8/25/2011
Great Quote - How to Change the World - David Bornstein
"In the fight for an ideal, we face those who are deceptive, envious, and incompetent. The man who is firm pays no mind to such people and wastes no time counting them. For he who marches toward the light need not worry about what occurs in the darkness. "
4/05/2011
Choosing Compassion
1 Corinthians 12:27 (The Message)
You are Christ's body—that's who you are! You must never forget this.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
We are to be Christ’s body, His very incarnate reality in the world. Can I be Christ’s body without being among the poor, the needy, the troubled? Can I practice compassion without being with or among? If I am not with or among, am I practicing dispassion? Why am I prone to protectionism, staying at arm’s length instead of becoming a hospitable witness that embodies the justice of Christ in the world? How can I overcome, be motivated and be with? Every time I give money, buy a t-shirt, or otherwise give money to a cause – I’m confronted with the question; was my gift compassionate or dispassionate?
Last week I met Marc Gold, through an article in the Christian Science Monitor; Marc Gold travels Asia paying it forward through little acts of kindness. Marc is an example of compassion – he has overcome, he has joined in, and he is with and seeks to know those in need. He’s overcome my need for protectionism and my tendency to think I’m too small.
On his 100 Friends website, Marc explains why he does what he does, “My motivation for doing my work is this – years ago I asked myself the question "what do I know for sure?" I wished I could give a spiritual, religious or philosophical answer, but I couldn't find one that I felt with any real conviction. The one conviction I do have is that the poverty and need I saw with my own eyes in developing countries is the most real thing I have ever witnessed. I know as an undeniable fact that this project benefits those I have reached through my work. Having this opportunity to help people, save lives and create brighter futures has brought me real fulfillment. This work brings meaning to my life. If I can die knowing I have been able to help some needy fellow human beings, then that is enough for me.”
Marc is clearly living a more abundant life, a compassionate life, one that I think Jesus is calling me to, as I participate in His reconciling work, in the missio Dei – the restoration of all things.
My hope is that I actually use Marc’s example to be an inspiration that motivates me towards a new faithfulness to His mission.
Prayer:
Gracious God, all around me people are suffering. Help me to overcome my tendency to protect the gifts you’ve given me. May your Holy Spirit guide me; to join with others who have joined with you into your mission to reconcile the world. Amen
You are Christ's body—that's who you are! You must never forget this.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
We are to be Christ’s body, His very incarnate reality in the world. Can I be Christ’s body without being among the poor, the needy, the troubled? Can I practice compassion without being with or among? If I am not with or among, am I practicing dispassion? Why am I prone to protectionism, staying at arm’s length instead of becoming a hospitable witness that embodies the justice of Christ in the world? How can I overcome, be motivated and be with? Every time I give money, buy a t-shirt, or otherwise give money to a cause – I’m confronted with the question; was my gift compassionate or dispassionate?
Last week I met Marc Gold, through an article in the Christian Science Monitor; Marc Gold travels Asia paying it forward through little acts of kindness. Marc is an example of compassion – he has overcome, he has joined in, and he is with and seeks to know those in need. He’s overcome my need for protectionism and my tendency to think I’m too small.
On his 100 Friends website, Marc explains why he does what he does, “My motivation for doing my work is this – years ago I asked myself the question "what do I know for sure?" I wished I could give a spiritual, religious or philosophical answer, but I couldn't find one that I felt with any real conviction. The one conviction I do have is that the poverty and need I saw with my own eyes in developing countries is the most real thing I have ever witnessed. I know as an undeniable fact that this project benefits those I have reached through my work. Having this opportunity to help people, save lives and create brighter futures has brought me real fulfillment. This work brings meaning to my life. If I can die knowing I have been able to help some needy fellow human beings, then that is enough for me.”
Marc is clearly living a more abundant life, a compassionate life, one that I think Jesus is calling me to, as I participate in His reconciling work, in the missio Dei – the restoration of all things.
My hope is that I actually use Marc’s example to be an inspiration that motivates me towards a new faithfulness to His mission.
