like it was supposed to in the end? NO! Not in the least! They were so in the moment simply enjoying that instance in their journey.

Too often we waste each moment of our lives by looking for what's on the other side. As we grow older, we seem to lose the sense of excitement and giddiness that comes with the moment...with the journey.

Man, we have so much to learn from kids. There is something unblemished...innocent... something holy in them that seems to fade as we become adults. Perhaps we can blame life for doing that to us...or perhaps we should blame ourselves for ALLOWING life to take it from us. Perhaps we can be retaught to immerse ourselves in each moment of our journey!

QotW

This weeks "Quote of the Week"comes from Mat Kearney's new CD. From "On And On":

On and on and on we pray, we can break into a brighter day
Nothing worth anything ever goes down easy
On and on and on we go, I don't understand this windy road
Nothing worth anything ever goes down easy

The chorus just caught me on the road yesterday, and I've been listening to it a lot. It really has resonated on several levels. I think back to our faith community, Metavista Community, spending a couple of months trying to tackle the big issues that plague our world (Poverty, Hunger, Corruption, Trafficking, HIV/AIDS, etc...) and how overwhelming it is, as well as how much work we (not just our group, but everyone!) have to do.

On top of that, how hard it is to help people see 1) that there is a problem, 2)why it's a problem, and 3) why they should help to fix the problem. Even in that, convincing people that there IS a light at the end of the tunnel, the the Kingdom of God IS possible on earth as Christ taught, and helping them to BELIEVE in those possibilities is a deep challenge when Christianity is plagued by infighting and an unwillingness to work with other faiths and ideals other than their own.

It would be soo easy to give up! I could go on living the way I have been, or I can go in a DIFFERENT direction and act out of a faith that says, "we can break into a brighter day". That is the only way that we will be able to get anything done. We have to BELIEVE and ACT out of the belief of "repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand." Matt. 3:2).

Because to say it is one thing, but to truly believe it and act out of that belief is something quite different...and I believe, quite extraordinary!

Photography my Arthur Morris-Kenya

Elizabeth Warren on the Economy

An interview with Elizabeth Warren on last night's Daily Show.
I thought this was a good and one of the most educational and informative interviews out of all the "experts" that have been interviewed on any network/show. Perhaps it is because I feel like finally someone is being honest with us (good and bad), as well as keen insight on the economic trends through history, and on the precipice that we are on economically RIGHT NOW!

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	M - Th 11p / 10c
Elizabeth Warren Pt. 1
thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Economic Crisis Political Humor

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	M - Th 11p / 10c
Elizabeth Warren Pt. 2
thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Economic Crisis Political Humor

I think, like John Stewart, that after this, this is the first time I have felt a little better...can we say possibly...hopeful?

I also like Warren's text called "The Vanishing Middle Class" in the book, Ending Poverty in America: How to Restore the American Dream, which is an issue close to my heart (at least the widening gap between the wealthy and the poor). As is stated in the book, I think the issue of the emerging gap and polarization between classes and the issue of poverty go hand-in-hand...not just in America, but also on a global scale!

Any thoughts?

Relativism Pt.1: The Article

This is an article (below) that has been posted on several blogs and has been emailed to me a couple of times both as just a "check this out!" and asking my opinion. It is an article from Relevant Magazine written by the famous John Piper and Abraham Piper. It is their perception on the issue of relativity. The whole article is worth a read, so I will post the article while I continue to gather my thoughts for a follow-up. I've already posted a few thoughts in an earlier post trying to give a layman's understanding of the term "relativity" as used in our culture.

If you go to the page with the article, there are already some good comments.

IN THE MEANTIME:
what are your thoughts? Agreements? Disagreements? Questions?
let me know.
j
______________________
(original source)

Some people take the word “relativism” to refer to something bad. Others are obviously more comfortable with it. So I had better clarify what I mean by it. There are good ways of thinking relatively and there are bad.

When Truth Is Relative

If I say Abraham Lincoln was tall, that statement will be true or false in relation to (that is, relative to) the standard of measurement. “Abraham Lincoln was tall” is true in relation to me—and men in general. But the statement “Abraham Lincoln was tall” would be false in relation to the Sears Tower or, say, the average adult giraffe. So we say that the statement is true or false relative to the standard of measurement.

This is an indispensable way of thinking. Many examples from our daily lives could be given. My father was old when he passed away. True, relative to men. False, relative to civilizations or Redwoods. That car was speeding. True, relative to the 35 mph speed limit. False, relative to NASCAR. That baby’s cry is loud. True, relative to ordinary human conversation. False, relative to thunder. And so on.

The reason we do not call this way of thinking relativism is that we assume he who says Abraham Lincoln was tall and he who says Lincoln was short both believe there is an objective, external standard for validating the statement. For one, the standard is human beings, and for the other, it’s giraffes. So as soon as the two people know what standard the other is using, they can agree with each other, or they can argue on the basis of the same standard. This is not relativism.

Relativism is when a person would prefer to say something like: “There is no objective, external standard for measuring the truth or falsehood of the statement ‘Abraham Lincoln was tall.’ And even if there were, it would be unknowable and I wouldn’t want to base my convictions on it.”

