Category: reflections

how then shall we blog?

It seems that I’m reading more and more thoughts from followers of Christ (and maybe those who aren’t) who are looking at the proper etiquette and attitude we should have towards blogging.

Brian McLaren said in a recent interview:

It’s way easier to talk than to actually do, and the people I respect the most spend less and less time critiquing and more and more time serving, loving, showing hospitality, listening, visiting, solving, caring, worshiping, praying, and so on.

I know for myself, I hope my blog shares more good than bad. I hope I’m writing for the common good rather than casting judgment or slinging arrows from afar. I hope my writing is amusing for some and causes others to think. I hope that the stories and thoughts I share preach good news to the poor, free the prisoners, give sight to the blind, release oppression and proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. I know this isn’t a hard and fast creed of mine. I don’t double check what I write by these standards (probably even less so when it comes to politics) but I hope that some of these thoughts/standards/ideas become more fast and true when it comes to what I share here on my blog.

I started my blog back in 2005 originally as a way to share some of my thoughts/columns/writings I had after the death of my sister. The blog then developed into a cross between a place to share my weekly newspaper column with friends and family as well as a “link dump” in which I shared things I came across that I might have formerly e-mailed to a mass group in my address book (wish more people would take that route). Of course like all things, it’s evolved from that somewhat over the last 3 years.

It’s still a link dump at times (especially thanks to the automatic delicious link posts), its still commentary on how I see life and its a place where from time to time I share what’s going on in my world (although Twitter and Flickr have become the primary aggregates for that information.

Anyways….

I hope that this blog does more to show the good in people and ideas rather than the bad. I hope it holds to a generous orthodoxy. And I hope you still enjoy it regardless and you often walk away seeing things in a different light.

On that note, Tall Skinny Kiwi shares a poem he wrote back in 2005. (still trying to get back in touch with him for a podcast interview).

how shall we then blog?

with smile we publish glad tidings daily
with giggle we reveal our mundane humanity
with sigh we mirror the tragedies of broken people
with shout we send healing words through a keyboard
with bitten lip we offer more cheek to those who despise us
with double-take we acknowledge the publisher on the screen
with mumbling we paint mysteries with strange palette
with softened voice we offer answer from ourselves
with whisper we speak beyond ourselves
with twinkle we welcome past friends

to reawaken childhood dreams
to publish our journeys
to record our stories
to be noticed
to be heard
to point to
others
who
must
be heard also.

what standards do you try to uphold when blogging? what attitudes do you try to follow? what is challenging about it for you?

related ::
duncan mcfadzean :: blogging is not the solution
jesus manifesto :: brian mclaren – a new kind of ancient
tall skinny kiwi :: how then shall we blog
SSL :: first blog post
my links on delicious
my micro-blogging on twitter
my photos on flickr

Quote of the day

Jesus didn’t say, “I was in prison and you wrote a book for me, I was naked and you complained on your blog about the church’s failure to clothe me, I was sick and you raised money for your salaries using a picture of me,” and so on.

– Brian McLaren
HT: Duncan McFadzean

Unforced rhythms

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

Matthew 11:28-30

HT to Headphonaught

What a great image of God and Jesus.

“Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.”

I remember in elementary school I was in the band. I played snare drum simply because I couldn’t play a wind or brass instrument thanks to my orthodontist work. When I first started out, I had to force the rhythm at times. I had to work on getting it right. But as I became familiar with the song and the drum, it became easier. Suddenly it wasn’t forced. It was natural.

The same happened when I took piano lessons. The more I did it, the less forced it was. The more natural it became. Now years later, it’s a real effort for me to sit and read music. There are a few songs that still come naturally to me – but don’t ask me to read the music for it – I’ll be lost in an instant. It’s because I’m out of practice and now what may have been unforced rhythm takes a lot of effort.

Throughout life I see this pattern over and over again.

Imagine grace becoming such a thing we’re so used to giving and receiving that it just comes natural. It’s just a natural rhythm of life. It isn’t a pain to give when asked. It isn’t a forced effort to smile at someone we’re not particularly found of. It isn’t unusual to accept the unacceptable or the unloved.

When grace becomes an unforced rhythm of life – suddenly we love those who least expect it and love those who lease deserve it.

Imagine what would happen if grace became an unforced rhythm of life just as music was to Evan in the movie August Rush? What if it just flowed from us each and every day?

Focus on the Family prays for a blessing on Obama

http://flickr.com/photos/publik18/2549501861/

Church Marketing Sucks reports that the political arm of Focus on the Family, Focus on the Family Action (a registered 501-C4), is asking folks to pray for rain during Obama’s acceptance speech in Denver.

While rain sounds like a horrible way to kick off a campaign, a co-worker suggests that she’s always heard that rain is a blessing. After a dry spell here in North Texas – I can definitely say that today’s rain is a blessing.

When you think about it, how often do we sing songs and read Scripture where folks praying for God’s blessings to flow like rain?

Even the Hebrew Talmud says, “The day when rain falls is as great as the day on which heaven and earth were created.”

