Book Review: The Bullpen Gospels

The Bullpen Gospels: A Non-Prospect's Pursuit of the Major Leagues and the Meaning of Life by Dirk Hayhurst

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


there's always been something magical about baseball. i'll admit, i couldn't care less about the major league game these days - but the lure of the game and all that goes with it - the sights, sounds and feel of real live game being played in front of you (at any level, mind you) is something special.

thus i was drawn to The Bullpen Gospels for the same reason i've been drawn to Field of Dreams and The Natural. The same reason i always loved listening to my dad tell stories of Lou Boudreau and the like from the '48 Indians World Championship team.

Baseball is filled with stories... good stories... like no other sport. The Bullpen Gospels is author Dirk Hayhurst's chronicle of his 2007 season in the minor leagues. Hayhurst - pitcher by day, author by night - seems more comfortable in the role of author. his writings of his challenges pitching - working to overcome failure to reach his major league dream are compelling because of his honesty. there is nothing glorious about minor league baseball - yet, Hayhurst reminds us that reaching for one's dreams is nothing to be disappointed in - even if he learned that the hard way.

this is more than a book about baseball. it is a book about life... a baseball players life... with struggles to make it - fears of being cut, rejected, forgotten. it's a book about hope - hope to mend a broken family, to make a father proud and to 'wow' the Brass of the organization.

it's fun. crazy. zany. awkward. compelling. it fits in with the tradition of baseball - and the lure that goes with that.

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Book Review: The Starfish and the Spider

The Starfish and the Spider: The Unstoppable Power of Leaderless Organizations by Ori Brafman

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This book has some great insights that may be of use in more areas that just business. the general theme is that if you cut off the leg of a starfish - it grows back - but if you cut off the head of a spider - it dies.

there are also some really fascinating stories that relate to the topic of the book.

i think this book - although a bit sluggish and repetitive at times - paints a compelling picture of what collaboration and communication can do in any group or organization. to be a starfish is to be leaderless, in a sense. examples like Wikipedia, Alcoholics Anonymous and the numerous P2P sites prove that leaderless groups and organizations can thrive.

as a youth minister - i am compelled to ponder how leaderless groups might benefit the church. that is food for thought... i intend to chew on it for a while.

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What are you passionate about?

as part of my summer Sabbatical i am reading a number of books dealing with youth ministry and the like. one of the books i am currently reading is Practicing Passion written by Kendra Creasy Dean.
While reading, i was compelled to ask some youth i know the following question:

What are youth passionate about?

Here is there reply. you'll see some common themes.

~love? we all seem to be chasing after it

~Hanging out with friendsss... Forr suree.

~trying to fit in. thats definitely a big one i think.

~For me it's making a difference in the world.

~Having fun! without fun, you're not a true teenager.

~Figuring out what we want to do with our lives

~love

~i get passionate about things i hold close to me getting hurt i show real passion in the protection of these things


~I am passion about my family.I have a huge family that cares about me and loves me for who I am.

~Defining who we are and what we're about.

~Figuring out who we are and what we stand for!

~We are passionate about finding ourselves, loving ourselves and loving others.

~I think it's a lot about fixing ourselves. As strange as that sounds, people just want to feel whole. And as teenagers, we're constantly trying to fill our lives with... pretty much anything and everything... to figure out how to be complete.

~I think teens in general just want to stand out in their own way yet fit in with others and just have fun in a good way. I think that everyone is just passionate about finding themselves and who they really are and what they want their lives to look like and how to make it happen if, that makes sense?


~love. Being loved, loving others, loving God.

~teens want to stand out and fit in. They want to love and know that someone loves them back. They [well i] want to make a difference in the world or just where they [i] live.

---

what themes are presented?
love/being loved. finding one's identity . to stand out (originality) and fit in (conformity). completeness. acceptance. making a difference. having fun.

when you look at the list - in some respects it's not much different than 'adult' passions.

but what is at the heart of their comments:

to be made whole. to be complete. as one of them wrote: we're constantly trying to fill our lives with... pretty much anything and everything... to figure out how to be complete.

all of the passions listed are things they 'want'.
want to be loved. want to fit in. want to stand out. want to love others. want to make a difference. want to have fun.

these students, it appears, feel that if these wants are achieved - then they will be… satisfied.

where does that root of satisfaction come from? i suggest it comes only from a deep connection with our Maker… with God. this can and will happen through Christ alone.

it is because of Christ's passion for all humanity (including teenagers) that we can find fulfillment through our passionate connection with Him.

but all to many teens (and adults alike) perhaps 'settle' and fill their emptiness… their holes with faux-passions that lead to deeper emptiness.

