Words of peace
drowned out by those
rattling their swords.
23 September 2006
Red-Letter...
I have been doing some thinking lately about the Red-Letter Christian (RLC) movement and the comments I received lately from many of you either through this blog or conversations and emails.
I am not that interested in jumping out of a denomination or a political party into another one just because there is a new movement afoot. I think the interesting thing is that people are growing tired of the denomination and political parties of today and freewheeling it and that is becoming a collective.
It seems the foundation of denoms and pol-parties are maintaining the control but not necessarily the mission. I look around and see that many of us are not doing things much different. Instead of listening to The Quiet Voice for direction we associate ourselves with larger groups who dictate the direction. We should be Quiet Voice christians, ones who listen to the One who has the plan...
Jeremiah 29:
11'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.
12'Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.
13'You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.
14'I will be found by you,' declares the LORD, 'and I will restore your fortunes and will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you,' declares the LORD, 'and I will bring you back to the place from where I sent you into exile.'
The Voice is driving us to places... sometimes into exile and sometimes into prosperity, but always to a hope and a future.
I don't disagree with the premise of RLC that not all evangelicals are identifying with the narrow concerns of the Right, and there are many issues to be considered today. Abortion is a concern, I am proLife, but to be pro life is to be pro life with the poor, marginalized, exploited, orphaned, aged, etc. I do not believe in same-sex marriages for a number of reasons but I do believe that those who find an trusting relationship in someone of their own sex should be loved by those of us who are Loved by the Lover of our Souls. We are to be lights on a hill in the world of God's love not lasers burning out sin in culture.
Should we vote with values? Yes.
More importantly we should live with values. Red-Letter values. Quiet Voice values.
Voting does not replace our civic duties to love. I vote and am appalled by the low turn out of voter. But I am more appalled by the high turn out of indifference in our society today.
A well placed moral bumpersticker will drive people farther from the Voice who loves their soul than a simple act of kindness and listening to the pain of people which drives them to immoral behavior.
I am tired of the Republicans and the Democrats, but mostly I am not impressed with either's heart. I tend more towards Republican's approach to smaller government and allowing business owners greater latitude in running their businesses without as much interference. I cannot say much about the Dem's ability for civil rights, I was a Dem and lost faith because they speak the right words but trip over themselves in making something happen. (I really don't want to argue these points) Dr. Howard Dean, Hillary Clinton and Nancy Pelosi irritate me by their harsh words, the Republicans bore me with their harsh actions and in-actions.
I agree with Micah. I am also concerned that the RLC may be like the Dems of the 60s with McGovern with a lot of words, albeit Red, but not the action needed. It isn't just political action needed today but individual action that will reach out to those The Voice is calling us to love. Love is an action here not a passive whatever feels good. Allowing the Truth to bring healing and stability into their lives. Not harsh judgement.
I cannot get behind another organization or person until I am inline with The Voice...
I am not that interested in jumping out of a denomination or a political party into another one just because there is a new movement afoot. I think the interesting thing is that people are growing tired of the denomination and political parties of today and freewheeling it and that is becoming a collective. It seems the foundation of denoms and pol-parties are maintaining the control but not necessarily the mission. I look around and see that many of us are not doing things much different. Instead of listening to The Quiet Voice for direction we associate ourselves with larger groups who dictate the direction. We should be Quiet Voice christians, ones who listen to the One who has the plan...
Jeremiah 29:
11'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.
12'Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.
13'You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.
14'I will be found by you,' declares the LORD, 'and I will restore your fortunes and will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you,' declares the LORD, 'and I will bring you back to the place from where I sent you into exile.'
The Voice is driving us to places... sometimes into exile and sometimes into prosperity, but always to a hope and a future.
I don't disagree with the premise of RLC that not all evangelicals are identifying with the narrow concerns of the Right, and there are many issues to be considered today. Abortion is a concern, I am proLife, but to be pro life is to be pro life with the poor, marginalized, exploited, orphaned, aged, etc. I do not believe in same-sex marriages for a number of reasons but I do believe that those who find an trusting relationship in someone of their own sex should be loved by those of us who are Loved by the Lover of our Souls. We are to be lights on a hill in the world of God's love not lasers burning out sin in culture.
