Stop The Violence Now!

     So yesterday, a young 24 year old gunman goes into a movie theatre and guns down over 60 people and leaves 12 dead and 50 wounded.  The movie set to play was the final chapter of "The Dark Night."  Batman. Americans have become so increasingly violent that I am now having difficulty with those who misuse the US constitution's 2nd amendment as an excuse for the continued violence.  The right to bear arms was to give ordinary Americans the right to overthrow the government should they find their government not fulfilling their constitutional duties.  It was not designed for murdering other Americans in a movie theatre.  But, the more disturbing trend to me is the increased violence on TV, video games, movies like "Hunger Games" and the like. Recently, when I took my young teenage daughter to "Hunger Games" I was appalled how easily the crowd cheered at the killings in the movie.  It was as though we were in the Colosseum in Rome where people were thrown to the lions and crowds cheered as the victims were torn apart by the animals.

     As a Christian, reclaiming my spiritual and family heritage as a Quaker, I am becoming more and more convinced to the ideas of the Quaker Peace Testimony.  Friends' peace testimony is largely derived from beliefs arising from the teachings of Jesus to love one's enemies.  To go to war and kill one another for the sake of peace or justice, in a world where we have learned to define successes, amass our fortunes or win our arguments at the expense of others like us (our enemies) is not how Jesus taught us how to resolve conflict nor did he define success in the way Americans define it.    Quakers believe that nonviolent confrontation of evil and peaceful reconciliation are always superior to violent measures. Peace testimony does not mean that Quakers engage only in passive resignation; in fact, they often practice passionate activism.  Another words, they run to conflicts to help bring resolve and reconciliation.  Quakerism focuses on "The Lion laying down with the Lamb."  

     Why is it our gaming industry teaches children violence and war as the way to resolve conflict and war?  Please explain to me why our country needs a "Standing Army" during non-war times?  Did you know that in early American history when a war was over the Army went home. There were no standing armies!  Sure would reduce the pentagon budget. Americans have become increasing violent and militaristic. It's time to STOP THE VIOLENCE in our culture.  It's time for peace-making with our borders.  Where is the courage to stand up against building more weapons, bombs, and increased militarization?  Can you see Jesus holding a gun and killing his enemies? 

       I am concerned - our kids kill people now and laugh when violence happens...  We need a shaking as a nation. We need to come to our senses... especially in the Christian community.  I'm afraid to many "Religionist" in our culture see Jesus, guns, and standing armies as the means of peace-making. The unfortunate thing is there is no evidence of that in our land today... just more violent shooting in a movie theater.  

      

Political Musings and American folly!

So, today I've had a good day resting and catching on my personal political musings. Now as many of my international friends have heard - we are in an election year here in the USA.  Our choices are President Obama, (I.e., according to 1/3 of all americans) born in Kenya and muslim despite the fact he has proclaimed himself a Christian and member of United Church Of Christ. (Uniting Church to my friends overseas) and holding a birth certificate from Hawaii. (Oh, I forgot The kingdom of Hawaii is a sovereign nation so he is foreign born) Then we have Governor Willard Romney who is mormon born to a family known for its polygamist history in Mexico and believes one day he will be a GOD. No Jokes friends! Romney of course, is the darling of Wall Street and is worth $200 million.  Obama is worth 11.8 million. Both men are pro-death (abortion), pro-gay marriage, and for universal health care like Canada, Australia, New Zealand, England, and Germany. (Very Socialist nations)   Hmmm... now what should I do to ensure my vote is in line with my Christian faith?  No Republican President has repealed Roe v. Wade.  Republican's (including Romney) called for universal health care with individual mandates long before Hillary Clinton called for it. So I'm in a dilemma!  According to my "Christian Republican" friends a vote for Obama is a pro vote to end America as we know it. According to them, America will become like Western European socialistic governments.  Hmmm... I like Great Britain, Germany, Denmark, Holland, Switzerland... great places to live visit and crime rate is low. Italy has great coffee, wine and food.  NO FAT PEOPLE either weighing down their health care systems - no skyrocketing insurance costs as a result either.  I like the Queens, the prime ministers, the parliaments, and shared values we have with these countries - after all most WHITE americans came from these places.  Yet, if Obama gets elected - That's it!  No more starbucks, no more small businesses - communism, atheism,  and totalitarianism will replace the constitution.  For the first time in American history we will suffer the total loss of our country according to the right wing neo-conservatives of the Republican party if Obama gets a second term. If I vote for Romney, I vote for jobs :)  in singapore, india, pakastan and the phillipines!  It will improve our ability in international trade against China, Japan, and Germany especially.