This sounds silly as long as we are talking about Abraham Lincoln’s height. So let’s shift over to something relevant. Consider the statement “Sexual relations between two males is wrong.” Two people may disagree on this, but that doesn’t necessarily mean either of them is a relativist. They may both say, for instance, “There is an objective standard for assessing this statement—namely, God’s will revealed in the Bible.” Then one may say the Bible teaches that this is wrong, and the other may respond, “No, it doesn’t.” That’s not relativism.

It would be relativism if someone said, “There is no standard for right and wrong that is valid for everyone. You may believe that sexual relations between two males is wrong, but you can’t claim that others should submit to that standard.”

What does this imply about truth? Relativists may infer from this that there is no such thing as truth. It is simply an unhelpful and confusing category since no standard is universal. Or they may continue to use the word “truth” but simply mean what conforms to one’s own subjective preferences. You may prefer the Bible or the Quran or the Book of Mormon or Mao’s Little Red Book or the sayings of Confucius or the philosophy of Ayn Rand or any of a hundred other standards. These relativists will use the language of “true for you, but not true for me.” In either case, we are dealing with relativism.

The essence of relativism is the conviction that statements—like “Sexual relations between two males is wrong”—are not based on truth that is valid for everyone. There’s no such thing. Concepts like true and false, right and wrong, good and bad, beautiful and ugly are useful for expressing personal preferences or agreed-upon community values, but they aren’t universally valid standards.

Assessing Relativism

The claim that there is no one standard for truth and falsehood that is valid for everyone is deeply rooted in the desire of the fallen human mind to be free from all authority and to enjoy the exaltation of self. This is where relativism comes from. Relativism is not a coherent philosophical system. It is riddled with contradictions—both logical and experiential.

Sophomores in college know something is fishy when someone claims all truths are relative. And every businessman knows that philosophical relativists park their relativism at the door when they go into the bank and read the language of the contract they are about to sign. People don’t embrace relativism because it is philosophically satisfying. They embrace it because it is

physically and emotionally gratifying. It provides the cover they need to do what they want.

So this is something we should avoid and grieve over and labor to overcome. And it seems to me that one of the ways we might make some headway in preventing ourselves from embracing relativism and rescuing others from it is by simply pointing out how evil and destructive some of its effects are.

The Evil and Destructive Effects of Relativism

I. Relativism is treasonous.

Relativism is a revolt against God. God’s very existence creates the possibility of truth. He is the ultimate and final standard for all truth claims. When relativism says that there is no standard of truth and falsehood that is valid for everyone, it speaks like an atheist. In rebelling against the very concept of divine law, relativism commits a treason that is worse than outright revolt because it is devious. Instead of saying to God’s face, “Your Word is false,” it says to man, “There is no such thing as a universally binding divine word.”

II. 
Relativism is dishonest.

Everyone knows in his heart that believing relativism to be true is self-contradictory. Everyone also knows intuitively that no one even tries to put it into practice consistently. Therefore, both philosophically and practically, it cultivates duplicity. People say they believe in it, but they don’t think or act consistently with what they say. They are hypocrites. You can’t be an authentic relativist.

This becomes more obvious as relativists live their lives. They simply do not live as though relativism is true. Professors play the academic game of relativism in their classes and then go home and get upset with their wives for misunderstanding them. Why do they get upset? Because they know that there is an objective meaning that can be transmitted between two human beings, and we have moral obligations to grasp what is meant. No husband will ever say, “Since all truth is relative, it doesn’t matter how you interpret my request for sex.” Whether we write love letters or rental agreements or instructions to our children or directions for a friend or contracts, we believe objective meaning exists in what we write, and we expect people to try to understand it. Then we hold them accountable if they don’t.

The very process of thinking about relativism commits you to truths that you do not treat as relative. Relativists employ the law of non-contradiction and the law of cause and effect whenever they talk about their belief in relativism, and these laws are not relative. If they were, relativists could not even formulate the premises and conclusions that lead them to relativism. This is a deep duplicity. And when one does it knowingly, it is immoral.

III. Relativism hides that we are straying from the truth.

One of the most tragic effects of relativism is the effect it has on language. In a culture where objective truth is esteemed and employed for the good of the people, language holds the honorable place of carrying that precious cargo of truth. In fact, a person’s use of language is assessed on the basis of whether it corresponds to the truth and beauty of the reality he expresses. But when objective truth vanishes in the fog of relativism, the role of language changes. When language no longer exists to relay truth, all that’s left is for it to be a tool to fulfill the wishes of the one using it.

This gives rise to every manner of spin. The goal of language is no longer the communication of reality, but the manipulation of reality. When language becomes relativistic, it no longer functions to affirm the truth, but to conceal when we stray from it. Relativism corrupts the high calling of language and makes it a disguise for those who don’t have the courage to publicly renounce the faith they say they have.

This is the exact opposite of the commitment Paul had in the way he used language. He writes, “We have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God” (2 Corinthians 4:2, NRSV).

IV. Relativism cloaks greed with flattery.

Apparently, the apostle Paul was accused in Thessalonica of simply wanting money from his converts. When he responds to this, he shows the link between flattery and greed. “Our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness” (1 Thessalonians 2:3–5).

Flattery is the use of language to make someone feel good about himself with a view to getting what you want. Paul calls it a pretext for greed. When relativism removes truth from language, language goes on sale. If we can get more money by telling people what they want to hear, we will.

Relativism is the perfect atmosphere for turning language into a pretext for greed by flattering people with what they want to hear. This is no surprise to Paul. “The time is coming,” he says, “when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth” (2 Timothy 4:3–4).

