Six months ago, I was in a conversation with a friend and we were reflecting on the experience of Moses when Yahweh faced him.
God's heart was breaking because of the oppression of His people and He knew that Moses' heart had broken once upon a time for the same reason. God let Moses know that He was going to invite him to do something about it.
After stumbling over himself, he wonders out loud, "What if they don't listen to me?"
God's response: "What is that in your hand?"
"A staff."
"Yeah," said God. "I'm going to use what's already in your hand (which happened to be the tool of his trade) to set people free."
As this friend and I continued to reflect, she realized that her heart had been breaking for a community of poverty-stricken families living in one of the largest city dumps in the world. As we talked, she realized that she had a business degree and relationships with people who could help her start a fair-trade non-profit that could potentially become a creative form of a micro-finance organization already in her hand.
Just Hearts was born and launched last Sunday at Open Door. Through micro-finance, they are helping to create jobs for women and children endangered by the chains of human trafficking in both Nicaragua and Thailand.
God is using what's already in her hands to set people free.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
An Email...
An email I just wrote to our team of justice coordinators at Open Door...
I just finished reading a book called Slave. It is an autobiography of a woman named Mende Nazer, a Sudanese young woman who was abducted and sold into slavery as a little girl, but who eventually had the courage to escape after nearly 12 years. It is a riveting true account of her story.
As I was reading, I began to wonder if the monthly dialogues around the issues of poverty and slavery could benefit from just such a book. I'm wondering what would happen if our community engaged in a book dialogue/book study of books such as these. My next book is one called Infidel and is the story of an exploited Arab woman and her journey to freedom. She also wrote Caged Virigin--the book I'll read after Infidel. I also have a book called Sold which is a collection of stories of slaves who have been freed....
Attaching the issue to real stories of real people is one way in which I believe that God will continue to feed this break for us. More importantly, we could use stories such as these to guide us into the Text to listen for His heart on matters of poverty, slavery, and abolition.
I was just emailing with a young friend who gave a collegiate speech on human trafficking, inspired by some of the stuff happening at Open Door. She instantly had four people come up to her wanting to know what they can "do" about it. Here was my response....
Being a part of the solution here in the Bay Area is a creative process. Call+Response does offer some great ideas, however the world of storming brothels and rescuing slaves isn't necessarily a reality here. I would recommend directing your four friends to a community such as Open Door that are experimenting creatively with being solution. One way we are doing this is through monthly round table dialogues that are focused on getting educated while exploring God's heart on this issue. Another potential idea is hosting a book study focused on reading the autobiographies of rescued slaves so that the crisis can be attached to real people. The most tangible thing that we are engaged in is the launch of a non-profit fair-trade organization called Just Hearts. This is a creative micro-finance organization that is literally creating jobs in both Thailand and Nicaragua to impoverished families. As jobs are being created through the creation of jewelry and other goods, women and children who would typically be sold into slavery are finding a way out.
Not sure if this is helpful or not. I guess what I'm saying is that the best thing that people can do is get involved with a community of people who are about being solution and who are actively listening for God's leading in that endeavor. Make sense?
I wonder how God is going to use this issue, our break, and shepherding to guide people into His Kingdom. He is absolutely about abolition, physically and spiritually. I long for us to be a part of both.
I just finished reading a book called Slave. It is an autobiography of a woman named Mende Nazer, a Sudanese young woman who was abducted and sold into slavery as a little girl, but who eventually had the courage to escape after nearly 12 years. It is a riveting true account of her story.
As I was reading, I began to wonder if the monthly dialogues around the issues of poverty and slavery could benefit from just such a book. I'm wondering what would happen if our community engaged in a book dialogue/book study of books such as these. My next book is one called Infidel and is the story of an exploited Arab woman and her journey to freedom. She also wrote Caged Virigin--the book I'll read after Infidel. I also have a book called Sold which is a collection of stories of slaves who have been freed....
Attaching the issue to real stories of real people is one way in which I believe that God will continue to feed this break for us. More importantly, we could use stories such as these to guide us into the Text to listen for His heart on matters of poverty, slavery, and abolition.
I was just emailing with a young friend who gave a collegiate speech on human trafficking, inspired by some of the stuff happening at Open Door. She instantly had four people come up to her wanting to know what they can "do" about it. Here was my response....
Being a part of the solution here in the Bay Area is a creative process. Call+Response does offer some great ideas, however the world of storming brothels and rescuing slaves isn't necessarily a reality here. I would recommend directing your four friends to a community such as Open Door that are experimenting creatively with being solution. One way we are doing this is through monthly round table dialogues that are focused on getting educated while exploring God's heart on this issue. Another potential idea is hosting a book study focused on reading the autobiographies of rescued slaves so that the crisis can be attached to real people. The most tangible thing that we are engaged in is the launch of a non-profit fair-trade organization called Just Hearts. This is a creative micro-finance organization that is literally creating jobs in both Thailand and Nicaragua to impoverished families. As jobs are being created through the creation of jewelry and other goods, women and children who would typically be sold into slavery are finding a way out.
Not sure if this is helpful or not. I guess what I'm saying is that the best thing that people can do is get involved with a community of people who are about being solution and who are actively listening for God's leading in that endeavor. Make sense?
I wonder how God is going to use this issue, our break, and shepherding to guide people into His Kingdom. He is absolutely about abolition, physically and spiritually. I long for us to be a part of both.
Monday, December 08, 2008
Better than the "Good 'Ol Days"
Two of our friends from college came out to spend two days with us. It was the first time we'd all been together in over seven years!
There are those friends who, no matter how long its been, walk in grace, truth, love, and trust with you. These are two of those people.
Once they landed, we went to the Farmer's Market in the City, drove through San Francisco, and did the Golden Gate Bridge. I was struck by how, even though these were great experiences and sights to see, we were lost in conversation.
It felt like every hour of our time together was life-giving...never was there a dull moment. My favorite time was last night over dinner after Open Door. Two of my friends from CA sat at table with two of my friends from MN...it couldn't have been better. After the CA's left, the four of us sat down, soon to recognize that we had experienced something rich--worshipful, really--in the last two days. Our time was more full than the good 'ol days.
We were the same people, kind of...
There are those friends who, no matter how long its been, walk in grace, truth, love, and trust with you. These are two of those people.
Once they landed, we went to the Farmer's Market in the City, drove through San Francisco, and did the Golden Gate Bridge. I was struck by how, even though these were great experiences and sights to see, we were lost in conversation.
It felt like every hour of our time together was life-giving...never was there a dull moment. My favorite time was last night over dinner after Open Door. Two of my friends from CA sat at table with two of my friends from MN...it couldn't have been better. After the CA's left, the four of us sat down, soon to recognize that we had experienced something rich--worshipful, really--in the last two days. Our time was more full than the good 'ol days.
We were the same people, kind of...
Right On
Jac and I were out to dinner with a mentor of mine last week. It was one of those, "Time stood still for an hour-and-a-half" dinners.
