Conversations.

Sarah, Kyla, and I were on the road for six hours traveling to visit family with the final 2.5 hour stretch remaining. Somewhat miraculously, Kyla has slept for more than 2/3 of the time and didn't even cry the other < 33.3%. Sarah and I had some very re-energizing and renewing conversation. We continued to reveal deep parts of ourselves and the things through which we have journeyed individually (or within other community relationships) and together. We realized how distracted we had become from one another. In a short period of time we reconnected.
Reconnection: to connect again.
Where might followers of Jesus need to "reconnect?" Where have we strayed from the way of Jesus communally and individually (which ultimately results in an affect on the community)?
I would suggest that consumption has distracted us from the way of Jesus. I will be entering a series of posts on consumerism and our observance of holidays along with two more posts about my interaction with N.T. Wright. You are invited to include your thoughts in response to the upcoming posts and include your perspective on the distractions of culture that produce a disconnect between God and his people.

N.T. Wright Teaching.

I was not present for the first lecture given by N.T. Wright on Tuesday, 11.13 at Asbury Theological Seminary. The second lecture, the first that I attended was delivered on Thursday, 11.14. The lecture is entitled "God in Public." The second lecture to fill my ears and mind was a New Testemant Colloquium covering a brief exegesis of the entire, "turbulent" book of Acts discussing "a Jesus who is risen, ascended and highly disturbing." The links connect to .mp3 files for those who do not have or use itunes and/or an ipod (though I highly recommend both for valuable podcasts and lectures via the new itunesU along with some quality tracks from Iron and Wine, Coldplay, Dashboard, The Fray, and other high quality music). The podcasts have yet to be uploaded by ATS but I will include links to in that format once made available.

N.T. Wright Introduction

Wednesday, November 14 was a day of rich experience. I traveled with Oakwood Hall's Spritual Life Assistants to Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, KY to hear lectures giving by The Church of England's Bishop of Durham, N.T. Wright. Hereinafter referred to as Tom (since that is how he signed my journal), N.T. initially studied at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford and was then ordained as Junior Research Fellow and Junior Chaplain at Merton College, Oxford. He served as Fellow and Chaplain at Downing College, Cambridge before moving to Montreal as Assistant Professor of New Testament Studies at McGill University. He returned to Oxford as University Lectured in New Testament and Fellow and Chaplain of Worcester College. He became Dean of Lichfield in 1994 and Canon Theologian of Westminster Abbey in 2000.
After meeting Tom, I assert that he may chuckle at the above description. He is not a man of pride who values the fanciful titles and accompanying celebritism. The only reference in his addresses regarding his position was the notation of his membership in the English Parliament's House of Lords. This fact was stated slightly for teaching to reference the differentiation between the suppossed "separation of church and state" in the United States and the established national religion of England.
Tom's person is gentle with an aura of humility. He possesses a somewhat dry, or rather, subtle, sarcastic sense of humor which proved essential to his teaching method.
Refer to upcoming posts for further thoughts on his teachings (including links to the podcasts), account of personal interaction experienced, and photos.

Bishop N.T. Wright is not to be confused with the Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Douglas Williams. One co-worker who shall remain nameless made this terrible mistake and must find himself in a state of repentance.

Flickr Updating

After my initial photo uploads some time ago I discovered the beauty of the Flickr Uploadr. I also extended beyond the free version so that I have unlimited downloading and storage for backup archives. Now I don't have to burn CDs that need stored and organized for backup. I'm continuing to download many, many photos. The Flickr link is permanently located to the right in MY LINKS. Simply click "My Photo Album." My favorite album is the recently uploaded "Beauty: Sarah & Kyla."

Tony.

Please take the time to read a beautifully crafted blog by my friend, Tony Jones. The title of the particular post of which is speak is I Take my Coffee Black, Like my Coffee.

Where?

On Saturday afternoon I attended the ARTalum silent auction at MVNU. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit and interaction and was able to walk away with a fine piece called "herb robert 144" by Clarence Adrian McKinney. I also purchased a mug molded by art professor, Jim Hendrix. Now, where might you find me? You might find me enjoying some rest and pleasure at some art museums and/or studios.
While mingling in the gallery amongst the creation, that on the walls and those walking around the room, I engaged in conversation with Dr. David Wilkes. He is a good and intelligent man. He asked me where I see myself in five years. I realized that I do not have a good answer to that question. All I know is that any plan that I make could be thwarted and withered into nothingness. Within five years I plan to complete my M.A.R. in the Spring of 2009, travel to Russia to complete the international adoption processes thereby increasing our family by one, and traveling to England, Scotland, and Ireland in the Summer of 2010. Where will I be in 2012? My answer is a question mark.