Prayer:
Gracious God, all around me people are suffering. Help me to overcome my tendency to protect the gifts you’ve given me. May your Holy Spirit guide me; to join with others who have joined with you into your mission to reconcile the world. Amen
3/28/2011
Hope for a New Faithfulness for Mission
I have nearly completed reading, The End of Evangelicalism? Discerning a New Faithfulness for Mission by David Fitch. As Dr. Fitch warns in his blog, “there’s some intense political theory in this book alongside some intense theology.” While I lack formal education in both political theory and theology, I still found this book to be both accessible and full of hope.
It’s accessible because Fitch provides a comprehensive overview of the methods he uses to understand the ‘fact’ of experience (political theory) of Evangelical theology. He covers a lot of ground as he helps the reader understand and apply Slavoj Žižek’s social critical framework. After a couple of sessions of reading and rereading, I was prepared to use Žižek’s framework to explore Evangelicalism.
Fitch goes on to systematically investigate three central Evangelical theological commitments: “the inerrant Bible,” “the decision for Christ,” and “the Christian Nation.” He clearly shows how these commitments have lead to the establishment of an ideology that tends to be against much more than it is for.
The good news is that he doesn’t finish with a mere critique. I found hope as Fitch goes on to truly discern a new faithfulness for mission. Faithfulness focused on the formation of God’s people, socially, into the Body of Christ, “the very extension of “the Sent One’” participating in the missio Dei – the restoration of all things.
On several occasions, I have struggled to understand the opinions of some of my Evangelical friends and colleagues. Having a desire to live together in unity (Psalm 133: 1-3), I have sometimes remained silent especially when confronted with strongly held group opinions. Fitch’s book has given me a way to both understand where these opinions come from and a renewed hope for change. A hope that is based on faith in a loving God, a hope that claims that redemption, not suffering, is the final word.
It’s accessible because Fitch provides a comprehensive overview of the methods he uses to understand the ‘fact’ of experience (political theory) of Evangelical theology. He covers a lot of ground as he helps the reader understand and apply Slavoj Žižek’s social critical framework. After a couple of sessions of reading and rereading, I was prepared to use Žižek’s framework to explore Evangelicalism.
Fitch goes on to systematically investigate three central Evangelical theological commitments: “the inerrant Bible,” “the decision for Christ,” and “the Christian Nation.” He clearly shows how these commitments have lead to the establishment of an ideology that tends to be against much more than it is for.
The good news is that he doesn’t finish with a mere critique. I found hope as Fitch goes on to truly discern a new faithfulness for mission. Faithfulness focused on the formation of God’s people, socially, into the Body of Christ, “the very extension of “the Sent One’” participating in the missio Dei – the restoration of all things.
On several occasions, I have struggled to understand the opinions of some of my Evangelical friends and colleagues. Having a desire to live together in unity (Psalm 133: 1-3), I have sometimes remained silent especially when confronted with strongly held group opinions. Fitch’s book has given me a way to both understand where these opinions come from and a renewed hope for change. A hope that is based on faith in a loving God, a hope that claims that redemption, not suffering, is the final word.
3/23/2011
Joyfully Multiplying His Talents
Revelation 4:11
Splendor and honor and kingly power
Are yours by right, O Lord our God,
For you created everything that is,
and by your will they were created and have their being.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
What is joyful service in the presence of our Creator?
God delights in those who put their hope in His love. In the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25: 14-30) two servants multiply the talents they’ve been given. These servants put their hope in His love and they share in their master's happiness!
Being slaves, these two certainly knew that they did not create or own their talents. They knew that these talents were a gift from their master and they found joy in helping their master multiply them.
Splendor and honor and kingly power
Are yours by right, O Lord our God,
For you created everything that is,
and by your will they were created and have their being.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
What is joyful service in the presence of our Creator?
God delights in those who put their hope in His love. In the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25: 14-30) two servants multiply the talents they’ve been given. These servants put their hope in His love and they share in their master's happiness!