I've invited this friend to mentor and advise me, to listen for what's really going on with me, and to speak candidly about what he hears and observes.
He spoke candidly on Wednesday night and it uncovered some things and created language I was searching for in others. Jac's imput served to strenthen what he was saying. I mostly listened with rapt attention as everything that they were saying was right on.
It was good to be sitting down with two people who are on the board of directors of my life. I live, follow, and love more fully after meals like that. I was much more nourished by the dialogue than by the physical food...although the food was good too.
I've invited this friend to mentor and advise me, to listen for what's really going on with me, and to speak candidly about what he hears and observes.
He spoke candidly on Wednesday night and it uncovered some things and created language I was searching for in others. Jac's imput served to strenthen what he was saying. I mostly listened with rapt attention as everything that they were saying was right on.
It was good to be sitting down with two people who are on the board of directors of my life. I live, follow, and love more fully after meals like that. I was much more nourished by the dialogue than by the physical food...although the food was good too.
An Elaborate Feast
Yesterday, we hosted Ava's birthday party. Hard to believe that she's already one!
We chose to host both a birthday party and an open house as we have recently bought, remodeled, and moved into a new home (God's gift to us!). As we were working on the house (long days in the hot summer) we kept picturing the moment when our home would be filled with people, feasting on food, stories, friendships.
Yesterday, that vision was realized when, at one point, there were over 60 people from all spheres of our lives packed into our home...feasting.
We chose to host both a birthday party and an open house as we have recently bought, remodeled, and moved into a new home (God's gift to us!). As we were working on the house (long days in the hot summer) we kept picturing the moment when our home would be filled with people, feasting on food, stories, friendships.
Yesterday, that vision was realized when, at one point, there were over 60 people from all spheres of our lives packed into our home...feasting.
A hike in the rain
Mondays are both Ava day and Sabbath for me. I love it because it means that I no longer have Monday on my calender...Sunday, Ava-day, Tuesday, Wednesday...
We do a couple of things together every Monday. Eat delicious food, take a nap, go to the grocery store to pick up food for dinner (and flowers for Jac) and go on a hike that has to have a summit. A couple weeks ago, we were on our Sabbath-hike, an opportunity for the two of us to step back and savor the beauty and completeness of God, when it suddenly started to rain. It was cold, windy, and raining and I felt my heart rate increase at the thought of Ava and how stressed out she must have been.
But she didn't make a sound.
I soon realized that she had curled herself as tightly as possible in the Sherpani and as close to me as she could get and had fallen asleep. She was literally sleeping through the storm in the middle of nowhere.
She slept because she was with her Daddy. She slept because she knew that as long as she was close to me, she'd be fine.
Knowing that put her at peace...so she slept.
Usually on our Sabbath hikes, I'm captivated by the views and by listening to my little girl discover the world around her. She squeaks and points when she sees a squirrel or a deer. She follows the flight of the birds and trys to talk them into landing on her outstretched arm.
On this particular hike, I was lulled into worship by her serenity, the internal tranquility in the midst of the external cold storm.
She was close to her daddy.
My experience is the same...there is something about being held by the Father that puts me at peace. There is something about listening to His heartbeat in the midst of storms that tells me that as long as I am curled up next to Him, I'll be fine.
We do a couple of things together every Monday. Eat delicious food, take a nap, go to the grocery store to pick up food for dinner (and flowers for Jac) and go on a hike that has to have a summit. A couple weeks ago, we were on our Sabbath-hike, an opportunity for the two of us to step back and savor the beauty and completeness of God, when it suddenly started to rain. It was cold, windy, and raining and I felt my heart rate increase at the thought of Ava and how stressed out she must have been.
But she didn't make a sound.
I soon realized that she had curled herself as tightly as possible in the Sherpani and as close to me as she could get and had fallen asleep. She was literally sleeping through the storm in the middle of nowhere.
She slept because she was with her Daddy. She slept because she knew that as long as she was close to me, she'd be fine.
Knowing that put her at peace...so she slept.
Usually on our Sabbath hikes, I'm captivated by the views and by listening to my little girl discover the world around her. She squeaks and points when she sees a squirrel or a deer. She follows the flight of the birds and trys to talk them into landing on her outstretched arm.
On this particular hike, I was lulled into worship by her serenity, the internal tranquility in the midst of the external cold storm.
She was close to her daddy.
My experience is the same...there is something about being held by the Father that puts me at peace. There is something about listening to His heartbeat in the midst of storms that tells me that as long as I am curled up next to Him, I'll be fine.
Flesh Colored Hand
Last Sunday at Open Door, my friend Julia wrote and read an incredible piece on Christmas from a journalist's perspective. Check out "The Call of Christmas."
As she read, there was a picture of a mother's hand holding a baby's hand. The unique thing about this image is that the mother's hand was gray-scale while the hand of the baby was flesh colored. Something weird was happening with the projector, casting a blueish hue on the image that eliminated the contrast of the gray and the flesh.
Then, just as she read this, "The omnipotent creator of the universe enters the world in the terrifyingly vulnerable form of a baby, subject to the danger and evils in the world," the projector came into focus and the reality of the flesh colored hand landed with impact in our community.
God works in and through technology to tell His Story.
You could hear the entire community gasp at our collective understanding. Creator, Sustainer, Creator of all became flesh so we could see Him.
As she read, there was a picture of a mother's hand holding a baby's hand. The unique thing about this image is that the mother's hand was gray-scale while the hand of the baby was flesh colored. Something weird was happening with the projector, casting a blueish hue on the image that eliminated the contrast of the gray and the flesh.
Then, just as she read this, "The omnipotent creator of the universe enters the world in the terrifyingly vulnerable form of a baby, subject to the danger and evils in the world," the projector came into focus and the reality of the flesh colored hand landed with impact in our community.
God works in and through technology to tell His Story.
You could hear the entire community gasp at our collective understanding. Creator, Sustainer, Creator of all became flesh so we could see Him.
Where Hope and Fear Meet
Monday was World AIDS Day. Ava and I went to the National AIDS Memorial Garden in San Francisco imagining that we would be two of thousands gathering to remember and to envision solution. Here's what we experienced...
We arrive in Golden Gate Park and pulled immediately into one of many parking spots still available. "Bizarre," I thought. We rolled down the path to a huge white tent filled, not with thousands, but with a couple hundred people, mostly representing the homosexual community quietly gathered in remembrance. The featured speakers were a family of five: mom, daughter, son, and adopted Ethiopian son all were HIV positive. Their story was a riveting one of living HIV positive in a world ravaged by both HIV/AIDS and misunderstanding. Once through, we were all invited to the "Circle of Friends" where the names added to the memorial were to be read with a bell rung in their honor.
Ava and I, knowing no one there, nor anyone whose name was going to be read, felt like going to the "Circle of Frinds" was exactly where we should be.