What Would Jesus Buy?: Trailer

Spent.

Just when I think I have had enough for one day and am exhausted I get an extra breath and am energized and awake even enough to complete more of my academic assignments. My mind was renewed and many valuable thoughts were flowing as I posted to interact with my colleagues. While listening to Iron & Wine, I created a few images in Photoshop to communicate my thoughts with more clarity. Even through 3:03 a.m. it has been a good night of quality time between my mind and God.

Should I Choose?

I posted a poll that only recorded a few answers: Should one vote when all candidtates adhere to a position(s) and/or practice(s) that is/are contrary to that of a follower of Jesus? Please post your thoughts.

The Evil of Easton.

People must eat. People like to eat good tasting food. People will pay a lot of money for good tasting food that they don't have to grow themselves or even cook themselves.
Exploitive minds have craftily constructed an empire of consumerism known as The Easton Town Center. Those who intend to arrive at said Town Center for the purpose of eating good tasting food at restaurants like P.F. Chang's, The Cheesecake Factory, Brio Tuscan Grille, Mitchell's Ocean Club, BDs Mongolian Barbeque, The Melting Pot, Bon Vie Italian Bistro and Wine Bar end up circling through numerous retail stores and shops. The designers were genius knowing that people's simple presence around stores would produce purchases that are not needed or ever intended. May we begin to consider the enchantment of experience, the power of presence, and the resultant consumption.

So Many Things

Kyla Keller 061 (2)
Originally uploaded by iheartlattes

Joy.
Hope.
Church.
Beauty.

Poetical.

When the last living thing has died on account of us,
how poetical it would be if Earth could say,
in a voice floating up perhaps from the floor
of the Grand Canyon, “It is done.”
People did not like it here.

—Kurt Vonnegut

Giving Manifesto.

A conversation with my wife, Sarah, and sister, Shannon, about the celebration of Christmas and our intentionality to cease our consumerism produced a dialogue between my four-year-old nephew and me:
Travis: Bryson, are you going to give anything to anybody this year for Christmas?
Bryson: No, Santa Claus is.
Travis: Santa Clause is? You're not going to give any gift?
Bryson: No, Santa Claus is.
Travis: Haven't other people given you gifts for Christmas?
Bryson: No, Santa Claus does that.
Travis: You mean your grammy has never gotton you a gift?
Bryson: No, just Santa.
Shannon: Bryson, grammy and papaw have given you gifts for Christmas.
Bryon: Yeah.
Travis: So, don't you think it would be good for you to give to someone?
Bryson: No, Santa Claus is.

What has our culture taught our children?

M.A.R. Missional Leadership

I am working on my Master of Arts of Religion in Missional Leadership from Northwest Nazarene University. I am thoroughly enjoying the program at this point. It is all online and I am discovering the consumption of time that occurs with active engagement in my courses. I am also finding that my mind is provoked to think continually about our discussion/post topics. I wonder why it is that relationships and conversation online seem more intentional toward authenticity and committment. Maybe it's that there are sweet people in my class who value shared experience and time with each other? Maybe it's that we don't have on masks in an attempt to try to prove ourselves as ones who we are not? Maybe it's because we are required to spend time in virual dialogue so that we are not distracted by all the distractions in real conversation?

Changeability.

A thorough conversation dealing with the question in my previous post leads to dialogue about the unchanging/changing nature of God. Does God change?

Originality.

Is there ever an original thought that has never been thought before? From this question, another is proposed: Has this question been asked before? I'm sure it has. Does that answer my question?

Presidential Candidates.

Just for fun I completed an online survey to see with which 2008 presidential candidate's views my opinions most closely match. Though I didn't like the ambiguity and overly-general questions here are my results:

Dennis Kucinich (D) - Ohio Representative: 78.33% match
Ron Paul (R) - Texas Representative: 68.33%
Mike Gravel (D) - Former Alaska Senator : 66.67%
Joseph Biden (D) - Delaware Senator : 49.17%
Hillary Clinton (D) - New York Senator: 48.33%
John Cox (R) - Businessman: 48.33%
Christopher Dodd (D) - Connecticut Senator: 48.33%
Barack Obama (D) - Illinois Senator: 48.33%
John Edwards (D) - Former North Carolina Senator: 47.50%
Bill Richardson (D) - New Mexico Governor: 46.67%
Mike Huckabee (R) - Former Arkansas Governor: 44.17%
Sam Brownback (R) - Kansas Senator: 40.00%
John McCain (R) - Arizona Senator: 40.00%
Governor Mitt Romney (R) - Former Massachusetts: 40.00%
Tom Tancredo (R) - Colorado Representative: 31.67%
Rudy Giuliani (R) - Former New York City Mayor: 28.33%
Duncan Hunter (R) - California Representative 23.33%
Fred Thompson (R) - Former Tennessee Senator: 23.33%