But mankind - at the heart of it all - is a lover and a dreamer. we (generally) believe (and hope?) that the next thing just might bring us satisfaction. we are hopeful people. that is why we are willing to give love and longing and searching multiple chances.

we want satisfaction. we are hard-wired to need it.

will man seek the One who can provide us with Hope Eternal? will teens discover the passion of Jesus is worth living and dying for? will youth take the necessary steps to find passionate satisfaction?

what are you most passionate about?

Book Review: The Godbearing Life

The Godbearing Life: The Art of Soul Tending for Youth Ministry by Kenda Creasy Dean

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Kendra Creasy Dean has her finger on the pulse of the spiritual side of youth ministry. i chose to read The Godbearing Life as part of my Sabbatical study. Although i found parts of this book a little outdated (published in 1998 - a lot has changed in the lives of youth with technology, etc. since then) I still found this book useful for understanding the deeper side of youth ministry.

i particularly liked chapter 3 titled Heeding While Herding. As youth leaders/pastors/volunteers we are more than just a shepherd - there to protect and 'look out for' our flock of teenagers. our job (or should i say 'calling') goes beyond that.

"protection is for naught unless the flock follows the shepherd home."

Jesus Christ is the 'home' we aim to lead our adolescent youth to. but with that calling come barriers.

Barrier 1: Me Tarzan, You Jane (i.e. The Messiah Complex)
youth leaders cling to the idea that 'we must fetch youth and save them.' the problem with that is that it can lead to a ministry that begins and ends with the youth leader - not Jesus. The Godbearing alternative: Entrainment. stopping and listening to the breath of the Spirit within us (that is the breath of God) and aligning our rhythm with Him.

Barrier 2: McFaith (i.e. the Manager complex)
when we feel like our need is to be efficient - we run the risk of making faith 'easy' for teens. Sort of a drive-thru mentality can invade our way of managing our ministry. We end up managing chaos - trying to keep every aspect of the youth ministry afloat. We know that our teens are used to everything instantly... now. and thus we attempt to give them a faith that is fast and easy.
The Godbearing alternative is teaching students (and maybe ourselves?) to wait... patience is needed and essential to one's Spiritual life. We need times of rest and times of sabbath. we need time to process our faith. we need to wait on God. with expectant hearts...

Barrier 3: Called but Clueless (i.e. the "Duh" Complex)
We affirm youth (rightfully so). We encourage them and boost there self image - as self esteem is such a difficult thing for most teens - but do we affirm them with the absence of expectation does not enhance one's self image.
i loved the example laid out in the book of Mary, the mother of Jesus. the neat thing is that while Mary expected God to move (as promised by Gabriel) God expected Mary to fulfill her calling. As much as Mary believed in Him, He believed in her.
The Godbearing alternative is discernment. We need to pay attention and call attention to God. If we encourage youth - we must empower them as well. show them we believe in them. Show them that God believes in them.

Profound stuff for anyone who works with teens.

This book is a worthwhile book and should be a must read for any new youth worker. It very well may enable them to connect with teens on a deeper, spiritual level.

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Book Review: Exploiting Chaos

Exploiting Chaos: 150 Ways to Spark Innovation During Times of Change by Jeremy Gutsche

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


i really enjoyed this book. i found it in the bargain bin @ Borders. it's a book about how to spark innovation in the world of business when change is needed.

i liked the presentation found within - creative anecdotes and images. very artsy.

i found many parallels to ministry and the church.

businesses will not survive if they lack vision for the future and if they are resistant to change. the same applies to the church. frankly, that is one main reason for decline in church participation and attendance.

perhaps more ministry leaders might want to read this book. very enjoyable.

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Book Review: Experiential Storytelling

Experiential Storytelling: by Mark Miller

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


i've been drawn to the theme Story for some time now. I've struggled to figure out how to implement 'story' more into my youth ministry.
Experiential Storytelling didn't tell me anything i didn't already know or hadn't already thought of. but it did confirm in me the desire to implement a more interactive process to storytelling - particularly the stories of the Bible.

Mark Miller's book was an easy, quick read - with larger print and plenty of quotes.

if you are intrigued with the idea of storytelling or 'storying' as another author has put it - this book is good for you.

i am already planning on implementing more story into our weekly youth gatherings staring in the fall.

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Book Review: Cracking the Code

Cracking the Code: The Winning Ryder Cup Strategy: Make It Work for You by Paul Azinger

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


i like golf. i don't know that i like golf enough to read a book about it.
but i heard author Paul Azinger interviewed about Cracking the Code on Jim Rome's radio show and the book sound surprisingly interesting.

i ordered it and read it and i have to say - it lived up to my expectation.

basically, it's a book about the formation of the 2008 U.S. Ryder Cup team - and the success of the selection process.

