At the end of 2011 I posted new years resolutions in a post called 12 in 12. In the post I identified patterns of life I wanted to create or enhance. I can honestly say I did better at most of these things this year. Here is a review of 2012 (all opinions are relative to 2011).
1. Spend more time with other people I care about. I think I can say I accomplished this. I spent more time developing friendship locally, traveling to see life long friends, and spending quality face to face time with my family.
2. Have more purpose-full conversations. I can distinctly remember several intintial conversations this year. Some were quite good for my soul, and others were very difficult.
3. Remember I have friends and relationships I want to continue building. I have called my life long friends more often, gone on more adventures with friends, and gotten better at spending time with my favorite person Mollie.
4. Participate in my faith rather than simply contemplating it. I'm a thinker so this one will always take practice. Even in contemplation though I am moving more toward a faith beyond belief. That is a faith that moves from the cognitive to manifest itself in the every day actions of life. While I may never can be satisfied in this endeavor I do think I have made at least some progress since 2011.
5. Become more pragmatic in business and less pragmatic with the people that surround it. This has become a greater conviction of mine throughout the year, and it has proved increasingly hard to do. I can say that the business part has become more pragmatic, but in doing so I am afraid that some of my relationships surrounding my also have received this approach.
6. Become more humble, vulnerable, and comfortable with doubt. None of those sound any fun. If I could go back and rethink late 2011 I might have chosen different areas of self improvement. The instances that come to mind for each one of these areas were all uncomfortable experiences. That said, they have each been memorable and caused me to grow as a person.
7. Write more blogs. Make more videos. Done and done. However, fewer and fewer are getting published these days.
8. Read a book every week. This was a lofty goal that I can affirmatively say I did not reach. I can say that I probably read close to 52 books if not over this year. I often am reading 4-10 books at any given time which means some weeks I finish 6 and others none. I've decided I like my method better than trying to read one a week anyway.
9. Fish more. Teach someone to fish. Ahhhh my proudest accomplishment. I got a slow start this year and didn't get much done, but more than made up for it in July and August. I took new people fishing with me and showed them the art of river fishing for small mouth bass.
10. Convince my friends to do something great together. In business I am in the process of making this happen still. Greatness doesn't usually happen over night. Personally, I did convince a number of friends to take a couple of great hikes together. One particular hike in Arkansas to find caves on a mountain top that has no trail proved a test of my leadership abilities, but the payoff at the top made it well worth it.
11. Visit Nashville. Mollie and I loved our trip to Nashville to visit friends this past year. We will do it again.
12. Breathe mountain air. Twice. The Ozarks of northern Arkansas and Blood Mountain in Georgia. Both trips happen to be bachelor trips I planned for two of my best friends Ben Backus and Brandon Barrett.
John Stumbo says finishing well is an important part of being able to begin well. I hope I have done just that.
Merry Christmas Sons and Daughters of God!!
Ever wonder why a God who was already active throughout history would send his Son to earth. There were hundreds of stories of a God who had already made himself known. It's not like we needed to see what God looked like in order to know of or believe in his existence. So if Jesus' primary reason for coming to earth was not to show us what God looks like then what was it. I think it much more likely that he came to show us what it means to be human. He came to show us how to be more human.
Christmas time is often about family. I know that growing up in my family each person played a particular role defined by their birth order. The same is true in God's family and in the Christmas story. I want to look at what it means for God to send his Son.
In the Old Testament the phrase "Son of God" is first used to describe Israel. Israel was God's chosen people whose job it was to show the rest of creation what it meant to love and serve their heavenly Father. In their culture the father was the one who made plans for the family, and the first born was the son whose responsibility it was to act out those plans. Israel, the first born of man, held the task of being the image-bearers of God. They were to reflect God's image to the rest of the world. When Israel failed to live up to their occupation as image-bearers the God who was already active and moving in the world sent Jesus to fulfill the task of being first born Son.
So when we say Jesus is the Son of God, we are saying he is the first born son who came to act out the will of the Father. He came to do what humanity could not. He came to be the most human and perfect image-bearer of God. In embracing this task he became the necessary sacrifice for all mankind so that we may truly become sons and daughters of God and brothers and sisters with Christ. When Jesus claimed to be the Son of God he was accepting the full responsibility of being first born. Not in becoming God but in becoming human Jesus created the path so that all of us could journey together as the children of God.
Merry Christmas
Christmas time is often about family. I know that growing up in my family each person played a particular role defined by their birth order. The same is true in God's family and in the Christmas story. I want to look at what it means for God to send his Son.
In the Old Testament the phrase "Son of God" is first used to describe Israel. Israel was God's chosen people whose job it was to show the rest of creation what it meant to love and serve their heavenly Father. In their culture the father was the one who made plans for the family, and the first born was the son whose responsibility it was to act out those plans. Israel, the first born of man, held the task of being the image-bearers of God. They were to reflect God's image to the rest of the world. When Israel failed to live up to their occupation as image-bearers the God who was already active and moving in the world sent Jesus to fulfill the task of being first born Son.
So when we say Jesus is the Son of God, we are saying he is the first born son who came to act out the will of the Father. He came to do what humanity could not. He came to be the most human and perfect image-bearer of God. In embracing this task he became the necessary sacrifice for all mankind so that we may truly become sons and daughters of God and brothers and sisters with Christ. When Jesus claimed to be the Son of God he was accepting the full responsibility of being first born. Not in becoming God but in becoming human Jesus created the path so that all of us could journey together as the children of God.
Merry Christmas
Convincing the Chickens: Why I am Quiting Chocolate
To say I am quitting chocolate would be an overstatement. I won't be rude and refuse your fresh baked brownies or chocolate candies if you offered them to me. Nor am I willing quit buying chocolate all together. I like sweets, and I really like chocolate.
Why quit chocolate then? Because I know that child slavery is wrong, but do the chickens know? I know that it is wrong for children to be enslaved to work on cocoa farms, but do the institutions that buy their products from the farm know that it is wrong? It would appear that at least some of them do not.
Why chocolate and not some other fair trade issue? Well because fair trade in itself is a sticky issue. Due to a basic understanding of economic principles, I am not sure that want to quit buying products that are produced by employees who are not receiving a "fair" wage. Our concept of a "fair" wage is something of a western ideal, and I'm afraid that in our idealism we may hurt more than we help. Boycotting a product that manufacturers can buy cheap from a developing country because of low production cost(low wages) sounds like a good idea at first. But when that company sees a decline in profits it will not be those with the lowest production cost getting cut first, but those producers with higher cost(higher wages). Manufacturers will always buy their products at the lowest cost first. And let's say that the boycott is really successful and the company closes all together, then the very people we set out to help are left jobless and hoping another company can make use of their cheap labor.
What makes chocolate different? It is as simple as the distinction between child-slavery and child-labor? I am not opposed to children in developing countries working to support the basic needs of their family. I would have gladly done it to help mine. I am quite opposed to child slavery. There is nothing justifiable about the child abduction and forced labor that tears families apart.
Côte d’Ivoire(the Ivory Coast) produces 43% of the world’s chocolate, and is a region known for child slavery. An estimated 15,000 children are forced to work as slaves. Suffering economies demand cheap labor, leaving parents unable to support large families. Families are bribed to give up their children, promised that paychecks will be sent back, or the workers are simply kidnapped and trafficked to plantations. There the children are subject to horrible conditions, abuse, and punishment for any resistance. Those who manage to escape are shunned and must find work on their own, creating a new kind of orphan.
Who are the Chickens?(the companies responsible)The names might surprise you but here are some of the names of companies that knowing use chocolate produced by slave labor:
The sort of good news is that most companies have pledged to be slave free by 2020. The bad news is that until then the bottom line will remain more important than the lives of children. My hope is that I can one day freely pick up a chocolate bar without having to research it, but until then I will do my due diligence. I will still eat chocolate. I will just have to do my research before I purchase it and probably spend a little more to make sure I am not indirectly responsible for child slavery.
I believe child slavery is wrong, and this is how I begin to convince the chickens that it is wrong.
Convincing the chickens is no easy task, and which chickens I choose to address will be a direct result of my own convictions. It would be a bit overwhelming to be concerned with addressing all the world's social injustices myself. It is not that I should not become aware of all injustices, but rather that my energies are more effective when focused.
