...and read this one, because it's way better than anything I have to say.
The Beginning of Wisdom, by Jen Wilkin: "Why Transformation Eludes Us"
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Amena Brown
I was introduced to the work of spoken word poet Amena Brown at a Gungor concert the other weekend. Both artists are fantastic, but I highly encourage you to check out some of her work. To whet your appetite, here is a bit of what grabbed my attention:
This second video is an adaptation of her poem "You." See another version at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATowY8fuAEY. Or her poem, The End, is also pretty great. Really, just check out all of her stuff :)
amenabrown.com
This second video is an adaptation of her poem "You." See another version at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATowY8fuAEY. Or her poem, The End, is also pretty great. Really, just check out all of her stuff :)
amenabrown.com
Friday, January 20, 2012
A Response to "Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IAhDGYlpqY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ru_tC4fv6FE
These are two videos that have been posted all over facebook. The first one, "Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus," has gone viral with over 15 million views. The second one, "Why I Love Religion, And Love Jesus," is newer and beginning to make the rounds.
Ultimately, I think both of these videos are trying to make the same point, though they seem to be arguing from opposite ends. Jefferson Bethke, the spoken word artist and writer for the first video, notes that this poem is to highlight the difference between Jesus and false religion. Unfortunately, despite the line confessing that he does not hate the Church, the video still comes across suggesting that all religion is bad because it gets in the way of following Jesus. Fr. Pontifex, the lyricist (and I believe performer) for the second video, comes back to argue that religion is most often the vehicle for following Jesus and the oft-needed framework and structure.
It seems like these days a lot of people have been burned by a church, thus making them "spiritual, but not religious." There are two main ways we can respond to this:
1) Turn our frustrations against certain aspects and people of the Church and reject the whole thing entirely.
2) Recognize the broken and weak parts and work to redeem the Church as the Bride of Christ.
It seems to me that God is in the redemption business, so maybe with His help we can straighten some of this stuff out.
I want to commend both Jefferson Bethke and Fr. Pontifex for making creative and inspiring videos charging people to follow Jesus more whole-heartedly and not get caught up in empty actions and promises. Their work is valuable and important. However, it is important that we define our terms in this type of discussion (what do we mean by "religion"?). I also encourage everyone to spend less time discussing what is right and wrong, so they have more time to simply be obedient to Christ and live out their convictions. I'll close with this response by Dietrich Bonhoeffer to Luke 10:25-29:
"We have literally no time to sit down and ask ourselves whether so-and-so is our neighbour or not. We must get into action and obey - we must behave like a neighbour to him. But perhaps this shocks you. Perhaps you still think you ought to think out beforehand and know what you ought to do. To that there is only one answer. You can only know and think about it by actually doing it. You can only learn what obedience is by obeying. It is no use asking questions; for it is only through obedience that you come to learn the truth."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ru_tC4fv6FE
These are two videos that have been posted all over facebook. The first one, "Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus," has gone viral with over 15 million views. The second one, "Why I Love Religion, And Love Jesus," is newer and beginning to make the rounds.
Ultimately, I think both of these videos are trying to make the same point, though they seem to be arguing from opposite ends. Jefferson Bethke, the spoken word artist and writer for the first video, notes that this poem is to highlight the difference between Jesus and false religion. Unfortunately, despite the line confessing that he does not hate the Church, the video still comes across suggesting that all religion is bad because it gets in the way of following Jesus. Fr. Pontifex, the lyricist (and I believe performer) for the second video, comes back to argue that religion is most often the vehicle for following Jesus and the oft-needed framework and structure.
It seems like these days a lot of people have been burned by a church, thus making them "spiritual, but not religious." There are two main ways we can respond to this:
1) Turn our frustrations against certain aspects and people of the Church and reject the whole thing entirely.
2) Recognize the broken and weak parts and work to redeem the Church as the Bride of Christ.
It seems to me that God is in the redemption business, so maybe with His help we can straighten some of this stuff out.
I want to commend both Jefferson Bethke and Fr. Pontifex for making creative and inspiring videos charging people to follow Jesus more whole-heartedly and not get caught up in empty actions and promises. Their work is valuable and important. However, it is important that we define our terms in this type of discussion (what do we mean by "religion"?). I also encourage everyone to spend less time discussing what is right and wrong, so they have more time to simply be obedient to Christ and live out their convictions. I'll close with this response by Dietrich Bonhoeffer to Luke 10:25-29:
"We have literally no time to sit down and ask ourselves whether so-and-so is our neighbour or not. We must get into action and obey - we must behave like a neighbour to him. But perhaps this shocks you. Perhaps you still think you ought to think out beforehand and know what you ought to do. To that there is only one answer. You can only know and think about it by actually doing it. You can only learn what obedience is by obeying. It is no use asking questions; for it is only through obedience that you come to learn the truth."
