Well folks, this is the end. Since I only have 6 followers this ending will not have a significant impact on the world.
Due to comments by people who shall remain nameless, I have changed my gmail account. Since this blog is tied to that account, it will no longer be used. Fortunately, a blog that looks slightly different but has the exact same content will continue. Simply follow this link and update bookmarks or dashboard or whatever else you 6 use to follow my blog. Thank you and sorry for the inconvenience.
By the way, switching email accounts is quite bothersome. I don't wish it upon any of you.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Adventure
Someone once wrote: "I don't know what part of my brain is used to play Minesweeper, but the part that isn't used goes on an adventure! Outwardly it looks like I care greatly about numbers and flags, which I do, but inwardly my mind is much more active than that! In my head my mind can go anywhere!"
So true, so true.
So true, so true.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
The Story We Find Ourselves In
I just finished my third book of this year in Mennonite Voluntary Service in Baltimore. It was "The Story We Find Ourselves In" by Brian McLaren. I've read several book by McLaren and I've always enjoyed them. In fact, without exception I've always bought the book after I finished reading it and then reread it, something that rarely happens. It was one of several books handed to me by my current pastor 6 days ago in addition to a longer list of books to read. (Earlier this week I read "Prodigal God" by Timothy Keller. It's also a really good book!) I was quite excited to see this McLaren book was one that he handed to me. And I was even more excited to see that there were actually 2 McLaren books on my list!
I was then disappointed to see that "The Story We Find Ourselves In" is actually the 2nd book in a series McLaren wrote. The first was "A New Kind of Christian" and I was not handed that one. In fact, "The Story We Find Ourselves In" wasn't even on my list. My pastor meant to give me the first one. The obvious upside: I still have 2 other McLaren books to read on my list! And both books in this set, though connected were meant to stand alone. There were several references to the first book in the second, but it really can stand alone.
I hadn't read a book of this style before. It was fiction theology. The book was fiction, but the intent was to explain the theology of the Christian narrative in a postmodern world. So basically it was fun theology. It may not be the most concise or in depth way to explain theology, but it's fun to read in the context of a story. The characters just happened to have extensive conversations on theology throughout the book.
The basic story line: The life of a pastor in Maryland is forever altered when his life story intersects with a friend of a friend, a woman who is being treated for breast cancer at the National Institute of Health. Through her, the pastor learns about how their mutual friend has been explaining the story we find ourselves in(the Christian narrative). When the friend also comes to Maryland, the story can be completed.
If anyone knows anything about me, they it's quite clear this book hit close to home. I'll list why: I'm serving as an intern pastor in Maryland for a year. The pastor's name in this book? Daniel. My mom has been battling breast cancer for several months now (one day shy of 5 months, I guess). For about the last month I've been unusually intrigued by the Biblical narrative, feeling the need to know exactly how it all fits together. Also, for years I've been trying to find my place as a postmodern Christian. Postmodernity scares some Christians, but I've always felt like it shouldn't.
So yeah, I loved this book. It's going to take me a while to unpack it all. Maybe that'll give me enough time to buy it for myself and read it again!
I was then disappointed to see that "The Story We Find Ourselves In" is actually the 2nd book in a series McLaren wrote. The first was "A New Kind of Christian" and I was not handed that one. In fact, "The Story We Find Ourselves In" wasn't even on my list. My pastor meant to give me the first one. The obvious upside: I still have 2 other McLaren books to read on my list! And both books in this set, though connected were meant to stand alone. There were several references to the first book in the second, but it really can stand alone.
I hadn't read a book of this style before. It was fiction theology. The book was fiction, but the intent was to explain the theology of the Christian narrative in a postmodern world. So basically it was fun theology. It may not be the most concise or in depth way to explain theology, but it's fun to read in the context of a story. The characters just happened to have extensive conversations on theology throughout the book.
The basic story line: The life of a pastor in Maryland is forever altered when his life story intersects with a friend of a friend, a woman who is being treated for breast cancer at the National Institute of Health. Through her, the pastor learns about how their mutual friend has been explaining the story we find ourselves in(the Christian narrative). When the friend also comes to Maryland, the story can be completed.