And in that is my recommendation. Take responsibility for addressing structural evil in the world by choosing something that weighs heavy on your heart, and focus your energies on that thing. Pick an injustice that makes you sad or mad, and do more than convince yourself that the problem is unjust. Work to convince the chickens!
Why quit chocolate then? Because I know that child slavery is wrong, but do the chickens know? I know that it is wrong for children to be enslaved to work on cocoa farms, but do the institutions that buy their products from the farm know that it is wrong? It would appear that at least some of them do not.
Why chocolate and not some other fair trade issue? Well because fair trade in itself is a sticky issue. Due to a basic understanding of economic principles, I am not sure that want to quit buying products that are produced by employees who are not receiving a "fair" wage. Our concept of a "fair" wage is something of a western ideal, and I'm afraid that in our idealism we may hurt more than we help. Boycotting a product that manufacturers can buy cheap from a developing country because of low production cost(low wages) sounds like a good idea at first. But when that company sees a decline in profits it will not be those with the lowest production cost getting cut first, but those producers with higher cost(higher wages). Manufacturers will always buy their products at the lowest cost first. And let's say that the boycott is really successful and the company closes all together, then the very people we set out to help are left jobless and hoping another company can make use of their cheap labor.
What makes chocolate different? It is as simple as the distinction between child-slavery and child-labor? I am not opposed to children in developing countries working to support the basic needs of their family. I would have gladly done it to help mine. I am quite opposed to child slavery. There is nothing justifiable about the child abduction and forced labor that tears families apart.
Côte d’Ivoire(the Ivory Coast) produces 43% of the world’s chocolate, and is a region known for child slavery. An estimated 15,000 children are forced to work as slaves. Suffering economies demand cheap labor, leaving parents unable to support large families. Families are bribed to give up their children, promised that paychecks will be sent back, or the workers are simply kidnapped and trafficked to plantations. There the children are subject to horrible conditions, abuse, and punishment for any resistance. Those who manage to escape are shunned and must find work on their own, creating a new kind of orphan.
Who are the Chickens?(the companies responsible)The names might surprise you but here are some of the names of companies that knowing use chocolate produced by slave labor:
- Hershey’s
- M&M/Mars
- Nestlé
- Kraft
- Toblerone
- Hauser Chocolates
The sort of good news is that most companies have pledged to be slave free by 2020. The bad news is that until then the bottom line will remain more important than the lives of children. My hope is that I can one day freely pick up a chocolate bar without having to research it, but until then I will do my due diligence. I will still eat chocolate. I will just have to do my research before I purchase it and probably spend a little more to make sure I am not indirectly responsible for child slavery.
I believe child slavery is wrong, and this is how I begin to convince the chickens that it is wrong.
Convincing the chickens is no easy task, and which chickens I choose to address will be a direct result of my own convictions. It would be a bit overwhelming to be concerned with addressing all the world's social injustices myself. It is not that I should not become aware of all injustices, but rather that my energies are more effective when focused.
And in that is my recommendation. Take responsibility for addressing structural evil in the world by choosing something that weighs heavy on your heart, and focus your energies on that thing. Pick an injustice that makes you sad or mad, and do more than convince yourself that the problem is unjust. Work to convince the chickens!
Convincing the Chickens: A Explanation
To make sense of this post read my original post Convincing the Chickens to understand the illustration.
Of course like most stories I write this one is a sort of parable. I am not the original author of this one, but I have adapted it because I think it illustrates the concept well.
Poppy finishes the story by saying, "I know that I am not seed upon the ground, But do the chickens know?" ...... or in other words "I know who I am, but do the chickens know who I am." Poppy may need to visit the friendly Doctor because he is crazy, but it isn't because he has convinced himself that he is crazy. The chickens have convinced him that he must be!
This is the common idea that: I know I need to change, but the world around is convinced that I do not. Or in some cases the opposite: I know I do not need to change, but the world around is convince that I do.
Common Examples:
I know that I do not need to starve myself to be beautiful, but the magazines send the message that I do.
I know that an expensive education will not guarantee a life full of success, but that is the dream the university is selling me.
I know time with my family is more important than money, but corporation needs me to work longer.
I know that chocolate is be produced in areas known for child slavery, but the companies keep producing it anyway.
In each example we allow ourselves to participate in the system, in the larger structural evil. We know that it is wrong to take part, but we pass the blame on to someone else. We do not need to be convinced, it is the Chickens who need convincing!!!
Of course like most stories I write this one is a sort of parable. I am not the original author of this one, but I have adapted it because I think it illustrates the concept well.
Poppy finishes the story by saying, "I know that I am not seed upon the ground, But do the chickens know?" ...... or in other words "I know who I am, but do the chickens know who I am." Poppy may need to visit the friendly Doctor because he is crazy, but it isn't because he has convinced himself that he is crazy. The chickens have convinced him that he must be!
This is the common idea that: I know I need to change, but the world around is convinced that I do not. Or in some cases the opposite: I know I do not need to change, but the world around is convince that I do.
Common Examples:
I know that I do not need to starve myself to be beautiful, but the magazines send the message that I do.
I know that an expensive education will not guarantee a life full of success, but that is the dream the university is selling me.
I know time with my family is more important than money, but corporation needs me to work longer.
I know that chocolate is be produced in areas known for child slavery, but the companies keep producing it anyway.
In each example we allow ourselves to participate in the system, in the larger structural evil. We know that it is wrong to take part, but we pass the blame on to someone else. We do not need to be convinced, it is the Chickens who need convincing!!!
Convincing the Chickens
Poppy, a young farm boy, had been seeing a psychologist for some time. The first time he went the good Doctor asked him, "Poppy what is bothering you today?"
Poppy replied, "I know it is ridiculous, but I think I am seed upon the ground. I am scared to death that the chickens are going to eat me."
The Doctor answered, "You are right. That is ridiculous. Look at your hands. Look at your feet. Look in this mirror. Do you not see that you are a creation of God? As long as you know that the chickens can not eat you. You are safe." After a long conversation Poppy left the Doctor's office convinced that he was not seed upon the ground but indeed a fully functioning human being.
Two weeks later Poppy returned to the good Doctors office with the same concern. Again the Doctor convinced him that he was a human being. Again he left convinced of who he was.
However this happened again several more times. Each time leaving the Doctor convinced he was human and returning sure that he must be seed upon the ground. Finally after a long session with the good Doctor, both Poppy and the Doctor felt certain that Poppy would return home with a clear understanding of who he was.
For weeks the Doctor did not see Poppy, and he assumed that everything going well. But after a long pause in their relationship Poppy returned once more to the Doctor saying, "I am scared to death that Chickens are going to eat me! What can I do?"
The good Doctor replied,"My dear Poppy we have been over this again and again. You are not seed upon the ground. You are a human being made in the image of God. If you know this the chickens can not eat you!"
Poppy replied, "I know that I am not seed upon the ground, But do the chickens know?"
Poppy replied, "I know it is ridiculous, but I think I am seed upon the ground. I am scared to death that the chickens are going to eat me."
The Doctor answered, "You are right. That is ridiculous. Look at your hands. Look at your feet. Look in this mirror. Do you not see that you are a creation of God? As long as you know that the chickens can not eat you. You are safe." After a long conversation Poppy left the Doctor's office convinced that he was not seed upon the ground but indeed a fully functioning human being.
Two weeks later Poppy returned to the good Doctors office with the same concern. Again the Doctor convinced him that he was a human being. Again he left convinced of who he was.
However this happened again several more times. Each time leaving the Doctor convinced he was human and returning sure that he must be seed upon the ground. Finally after a long session with the good Doctor, both Poppy and the Doctor felt certain that Poppy would return home with a clear understanding of who he was.
For weeks the Doctor did not see Poppy, and he assumed that everything going well. But after a long pause in their relationship Poppy returned once more to the Doctor saying, "I am scared to death that Chickens are going to eat me! What can I do?"
The good Doctor replied,"My dear Poppy we have been over this again and again. You are not seed upon the ground. You are a human being made in the image of God. If you know this the chickens can not eat you!"
Poppy replied, "I know that I am not seed upon the ground, But do the chickens know?"