As the names were read and the bell rang out, I was struck with two stark voids:
1. Where was the mention of HIV/AIDS as a global pandemic that is ravaging our world? I wondered to myself, as I walked for nearly an hour after the ceremony, what World AIDS Day might have been like in South Africa. Where, as all are victims of HIV/AIDS, the experience of those in the majority world couldn't be more different than those I stood with in San Francisco on this day. So many, globally, are not people of influence with opportunity and freedom, but are true victims of exploitation, violence, and poverty resulting in an infection for which there is no solution.
2. Where was the Church? I've never, in my life, been in a place where fear dominated hope more than in the "Circle of Friends" that day. Perhaps the reason there was no hope was because Christians have taken such a polemic stand against homosexuality that simply choose not to be associated with local HIV/AIDS. You can't bring hope when your posture is against.
Perhaps hope and fear did meet on World AIDS Day in San Francisco this year. Ava and I got to be there standing with...
Jesus stood in the Circle of Friends with arms outstretched
We arrive in Golden Gate Park and pulled immediately into one of many parking spots still available. "Bizarre," I thought. We rolled down the path to a huge white tent filled, not with thousands, but with a couple hundred people, mostly representing the homosexual community quietly gathered in remembrance. The featured speakers were a family of five: mom, daughter, son, and adopted Ethiopian son all were HIV positive. Their story was a riveting one of living HIV positive in a world ravaged by both HIV/AIDS and misunderstanding. Once through, we were all invited to the "Circle of Friends" where the names added to the memorial were to be read with a bell rung in their honor.
Ava and I, knowing no one there, nor anyone whose name was going to be read, felt like going to the "Circle of Frinds" was exactly where we should be.
As the names were read and the bell rang out, I was struck with two stark voids:
1. Where was the mention of HIV/AIDS as a global pandemic that is ravaging our world? I wondered to myself, as I walked for nearly an hour after the ceremony, what World AIDS Day might have been like in South Africa. Where, as all are victims of HIV/AIDS, the experience of those in the majority world couldn't be more different than those I stood with in San Francisco on this day. So many, globally, are not people of influence with opportunity and freedom, but are true victims of exploitation, violence, and poverty resulting in an infection for which there is no solution.
2. Where was the Church? I've never, in my life, been in a place where fear dominated hope more than in the "Circle of Friends" that day. Perhaps the reason there was no hope was because Christians have taken such a polemic stand against homosexuality that simply choose not to be associated with local HIV/AIDS. You can't bring hope when your posture is against.
Perhaps hope and fear did meet on World AIDS Day in San Francisco this year. Ava and I got to be there standing with...
Jesus stood in the Circle of Friends with arms outstretched
Pakistan 3 years ago.
Last Sunday marked the three-year anniversary of my experience in Pakistan--one of the most significantly formational experiences of my life.
Where as, then, the country was ravaged by an earthquake...now--it is war.
My heart is torn as I continually read about the unrest and chaos in the tribal villages of northern Pakistan where I fell in love with a community of people being painted as terrorists.
My mouth goes dry as I imagine a two-front war that Pakistan may be engaged in before long. I wonder about Mumtaz, Afzal, Farooq, Zaighum, and Shakoor. Will they have to fight this war? Which war will they fight in? How will their families be impacted by more war? Will Shakoor and Afzal get to spend time with their new brides? Will Mumtaz's kids wonder where their daddy is? How will Ziaghum's family stay warm this winter? Does Shakoor still remember The Lord's Prayer?
God, why is this happening?
Where as, then, the country was ravaged by an earthquake...now--it is war.
My heart is torn as I continually read about the unrest and chaos in the tribal villages of northern Pakistan where I fell in love with a community of people being painted as terrorists.
My mouth goes dry as I imagine a two-front war that Pakistan may be engaged in before long. I wonder about Mumtaz, Afzal, Farooq, Zaighum, and Shakoor. Will they have to fight this war? Which war will they fight in? How will their families be impacted by more war? Will Shakoor and Afzal get to spend time with their new brides? Will Mumtaz's kids wonder where their daddy is? How will Ziaghum's family stay warm this winter? Does Shakoor still remember The Lord's Prayer?
God, why is this happening?
Addicted...
I began writing this post quite some time ago...
Here is an interesting perspective that I resonate with. It comes from Donald Miller, author of Blue Like Jazz.
"I saw this great interview on CNN with Tom Arnold, the comedian. He just wrote a book called, How I Lost 5 Pounds in 6 Years: An Autobiography. The interviewer asked him, 'Why did you write this book?' Arnold said—and my respect for him just went through the roof when I heard him say this—'The reason I wrote this book is because I am a broken person, and I do things to get people to love me.'"
I'm trying to remember what resonated with me so. I can't. My life and experience is so different now than it was a year ago when I began this reflection. It's amazing, really, how that works. You write something...you revisit it...you realize that things are different now...you reflect on if things are different positive or different negative.
As it pertains to this, I think it's different positive. I don't find myself "doing things to get people to love me" much anymore. Where as, once upon a time, that may have been the case, I feel that my expression of living now is much more of a response to Love than for love.
I spent a lot of time doing to get people to love me. Was that time well invested? Did I flourish or languish? My heart says I languished.
Hmm...
Here is an interesting perspective that I resonate with. It comes from Donald Miller, author of Blue Like Jazz.
"I saw this great interview on CNN with Tom Arnold, the comedian. He just wrote a book called, How I Lost 5 Pounds in 6 Years: An Autobiography. The interviewer asked him, 'Why did you write this book?' Arnold said—and my respect for him just went through the roof when I heard him say this—'The reason I wrote this book is because I am a broken person, and I do things to get people to love me.'"
I'm trying to remember what resonated with me so. I can't. My life and experience is so different now than it was a year ago when I began this reflection. It's amazing, really, how that works. You write something...you revisit it...you realize that things are different now...you reflect on if things are different positive or different negative.
As it pertains to this, I think it's different positive. I don't find myself "doing things to get people to love me" much anymore. Where as, once upon a time, that may have been the case, I feel that my expression of living now is much more of a response to Love than for love.
I spent a lot of time doing to get people to love me. Was that time well invested? Did I flourish or languish? My heart says I languished.
Hmm...
Stark Contrast
I was on a run on not too long ago with my friend Jeff. Jeff went to Pakistan with me, is 61 years old, and is the one who challenged me with the $250.00 "live for the good of the world" challenge that I brought to Open Door.
"Yes." I said.
The tree was alive and thriving...a stark contrast to everything in it's surrounding.
Sunday, November 09, 2008
One part healthy...One part unhealthy
I was in a dialogue with a hurting and confused friend today. He was telling me the story of a conversation of which I was one of the topics. He told me that one part of the dialogue was healthy and the other part was unhealthy, but I sensed he was willing to tell me both if I pressed.
How do I interpret that? What do I do? Especially as part of me was morbidly intrigued by what was unhealthy.
Here's what I did...