V. Relativism cloaks pride with the guise of humility.

On Sept. 9, 1999, Minneapolis’ Star Tribune carried a lead editorial that said, “Christians must abandon the idea that the Jews must be converted. That idea ... is one of the greatest scandals in history.” So I wrote a letter to the editor and argued that since only “he who has the Son has life” (1 John 5:12), it is not scandalous, but rather loving, to urge Jewish people to receive Jesus as their Messiah. This brought a blistering letter from the pastors of the four largest churches downtown. They wrote, “Unfortunately ‘arrogant’ is the right word to describe any attempts at proselytizing—in this case the effort of Christians to ‘win over’ their Jewish brothers and sisters. Thoughtful Christians will disassociate themselves from any such effort.”

The point of that story is if you believe in one truth that all people must embrace in order to be saved, you will be called arrogant. On the other hand, relativism is seen as humility. I certainly won’t say all lovers of truth are humble, but I do want to suggest that relativism is not humble; it’s a cloak for pride.

It works like this. Truth with a capital T—Truth rooted in God’s Word—is a massive, unchanging reality—outside of us—that we little humans must submit to. True humility is to acknowledge this and put ourselves submissively under this reality’s authority.

But what about relativism, which denies this reality exists? It poses as humble by saying, “We are not smart enough to know what the truth is—or if there is any universal truth.” It sounds humble. But look carefully at what is happening. It’s like an employee saying, “I am not smart enough to know who my boss is—or if I even have a boss—so I must not have a boss. I guess I’ll be my own.” In claiming to be too lowly to know the truth, relativists exalt themselves and make themselves the supreme arbiter of what they can think and do. This is not humility; it’s the essence of pride. And the only way pride can be conquered in us is for us to believe in Truth and be conquered by it, so that it rules us and we don’t rule it.

Embrace the Truth Whose Name Is Jesus Christ

Relativism is treasonous against God and dishonest to our fellow believers. It tempts us to put ourselves first and make our own desires more important than anything else. What a bondage! But it is not a bondage from which there is no freedom. Remember Jesus’ words: “The truth will set you free.” If you trust Christ to protect you from harm, and bring you safely to His eternal Kingdom, and be for you the supreme Treasure of the universe, then you will be free to see the truth and embrace the truth and love the truth and be passionate about the truth whose name is Jesus Christ.

The Free Market god

Steven Colbert's "The Word" from Monday night after the failed financial bailout. I thought this very interesting. I mean we NEVER equate our consumerist free-market with the Christian faith... right? Enjoy:) (Actual "The Word" begins @ 2:12 into it).

On Judgement

These are some raw thoughts that I've been kicking around in part due to my "True<" post and part due to the circumstances in my life and ministry in the past year+. I'll admit that once you are fired for NOT judging others, it is hard to let this theme go. At the same time, it is also a challenge not to stand in judgment of those who have wronged me. This theme keeps rearing its ugly head, and this is my attempt to vocalize my thoughts on this topic, while admitting that I am speaking about myself first, and others in general second. It is meant as simply an exploration of an idea; an understanding, with no intention to offend or inflict pain. Please respect it as such.

ANY AND ALL THOUGHTS ARE WELCOME!!!!
_________________

On Judgment and Judging Others:

When we become judgemental of others (and we all do it), we judge them based on the (perhaps unconscious) concept that we are closer to "perfection" (as we understand it) than that person is, and that we are closer to perfection that is that person.

Therefore, we feel free to stand in condemnation and conviction over someone who does not measure up to our "ideal". This could be someone we call a heretic because they have differing beliefs than we do. It can be someone who is gay, had premarital sex, had an abortion, committed adultery, has been in prison, and on it goes. It even seems that some want to be the judge of women who seek the pulpit in fulfillment of their calling (article here) from God. Is it our right to judge these people?

Because we see ourselves as "closer to perfection" than those around us, we give into our nature to be judgmental. Yet we have all "sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." (Rom. 3:23). We have all come up short next to perfection. And God, by the very nature and definition, is perfection.

Therefore, Judgment rests SOLELY in the realm of God, and is never perceived as a task for mankind. Yes, we have a court system for offences of a person against another person. But that is the task of the institution, not of the individual. Perhaps being judicial and being judgmental are two different things. One proceeds justice, while the other breeds injustice!

We are never called in our scriptures to stand in judgment over another person for something we perceive to be "sinful". No, indeed we have only one command: "to love others as [Christ] has loved [us]." (John 15:12). Or perhaps, since it is a comparison between two people/groups, the command to "love your neighbor as [you love] yourself." (Mt. 22:39).

We are commanded to love ALL regardless of how short we think/perceive they fall from OUR standards... from OUR "ideal". We are to leave to perfection...to THE DAVINE the task of "separating the wheat from the tares" (Matt. 13:24-29).

We may just be surprised to find how man people we considered to be the weeds/tares who are actually the healthy, life-giving grain. Conversely, we may be even more surprised to discover that all of this time we have spent in condemnation of others, indeed we were the ones that God considered to be the destructive weeds in the earth. Perhaps that what we should think of when we consider judgment; not the perceived flaws in others, but how we are fulfilling God's commands in our lives.

