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John: reflecting the mercy and grace of God
2008-06-06 09:58:00
A couple posts ago (Still Munching on Luke), I pondered Luke 1:61 and suggested that God wants us to be known for being a reflection of His mercy and grace. And then, I think about the popular image in Christian culture of John the Baptist and his ministry. This pop perception is of John as the last old covenant fire-and-brimstone, turn-or-burn type prophet. Angry. Shouting. Finger-pointing. I guess that's partly because of Hollywood, but mostly because he called people snakes. But we are snakes, you know? That shouldn't be so offensive to our sensibilities. I know that without the redeeming, sanctifying work of the cross - I'm a snake. In fact, I have to choose to remember that my inner snake is crucified with Christ. Like when I am tempted to defend or promote myself, to shape my 'image,' and other's opinions of me. Or when I am tempted to be critical or reject, or any other relational sin. Wait a second, pretty much all sin is relational when you get right down to it. And i...
More About: Grace , Mercy

The Roots of Breakdance
2008-06-04 07:39:00
I think breakdancers are some of the most creative people the world over - it is a truly global artform. So when I saw this Soviet propaganda film set to Run DMC, I had to post it. This video just gets better and better as it goes. The guy with the accordion is a 'hat tip' to Brant Hansen. Brant, can you spin through the air with your accordion like that guy? :D
More About: Roots , Breakdance , The Roots

Still Munching on Luke 1
2008-06-04 01:04:00
A while back, I started 'meditating' my way through Luke 1. I'm still there, the chapter does have 80 verses, after all! :)Verse 61 has made an impression on me: "There is no one among your relatives who are called by that name."The back story: Elizabeth and Zacharias had prayed for children. Now, she was old, as was he. But then, an angel pops in and says, "God heard your prayer - the one you gave up on, as it seemed impossible to come to pass as you grew old - and now you're going to reproduce." That's a New Sarah Standard Paraphrased Version (NSSPV). Shocking news for Zach and Elizabeth. And you know, this was all part of a bigger thing that God was fixin' to do. As "moves of God" go, this was the big one! (Of course, I'm referring to the incarnation and sacrifice of Jesus, and everything that means for the world).And so, the time to give birth came. And all Elizabeth's and Zach's friends were so happy for them, so in awe of the kindness of God toward them. And it's tim...

Move of God Part 2
2008-06-02 09:26:00
Update: On the other hand, I'm having trouble fitting Ananias and Saphira into this equation. So, just goes to show my understanding is very much in process...Barb's "What if?" post prompted my previous entry. But I think my post doesn't communicate my thoughts effectively. So I'll give it another go.My deconstructed, more basic and foundational definition of the phrase "move of God" would be His consistent movement toward reconciliation with each person He has created, and movement toward the restoration of His entire creation.I come from the Charismatic tradition. Part of the culture of that tradition is an emphasis on "moves of God." Perhaps inadvertently, many people were taught to fear "missing" the 'next move of God.' But fear is always a fruit of religion. Love, on the other hand, casts out fear. God is 'moving' in so many nations, so many families, so many places, that we could not possibly keep track of it all. He's not just moving in my tribe (the organic church m...
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Redefining the phrase "move of God"
2008-06-01 21:29:00
Barb at A Former Leader's Journey has written the most beautiful post called "What if?" My favorite part of the post is the first 'what if' - "What if God were much bigger than I had imagined?"I think that I have a propensity to draw lines of inclusion and exclusion, to create boxes in which I limit the grace of God. But I find that these lines only limit me; God keeps on doing what He does, paying scant attention to the limitations I've put on Him.God loves people both inside and outside my box, and is actively loving them (in a variety of ways). Sometimes God scatters, sometimes He gathers, sometimes He tears, sometimes He heals, sometimes He rebukes and corrects, sometimes He affirms and empowers - but always, always, always - His door is open for those who would come to be accepted in their great lack and imperfection. He is love, and yet we would try to deny Him the opportunity to love in so many ways. But, He's God, not us, so He will keep on loving and keep on moving tow...
More About: Move