I took a moment to check my pulse; I was surprised that it hadn't quickened. It would have quickened six months ago. I then asked him to share with me the healthy portion, but that if the unhealthy portion would skew my perspective of him or someone else, I would prefer that he keep it to himself.
I surprised myself.
Maybe I am learning to choose for people. Maybe I am learning that stories are viral in that they infect (both positively and negatively) those who tell as well as those who listen.
I want to choose not to speculate...I'm more free when I don't.
I want to whisper healthy stories of people's virtues.
Perhaps that's the sound of a great (and healthy) infection.
How do I interpret that? What do I do? Especially as part of me was morbidly intrigued by what was unhealthy.
Here's what I did...
I took a moment to check my pulse; I was surprised that it hadn't quickened. It would have quickened six months ago. I then asked him to share with me the healthy portion, but that if the unhealthy portion would skew my perspective of him or someone else, I would prefer that he keep it to himself.
I surprised myself.
Maybe I am learning to choose for people. Maybe I am learning that stories are viral in that they infect (both positively and negatively) those who tell as well as those who listen.
I want to choose not to speculate...I'm more free when I don't.
I want to whisper healthy stories of people's virtues.
Perhaps that's the sound of a great (and healthy) infection.
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
His eye is on the sparrow...what about the Congolese?
A couple of days ago, I grabbed a sandwich at a local deli. Outside of this particular deli were all sorts of fruits and vegetables for sale, as well as some for decoration. Most specifically, there were these bundles of wheat that people could buy (not inexpensively) to hang on their doors or place as center-pieces on their tables.
I was quietly enjoying my lunch when a small flock of sparrows landed on the ledge next to the wheat. Before long, I could no longer see the sparrows as they were ingrained into the bundles of wheat, carefully picking out the individual pieces.
I just sat a watched, amazed that God's eye is actually on the sparrow.
The next morning, I continued to read up on what is happening in and around Goma, Congo...millions displaced and hungry.
His eye in on the sparrow...what about the Congolese?
I was quietly enjoying my lunch when a small flock of sparrows landed on the ledge next to the wheat. Before long, I could no longer see the sparrows as they were ingrained into the bundles of wheat, carefully picking out the individual pieces.
I just sat a watched, amazed that God's eye is actually on the sparrow.
The next morning, I continued to read up on what is happening in and around Goma, Congo...millions displaced and hungry.
His eye in on the sparrow...what about the Congolese?
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Chunks of Cement on the Train.
Yesterday, I was studying to guide my community into a year-long discovery of the Biblical concept of unity. I wrestled all day with the Text, with God, and with myself. I saw evidence of division all around me. Everywhere I looked, all I could see was disunity.
I saw it in the staff of the coffee shop I was sitting in.
I saw it in the way the shop was set up.
I saw it on the front pages of the newspapers.
I watched disunity being played out by a young brother and sister.
I watched as person after person came into the shop, guarded, isolated, lonely, divided from one another spatially and emotionally.
No cohesion. No unity in sight.
I became so distracted by it that I thought a walk might help. On my walk, I saw division everywhere. It felt like my heart and brain had turned into cement. I turned off.
Just a couple of hours later, as I was sitting on the train, I started asking God, "Why all of the division?" and "Why is it stirring in me what it's stirring?"
And then I started to experience the cement differently. I started to see it as the consequence of my own divisiveness, whether intentional or unintentional. He began chipping away at the cement by helping me both discover and recall where I had inspired division.
He helped me discover that I like feeling powerful--that I feel powerful when I choose division over unity.
He helped me to see that I like people relying me--that I feel powerful when people start seeing themselves as I see them instead of how He sees them.
He reminded me how easily I fabricate stories about people in my mind and start believing them to be true--that I feel powerful when my stories about them become true.
That train car became both a confession booth and sanctuary.
I hope they don't mind taking care of the big chunks of cement that I left behind.
I saw it in the staff of the coffee shop I was sitting in.
I saw it in the way the shop was set up.
I saw it on the front pages of the newspapers.
I watched disunity being played out by a young brother and sister.
I watched as person after person came into the shop, guarded, isolated, lonely, divided from one another spatially and emotionally.
No cohesion. No unity in sight.
I became so distracted by it that I thought a walk might help. On my walk, I saw division everywhere. It felt like my heart and brain had turned into cement. I turned off.
Just a couple of hours later, as I was sitting on the train, I started asking God, "Why all of the division?" and "Why is it stirring in me what it's stirring?"
And then I started to experience the cement differently. I started to see it as the consequence of my own divisiveness, whether intentional or unintentional. He began chipping away at the cement by helping me both discover and recall where I had inspired division.
He helped me discover that I like feeling powerful--that I feel powerful when I choose division over unity.
He helped me to see that I like people relying me--that I feel powerful when people start seeing themselves as I see them instead of how He sees them.
He reminded me how easily I fabricate stories about people in my mind and start believing them to be true--that I feel powerful when my stories about them become true.
That train car became both a confession booth and sanctuary.
I hope they don't mind taking care of the big chunks of cement that I left behind.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
"I had the time."
I just got off the phone with my wife who has just built a new friendship.
This is Jaci at her finest...
She was walking around the Reservoir, pushing Ava in the BOB (a runner's stroller). She came across a young couple with a newborn who began asking her all sorts of questions about the BOB because they were thinking about getting one. Jaci waxed eloquently about BOB and why we love it, including all of the great features that she could remember. They shared pleasantries and went their separate ways.
As Jaci was making her way around the Res, she realized that there was something else that she wanted to share with the couple. Instead of throwing that thought away, she decided she would go and find them.
She rolled the dice, taking the risk that they would already be gone, and turned around to pursue them. She eventually found them and shared the follow-up info that she wanted to, did a folding demonstration, exchanged numbers, and said good-bye.
Just a few days later, Jaci got a phone call from her new friend wondering if she could help Jaci get settled into our new home. These two new moms spent an entire afternoon folding sheets and towels, hanging pictures, scrubbing walls, etc. As she left, she asked if it would be okay if she brought us dinner. A few nights later, she showed up with both dinner and dessert so that we could keep focusing on getting settled.
Yesterday, Jaci began running errands and shot her new friend a call to see if she had time for a walk today. They made plans to meet which they did this afternoon. Two new moms pushing their baby girls in their BOB'S (yes, they got a BOB) when she asked if she could tell Jaci a story.
She proceeded to tell Jaci how after she had walked away from them the first time, they both commented on what an outstanding person Jaci seemed like. It just so happened that Jessica was feeling lonely and questioning big picture things like purpose and direction during their walk that day. At that very moment Jaci caught them to follow up with them. It blew them away that she had pursued them.
Jaci pursued this woman exactly when when she needed to be pursued. She said to Jaci, "You pursued us and you didn't have to."
"You pursued us and you didn't have to."
What an amazing parable about our God who pursued us when He didn't need to. He risked everything and chased after us. He risked everything and chases after our new friends. He risked everything and chases after me.