And what happens when we finally see God and God doesn't see things the same way we do? What happens when those that we deemed to be guilty, are held up as shining examples of God's work in this world (much like the centurion in Matt. 8), and those that we deemed worthy and good, are chastised by God? Will we then stand in judgment of God, for that seems to be the way we act now in our arrogance of "knowledge" about God and Judgment. Or perhaps this is what it truly means when the scriptures say, "As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God." (Romans 14:11).

Every person will bow in humility at how holy and righteous God is, and how far off we might have been in our judgment. We will then have to trust God's judgement, in whatever way it is manifest. There will be nothing we can do about it from our prone positions. We will finally be faced with having to accept God as is, not as we want or "know" God to be.

In conclusion, perhaps we're we too busy trying to BE God that we fell short of allowing God to work in and through us? Perhaps we fall short in allowing God to make us into whom God wants us to be, because we're too busy trying to play God instead. God wants to make us instruments of love in this world. It is in allowing God to transform us into the light of the world...the love of the world, that we find that we are too busy to judge. All of our time and energy has been taken up by being love.

In The Midst Of Suffering (A Prayer)

Photo by: Justin Bowman

I heard a prayer today. I'm not being condescending towards this person, it's just that a word stood out in that person's prayer today that struck me as something that I've heard said all of my life, yet didn't listen to and think about until now.

The prayer:
Help us to learn to worship you regardless of what's going on in our lives.

That one word stuck out like bold print on a white background:) I thought about what this was truly communicating (although to be fair, I'm not sure that what was said was what was meant... sometimes people aren't as cognitive of words and meaning as we should be). To be clear, I know the person meant well in his prayer.

REGARDLESS: (Wiktionary)
1) Having no regard
2) Actioned in a way which shows no consideration for a subject or the status of a situation.
3) Paying no attention to.

I think God has consideration towards the things in our lives. I don't think it is realistic to have no regard towards the things weighing on your life... in fact, I my personal belief is that God wants us to see him in the midst of all aspects of our lives (positive and negative).

I think that there is a lot of dualistic mentality about worship. Like I said, I'm not sure that this is what this person was ACTUALLY trying to say, but I HAVE heard people pray and say things about leaving what's bothering us outside the door in order for us to be able to worship. Does life/reality keep us from worshipping? Do we need to check reality/our lives at the door in order to "learn to worship"?

I think what the person meant to say (in the context of the theme/topic for today) was something like this:

Help us to learn to worship you even in the midst of the things going on in our lives.
or
Teach us to how to find/practice worship in all things in our lives.

I think that this is a more Biblical and practical goal.... but a MUCH harder thing to learn and put into practice. We shouldn't, and CAN'T put aside what's going on in our own lives in order to "do worship", since worship isn't an event but the attitude in which we approach life. Therefore, the REAL challenge is bringing worship into the situations in which we find ourselves each day.

Exploring The Journey

Yes, I know! I can't believe I'm posting a Louis Vuitton commercial on my site. I don't see what the big deal is about these purses (of course I am biased falling into the category of one who does not carry a purse). But What do I know about fashion. I just see how expensive they are (unless you get a knock-off, and think of where else that money could be used. But that's just me?!?

Anyway, I've been mesmerized by this commercial that I happen to see lately, not because of the product being sold (for the first couple of weeks I couldn't even tell you what they were selling), but for the words and questions they display.

I give a nod to the person(s) that came up with this ad, it resonates with me in a way that is very personal. I don't think I'm the only one...but sorry, I'm still not buying myself a Louis Vuitton bag:)





What are your thoughts? Anything you would add or take away?

Land of Confusion

I saw this remake of the song "Land Of Confusion" by Disturbed. Originally by Genesis, This song video caught my attention quickly. I was drawn to the Todd McFarlane (of Spider-man and Spawn comic fame) graphics and vision. Once I saw what the video was representing, I was even more drawn to it. It reminds me of "V For Vendetta"

In a world where everything seems upside down from what it should be, it was refreshing to see this harsh-yet-hopeful vision of the video. In a world where we are bombing and killing for oil, where sports stars get payed more than teachers, where love of money motivates more than love for humanity, where power and control seem to trump humility and meekness... this truly feels like a "land of confusion".

I know it is so far from what the Kingdom of God is supposed to be taking us. The money we spend on weapons could eleviate world poverty and hunger. This is a world where there seems to be more greed, anger, and hatred than love and compassion.

But it isn't just the video that is worth taking a look at. Here's some of the lyrics:



There's too many men, too many people
Making too many problems
And there's not much love to go around
Can't you see this is a land of confusion?

This is the world we live in
And these are the hands we're given
Use them and let's start trying
To make it a place worth living in

Oh, superman, where are you now?
When everything's gone wrong somehow?
The men of steel, these men of power
Are losing control by the hour

I won't be coming home tonight
My generation will put it right
We're not just making promises
That we know we'll never keep

There's too many men, too many people
Making too many problems
And there's not much love to go round
Can't you see this is a land of confusion?

Now, this is the world we live in
And these are the hands we're given
Use them and let's start trying
To make it a place worth fighting for

This is the world we live in
And these are the names we're given
Stand up and let's start showing
Just where our lives are going to

_____________________

For what it's worth (nastalgia?), here's the Genesis video:

Confessions

"alone" foto from http://twolips.wordpress.com/

I am not a person who often publishes raw feelings on my blog. Even my "thoughts in progress" tab/topics have been thrown around somewhat, and have been allowed to mature and settle before posting. But tonight, I found myself just typing my raw emotionally-driven thoughts and have found not only some therapy in that, but also something deeper that I can't explain. I am not a perfect person, and I never want to be seen as one. I value authenticity and honesty, and that's where these words are coming from. So I have decided to share them. Its poetic in some sense, because wrestling with these questions of who I am supposed to be (esp. in the context of my calling) was the whole reason I began this blog 137 posts ago. This is why I've never changed my profile "about me". It reminds me that my journey continues; I'm still in search of the person that I am being called to be.