Voting for a republican will end abortion, protect marriage (with it's 62% divorce rate), end gay rights, restore America to her past as a Christian nation - killing first nation's people, enslaving africans... etc., and get rid of all these damn hispanics, asians, and muslims invading our borders and 7-11 stores. Let's not forget the importance of ensuring that we need a strong military force to protect our American interest in Iran.  We'll get all that new oil out of Montana, Colorado, Pennsylvania Shale mines and put the Arabs out of business if we just vote for Willard!  

Obama is going to get everybody on Welfare.  We won't need jobs. Permanent vacations for everyone!  We'll have "Solar Power," "Wind Power," government cars that run on water and a banking system that is regulated. He'll destroy the billionaire wealth creators who promise to give everyone their fair share... and oh wait, "He'll let mormons have multiple wives again" as long as same sex marriages are included.  Yes, we must stop him for those old conservative values!

Remember when conservative George Wallace, the Governor of Alabama, promised of "segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever" when he ran for president?

Did you know that Eisenhower campaigned on the traditional ideas of a 1950 home and family even though his mother was an African-American like Obama!

Let's not forget President Nixon making it clear "I'm not a crook!" and then ended up resigning before his impending impeachment!  He may not have been a crook but he certainly stretched the truth about the mexican break in at The Watergate Hotel.

Restore America????  To what?  Rev. Robert Hunt (who supposedly made a sacred covenant) on the shores of Cape Henry accused his wife of adultry and divorced his wife and left his son Thomas with her just before coming to the shores of Cape Henry.

"The Light and The Glory" puritans of New England massacred the first nations in mass and then took whole native families and sold them into slavery.

Even though William Penn treated the Leni-Lenapi with respect he owned and traded African-slaves.  

so in light of the trial of tears, the doctrine of discovery enslaving people being written into our laws in 1823 (and never removed) What time period of America do we want to restore this nation too?   Yes. it's the end of the world as we know it... and even though Modern America is drifting into the sunset with the rise of Post-modern, post-colonialism America - We'll all be fine!  Even if Obama gets a second term... 


 I will still be a spirit-led Christian, choosing to vote my conscience, continue to win people to Christ, and still try to make my world a better place... even if my friends think I'm going to hell for voting the wrong way!   Ghee!  Freedom of faith, freedom of conscience, freedom of press...  don't you hate it?

Confessions of a spoiled Christian

A number of years ago, we renamed our church "CrossRhythm Church."  The thought behind the name was "there are rhythms of life, "patterns" or "stages/passages" of life that we all go through developmentally. These stages include:

1) Early adult transition (17-22) - leave adolescence, make preliminary choices for adult life

2) Entering the adult world (22-28) - make initial choices in love, occupation, friendship, values, lifestyle

3) Age 30 transition (28-33) - changes occur in life structure, either a moderate change or, more often, a severe and stressful crisis

4) Settling down (33-40) - establish a niche in society, progress on a timetable, in both family and career accomplishments; are expected to think and behave like a parent so they are facing more demanding roles and expectations .

5) Mid-life transition (40-45) - life structure comes into question, usually a time of crisis in the meaning, direction, and value of each person's life.  neglected parts of the self (talents, desires, aspirations) seek expression.  Men are seen more as parents than as “brothers” to other men who are somewhat younger than them and this message comes as an irritation at first.  Also at this time, men becoming increasingly aware of death and they are reminded of how short life really is.  They become involved in trying to leave a legacy and this usually forms the core of the second half of his life.

6) middle adulthood (45-50) - choices must be made, a new life structure formed. Person must commit to new tasks. It is here that we have to take all we know and apply it and finish a life of significance or find ourselves completely stagnated because we didn't finish the tasks of former stages of life. 

