Bleeding Benediction

I love and loathe the following benediction:

May all your expectations be frustrated. May all your plans be thwarted. May all your desires be withered into nothingness. That you may experience the powerlessness and poverty of a child and sing, dance, and trust in the love of God who is Father, Son, and Spirit. Amen.

Given by Brennan Manning on October 11, 2000 in a chapel service on the campus of Mount Vernon Nazarene University.

I am challenged to embrace trust. I am challenged to embrace love - to sing and dance when I am not loved in return.

Deadly Life

Our lives are meant to be lived only to eventually die. One week ago, an acquaintence from college died suddenly in his sleep. A memorial service was held tonight. I could not go. Too many memories resurfaced from my friend who died in January. I now realize that I haven't handled that death very well. I fought through the tears when speaking at his funeral and tried to help others through the torturous grief. I only allowed two people to comfort me, my wife, and one other shoulder upon which I cried.

Trinity Talk

I don't like the word "trinity." Is it necessary to use such a word in a vain attempt to finitely describe an infinite God? I agree that there is one, true God. I understand that his nature is revealed and carried out in different ways. Biblically God is described as a Father. The man-version of God is Jesus described as Son. The indwelling presence, helper-version of God is described as Spirit. While all such labels are distinctive and aim to clarify the person of God I do not believe that we must insist on terminology that quantifies the infinitely perfect and overly sufficient nature of God. The label causes confusion and does not fit into our modern, scientific systems of description. Why can we not accept God for who he is without containing him to what our minds can capture? Are we simply not creative enough? Do we simply not trust?

Realized Kingdom

What is the kingdom of God when it is realized? I'm suggesting that the kingdom must be understood and seen as more than a mere suggestion of what the kingdom is in and of itself. What does our definition of the kingdom of God mean for what we look like as the Church? For the kingdom to be made real (or at least recognized and with less limiting of its presence) who do we need to be/what do we need to do?

Ballot Casting

Is it ironic that the word "casting" is used in reference to a voting ballot and lots for the cloth worn by Jesus?

I have decided to not vote. This Tuesday will break my "perfect" voting record, though my candidate selection in years past makes me hang my head in disgust. I will not allow the poor decisions made by politicians to shed blood on my hands. I will not be a part of selecting a person for office who participates in gossip, slander, and character defamation. The two-party system needs dismantled. My vote is to not vote. Such action may only be a whisper (if that) but nonetheless... well... I just can't vote with a clear conscience and that's that.

Thinking Friends

Last week granted me the pleasure of spending some time in dialogue with Corbin Casarez and Kevin Peterson. Corbin challenges me to pursue cognitive and philosophical growth and Kevin nudges me to practically pursue a God-given vision. Grace has been granted me to experience the pleasure of connecting with old friends, openly discussing life, ourselves, God, and other intricacies as if there were never a gap of time separating us. I am anticipating more reconnections this week with Wes and Kristen Buchanan and Mike and Holly Cunningham. I am blessed.

Gubernatorial Race

In a comment on my previous post, John Ballenger was nominated for governor, convincing me to, indeed, vote. John Ballenger will be my "write-in" candidate and will take Blackwell and Stickland by storm. I may assume the role of Ballenger for Governor Campaign Chairperson. Our platform motto will be: "Ballenger: Fair and Balanced" Oh... wait... that's Fox News. "Ballenger: Because Libertarian Socialist Independency is Our Only Answer"
Actually, I really am still having a dilemna as to whether or not to cast my vote on a ballot this November.

Legislated Christianity

Can Christianity be legislated? If so, how? If not, then why should I even vote?

Covenant Thinking

There are many well intended followers of Christ using Old Testament references to defend their favorable stance on the war in iraq. The references elude to the fact the God himself destroyed cities/people and/or instructed men to do so. What if we think of the Bible not as Old Testament and New Testament writings but as the story of God and his people? In this story there was a covenant between God and his people. Humanity broke that covenant continually and God had a certain way of dealing with those people and situations. This covenant is now an Old Covenant. God established a New Covenant with his people through Jesus Christ: a covenant of unwavering love, forgiveness, peace, non-violence, and radical kindness. God himself revealed through Jesus has never changed, but his covenant has.

Passion for Peace Essays

John Ballenger lent me a book compiled of the social essays of Thomas Merton. I'm enjoying the beginnings. Passion for Peace is edited by William H. Shannon.

"Commenting on the prison writings of Father Delp, (Merton) says, 'Christ our Lord did not come to bring peace as a kind of spiritual tranquilizer. He brought to his disciples a vocation and a task: to struggle in the world of violence to establish His peace not only in their own hearts but in society itself.'"

May we cease to individualize our faith and think primarily about our neighbors and the global community in which we live.