So, this is my confession. These are my thoughts as of tonight after a very rough, and emotionally draining day. Some editing has been done to better clarify a thought that would not make sense without context, and to take out names. This is not meant to be a polished post, but instead, these are my raw emotions tonight that have been building up over a long period! I'm not looking for pity or sympathy, this was just something I needed to do, and I feel that is a part of my healing process to share. Suggestions/advice are welcome, but that's not the reason for this post either. I know us protestants have gotten away from the idea of confession, but there's something cathartic about laying it all out there and allowing the world to see who you are, flaws, doubts, pain and all. It may seem pointless to most, but perhaps some good will come of this. I feel LED to publish this...and at this point, feeling led is becoming a rarity...so I must cherish the opertunity when it arises!
______________________

I know I feel called to DO something! What that is? I have no clue. I'm overwhelmed by the need out there in the world (as I sit in my own world in my living room). I care about SOOOOO much! World poverty, Aids, the Environment, civil rights, human rights, world hunger, genocide, etc..

The problem is that I feel sooo overwhelmed by how big these issues are and how little I can do about them. The world and all of its problems are my responsibility as a follower of Christ, but I can't figure out where to begin, and what in the world I can do! I can do small things, but I question, "in the end, will that have been enough?" I want to enable others into action so that more people together can accomplish bigger things, but again, in the end will even that be enough?

I personally feel like none of the answers to any of my questions lie in the old, only in the new. The old informs the new, the past informs the present and the future, but there's a veil in front of whatever that "new" is that I'm searching for.

Something was said to me today that I've been thinking a lot about: "the opposite of depression is not happiness, its human vitality". So if I'm not feeling like I'm living my life to the fullest, then am I closer to depression? It feels like it! A lot like it!

Going back to the whole reason I started my blog (and is seen in wit in my profile description about being Spider-man), is that deep down I want my life to mean something. Not because I want nice things said at my funeral, I honestly could care less. Ask my wife, a point of contention we have, I'm like, "just burn my body, scatter my ashes and be done with it!" But I honestly want to know that my life made a difference in this world....more specifically, that my life and my actions have bettered the lives of others! But again, the more issues/problems I see, the more overwhelmed I become because the less I feel that I'm being productive.

Yes, I have a huge Messiah Complex and I'm the first to admit that. IDK, I've always been like that. It's just what I feel like my life is for! I felt that way even before I became a Christian. I knew that I wanted my life to count towards something important that made a difference in the world. But looking at the world, I feel like I do when I look at our office here that Ali's been begging me to clean and throw out stuff. There's SOOO much, that I stand in the door frozen not knowing where to begin. Thus, I get frustrated and depressed and nothing gets done. That's how I feel about my place in life compared to my calling right now.

I make it sound easy and simple, and in a way it is! Love God and love Neighbor. But a wise person could meditate on the meaning of that all of his or her life and never reach a full understanding of the concepts. It is both profoundly simple, and deeply complex at the same time. I want to say to myself, "stop thinking, just start walking and the first thing I come across that I can do, then do. Let that be difference I make for that day. And the next day I walk a little further and DO. And further I go each day, until I am affecting things on a bigger scale... dare I dream it to be a more global scale? For if we are walking in the shadow of Christ and caring about the things Christ cared about, we don't have to say a word, all we need to do is just do.

And we will pick up some help along the way??? We’ll have to in order to effect bigger change. But it’s not about marketing a product like Christianity...its about going out and doing because its what We're supposed to do. It's less like the Ch.'s modern approach of doing "missions" in order to up attendance. No, its more like the running scene in Forest Gump. He just ran, and ran, and ran, and people joined him. He didn't have to say a thing. He just ran, and somehow people got that without ryme or reason, without explination. Living like Christ is contagious, and needs far fewer words than we've used in modern Christian history.

But where will this journey take us? It might take me 2 blocks over to the Latino section of my own neighborhood, or to the wake crisis ministry in downtown Apex on day one. It could take me to a homeless shelter, or the food bank. I may find myself giving my coat to a person on Hillsboro St. who's cold. It may take me to a new town or city. It might even take me to the farthest reaches of the world. Or maybe not. Who knows? However, I imagine the further I go each day, the more I lose in terms of what I've been brought up to believe mattered ($, prestige, pride, possessions, etc...), but in turn I gain the things that do matter (love, compassion, humility, servant hood, direction, purpose, etc...).

But all of that sounds good in theory. Will it work? At this point in my cynical life, I have no freakin' idea? For the first time ever, I am not comfortable with where my life is. I see no light at the end of a tunnel, no hope, no direction. This would be my wilderness I would say. And the desert around me is so vast that I don't know which way to move, even though I know moving in ANY direction is better than standing still. But there I stand frozen. Waiting...Wondering....Wishing

What has brought this on? I'm not completely sure. Does having bad church experiences play into this? Does being hurt so badly by those who are supposed to be my brothers and sisters factor in? I would be lying if I said no. It plays a really BIG part. But I also realize that there are other things that play into this too! I am not placing blame, I am admiting a reality. The truth is that many experiences, the bad ch. stuff being the most recent and harmful, all play a part in where I am today.