Should we vote with values? Yes.
More importantly we should live with values. Red-Letter values. Quiet Voice values.
Voting does not replace our civic duties to love. I vote and am appalled by the low turn out of voter. But I am more appalled by the high turn out of indifference in our society today.
A well placed moral bumpersticker will drive people farther from the Voice who loves their soul than a simple act of kindness and listening to the pain of people which drives them to immoral behavior.
I am tired of the Republicans and the Democrats, but mostly I am not impressed with either's heart. I tend more towards Republican's approach to smaller government and allowing business owners greater latitude in running their businesses without as much interference. I cannot say much about the Dem's ability for civil rights, I was a Dem and lost faith because they speak the right words but trip over themselves in making something happen. (I really don't want to argue these points) Dr. Howard Dean, Hillary Clinton and Nancy Pelosi irritate me by their harsh words, the Republicans bore me with their harsh actions and in-actions.
I agree with Micah. I am also concerned that the RLC may be like the Dems of the 60s with McGovern with a lot of words, albeit Red, but not the action needed. It isn't just political action needed today but individual action that will reach out to those The Voice is calling us to love. Love is an action here not a passive whatever feels good. Allowing the Truth to bring healing and stability into their lives. Not harsh judgement.
I cannot get behind another organization or person until I am inline with The Voice...
22 September 2006
A great blog...
There are three guys biking from the northernmost part of Alaska down to ths southern most part of South America. I try to keep up with them on a weekly basis instead of watching television.
You can find their website here.
You can find their website here.
Community...
I stopped off at Judy's Donuts today and because I was on my motorcycle I had to drink my coffee and eat my chocolate french crueller in house instead of in the car.
Everyday (not that I go everyday) there is a group of men sitting in the pink plastic chairs, which are attached to the pink tables, and talk about their lives and mostly poke fun at each other. They are usually talking about the president, the war, the gas prices, the highway construction through town, and poking fun at each other.
Today, I sat in one of the pink chairs, eating my coffee and crueller, and got the distinct feeling that I was not a part of their community. When I just come in and buy my coffee and crueller and leave, I may get a nod from one of them, but to sit down and take up someone's place was an invasion. Today I kept getting looks from each of them at different times and the conversation got quiet as they looked over at me. I just kept drinking my coffee and slowly eating my crueller, looking straight ahead. I didn't want to intrude but dangit I have a right to sit in a public donut house's pink chair, which is attached to the pink table and drink my coffee and eat my crueller. No one was standing waiting for me it was more what will happen if Karl comes in and I'm in his chair?
Well, I finished drinking my coffee and eating my crueller, wiped the chocolate crumbs from my mouth and shirt, looked over at them, nodded, got up (which is difficult because the chairs are attached to the table and got on my motorcycle and drove off on Highway 41 to my next meeting at Starbucks, who did not show up, which gave me time to write this little post.
Everyday (not that I go everyday) there is a group of men sitting in the pink plastic chairs, which are attached to the pink tables, and talk about their lives and mostly poke fun at each other. They are usually talking about the president, the war, the gas prices, the highway construction through town, and poking fun at each other.
Today, I sat in one of the pink chairs, eating my coffee and crueller, and got the distinct feeling that I was not a part of their community. When I just come in and buy my coffee and crueller and leave, I may get a nod from one of them, but to sit down and take up someone's place was an invasion. Today I kept getting looks from each of them at different times and the conversation got quiet as they looked over at me. I just kept drinking my coffee and slowly eating my crueller, looking straight ahead. I didn't want to intrude but dangit I have a right to sit in a public donut house's pink chair, which is attached to the pink table and drink my coffee and eat my crueller. No one was standing waiting for me it was more what will happen if Karl comes in and I'm in his chair?
