Writings From the Grassroots

My Take on Barack Obama's Campaign

I couldn't let this day go by with posting on this Historic event in our country's history.  I must admit that when the primary season began although I voted and even contributed to the Campaign of Barack Obama I wasn't 100% confident that he would in fact  win.  I hoped he would, but it seemed that everything he got a victroy Hillary Clinton was just around the corner with her own victory.  Then the Reverend Wright controversy surfaced and again I was faced with doubt, yet hopeful.  Last night I was reminded that my hopes were partly fulfilled (they will only be fulfilled on November 4).  He gained enough delegates to become the presumptive Democratic Nominee.  I have never experienced anything as exciting as this Primary Season in my entire life.  Yes we can!

In general we look to historical figures to be reminded of the words they said while engaged in changing the world in their time.  We have heard Barack Obama give renewed  life to the following words "the fierce urgency of now" once spoken by Martin Luther King Jr. These words have become evidently appropoaite for the acheivement of Barack Obama as the first African American to become the Persumptive Democratice Nominee.  I am convinced , that what is truly amazing, about Obama is that he wasn't using the phrase, "the fierce urgency of now" to describe his bid for presidency as an African American, but rather for the movement that has taken his nation by storm.  It is the movement that we do not have to wait for someone else to make things better, or even bring much needed change and reform to the way we understand politics.  This campaign has reminded us, even given, the citizens of this nation our right back to take an active role in the future of this nation.  Which is why I don't like the idea of Hillary Clinton as a VP.  I don't have anything personal against Clinton, but it seems that she is the oppositie of Who Barack Obama is.  As I watch the news broadcast this morning it seems that she expects to be offered that position.  She too has run an enormously historical campaign, but it doesn't mean that her role now is to become Vice President.  Either way, my vote will go for the Obama ticket.

Leadership Journal

This post is for anyone that is in a leadership position at a local church.  Last week I was in a Christian Bookstore, I was browsing through the magazine rack and I came across the Leadership Journal.  I am always reticent to buy magazines from Christian Bookstores for fear that they will only support that Christians retreat into a subculture of Christian books, Christian music, Christian Clothes, Christian Jewelry etc.  and further isolation themselves from their surrounding world and immediate context.  However as I read through this magazine I found it to be an indispensable tool for anyone in ministry.  This Journal is filled with deeply insightful articles in particular in the current issue there is an article Three Overlooked Leadership Roles (you can read this article by clicking HERE) by Alan Hirsh.  The journal also contains helpful resources, preaching helps and is loaded with snippets of information of current trends and cultural feeling that is supported by good research.  Check it out.

Monday's Remedy: Bowling

This week for a Monday Morning laugh is this video that was sent to me by my friend Danny. 

Monday's Remedy: Delayed

Sorry for no Monday's Remedy this week. It is Memorial day and that means a day off. But this short video will do.

A Sabbath Rhythm: Tourists to Pilgrims

TOURISTS TO PILGRIMS

If you are searching for something more than temporary spiritual relief, then Christian spirituality is a source for a deeper life. We are all seeking depth, meaning and fellow
travellers to share the journey with. Our highly consumptive, technological culture has produced a generation of spiritual tourists who pursue a deep place of rest, but have no perceivable destination. Buying a new car, clothes or gym membership gives temporary relief but doesn’t bring lasting rest or centeredness. Even with our relative wealth, we still have a deep inner poverty.

The ancient narratives of Christian spirituality offer renewed, contemporary wisdom into this context. Exploring and embodying the teachings of Jesus through prayer, contemplation, and the practise of community, helps us become more truly human.

Life is a journey of ‘human becoming’, within which we shift from being lonely tourists to fellow pilgrims whose destination is God in whom we find rest.

Encouragement
Wisdom sayings from Jesus:
Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

Prayer for the Journey
Christ be before me,
Christ be beside me,
Christ be all around.
May the peace of Christ go with me, wherever God may send me.
May God guide me through the wilderness, protect me through the storm.
May God bring me home rejoicing at the wonders God has shown me.
May God bring me home rejoicing
once again into our doors.
Amen

This is another one of the dekhomai postcards.

 

Monday's Remedy: Fix You

Music is one of those universal languages.  Music brings color into another wise black and white laden world.  In my opinion Coldplay happens to be one of the great bands of my time, that moves us through their sounds, lyrics, thoughts to reflect on deeper truths.  The musical arrangement in this song moves you to really focus on the words and their meaning as they reflect in us.  And, like any great song it moves something inside of us.  I heard Chris Martin describe this song as Coldplay's attempt at a gospel song.  I'll let you decide what kind of good news it gives rise in your life.

