Accidental BlogAccidental BlogChristian blog discussing simple church, organic church, reformational Christianity, social justice, humour, and whatever else I may find of interest. Articles
On Being Controversial
2007-10-05 22:48:00 I haven't read any of Brian McLaren's books. I posted a short youtube video of him once on this blog. But I honestly don't know a lot about him nor about the controversy that surrounds him. Even still, I enjoyed this video interview with him discussing being a 'controversial' figure. And about the importance of asking questions. This video actually has made me want to read his books since I see a man who is trying to actually live what he professes rather than just "believe all the right things." More About: Controversial
On Being Controversial
2007-10-05 22:48:00 I haven't read any of Brian McLaren's books. I posted a short youtube video of him once on this blog. But I honestly don't know a lot about him nor about the controversy that surrounds him. Even still, I enjoyed this video interview with him discussing being a 'controversial' figure. And about the importance of asking questions. This video actually has made me want to read his books since I see a man who is trying to actually live what he professes rather than just "believe all the right things." More About: Controversial
On the politics of motherhood
2007-10-04 00:45:00 I came across an interesting quote from Penelope Leach, a British parenting expert: "In public, for example (though rarely by individual women in private), it is generally assumed that women's rights take precedence over infant needs: not just that they SHOULD, but that they self-evidently DO. To suggest that a baby may temporarily have a greater right to his mother's time than she has to her own, places the speaker with the "family values" lobby of the extreme Right unless it is coupled with a proposal of financial support for mothers at home, in which case the speaker is moved to the extreme Left... There are plenty of individuals, including many within the women's movement, who speak out for mothers' right to CHOOSE to stay with their babies but few who suggest that that decision might be of value to the BABY or that, if it was, that could be sufficient reason to make it."I found that interesting, and a good critique of some elements of the feminist discourse. I find that the... More About: Politics , Motherhood , Politic
On the politics of motherhood
2007-10-04 00:45:00 I came across an interesting quote from Penelope Leach, a British parenting expert: "In public, for example (though rarely by individual women in private), it is generally assumed that women's rights take precedence over infant needs: not just that they SHOULD, but that they self-evidently DO. To suggest that a baby may temporarily have a greater right to his mother's time than she has to her own, places the speaker with the "family values" lobby of the extreme Right unless it is coupled with a proposal of financial support for mothers at home, in which case the speaker is moved to the extreme Left... There are plenty of individuals, including many within the women's movement, who speak out for mothers' right to CHOOSE to stay with their babies but few who suggest that that decision might be of value to the BABY or that, if it was, that could be sufficient reason to make it."I found that interesting, and a good critique of some elements of the feminist discourse. I find that the... More About: Politics , Motherhood , Politic
Blogger's Block
2007-10-01 19:40:00 I have been at a loss the past couple of days, so no posts have materialized. And the New iRack video is getting ZERO comments, so I figure it must be time to move on. :)I've been busy helping Shane with a research project. And we watched the documentary that came out on Ralph Nader (An Unreasonable Man). I'm actually pretty thankful for him after learning about all the work he's done to protect American consumers. I also respect him for being the only Presidential candidate in recent history for refusing to be bought-off by corporate monies. He even refused millions offered to him in exchange for not running in 2004. If there is still an honest man in American politics, it has to be Nader. I actually see more integrity in this man (who was raised a Christian, but doesn't advertise this label for political expediency) than many professing "Christian" politicians. Didn't Jesus say something about knowing people by the fruit their life produces (as opposed to what they say)? More About: Block
Blogger's Block