Well, I finished drinking my coffee and eating my crueller, wiped the chocolate crumbs from my mouth and shirt, looked over at them, nodded, got up (which is difficult because the chairs are attached to the table and got on my motorcycle and drove off on Highway 41 to my next meeting at Starbucks, who did not show up, which gave me time to write this little post.
21 September 2006
Red-Letter Christian...
I am interested in this new movement of Wallis, Campolo, et al called "the Red-Letter Christian." Campolo wrote an article on it you can find here.
Check it out and let me know what you think...
Check it out and let me know what you think...
18 September 2006
A joke and a statement...
There is an old joke that says,
What do you call a boomerang that doesn't work?
A stick.
What do you call a boomerang that doesn't work?
A stick.
15 September 2006
A Junior High marching band...
Christel, my wife, is a music teacher for two K-8 schools in the area. She has been doing this for 13 years since we have been up here. Before that she was a psycho-social developer for three special needs children. Ours. Their special needs were that they needed a mother. She is great at both callings.
Christel is an incredible teacher who doesn't think she is doing anything for the Kingdom. However, whenever we are shopping or at a football game at the high school all of these kids come running up to her and hoping that she recognizes them in this different surrounding. They squeal out, "Mrs. Biasell, Mrs. Biasell!" with such glee it is charming to hear. Then they talk to her about their lives, some about music and mostly about their families and personal lives. This is the Kingdom.
Well, tomorrow is the Oakhurst Mountain Heritage Day Parade. It has been going on for a long time. This year Rusty and his wife Sara, who own the Met Cinema (a five screen multiplex) in town, are the grand marshals. And Christel's combination of the two schools Junior High (grades 5-8) Marching Band will participate in it. I just got back from watching their practice at one of the schools. There are about 75 kids in the combined band. Each of them had an instrument of some kind. No uniforms. Most of these kids have never marched in a parade. Some are going to be riding in a flatbed truck and most will be marching.
But what I want to talk about is the noise they make between songs. Each are just blowing stuff, hitting drums, spraying spit out of their trombones on each other, etc. Then she blows the whistle and they stop (most stop) and she tweets off the beat and they start up playing music. They are playing a recognizable song. Albeit, it is "Let's go Band!"
But in between the songs it is chaos. Or is it? I watch her and she is talking, giving instructions and tips to some of the musicians, unfazed by it all but very aware of what is going on. When she finishes with the individuals then she puts the whistle in her mouth and blows out a single tweet, pauses, then four more, and it music.
This group of kids who are going to be marching tomorrow will remember this experience for the rest of their lives. Every time they see a parade, they will remember their days in school when they were with Mrs. Biasell's Marching Band instead of sitting home, watching cartoons on television.
Christel is an incredible teacher who doesn't think she is doing anything for the Kingdom. However, whenever we are shopping or at a football game at the high school all of these kids come running up to her and hoping that she recognizes them in this different surrounding. They squeal out, "Mrs. Biasell, Mrs. Biasell!" with such glee it is charming to hear. Then they talk to her about their lives, some about music and mostly about their families and personal lives. This is the Kingdom.Well, tomorrow is the Oakhurst Mountain Heritage Day Parade. It has been going on for a long time. This year Rusty and his wife Sara, who own the Met Cinema (a five screen multiplex) in town, are the grand marshals. And Christel's combination of the two schools Junior High (grades 5-8) Marching Band will participate in it. I just got back from watching their practice at one of the schools. There are about 75 kids in the combined band. Each of them had an instrument of some kind. No uniforms. Most of these kids have never marched in a parade. Some are going to be riding in a flatbed truck and most will be marching.
But what I want to talk about is the noise they make between songs. Each are just blowing stuff, hitting drums, spraying spit out of their trombones on each other, etc. Then she blows the whistle and they stop (most stop) and she tweets off the beat and they start up playing music. They are playing a recognizable song. Albeit, it is "Let's go Band!"
But in between the songs it is chaos. Or is it? I watch her and she is talking, giving instructions and tips to some of the musicians, unfazed by it all but very aware of what is going on. When she finishes with the individuals then she puts the whistle in her mouth and blows out a single tweet, pauses, then four more, and it music.