Being slaves, these two certainly knew that they did not create or own their talents. They knew that these talents were a gift from their master and they found joy in helping their master multiply them.
In the same way, accepting that my talents came from the one who created everything, I can find tremendous joy in multiplying them. I can delight God and I can bring delight to His people and His creation.
Prayer:Gracious God, as my journey continues, I sometimes forget to stop to thank You for all the talents in my life. My blessings are many and my heart is filled with gratefulness for the gift of living, for the ability to love and be loved, and for the opportunity to invest these talents in the wonders of creation. Amen.
3/21/2011
A Seed of the Kingdom
Revelation 22:2-3
On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Belief in the kingdom of God on earth. It took me awhile to believe, and even longer to actively participant. The good news is that I now have an unshakable belief in the kingdom of God on earth. Compassion has played a key role in both my belief and participation.
My belief began when a kingdom seed was planted in my heart. I’m not exactly sure when it was planted. Probably not as a child in a church, for at a young age I didn’t go to church. Church was for families who could afford the clothes to wear. Church was for families that were functional – families whose mothers weren’t bipolar and whose fathers had a job and didn’t drink too much. Church families warned their children about me, telling them, “We don’t want you to associate with kids from families like his.”
The kingdom seed and I started a yearning for a better life. The seed took root and I worked hard to nourish it. I believed and this belief allowed me to become the first in my family’s history to graduate from college, work in an office, and even wear a tie. Steadily but surely, the seed grew into a good size tree. But it wasn’t yet the magnificent tree of life.
One root grew much deeper, and created in me a gnawing sense that there is a much better way. The way that leads to Cross, God’s Paschal Mystery – the process of dying and rising, death and new life. Gradually, I could see fruits of the tree of life all around me – in God’s creation, in Jesus, and in people’s lives.
Tasting these fruits, why seek any other? Why be distracted by counterfeits? I now want nothing more than to be guided by the Holy Spirit in active participation in the building of the kingdom of God on earth. That all may enter into the salvation begun in Jesus Christ that God is working for the sake of the whole world.
Prayer:
Gracious God, move us to compassion, from the need to be right to the place of doing right. Let the love that is at the foundation of creation spread out like roots, bringing life, healing and wholeness to places cracked and broken. I ask this for the sake of your love.
On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Belief in the kingdom of God on earth. It took me awhile to believe, and even longer to actively participant. The good news is that I now have an unshakable belief in the kingdom of God on earth. Compassion has played a key role in both my belief and participation.
My belief began when a kingdom seed was planted in my heart. I’m not exactly sure when it was planted. Probably not as a child in a church, for at a young age I didn’t go to church. Church was for families who could afford the clothes to wear. Church was for families that were functional – families whose mothers weren’t bipolar and whose fathers had a job and didn’t drink too much. Church families warned their children about me, telling them, “We don’t want you to associate with kids from families like his.”
The kingdom seed and I started a yearning for a better life. The seed took root and I worked hard to nourish it. I believed and this belief allowed me to become the first in my family’s history to graduate from college, work in an office, and even wear a tie. Steadily but surely, the seed grew into a good size tree. But it wasn’t yet the magnificent tree of life.
One root grew much deeper, and created in me a gnawing sense that there is a much better way. The way that leads to Cross, God’s Paschal Mystery – the process of dying and rising, death and new life. Gradually, I could see fruits of the tree of life all around me – in God’s creation, in Jesus, and in people’s lives.
Tasting these fruits, why seek any other? Why be distracted by counterfeits? I now want nothing more than to be guided by the Holy Spirit in active participation in the building of the kingdom of God on earth. That all may enter into the salvation begun in Jesus Christ that God is working for the sake of the whole world.
Prayer:
Gracious God, move us to compassion, from the need to be right to the place of doing right. Let the love that is at the foundation of creation spread out like roots, bringing life, healing and wholeness to places cracked and broken. I ask this for the sake of your love.