“For there is no good reason why we should forbid ourselves, or be forbidden, openness to the possibility that in the reality of God and man in Jesus Christ there is contained much more than we might expect and therefore the supremely unexpected withdrawal of that final threat…If we are certainly forbidden to count on this as though we had a claim to it…we are surely commanded the more definitely to hope and pray for it…to hope and pray cautiously and yet distinctly that, in spite of everything which may seem quite conclusively to proclaim the opposite, his compassion should not fail and that in accordance with his mercy which is “new every morning,” He “will not cast off forever” (Lam 3:22)
- Karl Barth CD, IV/3, pp.477-78
- Karl Barth CD, IV/3, pp.477-78
Free In Love
My friends Ben Backus and Stephen Lynch(Heavens to Betsy) new video.
Heavens to Betsy - Free in Love
Scott and Taylor - River Trip
Scott and Taylor came to visit. We went down to the Eau Claire river to play and fish. Here is some video Mollie captured and I edited.
This is just a friendly post to let those of you who follow my blog know that for the next few months I will be less attentive to it. May - August are very busy times for me so my post will be more sporadic for those months. My Summer posts should be a little more light-hearted, but I will be back in blogging rhythm in the Fall.
The Creator God & The Problem of Evil
(I apologize the post is a little more academic in nature than most.)
God, as Creator, is in the process of creating and renewing his creation. Through the resurrection of Jesus in the lives of his people God’s renewal process is alive and underway. Humanity finds itself in the interesting role of being part of creation and being invited by the Creator to participate in the creative process. Humanity is caught in the overlap of heaven and earth, creator and creation, past and future, broken and renewed. Grenz writes “the doctrine of creation encompasses the divine activity in bringing into being the new heaven and the new earth as envisioned by the biblical prophets and seers.” The direction of the Creator and his creation is pressing forward into new life.
Paul of the Bible describes life in Christ (new creation) as living in that “yet to come.” This creates the picture of Jesus’s future kingdom rushing into the present. Like the Israelites eating the grapes of the promised land in the desert, the humanity found in Christ is ushering in the new heaven and earth by participating in it in the present. By engaging with God we are also drawing on the entire creation process up to this point. In a sense God is beyond time; he is currently both at work in that which leads up to the present and working in the future of his creation. When we become participants in God’s story of hope time comes rushing both forward and backwards into our present. We become completely encompassed in God’s creation story.
The sovereignty of the Creator is experienced through our relationship with him and as we allow him to act through us. Grenz says, “ ‘Sovereignty’ means that God is at work bringing to pass the final goal of his creative activity. If God is sovereign in the future, we can affirm his sovereignty in the present as well.” This affirmation comes through participation in the event of the cross, the resurrection, and a life following Jesus. We know this to be true because the justification of God in the past is found in his faithfulness to his created people. We know that we can place our hope in the Creator to continue his act of creation into the future.
Unfortunately there is a force working against life and creation. Evil is that force which opposed and seeks to destroy God’s good world. Evil is that which looks to deface and degrade the humanity made in God’s image and designed to reflect his goodness. Evil is that which seeks to get in between the relationship of the Creator and created. Wright says “The power of death itself, the ultimate denial of the goodness of creation, speaks of a force of destruction, of anti-world, anti-God power being allowed to do its worst.” This is why Paul writes that “the wages of sin are death” and why it was important for Jesus to conquer death. In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul talks about death as if it is God’s greatest adversary. If death is not defeated then Christ has not been raised from the dead. Our faith is then futile and we are still in sin; cut off from our proper relationship with the Creator.
However, if it is true that evil has and is being defeated in what sense have the New Testament writers chosen to illustrate this? It is that all kinds and intensities of evil have been dealt with through the event of Jesus on the cross and through his life which serves as the necessary example for how humanity should approach evil in a God-like manner. When humanity choses to follow Jesus the full force of sin, evil, and death loose their power and sting. Life and creation then reflect the true nature of the Creator.
How then does God choose to deal to evil? “What the Gospels offer is not a philosophical explanation of evil, what it is or why it's there, nor a set of suggestions for how we might adjust our lifestyles so that evil will mysteriously disappear from the world, but the story of an event in which the living God deals with it.” (N. T. Wright) The story of Jesus is the story of the Creator entering creation in the way most understandable to humanity so he could demonstrate what it looks like to live a life of reconciliation with the Father. During his journey Jesus deals with evil in a manner quite unexpected by his contemporaries and by today’s culture. Jesus does not try to run away or escape evil in the common dualistic approaches of today but instead he confronts it. God is jealous for the relationship with his creation and judges the evil that interferes. As the Messiah Jesus identifies himself as the true embodiment of Israel and seeks to eradicate the idolatrous ways of his people. Jesus offers his followers forgiveness of sin and releases them from evil’s grip. We find Jesus eating with sinners and tax collectors who have their lives transformed through grace and unconditional love. As we follow Jesus through his life, death, and resurrection we learn what it means to be born again into a living hope.Through the compassionate response of God to creation he has provided the paradigm needed for what should characterize our cooperation with him in the completion of uniting heaven and earth.
The story the Gospels are trying to tell is a story in which evil and its deadly power are taken utterly seriously. Jesus, as the blameless God, becomes the ultimate sacrifice for sin on the cross. All of evil from past and future creation comes rushing in and is weighted upon Jesus at the crucifixion event. In the crucifixion Christ does not seek to escape through death and leave to go to a better place, but he chooses to deal with and defeat death rising into a new life that embraces the world. For Jesus death and heaven are not the ultimate goal or reality, but simply a necessary path toward the united heaven and earth which will result in a completely reconciled creation. As followers of Jesus, we too must participate in the event of the cross in order to experience the resurrected life. We are asked to “pick up our cross daily” and “die to ourselves.” To rid himself of the weight of sin even God had to die to himself to create the necessary conditions for forgiveness of sins. The temple or church building is no longer the place where we must go to experience God’s presence. It is the felt experience of the crucifixion in our everyday lives that serves as the way of entering God’s presence regardless of our location. We now experience God through our everyday acts of unconditional love and grace. When we “die to ourselves daily” we find ourselves where we no longer wish to be set free from the grip of sin or falling short of God’s glory, but standing side by side with Jesus. Like the thief on the cross we die to our old ways as we recognize that Jesus provides the only way to new life. It is complete participation in the cross that leads to a resurrected life. As the apostle Paul writes, “So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work at in the humanity surrounding us.”
As suggested in the act of baptism we are to die to our old ways, be buried with Christ, and rise to walk in a new life with him. Sin and evil are defeated when we choose to live out our baptism daily. Like the passing of the Israelites through the water and into the desert, we find ourselves in a place of preparation for a promised land where heaven and earth completely overlap. What then is the call of God’s chosen people in this new life? “The call of the gospel is for the church to implement the victory of God in the world through suffering love. The cross is not just an example to be followed; it is an achievement to be worked out, put into practice.” (N.T. Wright) It is through the resurrection that death and evil are defeated and forgiveness of sins is made possible. To say that we are “born again” and participate in the resurrection is to be forgiven of sin and reunited with the Creator in proper context.
As followers of Christ we now find ourselves as participants in the creation process. The Creator is moving his creation forward in a world where heaven and earth long to unite. When we rid ourselves of evil and its life-destructive qualities we find ourselves in the type of relationship God desires for humanity. This is the very type of relationship needed so God can use the creation he loves so much to aid in ushering in his Kingdom here on earth.
N. T. Wright. Evil and the Justice of God. Kindle Edition.
Stanley J. Grenz. Theology for the Community of God. Kindle Edition.
God, as Creator, is in the process of creating and renewing his creation. Through the resurrection of Jesus in the lives of his people God’s renewal process is alive and underway. Humanity finds itself in the interesting role of being part of creation and being invited by the Creator to participate in the creative process. Humanity is caught in the overlap of heaven and earth, creator and creation, past and future, broken and renewed. Grenz writes “the doctrine of creation encompasses the divine activity in bringing into being the new heaven and the new earth as envisioned by the biblical prophets and seers.” The direction of the Creator and his creation is pressing forward into new life.
Paul of the Bible describes life in Christ (new creation) as living in that “yet to come.” This creates the picture of Jesus’s future kingdom rushing into the present. Like the Israelites eating the grapes of the promised land in the desert, the humanity found in Christ is ushering in the new heaven and earth by participating in it in the present. By engaging with God we are also drawing on the entire creation process up to this point. In a sense God is beyond time; he is currently both at work in that which leads up to the present and working in the future of his creation. When we become participants in God’s story of hope time comes rushing both forward and backwards into our present. We become completely encompassed in God’s creation story.