Perhaps Focus on the Family is praying for something they may not really want.

Of course – I’ve found that true in my life as well so many other times :-).

What other ways/times have you found rain to be a blessing?

related ::
Church Marketing Sucks :: Praying for Rain on Obama & Saying No to Money
KOAA.com :: man prays for rain
Focus on the Family
Focus on the Family Action
My Jewish Learning :: Rain as a Blessing

Mark Batterson :: Wild Goose Chase

Well I’ve finished my copy of Wild Goose Chase by Mark Batterson (In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day). Started the book on Saturday and wrapped it up today at lunch. It was a great easy read at 174 pages.

This is one of those books I’m sure my friends and family hate me reading — because I’m constantly stumbling upon great thoughts/quotes/ideas and dropping them txt messages or Tweets throughout the day to share those same thoughts.

As previously mentioned, the idea/title of the book comes from the name the Celtic Christians had for the Holy Spirit – an Geadh-Glas or “the Wild Goose.” It may seem strange calling the Holy Spirit “The Wild Goose” – especially when you consider what we typically mean when we say, “a wild goose chase” (in fact I’ve already gotten an e-mail from someone who doesn’t like the “double entendre”) — but to me I definitely identify with this image of the Holy Spirit.

When you’re following God’s plan for your life, I’ve found that it’s very rare for you to know exactly where you’re heading. And at times the path you’re heading down may seem pointless “but rest assured, God is working His plan.”

Throughout the book Batterson gives examples of six different cages we find ourselves in that keep us from truly chasing The Wild Goose. I found myself identifying with pieces of each one – but primarily the cage of responsibility.

I often find myself thinking, “I could do this – but I have other responsibilities I’m tied to.” I also find myself wanting, as Batterson puts it, for “God to provide miraculous signs before I come out of my cage.” I want God to part the river before I get my feet wet. Yet if we live our faith out this way — is it really faith?

Batterson points out that Mark concludes his witness of Jesus Christ by writing, “They went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following.” If we get moving, God will confirm our direction along the way. That’s probably a good reason why Batterson will frequently make note on his blog that when it comes to his ministry and church, “everything’s an experiment.” We can’t simply wait for God to show us each and every step we should take. Sometimes you just have to stop praying and actually act by stepping out on to the water.

I also love Batterson’s point about the call for Christians to react in a way that’s counter to the world’s way of reacting. Throughout this year I’ve been challenged over and over again by authors like Brian McLaren and Shane Claiborne to be a true follower of Christ’s “third-way.” Batterson summarizes and explains it simply when he says, “it is much easier to act like a Christian than it is to react like one.”

Most of us are good actors — we can play the part. But our reactions reveal who we really are. And maybe that is why Jesus focused so much of His teaching on reconditioning reflexes.

Pray for those who persecute you.
Love your enemies.
Bless those who curse you.
If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.
If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.

… the supernatural reaction is both counterintuitive and counterreactive. Jesus taught us to turn the other cheek. Think of it as spiritual aikido. We absorb the energy of others and convert it into a righteous response. So persecution becomes a catalyst for prayer. Hatred inspires love. And we convert curses into blessings.

Finally I was amused to re-read some of the stories Batterson’s been sharing on his blog the last year and a half. After subscribing to his blog a year or so back I often felt like I was reading a letter or a book from an old friend who’s re-telling some of the great stories of his life and laying them out as perfect illustrations for God’s love and guidance.

Skimming back through the book it seems like every page is marked to some extent. Maybe its just because this book comes at one of those points in my life where I’m feeling caught up in many of my own crazy wild goose chases, or it may just be that good of a book… you’ll just have to read it and find out for yourself.

The book drops at bookstores around the country next Tuesday – August 19th or you can pre-order it from Amazon.com via the link here in this post.

related ::
ChasetheGoose.com
Mark Batterson’s blog
SSL :: the wild goose chase

Soul Graffiti :: Experiments in Truth

Just listened to this story again via the Church Basement Roadshow. It’s a great reminder of those we’re called to serve and love.

Take some time to read it, or enjoy Mark’s reading of it via the Church Basement Roadshow.

Love those who least expect it and love those who least deserve it.

SOUL GRAFFITI
Chapter Four: Experiments in Truth
By Mark Scandrette

It is bittersweet to recall the first few years that our family lived in San Francisco. We had moved to the city with a dream: to form a community of people who would take Jesus seriously as the teacher and revolutionary he intended to be. Our new neighbors and acquaintances were quick to point out that people who called themselves “Christians” were responsible for the inquisitions, religious wars, and homophobia—not to mention the historic use of scripture to justify slavery, the massacre of native peoples, aggressive foreign policy, and the destruction of the Earth’s resources. I had to agree that there was tremendous dissonance between the dominant reputation of Christianity and the life of Christ and the early church. We desperately wanted to be people who embodied the revolution of the kingdom of love—offering an apologetic for the authenticity of the Way of Jesus as an alternative to mainstream Christianity.
Continue reading Soul Graffiti :: Experiments in Truth