Maybe it’s the way I make a first impression, maybe it’s my air of arrogance, maybe it’s my aurora of awesomeness, but I am often the recipient of the phrase, “You know I didn’t like you too much at first.”

I once mentioned this to someone I trusted and they politely said, “Yeah I can see that.”
“Do people say that to you too?” I asked.
“No.”
“Is it because all people instantly like you or is it that those who don’t like you continue not liking you?”
Silence accompanied by an eye roll that I think meant, “I don’t like you anymore.”

Now, when someone finally admits this to you, there’s a comical sense of validation. It’s like, “I finally won you over with my charm” or “I knew you’d come around. I told you I was awesome!” If that arrogance didn’t get them to realize they were right the first time, you may end up with a lifelong friendship.

But do you know what’s worse than this? It’s when you have to admit to someone, “You know I didn’t really like you too much at first.” [Read more…]

Last week I attended a lecture at Gordon College given by David Swartz entitled, “”The Evangelical Left Oxymoron or Opportunity?”
He just released a book called, Moral Minority: The Evangelical Left in an Age of Conservatism.
Here are some of the notes I took – below is the accompanying reflection:

Limits of evangelical politics
1. Acting out culture war scripts
2. Preaching real politick
James Davidson Hunter’s idea of both sides can be manipulative and jockey for power.
3. Proclaiming Nationalism
4. Consuming stuff –
Unintended reformation: What unites the West is no longer Christianity but consumption.
We traded the “pursuit of good” for the pursuit of goods.

In light of all this, the evangelical left (and right) can come across as an oxymoron.

Opportunity
[Read more…]

Despite reading various links from my Google Search, “What the government shutdown means for me” I’m still not sure how it dramatically affects many of us in the short-term who are not relying on governmental provisions in the forms of food or seniors’ or veterans’ services. From what I can see, teaching hospitals, medical research facilities, and other related companies/facilities are affected while social security, counter-terrorism, air-traffic controllers and of course, the Post Office are all still running. (I do realize some of these are furloughed and unpaid but many will be reimbursed as today’s news indicates.)

In one sense I am relieved that a short-term government shutdown does not dramatically disrupt many of our lives. I’m grateful this is not a green light for rioters and home invasions because law enforcement is suspended. I’m also grateful for things like our power grid, sanitation and the internet not being shutdown. This of course, would be political suicide for anyone who pushed those buttons but again, what does a government shutdown actually mean?

Still I can’t help but think what this mess is really costing. We’re told it’s costing the economy billions. Further, I am still trying to [Read more…]

A few weeks ago the military strike against Syria seemed eminent. Syria has been a violent mess for years and now we were calling it out. It’s been intense and heavily critiqued (as military action should be). Some have wondered why now? As others have pointed out, it’s an odd message to say, “You can kill your citizens with gunfire, bombs and knives but not with chemical weapons please.”

As you might know, a significant part of the Syrian conflict has to do with oil and Syria is in situated in a strategic place both geographically and politically. You can start figuring out who benefits if you follow the money and power. Applying the logic of who loses will help in our understanding of the interests of the US and other Arab countries. Yes it’s about money – otherwise why would Russia and Syria be allies?

This I get.

What I don’t understand is why things like money and power cannot be shared. Instead we learn from every corner of the world [Read more…]

Yesterday many churches had their “Vision,” “Launch,” or “Kick-off” Sunday and likely most pastors/ministry types woke up today with mixed feelings of excitement, frustration, anxiety, and hopefully, some clarity.  (There is probably at least one email today that should not be replied to before careful thought).  It’s the new ministry year and there is so much potential goodness to be experienced by us and others.

I’m beginning my third ministry year at my current church Grace Chapel and fourteenth in vocational ministry. This year I have been very intentional about preparing myself to enter the [Read more…]

A few months ago the school and church ministry year were ending and summer was on the horizon. In my blog post about this I said that I wasn’t really looking for rest but renewal. I mean, I knew “rest” would be hard to find as we have 3 little kids, and so if I am too well-rested, it probably means my wife has taken an even more unfair share of the load. We also wanted to feel that “we did something” this summer.  Not sure what that meant exactly then, but looking back it feels we’ve had a worthy summer.

So in response to the looking forward to summer post, here’s my recap of looking back:

[Read more…]