The sovereignty of the Creator is experienced through our relationship with him and as we allow him to act through us. Grenz says, “ ‘Sovereignty’ means that God is at work bringing to pass the final goal of his creative activity. If God is sovereign in the future, we can affirm his sovereignty in the present as well.” This affirmation comes through participation in the event of the cross, the resurrection, and a life following Jesus. We know this to be true because the justification of God in the past is found in his faithfulness to his created people. We know that we can place our hope in the Creator to continue his act of creation into the future.
Unfortunately there is a force working against life and creation. Evil is that force which opposed and seeks to destroy God’s good world. Evil is that which looks to deface and degrade the humanity made in God’s image and designed to reflect his goodness. Evil is that which seeks to get in between the relationship of the Creator and created. Wright says “The power of death itself, the ultimate denial of the goodness of creation, speaks of a force of destruction, of anti-world, anti-God power being allowed to do its worst.” This is why Paul writes that “the wages of sin are death” and why it was important for Jesus to conquer death. In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul talks about death as if it is God’s greatest adversary. If death is not defeated then Christ has not been raised from the dead. Our faith is then futile and we are still in sin; cut off from our proper relationship with the Creator.
However, if it is true that evil has and is being defeated in what sense have the New Testament writers chosen to illustrate this? It is that all kinds and intensities of evil have been dealt with through the event of Jesus on the cross and through his life which serves as the necessary example for how humanity should approach evil in a God-like manner. When humanity choses to follow Jesus the full force of sin, evil, and death loose their power and sting. Life and creation then reflect the true nature of the Creator.
How then does God choose to deal to evil? “What the Gospels offer is not a philosophical explanation of evil, what it is or why it's there, nor a set of suggestions for how we might adjust our lifestyles so that evil will mysteriously disappear from the world, but the story of an event in which the living God deals with it.” (N. T. Wright) The story of Jesus is the story of the Creator entering creation in the way most understandable to humanity so he could demonstrate what it looks like to live a life of reconciliation with the Father. During his journey Jesus deals with evil in a manner quite unexpected by his contemporaries and by today’s culture. Jesus does not try to run away or escape evil in the common dualistic approaches of today but instead he confronts it. God is jealous for the relationship with his creation and judges the evil that interferes. As the Messiah Jesus identifies himself as the true embodiment of Israel and seeks to eradicate the idolatrous ways of his people. Jesus offers his followers forgiveness of sin and releases them from evil’s grip. We find Jesus eating with sinners and tax collectors who have their lives transformed through grace and unconditional love. As we follow Jesus through his life, death, and resurrection we learn what it means to be born again into a living hope.Through the compassionate response of God to creation he has provided the paradigm needed for what should characterize our cooperation with him in the completion of uniting heaven and earth.
The story the Gospels are trying to tell is a story in which evil and its deadly power are taken utterly seriously. Jesus, as the blameless God, becomes the ultimate sacrifice for sin on the cross. All of evil from past and future creation comes rushing in and is weighted upon Jesus at the crucifixion event. In the crucifixion Christ does not seek to escape through death and leave to go to a better place, but he chooses to deal with and defeat death rising into a new life that embraces the world. For Jesus death and heaven are not the ultimate goal or reality, but simply a necessary path toward the united heaven and earth which will result in a completely reconciled creation. As followers of Jesus, we too must participate in the event of the cross in order to experience the resurrected life. We are asked to “pick up our cross daily” and “die to ourselves.” To rid himself of the weight of sin even God had to die to himself to create the necessary conditions for forgiveness of sins. The temple or church building is no longer the place where we must go to experience God’s presence. It is the felt experience of the crucifixion in our everyday lives that serves as the way of entering God’s presence regardless of our location. We now experience God through our everyday acts of unconditional love and grace. When we “die to ourselves daily” we find ourselves where we no longer wish to be set free from the grip of sin or falling short of God’s glory, but standing side by side with Jesus. Like the thief on the cross we die to our old ways as we recognize that Jesus provides the only way to new life. It is complete participation in the cross that leads to a resurrected life. As the apostle Paul writes, “So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work at in the humanity surrounding us.”
As suggested in the act of baptism we are to die to our old ways, be buried with Christ, and rise to walk in a new life with him. Sin and evil are defeated when we choose to live out our baptism daily. Like the passing of the Israelites through the water and into the desert, we find ourselves in a place of preparation for a promised land where heaven and earth completely overlap. What then is the call of God’s chosen people in this new life? “The call of the gospel is for the church to implement the victory of God in the world through suffering love. The cross is not just an example to be followed; it is an achievement to be worked out, put into practice.” (N.T. Wright) It is through the resurrection that death and evil are defeated and forgiveness of sins is made possible. To say that we are “born again” and participate in the resurrection is to be forgiven of sin and reunited with the Creator in proper context.
As followers of Christ we now find ourselves as participants in the creation process. The Creator is moving his creation forward in a world where heaven and earth long to unite. When we rid ourselves of evil and its life-destructive qualities we find ourselves in the type of relationship God desires for humanity. This is the very type of relationship needed so God can use the creation he loves so much to aid in ushering in his Kingdom here on earth.
N. T. Wright. Evil and the Justice of God. Kindle Edition.
Stanley J. Grenz. Theology for the Community of God. Kindle Edition.
Happy Easter (Heaven isnt forever.)
If you want to go to Heaven I hope you get to experience it, but luckily you won't be there forever. That's is part of the good news of Easter, of the resurrection, of life after death, and life after heaven.
I was riding in the car with some friends the other day and we were talking about heaven. I mentioned that I was actually much more excited for life after heaven. One friend ask 'Do you mean the rapture and that stuff?' Yeah, something like that......
One thing about seminary is you end up reading the bible a lot more. The more I read the bible the more I realize it doesn't spend that much time talking about heaven, but it does spend a great bit of time speaking about the coming of God's Kingdom to earth, the renewal of creation and humanity, and the coming of salvation to be fully revealed in the last times.
Jesus came and experienced life, death, life during death(heaven/hell), and life after death. There is some debate as to where Jesus went during those 3 days of physical death, but the much more exciting news is that his life experiences completion here on earth. Jesus prayed 'Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven'
The good news of Easter is that heaven isn't the end game. In the resurrection Jesus began the process of uniting heaven and earth. And he left his Spirit for us so that we could aid in the reconciliation of creation. I'm not sure what our experience of heaven will be like(probably peaceful), but because of the resurrection I can be much more excited about the renewal of creation. Through the compassionate response of God to creation he has provided the paradigm needed for what should characterize our cooperation with him in the completion of uniting heaven and earth.
Not only because of the resurrection do we get to go heaven, but even greater we get to participate in the creation of heaven on earth.
I was riding in the car with some friends the other day and we were talking about heaven. I mentioned that I was actually much more excited for life after heaven. One friend ask 'Do you mean the rapture and that stuff?' Yeah, something like that......
One thing about seminary is you end up reading the bible a lot more. The more I read the bible the more I realize it doesn't spend that much time talking about heaven, but it does spend a great bit of time speaking about the coming of God's Kingdom to earth, the renewal of creation and humanity, and the coming of salvation to be fully revealed in the last times.
Jesus came and experienced life, death, life during death(heaven/hell), and life after death. There is some debate as to where Jesus went during those 3 days of physical death, but the much more exciting news is that his life experiences completion here on earth. Jesus prayed 'Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven'
The good news of Easter is that heaven isn't the end game. In the resurrection Jesus began the process of uniting heaven and earth. And he left his Spirit for us so that we could aid in the reconciliation of creation. I'm not sure what our experience of heaven will be like(probably peaceful), but because of the resurrection I can be much more excited about the renewal of creation. Through the compassionate response of God to creation he has provided the paradigm needed for what should characterize our cooperation with him in the completion of uniting heaven and earth.
Not only because of the resurrection do we get to go heaven, but even greater we get to participate in the creation of heaven on earth.