When Jaci was reflecting with me (I'm crazy about my wife, by the way.) she threw out, parenthecially, "I had the time."
"I had the time."
How often do I miss out on the Kingdom breaking in because I don't have the time?
This is Jaci at her finest...
She was walking around the Reservoir, pushing Ava in the BOB (a runner's stroller). She came across a young couple with a newborn who began asking her all sorts of questions about the BOB because they were thinking about getting one. Jaci waxed eloquently about BOB and why we love it, including all of the great features that she could remember. They shared pleasantries and went their separate ways.
As Jaci was making her way around the Res, she realized that there was something else that she wanted to share with the couple. Instead of throwing that thought away, she decided she would go and find them.
She rolled the dice, taking the risk that they would already be gone, and turned around to pursue them. She eventually found them and shared the follow-up info that she wanted to, did a folding demonstration, exchanged numbers, and said good-bye.
Just a few days later, Jaci got a phone call from her new friend wondering if she could help Jaci get settled into our new home. These two new moms spent an entire afternoon folding sheets and towels, hanging pictures, scrubbing walls, etc. As she left, she asked if it would be okay if she brought us dinner. A few nights later, she showed up with both dinner and dessert so that we could keep focusing on getting settled.
Yesterday, Jaci began running errands and shot her new friend a call to see if she had time for a walk today. They made plans to meet which they did this afternoon. Two new moms pushing their baby girls in their BOB'S (yes, they got a BOB) when she asked if she could tell Jaci a story.
She proceeded to tell Jaci how after she had walked away from them the first time, they both commented on what an outstanding person Jaci seemed like. It just so happened that Jessica was feeling lonely and questioning big picture things like purpose and direction during their walk that day. At that very moment Jaci caught them to follow up with them. It blew them away that she had pursued them.
Jaci pursued this woman exactly when when she needed to be pursued. She said to Jaci, "You pursued us and you didn't have to."
"You pursued us and you didn't have to."
What an amazing parable about our God who pursued us when He didn't need to. He risked everything and chased after us. He risked everything and chases after our new friends. He risked everything and chases after me.
When Jaci was reflecting with me (I'm crazy about my wife, by the way.) she threw out, parenthecially, "I had the time."
"I had the time."
How often do I miss out on the Kingdom breaking in because I don't have the time?
Observation Revisiting Part 2
We began our retreat last night by asking two questions:
1. What has happened recently that is reminding you that God is alive?
Friends and Family; Being a pediatric nurse, I see miracles every day.; He shook me up recently and reminded me that He is in control--Him in control means He's alive.; Having a bad day, I saw a train of toddlers walking onto my campus.; A girl that I know is becoming.; My son.; Surviving a horrible accident.; A not-so-random connection with a past friend over email.; New found intimacy with Him.
2. What do you need to hear from God this weekend?
"Be still." "You're okay." "Simplify."
I am constantly awe-struck by how simultaneously at work God is in the lives of His people. He is intentional. He speaks in the language of individual people's souls. He floods our lives with His presence and invites us to become aware and present to it.
When I do, it stirs in me a desire for more.
When I hear multiple stories of how God is alive, it reminds me that God is alive.
I am hearing God say, "Ssshhhhh is best."
1. What has happened recently that is reminding you that God is alive?
Friends and Family; Being a pediatric nurse, I see miracles every day.; He shook me up recently and reminded me that He is in control--Him in control means He's alive.; Having a bad day, I saw a train of toddlers walking onto my campus.; A girl that I know is becoming.; My son.; Surviving a horrible accident.; A not-so-random connection with a past friend over email.; New found intimacy with Him.
2. What do you need to hear from God this weekend?
"Be still." "You're okay." "Simplify."
I am constantly awe-struck by how simultaneously at work God is in the lives of His people. He is intentional. He speaks in the language of individual people's souls. He floods our lives with His presence and invites us to become aware and present to it.
When I do, it stirs in me a desire for more.
When I hear multiple stories of how God is alive, it reminds me that God is alive.
I am hearing God say, "Ssshhhhh is best."
Friday, October 10, 2008
Sabbath
I'm 28 years old and waking up to Sabbath.
Matthew 12:1-2 :: The super-religious freak out at Jesus because His disciples have the audacity to "harvest" grain on the Sabbath. Why is the Sabbath such a huge deal to the Pharisees? Perhaps it's because the Sabbath was all they had when they were in exile and so it became central. The danger is, it became so central that they attached all sorts of gunk to it so that the meaning and direction behind Sabbath got lost. Maybe that's why Jesus says (v. 7) "I wish you knew what this means, 'I desire mercy not sacrifice.'" Dale Bruner would suggest that Jesus is saying, "I long for human sympathy, not super-human discipline."
It still stands to reason that the Sabbath is a big deal though...but why?
Exodus 20 :: God, in summing up all that He ever had and would say to His people, expounds upon the Sabbath in the 10 commandments. Intentionally, He invests the most ink and real estate to Sabbath (98 English words: NIV) and idolatry (83 English words: NIV). He says, "Rest, because I did."
Where did He say that?
Genesis 2:2-3 :: God spends six days speaking stuff into existence. And then on the seventh day, He rests. Was this because He was tired? Or was it because He was finished? Nonetheless, He stops to take a leisurely step back to savor the beauty and completeness of Himself and all that He had created. Then He blesses the seventh day. He's never blessed a day before. He had created some living things and blessed them--humanity most specifically, but He had never blessed a day. Perhaps there is something alive and life-giving about the seventh day when we choose to stop and step back and savor the beauty and completeness of God and His creation. Perhaps when we do, we are choosing to tap into a day which God has impregnated with blessing. Then He makes the seventh day holy. That is, He intentionally set aside the seventh day for Him and for His purposes.
He sets a 6-on-1-off rhythm for us that we can choose to live into or not. He says, work hard for 6 days, but enter into rest on the seventh day because I did. Stop, Step Back, Savor Me and My completeness.
That's part of it...
Deuteronomy 5:12-15 :: God reiterates His command to Sabbath with one key difference. Instead of resting because God did, He tells them to rest because they couldn't rest while they were in slavery. They could worship Yahweh, but they never had a day off in 430 years to Play.
Play is so important to holisitic human development that the UN High Council for Human Rights deemed play a right of every child.
Perhaps Sabbath is both about stopping and intentionally placing myself in a setting that grows my love for God and reCreating well (that is, eating, resting, playing, enjoying God, creation and one another).
But still, there seems to be more...
John 5 :: Jesus heals a man at Bethesda is has been an invalid for 38 years. He heals him on the Sabbath and again the super-religious go berserk. Once they find out it was Jesus who did the healing, they confronted Him on it and he says, "My father is always at work and so am I." Is Jesus saying that the Sabbath is only a good idea and not necessary? Or is He saying that worship--which is what the Sabbath is all about--produces compassion and that it is impossible to disconnect compassion from worship-SO-don't take a break from compassion on your Sabbath?