Azinger used team building techniques from the NAVY SEALs and took the 12 man team and broke them into pods - based on personality and compatibility over skill on the golf course.

i really liked his model of team building.

frankly, i intend to take some of these ideas and implement them in the development of leadership teams (or 'pods') in my youth ministry.

who knew?

it's an easy and interesting read.

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Sabbath. Rest. Sabbatical.

today is the first day of my sabbatical.

enjoy this TED message. reason enough for everyone to take a sabbatical.

CYF 10 Highlight Video

CYF 10 Highlight Video from Tim Beck on Vimeo.

video highlights from a week of camp... CYF Camp is a Senior High Youth Camp held @ Malone Univ. I serve as the 'worship coordinator' and behind-the-scenes tech guy.

it was another great week... a highlight of the summer, no doubt!

the lost journal entries: the demon possessed man

i rewrote the story of the Demon Possessed Man for a worship service last September on the theme of Brokenness. i scribbled it out on to a few journal pages first...








here is what it says:

the story about the Demon Possessed Man found in Mark ch. 5:1-20



I come from the region of the Gerasenes. I had been living in the tombs (with dead people)... i was in hiding. No one wanted to be around me. Some said i was crazy. They tried to chain me - but i'd always bust out. No one was strong enough to contain me.

Night and day i would cry out. i swear, i had these evil spirits in me. a whole group of them. i was out of control. i'd yell. scream. i even cut myself.

then, out of nowhere, this guy, Jesus shows up. when i saw him, i ran to him - fell at his feet.

"What do you want from me, Jesus?" "Don't torture me! Please Help me!!!"

i told Jesus my name was Legion.

There were abut 2000 pigs in a smelly field nearby.

These demons in me then begged Jesus "Send us to those pigs over there."

Then the evil spirits were cast out of me and into those pigs.

Then all of those pigs rushed down the hillside and into the lake and drowned. All of them.

Man was that pig farmer mad. the whole town was mad.

There i was, clothed and in my right mind, healed by Jesus.

The people - mad about the pigs - asked Jesus to leave. I wanted to leave with Him but he told me to go and preach to the people of Gerasenes.

I'm the demon possessed man and this is my story.

Book Review: A New Kind of Christianity

A New Kind of Christianity: Ten Questions That Are Transforming the Faith by Brian McLaren


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
if you know anything about Brian McLaren you know that the church has a love/hate relationship with him. some are quick (too quick) to call him a heretic, while others view him to be the post-modern/emergent leader who will bring the church to the place it needs to be.

Brian McLaren is neither.

But his latest book A New Kind of Christianity is certain to further the divide between progressives and fundamentalists. that being said, it was and is a book that needed to be written.

I find myself trying really, really hard to not drink the kool-Aid when it comes to McLaren and the like. at first read, parts of A New Kind of Christianity found me giving thanks that someone had given a voice to the questions i have had wanted to discuss for quite some time. however - i try to remain fair, objective and level headed. letting his ideas fester in my soul appears to be the best solution. it keeps me balanced.

the controversy lies with his views on such things as 'how the Bible should be interpreted, is God violent, what is the Gospel, human sexuality (i.e. homosexuality), eschatology, relations with other religions.'

for the most part, McLaren conveys the gentl, humble spirit in this book (he has the same demeanor in person, i might add - having heard him speak and debate). But at times, he seems to get a little pompous. This, no doubt, irks those who dislike and disagree with him.

at other times in ANKOC, McLaren seems to be filling the pages with words, only he's not really saying anything.

I did take/make a lot of notes while reading. He brings up some things related to our Christian faith (and it's history) that should be looked at. Is our faith rooted more in Jesus or is it tainted with a Greco-Roman lens? I am thankful McLaren dares aske some questions like he has. too many Christians take the intricacies of the faith for granted. they overlook them - not knowing how there views may (or may not) be skewed by them.

i think this book deserves to be read - and more so, deserves to be discussed with civility. For too long, the church has decided to follow: pastors instead of Jesus; political parties instead of Jesus; war instead of peace; pride instead of humility; words instead of action; prosperity instead of helping the poor; serving self instead of serving others; status quo instead of useful change, etc. some in teh church appear to trust Paul's writings while neglecting Jesus' teachings.

You will not agree with everything McLaren writes - but don't fear his words and opinions. don't judge him - especially if you have not read his work. the church needs to diologue. and then it needs to act.


highlights from the book:
~looking at the narrative of the Old Testament and viewing how it relates to the New Testament.
~his in depth analysis of John 14:6
~how is a Christian to relate to a person of another faith?