Larry Yeagle
One year ago today my mentor and friend Larry Yeagle died in a cycling accident. For me he was the man outside of my own family who chose to be a part of my life and invited me to be a part of his. I met Larry when I was in the 7th grade. He was my Sunday school teacher. I was big into running long distances at that point and that was something Larry understood. He signed me up and paid for my first 10 mile race (and several after that). Every Saturday during junior high he would pick me up and we would go for a training run a Lincoln Parish Park. He would provide the gear and the Gu. Larry would go on to be there for me at many of my high school running events, graduations, races I hosted, and at my wedding.
A few weeks ago I was telling my friend John about the mentorship Larry provided for me and how he taught me through his actions what it meant to be a Christian man. Somewhere in the conversation I mentioned Larry's age. John was surprised and said he had also imagined Larry as this cool college guy who took me under his wing. Well the truth is Larry was no such person. Larry was an old bald guy when I met him back in junior high. He was short and fat and finished almost dead last in every race. He was a rather rough character who drove motorcycles. He told stories of how he fell off at catwalk on a construction site and broke his back and several other bones, and how doctors told him he would never walk again. Larry didn't know how to quit. He ran, biked, and swam even though he was slow.....really slow. He competed in trail runs, triathlons(including a half Iron-man), and 100-mile cycling races. In fact he was training for the Hotter-N-Hell 100 miler when he died.
What made Larry such a good mentor and loved person? Larry was not a good athlete. He was actually a boring Sunday school teacher. He could even be a little short tempered. His motorcycle skills were nothing short of terrifying. But Larry loved Jesus and he loved people. Larry taught me perseverance. He didn't know when to quit loving. Long after his Sunday school class and we finished our first race together he was there for me. He kept choosing me. Larry mirrored God's love and faithfulness to his people.
A few weeks ago I was telling my friend John about the mentorship Larry provided for me and how he taught me through his actions what it meant to be a Christian man. Somewhere in the conversation I mentioned Larry's age. John was surprised and said he had also imagined Larry as this cool college guy who took me under his wing. Well the truth is Larry was no such person. Larry was an old bald guy when I met him back in junior high. He was short and fat and finished almost dead last in every race. He was a rather rough character who drove motorcycles. He told stories of how he fell off at catwalk on a construction site and broke his back and several other bones, and how doctors told him he would never walk again. Larry didn't know how to quit. He ran, biked, and swam even though he was slow.....really slow. He competed in trail runs, triathlons(including a half Iron-man), and 100-mile cycling races. In fact he was training for the Hotter-N-Hell 100 miler when he died.
What made Larry such a good mentor and loved person? Larry was not a good athlete. He was actually a boring Sunday school teacher. He could even be a little short tempered. His motorcycle skills were nothing short of terrifying. But Larry loved Jesus and he loved people. Larry taught me perseverance. He didn't know when to quit loving. Long after his Sunday school class and we finished our first race together he was there for me. He kept choosing me. Larry mirrored God's love and faithfulness to his people.
I am so glad I got to express my gratefulness to Larry before he left us. He will always be remembered.
Nashville
Mollie and I spent the last week in Nashville with some of our favorite people in the world. Here is some of the stuff we crossed off of the to-do list Ben Backus created for us.
Rock Island State Park
Southern Donuts
Rock Island State Park
Southern Donuts
Fishing
Tour potential Summer Snow Trailer builders
Music
Sweet Cece's
Summer Snow Poetry Reading
Sipping organ man video
Krispy Kreme
After Hours Summer Snow Treats
Basket Ball
Centenial Park
Ugly Mugs
BBQ
Golden Mustache Video
Crosspoint Church
Jeni's Ice Cream
Swamp People Video
Back together at last
Good walks and good talks
That's my girl
Right before Ben broke my pole trying to reel in a turtle.
The set of Summer Snow swamp people.
......sorry Lindsey you weren't around for picture time.
In the Tool Shed
I was standing today in the dark tool shed. The sun was shining outside and through the crack at the top of the door there came a sunbeam. From where I stood that beam of light, with the specks of dust floating in it, was the most striking thing in the place. Everything else was almost pitch-black. I was seeing the beam, not seeing things by it.Then I moved, so that the beam fell on my eyes. Instantly the whole previous picture vanished. I saw no toolshed, and (above all) no beam. Instead I saw, framed in the irregular cranny at the top of the door, green leaves moving on the branches of a tree outside and beyond that, 90 odd million miles away, the sun. Looking along the beam, and looking at the beam are very different experiences. - C.S. Lewis
*I feel like it's a total hipster Christian thing to do to quote C.S. Lewis so I apologize for that.
Frame of Mind
Frame of Mind on Vimeo.
Just a sweet little video by my friend Ben Boutwell. Hopefully I will get to catch up this guy while in Nashville next week. His work keeps getting better. Check out some of his other material at http://benboutwell.com/
Recent Book Recommendations
These are a few of the books I have read in the last year. Not all come with my endorsement but certainly recommendation.
King Jesus Gospel by Scot McKnight
Romans for Everyone by N.T. Wright
Scripture as Communication by Jeannine Brown
Story: Substance, Structure, Style and The Principles of Screenwriting by Robert McKee
Ignore Everybody: and 39 Other Keys to Creativity by Hugh MacLeod
Evil Plans: Having Fun on the Road to World Domination by Hugh MacLeod
Orthodoxy by G.K. Chesterton (Free for Kindle)
Spiritual Theology: A Systematic Study of the Christian Life by Simon Chan
The Orthodox Heretic: And Other Impossible Tales by Peter Rollins
Insurrection by Peter Rollins
A Failure of Nerve: Leadership in the Age of the Quick Fix by Edwin Friedman
Streams of Living Water: Celebrating the Great Traditions of Christian Faith by Richard Foster
Father Fiction by Donald Miller
A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller
The Thank You Economy by Gary Vaynerchuk
Poke the Box by Seth Godin
Tribes by Seth Godin
Purple Cow by Seth Godin
Linchpin by Seth Godin
The Talent Code by Daniel Coyle
Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel Pink
When Kids Hurt by Chap Clark
King Jesus Gospel by Scot McKnight
Romans for Everyone by N.T. Wright
Scripture as Communication by Jeannine Brown
Story: Substance, Structure, Style and The Principles of Screenwriting by Robert McKee
Ignore Everybody: and 39 Other Keys to Creativity by Hugh MacLeod
Evil Plans: Having Fun on the Road to World Domination by Hugh MacLeod
Orthodoxy by G.K. Chesterton (Free for Kindle)
Spiritual Theology: A Systematic Study of the Christian Life by Simon Chan
The Orthodox Heretic: And Other Impossible Tales by Peter Rollins
Insurrection by Peter Rollins
A Failure of Nerve: Leadership in the Age of the Quick Fix by Edwin Friedman
Streams of Living Water: Celebrating the Great Traditions of Christian Faith by Richard Foster
Father Fiction by Donald Miller
A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller
The Thank You Economy by Gary Vaynerchuk
Poke the Box by Seth Godin
Tribes by Seth Godin
Purple Cow by Seth Godin
Linchpin by Seth Godin
The Talent Code by Daniel Coyle
Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel Pink
When Kids Hurt by Chap Clark
Why Kony is bigger than 2012?
If you are reading this you have probably already seen the Kony 2012 video. If you haven't you should watch it so just so you can be aware of this issue trending world wide.
Here are some of the negative reactions I have heard. (and most of them are valid)
- The video is an oversimplification of the problem. (True)
- There are bigger fish to fry than Kony. (True)
- People are supporting a cause without doing the research. (True)
- Slacktivism - people supporting a cause only in word but not really taking action. (True)
- 32% of funds go to aid actual invisible children. (True)
Normally if you ask me if it is good for institutions to push one social justice issue I would say no. I think everyone should follow their own convictions and make a difference wherever they feel led. However this is different. I see that there are literally millions of people being moved to by this video. An entire generation of young people at the very least is being sensitized, becoming more selfless, and beginning to grow hearts for social justice.
The video is an oversimplification by design. That is why young people identify with it. They see a young boy who has lost his family to murder and that just doesn't sit right. Connecting Kony's face to this issue gives them the ability to point out something that is wrong and bring justice to it.
There are bigger fish to fry. (Afghanistan, Syria) But people are having their eyes opened to the injustice in the world and they want to make a change. Why crush their spirits? Once someone is passionate about social justice they tend to advocate it wherever they go. If millions of people are beginning to see injustice around them I am in favor of whatever the cause is. People want to see the world become a better place to live.