I am ecstatic that 15 of my 18 matches rank below 50% with only 3 between 60% and 80%. I am for the abolishment of the two-party system and my results may reveal why. It is impossible to find a candidate with whom I highly agree due their stances being formulated not on a per issue basis but on a "party-line."
Take to survey for yourself: http://www.vajoe.com/candidate_calculator.html

This World.

I have been exploring the interplay and/or dichotomy between that which may be considered to be of a spiritual nature and that which may be considered to be of an earthly reality. How do the "spiritual" and the "natural" co-exist? Which (if there is separation/distinction) is reality?

Lyrics from Caedmon's Call: This World

There's tarnish on the golden rule
And I want to jump from this ship of fools
Show me a place where hope is young
And a people who are not afraid to love

This world has nothing for me
And this world has everything
All that I could want
And nothing that I need

This world is making me drunk
On the spirits of fear
So when he says who will go
I am nowhere near

And the least of these
Look like criminals to me
So I leave Christ on the street

This world has held my hand
And has led me into intolerance
But now I'm waking up
And now I'm breaking up
But now I'm making up
For lost time

Imprecation

Now listening to: Dashboard Confessional, Dusk and Summer album.

Does anyone have any thoughts on "divine vengeance?" A friend of mine sent an e-mail to me discussing "imprecation psalms" to defend the position that violence is not always wrong because it may be being carried out by God. You may read the except that he copied into the email at http://theologica.blogspot.com/2007/09/crying-for-justice.html. My response was as follows:

"So... maybe there were people in other countries praying hard enough for divine vengeance against the United States, thereby we could call Hurricane Katrina imprecation. God bless the U.S.A."
Please note: The preceding sentence is laced with a double-dose of sarcasm. I am not of a reformed mindset nor do I claim that any natural disasters are caused by or initiated by God.

Thoughts?

Lighter.

Here is a pretty inconsequential and unthoughtful post to rest my mind.

Top 5 Best Athletic Movies (in no particular order):
- Hoosiers
- We Are Marshall
- Miracle
- Rudy
- Remember the Titans

Consuming Me.

I am reading Matthew Sleeth's Serve God, Save the Planet. After quickly reading through chapter (1) I found myself broken, guilty, and in need of repentance. The book is not intended to be "guilt-trip" inducing (at least I didn't read it that way). The author confessed his previous sin of consumption and is passionate about his cause and calling and has demonstrated his commitment to a different way of living. It is, indeed, challenging (for lack of a more powerful word).
While the book is likely to continue specifically with creation care and love as the central theme, it provoked me to dig even deeper into myself to ask, "What really controls me?" I am broken right now - disgusted at myself. I have allowed materialism, status, and acceptance to reign in me and my attempts to be otherwise have been futile at best. I would try to explain my existing methods and praxis for being a steward of creation and wealth but I would merely be attempting to justify my lack of true commitment to giving and ultimately to worship of YHWH. May grace cover me and change me and my family and community.

Human Reality.

I am trying to grasp the fullness of human life. My wife and I left for the hospital on the evening of June 17 and arrived back home on the afternoon of June 19 with a small person with us who was just welcomed into human reality. She is fully human yet is completely dependent on our provision for life. I have seen her progression from birth through 3 months old including physical and mental growth, change is attentiveness and reactivity, and motor skill development. She now laughs, makes expressive faces, tries to talk, grabs things with her hands, looks around, gets excited. She is fully human yet cannot do anything to keep herself alive. It is the breath of YHWH that naturally fills her and sustains her while his (not intended to be patriarchal or label YHWH with a gender specification) creativity keeps her body "involuntarily" functioning. I may be trying, but I cannot grasp the fullness of human reality.

Driscoll vs. Emergent

Some conversation in the blogosphere is centering around a lecture given by Mark Driscoll for the Convergence Conference at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. I recommend that one listens to the PODCAST if he/she has 1.5 hours of free time and doesn't mind heretical accusations being placed on followers of Jesus. Though I am typically opposed to pain medications, the length of Driscoll's lecture prompted me to take (1) ibuprofen tablets. The content caused me to take another. (2) pills later I am very disappointed.