2007-10-01 19:40:00 I have been at a loss the past couple of days, so no posts have materialized. And the New iRack video is getting ZERO comments, so I figure it must be time to move on. :)I've been busy helping Shane with a research project. And we watched the documentary that came out on Ralph Nader (An Unreasonable Man). I'm actually pretty thankful for him after learning about all the work he's done to protect American consumers. I also respect him for being the only Presidential candidate in recent history for refusing to be bought-off by corporate monies. He even refused millions offered to him in exchange for not running in 2004. If there is still an honest man in American politics, it has to be Nader. I actually see more integrity in this man (who was raised a Christian, but doesn't advertise this label for political expediency) than many professing "Christian" politicians. Didn't Jesus say something about knowing people by the fruit their life produces (as opposed to what they say)? More About: Block
Potty Training Japanese Style
2007-09-27 20:06:00 As my daughter approaches potty-training age, this video on Youtube caught my attention. So funny! More About: Training , Style , Japanese , Potty Training , TRAI
Effecting Change
2007-09-27 08:37:00 After learning more about Indonesian workers and becoming more concerned about how my lifestyle choices might be contributing to the problem, I did some further research. The film I watched was made around the beginning of the millenium. The global issues of IMF involvement and enslavement of nations through debt is still a serious problem. But I did find some very good news. At least it's good news for garment industry workers (70% of which are women, many of them mothers like me).It turns out that western activists were able to effectively communicate the realities of harsh exploitation to western consumers, who, in turn, were willing to put pressure on several of the corporations involved. Over the course of about 10 years, the corporations' attitudes went from denial and 'who cares' to public confessions and policy change implementation. Nike, Gap and Levi's have all taken serious measures to deal with the issues of sweatshop labor. Of course, more can be done. But this sto... More About: Change , Chang , Chan
Caution: Heavy-hearted post ahead
2007-09-26 08:28:00 THE NEW COLONIALISMI wish I knew the names of the children in this photo (taken at their home in Indonesia). Their parents work in a factory that makes products for large (mostly American) companies. In response to Int'l Monetary Fund demands, the Indonesian government has recently cut more public services to its people so that it can manage to pay the millions in interest payments back to the wealthy Western nations that manage and fund the IMF. If I'm not mistaken, the government has to set aside roughly half of it's GDP just to make the interest payment. Much of the original loans were absorbed personally by the brutal Sudharta regime (backed by the US and UK).How did this horrid situation arise? Is it an uncommon experience for a poor nation? I just watched a documentary produced by the BBC about globalization and its inception in Indonesia during the 1960s. Very informative, very important! This is the brave new world we live in. Whole nations are being raped and exploited ... More About: Post , Heavy , Ahead
Inspirational vs. Institutional Leadership
2007-09-25 01:48:00 Alan Hirsch just posted something on the difference between inspirational vs. institutional leadership that I think fits nicely with the concept of embodiment and demonstration that I've been pondering lately. Alan uses Gandhi as an example of the power of inspirational leadership which is born from an embodiment - a "living model" of the ideas or values a leader promotes."...In our case we can also call it spiritual authority or inspirational leadership. Inspirational leadership can be described as a unique kind of social power that comes from the personal integration and embodiment of great ideas as opposed to the power that comes from some form of authorization of external and structural authority like that of government, corporation, or religious institution. For example, the President?s power comes primarily from the office that he/she holds, so too a general, a CEO, or a denominational leader and so forth. In institutional power, it is the human institution that confers the p... More About: Leadership , Institutional , Leader
Embodiment and Demonstration
2007-09-21 21:15:00 Shane Claiborne (of the Simple Way) says,"The only thing that frightens me is when people look at us like we?re saints, because I think that such an infatuation is only indicative of how far we?ve come from the heart of Jesus and what true Christianity has been, you know? The fact that what we?re doing looks radical is an indictment on the kind of Christianity that we?ve become accustomed to. It?s just marked by what it believes and not how it looks. That?s where it?s really, really dangerous."I think belief is only as important as its demonstration. If I do not embody what I claim to believe, then I lose credibility. You can read more from Shane at The Other Journal. More About: Demonstration , Dime , Demons , Stration , Mons
Universal Healthcare?