I'm 28 years old and just waking up to Sabbath. I've missed out on so much because I live in the deception that blessing comes from what I do. I don't believe God for His promises, and thus, don't take his decrees seriously. I wonder what would happen if I did.
I don't know too many people who actually practice Sabbath. This is collective disobedience. Because I don't know too many people who do and because it is a rhythm that God created, perhaps we need to pay attention to that and begin.
I'm going to start.
Matthew 12:1-2 :: The super-religious freak out at Jesus because His disciples have the audacity to "harvest" grain on the Sabbath. Why is the Sabbath such a huge deal to the Pharisees? Perhaps it's because the Sabbath was all they had when they were in exile and so it became central. The danger is, it became so central that they attached all sorts of gunk to it so that the meaning and direction behind Sabbath got lost. Maybe that's why Jesus says (v. 7) "I wish you knew what this means, 'I desire mercy not sacrifice.'" Dale Bruner would suggest that Jesus is saying, "I long for human sympathy, not super-human discipline."
It still stands to reason that the Sabbath is a big deal though...but why?
Exodus 20 :: God, in summing up all that He ever had and would say to His people, expounds upon the Sabbath in the 10 commandments. Intentionally, He invests the most ink and real estate to Sabbath (98 English words: NIV) and idolatry (83 English words: NIV). He says, "Rest, because I did."
Where did He say that?
Genesis 2:2-3 :: God spends six days speaking stuff into existence. And then on the seventh day, He rests. Was this because He was tired? Or was it because He was finished? Nonetheless, He stops to take a leisurely step back to savor the beauty and completeness of Himself and all that He had created. Then He blesses the seventh day. He's never blessed a day before. He had created some living things and blessed them--humanity most specifically, but He had never blessed a day. Perhaps there is something alive and life-giving about the seventh day when we choose to stop and step back and savor the beauty and completeness of God and His creation. Perhaps when we do, we are choosing to tap into a day which God has impregnated with blessing. Then He makes the seventh day holy. That is, He intentionally set aside the seventh day for Him and for His purposes.
He sets a 6-on-1-off rhythm for us that we can choose to live into or not. He says, work hard for 6 days, but enter into rest on the seventh day because I did. Stop, Step Back, Savor Me and My completeness.
That's part of it...
Deuteronomy 5:12-15 :: God reiterates His command to Sabbath with one key difference. Instead of resting because God did, He tells them to rest because they couldn't rest while they were in slavery. They could worship Yahweh, but they never had a day off in 430 years to Play.
Play is so important to holisitic human development that the UN High Council for Human Rights deemed play a right of every child.
Perhaps Sabbath is both about stopping and intentionally placing myself in a setting that grows my love for God and reCreating well (that is, eating, resting, playing, enjoying God, creation and one another).
But still, there seems to be more...
John 5 :: Jesus heals a man at Bethesda is has been an invalid for 38 years. He heals him on the Sabbath and again the super-religious go berserk. Once they find out it was Jesus who did the healing, they confronted Him on it and he says, "My father is always at work and so am I." Is Jesus saying that the Sabbath is only a good idea and not necessary? Or is He saying that worship--which is what the Sabbath is all about--produces compassion and that it is impossible to disconnect compassion from worship-SO-don't take a break from compassion on your Sabbath?
I'm 28 years old and just waking up to Sabbath. I've missed out on so much because I live in the deception that blessing comes from what I do. I don't believe God for His promises, and thus, don't take his decrees seriously. I wonder what would happen if I did.
I don't know too many people who actually practice Sabbath. This is collective disobedience. Because I don't know too many people who do and because it is a rhythm that God created, perhaps we need to pay attention to that and begin.
I'm going to start.
An Observation Revisiting
In April, I entered a post on an observation I made during a spiritual retreat called "Discover." It's been six months and I'm preparing to guide this experience again with a new set of 12 participants. We've made some tweaks to the guiding of the experience.
1. We're going to explore spiritual giftedness first while people are fresh.
2. We're going to help people attach information on specific gifts (Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12) and ministries (Ephesians 4) to stories from their past.
I look forward to seeing what God does.
1. We're going to explore spiritual giftedness first while people are fresh.
2. We're going to help people attach information on specific gifts (Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12) and ministries (Ephesians 4) to stories from their past.
I look forward to seeing what God does.
Living in the "and"
I find myself attracted to the inclusive "and." My experience dancing in the rhythm of Jesus is both individual and communal-alone and with-I and we. I am more alive living in the "and" than in the "or."
The First Battle
My daughter and I had our first battle...
She has been an incredibly mild-mannered, calm, personable little 10-month old. She loves people, loves to be held, loves to eat, loves to play "climb on daddy."
But...she is getting older, stronger, and more mobile and, therefore, more independent.
I was getting ready to change her diaper the other night and she refused to lay on her back and let me do it. I understand that this is typical; that, if she just lay there calmly all of the time, I should probably be worried. I'm not saying she kind of moved from side-to-side, I'm saying she was flopping like a fresh-caught salmon on the banks of an Alaskan river. She was NOT going to let me get her diaper on. She lived under the misconception that she was in charge--that she knew what was best.
How similar am I to Ava. In the loving care of Father, I flop around because I'm deceived into thinking that I am in charge--that I know what's best. I live in the deception that independence is best, fighting dependency with everything that I am.
Assuming the posture of dependency...is it the fruit of disicpleship, the pre-requisite of discipleship, or both?
New thought :: I model for Ava the posture of dependence or independence.
Another thought :: I teach Ava how to listen to Father both by how I live and how I father.
It's bizarre seeing myself in the shape of a flopping, naked, female infant I call Ava.
She has been an incredibly mild-mannered, calm, personable little 10-month old. She loves people, loves to be held, loves to eat, loves to play "climb on daddy."
But...she is getting older, stronger, and more mobile and, therefore, more independent.
I was getting ready to change her diaper the other night and she refused to lay on her back and let me do it. I understand that this is typical; that, if she just lay there calmly all of the time, I should probably be worried. I'm not saying she kind of moved from side-to-side, I'm saying she was flopping like a fresh-caught salmon on the banks of an Alaskan river. She was NOT going to let me get her diaper on. She lived under the misconception that she was in charge--that she knew what was best.
How similar am I to Ava. In the loving care of Father, I flop around because I'm deceived into thinking that I am in charge--that I know what's best. I live in the deception that independence is best, fighting dependency with everything that I am.
Assuming the posture of dependency...is it the fruit of disicpleship, the pre-requisite of discipleship, or both?
New thought :: I model for Ava the posture of dependence or independence.
Another thought :: I teach Ava how to listen to Father both by how I live and how I father.
It's bizarre seeing myself in the shape of a flopping, naked, female infant I call Ava.
The Pursuit of the Pursued
Much of my life is spent in pursuit of others. I think I've always been this way. I was never one to wait around to see if I was going to a call or an invite--I was the one to do the calling and to make the invites.