However, the most important aspect we have to apply to each stage of life is the cross.  This means in each transition we make in life "we must die to our self-life" and recommit ourselves to making Christ the center of our lives. Phil. 1:21 says, "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." So, we concluded that we would be a people who would learn to apply the Cross to each Rhythm of life.

At this point in my life, after 35 years of great ministry, I've surprised myself at how disillusioned I've become with what I use to think was important in life.  I find myself digging to find things that really matter in life.  My marriage is strong, my kids are doing great, I love where I live and I love the people God has given me to serve. But my spirit is grieved by the American Church world. It preaches "grace" only after getting caught in "sin."  It preaches "forgiveness" only after "abuse, dysfunction, and divorce."  It endorses and enables "addiction" in various forms while promoting "group" co-dependency.  Instead of preaching the gospel, "The American Church" tends to alienate the people who need it the most.  I love Jesus. I love his people (when I can find them).  But, there has got to be more than this current state in our journey of faith than this.   

Beer Cans and Butterflies! A Journey In Facing Our Fears!

Over the last few year, the whole nation has been severely tested.  People have lost jobs, had their homes foreclosed on, and have faced all kinds of life threatening situations. It has become very disillusioning for many people across our nation. Hope has been dashed, people have struggled to hold onto to their faith as they cry out in prayer and often have expressed how they have felt God has left them behind.  Such is the story of the Bible.  I am not a part of the self-affirmation movement (Word Of Faith).  I am not a part of the performance orientation movement (Strive For Success).  Lamentations 3:37 says "Who can speak a thing and make it come to pass if God hasn't authorized it?"  Left to our own devises, we have an endless capacity for self-absortion and self-deception. I like to think of the trouble we encounter in our lives, whether self-inflicted, devil created, or God-directed, as the teaching moments of our lives.  Instead of reaching out to our outer world, when in pain, God's goal is to direct us inward so that we can reclaim our private selves for reflection, reconnection, and spiritual growth.  To ignore God's calling in these times of trouble is to live a "Divided Life" - Living a public life not connected to our private inner life is fraudulent and inauthentic.  That's why we need testings.  To show us exactly where we are in our spiritual journey.  Do we really believe that "God IS" and the rewarder of those who diligently seek him?  God is What?  A deliverer, a healer, a comforter, a refuge in the time of trouble? Or, do I seek comfort in secret additions, alcohol, sex, church, gambling, shopping, and other dysfunctional life choices?  God IS?  A present help in the time of trouble! 

Author Parker Palmer explains in his book, "A Hidden Wholeness,"  that a dualistic life is the result of "trying to conceal our true identity for fear of being criticized, shunned, or attacked."  He says, "We hide our beliefs from those who disagree with us to avoid conflict, challenge, and change."  As a result, we stay in settings or relationships that steadily kill off our spiritual nurture.  So God allows circumstances to come into our lives to move us to where we should be- unless we refuse to change.  Then we just get the pain.  In my spiritual journey, I've arrived into a new place in my life.  I'm still very committed to being optimistic, a good husband, father, and good leader in a faith community... however, the integration of my faith, values, dreams, and courage is still my life's ambition. I am, like many other boomers (born 1956-1965) committed to personal development, dreaming of achieving a perfectly balanced life, tolerant of egalitarian marriage and leadership.  I'm committed to Organic food, leadership, community, and theology.  I accept social experiments and refuse to accept my parents ideas of middle age.  I am a part of the generation who is going to redefine it for ourselves.

I'm glad I'm not a fundementalist, an infallabilist, or subscribe to inerrant interpretations of scripture.  I have a hard time thinking in terms of a God with a multiple personality disorder.  I believe in having uncommon dialogues with God in language only understood by Him without having a need for a mood altering experience.  I love being human and i want to be fully present in my trouble, in my pain, and the journey through it - God this is hard!  This is not me being saddistic... it's me wanting the life experience that enables me to have deeper relationships, a more meaningful story and finding that real reason for being.  My problem is I love fleeing from pain and avoiding facing my fears.  God help me in my times of trouble. I'm scared to death!  That's the truth and i don't need to be confessing "I Think I Can, I think I Can" - like the little engine that thought he could.  it's just not me.  So rather than just taking refuge in a beer can and having butterflies in my stomack... I'm choosing to say "YES" and I can't wait to read Robert A Schuller's new book, "When your down to nothing, God is up to something."   It's a good word in a time of trouble.