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the lost journal entries:

i've collected and filled (some partial, some entirely) a handful of journals over the years. most of the journals are used for brainstorming. lately, i've been looking through some of them. i figured i'd take a picture of some entries and then blog about it. so this is thus the 1st of 'lost journal entry' posts.





this is what a few of my journals look like.
(click to enlarge)


i've always enjoyed doodling, abstract writing, brainstorming and dreaming. that is why the pen was invented... to bring imagination to the page.

sometimes (more often than not) the inspiration seems utterly useless. sometimes a hidden gem lies hidden on the page.







sometimes the words and drawings and scribbles are merely chaotic. somehow - i am able to comprehend it all. sometimes i forget what my original intent was. regardless, the chaos on the page, at times, has brought about something magical.






(click to enlarge)
this chaotic mess makes sense to me. it was an outline for a message i preached at a youth camp last summer. the title was 'free your mind'.

each of the boxes represents a segment of my talk. thus - the most unorthodoxed outline. there is nothing linear about it.

ironically, as chaotic as this journal entry is, my talk was about how to connect with God through the freeing of our mind - of stress, chaos and the busyness of life.






sometimes i just draw random things. they don't mean anything. they just are what they are.





(click to enlarge)

this are some random drawings of televisions. maybe there is some subliminal significance to these simple drawings. or not.














i think i may attempt to upload and post some more of my random lost journal entries.

stay tuned.

2 Mile Fun Run

jen and i ran in the annual Louisville YMCA 2 Mile Fun Run.
it went very well. the weather was a bit muggy - but beautiful. i ran my fastest time (in a race). i finished in 15:55 / 7:58 pace. it felt really good - and i was thankful i was able to overcome the mental anguish that usually comes when i hit the big hill with a 1/4 mile to go. I was 20th overall.

i got 2nd in my age group and even got a medal. ha! alas - there were only 4 men running in the 35-39 age bracket. good odds!

Jen did well, too. Was 33rd overall and the 10th woman to cross the finish line. she is a bit upset - seeing that had the race been a week ago - when she was still 29 (she turned 30 last week) she would have been 1st in her division. but she did really good and we both really enjoyed it.

here are some pictures. note the picture of me passing an 8 year old on the final stretch before the finish line. i felt a little bad about it... but when i saw that i could finish under 16 minutes, i took off.



























































































total times:

What i learned (and hope to put into practice) as a result of studying Sabbath.

June 10, 2010

insights, quotes and notes from the book::
SABBATH: Finding Rest, Renewal, and Delight in Our Busy Lives by Wayne Muller
(read my review HERE)



The Chinese pictograph for “busy” is composed of two characters: heart and killing. If that is not a poignant reminder of what happens to the human mind, body and soul when consumed by the chaos of life, I don’t know what is. (pg. 3)


“What makes life fruitful? The attainment of wisdom? The establishment of a just and fair society? The creation of beauty? The practice of loving kindness?” Was it not American Statesman Thomas Jefferson who so eloquently suggested that all mankind had a right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness? Are not the three “intimately” intertwined?

what is life? but a passing wind - a storm of busyness lived at a speed beyond comprehension - where in the end, most of the meaningful things are missed, forgotten or neglected? Was life meant to be lived at such a dizzying pace?

“While Sabbath can refer to a single day of the week, Sabbath can also be a far-reaching, revolutionary tool for cultivating those precious human qualities that grow only in time.”

Busyness can become violently unfruitful. Sabbath time is effortless, providing nourishing rest that brings fruitful healing. (pg. 4-5)


“Sabbath time is time off the wheel, time when we take our hand from the plow and let God and the earth care for things, while we drink, if only for a few moments, from the fountain of rest and delight.” (pg. 8)

Can not Sabbath be a time of refuge... can it become a Sanctuary of sorts? Sabbath can become a protector against an information overload of 500 channels, social media devices, handheld electronic gadgets and the like. Could it not shield us from multiple platform advertising techniques that tell us to do this, buy that, you need this, eat that?

Sabbath invites us to disconnect. and be free. Sabbath invites us to find comfort in simplicity; to rest in the presence of God; to seek nothingness and to discover delight that comes with it.


Practice: Begin your Sabbath by lighting a candle. Take a few breaths and allow the mind to quiet. Feel the tension leave the body. Recognize the sacredness of the moment. (pg. 21)


Examples of Jesus taking time to rest and pray:
Matthew 14:23
Luke 5:15-16
Mark 1:32-33; 35-36
Jesus didn’t wait for everything to be done first - before retreating to quiet places to pray and rest. Jesus “obeyed a deeper rhythm.” (pg. 25)
He invited the disciples to do the same. Again - he did not wait for them to finish the task at hand. “Come with me. Let go, and rest, and pray.”