The presentation has initiated the aforementioned blog dialogue that appears to be quite hateful and intolerant. Driscoll initiates the bantering by referencing Emergent and/or theologically non-conservative-evangelicals, specifically Doug Pagitt, Brian McLaren, and Rob Bell. I have read and/or listened to each of the three and my intent here is not to defend each's theology or to speak negatively about of any. My deepest concern is that the focus of many teachers, public voices, and bloggers has been to harpoon each other at the expense of learning the way of Jesus. That which is called "theology" has become quite the opposite. What should be expressions about and of God have become psuedo-academic/scholastic rants to defend one's stance on any given issue or doctrine while sacrificing the worth of others in the community.

I may unpack the previous line of thought later as I must fully process and think through the proper language to use. For now, my question in response to this podcast is, "What good did this do for the Kingdom of God?"

Journey.

Sarah, Kyla, and I attended a gathering this morning with those who call themselves Journey Church. Journey is good people. They are kind and welcoming. We saw several good friends and shared a meal following the teaching. We will begin to integrate ourselves into that community.

My concern with the Journey gathering is that everyone with whom we interacted or met is of nearly the same demographic. We are all young (by which I mean college students to young parents with children ages 3 months - 11 years old [Kyla is the one who is 3 months]). We are nearly all white. We all appeared to be monetarily "fine." Sarah and I hope to discover or initiate a genuine yearning and purpose toward decompartmentalizing and finding value in diversification and intentional relationship beyond that which currently exists.

Alternative Consciousness

The post entitled "Narrative." contains a vague statement about "alternative consciouness." Walter Brueggemann deals with this idea in "Prophetic Imagination". There exists a movement and thought pattern that thrives on criticizing institutions, traditions, theologies, and "church." I would include myself in the collective community of criticizers who know there is a method(s) and picture of church that must be more in keeping with what Jesus intended compared to that which currently and popularly exists in America. Brueggemann makes an important assertion that criticism of the current consciousness is not in and of itself evil, bad, or wrong, but must be complimented by an energizing toward an alternative consciousness. Our gathering is a progressive movement alternative to that of three songs, an "offering," and a 30-minute lecture. It is by no means new or creative unless one is ignorant to the meetings of 1st century Israel, avoidant of extending grace, hope ,and peace when there exists an atmosphere of openness, vunlerability, and authentic mystery, or insistant on adhering to modern, popular methods of American evangelical "church."

Narrative.

About 15 (fifteen) of us gathered tonight in the living room of the apt. connected to Oakwood Hall to discuss our lives as covenant community. The gathering is called "narrative: grace. table. story. breathe." Our time together was rich. I am thankful to have heard the stories that were shared tonight. It seems as if the walls built by "the church" (walls which guard intimacy, relationship, authenticity, vulnerability, and transparency) are beginning to crumble. The alternative conciousness of church may not be so alternative anymore.

Blog Rush

In an attempt to add traffic to my blog and thereby increase my commitment to continually updating my blog I have added BlogRush. Follow the link by clicking here if you are interested in adding. It is very, very simple to add and useful in finding others in the vitual community with whom to dialogue.

Reform Period.

Is the reform that is needed for the church today equivalent to that of the Protestant Reformation in Germany and England in the 1500-1600s?

Two Parties.

My political stance is notated as "unassociated." I cannot say that I am Republican for I do not adhere to all that Republicanism is. I cannot say that I am Democrat for I do not adhere to all that Democratism is. I suppose by default that I would be Independent even though I am not essentially independent from any group, community, coalition, or partnership. Why must our nation's political system be constrained to a two party system? If one is not Republican or Democrat it is next to impossible to have the monetary system of support to be elected into a major office. Monetary support and campaigning is a whole different issue.

Uncomfortable Habit.

"The longer you look at Jesus, the more you will want to serve him in this world. That is, of course, if it's the real Jesus you're looking at. Plenty of people in the church and outside it have made up a 'Jesus' for themselves, and have found that this invented character makes few real demands on them. He makes them feel happy from time to time but doesn't challenge them, doesn't suggest they get up and do something about the plight of the world. Which is, of course, what the real Jesus had an uncomfortable habit of doing."

N.T. Wright. Following Jesus: Biblical Reflections on Discipleship.

Freedom and/or Apple Pie.