Challenging Ourselves

The other night I was watching Oprah Winfrey's LifeClass on OWN.  TD Jakes was the guest speaker.

His topic was on "how passion leads to purpose."  It was a good program.  However, it made me face the things in me that I don't want to challenge because I'm comfortable.  Writing your own story, defining yourself, and pursuing the meaningful things you think are important is what life is all about.  My grandfather, John Berry, use to sit me on his lap as a little boy and qoute Jesus' words, "What shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul?  Wat will a man give in exchange for his life?"  These are two of the most important questions we must all ask ourselves. Life is precious. What am I willing to exchange (our time is a commodity) for a day of my life?  Is it wasting time on meaningless relationships?  Trying to earn other's approvals?  The fact is, my life and all that's important to me is nobody else's business.  If everyone was doing and pursuing what is important to them then they wouldn't be in my life trying to tell me how to spend my time. I know what I am called to do.  It may not be something your interested in however it's important to me... and I have fifteen years to finish it!  So I am on a project management track to complete what I believe God told me to do in 1988.  Build a great church and conference center in Annapolis, Maryland.  It takes time and is a great vision.  My passion is to win the lost, disciple the found, heal the hurting.  I love ministering prophetically all over the world but more than that I love my family, my church and the place I live and work everyday...  It's a great place that challenges me to grow everyday. I will finish what I started.

An Uncommon Dialogue

    Could "speaking in tongues" as outlined in the Book of Acts be the incarnation of language and thought? Since all forms and modes of human communication are inadequate, is it possible that when The Holy Spirit was poured out on the Day of Pentecost that the new gift of language was a call to believers to a more perfect mode of communication? Was it a call to have a higher regard for language and communicating the Gospel? If so, then why do so many "Evangelicals" object to the practice of speaking in tongues- there are lots of world languages that are spoken and not understood. My dear Kenyan Friend, Mannaseh Mankuleiyo has said, "I have travelled the world over and am almost convinced that whatever is spoken may mean something to someone some where. "La la la la" is no no no no in swahili, "baba" of course means father, "haha haha" means here - in kikuyu "hoho" is a vegetable in mijikenda so what is language and what is not I ask?"  My personal view of those who define incarnational lanuage as "glossolalia" have used this dismissive term to limit the creativity of language.  Incarnational Language is a personal, intimate, and uncommon dialogue with God.  (See I Cor. 14:2)
     So if a person speaks "french" in Canada - should the English population insist on the "french" refraining it's public use because they don't understand it or they should be required to translate everything for them just because they don't understand what is being said? What if the French don't understand English - shouldn't they be required the same? Speaking in Tongues is a God-given gift for all believers. (See I Cor. 13) Shouldn't every believer have access to all forms of communication and "language?". Why do "evangelicals" forbid speaking in tongues, when the Bible says, ‘Forbid not to speak in tongues’ (1 Cor. 14:39)?” Maybe it's because most "evangelicals" are colonial in nature and have their own demand for Evangelical political correctness...  "Political correctness is loosely defined as “avoidance of expressions or actions that can be perceived to exclude or marginalize or insult people who are socially disadvantaged or discriminated against.”  Maybe that's why the people who gathered around the disciples as they spoke in languages they were unfamiliar with were amazed. They heard them speaking in ways that were inclusive of them. Incarnational language is always inclusive.  I often wonder if those who oppose incarnational expressions as outlined in the book of Acts have forgotten the age old question, "Have you received the Holy Spirit since  you believed?" (see Acts 19).  If not, then there should be evidence in your use and creativity of language.  There ought to be evidence in our everyday experiences with the Holy Spirit's incarnation in our lives - Speaking in new and fresh ways as the spirit gives utterance to us.
     "Language," is an outstanding rant on the absurdity of being a pedant about the English language, that most glorious, reeling drunken bastard of a tongue that has neither academy nor dictator to rule on "correctness" and so has blossomed into a million variegated subforms in every corner of the globe. When people insist on "correctness" in language, we should be urged to speak in ways that entertain and please us, rather than adhering to some rigid, notional code. Imagine  the limitations and restrictions "political correctness would make on the works of Shakespeare, Maya Angelou poems, or Helen Steiner Rice inspirational thoughts.  