This made me think, and so I prayed
2008-05-30 08:19:00
Blogger Mike Morrell contacted John Crowder to engage him in dialogue about what he's doing and the post-charismatic response in blogdom (which I find pretty similar to the reaction to Todd Bentley, and the events in Lakeland). I found Crowder's communique to be quite insightful on several points. I look forward to further interaction and future posts on Mike's blog concerning this discussion that Mike generously initiated. I think that both Mike and John have some important things they are bringing to the table and I am learning from it all. As for myself, I have remained generally quiet on these topics because I have neither been to Lakeland, nor to a John Crowder gathering. Nor have I talked with anyone who has been healed in Lakeland, or anyone who would report to have met God in a Crowder meeting. I can honestly say that while I may have difficulty with certain packaging, I am not as ready and willing to totally disregard all of this, and confidently assert that none of it i...
More About: Made

A Post-colonial Era
2008-05-29 05:25:00
Becky Garrison's book, Rising from the Ashes: Rethinking Church contains an interview posted by Brother Maynard that I just had to copy here:An excerpt from one of these interviews stuck out for me (p.50-53) as he talks about empire-building and postcolonialism.Speaking of contemporary situations, let?s talk about the challenges you see as the church moves from modernity to postmodernity.BM: There is so much argument about the word postmodern that the first thing I say is that people should be careful about reducing a very complex subject to a one dimensional kind of binary opposition where you throw everything into a blue modern bin or a green postmodern bin. I?ve always said that life is much more complex than that. Besides, in the last couple years, I have become more convinced that a better word than postmodern is postcolonial.How come?BM: As soon as you start talking about postmodernism, people want to argue about theories of knowledge and certainty, a field called epistemolog...
More About: Post

James Choung draws the Big Picture
2008-05-29 00:01:00
James Choung describes the gospel in a way that doesn't center on self. Way to go, James! And he also authored a book called True Story: a Christianity Worth Believing In. Haven't read it, but I like this guy already.HT: NextReformation
More About: Picture , James , The Big Picture , Big Picture

Resources for Serving
2008-05-28 20:13:00
Careers for Good Samaritans and Other Humanitarian Types is a great resource for anyone (living in the US) wishing to find ways to serve their communities, counties, cities, states or nation (and even some int'l opportunities). It's not just for those looking for a full time career, either. There is an entire chapter on volunteering, and how to discover what the possibilities are in your own locality. My husband brought it home from the library the other day, and I was inspired by the possibilities and examples I found in its pages. It also includes some short history behind groups such as the YWCA and Goodwill Industries of America. The common thread of those stories is that individuals and groups of people just saw a need and decided to take action. The book includes a wide variety of possibilities; everything from teaching basic sanitation to mothers in poor countries to career development programs for youth in America. I thought I would post it since I think it's a great reso...
More About: Resources

How do I pick a favorite?
2008-05-27 05:34:00
Jeff tagged me for a meme going around in which we share our favorite book of the Bible and why. This is impossible for me since my favorite tends to change, depending on the (spiritual) season. In one season, it was definitely Kings - the trials and misadventures of David as God prepared Him for His purpose, even under the corrupt rule of Saul. And Joseph's similar preparatory misadventures in Genesis. And lately, it's Luke - especially the beginning which focuses on the birth of a paradigm-shifting move of God, birthed by a barren old lady and an unwed teenage mother (Elizabeth and Mary, respectively). Currently, my favorite passage in this portion of scripture is when the angel shows up and talks to Zacharias. And he says, "your petition has been heard." (I've heard it preached that the word 'petition' there means things you have prayed for but have since given up on.) And "your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son." The end of barrenness. New, reproductive life. The motherin...
More About: Pick , Favorite

Mark on whether 'God as Judge' is PC
2008-05-26 03:07:00
I have just discovered the brilliant blog of an Aussie, Mark Sayers. His post "The Political Incorrectness of a Non-Judgmental God" is spot on. I've summarized using the quotes below, but I really recommend reading Mark's entire post."Hell sure ain?t cool these days. The idea of a post-death judgment of our actions here on earth is repugnant to the western 21st century citizen...Partly this is because we who live our lives within the Western comfort bubble have become distanced from evil......But then I am taken away from my cafe table overlooking the world, and I find myself standing and perceiving humanity from a different viewing platform. My mind?s eye is now far from home in a different place where the wind blows with a cosmic coldness. Here no one can afford to be clever or have the luxury to pontificate at a distance. This place goes by many names, Darfur, Treblinka, The Killing Fields of Cambodia, The Democratic Republic of The Congo, Srebrenica, Rwanda, Ra?s al-Ain, Koly...
More About: Judge