“to pray” is sometimes translated as “to come to rest”
Practice: turn things off. Electronic devises, etc. give them a rest for a period of time during Sabbath.


Another way to practice Sabbath is to fellowship with friends and family over a meal. To keep the work on the lighter side, have the meal be a ‘hands on’ meal - like “Make Your Own Tacos, Ice cream Sunday bar, Make your own Sandwiches, etc. The goal is to make it less work for the host and more enjoyable for those sharing in the meal. (pg. 33)


“Do not wait to enjoy the harvest of your life; you are already blessed. The kingdom of God is already here. It is within you and among you.” (pg. 43)


Part of Sabbath is taking notice of blessings around you.
Practice: Have elders lay hands on youth as a way to ‘bless them’.
Parents may also place hands on their children and pray a prayer of ‘blessing’ and ‘thanksgiving’ upon them.
“Let them feel the truth of your prayer in their bodies.” (pg. 46)


Practice: Take a walk in silence. intentional silence. choose some time for a walk, bike ride or hike and intentionally be silent. Notice what arrises in silence: the impulses to speak, the need to judge or respond to what you see, hear and feel. Notice discomfort that will no doubt arise when you get the urge to speak. Learn to delight in silence. It can become a genuine time of safe sanctuary. (pg. 55-56)

Practice: take a 30 minute Spirit Walk. Let your soul catch up with you. Let your senses guide your walk. if outside, notice the color, the smells, the beauty often missed. What do you become drawn to? If you feel the urge to stop and investigate, do so freely. After 30 minutes, notice what happens to your body and soul and mind - as well as your sense of time. (pg. 70)
[side note: on the day i read this section of the book - i was outside - sitting in the shade, on a calm, cool late-spring evening. my daughter picked a very tiny flower of some sort. i placed it in the book, in between the pages. It has reminded me of the simple things that are often missed.]

“Sabbath challenges the theology of progress by reminding us that we are already and always on sacred ground. The gifts of grace and delight are present and abundant; the time to live and love and give thanks and rest and delight is now, this moment, this day. Feel what heaven is like; have a taste of eternity. Rest in the arms of the divine. We do not have miles to go before we sleep. The time to sleep, to rest, is now. We are already home.” (pg. 79)


“be content with what you have;
rejoice in the way things are.
When you realize there is nothing lacking,
the whole world belongs to you.”
~LAO-TZU

Sabbath requires surrender. (pg. 82)


Practice: Lectio Divina. a way to reflect and meditate upon the Word of God. (pg. 92)

Seize the Day. The story on pages 103-107 about how W.K. Kellogg shortened the work week starting in 1930 is fascinating. Productivity and moral sky-rocketed during the time of great depression. Why? Happy, rested employees worked less, got paid more and the rest is/was history.
Time was more valuable than money. Unfortunately, after 50+ years of running the Kellogg Cereal business that way, people changed. Money began to become more valuable than time - and Kellogg’s shorter work day and work week ended.

“The endless expansion of desire, as the Buddha noted 2500 years ago, is a fatal, impossible folly.” (pg. 131)

Practice: be creative. write a poem about nothing of any importance. rip out pictures in a magazine. plant a flower. take a walk around the block. sing a song you know from heart - from beginning to end. do something simple and playful every day.
“Let the power of a simple act of creativity stop you, slow your pace, interrupt your speed. Notice how willing you are to be stopped. Notice how it feels when you are.” (pg. 145-146)


“The Sabbath prohibitions restrict those things that would impede our sensuality.” (pg. 151)

When Jesus was tempted in the desert he was tempted to be “useful, important and powerful” (insight from Henri Nouwen).
Compare our temptations to be useful, important and powerful with the teachings of Jesus (and the saints) to show kindness, to act humbly, invisibly and quietly.
“Mother Teresa reminded us, we do no great things, only small things with great love.”


Blessing or disaster? Blessings often turn to disasters and disasters often turn to blessing. “the changes have no end, nor can the mystery be fathomed.” (pg. 187-188)

Practice: Give away gifts. (pg. 208)


The book concludes with an entire section on how to live out a Sabbath through various ways, including ideas for how to start and how to keep it going. All in all Wayne Muller does an excellent, extensive job painting a large landscape of a picture of what Sabbath looks like, feels like, smells like, tastes like and sounds like. What a beautifully practical book. I am eager to try many of his suggestions. I can only hope that my strides to rearrange priority will no doubt take shape in my life. I am eager for change. I am excited to slow down. I am also excited to share ‘sabbath’ with others. God commands that we take sabbath. it is the one commandment that is broken with great regularity in the Christian world. I aim to reclaim that aspect of life.