Waiting...Wondering....Wishing

I wonder if for the first time in my life I'm actually mad at God...not because I blame him for something he's done...but because I want to serve him so badly, yet it seems no doors are opening for me. I ask my question, "if I want to serve you so badly, then why won't you lead my willing heart?" Yet there's silence in the wilderness. I see a bush, but it does not burn. I look out to a sea that will not part.

I am trying to "walk my block", but my calling is so up in the air right now. I don't think I knew how much pain and hurting I was in until today, when, after talking with a friend and mentor, I realized how distressed and cynical I've become in less than a year's time. I have no answer to how I got to the place I'm at, but here I am, and all I want to do is move forward, but I can't figure out what's keeping me from moving my legs!

so my philosophy for my life today is, "this sucks!"

so at this point, I am a person who is sick and in need of something more than a cure. I diminish Christ when I subjugate him to ONLY being a cure to a disease. Jesus more than just a "cure to the human condition; more than simply an answer to a question?" (I think that's how Rob Bell puts it) So if he's more than that, then I too am in need of something much more drastic. New Life? Rebirth? Resurrection? Maybe when all this is done, I'll finally have a better understanding of what those things truly mean! Perhaps one can't really understand these concepts until they first experience the death of themselves. Not in a suicidal way, but strictly metaphorical: I'm ready for this old me to die so that the new can be reborn within me!!!!

Reflection

I've been thinking a lot about what's next for me. I've been asking questions about my calling now (I know that my general calling hasn't changed, but am still searching for my spicific calling as in what to do next).

Here's the thought that popped into my head the other day....thought I would share:

"I seem to be caught somewhere in between imagination and common sense."

Since then I've added to that a positive statement:

"But at least I can mostly distinguish between the two!"

The State of the Union: Ch. v. State

This is the first of my posts on a response to the religious implications of Obama's MLK speech that I posted previously. If you haven't watched it all, please, please take the time. I think it's worth it. A more brief (but less effective IMHO) transcript can be found here on The Daily Dish Blog from The Atlantic.com.

This first post I want to focus on politics from the pulpit. Is there a place for politics in the Church? I grew up with a stout Southern Baptist upbringing (that at least the Southern part I have departed from), that taught (although not exemplified) s strong belief in the doctrine of the Separation of Church and State. This has been a foundational doctrine since the conception of the Baptist denomination. But what does this doctrine mean?

I've studied many aspects and takes on this doctrine, but we must first understand that this doctrine was a reaction to the Anglican Church and a government-controlled Christianity. Baptists, as with most break-away denominational start-ups in early America, founded this doctrine in REACTION to the world reality that they had escaped. Religious Liberty was a huge issue (one I'll save for another post) with the churches in a young America.

As for the Constitution, it is often misunderstood that it actually calls for the "Separation of Ch. and State," but here's what the first amendment actually says: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof...(online source). Although not specifically stated as most people believe, the thoughts that there should be boundaries between religious beliefs and the newly established US government are there.

So where does that leave us today? What is the role of Religion and Politics in this country? I will argue that morality transcends religions. We, as a country, are too mixed in our religious beliefs that we can't push (as Southern Baptists have done so well) a "Christian" political agenda. Whether we were founded as a "Christian" nation or not (an opinion that I won't post here), We are no longer a "Christian nation"! In fact, it is our diversity that makes this country so great because it creates some checks and balances in society.
I am relieved to see that the Religious Right seems to not have a voice or pull on the candidates of this upcoming election. It's not that they aren't entitled to their moral beliefs, it's just that those of other religions, and even those also within Christianity, may not share those specific moral beliefs that have seemed to be the deciding factor (even over the war in Iraq) in past elections. The candidates are supposed to represent the PEOPLE who make up America, not a specific religion or people group that thinks they are the foundation of America.

I believe that the government should have no say in matters of religion unless a legal exception occurs. I think that's the true spirit of the first amendment, although the debate continues on. What about OUR religious beliefs and their place in politics? I think it was Brian McLaren who said, "we should be the conscience of the government." (I could be wrong on who said that, if so please correct me). What does that mean? Well, the government has to make moral decisions based on a transcendent morality (one that transcends any SINGLE religion), and religious people need to respect that boundary within our government. The issues that majority of people can NOT agree on (homosexuality, abortion, stem cell research, etc...), that seem to have driven past elections, should not be issues that religions should push our elected officials towards. However, because of us living in a free/democratic country, we should use the assets of our system to further transcendent moral responsibilities. The gray area is where to draw that line.

In Obama's speech he talks about war, peace, poverty, education, health care, civil rights, equality, genocide, environment, and world hunger. He's not the only politician focusing on these issues. Even as Edwards bowed out of the presidential race today, he was adamant that the voice of those in poverty and other causes he has voiced be heard. He went as far as contacting Clinton and Obama and asking that they continue to fight to allow those voices to be heard and represented. These are REAL issues where some progress can be made (and idealistically, the issues can be eliminated altogether). There's a reason that Bush campaigned against abortion, gay rights, stem cell research, etc... yet not real progress towards those agendas have been made. We as a country are morally divided on these issues. But we can rally around these other bigger issues, because these moral issues listed above are relevant in most all religious teachings, and yet, at the same time, transcend all religions.