I'm attracted to pursuers. I experience a unique depth of friendship with other pursuers. Perhaps it's because the experience is mutual...
I'm also realizing that I have an expectation to be pursued by those who have influence over me...that when it doesn't happen, I feel let down and the relationship takes a hit. Is this right or wrong? I'm not sure, but it is my experience and I can't seem to shut that off.
I love to pursue...I love being pursued.
Some questions have begun to emerge for me...
Do I let myself be pursued by God?
Is He in pursuit of me still?
If being pursued takes horizontal relationships to a deeper level of intimacy, is this my vertical experience?
Is there a mutual pursuit required?
Do I pursue others in response to my God who pursues me?
Do I and others experience God's pursuit in community with one another?
I'm attracted to pursuers. I experience a unique depth of friendship with other pursuers. Perhaps it's because the experience is mutual...
I'm also realizing that I have an expectation to be pursued by those who have influence over me...that when it doesn't happen, I feel let down and the relationship takes a hit. Is this right or wrong? I'm not sure, but it is my experience and I can't seem to shut that off.
I love to pursue...I love being pursued.
Some questions have begun to emerge for me...
Do I let myself be pursued by God?
Is He in pursuit of me still?
If being pursued takes horizontal relationships to a deeper level of intimacy, is this my vertical experience?
Is there a mutual pursuit required?
Do I pursue others in response to my God who pursues me?
Do I and others experience God's pursuit in community with one another?
"Trust isn't Profitable"
I was recently sitting over a cup of coffee with a friend and we were talking about the need for trust in our lives. Trust seems to be this bizarre concept that ever eludes us more and more in a culture disposed toward control.
We were two sociologists critiquing our context when he said, "Trust isn't profitable." That made it personal...and true.
We smiled at each other...the conversation was over.
We were two sociologists critiquing our context when he said, "Trust isn't profitable." That made it personal...and true.
We smiled at each other...the conversation was over.
Living Deceived?
I was reflecting on the journey of unhealthy independence that Adam and Eve embarked. I'm wondering, as I read Genesis 3, what was the lie that they bought?
Imagine two people living in perfect community with God and with each other. They were created as fully alive human beings who got their identity, security, worth, value, significance from simply being in relationship with the Creator. Then, the devil shows up in the form of a serpent and starts a dialogue with Eve by asking a question.
There's nothing wrong with asking a question. Eve went wrong, though, in getting in a dialogue with the Devil--it's never a good idea to get in a dialogue with the master deceiver in whom is zero truth! His question is a legit question, saturated in curiosity and, likely, deception:
Did God really say you couldn't eat from any tree in the garden?
Eve steps into the dialogue and in the context of the conversation begins to remember Creator more tragically than He is.
We can eat from any tree except for the one in the middle. We musn't eat from that one, or touch it, or we will surely die.
Is that what God said? Turing back a few verses, we see Creator talking to Adam using the language of freedom and abundance with boundaries. He does say they must not eat from the tree in the middle because they they'll die--but He never says anything about touching it.
You won't die (said the Devil)...you'll be more alive than you are right now!
Satan is deceiving Eve into believing that she's been duped. She's not fully alive! There is something that she can do to make her more alive than she is right now. He says, "See that tree? Tasty huh? Go, Take, Eat and you'll really be alive!"
So she does. And in that moment, Eve transitioned from a human being into a human doing. Her identity and significance and security are no longer going to be coming from being in relationship with Creator...they were now going to come from her doing.
I live in that same deception. I do not live like I'm convinced that God created me as a fully alive human being who gets life from being in relationship with Him. I live as a human doing, trying to get what I already have available to me.
Hearing myself write, I guess I've been living deceived for quite some time.
It's been killing me.
It's time to let Him guide me back into a human being.
Imagine two people living in perfect community with God and with each other. They were created as fully alive human beings who got their identity, security, worth, value, significance from simply being in relationship with the Creator. Then, the devil shows up in the form of a serpent and starts a dialogue with Eve by asking a question.
There's nothing wrong with asking a question. Eve went wrong, though, in getting in a dialogue with the Devil--it's never a good idea to get in a dialogue with the master deceiver in whom is zero truth! His question is a legit question, saturated in curiosity and, likely, deception:
Did God really say you couldn't eat from any tree in the garden?
Eve steps into the dialogue and in the context of the conversation begins to remember Creator more tragically than He is.
We can eat from any tree except for the one in the middle. We musn't eat from that one, or touch it, or we will surely die.
Is that what God said? Turing back a few verses, we see Creator talking to Adam using the language of freedom and abundance with boundaries. He does say they must not eat from the tree in the middle because they they'll die--but He never says anything about touching it.
You won't die (said the Devil)...you'll be more alive than you are right now!
Satan is deceiving Eve into believing that she's been duped. She's not fully alive! There is something that she can do to make her more alive than she is right now. He says, "See that tree? Tasty huh? Go, Take, Eat and you'll really be alive!"
So she does. And in that moment, Eve transitioned from a human being into a human doing. Her identity and significance and security are no longer going to be coming from being in relationship with Creator...they were now going to come from her doing.
I live in that same deception. I do not live like I'm convinced that God created me as a fully alive human being who gets life from being in relationship with Him. I live as a human doing, trying to get what I already have available to me.
Hearing myself write, I guess I've been living deceived for quite some time.
It's been killing me.
It's time to let Him guide me back into a human being.
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Third Wave Coffee and Jazz Music
On Sunday, I found myself throwing the frisbee with someone I didn't know. We went from, "Wow--great toss!" to "Hey--what's your name?" to "What do you do?" It was a pretty natural progression as far as conversations go.
Of course, my answer to the last question was, "I'm a pastor of a church in Walnut Creek called Open Door," to which he responded, "Oh really? What's your church like."
My immediate response was, "Well, it tastes a lot like espresso and sounds a lot like Jazz Music." I was thinking about how we adopt local coffee shops and pubs and keep showing up there as well as our connection with the jazz community in the Bay Area. But then I started to reflect on it more and was surprised by the truth behind that statement.
"It tastes a lot like espresso."
I've come to love the subculture of specialty coffee. Because of my friendship with the owners of Pacific Bay Coffee Co. in Walnut Creek, I have become exposed to a world that I didn't even know existed. And, because of our experience at the Barista Championships, I discovered a whole network of "Third Wave" coffee joints--one of which I now frequent every time I'm in Sacramento.
"Third Wave."
To explain, this is the term used to describe coffee shops who see themselves standing on the shoulders of Folgers and Columbia House (First Wave) and Starbucks and Peet's (2nd Wave) to get really well done espresso into the hands of the community. The Third Wave shops aren't interested in you getting in and getting out, but take care to help you embrace the fullness of the coffee experience.