Book Review: Sabbath (by Wayne Muller)

Sabbath: Finding Rest, Renewal, and Delight in Our Busy Lives by Wayne Muller


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The book is filled with delicate teaching on the Biblical and Spiritual principle of Sabbath. My understanding of Sabbath has exploded. I knew so little... i appreciated it so little.

Wayne Muller has done a masterful job - through extensive study, the use of personal reflection and stories to give more than an overview of Sabbath. Muller gives everything. There are so many practical examples on how to live out a regular time of Sabbath, including ideas for how to start and how to keep it going.

All in all Wayne Muller does an excellent, extensive job painting a large landscape of a picture of what Sabbath looks like, feels like, smells like, tastes like and sounds like. What a beautifully practical book. I am eager to try many of his suggestions. I can only hope that my strides to rearrange priority will no doubt take shape in my life. I am eager for change. I am excited to slow down. I am also excited to share ‘sabbath’ with others. God commands that we take sabbath. it is the one commandment that is broken with great regularity in the Christian world. I aim to reclaim that aspect of life.

for my blogged notes on the book go here: what-i-learned-and-hope-to-put-into practice after studying Sabbath

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expectation vs. realization.

In many respects the Old Testament is a very unsatisfactory book. Nothing is actually solved in it. As someone has put it: The Old Testament is expectation; the New Testament is realization.
~J. Vernon McGee (from his commentary on the book of Job)

expectation vs. realization.

i expect a lot. i realize too little.

have you ever felt like you've been wandering around only to realize what you were looking for was right in front of you the whole time?

i expect God to work in my life. sadly, i don't always realize it.

eyes open.

Natural Selection: Why the Church Must Adapt or Die

Of people born from 1981 on, some 26 percent claim no religious affiliation. Among people born between 1965 and 1980, the percentage of non-believers is a lower 20 percent. Heading farther back, those born from 1946 to 1964 are only 13-percent non-religious.

A doubling, that is, between the boomers and the most recent generation. As you know, doubling is a geometric function. If the number of non-believers doubles again in 50 years, then by around 2050, the United States will be a majority non-religious country. Clearly, if Christianity seeks to not only stay relevant but viable, it must adapt. The proof is in the numbers; Christianity is suffering. ~Alex Wilhelm (from his article Why Christianity Must Adapt... or Perish)

i've heard a lot of chatter lately about going back. "i want my America back!" frankly, most go beyond chatter - yelling might be a better word. in the world of American Christiandom, the conversation often steers towards the proverbial 'we need to go back to America's roots as a Christian nation.' i think those who say that might very well have good intentions. after all, the past always seems better as time goes by, does it not? nostalgia has a funny way of almost distorting the actuality of past events.

don't get me wrong, i have some fond memories of the past. and there are times that i'd go back to being 12 years old in a heartbeat. as Richard Dreyfuss most eloquently put it (a la Stephen King) in the movie Stand By Me "I never had friends later on in life like I did when I was 12. God, does anyone?"

be that as it may - going back doesn't always mean things would be better than they are right now... or in the future.

from a political stand point - what exactly do 'we' want to go back to? war? slavery? no civil rights? oppression of woman? with all the good that came about when our sweet nation began governing - there were certainly a number of flaws.

we've made progress over the years. we'd all agree with that. so why go back? why not go forward?

i often here this same argument in the church. if you took a magnifying glass and looked at the way many churches function, you see many institutions stuck in the past. recreating what has already been done is not progress. there is nothing progressive about it. but progressiveness and post-modernism are scary things for the church these days.

and so the argument goes like this: "why can't we go back to our roots of our nation, with Christianity at the center?" in a perfect world - we'd be a nation of people seeking after the heart of God - not after our own selfish wants and desires. in a perfect world, we'd care about other people and other nations as we do ourselves, too. but we live not in that world.

should or could that be a goal for the 21st century church? yes. absolutely. but that will never happen by wishing and hoping to 'go back.' save your breath. save your energy. 'going back' will not bring non-religious, non-Christ like or nominal Christians either back to church or closer to God.

going forward will. like the statistic says above: less and less people in America are claiming any religious affiliation at all. Natural selection is in full effect: we must adapt or die. it's survival of the fittest and the church is that sloth lounging on the couch in front of the television.

so what are the steps deemed necessary to bring about adaptation?
(my humble opine follows)

1. The church and/or Christians must stop their obsession with proving how wrong everyone is and how right 'we' are. frankly, we've got Plank Eye Syndrome. We concern ourselves so much with the sins and imperfections of others that we neglect to see the sins of our own. (Jesus talked about that in Matthew chapter 7 verses 3 through 5) Following Jesus is not about being right - it's about obeying. it's about loving. it's about empathizing and caring... with no conditions.