These are the issues that the religious people should be pushing our government towards action. These are the issues that the US has the resources and power to influence for the good of all; not just of one religion or one nation, but to the benefit of all people everywhere! Obama speaks of MLK's religious POV acted on within the structure of our US government to advance the moral issue of Civil Rights for African Americans in his time. That was a moral issue that transcended the personal beliefs of his own Southern Baptist church, but was a national moral issue that needed to be addressed by our government! Civil Rights is still an issue to which we need to call the government to action, not because we believe in it as Christians (at least we should), but because ALL people should accept this moral responsibility of equality for all. Perhaps the religious people should come together and spend their energy, time and resources on an issue like this; one that can be solved rather than wasting those resources on the "typical, smaller" issues of the past.

One of my fav. quotes from Obama's speech was this: "'Unity is the great need of this hour' is what [Martin Luther King] said. Unity is how we shall overcome....not because it makes us feel goo, but because its the only way we can overcome the essential deficit that exists in our country." He goes on..., "I'm talking about a moral deficit. I'm talking about an empathy deficit. I'm talking about an inability to recognize ourselves in one another; to understand that we are our brother's keeper; we are our sister's keeper; that, in the words of Dr. King, We are all tied together in a single garment of destiny."

Jim Wallis, an evangelical Christian and author of God's Politics: Why the Right Gets It Wrong and the Left Doesn't Get It, and his new book, The Great Awakening: Reviving Faith & Politics in a Post-Religious Right America, was a guest on Jon Stewart's The (A) Daily Show last week, and I really liked a lot of what he has to say. Take a look:




(from Daily Show's website if you can't get player to work.)

I really like a lot of what he says. It echos some of the thoughts I've had for a while, some stated here, and says some things that are thought-provoking!
Some of the best comments for me:
-his "Great News": "a new generation has come of age and is applying their faith to the biggest issues that face us." Go us (I am assuming that I am a part of that generation...if not, I'm inviting myself in:)
-"We should speak [politically] in a moral language that is inclusive of everybody."
-"There should not be a religious litmus test for politics. I care not about someones religion but their moral compass."
--To which Jon Replies, "Good point, just that the morality, whether its religious or not, can be judged on its own merit."
-I also like Jim's Idea of, "The Politics of the Common Good". I'll have to pick up his book for more insight.

Also, on the day that Bush was to give his State Of The Union address, Jim puts out a video of his own "State of the Union". Again, very interesting.



NOTE: EDIT/ADDITION:
In conclusion, my thoughts on the politics in the pulpit are as follows. There IS room for politics in the pulpit! However, I do not believe there is a LOT of room. Mainly I think it can be used when it comes to calling people to action on social justice issues. The reality is that our churches do not operate in a vacuum. We are citizens of a democratic country where the political process is part of how we the people are supposed to voice and effect change. The Church should use that process when absolutely necessary, but not ABUSE the process as has been done in modern history. There is NO room for candidate endorsements from the pulpit. A person should not be told for whom they should or should not vote in church. I do have issues with Obama campaigning from the pulpit, although I do understand that his message and beliefs of change are so wrapped up in his campaign, that he could not separate them. I'm not justifying, just trying to put myself in his shoes. That still doesn't relieve the unease of him campaigning on that Sunday.

But to give all the candidates credit, none are overt about their religion. People have made a big deal about Romney, but I haven't seen him make a big deal about it himself. I've heard Barack say he's Christian, but he doesn't "play that card". The same seems to go for Hilary. I'm proud of the changes that have come about in this election. Right now it seems that there's a 75% chance that the person who becomes president will make history by being the first female, black, or Mormon president. That's an exciting place for our country to be in! But regardless of that, I think that history is being made in the process, as the tides are turning politically. This seems like a turning point in American political history, and that shouldn't be overshadowed by the bigger historical possibility of having a minority, female, Mormon president.

So, what is the role religion should play in politics. I don't claim to have THE answer, just some thoughts in progress.

A Test Of Tolerance

Or: "I can't believe I find myself agreeing with Bill O'Rielly."

FIRST OFF: HAPPY 5,000th hit!!!! Soooo many people to thank... There's God of course... you the readers, and... oh yes... I'm being told to get on with it...
___________________________

I woke up to this article on Mitt Romney on the front page of the News and Observer.

I know this isn't "new news", but I was in the gym tonight when on CNN's Prime News , Bill Keller pops up and is again saying that "A vote for Romney is a vote for Satan"! Really? Satan? I should so write him in! (j/k), and just after I publish a post on Satan, Keller proves me wrong:P

Here again we have a "Christian" who has a very public platform spouting off at the mouth and, in the eyes of many, "representing the perceived views Christians". I tell you, these people just get under my skin. In no way is Keller, and many other Christians showing a loving attitude! I was looking for the clip from that show, and ran into this O'Rielly clip instead. Now I don't watch a lot of good ol' Bill, because...well I don't usually agree with him. But I find myself saying a couple of "Amen's" during this clip from back in June:




Now I never get into politics here, and I'm not now... I am not endorsing any candidate. What I am doing is defending my fellow man. The religious right has tried for years to turn our country into a "Christian country", when there never was an official religion! As a matter of fact, that is prohibited by the first amendment; "Establishment Clause"! (yes I did more research than just wiki). It just so happens that there were (and are) more Christians residing in the U.S. than not. That doesn't make it a Christian country. I won't go into other arguments against our country being founded as a "Christian nation". But that was not our forefathers intent!