2007-09-20 01:11:00 I usually don't post on political issues. But I'm just wondering what people think of universal healthcare. I'm hoping some readers outside of America will comment as well (not excluding the Americans, just want other perspectives too). After living in Canada for 7 years and having access to healthcare that was completely on par with anything found here in the states... I wonder... why are we the only developed western country that doesn't have public healthcare services? Wouldn't it be wierd if we were the only developed western country without public education, where only those who could afford it got a primary education? I'm just trying to think about this from a Christian perspective where we care about the poor, the widow, and the vulnerable in society... More About: Healthcare , Universal , Heal , Univers
I'm so naive...
2007-09-18 20:44:00 I came across a story of a mega-church in America that was founded and co-pastored by a married couple. Unfortunately, they are divorcing. But that was not the scandalous part of the story for me. What shocked me was that they have multiple million dollar homes (3.5 million dollar Trump Tower condo in New York, 2.2 million dollar home in Florida, and a couple others ranging from $700,000-$127,000). And I recently learned of a rape-victim clinic in the Congo that has hundreds of women flooding it's doors and only one doctor is available... This is so deeply, deeply disturbing to me. It is scandalous to me that some preach that God will bless you (and give you more money) if you give wealthy people even more money. Meanwhile, those with nothing find no help. It is so shocking, I guess I'm terribly naive...The prosperity gospel is not: give us your money (so that we can spend it on our pleasures) and God will bless you. God does not care about enriching people who already make hundre... More About: Naive
Why I don't go to church anymore
2007-09-18 19:01:00 I found someone recently who articulated the answer to this question much better than I could have. And I identified with their answer so much that I feel comfortable posting it here without changing the content to represent my own thinking on the subject. You can read it here. More About: Church
Six Provocative Questions
2007-09-17 20:06:00 I found this in the blogosphere and I think that there is huge potential for some good discussion! The questions are broad in nature, so it would probably be impossible to provide comprehensive answers to any one of them in the limited framework of blog comments. But, I would love to hear your thoughts on any of these questions...1. The collapse of the church culture.Wrong question: How do we do church better?Tough question: How do we deconvert from Churchianity to Christianity?2. The shift from church growth to kingdom growth.Wrong question: How do we grow this church?Tough question: How do we transform our community?3. A new reformation: Releasing God's people.Wrong question: How do we turn members into ministers?Tough question: How do we turn members into missionaries?4. The return to spiritual formation.Wrong question: How do we develop church members?Tough question: How do we develop followers of Jesus?5. The shift from planning to preparation.Wrong question: How do we plan fo... More About: Questions
John 15 Simplified
2007-09-16 23:12:00 Jesus instructs me:"...abide in My love."How, Lord?"If you keep my commandments, you will abide in My love..."(Feeling a strong impulse to search every directive Jesus spoke in the gospels) Teach me Your commandments, Lord!"This is my commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you."That seems so simple. Just one thing. It's simple to understand, but not always easy to do. How do I do it?"Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends."Teach and conform me to "love one another" as You have loved me, and as Your Father has loved You. Thank you. Amen. More About: John , Simplified
A Year Already
2007-09-16 09:59:00 I can't believe it, but Elliana turned one already. Here she is in her party dress. She had a blast at her party, but refused to try the cake. Funny kid. I will never have that first year again, but I am really looking forward to all the coming years we'll have. Why didn't someone tell me kids were this cool? I would've started having 'em a lot sooner! I love parenthood. It's not always easy, but I appreciate every moment. Having a child really is the best gift God's ever given me... More About: Year , Ready
Future generations
2007-09-13 01:34:00 Abraham received an incredible promise, but it wasn't for him in his lifetime. It was for future generations. But Abraham received that promise and stewarded it carefully so that his descendents would be blessed. He invested in the future. He understood the kingdom of God.Hezekiah, on the other hand, effected future generations with his sinful choices. When the prophet told him that the consequences of his sin wouldn't be seen in his day, but instead, would cause trouble for future generations, he rejoiced. He did not understand the kingdom of God.I've been reading some great posts about kids and church lately. Whether it be IC or simple church, people seem to be struggling with the fact that we segregate children while we center in on adult ministry to one another. I'm currently not doing anything even closely resembling "church", at least as far as meetings go, so forgive me for speaking up in an area I have no current practice in. But for some reason, I can't get away from t... More About: Future , Generation , Generations
Remembering September 11
2007-09-11 20:23:00 I wavered over whether or not to post about this. But, I'm going for it...9/11 was a especially surreal for me. I was attending university in Canada at the time, and had my int'l law class that day. The professor was outright giddy about the day's events. I will try to give him the benefit of the doubt and assume that he was merely happy to have some current events material to use for the purposes of the class (he talked about the int'l legal ramifications of the situation, and that was useful). But his demeanor still struck me as completely inappropriate. Of course, I was probably the only American in the room. So, with great caution (and at the risk of being seriously misunderstood), I propose that we do something really radical to remember 9/11. I propose that we pray for our enemies. I propose that we pray for those who hate us. Actually, I don't propose it - Jesus proposes it (Luke 6:27-28).Saul was a terrorist before he met Jesus on the road to Damascus and became Paul. P... More About: September , September 11 , Sept , Remembering , Erin
I Love a Good Quiz!