2. Strive to become 'quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. (James 1:19) We like to talk a lot. but how well do we listen? Are we listening to the heartache and cries of our communities? Are we seeing their true needs? or are we telling them what we think they need? telling a man he 'needs Jesus' doesn't put food on his table. am i suggesting we squelch our desires to share the gosepel? not at all. i am suggesting though, before we speak it - we live it. We show Jesus to the world through our acts of compassion and love. Actions do speak louder than words.

3. Realize that church does not exclusively exist for 'us' - but for those not part of the Christ-centered community. we do things we like and expect others to just show up. 50 years ago - the fact that churches had doors and a steeple and a bell that rang on Sunday mornings compelled people to come. Many churches still hold to that same expectation. Understand this: in the 21st century people will not walk through the church doors simply because the church doors are open at 9am every Sunday morning. I believe the church doors should be open... but perhaps they should be open so that we would 'go out' rather than wait or expect others to 'come in.'

4. Learn to deal with conflict differently. i recently read about how metaphors rule our lives. i've never thought about that before - but when it comes to conflict or disagreement - we often think of it as a battle or a war. "Argument is War" When disagrement comes or when arguments arise - our passion gets the blood boiling. We aim to 'defeat' our opponent. we want to destroy their message. We aim to 'defend' our point of view. We want to 'WIN!' But what if our arguments and disagrements were not viewed as war - but as a dance.

Robert Schnase, a Methodist bishop so eloguently wrote about this in his book The Balancing Act (with inspiration from Metaphors We Live By.) In a dance - both performers play essential and important roles - but one is not out to 'take down' the other. IF our disagrements within the church and with the world were not combative - but more like a graceful dance, think of how more productive we might be or could be?

Both dance parties compel the others movement - "pushing each other along - closer to the truth. We might 'focus on where we need to go and whether we are farther along than the last time we talked. Rather than winning or losing we might say things like 'He really pushed you forward with that idea. er suggestion took us a step higher. We made real progress. I feel like we're getting closer and closer.'"
When conflict and disagreement comes - if we expect a war, then a war we will get. If we expect a dance, something more graceful might arise. Which one is a more Christ-like approach?

5. Act like disciples. Dallas Willard, author, pastor and theologian said this: “Generally, what I find is that the ordinary people who come to church are basically running their lives on their own, utilizing ‘the arm of the flesh’—their natural abilities—to negotiate their way. They believe there is a God and they need to check in with him. But they don’t have any sense that he is an active agent in their lives. As a result, they don’t become disciples of Jesus.”*

One's faith is meant to be active - not passive. the church needs disciples who are disciplined and dedicated to Jesus first.

lastly,
6. Separate Politics from Church. yeah - i have high expectations if i think this will ever happen - but it doesn't mean it couldn't. imagine. imagine if Christians in America made their decisions based on Christ Jesus first, political party of choice second. Imagine. Imagine what the world would look like if we truly lived the Greatest commandment: Love God. Love People. (Matthew 22:37-40). Jesus said EVERYTHING hangs on these two commands!

Jesus is not a politician. And he need not be a second fiddle to any candidate, movement or call for political action.


this list could go on. and frankly - i could be wrong. but this is what i am thinking... right now.



i love the church and am hopeful that it might become viable and authentic and humble and loving - beyond what we may ever comprehend. but we need to adapt... or we will die. the church will die. yeah, there will probably still be churches on every corner - but will they be alive? full of life? full of love? full of Jesus' active messages of truth? a building does not a church make. loving, intentional, selfless disciples do.



just my 2 cents. for what it's worth.

Book Review: The Medium is the Massage - an inventory of effects

The Medium is the Massage: An Inventory of Effects by Marshall McLuhan


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Marshall McLuhan is/was a modern day prophet. his foreknowledge of what was and would eventually take place in society as a result of rapid technological advancement is nothing short of amazing. No doubt, the global village (a term coined by McLuhan) was a mere blip on the horizon when The Medium is the Massage was written, but McLuhan saw a scratch in the surface and with great insight and foresight he explains how technology functions one way while our human thinking functions another.

Using an array of images and words (McLuhan is quite a wordsmith- some appear to be made up as i couldn't even find a definition for them) McLuhan paints an interactive picture of how technology 'forces us to live mythically' but we continue to think 'fragmentarily on separate plains.'

technology is inter-connected like a ball of yarn, weaved together with no beginning or end.

human thinking is fragmented - like individual puzzle pieces, with each piece placed in different compartments.

what i find incredible is that these insights were written in 1967. 1967!

the first quote cited in his book states "The major advances in civilization are processes that all but wreck the societies in which they occur."

i think we can all potentially see that in light of all of our technological advances in our present day - the more tech - the more problems. yes, technology has certainly brought about rapid advancement in our world - but it comes at a price.