I also bring in Article VI, which says: "No religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States." I read this to say that we should not be voting on someone based on their religious affiliate! I feel bad for Romney!

If you are reading this Mitt... I, as a Christian, do not consider you to be running on the card with Satan! I apologize for Keller and others like him who know nothing of love and tolerance although they may preach it. However, he is entitled to his say, as much as I hate it, protected also by the first amendment! Oh Paradox, will you never cease!

I don't want to get political on this, so I'll go social. As much as I applaud O'Rielly (did I just say that??) for standing up to Keller, I really think that the media plays a big role in this. Keller said this back in May, and he's STILL getting airtime on major News Networks??? What the crap? It reminds me of a child who only wants attention. If you ignore that child, they learn that they have to change their behaviour in order to receive attention in a proper manner. However, if you keep paying that child attention whenever he or she acts up, they will continue to act up because you have rewarded their efforts. You don't have to read a book on psychology or parenting to learn this...just watch The Dog Whisperer!

Where's Waldo: Justin Edition

A friend found this on YouTube and called me up to tell me that I'm inadvertently in this video. This was from a Rob Bell thing I went to last week. IMHO, I thought the OVERALL message of what he was saying was great. It was a message free from guilt and full of healing. These guys really should have bought a ticket!

You can find me walking past around the 7:20 mark.




Understand, I don't make fun of these people! It saddens me to see these methods used. I listened to them and just shook my head saying: "and that's one BIG reason why a lot of people here/I know don't go to church and don't want to be a Christian...because this is what they think of!" It hurts me so to think of the means that they chose to spread their "good news". Yelling at people they're going to hell as they walked by (because to many, that was all they heard), is not what I would consider good news. The second preacher even told me that Rob Bell doesn't love me?!!? I never thought he did... but I guess he thought I needed to know that for sure. It's OK Rob... my life is not dependent on your love!!!! I'm not angry with you:)

However I was told immediately after that that God indeed was angry with me, but God loved me (I guess in response to where Rob doesn't??). Interesting message! I think I'll stick with thinking more on the main event that night: the depth and beauty of Rob's message! I really don't agree with what these guys say about Rob's content... but what can you do? I do give them props for the dramatic Star Wars style crawl at the beginning. And Its always good to be reminded that everyone there was damned to hell... always a crowd-pleaser!

P.S. Some of the comments on the YouTube vid. page are worth the read. I really like that people pat these guys on the back for "speaking the truth in love". I found nothing loving in my experience with them. One was even offered a hug by the guy standing beside me, and the preacher in blue pushed him away! Man! Perhaps I should go back and study what the bible means when it says "speak the truth in love". I'll get back on that one!

A Snake In The Garden

(or, "not all snakes embody temptation")


I had an interesting experience yesterday on my second lap of the 2 mile loop around the lake. I had my headphones in walking speedily listening to some podcasts when I see a man of middle-eastern Descent holding up his hand for me to stop on the narrow path. I was extremely confuse, but my nice new headphones for my iPhone blotted out what he was saying. So, I stopped, hit pause, and popped my earphones out.

As I did so I looked down to see why he was getting me to stop. In front of me on the dead center of the path was a snake. This wasn't the first time I've seen a snake on the path, but it was the first time that the pattern of the snake rendered it almost invisible on the path. Had it not been for this nice guy stopping me, I might have stepped on it, and perhaps it would have responded in kind!

Now, I insert here that snakes are something I fear! But the guy quietly led me behind the snake. And there we stood, directly behind the snake staring at it while it sat there on the hard pavement trying to draw warmth in the cooling dusk. The man asked, "do you think If i put my bottle (green tea) down in front of the snake people will see it and not miss the snake in front of them?" I thought that was a fantastic idea, so he put it down and we watched to see if it would help and to warn fellow runners. We then began a short discussion! Here is the conversation that ensued:

Dude: See the snake is harmless if you walk behind and keep your distance.

Me: I see, actually, although I have a fear of snakes, but standing here with you looking at it, it actually is quite beautiful.

Dude: Yes, it is beautiful because God made it.

Me: (with a smile) I completely agree.... I've seen snakes here before and never thought of them that way because of my fear. But you know, that's the reason I always come to the lake to exercise. Esp. this time of year, I love seeing the beauty of God's creation around this lake.

Dude: Yes, that's why we bring our child (to which he points to his wife pushing a stroller with a small child further down the path). We show him the colors of the leaves and the birds (ducks, swans, and 2 herring inhabit the area), and tell him that Allah is found in all of them.

Me: You're right, when I'm here I really see and feel God, I'm sure your child will cherish these memories of your walks one day.

We stand in silence for a couple of seconds as the snake decides he's bored with scaring the locals and slithers off to wherever snakes go in the night around the lake. We looked at each other smiled politely as I thanked. I wished him well as he rejoined his wife and continued their route in the opposite direction of me around the lake. As I watched them go I said a prayer to God:

"Lord, thank you for your beauty and presence in your creation. Thank you for these experiences to connect with you and with my brother whom you've also created. Thank you for using something as ordinary as the lake I run/walk around all the time, a snake, and a conversation that I wouldn't have had if the snake hadn't been there, to teach me more about you! I love you God!"
_____________________________________