If anyone knows anything about me, they it's quite clear this book hit close to home. I'll list why: I'm serving as an intern pastor in Maryland for a year. The pastor's name in this book? Daniel. My mom has been battling breast cancer for several months now (one day shy of 5 months, I guess). For about the last month I've been unusually intrigued by the Biblical narrative, feeling the need to know exactly how it all fits together. Also, for years I've been trying to find my place as a postmodern Christian. Postmodernity scares some Christians, but I've always felt like it shouldn't.
So yeah, I loved this book. It's going to take me a while to unpack it all. Maybe that'll give me enough time to buy it for myself and read it again!
Saturday, August 28, 2010
A Painted House
I've just finished my first book of this year in MVS. It was "A Painted House" by John Grisham. I bought it at a thrift store about 5 blocks from my new house for $0.90. It was plenty worth it in my opinion!
It was during my time in Iowa last summer that I first started reading John Grisham and I'm happy to say that I have another one waiting to be read. It's "The Last Juror" and I picked it up for free at a place called the Book Thing, a book exchange open on weekends for anyone to donate books or take them home for free. That's one great thing about Baltimore!
"A Painted House" wasn't anything like the other John Grisham books I've read. It had no legal side to it at all. There was a deputy who talked about arresting one of the characters, but that was it. Instead it was a story of a young boy named Luke growing up on a cotton farm in Arkansas in the early 1950s. Because of their hired hands during harvest Luke had plenty of adventures and learned a lot about family, life and death. I thoroughly enjoyed it! Anyone want to read it? I could probably get it to you.
Baseball took a prominent role in the story. The family was enamored with the St. Louis Cardinals and listened to their games on the radio at every opportunity. Because of that, the Cubs were enemies, though not ones to worry about (sorry, mom). It was the New York Dodgers that they were really concerned with.
Another interesting thing: Luke's grandmother mentioned the passage from Luke 14 that I wrote my last post on. Gran was an excellent example of someone helping those that can't repay you for your kindness.
It was during my time in Iowa last summer that I first started reading John Grisham and I'm happy to say that I have another one waiting to be read. It's "The Last Juror" and I picked it up for free at a place called the Book Thing, a book exchange open on weekends for anyone to donate books or take them home for free. That's one great thing about Baltimore!
"A Painted House" wasn't anything like the other John Grisham books I've read. It had no legal side to it at all. There was a deputy who talked about arresting one of the characters, but that was it. Instead it was a story of a young boy named Luke growing up on a cotton farm in Arkansas in the early 1950s. Because of their hired hands during harvest Luke had plenty of adventures and learned a lot about family, life and death. I thoroughly enjoyed it! Anyone want to read it? I could probably get it to you.
Baseball took a prominent role in the story. The family was enamored with the St. Louis Cardinals and listened to their games on the radio at every opportunity. Because of that, the Cubs were enemies, though not ones to worry about (sorry, mom). It was the New York Dodgers that they were really concerned with.
Another interesting thing: Luke's grandmother mentioned the passage from Luke 14 that I wrote my last post on. Gran was an excellent example of someone helping those that can't repay you for your kindness.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Luke 14
Luke 14:12-14
12Then Jesus said to his host, "When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. 13But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."
This passage made me smile today as I read it. The first reason was trivial: I smiled picturing Jesus using the word “luncheon.” I don’t know what word Jesus would have used in Aramaic, but the TNIV translators from Luke’s Greek decided luncheon was the right term. That’s just great!
The second reason I smiled was because I could picture the beauty of these instructions enacted. Someone would snub all their family at Thanksgiving either by not inviting any of them to dinner or by turning down all their invitations. The family would be confused and slightly annoyed until they realized the alternative meal that was being hosted. The person would have planned a Thanksgiving feast with all the fixings (including a vegetarian option), but instead of asking the usual guests to attend, less fortunate people were invited. Most didn’t accept the invitation because it was slightly humiliating or uncomfortable or just too odd. Those who came though, had a fantastic time!
I don’t know what being “repaid at the resurrection of the righteous” means, but I don’t think the rewards would be slow in coming at all. At the very least the novelty of the event would create peculiar and priceless looks on the faces of both guests and others who heard about it. That might be reward enough. Everyone involved would be thankful and new relationships would be forged. Some of them might last though most may not, but at least for one meal the story lines of people intersected to the benefit of all. The reward wouldn't be tangible or fully describable, but it'd be important.
