Eugene Cho’s post, “…why i blog” has stimulated much reflection and thought. Why do I blog? Good question. I’m not always sure. On thing is certain—my answer is not composed in the static. It’s a dynamic that is constantly changing. Maybe that’s why I have stopped and started blogging three different times in the last seven years.

Here’s my answer for “why I blog“— today.

I’m a writer. And writers are unique among creative types because writers alone believe that the world really needs to hear what they have to say. Painters, sculptors, poets and other artists don’t suffer this illusion.

Another reason I blog is my desire to participate in creating a world in which nobody owns, everybody can use, and anybody can improve. That’s the long-term goal of everything I write. I want to make the world a better place.

Now, ask me again in a year and I can almost assure you that my reasons will change. Possibly the change will be so demanding that my conscious won’t allow me to post on a blog.

Files under blogging, creative, writer, writing | |

What’s the criterion for judging one’s spirituality? It’s changed at least two times since I’ve been following our Leader (in the 1980s attendance was the barometer…since then it has changed). Is what one does within the institutional church structure a barometer today?

It’s been a few years…yet, it has never left my mind. From a back pew I watched a family in front of me model intimacy and connection. They rubbed the backs of their two sons; continually put their arms around them. On a number of occasions the mother whispered to her son, smiled at him, looked him in the eye and then kissed him; he never flinched. Neither teenage boy pulled away from their parent’s incessant loving embraces. Intimacy and connection; complete and full. If these boys and their mother and father are not fully connected to Jesus I assure you their hearts are totally open to Him.

After the assembly was dismissed I approach the father and thanked him for the sermon. Spirituality is not about knowing Scripture, nor is about praying all day long. Spirituality isn’t a formula; it’s not a test. It’s not about competency; spirituality is all about intimacy and connection.

Files under intimacy, spirituality | |

There’s a thoughtful piece over at Out of Ur, a blog hosted by the editors of Leadership Journal, on how religion today is playing a prominent role in the 2008 Presidential Campaign. We have a Baptist minister and a Mormon. And if my memory serves me correctly I’ve listened to each candidate at different times, not just Romney and Huckabee, speak of their faith.

The post is built on a brief review of a book titled The God Strategy and a number of interesting points are made. One on how a devout Republican and the Christ-follower became (almost) one and the same. Something of interest and new to me (actually I never gave it thought) was how during the 1970s, after integration and Roe v. Wade, Christians and Republicans began going steady. [read the complete article]

Files under Presidential Canidates, politics | |

Maria Salzman believes one consequence of western culture’s weathering of one scandal after another is a culture full of cynicism. We’re much wiser to the ploys of politicos, preachers, and priest. And we’re anxious about what the future holds. Anxiety overload! And we respond by bouncing from—”It won’t get me”—to a cautious and fearful—”Can I beat the odds. Am I going to make it?”

Not only have our fears been amplified but our trust has eroded. We’ve lost faith in our institutions (government, corporations, the United Nations, and even church). All of which once helped us navigate the world’s woes. We’re at the cynical tail end of just over 200 years of ideologies spawned by the enlightenment.

Here are some of the things I have observed in response to our fears and anxiety. A desire for more personal control. I see that in home-schooling, the obsession of homegrown organic foods, and the screening of potential mates online for the perfect match. Personal control has become a social phenomenon.

Files under anxiety, faith, fear, institutions, western culture | |

If you’re not sure which presidential candidate deserves your precious vote, spend 5 minutes on Glassbooth to learn which candidate’s views most closely relate to yours.

Files under Presidential Canidates, politics | |

McLaren brings his message to Charlotte next weekend for a series of talks — including one in which he’ll engage in a “trialogue” with local Muslims, Jews and Christians. The Observer recently talked with McLaren by phone.

The Observer recently talked with McLaren by phone.

Here’s the full transcript:…. [link]

Files under Interviews | |

Most of you probably have not heard of Jeff Garrett—so a quick intro. Jeff is a pulpit minister, song writer, and musician. I’m proud to say that Jeff has been a friend for close to twenty years.

Currently Jeff has the #1 country song in West Virginia and it is ranked #88 overall (Our Stage). You think I’m biased? Listen up [here]

Files under Music | |

1. Didn’t bring a lost person to decision
2. He offered forgiveness without confession of sin
3. Failed to ask about the prospect’s (yuck, hate that word) spiritual background
4. Didn’t use healing as a bait for decision
5. Failed to get the prospect (yuck, again) into a Bible (Torah) study
6. Failed to communicate the urgency of the encounter
7. Forgot to assign a spiritual person to do follow-up

adapted from a Doable Evangelism Seminar

Files under Evangelism, Jesus, Learning | |

Is it possible to subvert consumerism, to inject a virus into it that causes us to slow down, consider the needs of others, while at the same time redefining our place in the world? Fair Trade/ethical buying is a movement that attempts to do just that.

As Brian McLaren says, “Everything must change.” With Trade as One, we harness a very powerful engine of change - commerce, and we subvert a very powerful engine of destruction - consumerism.

Files under Consumerism, How to Live | 1 Comment | 1 Comment »

In his fine book peppermint-filled piñatas, Eric Bryan says …

Christianity hasn’t fared well when it comes to race relations. Those who claimed to follow Christ have attacked, oppressed, and killed Arabs during the Crusades, Jews during the Spanish Inquisition and Africans during slave trade. Within recent memory, white “Christians” who were part of the Ku Klux Klan actively sought to segregate, intimidate, and even kill blacks, because of their skin color. We may try to navigate the world with political correctness, but what are we doing to show the world that we represent God’s love for all people?

Files under Diversity, Political Correctness, Racial Relations | |