People are supporting a cause without doing the research. Kony is not that big of a threat anymore. Newsflash neither is Hilter, but people are no longer moved by that human story to fight social injustice. People are beginning to care for others because of the compassion they feel for Kony's victims.
Slacktivism - people a supporting a cause only in word but not really taking any action. Truth is I don't think everyone should take action. Not everyone is in a capable place or feels the conviction to support Invisible Children, but those who are taking action are doing so on their own initiative. The reality is that though many of the people who aren't taking action outside of recommending the movie are still having their lives changed by the movie. Their hearts are being softened and they are finding compassion for others by connecting with Jacob's story.
Only 32% of the charities funds go to actually aid efforts on the ground floor of the conflict. Invisible Children has always been pretty open about these statistics and you can find them on their website. This is actually a pretty common and contemporary model for nonprofits. Their 32% is much larger than most nonprofits who give a larger percentage in this genre because they do such a great job of creating awareness with the other 58%. Also think about this way....Imagine if your church or local boys and girls club didn't advertise, pay for their employees, have buildings, or pay their utility bills. Those institutions would fall flat on their faces. But because they do choose to pay for all those things they are much better equipped to serve people through their excess funds.
Always do whatever it is you feel is best to fight for social justice. For me that looks like taking the time to mentor a fatherless boy because I see the importance of boys having men in their lives. For a teenage girl I know it is selling wristbands to raise money for her friend who has cancer. For a elementary girl I know it is praying for and talking to the bullies at her school because she sees the pain they cause. For a group of adults I know it is raising money through races for the International Justice Mission. For a mother it is teaching teenage moms how to raise children. For some of my friends it is taking in foster children. And for millions of young people their first step to fight injustice is going to be taking part in the Kony 2012 campaign this year. Let their hearts be changed as they choose to make a difference in the way they know how.
Here are some of the negative reactions I have heard. (and most of them are valid)
- The video is an oversimplification of the problem. (True)
- There are bigger fish to fry than Kony. (True)
- People are supporting a cause without doing the research. (True)
- Slacktivism - people supporting a cause only in word but not really taking action. (True)
- 32% of funds go to aid actual invisible children. (True)
Normally if you ask me if it is good for institutions to push one social justice issue I would say no. I think everyone should follow their own convictions and make a difference wherever they feel led. However this is different. I see that there are literally millions of people being moved to by this video. An entire generation of young people at the very least is being sensitized, becoming more selfless, and beginning to grow hearts for social justice.
The video is an oversimplification by design. That is why young people identify with it. They see a young boy who has lost his family to murder and that just doesn't sit right. Connecting Kony's face to this issue gives them the ability to point out something that is wrong and bring justice to it.
There are bigger fish to fry. (Afghanistan, Syria) But people are having their eyes opened to the injustice in the world and they want to make a change. Why crush their spirits? Once someone is passionate about social justice they tend to advocate it wherever they go. If millions of people are beginning to see injustice around them I am in favor of whatever the cause is. People want to see the world become a better place to live.
People are supporting a cause without doing the research. Kony is not that big of a threat anymore. Newsflash neither is Hilter, but people are no longer moved by that human story to fight social injustice. People are beginning to care for others because of the compassion they feel for Kony's victims.
Slacktivism - people a supporting a cause only in word but not really taking any action. Truth is I don't think everyone should take action. Not everyone is in a capable place or feels the conviction to support Invisible Children, but those who are taking action are doing so on their own initiative. The reality is that though many of the people who aren't taking action outside of recommending the movie are still having their lives changed by the movie. Their hearts are being softened and they are finding compassion for others by connecting with Jacob's story.
Only 32% of the charities funds go to actually aid efforts on the ground floor of the conflict. Invisible Children has always been pretty open about these statistics and you can find them on their website. This is actually a pretty common and contemporary model for nonprofits. Their 32% is much larger than most nonprofits who give a larger percentage in this genre because they do such a great job of creating awareness with the other 58%. Also think about this way....Imagine if your church or local boys and girls club didn't advertise, pay for their employees, have buildings, or pay their utility bills. Those institutions would fall flat on their faces. But because they do choose to pay for all those things they are much better equipped to serve people through their excess funds.
Always do whatever it is you feel is best to fight for social justice. For me that looks like taking the time to mentor a fatherless boy because I see the importance of boys having men in their lives. For a teenage girl I know it is selling wristbands to raise money for her friend who has cancer. For a elementary girl I know it is praying for and talking to the bullies at her school because she sees the pain they cause. For a group of adults I know it is raising money through races for the International Justice Mission. For a mother it is teaching teenage moms how to raise children. For some of my friends it is taking in foster children. And for millions of young people their first step to fight injustice is going to be taking part in the Kony 2012 campaign this year. Let their hearts be changed as they choose to make a difference in the way they know how.
Rethinking Mission Trips
Imagine someone from a foreign country coming to your home. Their culture, beliefs, and ways of life are strange and different from your own. But they insist that even though you live in a completely different place than they do that you must change your ways to be like them. They have little interest in learning and being changed by you, because they do not plan to stay for a long visit. But still they insist that you should be forever changed to be like them because of your encounter with them.
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This is the picture of a typical missionary trip. Our intentions are to go somewhere and change peoples lives to more closely resemble our own. Lets admit it. It is selfish to impose ourselves on another person in this manner.
We are always doing mission work with person X in mind. Person X is that person currently untouched by the message of Jesus. And boy is there a badge of honor associated with getting person X to join your team.
I want to propose a new take on mission trips. Yes I think we should do them but we should totally change our agenda. Instead of going to these far off strange places to serve others, let us go to these places so others can serve us. I know what your thinking.....'what? that sounds completely counter-intuitive to spreading the gospel.' Just relax. It will be alright, I kind of offended myself when the thought first popped in my head.
When we show up in a strange and weird places to spread the gospel, we come across as foreign. In this situation we are the strangers who need to be welcomed in and shown mercy. We should go knowing that the only service we provide is the opportunity for others to show us God's grace. It is only when we accept this grace that we can find the freedom necessary to move past the trapping of our own present worlds. What hope could be found by seeing God's faithfulness to his people living in more desperate situations as they share his unconditional with us? Once we are changed by this type of interactions with other people, we will be open to showing the same love and mercy to those who we interact with daily. As we find ourselves in a healthy place with those God has already placed in our lives, we can naturally be more open to those that we might have before encountered as strange.
Racial Sensitivity With Jeremy Lin
What isn't to like about a short Asian point guard? I have never been a Knicks fan in my life, but I have bought into Jeremy Lin. He just has to many young Steve Nash tendencies. As an outspoken Christian, Lin also sets the stage to discuss racial reconciliation.
In a recent discussion on ESPN Stephen Smith and Skip Bayless have a thought provoking discussion around Jeremy Lin, racial sensitivity, and creating a culture of forgiveness.
Lessons From Mentoring
I mentor a 12 year old boy named Brennan. He teaches me a lot of stuff.
Things I have learned by being a Mentor.
1. Apparently the Lazy River is supposed to be a race.
2. Boys raised only by women share their feelings better.
3. Grief does not require answers.
4. You can't mentor everyone, so focus on who you can.
5. You usually hear from people other than the person you are mentoring about the difference you are making.
6. It is more important to be the example than the teacher.
7. It is just as important to let a mentored be a part of your life as it is for you to be a part of theirs.
8. Everyone should learn how to fish. (this may not be true, but I like to think it is)
9. Be thankful if your kid is good at sports...it makes life easier. My mentee is a champ.
10. Never be afraid to listen. Ask open ended questions.
Things I have learned by being a Mentor.
1. Apparently the Lazy River is supposed to be a race.
2. Boys raised only by women share their feelings better.
3. Grief does not require answers.
4. You can't mentor everyone, so focus on who you can.
5. You usually hear from people other than the person you are mentoring about the difference you are making.
6. It is more important to be the example than the teacher.
7. It is just as important to let a mentored be a part of your life as it is for you to be a part of theirs.
8. Everyone should learn how to fish. (this may not be true, but I like to think it is)
9. Be thankful if your kid is good at sports...it makes life easier. My mentee is a champ.
10. Never be afraid to listen. Ask open ended questions.
We are Meant to Create a Better Church
The life of virtue finds its fullest expression in the church as ecclesial virtues. The virtues of individual Christians are meant to create a better church, not just better individuals. In sum, Christian spirituality can be nothing other than living the Christian life in union with God in the church.