I do find it interesting that this teaching from Jesus comes right after what he said in verses 7-11:
7When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: 8"When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. 9If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, 'Give this man your seat.' Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. 10But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, 'Friend, move up to a better place.' Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests. 11For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
This part doesn’t make me smile in the same way. It doesn’t come across as selfless or humble like maybe it’s supposed to. To me it seems underhanded and sly. It’s taking a risk for the potential of a greater and immediate reward. It’s playing the system and seems completely selfish, though in a less obvious way. Maybe I just don’t understand the cultural norms enough for this part of Jesus’ teaching to light up my imagination and cause me to smile. Perhaps if I attended a 1st century Middle Eastern luncheon or dinner then I’d understand a little better. Until that happens though, I think I'll enjoy Jesus' second teaching.
12Then Jesus said to his host, "When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. 13But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."
This passage made me smile today as I read it. The first reason was trivial: I smiled picturing Jesus using the word “luncheon.” I don’t know what word Jesus would have used in Aramaic, but the TNIV translators from Luke’s Greek decided luncheon was the right term. That’s just great!
The second reason I smiled was because I could picture the beauty of these instructions enacted. Someone would snub all their family at Thanksgiving either by not inviting any of them to dinner or by turning down all their invitations. The family would be confused and slightly annoyed until they realized the alternative meal that was being hosted. The person would have planned a Thanksgiving feast with all the fixings (including a vegetarian option), but instead of asking the usual guests to attend, less fortunate people were invited. Most didn’t accept the invitation because it was slightly humiliating or uncomfortable or just too odd. Those who came though, had a fantastic time!
I don’t know what being “repaid at the resurrection of the righteous” means, but I don’t think the rewards would be slow in coming at all. At the very least the novelty of the event would create peculiar and priceless looks on the faces of both guests and others who heard about it. That might be reward enough. Everyone involved would be thankful and new relationships would be forged. Some of them might last though most may not, but at least for one meal the story lines of people intersected to the benefit of all. The reward wouldn't be tangible or fully describable, but it'd be important.
I do find it interesting that this teaching from Jesus comes right after what he said in verses 7-11:
7When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: 8"When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. 9If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, 'Give this man your seat.' Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. 10But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, 'Friend, move up to a better place.' Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests. 11For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
This part doesn’t make me smile in the same way. It doesn’t come across as selfless or humble like maybe it’s supposed to. To me it seems underhanded and sly. It’s taking a risk for the potential of a greater and immediate reward. It’s playing the system and seems completely selfish, though in a less obvious way. Maybe I just don’t understand the cultural norms enough for this part of Jesus’ teaching to light up my imagination and cause me to smile. Perhaps if I attended a 1st century Middle Eastern luncheon or dinner then I’d understand a little better. Until that happens though, I think I'll enjoy Jesus' second teaching.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Freely
Lyrics for thought on these days as I make a pretty significant transition in my life:
He said "Freely, freely you have received, freely, freely give.
Go in my name, and because you believe others will know that I live."
He said "Freely, freely you have received, freely, freely give.
Go in my name, and because you believe others will know that I live."
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Graduation
Later today along with 400 others, in tempertures approaching 90 degrees, I will be graduating from college. They will say my name and I’ll walk up on stage to be handed a diploma. Supposedly that’s what I’ve been working toward for four years. That’s what the assumption will be as we all take our turn to be handed an official looking paper with our name on it. I’m told it’ll impress future employers. It’s supposed to help us all get better jobs to make more money. I think the goal from that is more happiness. Well, I’m not happy.
Sure, I’ve fulfilled all the requirements for a diploma, so in that sense at least I suppose I’ve earned it. I’ve sat through classes for about 20 hours a week for four years. I’ve done countless hours of homework for those classes. I’ve written papers and given speeches and read countless books. I did all that I needed to in order to complete my assignments well and get decent grades in all of my classes. I’m sure I’ve done everything necessary to be handed a diploma. I just wish that wasn’t the emphasis.
Four years have culminated in a diploma, but I want something that actually represents all of my past four years. A diploma represents only part of this college experience. And I’d say it’s a fairly insignificant part. Fortunately there is more to a graduation ceremony. The pinnacle is being handed a diploma, but I’m choosing to look at other aspects. I’ll look at what I’m wearing for graduation.