     In fact, author John Hicks, has stated, " incarnational language expresses the hope that there will be a growing awareness of the mythological character of this language as the hyperbole of the heart, most naturally at home in hymns and anthems and oratorios and other artistic expressions of the poetry of devotion. Christianity will  -- we may hope -- outgrow its theological fundamentalism, its literal interpretation of the idea of incarnation, as it has largely outgrown its biblical fundamentalism." Use and meaning of words change all the time.  Prayer can be inhibited by limited vocabulary.  Language should be viewed like works of art.  Great artistic works are designed with great expression and wonder. So too should we master our use of language when communicating the wonders of our creator.  The Day of Pentecost was a great day of expression.  The Apostle Paul said he spoke in languages of men and angels.  In other words, his expressions in prayer and devotion to God were not limited to his known knowledge of the Greek or Hebrew languages.  Speaking in an unfamiliar incarnational language celebrates change, evolution, playfulness and the democratizing of the tongue. Every word of this is well-spoken, well-thought-out and absolutely liberating. What a treat!
     Praying in the spirit should be like an artist expressing themselves on canvas.  I have often found that when my english language limits my deepest feelings and communication in prayer, I need to have an uncommon, unfamiliar dialogue with God.  God understands each language of the world but is not limited to the "words" that we speak. His language is in the air that we breathe. Praying in languages that we have not learned or understand should be as easy as breathing air.  It's songs should move us beyond the sounds of music known on earth and captivate our expression of worship. 

     In a time when political correctness seeks to limit the use of language and expression; we should seek to find new creative ways to communicate our faith.  The protestant reformation removed art from places of worship as much as political correctness seeks to limit incarnational language.  Those who claim to be "Baptized in The Holy Spirit" should find no limitations in their intimacy with God because of their ability to exercise their incarnational languages. In fact, if you don't speak in tongues what makes you think you can artistically express the other giftings found in I Cor. 12.  The real truth is anyone who does not speak in tongues is as limited in their communication with God as someone who tries to play music but never took a lesson.  Unskilled musicians limit worship just as limited uses of language in prayer inhibits a dialogue with God.  I'm glad I speak in "Tongues" so that I can enjoy uncommon dialogues with God.  If you are "Filled with The Spirit," you also have the ability to have an incarnational conversation with God in ways, thoughts, and expressions you've never learned if you are open to Him.  Speaking in Tongues gives us an ability to communicate and have an uncommon dialogue with God.  But, maybe you want to excuse yourself by believing "it is not necessary to for you to exercise incarnational speaking (speaking in tongues)" because you just want your relationship with God to remain on Mute.  Just saying... :)

Blowing it!

     We've all had our moments where we've blown it.  We made bad choices, we choose wrong directions, we said things we wish we could take back, and hurt others in each process. Recently, I had one of these moments. I asked myself why I let myself get into this position. As I looked at my motivation I was trying to help a friend not realizing even my best intentions would bring confusion in another relationship and violate their trust.  I take full responsibility... and what's worse is Proverbs 18:19 remains true, "An offended friend is harder to win back than a fortified city."  I can't believe I let myself get into this position. I am especially bothered when others have used my mistakes as an opportunity to disqualify me totally from being a "trusted" person in projects, opportunities, and other relational networks because they've painted me as a person who continually makes mistakes. Yes, I am guilty but so are they and so are you.  Everyone blows it.  Everyone is guilty... and everyone does it all the time.  Romans 3:23 tells us "All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." Romans 3:10 tells us "there is none righteous, no not one." So, how we forgive and rebuild trust all depends not on the guilty party but the injured party's choices to forgive, get up and trust again, allow mistakes to be made and let lessons be learned by those who made the mistake.