Thursday, January 12, 2012
The Tentmaker's Dilemma and Joy
This is the first time I have tried the tentmaking approach to ministry. I love the fact that it gives me the ability to volunteer in various ways, instead of being a financial burden on those I wish to serve. However, there are times when work and ministry conflict, at which point I must decide whether to go be the hands and feet of Jesus, or whether to stay back and earn some money that will later enable me to be His hands and feet. It is an interesting balance I have never had to maintain before, which has given me increased respect for everyone working in "the secular world" and also striving for that balance. Erring to either side can be costly as one sets up work and money as an idol, and the other side fails to be a careful steward of the opportunities and resources provided by the Lord.
Being a tentmaker has also taught me to be more grateful for work and opportunities to earn an income when they come my way. Growing up I always thought of work as "that annoying thing that gets in the way of having fun." After working at a camp for a number of years, I came to learn how much fun work can be. And now I'm also learning that work can enable fun and service later. Every hour of work is one more opportunity to take someone out to lunch, another bit of gas to drive a friend to the airport, or maybe just the money to pay rent and stay one more month in this beautiful city God has placed me in.
So I take my hat off to all of you who have been balancing earning an income and serving others for years now. And I also want to encourage you as you plug in one more hour at the office, one more late night waiting tables, or however you currently find yourself employed. Remember that every dollar into your pocket is another dollar you can use to bless someone. Get creative in what that looks like, and you might find that grueling job to be a little more enjoyable when it is a means to someone else's happiness.
"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
"The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'" - Matthew 25:37-40
Being a tentmaker has also taught me to be more grateful for work and opportunities to earn an income when they come my way. Growing up I always thought of work as "that annoying thing that gets in the way of having fun." After working at a camp for a number of years, I came to learn how much fun work can be. And now I'm also learning that work can enable fun and service later. Every hour of work is one more opportunity to take someone out to lunch, another bit of gas to drive a friend to the airport, or maybe just the money to pay rent and stay one more month in this beautiful city God has placed me in.
So I take my hat off to all of you who have been balancing earning an income and serving others for years now. And I also want to encourage you as you plug in one more hour at the office, one more late night waiting tables, or however you currently find yourself employed. Remember that every dollar into your pocket is another dollar you can use to bless someone. Get creative in what that looks like, and you might find that grueling job to be a little more enjoyable when it is a means to someone else's happiness.
"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
"The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'" - Matthew 25:37-40
Thursday, January 5, 2012
New Year's Resolution Bitterness
As we find ourselves at a time of the year where people are focused on New Year's resolutions and how things will be different in 2012, I confess that I find myself resistant to join the tradition of resolutions.
Perhaps it's the fact that I've never successfully kept a New Year's resolution through to the end of January, but I seem to be in good company on that one. I think it has more to do with the fact that people are resolving to be different based on the time of the year, rather than a true desire to change. As a procrastinator myself, I recognize the down falls of planning a later resolution instead of just beginning your new resolution. If you want to make a change, why not begin immediately on December 29th instead of waiting until January 1st? Then when January 17th comes and the old routines have taken over again and you struggle to remember what you had even resolved to do, you give up, saying how you've already blown it for this year, but maybe next year you'll do better. If one were truly resolved, failure would not be the end, but merely a starting over.
It's not the resolution I am opposed to, merely the fact that it is a New Year's resolution. It is a wonderful desire to grow, change, evolve, and improve yourself. I'm just concerned that there is a toxicity in linking this desire to a time of year that can delay and/or cut short the hard work and process of personal growth.
My encouragement to everyone making resolutions, New Year's or not, is to be full of patience and grace toward yourself. Growth takes time, as we see in the parable of the sower. When the seed fell on rocky places, it grew very quickly, but it could not last because it didn't have any roots. So take the time to grow deep roots. Be "like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit." (Jer. 17:8) We see how patient God constantly is with us ("But you, O Lord, are a God of compassion and mercy, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.... Give your strength to your servant" Ps. 86:15-16); why should we treat ourselves any differently? So go ahead and make a resolution, but don't wait until tomorrow to start it. And when you fail, don't give up. The fight isn't over. Pray to God to give you strength and keep working at it. You don't have to wait until next year to try again.
Perhaps it's the fact that I've never successfully kept a New Year's resolution through to the end of January, but I seem to be in good company on that one. I think it has more to do with the fact that people are resolving to be different based on the time of the year, rather than a true desire to change. As a procrastinator myself, I recognize the down falls of planning a later resolution instead of just beginning your new resolution. If you want to make a change, why not begin immediately on December 29th instead of waiting until January 1st? Then when January 17th comes and the old routines have taken over again and you struggle to remember what you had even resolved to do, you give up, saying how you've already blown it for this year, but maybe next year you'll do better. If one were truly resolved, failure would not be the end, but merely a starting over.