Interview with Abraham
2008-05-24 06:15:00
Mainline Denomination News Magazine decided to conduct an interview with Abraham , the father of the faith. What follows is a short excerpt:MDN: So our readers are all wondering, where are you going with this? I mean to leave behind an established life, an established way of doing things, your home and your relatives, the place where you belong? You must have a pretty well-defined vision to make such a bold move!A: Well, no. God spoke. I obeyed. I don?t really know where it?s headed and where the destination is. Not yet, anyway. God just told me I couldn?t stay where I was. He said He was calling me out ? to a land that He would show me. I don?t really know what it will be like.MDN: A lot of people would say that God doesn't do that. God doesn?t call people out of something with no clear vision of where He?s taking them or what it is He wants them to build for Him. That your journey out is unto nothing and nothing will come of it. What do you say to those people?A: I don?t really h...
More About: Interview

It's 30 AD All Over Again
2008-05-23 08:25:00
This is a fantastic video of Reggie McNeal sharing testimonies of the amazing harvest that is taking place around the world, and giving a timely message to the western church. It can happen for us too!

Dreaming of London
2008-05-22 20:25:00
My husband's grandmother was British, giving us the opportunity to apply for a five- year "UK ancestry visa." We are looking into the possibility of emigrating since London offers many job possibilities in global social justice and peacebuilding issues (and we have kingdom friends of the same heart in the area). Just a possibility at this point...
More About: Dreaming

I can't even think of an appropriate title...
2008-05-19 08:44:00
Ok, here's what I'll blog about:This is the living standard for the majority of the inhabitants of Kampala:And this is the UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund) building in Kampala:My husband informs me the floor inside the building is marble. Personally, that makes my stomach turn. How did we ever let this world get this sick? I am not interested in bashing the UN. Rather, I am interested in confronting the attitude of self-congratulatory 'help' for the poor among the int'l community when they spend their resources funding themselves, their own luxurious structures and their own staff (whose salaries are unheard of in places like Kampala). All those resources coming in from the first world member nations, and so little of it actually reaching the focus of their mission: the children of Uganda. This is something I have a very difficult time tolerating. There is something inherently so injust in these two photos side by side. God, forgive us.
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My Baby and I
2008-05-19 08:21:00
Blogging ebbs and flows for me. I'm in an ebb. So here's a nice picture for you to look at. :)
More About: Baby

Redefining the Church
2008-05-17 22:17:00
Alan is one of my favorite bloggers, and "Redefining the Chruch" is a concise, yet poignant entry on his blog (bold added by me):"This is not an article about the scriptural definition of the church. Instead, it is about how our terminology and use of words has worked in such a way as to re-define our understanding of church. I mean "re-define" in the sense of defining church in a manner that is not consistent with the description of the church that we see in Scripture.What kinds of terms and words am I talking about? Well, there are many. And, I'll list a few later. But for now, when you read about the church, when you watch television programs that discuss the church, when you see churches arguing and fighting to the point of splitting, when you see Christians talking about important aspects of the church, what terms and phrases are used? What concepts concerning "church" are important to believers today as demonstrated by their conversations and writings?I would suggest that man...
More About: Church , The Church

Worth 1,000 Words
2008-05-13 19:55:00
My husband took many photos of his trip to Uganda. This one impacted me the most. These are a couple of orphans from northern Uganda (where there has been conflict with the LRA for the past 20 years). Their parents murdered, their villages burned, these children now live in a small orphanage called Jesus Village where they receive good care and education. Upon my husband's arrival, they ran to their room to proudly display this banner that they had produced to represent themselves. It speaks for itself... (you can click on the image to enlarge it).
More About: Words , Worth

Trucker Frank, Can You Give us a Ride?
2008-05-10 07:41:00
I just discovered these videos of Tony Jones (whom I'd never heard of before, but is apparently an "emerging" type. Or is he an "emergent" type? I forget) and the very cool cucumber Trucker Frank . Here's episodes 1 through 3, each are around 9 minutes long. Their conversations are interesting and lead me to ask, "What are we (the church) so afraid of? Afraid of controversy? Afraid to be questioned? Afraid to ask hard questions? Or in Maria's case (episode 2), afraid of people's sin or struggles? Why are the people of God so afraid?" Well, maybe when we (relationally) get to know God, we aren't afraid anymore. We are free.HT: Glenn
More About: Ride , Give