Religion not Relationship

I've noticed on many Facebook profiles that followers of Christ clarify the item where "Religion" is defined. Many state that "it's not religion, it's relationship." A popular saying is along the lines of "we all need a personal relationship with God." Where is "personal relationship" used in the Bible? This cliche, Christian catchphrase that began at somepoint in the 1970s was used to describe Christianity as more than meaningless, empty, religious ritual. I will concede that such a phrase may have been necessary at a certain time in a certain place. I pose, however, that our time and place necessitates the very opposite type of language. Following Christ is religious. It does, indeed, involve intimate conversation, listening, solitude, and other such things that may be deemed "relational with God." It does involve social action, compassion, and ministry that also may be deemed "relational with others." Are these things not also religious? Are we scared to admit that following the way of Christ is spiritual and religious?

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after the orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." The Letter of James, Chapter 1, Verse 27.

"Church Re-Imagined": Re-Thinked

Doug Pagitt writes about "the spiritual formation of people in communities of faith" in the book, "Church Re-Imagined." A statement about the vision of the Solomon's Porch, an emergent faith community begins, "We Dream of a Church Where..." 23 items are listed in this "dream." If I could restate these visions with what I believe to be a more correct terminology that defines the Church as a community of believers rather than eluding to a "place WHERE," it would go something like this:
We Are the Church: A people WHO...
1. Listen to and are obedient to God.
2. Follow the way of Jesus Christ.
3. Value, use, and understand beauty, art, and creativity as coming from the Creator, God.
4. Connect with God in heart, soul, mind, and strength, not separating any part of life from that which is spiritual.
5. Love the LORD God with heart, soul, mind, and strength.
6. Illuminate the presence of the kingdom of God on this earth.
7. Share the biblical story of God and his people, journeying together as a part of that story.
8. Promote justice.
9. Suffer with and share life and love with the orphan, fatherless, widow, marginalized, and oppressed.
10. Worship every moment of every day.
11. Use the gifts granted by God.
12. Live by the guidance and direction of the indwelling Spirit of God which precedes reason, structures, and systems.
13. Serve one another in humility without self-gain and with self-cost.
14. Learn, study, and teach the Word of God creatively.
15. Depend on one another.

Romanization of the Early Church

In reference to the Early Church, Hugh T. Kerr notes that "the Roman political establishment forced the amorphous church to adopt administrative structures for its own institutional organization." What was forced upon the church for the free continuation of its practice and existence? Is it the aforementioned governmental influence that has led to the establishments, processes, and institutionalization of the current church? Do we need to recover, then, the function of the church as described in Acts 2 rather than that which is spelled out by such Early Church fathers as Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Perpetua, Tertullian, and Origen? Or were these men fighting for something legitimate?

Abnormal Normalities

What is normal? We measure normalness by comparison to some other relative thing, person, place, or idea. By contrast to another object or person, normalness changes, which would make normal not normal. Such a topic could appear to be merely philosophical in nature but has drastic implications to faith and life:
Was Jesus normal? Most of my contemporaries "normally" reply "no." But what if Jesus was normal? What if it is everyone else that is not normal? If that is the case then why do we say things like, "That is perfectly normal (for someone to speak, act, or behave in a certain manner)?" Maybe it's not perfectly normal and we need to strive toward the normality of Jesus. We would be outcasts for being "unnormal" but yet might achieve genuine "normalness."
Is what is normal always right? We all screw up and make mistakes or in a more biblical sense, "sin," therefore it may seem normal to possess flaws. The ideas of "total depravity" and "original sin" begin here. So if we are depraved and sinful then we cannot be right. So "normal" cannot be right unless "normal" is really right and we are genuinely not normal in our transgressions. So why don't we quit saying that it is normal to fall short of the glory of God and seek the normality of Christlikeness? Is it because it costs us something and sacrifices our "normality?"

An Unclear Painting

I've been disenchanted for some time now about the "institutional church." I was disillusioned enough to even be a part of such. Something different is happening now. I have "criticized the current consciousness" (as Walter Brueggemann would say) of the institutional church and am beginning to see an ever-so-unclear and fluid painting of who we are to be as a church. If I must speak within the constrains of modernism and provide a mission statement or definitive explanation of who we are as the church, it would go something like this:
If we have to call ourselves something, we’ll call ourselves "the church" – not because we are so full of ourselves that we think we are THE church, but because that’s simply who we are collectively. We are the church. There is no need to distinguish ourselves as a separated entity or place. We are not a “local congregation” (whatever that means). The only reason any label such as “the church” is necessary is because we have been set apart by God as His people for His service. We are the ekklesia - the community of Christ-followers. We do not attend church because we are the church. We are not a place. We are a people. We worship - but not as most Western, "conservative" evangelical Christians may perceive worship. We worship together everyday.
The word "we" does not distinguish us as a tribe, clan, exclusive club that requires membership. The "we" only continues to exist if the "we" live with the "they" in order that the "they" may encounter the very love of God. "We" and "they" are distincly different but live in community one with the other. From what is aforesomentioned, the church looks unclear. It is indeed unclear yet it is clear. Like air - One cannot see air yet the air is so very clear. The church may be intangible and immeasureable but participates so intricately in the formation process of people that it secondarily becomes distinctively recognizable.