     I think sometimes people find themselves blowing it with others because the offended party has not explained the values they hold well enough, have not defined their personal boundaries to others, or explained what the expectations are in the relationship.  This is not excusing the offense - only explaining why it happens sometimes. So everything gets screwed up, relationship failures happen and then the violating party gets punished because they didn't know or understand the rules the injured party had. 
     Relationships are a complicated thing. Especially, when you have so many of them, so many different values, and so many different rules that you have to navigate through. My expectation is that people will fail.  People will blow it. People are people.  Mark 4:24 says "And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you." Too many people have unrealistic expectations of their friends... people are going to fail you.  You are going to fail others.  The scripture tells us "THERE ARE NONE RIGHTEOUS" - so everyone of us will fail in relationship with others.

     So when someone fails you what will do?  Will you follow Matthew 18:15 "If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over." Or will you just ignore the person who failed you and hold that resentment in your heart?  The goal according to scripture is to "win the relationship back."  Gal. 6:1 exhorts, " Brothers and sisters, if a person gets trapped by wrongdoing, those of you who are spiritual should help that person turn away from doing wrong. Do it in a gentle way. At the same time watch yourself so that you also are not tempted."  The thing that really bothers me these days is how few Christians integrate and practice what the scripture command us to do vs. following their own dysfunctional value systems.  God calls us to restore "relationship failures."  Micah 6:8 tells us that the Lord requires us "TO LOVE MERCY."  I need mercy and grace when I blow it.  I need to be forgiven and reaccepted by others. I need to be valued in the same manner I was valued before I failed others in relationship... and so do you.  But, unfortunately too many people love punishing me, punishing you for our transgressions, our failures, and mishandling our relationship.  Divorce is not acceptable, people talk behind our backs and tell others their offenses toward us, and cut us out of the loop and punish us for blowing it is not acceptable.  We are follows of Jesus I think... God help us!

      Hebrews 12:15 applies to all of us, "Make sure that everyone has kindness from God so that bitterness doesn't take root and grow up to cause trouble that corrupts many of you."  Looking diligently - This phrase implies close attention. It is implied that there are reasons why we should take special care. Lest any man fail of the grace of God; not the free favour and love of God in Christ, which is everlasting, unchangeable, and from whence there is no separation; nor the grace of God implanted in the heart in regeneration, which is incorruptible, never failing, but always remains, as do faith, hope, and love; but either the whole doctrine of the Gospel, which is a declaration of the grace of God; or particularly the doctrine of free justification by the righteousness of Christ, which men may receive in vain, and fall from, 2 Corinthians 6:1 to which these Hebrews might be prone: and such "fail" of it, who either come short of it, do not come up to it, receive and embrace it; or who having professed it, drop it and deny it: now such should be looked after, and such a case should be diligently looked into; because the glory of God, the honour of Christ, the good of souls, and the well being, and even the continuance of the church state are concerned: Lest any root of bitterness springing up - A root of bitterness signifies a poisonous plant. The Hebrews call every species of poison a bitter, and with considerable propriety, as most plants are poisonous in proportion to the quantum of the bitter principle they possess. The root of bitterness is here used metaphorically for a bad man, or a man holding unsound doctrines, and endeavoring to spread them in the Church.  Trouble you - This alludes to the effects of poison taken into the body: the whole animal system is disturbed, sometimes violent retchings, great disturbances through the whole alimentary canal, together with the most fatal changes in the whole sanguineous system, are the consequences of poison taken into the stomach. The blood itself (the principle, under God, of life) becomes putrescent; and probably to this the intelligent apostle alludes when he says, and thereby many be defiled, μιανθωσι, corrupted or contaminated.  Bad examples and false teaching have corrupted thousands, and are still making desolation in the world and in the Church. 

      So my only question I would like to ask of ourselves is: "When others fail us- and they will -  How are we going to handle it?  Will we give them the opportunity to be forgiven, loved and totally accepted as we were in the beginning or divorced, talk about them behind their back, turning others against them so they are not a part of our small world and ensured to be cut out of our little relational network because we are better than them?   Hmmm...  1 Corinthians 13:4-7  "Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged. It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance."   I'm sorry... I've made lots of mistakes. The only thing I can ask of you is to explain to me the rules of engagement when I come into relationship with you and teach me the proper protocol. That's all I can ask - and I will do my best to love and be a good friend to you.  But I am a realist I will blow it sometimes.  Please give me another chance to be a better friend...