Is New Apostolic Reformation a misnomer?
2008-05-08 22:22:00
A fantastic discussion regarding "taking our cities for Christ" and the apostolic movement (of the American and Australian flavors) is circulating in post-charismatic blogdom. I think this is a really important discussion. And it relates to my thoughts in the previous post on Power vs. Authority.I believe the New Apostolic Reformation is a misnomer since it is based upon and embraces old wineskin culture, institutional hierarchy and other worldly perceptions of power (even if the intention is to utilize power to tranform localities in a positive way). I personally never attended a charismatic church that preached "taking our cities for Christ" but I assume this tagline is from Ted Haggard's book title back in the mid 90's. Having gone through a detox process not just from charismatic culture, but also from a lot of ungodly aspects of American culture (which is probably ongoing), I think I prefer "releasing the kingdom of heaven on earth" to "taking our cities for Christ".The true ...

Six Word Memoir
2008-05-08 04:19:00
Heather tagged me to participate in the Six Word Memoir Meme:So here's mine:Peculiar Woman in Search of GodIt lacks the sophistication for a memoir title and sounds more like one of those human interest newstory headlines, but whatever. :)The fine print:1. Write the title to your own memoir using 6 words.2. Post it on your blog.3. Link to the person that tagged you.4. Tag five more blogs.I tag:ShaunKansas BobBarbBekRachel

An Inspiring Financial Report/Budget
2008-05-07 05:27:00
Ken pastors "church for those who live outside" in the Portland area called HOME PDX. They meet outside. He and his crew distribute little necessities like socks and sweatshirts. They acknowledge these 'invisibles' and befriend them, encourage them and help them (however they can) to change their lives.This is a recent financial report from Ken sent out to supporters of HOME PDX:You gave more than twenty five hundred dollars and I went on a spending spree..Here's our operational plan: get money and then spend it as fast as we can on our friends without houses. We're really (I mean really) good at the spending part; the getting is a little more problematic, but you folks came through this time with flying colors.A partial rundown:$700 for our friends who were burned out of their squat. Backpacks,shoes, pants, gear$1,300 (and counting) for our young friend in a tight spot with lung cancer. Transportation, medical supplies, chewing tobacco (come on, it's better than having him smo...
More About: Financial , Report , Budget

Power vs. Authority
2008-05-05 23:44:00
From "power, weakness, and the hope of transformation" at Next Reformation:"Authority is different. If you obey because me you must, I have power. If you obey me because you want to, I have authority. Jesus, unlike Pilate or Herod, did not speak with power, but as ?one having authority.? Max Weber says that all authority comes from love and sacrifice. The more sacrifice, the more authority."I've been pondering the difference between power and authority lately. I think this is something we have been confused about in North American Christianity and have often sought after power (legal power, political power, cultural power, or power within our ecclessia relations with one another) rather than seeking after authority. It seems to me that power is not a kingdom value, but authority is. When I look at Jesus and His explanation of His authority, He points to His willingness to lay down His life. John 10:17-18:"For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may...
More About: Power

Glenn's May Synchroblog
2008-05-05 07:03:00
Glenn at Re-dreaming the Dream is hosting a synchroblog that I decided to participate in. (Maybe this will help cure a bit of blogger's block).These are Glenn's questions for the synchroblog:How are you doing?I'm doing pretty well. I seem to have finally embraced an "at rest-ness" and feel much more at peace than I have ever been in the past. At peace, despite knowing a life-transition is just ahead, and yet not seeing where that will lead. At peace, despite living on less and consuming less than I ever have previously (in terms of consumer goods, still getting plenty of food and shelter and other necessities) :). At peace, despite all the imperfections of life and relationships in my immediate sphere. At peace, despite all the brokenness and suffering of so many, including those outside my immediate sphere. I am more at rest in general, and hope this is just the beginning of a trend in my life that continues to deepen.What are you doing?Right now I'm visiting my family in NW Mo...