2007-09-11 10:18:00 So, I took a quiz to see what theologian I'm most like. I don't know how accurate the result is, since I didn't understand a couple of the questions. I am NOT a theologian in that I do not approach my spirituality in a primarily academic or intellectual manner. (Don't get me wrong, I love to study, I love critical thinking - and I think God gave us a brain so that we would use it. It's just that my intellect isn't the PRIMARY vehicle by which I interact with God). God is God of the intellect, but He's Spririt, and that's the primary vehicle I use to interact with Him (or at least, I'm learning to use that vehicle to interact with Him - really trying to overcome the Enlightenment heritage that restricts my understanding of how to function and operate in the spirit realm. Sometimes, I wish I had been born in a more spirit-friendly culture). Sheesh... I'm probably not describing this very well. I believe God speaks today. I believe He communicates in lots of ways, but mostly ... More About: Quiz , Love , Good
Finally, some good news
2007-09-10 20:58:00 My husband Shane is currently working on his MA in Human Security (this is like national security, except it deals with the protection of individuals/people groups rather than the protection of nation-states). In his research, he came across a fantastic story about Seoul's first woman Chief of Police and her work to protect underage girls from exploitation in the red light district. Fina lly , some good news. More About: News , Good News , Good
Why Moderate?
2007-09-09 19:41:00 Someone asked on their blog why someone would moderate their comments. A good question. I moderate comments to ensure that the content doesn't cross a line into dialogue that is disrespectful and/or hurtful or dishonoring to anyone reading or interacting on the blog. What do you do, for example, if someone leaves a comment that includes a racist statement? Is it undemocratic to censor that? Yes, probably. It is regretful that if someone makes an inappropriate statement, I won't publish it here, and that may cause hurt feelings on the part of the commentor. That's a hard situation. I hate it if anything I do makes someone feel rejected. But I've also learned that sometimes human interaction is totally imperfect, full of misunderstanding, and it's very difficult (if not impossible) to accurately translate people's motives. This is especially true where you have to rely solely on text to try to understand each other. Sometimes, I don't know what the appropriate course of action ... More About: Rate , Moderate
TV Free Zone
2007-09-08 20:26:00 Since February, we've been living TV free. We still watch movies sometimes on our computer, but there's no TV in the house. I've found that my consumer desires and general feelings of consumer discontent have plummeted (no access to commercials which are designed to make me feel a sense of lack based in unreality). That's a good thing because I recently read that psychologists have discovered one of the keys to happiness is not acquiring more, but desiring less. I find that fascinating. I also have more time. Time to play with my daughter, and take care of things that need my attention (like blogging). And time to read. I've never been more aware of what is going on in the world since I stopped watching TV. Last night, I was at someone's house (while they were away) and had full access to almost 100 stations. I browsed during the news hour, and there was almost no news to be found (national and world news hour, not local). The "news" was dominated by Madelaine's story (the Br... More About: Free , Zone
The Signs of Blog Addiction
2007-09-07 00:43:00 I found this and thought it was pretty funny. I don't identify with all of them, but I think I should start considering joining some sort of bloggers-anonymous support group.10. You check your blog stats a LOT. You occasionally get up in the middle of the night and sneak a peak.9. Your significant other suspects you are having an affair with your blog. Even when you?re alone with your special person, you do find yourself thinking what your blog might be doing right then?8. You ?mental blog? while driving or on the train, and sometimes even when you are alone in the shower.7. You filter everything through your post-writing. You can?t watch a movie, see a play, read an article, or share a sweet moment with your child without thinking of whether it?s blog-worthy.6. You suffer from ?blog envy? when another blogger posts something juicy before you do. You suffer ?comment envy? when said post gets 40-something comments ? the jerk!5. You ?binge blog? 3 or 4 posts at once?only to feel guil... More About: Addiction , Blog , Signs , Addict