This group of kids who are going to be marching tomorrow will remember this experience for the rest of their lives. Every time they see a parade, they will remember their days in school when they were with Mrs. Biasell's Marching Band instead of sitting home, watching cartoons on television.
14 September 2006
Taylor update...
Taylor went to the doctor today and he was happy with everything. Still guarded but the numbers looked good today.
13 September 2006
I am in a bad mood... UPDATED
Why do we feel that christian organizations must proclaim the gospel in order to be a christian organization. My dad was in St. Agnes Hospital and they gave him incredible care yet not one of the surgeons, anesthesiologist, nurses, orderlies, etc stopped during the procedure to wake him up and ask him if he died tonight would he know where he would spend eternity.
Why doesn't christian music talk about having sex with your wife or sitting at a dinner table with family? And how come Bible Study Fellowship never studied Songs of Solomon?
A christian dating service?
Shouldn't christian bookstores give away the Bible for free?
Where in the Bible does "christian" become an adjective instead of a noun?
How come christian statues are naked but not the organist?
Why is ordination an academic test and not a spiritual test? And if they flunk an ordination exam why can they take it again? Maybe it is a sign that they are a witch and they should be burned at the stake.
WWJDIHWOAC *
Why don't we celebrate the Lord's Supper by sitting down and eating supper together?
What is the next christian fad?
* What would Jesus do if He was on a committee
Why doesn't christian music talk about having sex with your wife or sitting at a dinner table with family? And how come Bible Study Fellowship never studied Songs of Solomon?
A christian dating service?
Shouldn't christian bookstores give away the Bible for free?
Where in the Bible does "christian" become an adjective instead of a noun?
How come christian statues are naked but not the organist?
Why is ordination an academic test and not a spiritual test? And if they flunk an ordination exam why can they take it again? Maybe it is a sign that they are a witch and they should be burned at the stake.
WWJDIHWOAC *
Why don't we celebrate the Lord's Supper by sitting down and eating supper together?
What is the next christian fad?
* What would Jesus do if He was on a committee
"...Worms, Roxanne!"
I just got out of a CommonFIRE meeting where we introduced those who are new to the community to the why we have the program and the Outdoor School. I was reflecting back over the past 4 years of people that have been going through it and some of the complaints and "failures" that were brought to my chair.
Many of complaints were the same. "Why should a christian program run a program where they cannot mention the name of Christ to public school kids?"
Very dear friends left because they were frustrated over this. What kind of ministry cannot preach? It seems that they think that making disciple is solely an oratorial action. It is more a kinesetic action. I think it was Francis who said, "Preach the gospel always and when necessary use words." Jesus said depart from me because I never knew you. Then he explains the visitations of the hungry, thirsty, naked, imprisoned... not NOT once did he say you didn't preach. I think it is important that people know that we are following the way of Jesus Christ, but it is huge that we are doing what He is doing.
People watch our actions to see if they reflect our words. We love to spout of the gospel, yet to live it out is difficult. We give honor to those who study words, yet seldom acknowledge those who live it out.
I think I am going to put my actions where my mouth is. I have an idea...
I just wrote it out but erased it because I would rather do it than tell you about it.
Many of complaints were the same. "Why should a christian program run a program where they cannot mention the name of Christ to public school kids?"
Very dear friends left because they were frustrated over this. What kind of ministry cannot preach? It seems that they think that making disciple is solely an oratorial action. It is more a kinesetic action. I think it was Francis who said, "Preach the gospel always and when necessary use words." Jesus said depart from me because I never knew you. Then he explains the visitations of the hungry, thirsty, naked, imprisoned... not NOT once did he say you didn't preach. I think it is important that people know that we are following the way of Jesus Christ, but it is huge that we are doing what He is doing.
People watch our actions to see if they reflect our words. We love to spout of the gospel, yet to live it out is difficult. We give honor to those who study words, yet seldom acknowledge those who live it out.
I think I am going to put my actions where my mouth is. I have an idea...
I just wrote it out but erased it because I would rather do it than tell you about it.
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