A Sabbath Rhythm: Examen

I read Jonny Bakers blog often and I want to give credit to him for the content of This Sabbath Rhythm becauase I found it in his worship trick and I had to share it with all of you. Enjoy.

THE EXAMEN

St Ignatius of Loyola taught the examen as part
of his Spiritual Exercises. It is a way of connecting
with the presence of God in our lives and
discerning the direction in which we should go.

The simplest form of the examen consists in asking
two questions:
For what moment today am I most grateful?
For what moment today am I least grateful?

These questions help us identify moments of
consolation – that for which we are most grateful
– and desolation – that for which we are least
grateful. Ignatius expected that God would speak
to us through these moments of deepest feelings
and yearnings. We should aim to do more of what
brings us consolation, and to listen to and respond
to what brings us desolation. Done regularly over
a period of time, the examen can guide our lives
and help us to make wise choices.

Doing the examen
Find a quiet place where you can sit and relax.
Take a moment to quiet yourself and to breathe
deeply. You may find it helpful to light a candle
to remind you of the presence of God.

Ask God to bring to your heart the moment for
which you are most grateful. Reflect on what
made it so special. Stay with this moment and
breathe in the gratitude and life that it brought
to you.

Ask God to bring to your heart the moment for
which you are least grateful. Reflect on what made
it so difficult. Stay with your feelings and ask God
to fill you with his love.

Give thanks for what you have just experienced.

Monday's Remedy: YOU

It's Monday Morning, it's extremely overcast (in Riverside, CA), on TV the newscaster is speaking of the numerous natural disasters around the world (Myanmar, Missouri, China), and it doesn't seem like the price of gasoline will be going down anything soon.  Not a good way to begin a Monday morning, but I suppose it is days like these that we should be reminded of the things we do have?  Here is where 'Monday's Remedy' becomes interactive.  What are you grateful for?  This has quickly become a time of self assessment and self reflection.  I hope you find things that are great in your life.  Share with us what they are?  I suppose though, that if you are reading this, you have at least one good eye, fingers to type, and lungs to breath - that's a start.  If you still need something, listen to the new song by Coldplay, "Viva La Vida".

A Sabbath Rhythm: The Hammock

This week for A Sabbath Rhythm is a poem.  Enjoy.

The Hammock

If Sabbath were a thing
I'm convinced it would be a hammock
It swings in a sacred cadence
side to side

In the shade
Under a tree

In it you can stop to listen to the sounds that surround you

In a hammock there is no room for a tv, computer, or cell phone
Just you and the stillness

Perhaps it’s the closest you get to flying
Getting off your feet and be suspended in mid air

Almost like being cradled in the perfect embrace of safety
God

In a hammock we stop trying to be someone we are not
and acknowledge who we are

We dream,
We wonder,
We believe,

We are embraced.

Gas is the New iPod in Evangelism

I just read about a church that is raffling off two $500 gas cards.  Click HERE to see the video.  Here's how it works.  A Revival begins on Sunday (don't know which one) and it will end on Wednesday night.  So people sign up for a raffle and the raffle is drawn on Wednesday, good way to keep people coming to church.  I have heard of churches raffling off iPods but apparently they are not in demand as much as gasoline is.  Maybe the large evangelistic campaign in the City of Angles can spend its $1 Million Dollars set for evangelism, on gasoline?  I know I would attend and I am sure some churches would be filled to capacity if we offered free gasoline.

It still sounds to me like evangelism is about bringing people 'INTO' the church because somehow when people walk "INTO' the church they will somehow be transfromed.  Not always the case (have you been to some churches).  From what I have encountered in the Biblical Narrative, Jesus transformed people in the city, on a mountain, along the road, at a well, during lunch, in a boat, along the sea...I could go on.  In scripture we see a picture of God who ' GOES OUT' into his world and becomes one with the people.  I am of the school that we are to bring Jesus and the Kingdom into our community.  Transformation happens when we enter into solidarity with our community and find solutions to the problems that face us.  Instead of just gasoline, what if we encourage carpooling and other modes of transportation and how that also makes for cleaner air.  The essential question to ask is "If God were living in my community what would make him upset and then we could begin to tackle those issues."  No gimmicks just the belief that God wants better for humanity and from humanity. I don't see anything wrong with giving out free gasoline, especially now.  But I don't know if I feel comfortable using it as a gimmick, because that is what that is.  The sign of the cross should not be a sign of power or prestige or even a soap box but rather the place where we are confronted with the question "what needs to die" and "what needs resurrection" .  If we could answer these questions people will be transformed.  Check out my friend, Ryan Bell's Blog (specifically the post "Affordable Housing Los Angeles") by clicking HERE and see what he and his church are doing that is directly impacting their community and how that is good news to the citizens of Los Angeles.  I would call it evangelism.