Chan, Simon (2009-09-30). Spiritual Theology: A Systematic Study of the Christian Life (p. 122). Intervarsity Press. Kindle Edition.
Chan, Simon (2009-09-30). Spiritual Theology: A Systematic Study of the Christian Life (p. 122). Intervarsity Press. Kindle Edition.
Usher/U2 Cover by Heavens to Betsy ft. Chelsea Lankes
A sweet little cover mash-up featuring Chelsea Lankes and Heavens to Betsy's Ben Backus.
For Tim Tebow and 20-Somethings
Chap Clark recently wrote an open letter to Tim Tebow. I pasted the advice section of letter below because I thought was relevant advice for all 20-somethings.
Because of this, I just wanted to share three simple little thoughts for you to ponder the next few years (I know I don’t know you personally, but I have spent a bunch of time working to understand people in your stage of life, so I hope this resonates with you):
Chap Clark
Because of this, I just wanted to share three simple little thoughts for you to ponder the next few years (I know I don’t know you personally, but I have spent a bunch of time working to understand people in your stage of life, so I hope this resonates with you):
- Find a couple of trusted older “mentor types” who could care less that you are a football player. I know you’ve grown up with a phenomenal family and great family and church friends. But for this stage, maybe it could be a gift to find a handful of solid, smart, unflappable men and women from Denver who would be willing to walk with you, listen to you, and be there for you as you navigate the next few years (I know a few like that in Denver, if you need some suggestions)
- Get plenty of alone time and read, and read a lot, beyond the kinds of books you’re used to reading. Tim, expand your mind, and your view of people, the world and the faith. These are supremely important formative years, and even though you’re a famous icon you’re still a 24-year-old young man who desires to grow into the man God has called him to be. So read, and study, well.
- Find a couple of friends who will tell you when you’re being foolish, or delusional, or worse. We all are fooled, and you more than anyone has plenty of press clippings and “wanna be friends” who will tell you whatever it takes to be in your inner circle. But flee the temptation to spend much time with those types. Many a famous young person has been dragged down under the weight of their own success. Friendships – real, authentic, honest and lifelong friendships will force you to stay grounded.
Chap Clark
Thoughts on Poverty
Two short stories:
(insert racial tensions between the black and white cultures of North Louisiana)
I'm sure my dad probably doesn't remember this conversation but it has stuck with me. Riding in the truck home after a cross country practice in high school he was telling me about his day. As the principal of an elementary school he had to make a trip up to the local school board office. There he had to argue with the payroll department for his janitorial staff to receive their appropriate pay and benefits. This was part of an ongoing battle of mishaps that never favored the janitorial staff. I asked my what made him keep doing that. I still remember his reply, "Because I can see them as people"
The other story comes from a friend. I will not use names because I did not ask permission to share even though he gladly shared the story with me.......A homeless man in Asheville approached two guys in college on summer break and asked them for some money. One of the guys asked politely what he needed the money for. The homeless man said he just wanted to buy a beer. Surprised by the man's honesty the college guy offered to buy him a beer in exchange for some conversation. The three men shared a beer and discussed their lives and relationships with Jesus.
(insert racial tensions between the black and white cultures of North Louisiana)
I'm sure my dad probably doesn't remember this conversation but it has stuck with me. Riding in the truck home after a cross country practice in high school he was telling me about his day. As the principal of an elementary school he had to make a trip up to the local school board office. There he had to argue with the payroll department for his janitorial staff to receive their appropriate pay and benefits. This was part of an ongoing battle of mishaps that never favored the janitorial staff. I asked my what made him keep doing that. I still remember his reply, "Because I can see them as people"
The other story comes from a friend. I will not use names because I did not ask permission to share even though he gladly shared the story with me.......A homeless man in Asheville approached two guys in college on summer break and asked them for some money. One of the guys asked politely what he needed the money for. The homeless man said he just wanted to buy a beer. Surprised by the man's honesty the college guy offered to buy him a beer in exchange for some conversation. The three men shared a beer and discussed their lives and relationships with Jesus.
How should we read the Bible?
N.T.Wright "The whole sweep of Scripture"
NT Wright reflects on the way we should read scripture: not just as verses, but as the meta-narrative of God’s involvement in history. A brilliant man sharing his wisdom.
Atheism 2.0
Alain de Botton recently gave this TED talk called Atheism 2.0
His lecture was intriguing to say the least. He presents a 'new' postmodern twist to atheism incorporating the 'best parts' of religion.
We have to admit that there are consequences of our orientation toward data and technique rather than toward emotional processes of our human nature. Botton recognizes this and seeks to address the problem by meshing culture with the ritualistic practices of religion to reinforce positive character traits. He focuses on creating 'spiritual' experiences that address our higher level needs such as guidance, morality, and consolation.
Certainly there are positive aspects of religion that should be incorporated by culture such as community, meditation, and reflection. But my problem with his theory lies in his assumption that religious rituals will work as a means to an end. He operates as if there is some equation to a satisfying life.
Here I think we definitely see a heart longing for something more. My worry is that someone with this mindset will eventually find themselves even more empty after the trapping of ritual practices.
Botton's talk made me reflect upon the motives of my own practices. Do they serve as a means to an end? Or are they designed to connect me to something beyond?
A Response to 'Why I Hate Religion But Love Jesus'
This video has gone viral in the last few weeks. I have seen it a dozen+ times on my mini-feed within the last week. The irony of it all is that it has mostly been friends I would consider conservative posting the video. The whole thing kind of annoys me and gives me hope at the same time. I also saw a post with Willie Wonka that read "Oh you hate religion but love Jesus. You must be so much smarter and open minded than other Christians." I will admit that I chuckled the first time I read it, but cynicism isn't the proper approach either.
Jefferson Bethke says the video is designed to highlight the difference between Jesus and false religion. I give him a C- for this assignment(includes bonus points for style).
Where Jefferson gains points:
- Churches are often as consumed with materialism as the culture that surrounds them.
- Religion can often become nothing more than behavior modification.
- There is a disconnect between many peoples actions and stated beliefs.
- Church should be open to people with broken lives.
- God does not favor self-righteousness
Where Jefferson looses points:
- Bethke understanding of the issue (Jesus vs. Religion) is too black and white. It is more complicated than saying 'Im all spiritual but not religious'
- He is from Seattle, yet feels the need to take cheap shots at Republicans with lines like "Being Republican doesn't automatically mean Christian."
- Accuses the church of not feeding the poor or taking care of single moms.
- "Religion has do, Jesus says Done. Religion says Slave. Jesus says Son." Fact check: Jesus said all those things.
- Narrow view of the Gospel message as sin management.
Yes let us never forget that Jesus had to abolish and reject aspects of the very religion that prophesied his coming, but he did so in order to create the church as the Renewed Israel.
I'm afraid Bethke is as much a reductionist as the false religious people he rebukes.
I am glad Bethke is trying to overcome the perceived gap between his actions and stated beliefs, but I wish he would listen more carefully to his own advice.......
'Just because you call somebody blind, doesn't automatically give you vision'
5 Things MLK Did Well
"Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but
comes through continuous struggle. And so we must straighten our backs
and work for our freedom. A man can't ride you unless your back is
bent."
Martin Luther King, Jr.
5 Things MLK did well:
2. Encouraged people groups to adapt toward their strongest member instead of herding to protect their weakest members.
3. He used challenge as a chance to produce growth. Avoided blame and victimization.
4. He allowed time for processes to mature. No quick fix mentality.
5. Stood up for what was right. There was no failure of nerve in his leadership.
What is the Christian Story about?
The Christian story is not primarily about how God in Jesus came to rescue sinners from some impending disaster. It is about God’s work of initiating us into a fellowship and making us true conversational partners with the Father and the Son through the Spirit and, hence, with each other (1 Jn 1:1-4). Attaining heaven and avoiding hell represent just one aspect of the koinonia of God’s extended family. This explains why heaven and hell do not receive any sustained focus in the Scriptures. The biblical writers avoid direct discussion of details about the hereafter (2 Cor 12:1-4). But they have bequeathed to us a rich vocabulary describing the nature of the life of fellowship (justification, regeneration, reconciliation and so on) and explaining it (as in the various hortatory sections of the Epistles). Above all, they furnish us with four Gospels, four related stories about Jesus, whose life and work made it all possible.