I have watched as this network of Third Wave shops collaborate with each other and how, as a result, they all get better at what they do. They share ideas, helpful practices, baristas, music, espresso beans, etc. They are constantly pushing each other to dream bigger and to experiment more. There is a longing to connect with origin (coffee farms) to understand coffee better and to help holistically enhance life for those on the farms.
They are not interested in becoming the bastians of the coffee world like the Second Wave shops. Take note, though--Starbucks, known for catering to the consumer, has lost its identity and is trying to regain its roots. They are no longer offering breakfast sandwiches because their shops don't smell like coffee anymore. Interesting huh?
Can the church learn anything from Third Wave Coffee?
"It sounds a lot like Jazz music."
What I love about and learn from Jazz music...
It is an ongoing conversation.
There really isn't any difference between performers and listeners. They all are a part of the experience.
It is always different based on the musicians who show up.
Anyone can contribute.
It is better when more musicians contribute.
It is never the same twice.
It builds on the past with creative liberty.
It is messy at times--and that's okay--it's cool, really, because something new emerges.
Leadership can seamlessly shift--it needs to in order to stay fresh.
Can the church lean anything from Jazz Music?
Of course, my answer to the last question was, "I'm a pastor of a church in Walnut Creek called Open Door," to which he responded, "Oh really? What's your church like."
My immediate response was, "Well, it tastes a lot like espresso and sounds a lot like Jazz Music." I was thinking about how we adopt local coffee shops and pubs and keep showing up there as well as our connection with the jazz community in the Bay Area. But then I started to reflect on it more and was surprised by the truth behind that statement.
"It tastes a lot like espresso."
I've come to love the subculture of specialty coffee. Because of my friendship with the owners of Pacific Bay Coffee Co. in Walnut Creek, I have become exposed to a world that I didn't even know existed. And, because of our experience at the Barista Championships, I discovered a whole network of "Third Wave" coffee joints--one of which I now frequent every time I'm in Sacramento.
"Third Wave."
To explain, this is the term used to describe coffee shops who see themselves standing on the shoulders of Folgers and Columbia House (First Wave) and Starbucks and Peet's (2nd Wave) to get really well done espresso into the hands of the community. The Third Wave shops aren't interested in you getting in and getting out, but take care to help you embrace the fullness of the coffee experience.
I have watched as this network of Third Wave shops collaborate with each other and how, as a result, they all get better at what they do. They share ideas, helpful practices, baristas, music, espresso beans, etc. They are constantly pushing each other to dream bigger and to experiment more. There is a longing to connect with origin (coffee farms) to understand coffee better and to help holistically enhance life for those on the farms.
They are not interested in becoming the bastians of the coffee world like the Second Wave shops. Take note, though--Starbucks, known for catering to the consumer, has lost its identity and is trying to regain its roots. They are no longer offering breakfast sandwiches because their shops don't smell like coffee anymore. Interesting huh?
Can the church learn anything from Third Wave Coffee?
"It sounds a lot like Jazz music."
What I love about and learn from Jazz music...
It is an ongoing conversation.
There really isn't any difference between performers and listeners. They all are a part of the experience.
It is always different based on the musicians who show up.
Anyone can contribute.
It is better when more musicians contribute.
It is never the same twice.
It builds on the past with creative liberty.
It is messy at times--and that's okay--it's cool, really, because something new emerges.
Leadership can seamlessly shift--it needs to in order to stay fresh.
Can the church lean anything from Jazz Music?
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
An Observation
We do a spiritual retreat two times a year called "Discover." The whole point of the retreat is to position ourselves to discover who God is, who we are, and what it means to live in His unfolding Story. It's a fascinating journey with twelve people at a time. We spend much of the weekend gathered in a living room, around food, and out in creation engaged in a dialogue with God and each other.
Before the retreat, we serve, we eat, and we storytell together. We take a personality and spiritual giftedness assessment which is analyzed and prepared into a personal portfolio. During the retreat we step into a rhythm of solitude, pod-time (little groups of 3-4), and holistic conversation. We wrestle out loud with one another, we encourage one another, we become advocates for one another, we pray for one another.
Here's an interesting observation:
When we talked in pod-time about personality, the conversation was exciting and optimistic. There were wonderful discoveries that were both freeing and seemingly healing.
But when we talked about spiritual giftedness, the tenor changed to frustration, pessimism, and confusion.
When we discover and discuss our personalities and even begin to live more fully into them, we probably come a bit more alive. We tend to interact with people a bit better. We even tend to say "yes" to the right things and "no" to the wrong things a bit more.
But--when we begin to live into our spiritual giftedness, the Kingdom advances, the world changes, the Body is strengthened, and eternities are altered.
The enemy that roars like an old, wounded, defeated lion (1 Peter 5:8) is fully engaged in guerrilla warfare, trying desperately to keep us from living into who God has made us to be. Cowards engage in guerrilla warfare.
Is it any wonder that the personality conversation is easy but the spiritual giftedness conversation seems overwhelming?
Before the retreat, we serve, we eat, and we storytell together. We take a personality and spiritual giftedness assessment which is analyzed and prepared into a personal portfolio. During the retreat we step into a rhythm of solitude, pod-time (little groups of 3-4), and holistic conversation. We wrestle out loud with one another, we encourage one another, we become advocates for one another, we pray for one another.
Here's an interesting observation:
When we talked in pod-time about personality, the conversation was exciting and optimistic. There were wonderful discoveries that were both freeing and seemingly healing.
But when we talked about spiritual giftedness, the tenor changed to frustration, pessimism, and confusion.
When we discover and discuss our personalities and even begin to live more fully into them, we probably come a bit more alive. We tend to interact with people a bit better. We even tend to say "yes" to the right things and "no" to the wrong things a bit more.
But--when we begin to live into our spiritual giftedness, the Kingdom advances, the world changes, the Body is strengthened, and eternities are altered.
The enemy that roars like an old, wounded, defeated lion (1 Peter 5:8) is fully engaged in guerrilla warfare, trying desperately to keep us from living into who God has made us to be. Cowards engage in guerrilla warfare.
Is it any wonder that the personality conversation is easy but the spiritual giftedness conversation seems overwhelming?
Monday, March 31, 2008
The Church and Specialty Coffee
I spent the weekend in Berkeley at the West Coast Regional Barista Championships.The coolest thing happened...
A month before the competition, my friends--owners of Pacific Bay and hosts of this years event--got in touch with us. Knowing that the championship would take a lot of work by a lot of people and realizing that they were short handed--they called Open Door.
Why did they call us? Six reasons: 1. We've become dear friends over the past four years. 2. We just keep being a presence in their shop. 3. They trust us. 4. They know that when there is a need, our community responds. 5. We put them at ease when we're around (a direct quote). 6. There's just something about us (another direct quote).
A local organization had a need, so they called the church!
We answered the call, many of us living Jesus' Story all weekend in one of the more interesting sub-cultures--specialty coffee. Not only did we get to live, serve, and love well, we had a great time and learned a lot about coffee.
My heart is full--I think we experienced what it means to be the church this weekend.
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