My First Simple Church Experience
2007-09-05 21:11:00 While my husband and I were in university in Calgary (a little later in life than most), we befriended several non-believers. About the same time, we quit going to church because it just seemed like such a waste of time, and we just couldn't bear to sit through it anymore. Our commitment to our faith could not be contained in a Sunday meeting type of Christianity.Anyway, just from hanging out, being salt and light and praying for them - some of our friends at university experienced and embraced Jesus. One was an ex-Jehovah's witness, half Jamacian and half German. The other was a muslim and a communist from Iran. What a beautiful little church that was! It was built around our relationship to Christ, and our genuine love for one another. I learned as much from them as they from me. I still miss that "church" and I miss those friends. I recently heard (or read) someone say that if church develops 'organically', then it will naturally be homogenous in nature, as people choose to b... More About: Church , Experience , Simple , Peri , Erie
Another Orange? Yes, Master.
2007-09-05 09:19:00 This makes me miss Japan. I found this on engrish.com. One of my favourite sites. More About: Orange , Master , Mast , Aster
Processes in Reformation
2007-09-04 09:17:00 Browsing the blogosphere I've come across many people on a journey of reformational Christianity. Some are just dissatisfied with church-as-we-know-it and have a longing for something deeper, an expression of Christianity that is not centered around a 2 hour presentation on Sunday mornings. Some have been more seriously disillusioned with institutional Christianity. And some have been outright used, abused and betrayed. The scope and diversity of experiences is vast, but nonetheless there is a common desire for reformation and for an authentic expression of the gospel Jesus preached: the Kingdom of God (versus the kingdom of church).With the more serious cases involving hurt and disillusionment, I find people walking a painful path of detox. Coming off of the religion, and finding freedom from its addictions. I've observed a grieving process taking place (with the usual steps: anger, depression and the rest of it) as people experience a real sense of loss when they come out of the... More About: Processes
It's not like we think
2007-09-02 08:59:00 I found a fascinating and quite entertaining presentation on global statistics regarding health and income distribution. The world is a complex place, and we have a tendency to oversimplify it with our preconceived notions. This little presentation gives a good visual of how the world has been changing since the 1960's (when concepts such as the western world and the third world became intellectually fashionable). I usually HATE statistics. I loathe it, it's too mathmatical for me quite frankly. But I am a visual and creative type - and this little video really appealed to me. Artistic Statistics, you could call it. Anyway, you can watch it here. It takes about 20 minutes.
What Jamie Saw
More articles from this author:2007-09-01 22:19:00 I just finished reading this short book by Carolyn Coman. It's children's literature (written at a level for young teens) so it's an easy read. I think I finished it in about an hour (and I'm a slow reader). The book starts out, "When Jamie saw him throw the baby, saw Van throw the little baby, saw Van throw his little sister Nin, then they moved." My sister works in the public school system in Montana as a teaching assistant in a special class for emotionally disturbed (ED) children. This book is like a small window into their lives, and reveals the effects that witnessing violence can have on children. The hero of the book, Jamie, is a third grader. I really recommend this book, and it's given me a lot to think/pray about. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
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