Chan, Simon (2009-09-30). Spiritual Theology: A Systematic Study of the Christian Life (p. 78). Intervarsity Press. Kindle Edition.
Chan, Simon (2009-09-30). Spiritual Theology: A Systematic Study of the Christian Life (p. 78). Intervarsity Press. Kindle Edition.
Formation
I was asked to give my working definition of spiritual and personal formation. This was my reply.
I do not have separate definitions for Spiritual and
Personal formation because I believe they are inseparable. Often times I have
heard someone ask “How is your spiritual life?” I prefer a question more like,
“What is God doing in and with your life?” To separate the two seems only to
serve as self-deception that beliefs are somehow different from our actions. As
part of living out an incarnate faith all life is part of spiritual and
personal formation, because they are one in the same.
Spiritual and personal formation are not simply meant to be
integrated, they are already integrated. In “Becoming Whole and Holy” one of
the authors discusses that we are finite beings and by definition that means we
are in a state of becoming. I would
agree that regardless of our level of engagement with the world we are becoming
and being formed through our interaction with it. Our initial efforts therefor
play a major role in the direction of our formation.
I believe personal scripture reading, prayer, and reflection
are and always will be important aspects of intentional formation. I don’t
think these practices should be used as a means to an end, but definitely integrated
as a part of a life fully engaged with God. With that said I also believe
formation is done best through community. The book refers to formation as both
relational and social. We are not merely shaped by other people’s ideas but by
the other people themselves. Through community love becomes the formative
strategy. We find God and are formed by Him in the very act of love.
divinehumanity
Here are some fuzzy thoughts about the nature of Jesus.
Christ claimed to be 100% God and 100% human. That’s amazing because I don’t think I could fully embrace either.
Of course I could never consider myself fully God. I could never be omnipresent or all knowing... anything more than a subjective being.
But I am also constantly doing things to spite on own humanity as if I am somehow above it. As a finite being totally limited to my space and time I continually make claims as if I am not. Of course I am uncertain and I have doubt and unknowing, but often I pretend not too. I make claims of certainty about realities of which I have no way to prove outside of my own experience.
I could never be God, but I have trouble accepting that I am fully human.
On the cross Jesus was fully God and fully Human. Jesus, knowing all, fully embraced the human experience of doubt and unknowing even till death. God forsake God.
It isn't in acknowledging, but in participating in that crucifixion that we find ourselves in presence of God fully embracing our humanity.
2 Corinthians 4:10-12 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
Christ claimed to be 100% God and 100% human. That’s amazing because I don’t think I could fully embrace either.
Of course I could never consider myself fully God. I could never be omnipresent or all knowing... anything more than a subjective being.
But I am also constantly doing things to spite on own humanity as if I am somehow above it. As a finite being totally limited to my space and time I continually make claims as if I am not. Of course I am uncertain and I have doubt and unknowing, but often I pretend not too. I make claims of certainty about realities of which I have no way to prove outside of my own experience.
I could never be God, but I have trouble accepting that I am fully human.
On the cross Jesus was fully God and fully Human. Jesus, knowing all, fully embraced the human experience of doubt and unknowing even till death. God forsake God.
It isn't in acknowledging, but in participating in that crucifixion that we find ourselves in presence of God fully embracing our humanity.
2 Corinthians 4:10-12 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
Public Jesus
I feel like God has become more and more privatized. We are more concerned with what happens behind closed doors. The inner life. We ask people about their "spiritual life" as if it is something separate from the rest of their life. It seems as if the real self is the inner self. It isn't want you do but what you believe.
Recently I have really taken on this idea of God in present. Finding God in the very act of love. Not in what I know about Him but in the way He is manifest through daily actions. Seeking God in this manner has blurred the lines between spiritual and everyday life.
Who we are drives what we do. To say we believe one thing but we act in a different way is a lie. What we do is what we believe. We do things that contradict our stated beliefs, and then claim we need to get our actions in line with our beliefs. The truth is at some level our inner being believes it is ok to live in contradictions, and our outer being reflects that through our actions. To hold the inner and outer selves as separate is to maintain the delusion between our perceived and actual selves.
Our inner self is our outer self. Actions are our beliefs. If you believe God is Love you will find Him in the very act of doing so. The lines from our journals, songs, and words become a reflection of the actions of lives, not the other way around.
Recently I have really taken on this idea of God in present. Finding God in the very act of love. Not in what I know about Him but in the way He is manifest through daily actions. Seeking God in this manner has blurred the lines between spiritual and everyday life.
Who we are drives what we do. To say we believe one thing but we act in a different way is a lie. What we do is what we believe. We do things that contradict our stated beliefs, and then claim we need to get our actions in line with our beliefs. The truth is at some level our inner being believes it is ok to live in contradictions, and our outer being reflects that through our actions. To hold the inner and outer selves as separate is to maintain the delusion between our perceived and actual selves.
Our inner self is our outer self. Actions are our beliefs. If you believe God is Love you will find Him in the very act of doing so. The lines from our journals, songs, and words become a reflection of the actions of lives, not the other way around.
"I am God" says Love
"I am God" says Love
I don't remember who authored that quote. I just remember the first time I read it being struck by the huge idea hidden in such a small saying.
It seems to bring the presence of God into the present.
Often times we read it - "I am Love" says God. In western culture we often make God a separate being living in a alternate time space reality. This creates a disconnect between our reality and God's; a separation between heaven and earth.
"I am God" says Love - seems to deliver the message that Jesus brought. That God is now here among us.
God dwells with us and is found in the very act of Love itself.
to be love is to be known,
to know how is to be shown,
to show us how we look to above,
up came down so He could be Love.
I don't remember who authored that quote. I just remember the first time I read it being struck by the huge idea hidden in such a small saying.
It seems to bring the presence of God into the present.
Often times we read it - "I am Love" says God. In western culture we often make God a separate being living in a alternate time space reality. This creates a disconnect between our reality and God's; a separation between heaven and earth.
"I am God" says Love - seems to deliver the message that Jesus brought. That God is now here among us.
God dwells with us and is found in the very act of Love itself.
to be love is to be known,
to know how is to be shown,
to show us how we look to above,
up came down so He could be Love.
I Resolve to Resolve
Yesterday my friend Paul Behnke spoke about becoming an integrated person. We tend to be disintegrated people living compartmentalized lives. We compartmentalize our spiritual, physical, emotional, relational, and intellectual etc...lives. Paul spoke of removing the dissonance between our inner and outer selves. Integrating our mind, body, soul, strength. (Matt 5:48) Paul's talk was solid and I agree that at some level we need to become less compartmentalized, but I would also like to offer a slightly difference approach to same idea.
I think that our inner and outer lives are already in consonance. That is that we cannot avoid the integration. We may act differently in varying situations, but that is who we are expressed through different scenarios. We may want that which is right or that which is wrong given a different circumstance. Our practices do not fall short of our beliefs; but are a concrete, material expression of them.
Our practices are our beliefs. Our attempts to brings our actions in line with our stated beliefs fails to admit this. It maintains the separation between mind, body, soul, and strength.
The gap in our lives that needs to be removed lies between our perception and reality. Our commitments will show us which master we serve and which one we hate. (Matt 6:4) Our stated beliefs will not always be as straight forward.
To truly change our inner lives by default changes our outer lives.
I think that our inner and outer lives are already in consonance. That is that we cannot avoid the integration. We may act differently in varying situations, but that is who we are expressed through different scenarios. We may want that which is right or that which is wrong given a different circumstance. Our practices do not fall short of our beliefs; but are a concrete, material expression of them.
Our practices are our beliefs. Our attempts to brings our actions in line with our stated beliefs fails to admit this. It maintains the separation between mind, body, soul, and strength.
The gap in our lives that needs to be removed lies between our perception and reality. Our commitments will show us which master we serve and which one we hate. (Matt 6:4) Our stated beliefs will not always be as straight forward.
To truly change our inner lives by default changes our outer lives.
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