Emergent Essentials

The following article is definitely worth a read for one to understand a fundamental movement in the church. Click below to read about some essential components in the conversation of the emerging church. I am not suggesting that the subversive reformation movement that is in progressing will be fueled by or founded upon the "emergent."
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2004/011/12.36.html

Vineyard of Knox County

I attended a celebration service at Mount Vernon High School (or Middle School) today. The service was held in the school cafeteria. It was very laid back with people of all ages but only one race (at least that I noticed). The musical reflection was a tremendous moment for me to connect more intimately with God and I was deeply encouraged to continue thinking differently (appropriately) about the church. The experience did not redeem in my mind the current practices of "churchdom" but the pastor spoke prophetically saying what seemed to be some of my thoughts about recovering who we are as followers of Christ. The term "prophetically" may have many interpretations oppossing that which is intended in the preceeding sentence. While the service was more "led by the Spirit" than what I am used to, it was by no means what some may describe as "charismatic" (a word which is overly and heavily misused). I applaud the efforts of those who call themselves the Vineyard of Knox County for engaging themselves within the community. If only they were not working on the construction/remodeling of a new place to gather...
http://www.knoxvineyard.org

U.S. Nuclear Progam Permitted / Empire Idolatry

Iran rejects U.N. nuclear deadlne
Tehran has until end of Aug to suspend program or face sanctions
Tuesday, August 1, 2006; Posted: 11:48 a.m. EDT (15:48 GMT)

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) -- President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Tuesday rejected a U.N. Security Council resolution that would give his nation until Aug. 31 to suspend uranium enrichment.
Instead, Ahmadinejad insisted Tehran would pursue its nuclear program.
"My words are the words of the Iranian nation. Throughout Iran, there is one slogan: 'The Iranian nation considers the peaceful use of nuclear fuel production technology its right,"' Ahmadinejad said.
The Security Council passed a resolution Monday calling for Iran to suspend uranium enrichment by the end of August or face the threat of economic and diplomatic sanctions.

Why does the United States always think that it is bigger and better than everyone else? Does the U.N. Security Council demand that the United States cease operation at its Uranium Enrichment Plant? Why is it okay for the U.S. to have a nuclear program but no one else can?

The preceeding rhetorical questions reveal my attitude toward the U.S. It is an attitude of disgust and disgrace due to the practice of Nationalism and religious worship of an earthly empire. For most "conservative evangelicals," along with many others, America has become an idol. The starred and striped flag and displays of red, white, and blue have become religious icons - symbols revealing allegiance. My allegiance is to God and God alone. I will not pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America nor to the republic for which it stands. I will not pledge allegiance to Iran. I will not pledge allegiance to Angola. I will not pledge allegiance to any earthly empire. My allegiance is to God and God alone. May we become aware of our idolatry. May we cease to inadvertantly pay homage to an eartly empire.

Politics and Patriotism / Retatliation and Reconciliation

The subsequent picture is from an article from the New York Times. Click the link for full story.

The Woodland Hills Church in St. Paul, Minn., lost about 1,000 of its 5,000 members after Rev. Gregory Boyd urged in June an end to sexual moralizing and military glorification and said America should not be proclaimed a "Christian nation."

http://articles.news.aol.com/news/_a/disowning-conservative-politics-is/20060729195809990004?ncid=NWS00010000000001

My father-in-law operates an amature radio from his study on the second floor of his home in northwestern Ohio. He connected with a man in Norway who asked, "Why does America always have to be in everyone else's business? Why did you go to Iraq? Why are you still in Iraq? Why do you guys have to have our hands in everything?"
My father-in-law responded, "If you had some bunch of terrorists fly planes into major economic buildings in Norway, killing thousands of innocent people, wouldn't your country retaliate as well?"
"Maybe so. But what were you doing there in the first place? In Norway, we use our own oil. We don't depend on Middle Eastern oil. You guys were over there for oil, money, for financial gain."
My father-in-law didn't know how to respond.

My responsibility as a follower of Christ is to love the Lord with my heart, soul, mind, and strength - to become as much like Christ as I possibly can (that's what the disciples did in 1st Century Israel). In doing so, I am able to love my neighbor. My neighbor is not just the white, middle-class guy that lives across the street. My neighbors live in Lebanon, Israel, Iran, Syria, Iraq, Pakistan, North Korea, Oklahoma, India, Portugal, New Zealand, and Norway. I have a global responsibility as a follower of Christ. Let's now assume that this guy from Norway has heard that America is the "Christian Nation." He sees how America operates and begins to associate Christ with retaliation. He begins to see Christ as someone who is intersted in obtaining more oil for his own consumption and financial gain. Christ then becomes someone who the Norweigian veiws as arrogant, power-hungry, selfish, and materialistic - someone who does not love his neighbor - who does not care about the death of so many innocent people.

Along with Gregroy Boyd, I cannot claim America as a Christian nation. Sometimes I don't even like to say that I'm a Christian because of all the negative, non-biblical connotations that go with it. It is not a matter of being ashamed of being a Christ follower, it's being ashamed of what Christianity has become. Too many Christians support war - and for what? For our religious rights? What religious rights? Christ never promised religious rights? He only promised and taught a better way to live: a life of forgiveness and reconciliation. May we consider our tactics and polical positioning and consider our global responsibily to love our neighbors.