10/24/2009
350 Action or Inaction of False Dichotomy
On October 24, people in 181 countries came together for the most widespread day of environmental action in the planet's history. At over 5200 events around the world, people gathered to call for strong action and bold leadership on the climate crisis.
At the only 350.org event listed as being held in Colorado Springs, I was pleased to find a dozen people gathering together at Broadmoor Community Church for a 350.org Dialogue. Besides meeting some kindred souls, we had a great discussion about the division (dualism) that splits our culture and our church. We shared a hope that taking action as an individual could lead to a discourse that helps fill the gap between the two opposing sides of this issue.
One never knows how the small actions you take will affect the world. Individual actions might be just what's needed if one considers the notion of sensitive dependence on initial conditions in chaos theory. Perhaps our small actions will make a huge difference. If concerned individuals keep praying, acting, and hoping - we just might be able to overcome the disastrous inaction caused by the moral or spiritual belief that only two possible fundamental concepts exist.
Deep inside of us I believe we all can sense the logical fallacy of false dilemma (also called false dichotomy, the either-or fallacy). Let's work together to steer clear of the negative forces that put us into a situation in which only two alternatives are considered, when in fact there are other options.
At the only 350.org event listed as being held in Colorado Springs, I was pleased to find a dozen people gathering together at Broadmoor Community Church for a 350.org Dialogue. Besides meeting some kindred souls, we had a great discussion about the division (dualism) that splits our culture and our church. We shared a hope that taking action as an individual could lead to a discourse that helps fill the gap between the two opposing sides of this issue.
One never knows how the small actions you take will affect the world. Individual actions might be just what's needed if one considers the notion of sensitive dependence on initial conditions in chaos theory. Perhaps our small actions will make a huge difference. If concerned individuals keep praying, acting, and hoping - we just might be able to overcome the disastrous inaction caused by the moral or spiritual belief that only two possible fundamental concepts exist.
Deep inside of us I believe we all can sense the logical fallacy of false dilemma (also called false dichotomy, the either-or fallacy). Let's work together to steer clear of the negative forces that put us into a situation in which only two alternatives are considered, when in fact there are other options.
10/18/2009
Bono's Audacity to Hope
Back in 2006 as I was watching Bill Hybels interview Bono at the Willow Creek Leadership Summit and wondering what can Bono have to do with leadership, especially leadership in the evangelical church. I was surprised as Bono spoke about the churches role in eradicating extreme (stupid) poverty. As it turns out, this interview was a message that awoke the church or at least acted as a tipping point for action on this issue. It was a message of hope in the midst of a dreadful slumber. At each successive Willow Creek Leadership Summit, I have seen an increasing awareness and desire to solve extreme poverty.
As an Op-Ed Guest Columnist in this mornings New York Times, Bono published an excellent article entitled Rebranding America. I believe this article has the potential to bring hope to an America that has been focused on right thinking at the expense of right living. Bono calls us to adopt the audacity to hope - joining together with an American president whose heart seems set on bringing hope to a tired and hopeless world.
We have a long way to go, but I sense the direction is slowly changing towards freedom from the power of selfish darkness that has so strongly influenced our recent history. While there are still plenty who oppose both President Obama and Bono, I'm reminded of a quote by Albert Einstein, "Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocrities. The latter cannot understand it when a man does not thoughtlessly submit to hereditary prejudices but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence."
As an Op-Ed Guest Columnist in this mornings New York Times, Bono published an excellent article entitled Rebranding America. I believe this article has the potential to bring hope to an America that has been focused on right thinking at the expense of right living. Bono calls us to adopt the audacity to hope - joining together with an American president whose heart seems set on bringing hope to a tired and hopeless world.
We have a long way to go, but I sense the direction is slowly changing towards freedom from the power of selfish darkness that has so strongly influenced our recent history. While there are still plenty who oppose both President Obama and Bono, I'm reminded of a quote by Albert Einstein, "Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocrities. The latter cannot understand it when a man does not thoughtlessly submit to hereditary prejudices but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)