It's not the resolution I am opposed to, merely the fact that it is a New Year's resolution. It is a wonderful desire to grow, change, evolve, and improve yourself. I'm just concerned that there is a toxicity in linking this desire to a time of year that can delay and/or cut short the hard work and process of personal growth.
My encouragement to everyone making resolutions, New Year's or not, is to be full of patience and grace toward yourself. Growth takes time, as we see in the parable of the sower. When the seed fell on rocky places, it grew very quickly, but it could not last because it didn't have any roots. So take the time to grow deep roots. Be "like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit." (Jer. 17:8) We see how patient God constantly is with us ("But you, O Lord, are a God of compassion and mercy, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.... Give your strength to your servant" Ps. 86:15-16); why should we treat ourselves any differently? So go ahead and make a resolution, but don't wait until tomorrow to start it. And when you fail, don't give up. The fight isn't over. Pray to God to give you strength and keep working at it. You don't have to wait until next year to try again.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Missionary?
"So what will you be doing in Dallas? Do you have a job yet?"
I find myself awkwardly fumbling for a response, not really sure how to explain myself.
Can I say that I'm a missionary? Is that appropriate to what I'll be doing?
I hesitate to claim the title 'missionary' as images from End of the Spear come to mind and I think of people in primitive or rustic places, literally sacrificing their lives to make God known. Dallas isn't exactly primitive with its skyscrapers and multilayered highway system, nor is my three-bedroom apartment with dishwasher and walk-in closets rustic, so I would hate to presume the label when I know others have given so much more than anything I am doing.
"I'm hoping to get involved in ministry."
She stares back confused, clearly questioning my plan and wondering if "hopes" will pay rent.
"Oh, okay." She's not sure what to say, so I try to save the faltering conversation.
"I will be working for my friend's dad to pay the bills, but that's not really the focus of what I'll be doing in Dallas."
"Oh, okay," she responds, this time with understanding. "So what is the job?"
She does not understand. I explain the job, and hope that by the next time the question is asked, I will have a concrete ministry to talk about.
Thomas Hale defines being a missionary as "one who is to witness across cultures." Given this understanding, I think I can say I am a missionary. Dallas, and in particular Oak Cliff (my neighborhood, AKA Little Mexico), is most definitely a different culture from the small-town Midwest I've grown up in. Or perhaps the move is more comparable to going from Wheaton to the south side of Chicago, for those of you familiar with that geography. Witnessing is also a large part of what I'm doing. We just met our upstairs neighbors, and may now be nannying their children four days out of the week. I've been attending Mercy Street, an after-school program for kids in the area. And through church and other organizations, I am working to make known the glory of God.
I currently find myself working under the 'tentmaking' philosophy of missions, and thus think of myself less as a computer draftsman and more as a missionary. If anybody reading this is a missionary and finds offense at this or thinks me bold to suggest my lifestyle in Dallas as missional, then I apologize. This is me just trying to find the short-version response to "What do you do?"
And for anyone still curious about what I'm actually doing, but now too afraid to ask, please don't hesitate to call or email me. Perhaps the post below will also help clarify things.
I find myself awkwardly fumbling for a response, not really sure how to explain myself.
Can I say that I'm a missionary? Is that appropriate to what I'll be doing?
I hesitate to claim the title 'missionary' as images from End of the Spear come to mind and I think of people in primitive or rustic places, literally sacrificing their lives to make God known. Dallas isn't exactly primitive with its skyscrapers and multilayered highway system, nor is my three-bedroom apartment with dishwasher and walk-in closets rustic, so I would hate to presume the label when I know others have given so much more than anything I am doing.
"I'm hoping to get involved in ministry."
She stares back confused, clearly questioning my plan and wondering if "hopes" will pay rent.
"Oh, okay." She's not sure what to say, so I try to save the faltering conversation.
"I will be working for my friend's dad to pay the bills, but that's not really the focus of what I'll be doing in Dallas."
"Oh, okay," she responds, this time with understanding. "So what is the job?"
She does not understand. I explain the job, and hope that by the next time the question is asked, I will have a concrete ministry to talk about.
---------------
Thomas Hale defines being a missionary as "one who is to witness across cultures." Given this understanding, I think I can say I am a missionary. Dallas, and in particular Oak Cliff (my neighborhood, AKA Little Mexico), is most definitely a different culture from the small-town Midwest I've grown up in. Or perhaps the move is more comparable to going from Wheaton to the south side of Chicago, for those of you familiar with that geography. Witnessing is also a large part of what I'm doing. We just met our upstairs neighbors, and may now be nannying their children four days out of the week. I've been attending Mercy Street, an after-school program for kids in the area. And through church and other organizations, I am working to make known the glory of God.