The first thing everyone will notice is a nice Royal blue gown. That represents EMU and it makes me think about the countless sporting events I’ve attended as well as the many seasons on intramural teams. Under that gown I’ll be wearing some nice dress clothes. Probably 95% of the time I’ve dressed up as a college student was for a concert I sang in. That’s what those clothes represent for me. I’ll be wearing a white stole with blue Jerusalem crosses around my shoulders. That was given to all the students who dared to spend an entire semester in the Middle East. It represents a huge transition in my life blessing me with cross-cultural eyes and the desire to wonder. Also draped on my shoulders will be blue and gold Cords of Distinction. Those represent my investment in the Honors Program, years serving Campus Ministries, and significant involvement in church life off campus. I’ll also have a little green ribbon pinned to my gown. Every senior was given a chance to sign a Graduation Commitment devoting ourselves to a life of integrity after we graduate. I signed that and will live up to it.
One thing is missing. There’s nothing to represent the hundreds of relationships I’ve formed these last four years. There’s nothing for my 2 years in Oakwood, including the best freshman hall ever. There’s nothing for my year in Hillside with the greatest guys ever to live in the Keep. There’s nothing for the family I gained living in Martin House this year. There’s nothing for my brothers and sisters gained these last four years. There’s nothing for the beautiful one I drove home last night. There’s nothing for all of these relationships.
But maybe it’s because those don’t end. Sporting events, intramurals, concerts, cross-cultural, Honors Program, Campus Ministries—these all end. I’m no longer a part of them. They are a part of who I’ve become, but my four years are up. My relationships, fortunately, will not end and for that I’m extremely grateful. Today they’ll be represented by hugs. Hugs for a job well done these last four years and for a whole wonderful life ahead of us!
Thank you, EMU. I think I’m ready to graduate.
Sure, I’ve fulfilled all the requirements for a diploma, so in that sense at least I suppose I’ve earned it. I’ve sat through classes for about 20 hours a week for four years. I’ve done countless hours of homework for those classes. I’ve written papers and given speeches and read countless books. I did all that I needed to in order to complete my assignments well and get decent grades in all of my classes. I’m sure I’ve done everything necessary to be handed a diploma. I just wish that wasn’t the emphasis.
Four years have culminated in a diploma, but I want something that actually represents all of my past four years. A diploma represents only part of this college experience. And I’d say it’s a fairly insignificant part. Fortunately there is more to a graduation ceremony. The pinnacle is being handed a diploma, but I’m choosing to look at other aspects. I’ll look at what I’m wearing for graduation.
The first thing everyone will notice is a nice Royal blue gown. That represents EMU and it makes me think about the countless sporting events I’ve attended as well as the many seasons on intramural teams. Under that gown I’ll be wearing some nice dress clothes. Probably 95% of the time I’ve dressed up as a college student was for a concert I sang in. That’s what those clothes represent for me. I’ll be wearing a white stole with blue Jerusalem crosses around my shoulders. That was given to all the students who dared to spend an entire semester in the Middle East. It represents a huge transition in my life blessing me with cross-cultural eyes and the desire to wonder. Also draped on my shoulders will be blue and gold Cords of Distinction. Those represent my investment in the Honors Program, years serving Campus Ministries, and significant involvement in church life off campus. I’ll also have a little green ribbon pinned to my gown. Every senior was given a chance to sign a Graduation Commitment devoting ourselves to a life of integrity after we graduate. I signed that and will live up to it.
One thing is missing. There’s nothing to represent the hundreds of relationships I’ve formed these last four years. There’s nothing for my 2 years in Oakwood, including the best freshman hall ever. There’s nothing for my year in Hillside with the greatest guys ever to live in the Keep. There’s nothing for the family I gained living in Martin House this year. There’s nothing for my brothers and sisters gained these last four years. There’s nothing for the beautiful one I drove home last night. There’s nothing for all of these relationships.
But maybe it’s because those don’t end. Sporting events, intramurals, concerts, cross-cultural, Honors Program, Campus Ministries—these all end. I’m no longer a part of them. They are a part of who I’ve become, but my four years are up. My relationships, fortunately, will not end and for that I’m extremely grateful. Today they’ll be represented by hugs. Hugs for a job well done these last four years and for a whole wonderful life ahead of us!
Thank you, EMU. I think I’m ready to graduate.