A post from my previous site on January 4, 2006:

last night: trouble sleeping. tired but restless. sleepy but sleepless. hopeful that the pseudo-life of a motion picture could distract my mind enough to allow at least a few hours of rest. morgan freeman, however, captivated my attention once again in the shawshank redemption. and god captivated my attention when "the warden" gave "andy" an apple pie. apple pie. andy and red had a sense of freedom when they ate apple pie or shared a beer in the open air on the roof during a work break. it was like a taste of freedom. i started thinking about apple pie - with a cup of coffee. i could sit and enjoy apple pie and coffee whenever i want - as long as i make the time to sit and enjoy. the same with a baked potato - the skin rolled in salted, melted butter with fresh steamed brocolli and bacon on top. i rolled over in bed to admire my wife sleeping. suddenly, i was free. suddenly, i could sleep.

Life.

Life :: To live is Jesus.
The life of Jesus resulted in the torturous Roman penalty of death by affixion of the body with metal nails to large wooden beams. To live is to be crucified, which is, to die. To die is to live for death echoes the life of Jesus and fulfills the completion of life. The "American," "inalienable" "right" to life is in actuality a right to death so long as the individual is a follower of Jesus. For the follower of Jesus is essentially a citizen of the kingdom of God only and prior to any earthly institution of empire or religion.

Justice Defined.

What is justice? (I almost posted an image but chose not to at the risk of inadvertently informing opinions, thoughts, and ideas on justice).

Via Bike.

I road my bike to the market today to purchase 2 ears of corn, 1 bag of peaches, a bunch of green beans, and some red potatoes. I have a nice backpack so I just wear it empty and load it up after picking my fresh fruits and vegetables. In the process I haven't used any gasoline, I haven't wasted plastic food sacks, I have gotten some needed exercise on a sunny day, and I was able to get fresh, healthy food for a very reasonable price.

Kingdom Within

I am currently reading Leo Tolstoi's "The Kingdom of God is Within You." In the beginning pages, he states, "But while we adhere to the doctrine of non-resistance and passive submission to enemies, we purpose, in a moral and spiritual sense, to assail iniquity in high places and low places, to apply our principles to all existing evil, political, legal, and ecclesiastical institutions, and to hasten the time when the kingdoms of this world will have become the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ."

What are the evils of the kingdoms of this world politically, legally, and ecclesiastically?

Tolstoi (translated as "Tolstoy" in English) was born into Russian nobility in 1828. His writings, including Anna Karenina, War and Peace, and Confession focus on the brutality of the Russian czar and the oppression of the ruling class.

Aesthetic Fruit.

I believe it to be no coincidence that food which is most physically beautiful is the creation that gives us the greatest nutrition to live life fully. Watermelon is composed on mostly water as is the human body. Watermelon is beautiful. Lemons are beautiful. Oranges are beautiful. Pineapple is beautiful. Strawberries are beautiful. The list goes on and on. May we nourish our bodies with the beauty of creation rather than with partially hydrogenated and chemically preserved and altered nastiness.

Leadership Reduced // God is Green

This is from post I published a blog for MVNU student leaders:

Leadership is very complex. I have read several books on leadership along with attending conferences that include "leadership" break-out sessions. It is intriguing to read and hear all the different perspectives and ideas that surround the buzz-word topic. I have discovered that my own leadership is flawed if I do not experientially demonstrate any concept or behavior that I wish to communicate.

I have been accused lately of being a "tree-hugging-hippie" because I am a non-violent activist who has taken up reducing, reusing, and recycling. Sarah, Kyla, and I have bins in our kitchen area for the recycling of plastic, metal, cardboard, and paper. When a bin fills up I take the materials to the Knox County Recycling Center on Columbus Road. I hope my attempt to "live green" leads others to do the same.

As lovers of creation, the staff of Oakwood Hall is planning to initiate a large recycling campaign. Many automobile manufacturers and social organizations encourage people to "Live Green" by reducing oil usage and automobile emissions along with caring for streams, lakes, and rivers and preserving the natural habitat of creatures. I would contend that followers of Jesus should follow the lead of said associations not as conforming citizens but as worshipers of our Creator. God is green. He has entrusted humanity to care for ourselves and the rest of creation. We are to control our consumption and reuse our resources as stewards of Creation and as leaders.

May we reduce leading others to our own demonstration.
Live Green.

Jesus Stickers?

On Judgment Day you'll wish you actually loved people.

If you want to know what I really think I'll just say that I edited my original post responding to this text so as not to offend anyone.

Music.

Music invigorates the soul.

Today I listened to James Taylor and Piano Sonata No. 11 in A Major with Kyla. I later perused my itunes library and found delight, rest, and content.

Thank you musicians and lyricists.

Music invigorates the soul.

Merely Conceptualized

There exist two concepts about which I though I possessed understanding until I had a child: Service and Dependency.