I currently find myself working under the 'tentmaking' philosophy of missions, and thus think of myself less as a computer draftsman and more as a missionary. If anybody reading this is a missionary and finds offense at this or thinks me bold to suggest my lifestyle in Dallas as missional, then I apologize. This is me just trying to find the short-version response to "What do you do?"
And for anyone still curious about what I'm actually doing, but now too afraid to ask, please don't hesitate to call or email me. Perhaps the post below will also help clarify things.
The Dallas Project
A seven month lease guarantees (caveat: James 4:13-15) that amount of time in Dallas, and thus I begin what I affectionately call, The Dallas Project.
What does it entail?
- Read the Bible in its entirety
- Pray for every country in the world
- Be involved in the local church
- Spend time outside of my typical context
How does this happen?
- I am getting involved in LifePoint church. I love their mission statement and hope to adopt it as my own: "Love God. Love people. Serve the city."
- I am getting involved in local ministries.
- Mercy Street: an after school program once a week where we hang out (read: go completely crazy) for awhile, then we sing some songs, and then break into age groups for a lesson and craft. So far I've gone with the youngest ones (1st-3rd grade) and they are hilarious. My favorite quote from last week: "The opposite of kindness is a girl." Sorry fellas ;)
- Buckner International: I haven't actually done anything here because their volunteer coordinator is out of town this week, but it looks like an awesome organization. They are a global ministry that strives to make life better for orphans and vulnerable children. They combine my love of youth ministry and missions (and even have a camp!) so I am eager to find a way to get involved.
- I am working to get to know other people and families in the area and apartment complex.
- I am supporting myself as a computer draftsman for Spitze Graphics. Spitze Graphics helps people apply for patents. Working in AutoCAD, I will be cleaning up technical drawings and making them fit for the patent office.
- I'm living with four other wonderful girls who have warmly welcomed me into their apartment.
I say all of these things as though I am somehow responsible for them happening, but really this has been quite the journey of God opening up doors for me to come to Dallas and get connected. He has put several books in my hands (Life Together by Bonhoeffer, Radical by Platt, Don't Waste Your Life by Piper) that have filled my head and heart with these ideas about how to live. And most of all God has allowed me to grow up in a context where it is easy to know Him and feel His love. It doesn't seem possible that I can take responsibility for too much of what has happened this first week in Dallas, nor the rest of my life prior.
Praise God for how well this transition has gone thus far and please pray that I can continue to find where God wants me to get involved here in Dallas.
What does it entail?
- Read the Bible in its entirety
- Pray for every country in the world
- Be involved in the local church
- Spend time outside of my typical context
- Make sacrifices to be able to give more generously*
- Live in a community of believers who are also participating in some or all parts of the Dallas ProjectHow does this happen?
- I am getting involved in LifePoint church. I love their mission statement and hope to adopt it as my own: "Love God. Love people. Serve the city."
- I am getting involved in local ministries.
- Mercy Street: an after school program once a week where we hang out (read: go completely crazy) for awhile, then we sing some songs, and then break into age groups for a lesson and craft. So far I've gone with the youngest ones (1st-3rd grade) and they are hilarious. My favorite quote from last week: "The opposite of kindness is a girl." Sorry fellas ;)
- Buckner International: I haven't actually done anything here because their volunteer coordinator is out of town this week, but it looks like an awesome organization. They are a global ministry that strives to make life better for orphans and vulnerable children. They combine my love of youth ministry and missions (and even have a camp!) so I am eager to find a way to get involved.
- I am working to get to know other people and families in the area and apartment complex.
- I am supporting myself as a computer draftsman for Spitze Graphics. Spitze Graphics helps people apply for patents. Working in AutoCAD, I will be cleaning up technical drawings and making them fit for the patent office.
- I'm living with four other wonderful girls who have warmly welcomed me into their apartment.
I say all of these things as though I am somehow responsible for them happening, but really this has been quite the journey of God opening up doors for me to come to Dallas and get connected. He has put several books in my hands (Life Together by Bonhoeffer, Radical by Platt, Don't Waste Your Life by Piper) that have filled my head and heart with these ideas about how to live. And most of all God has allowed me to grow up in a context where it is easy to know Him and feel His love. It doesn't seem possible that I can take responsibility for too much of what has happened this first week in Dallas, nor the rest of my life prior.
Praise God for how well this transition has gone thus far and please pray that I can continue to find where God wants me to get involved here in Dallas.
*the first five pieces of the Dallas project are more or less David Platt's "Radical Challenge" from his book Radical.
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