Everyone Can Play
2008-05-02 06:25:00
Here's a mock music video I found on Youtube. Apparently, this guy is now a huge internet star. Although, I have to say that 2 Chinese Boys do it better (search youtube for their videos - I'm a big fan). (Bunny trail alert!) Although I haven't been able to afford this little luxury, WIRED magazine is one of my favorites since it's all about how technology affects society and vice-versa. So, I haven't been up to speed in that cultural discussion for a while, but I was thinking about some of the new technologies and how they have levelled the playing field. Now anyone can play. Anyone who wishes to speak up can have a voice. We are no longer dependent on huge corporate machines to determine our entertainment for us. We the "Volk" (or 'folk' in English) are now entertaining ourselves and each other. Blogging is much the same, anyone can play. (I also see paralells within the kingdom of God and His church, but I'm trying to have fun here and not be so heavy and serious all the t...
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Here's to the mentors!
2008-04-30 22:52:00
I think I prefer the word 'mentor,' since it is more relational than the word 'leader.' At least when considering the nuances of our cultural perception words. I really don't have anything against the word 'leader' - but rather, against cultural understandings of it that are opposed to how the kingdom of God operates. 'Mentor' seems to capture the servant quality that Jesus manifests, while 'leader' tends toward an understanding that emphasizes the platform, or climbing the ladder above others. Real kingdom leaders could care less about either. I do believe that some people can lead you closer to Jesus by living as a visible example without necessarily being directly involved in your life. For me, those people include Graham Cooke, Wolfgang Simson, Micheal Frost, Bill Johnson and Heidi Baker among others. But, for the purposes of this post, I want to talk about people who have been part of my life either for a season, or permanently (not in any specific order).Thank you:...
More About: Mentors

Practicing Love
2008-04-30 06:35:00
I don't know how to share this. Some things are difficult to articulate, especially the things that are so simple that they are easily missed. I am being drawn back to love. Again and again. I changed my video bar to include Heidi Baker because God keeps reminding me of something she said that I knew was straight from His heart: "Just love the one in front of you."It's too easy to find reasons to reject. We all have plenty of flaws! Have you ever looked down on someone because they thought they were better than other people? Have you ever rejected someone for not being loving enough? See the irony... no wait... the hypocricy in that? Like I said, we all have plenty of flaws.If acceptance is grace, rejection is ungrace. That's probably not a word, but it sounds appropriately distasteful.God keeps telling me that there is already plenty of rejection to go around, I don't need to add my bit to that pile of dung.'Just love the one in front of you,' He says.Some days, that's my te...
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Impressions of Uganda
2008-04-28 22:36:00
My husband Shane is in Uganda , fulfilling a field requirement of his MA program in human security and peacebuilding. His last three posts are some of his reflections on this trip:Experiencing Poverty in UgandaWorld Malaria Day and Strange Days. (Two seperate posts, but I made them one link here).
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Can churches be missional and dualistic at the same time?
2008-04-25 20:27:00
Len at NextReformation has written the following:It seems to me that there are two shifts we need to make in our church culture in order to engage more deeply in the Missio Dei, and we are well into one while the other is barely on the radar.1. we need to recognize that the western culture is now a missional context. Ok, we got that one.2. we need to recognize the way the private/public and sacred/secular duality has impacted our ecclesial and leadership models, and see how this duality is limiting our ability to transition from attractional and inward to outward and incarnational practice.The way we mobilize and release workers continues to partake of that Christendom duality. Our practice, if not our words, in most churched circles, reveals our belief that some believers are called and anointed as workers, but not all. And even where we have this part down in theory, we still tend to exalt full time church-based ministry above other modes of kingdom engagement.But so long as we wo...
More About: Churches , Time

A Couple Great Posts and One Cool Video
2008-04-23 22:15:00
What's Your Number? posted at Windblown Hope is a must read for the little people. Jesus is taking His church back (His people, not buildings) and they are discovering that they can participate in kingdom reproduction in their own little spheres of their everyday lives without having to start a 'credible' church by having big numbers or critical mass. I absolutely love this post!If Jesus Had a Blog posted at Letters from Kamp Krusty. Brant's been on a roll lately, and this one had me laughing deep, belly laughs. Too much fun...
More About: Video , Cool , Great , Couple , Posts