McLuhan taps into the potential cost of tech advancement in the world with amazement. this book could have been written today!

"All media are extensions of some human faculty - psychic or physical." Media is an extension of who we are. McLuhan recognized this long before Facebook or email or the internet or wireless cell phones with text messages were ever a part of our world.

Simply amazing.

This is a creative book. i could go on and on. it is captivating. the art. the text. the typography. the drawings. images. all help prove the point. we can't look at things the same way ever again. if we fail to recognize how media infiltrates life - we fail to exist.

life is no longer linear. it's been gradually becoming less and less - since the inception of the alphabet. media has been a massage to all our senses - more and more and more. as people progress media is in tow. or is it the other way around?

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Book Review: Sabbath (from the ancient practices series)

Sabbath: The Ancient Practices by Dan B. Allender


My rating: 2 of 5 stars
"the sabbath is not merely a good idea, it's a commandment."

in America, we tend to puff up our chests, proudly proclaiming how busy we are. really? how absurd is that? why do we resist slowing down and spending time at rest in quiet? why do so many resist the idea of sabbath?

we would all say that we crave it - but we seldom make the appropriate changes.

i anticipated finding in Dan Allendar's book Sabbath some practical ways to take a sabbath day of rest. i was sadly disappointed.

over and over (and over and over) Allendar makes that point that the day of rest - the sabbath day - should be a day of delight... of joy. what he wrote wasn't bad - but the repetitive nature of the 190+ pages made it difficult to stay interested.

after the third chapter, it was tough to stay focused.

i did, however, appreciate chapter 3 titled Holy Time.

time should be honored as a gift. "receive 'sabbath' time like a queen." be intentional with your time.

after that, it began to drag on and on and on. I had higher hopes for this book.

Next up is another book titled Sabbath written by Wayne Muller.
perhaps it will be better.

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ramblings of randomness 2: electric boogaloo

a follow up to my random post from the other day.

so i was reading in Leviticus this morning. what a way to start the day! and i stumbled upon this verse:

^33-34 "When a foreigner lives with you in your land, don't take advantage of him. Treat the foreigner the same as a native. Love him like one of your own. Remember that you were once foreigners in Egypt. I am God, your God.
~ Leviticus 19:33-34 (the Message)

and in case you find the Message translation to be too much of a paraphrase...

³⁴ The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt. I am the LORD your God.
~ Leviticus 19:33-34 (NIV)

i find this verse very interesting in light of the new law in Arizona to rid its self of illegal immigrants. Arizona Senate Bill 1070 states that any Hispanic can be stopped and detained unless they carry the proper paperwork proving their citizenship. So this is what we've come to. I dare say that Arizona is out of control. Jon Stewart referred to them as "the meth lab of democracy."

This new bill is the toughest of its kind.

So in light of all of this - and putting politics aside: what should the Christian, no,Christ-like or Godly response be?

--

actually, speaking of politics, I wonder how Christians might act, think, behave or believe different if we looked to the example of Christ first rather than our political party of choice.

what if we made great effort to 'love' first? how would our country and our world be different?

we would probably care for others more. there would be no debate on health care. we would find a way to get sick people well. there would be no poverty. we would find a way to get people fed and clothed and housed. we would probably care for the earth more. if nothing else, we would take care of it. we'd recycle, etc. wanting to take care of the earth doesn't make one an environmentalist (in the radical sense, anyway). it makes one human. was not Adam instructed to take care of the land? [Genesis 3] We'd listen more. there would be less arguing and bickering. public servants called to public service would follow the needs of the public first not greedy temptations.

some of our current systems may be flawed - but would they be if we acted Christ-like first? think of how productive we could be?

--

if you do a Google image search in order to find pictures of 'Jesus' this image of Jesus holding a rifle will no doubt show up. really? a rifle? people have a keen knack of distorting scripture to say what they want it to say.
So what did Jesus mean when he said "blessed are the peace makers"; "love your neighbor as your self", "love your enemies"; "pray for those who persecute you"; "turn the other cheek"; "give to those in need", etc.

I don't remember him saying "Annie get your gun!"

yeah, i know, the 2nd Amendment gives Americans the right to bear arms. fine. but don't insert Jesus into your own desires. Bear your arms if you like. i pray you never have to use it. Life would be different if this guy hadn't been packing heat.